AG375: Smoother Moves: Advancing Your Technique Training & Course Analysis

German Turn 

A German turn is a technique where the dog will complete a tight s-line, usually on a backside-line. Based on what you’ve learned so far, consider a German turn = backside send + running on the dog’s line + delayed head turn. 

Your motion will parallel the intended line the entire time, from the commitment to the jump and throughout the turn. 

Your position will be one step from the intended line. The handler begins with a position that helps cue the backside. After commitment, the handler moves forward, around the opposite wing that you've sent the dog around. You and the dog will be across from each other as you break the plane of the jump and continue moving forward parallel to the intended line. 

Your eyes will be watching the dog for commitment to the backside and then drop to the landing spot of the jump as you move away. Once the dog has landed, you will use a head turn to change your eyes to the other shoulder, cueing a side change to the dog. 

Your chest will point to the outer edge of the wing for the backside send, then towards the take-off point of the jump as you break the plane of the jump, and then to the intended line after the head turn. 

Your feet will keep you moving forward during the entire technique. You should avoid backing up or turning your hips towards the jump as much as possible. 

Your arms will support your chest throughout the technique. Using the dogside arm to cue the backside, and as you break the plane of the jump, using the outside arm to turn your chest towards the take-off spot helps support the dog to continue to the jump as you move away. Then, when you cue the head turn, the outside arm becomes the new dogside arm. 

Your voice can help the dog commit to the backside. 

Teaching 

Step 1 

Begin with your dog in a stay on the takeoff side of the jump. You will be positioned on the opposite wing, using the hand furthest from the dog, turning your chest towards the take-off point of the jump. Release your dog and begin to move away from the jump. They should jump and collect their pre-placed reward. You can watch them eat over the same shoulder, or practice your timing of your head turn as they land. Repeat this until you are able to remove the pre-placed reward and drop the reward on the line after landing and head turn. 

Step 2 

Move your dog's starting point so that the front half of their body is on the takeoff side of the jump and the rear half is on the landing side, so that they can practice the wrap around the wing with your movement away. Progress the reward the same as Step 1. 
Not all dogs need this step, but it's a good split if the dog's backside sends are not as strong! 

Step 3

Move your dog to the exit of the tunnel. You will now be cueing the backside send before the rest of the German turn. 

Step 4

Start your dog from the tunnel. Time the commitment to the backside just as they exit the tunnel, so that you have plenty of time to move around the wing as they commit to the jump. 

How is this different than a backside + blind? Or a Hungarian Turn? 

This is the most common question I get asked, and I love explaining it. 

Totally clear, right? It's ok if it isn't. Remember the technique names and guidelines of those techniques are used to help you be more consistent in the cues you are giving to your dog. So when you aren't sure which technique to use, ask yourself: what type of line do I need to create, and then see where it falls on the image above. I hope that helps! 

Assignment 

Teach yourself and your dog the German turn!