Tunnel
The tunnel is a common obstacle in all agility competitions. The objective is for the dog to run through the tunnel without hesitation and without turning around.
Process
Make the tunnel as short as possible – about 1 or 2 feet long.
Have your training partner hold the dog at one end of the tunnel and place yourself just inside the other end of the tunnel.
Say your dog’s name and the command come. As soon as your dog comes through the tunnel offer him or her a reward.
As your dog becomes comfortable running through the tunnel, slowly back away from the exit of the tunnel to call your dog. Start using the command tunnel.
Advanced tunnel lessons
Once your dog is comfortable running through the tunnel and understands the concept of the tunnel, set your dog at the entrance of the tunnel and say tunnel while simultaneously stepping forward.
As soon as your dog exits the tunnel give him or her praise and reward.
Once your dog can complete the 1 to 2 ft tunnel without assistance at the entrance, you are ready to start increasing the length of the tunnel.
Tips
- Initially, we use the command “come” because the dog understands this command. Once your dog has successfully gone through the tunnel, we want to change the command to “Fluffy tunnel” such that your dog understands that the command “tunnel” means go through the tunnel.
- If your dog refuses to go through the tunnel, continue to work with your training partner until your dog gains confidence.
- If your dog refuses to run through the tunnel at any length, go back to the previous length and build confidence before proceeding to a longer length.