Fenzi Dog Sports Academy - AG140: Building and Maintaining A Start Line

Course Details

Many dogs start out their agility career with a good start line. But, over time that start line behavior deteriorates. Why do good start lines break down for some dogs and not others? How can some dogs have great start lines and other dogs struggle when you have trained the same way and handled the same way?

This class will help you build a start line behavior for your dog from the ground up. You will also add handling that is essential in maintaining that behavior throughout your dog's agility career. Agility trainers focus a lot on the training and handling involved to run sequences. Not enough time is spent training the skills needed for the start line and the routine before the dog starts running.

The content is suitable for young dogs that have not started trialing. It will can also help those dogs that have start line issues at the trials. For some dog and handler teams, the only change needed is a handling change. It is strongly suggested you refrain from trialing your dog while you work through this class.

Small dogs can also be trained to do long lead outs, in spite of what you see at the agility trials. Here is an example of my 19 month old Chihuahua mix who was trained with this method (like my big dogs) and has a lovely lead out.

Listen to previous podcasts about this class:

https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/blog/e323-nancy-gagliardi-little-startlines-under-stress

Teaching Approach

This class takes a step by step approach to building the skills needed for a start line behavior. Each step will have written instructions. Most steps will have a corresponding video. Lectures are released in one batch at the beginning of the week.Feedback will be mainly written, but occasionally, voiceover videos help the student understand subtle changes that are difficult to describe.

This class will have a Teacher's Assistant (TA) available in the Facebook study group to help the Bronze and Silver students! Directions for joining that Facebook group will be in the classroom after you register.

Instructor: Nancy Gagliardi Little

Nancy Gagliardi Little (she/her) has been training dogs since the early 1980s, when she put an OTCH on her Novice A dog, a Labrador retriever. Since then she has put many advanced obedience titles on her dogs, including 4 AKC OTCH titles, 6 UD titles, 3 UDX titles, and multiple...(Click here for full bio and to view Nancy's upcoming courses)

Syllabus

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Week 1

Where it goes wrong
Station training
Freeze in Position (Offered Stay)
Clean Verbal Cues & Event Markers
Work Away from Rewards (Remote Reinforcement)

Week 2

Start line issues
The Stay
Introduction of the Release Cue
Handling the Release Without the Dog
Training the Release from the Station
Handling the Release from a Station
Focus Evaluation Procedure

Week 3

Reset Start
Positions
Training and Handling Release from a Station (continued)
Work Away from Reinforcement - Add Transitions and Work

Week 4

Release from Position
Setup at the start line
Leash On and Off Procedure
Station Training - Distractions

Week 5

Lead-out/Release from the Setup
Moving to the first obstacle
Work Away from Reinforcement - Toys
Work Away from Reinforcement - Add a Ring Entrance

Week 6

Putting it all together
Testing the Start line (delays, changing setup position, changing handler position etc)
Ring Exit Strategy (this affects your ring entry)

Prerequisites & Supplies

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Prerequisite: None

Equipment:

Jump (this will be set low)

Sit platform or a prop

This prop can help your dog learn how to assume the desired position (sit, down, stand) when you set him up. This will be helpful, if you want to set up your dog at your left or right side. It is not required and we can work around it. But if you want a nice precise setup, it can be helpful.

If you already have a good setup, or if you want your dog to start between your legs, you won't need anything. If you don't know what you need, we can discuss this in class.

A portable dog cot or any type of portable station.

Dog mats that lay flat on the ground won't be used to teach stationing behavior. Instead, you will need a cot or an elevated surface with a distinct boundary.

The portable/fold-up Carlson cot has worked well for my dogs. I use the large for my medium dogs. It's much larger than they need, but I love the portability. It is also very reasonably priced. If you have a powerful dog, you might want to look into something more expensive that is built to handle an abrupt exit from the station. There are cots made for kids in daycare that work well as stations. If you search for "daycare cots" in your browser, you can find examples of these.

Other favorites are the Cato Board: https://catooutdoors.com/. The Cato Board is a stable outdoor platform specifically for dog sports activities. You can use it in most weather conditions, and it is supported so that it doesn't move when your dog gets onto or leaves the board. They are pricey, but I think you'll like them. Some dogs have issues stepping off a lower station, and the Cato Board has a lower platform. The issue of stepping off or executing a 2o2o position is common in the earlier learning stages. You can stack 2 or 3 Cato Boards to get more height or work the initial learning stages on a temporary station (even one that is not portable) with more height (couch, table, etc.) until your dog understands the criteria.

The 4 Legs 4 Pets cots: https://www.4legs4pets.com/. These are also sturdy cots that are stackable. However, they are lower to the ground and might cause issues where the dog steps off, as I described in the above paragraph on the Cato Board.

The Klimb with a mat (to prevent it from being slippery) is okay as long as it is stable for your dog. There should be enough room for your dog to stand and move around comfortably.

