Jumping seminar

I spent the weekend at a jumping seminar with Kumma. Vappu Alatalo was teaching, based on Susan Salo's method. Kumma was the youngest participant, all the other dogs were 12 months or older. Contents of these two days were basic jumping exercises: set point, grid work, and estimating distance. There will be a third day in September, focusing on bending. Even if I heard of this method many years ago, it took some time to really study what it is about. With easy jumping IGs I thought this is not for us. I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking that way... Only now I can understand how much benefit there would have been for the IGs as well. Neeo could have gained speed, Hoppu tighter turns. I like Salo's method because it is consistent and clear, and fun. It can be taken dead seriously, but the point is to let the dog go and have fun, and he learns and improves jumping skills simultaneously. He figures out how to jump so that it feels good.

I was excited to see how Kumma would take the long weekend, lots of people and other dogs. Wow, was he great! He showed fantastic focus for his age. We had practised going to a toy target at home and it helped a lot. I'm proud of my puppy :) Now I should go to Bauhaus and buy some pipes to build (or cut) speed bumps. I'm going to introduce them to Hoppu and Neeo as well, safe fun for the veterans.

We recommend Vappu's seminars!