What is the Dazzling Directionals Series?

This series explains an easy yet very effective method of cueing your dogs for Straight lines, Curved lines (to and away from you) and tight turns (to and away from you). No Right/Left required. Once you learn how dogs naturally sync up moving with us, you will be able to cue your dog's stride physically and verbally! The Lady bug has become our mascot - the tight front legs for jump wraps, and the gently curved back legs for the soft turns. Towards you vs away from you. Side Dependent. Simple!

FAQ

  • What is a Sprinkler Cue and why do I need this?

    Sprinkler is a term used for the associated verbal often used for this type of turn: it sounds like a Sprinkler Tst Tst Tst... I use a different sound - but the term "Sprinkler" holds for me because a sprinkler represents the arc of the dog's path on this type of turn - typically a soft 180 turn that can be loose or tight. These arc turns are EVERYWHERE in North American and International courses. I think I use the Sprinkler cue on every course I run.

  • How long do I have access to this course?

    30 days with unlimited review of video and Questions answered.

  • What equipment is needed? How big a space?

    As a minimum, 2 jumps, 1 cone. Access to a 10' tunnel or larger, 2-3 jump bumps/or jumps is beneficial. An extra wing or Pool noodle on an upright is also helpful. Space: the skill can be taught in a basement. To apply it in sequences, a minimum area of 15'-20' wide x 30' long. Sequences will be designed for minimal space and also bigger arena spaces.

  • Do I need to use Right and Left for this skill? I struggle with that!

    No, absolutely not.!The verbals are side dependent and tell the dog what to do with their stride and to turn toward you. Any sound or word you want to use works. The same sound/word will be used for both directions toward you.

  • How old does my puppy need to be to take this class?

    Once puppies have some weight shift awareness with basic puppy grids they can get started. 9-10 months + would be fine. They do not need to be jumping height for the class.

  • Can I audit this course?

    No. Success in this course requires input on your dog's progress. Doing the drills and submitting video is the best way to learn the skill.

Instructor(s)

Nicki Gurr. BSc, BEd

Nicki has been competing/teaching Agility for 22 years with 9 dogs: 7 Border Collies and 2 Shelties. She has over 20 1st place championships in National Standards and Jumpers events, and has also excelled in distance work (Gamblers) with multiple wins at the National level, with her Shelties and BCs. She has represented Canada 4x. Twice at FCI, twice at WAO. In 2020 she was Coach for Team Canada WAO. She has had success in multiple associations: AAC, CKC, FCI, USDAA, UKI, AKC. Nicki is a Masters Judge with the AAC and UKI and has worked with MANY students world wide online, in seminar and in weekly lessons, with an equally diverse range of dog breeds. Her strengths as an instructor are in her eye for detail and her ability to guide a handler to the BEST handling choices for their partner. Dogs respond the same way to direction, speed, location to the equipment, shoulders, head and feet. Nicki understands the relationship of how dogs interpret Handler motion to the finest of degrees. She can always enlighten a handler as to why it works and why it doesn’t. Her background is Science and Music. She believes Agility is a natural combination of the two: Moving in rhythm with another species, and training for repeatable behaviour. She has worked with Novice beginners to experienced World Team Members, and has helped many discover what their dogs already knew!