Other options are cushions from a couch, an ottoman, an aerobic step, or any object your dog can stand on comfortably.

You can also use permanent outdoor surfaces, like a treat stump, concrete surface or platform (like septic tank lids), or a park bench.

There is no required position on the station. Just because you want a sit at the start line doesn't mean your dog must sit on the station. Also, if you have a down on the pause table, the down should not be required on the station.

Some dogs initially have trouble learning to stay on stations close to the ground, like the Cato board. The issue is that the dog can easily step off during the learning phase. If this happens, you can raise your station by stacking or propping it up temporarily until your dog learns the skill.

If you aren't sure about what to use or have any further questions, please ask.

Toy (can be a food toy)

For toy motivated dogs - a toy that can be thrown or placed as a reinforcement.

If your dog prefers food, then you will need a food toy that you can be thrown.

Examples of food toys: https://www.cleanrun.com/category/dog_toys_and_tugs/food_stuffable_agility_training_dog_toys/index.cfm

Lotus ball small: https://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=3098&ParentCat=132

Lotus ball medium: https://www.cleanrun.com/product/medium_lotus_ball_dog_toy/index.cfm?ParentCat=22

Treat hugger: https://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=5087&ParentCat=132

https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Run-Hugger-Treat-Dispensing-Fleece/dp/B07DF8NWSY/

Sample Lecture

Strong start

If your dog's start line performance started strong and then fell apart, how did that happen? If you have a dog that has not competed and you want to train a brilliant start line, how can you make sure that the behavior doesn't fall apart?

Reinforcing behavior

Behaviors increase and become stronger when they are reinforced - that's how reinforcement is defined. Reinforcement occurs when the dog accesses something they find value for (for example, food or toys). Reinforcement can also happen by when the dog performs a behavior that has value (from a long history of reinforcement). For example, when your dog accesses a highly valued obstacle after performing a skill (like the start line), all of the previous behaviors are reinforced by the execution of that obstacle. So, you can essentially reinforce your dog's start line when you release your dog to perform the first obstacle (if that obstacle has value for the dog).

The reverse also comes into play. You can build in a history of unwanted behaviors when you repeatedly continue or cue obstacles after your dog performs unwanted start line behaviors. If you ignore those undesirable behaviors, they will continue (and can even become stronger) in that environment. That's why so many dogs have different performances at the trials. The environment becomes a cue to the dog for a different performance. There is also an emotional component in play. If there is stress or confusion, skills will get weak or disappear altogether. It's a complicated behavior chain that needs to be unraveled to clear up confusion for individual dog and handler teams.

Because it can be tricky to reward your dog's start line performance in a trial, you must work hard at exposing your dog's trained routine to many environments and distractions. In an environment that has lots of distractions (trials), your dog's performance will get tested. However, if the training has also been tested and the handling and the release cue are clear to your dog, then those new situations won't be an issue. As long as new environments and distractions are gradually layered into your dog's experience with plenty of success, then your dog will eventually handle distractions that seemed impossible in the past.

For the love of agility

Most dogs that do agility LOVE the sport. Training the obstacles and sequences with positive reinforcement creates a strong desire to interact with them. Going to the next "thing" becomes a highly valued reward for the dog. However, if you and your dog are not communicating well (your cues are not clear), both of you will be frustrated. The lack of communication will deteriorate your dog's start line stay - maybe without you even recognizing the first signs. For example, your dog's behavior might start to change in classes or trials under certain conditions when:

you feel rushed,
you disconnect from your dog (thinking about the sequence ahead or talking to your instructor),
you are unaware of signals or movements that your dog associates with the release,
you are unaware of patterns that unintentionally predict a release

Also, there can be some issues caused by stress or frustration, which creates a negative conditioned emotional response in your dog at the start line. And when that happens, you no longer have a dog that can think clearly. Anything can happen!!

What causes behavior to deteriorate?

Here are some examples of handler behavior that can cause a good start line behavior to deteriorate:

Attempt to control the dog's behavior
- Backing up or facing the dog while leading out
- Repeating the stay cue while leading out
- Physically placing the dog into position (i.e., pushing the rear down, etc.)
- Overly demanding/punitive stay cue tone
Being disconnected or distracted
Using unpredictable patterns (examples: two steps then release, handler looks at the dog and then releases)
Using unintentionally pairing the verbal release cue with motion (example: reaching towards the dog with a hand at the same time the verbal cue is given, moving forward at the same time the verbal release cue is given)
Showing disappointment and negative emotions - even when it's not directed towards the dog.

Conclusion

Your dog learns the start line routine pattern that you create - intentionally or unintentionally. This pattern starts from the time you walk into the ring until your dog leaves the start line. As each of these behaviors progresses, each of them is rewarded by continuing with the subsequent behavior. It ends up being a robust behavior chain that builds and gains momentum. If there are any unwanted behaviors along the way, those behaviors are also built into the routine.

