Starts Establish a start routine and be consistent in training and competition Medium/Low Drive Dogs: Consistent routine builds Anticipation = Drive High Drive Dogs: Consistent routine builds Control = Calmer

Starts Before you get to your start: Prepare yourself Toilet your dog Dogs must be trained NOT to pee on the track Check your equipment – untangle your lead!

Starts The Harness: If necessary, mark your harness so you know how it goes on Practise putting it on so you are not fumbling at the start Make sure your harness is the correct fit and does not restrict the dog’s breathing when working the track

Starts At the start flag: Your body language should be neutral – do not face in the direction of the track Allow the dog to establish the direction of the track When the dog commits - you follow Take the start article with you

Training for Starts Practise ‘Round the Clock’ starts Drop the start article at least arms distance from the flag Drop it in different locations around the flag Start on a hill – going up, going down, going parallel Start without a start article – this can happen in a trial

Possible directions of track Possible directions of approach   Possible directions of track V Possible directions of approach Could be approach or direction of track Possible directions of approach determined by Judge

ROUND THE CLOCK STARTS Direction of track   ROUND THE CLOCK STARTS Direction of track Approach the start flag from different directions – allow the dog to establish the direction of the track