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AG145: The Art of the Arc: Jumping Grids and Cavaletti Pole Games

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AG145: The Art of the Arc: Jumping Grids and Cavaletti Pole Games

Course Details

Unlock your dog’s rhythm, reach, and jumping finesse in this fun and skill-building 6-week online class! Designed for all levels, this course dives into the power of cavaletti pole and gridwork to enhance your dog’s form, footwork, and focus. Each week introduces a new set of progressive exercises using either cavaletti poles or jump grids to build strength, coordination, and confidence. You'll explore stride regulation, takeoff mechanics, collection and extension, and thoughtful linework—all while keeping sessions playful and positive. Whether you're prepping for agility, foundations, or just looking to boost your dog’s physical literacy, this class brings the arc to life—one pole at a time.

Teaching Approach:

This course follows a progressive, step-by-step approach to skill development. Each training element is accompanied by clear written instructions, and most steps include supporting video demonstrations to enhance your understanding.

Lectures and materials will be released in weekly modules, with all content for the week made available at once to allow for flexible scheduling.

Feedback will be provided written and video feedback when visual clarification is helpful—especially for fine-tuning mechanics or subtle adjustments.

Please be aware that the first couple weeks of class are information-dense, focusing on essential foundation work. While this front-loads the cognitive and planning load, it sets you and your dog up for long-term success and smoother execution of the core skills.

The final weeks of the course will be lighter in content and assignments, providing more time for application, review, and refinement.

 

Ashley EscobarInstructor: Ashley Escobar

Ashley Escobar (she/her) has been training dogs and their people for 20 years. She is a retired college professor of mathematics and is a Certified Canine Fitness Trainer (CCFT) as well as a Certified Human and Canine Physical Trainer. ..(Click here for full bio and to view Ashley's upcoming courses)

Syllabus

View Full Syllabus

 

Week 1:

    • Introduction defining Cavaletti and jump gridwork
    • Benefits of Cavaletti and grid work for proprioception and coordination
    • Correct setup and spacing for different dog sizes (Cavaletti and grids)
  • Exercises:
    • Forward focus cue
    • Ladder Grid & set point work
    • Conditioning: Box Grid Work (Beginner)
    • Assessment of your dog’s natural rhythm and body carriage through ladder grid
    • Assessment of your dog’s core and rear usage and strength with the box grid work 

Week 2: 

    • Understanding the basics of our dog’s stride 
    • Shaping consistent, rhythmic movement
  • Exercises:
    • Variable Cavaletti height at trot
    • Recalls on the flat 
    • Conditioning: Hold a sit on a small perch, balance disc, fitbone etc. 

Week 3: 

    • Advanced set point work
    • Building strength and balance through grids
    • Extension to collection work
  • Exercises:
    • Growing set point workload 
    • Cavaletti Collection work
    • Send around wing with recalls
    • Send around a wing plus turns
    • Push around a wing (turn away, weight shifting to rear, collection, bending away from me and convergence)
    • Conditioning: Stand to down, down to stand

Week 4: 

    • Cavaletti work on a bend
    • Collection work
  • Exercises:
    • Collection recalls over a jump
    • Bend recalls over a jump
    • Collected trot cavaletti vs extended trot cavaletti

Week 5: 

    • Introducing directional changes through grids
    • Reinforcing visual focus and stride commitment
  • Exercises:
    • Lead change jump grid work
    • Conditioning: lateral movement of front legs with rear legs elevated

Week 6: 

    • Combining cavaletti and grids in flowing sequences
  • Exercises:
    • Adding one obstacle before wrap work
    • Creative combinations 
    • Conditioning: Tight turns on travel plank
  • Focus:
    • Celebrating progress and setting future goals

Prerequisites and Equipment

5 jumps (wingless are perfectly fine) Cavaletti poles 6, and you can use cavaletti poles for the jumps but you will need one jump at your dog's height for some of the grids and work. A platform that can be raised as needed (klimb or similar), a perch of some sort that your dog can sit on (example: balance disc, fitbone etc) a plank, board, platform long enough to support your dog standing on it, doesn't have to be elevated. 

Sample Lecture

More

sealah

By systematically developing this behavior outside of agility sequences, you are setting your dog up for success in real course scenarios. This cue will become a powerful tool for building drive, clarity, and independent motion—all key traits for confident, successful agility runs.

📍 Part 1: Cavaletti Poles – Foundation for Form & Function

🔹 What Are Cavaletti Poles?

Cavaletti poles are a powerful and versatile tool used in dog training and conditioning. Adapted from equine sports, they consist of low poles placed on the ground or slightly elevated. The dog moves over them—typically at a walk or trot—in a slow, controlled manner.

This simple setup creates complex benefits. By requiring careful foot placement and coordination, cavaletti work develops both the body and the brain.

 Why Use Cavaletti Poles?

Let’s break down the benefits:

  • Improved Proprioception
    Teaches your dog better body awareness—knowing where their feet and limbs are in space.
  • Improves Stride Rhythm and Stride Regulation
    Promotes clean, efficient movement and helps identify or correct imbalances.
  • Builds Core Strength and Body Stability
    Builds the foundational muscles dogs need for stability, especially in sports that require jumping.
  • Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation (where needed)
    Low-impact, controlled movement makes this a great tool for rehab (with professional guidance).
  • Boosts Focus and Confidence
    Helps dogs learn to think about their body’s movement—boosting confidence when it comes to jumping mechanics.

Who Should Be Doing Cavaletti Work?

Everyone! But here’s where it really shines:

  • Agility foundations and sport dog prep school
  • Canine fitness and conditioning
  • Retired sport dogs for mobility
  • Puppies building early proprioception
  • Dogs in rehab or returning from injury
  • Any dog that needs to move with more intention and strength **jumping sports**

 Why It Matters

Cavaletti pole work is deceptively simple but deeply effective. It’s easy to set up at home, fun for your dog, and incredibly valuable for improving how they move—one step at a time.

Part 2: Jump Grids – Building the Confident, Skilled Jumper

What Are Jump Grids?

Jump grids are structured sequences of jumps, set at deliberate distances, designed to teach dogs how to jump—correctly, confidently, and safely.

Grids help isolate individual components of jumping: takeoff, arc, landing, stride regulation, and decision-making—without the complexity of handling or full agility courses.

Why Use Jump Grids?

 

Testimonials & Reviews

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New class for the June 2025 session

Registration

Next session starts: June 1, 2025
Registration starts: May 22, 2025
Registration ends: June 15, 2025

Registration opens at 9:30am Pacific Time.

AG145 Subscriptions


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Tuition $ 260.00 $ 130.00 $ 65.00
Enrollment Limits 12 25 Unlimited
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Post dog specific questions ✔ With video only ✖
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