Unfortunately, most of these patterns usually go unnoticed until the dog is displaying lots of unwanted behaviors, including leaving the start line before the handler's intended release cue is given. To solve these issues, you have to break things down and rebuild a different set of behaviors with clear cues.

Testimonials & Reviews

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A sampling of what prior students have said about this course ...

Nancy, thank you! You are AMAZING! This course has been a game-changer for us. Training is always a work in progress and we've been working on so much for so long. This course has helped us with more than just a start line. Other things were recently starting to come together for us as well, but they were highlighted by your methodical exercises in this course. For example, I can confidently put Tito in a sit and walk away to put a jump in a different position and I "know" he will stay. I can confidently use toys in training, without over arousal issues, and know that I haven't invited Tito to engage in a "party of 1", but rather OUR "party of 2". I am now seeing a dog that wants to play this "start line" game and be rewarded by being able to go. I can "repeat" exercises without him stressing that he did something wrong. I have increased confidence in him and most importantly, he has increased confidence in me. Thank you for all your help and observations. It has been a pleasure!

Awesome class! Nancy's step by step method of training a start line from its most rudimentary elements to the "finish" line leaves her students with clarity and consistency that builds on itself throughout the course. Her quick and frequent responses to videos and questions paints the picture for helping each individual team with kindness and respect regardless of their present level of training and understanding. Her keen eye and suggestions are complemented with her understanding of canine behavior and emotions to show the full picture of what's going on. Students not only learn her method of training a start line but they grow in understanding of their dogs and how to work through and support each individual dog in training. Our team has benefited tangibly and intangibly from everything Nancy has taught. Nancy is a wealth of information, experience, and expertise. It's been a game changer for us! Thank you!

Nancy is an excellent instructor. Her attention to detail, the speed which she moves forward to achieve a goal is stunning. Her strategies in training, seminars, groups class work. The ultimate challenge will be when we trial!!!

This is the BEST class I have ever taken (even outside of Fenzi). This class should be a prerequisite for anyone doing agility! Until taking Nancy's class, I didn't realize that my handler mechanics were the root cause of my issues. I have now become obsessed with clean markers and not pairing the onset of movement with a verbal cue. I love how she broke the whole routine down into tiny components.

Let's just say we got 26 points and two QQs this past weekend. That may not sound like much to an agility superstar but to a team that typically eeks out a few points in STD and often doesn't double Q because we are a few seconds over time in JWW, it was HUGE! Did I mention we used our newly developed start line procedure in each of the four runs (and praise and blind crosses but no cheerleading :))? We clearly have more work to do but I feel that we are headed in the right direction! Many thanks to Nancy for her guidance and leadership in getting us to this point. Sally & Reese

It was a wonderful class and I will recommend it to my friends. Nancy is extremely knowledgeable and very kind and informative in her comments to the students.

Nancy is knowledgeable, thorough, and willing to change things up based on the individual needs of each dog/handler team. I know this takes a lot of dedicated time and thoughtfulness on her part, and it is greatly appreciated.

This was an excellent class. I wish I had been able to take at Silver or Gold. I might retake at a higher level.

I am a great proponent of online learning (for a variety of reasons) but mainly because it allows me to work at my own pace with a purpose in mind. The Gold level classes definitely accomplish this in addition, to making it a priority to recieve communication/feedback with the instructor. No where has it been done better for me than with Nancy Little and this class (and Glue for Future Agility Stars :). The feedback is timely, spot on, and is designed to bring out the best in each dog team. She does this by breaking down into tiny pieces FOUNDATION--Im going to say it again, FOUNDATION. Without which, dog teams might initially be ok but will eventually break down and will never reach the heights they could have with it. Nancy understands this and knows how to scaffold the lessons in a way that best aids the adult learner in executing those lessons successfully with their dog. More importantly, I believe that Nancy goes above and beyond in her feedback because she believes passionately in what she is teaching and in what she wants us to accomplish as students. I would highly recommend this class to anyone doing dog sports. Penny Reedy

My learning and my dogs learning was phenomenal . We have always had a hard time with lead-outs. At first they were great and then as we advanced in other areas of agility my dog broke all start line lead-outs. No one could advice us on how to fix our problem(s) except to say "practice." . From the start, the impulse games began to change my dog's attitude in good ways. Using a dog cot made the training fun and very successful. My learning to keep my eyes on the dog was a game changer for me, as well as learning to be still and count to three. In fact in class now he has had some wonderful controlled lead-outs that have awed me. My live instructor was impressed he had advanced so much. Thank you! Nancy's instructions were very clear, and the step by step approach in each lesson made them easy to follow, and practice and have success! I love my new dog, well he is not new, but seems that way now with his start line skills.

Registration

Next session starts: August 1, 2025
Registration starts: July 22, 2025
Registration ends: August 15, 2025

Registration opens at 9:30am Pacific Time.

AG140 Subscriptions

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