Pause?

Though pause boxes are rarely featured in American competitions, they can function as a cheap, space saving alternative to a pause table for practice. Put a pause box on your course and train your dog to stop and lie down (or sit!) in the middle of the course.

Pausing is a problem for many dogs – agility is about running really fast and jumping, right? Wait, your dog thinks, you want me to stop? Surely not! Surely you are mistaken!  It’s important to train your dog to enjoy these pauses.

Pause boxes are especially interesting if you designate the direction you need your dog to exit the box from. The UKC says “the side of the Pause Box closest to the previous obstacle is the correct entry side, and the side closest to the next obstacle is the correct exit side, which the dog must use to receive full credit for the Box. It is possible that the entry and exit will be the same side, depending on the course design.”  Changing the exit angle is a fun handling challenge that can liven up the pausing portion of the course!