The teeter-totter is a common obstacle in dog agility events. It consists of a board attached to a fulcrum and weighted on one end. To clear the obstacle, the dog must run up the board, use its weight to make the high end of board come down, then descend the board and exit off the other end. If the dog leaves the board prematurely, it can be penalized in competitions. You can train your dog for this event using the same teeter-totters found on playgrounds.
Step 1
Familiarize your dog with the teeter-totter at the beginning of training. Allow the dog to walk around it, smell it and see it move. Place your dog on the teeter-totter so that it gets used to having the apparatus underfoot before ever attempting to run it.
Step 2
Bait the middle of the board with an object your dog loves--a doggie treat or a favorite toy. Show the bait to your dog, and place the bait at the pivot point on the teeter-totter. This will entice the dog up the board.
Step 3
Lead your dog up the board slowly by the collar. Pause at the bait and allow the dog to retrieve it. The pivot point is where the dog should pause in competition, allowing the far side of the teeter-totter to slowly descend under the dog's weight.
Step 4
Lead your dog by a leash once it is comfortable walking over the board. Remove the bait, and instruct your dog to pause at the center as the board descends. Keep the leash loose unless the dog needs urging on.
Step 5
Practice the obstacle on a regular basis without the leash. Praise your dog when it does well, and firmly correct it when it doesn't, but don't get angry. Your dog will learn faster if it's having fun and looks forward to the sessions. Expert agility teams practice daily, but you can start less frequently and build up as your dog improves.
Step 6
Approach the teeter-totter from different directions. Change your dog's starting point so that the run never involves the same distance or angle; this will help your dog become acclimated to the variances that occur from course to course. Run alongside at times, and stay back at other times to prepare for differences in rules governing where the handler must be.
Tips and Warnings
- Keep your training sessions short to avoid boring your dog or causing it to overheat.
- If your dog is older or has been inactive, bring it along slowly. Watch for injuries, and let the dog rest when necessary.
Things You'll Need
- Dog treat or toy
- Dog collar
- Leash
