4-hour workshop
$40 for members or 1 class card
$80 for non-members
What is a Threadle?
A “threadle” is an agility handling situation where the handler must cue the dog to move between two obstacles without taking the approach side (the side of the obstacle that is most obviously facing them).
A threadle can involve the handler “pulling” the dog in toward them or “pushing” them through the gap. A simple way to understand it is the opposite of a serpentine approach.
What is threadle handling good for?
- It can prepare you to handle higher-level courses such as AKC Premier and ISC, UKI, and USDAA classes.
- It can help build handler focus.
- It can help you cue your dog to bypass obstacles for running tight lines, through boxes or in Snooker classes.
- It let you cue the off-side tunnel entrance (the far end of a tunnel when the “wrong” tunnel entrance is more obviously facing your dog).
Sound complicated?
We’ll make it simple.
Like all of the workshops in this DTCCU workshop series, the goal of this class will be to start from the very beginning with skills most agility dogs already have.
We’ll start with the basic concept of teaching your dog to drive past something of value to earn a reward. You’ll learn how to build threadle handling in small steps. You’ll come away with a training progression that you can continue to work on at home.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to try out the skills you’ve learned on a jumpers-style course.
Prerequisite: Teams should be comfortable with basic handling concepts like front crosses, rear crosses and serpentine handling. Having a basic familiarity with handling backside approaches is recommended.
All participants of past Intro to International Handling Skills workshops at DTCCU are welcome to attend this workshop.
This workshop is especially recommended for teams that took part in the summer’s layering workshops. The handler focus component of training threadles provides a nice contrast training opportunity for dogs who have been focusing on layering skills and distance.