Jumping Skills

This online coaching course offers detailed training exercises and the opportunity for personalised feedback for you and your dog

How to guide the dog over the correct jump is thought about far more than how the dog can complete this obstacle to the best of his ability, as is expected of other obstacles such as contacts or weaves, with speed and clean efficiency.

Our agility dogs have a lot to do to achieve the best jumping efforts. They have to choose the correct striding and take off spot, read collection, extension and lead changes all by looking for the trainer’s commands - timely or otherwise!

A jumping education can build a knowledge that gives them the ability to forward plan to execute the appropriate jumping effort

Sign up Opens: 20th January 25

Next course: Begins -14th February

Ends - 9th May

I joined this course as I was struggling with my young dog knocking poles.

She was having at least one pole in every run, both at training & in competition.

The feedback from Jo is absolutely superb. Her eye for detail is incredible, she can spot the tiniest adjustments that need to be made.

I would most definitely recommend this course to anyone who thinks their dog doesn't have the best jumping technique.

The best part is that this season we have hardly had any fences down in competition, & I can confidently say that this course has been the difference.

Sue Lascelles

What sort of dogs would benefit from the jumping exercises covered in this course?

A young dog over 13 months looking to begin their agility education. Appropriate grids can be used to create good footwork habits for jumping, introduce value for jumps and build obstacle confidence before introducing handling manoeuvres on the equipment.
A fast dog who may knock poles if he is not judging the strides needed between obstacles and as a result is taking off too early or too late.
A dog who lacks jumping confidence takes many more strides than necessary between each jump meaning he will take more time on course than he needs.
A dog beginning to return to agility after a break. Grids can play a part in building appropriate strength and coordination as part of a dog’s fitness plan or rehabilitation after injury.
A high level competition dog can benefit from grid work exercises a reminder of correct execution and forward planning before big competitions.

As a Qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist I highly advocate the practice of jump grids! So it is very exciting that Jo has created an easily accessible online course, with unlimited access!

After working with Jo I have used jump grids with my Sheltie when returning to agility from injury and as a strengthening exercise to enhance his performance, also with our young collie, who is just learning how to use his body efficiently. This gives me the security that I am educating them as much as possible to help avoid injury.

If you feel overwhelmed and don't know what good jump form is, Jo is also offering online feedback with a working spot! Which I think is invaluable to help educate owners so they may be able to detect an injury early and get support sooner.

-Sam Towe BSc(hons) PgDpVP MIRVAP

Who is your Coach?

Hi, I’m Jo Tristram

I have been competing in agility for 20 years, over that time I have taken part in all major national finals, including winning the Championship, Singles and Team competitions at Crufts. I have represented my country on many occasions with multiple dogs and have won 7 World Agility Open medals and 1 at the European Open. I began agility with a brilliant Staffordshire Bull Terrier x, then a very successful Beardie x Border Collie and currently run Border Collies.

As well as being a competitor, I am also a Judge and have been coach of the World Agility Open England Team for several years. I originally graduated in scriptwriting but turned to full time agility life and now have been teaching for 12 years and regularly present seminars both nationally and internationally. I work with a variety of different breeds and sizes.

I began immersing myself into learning more about jumping execution and exercises to help my own dog, with the aim to improve her performance in an area that was holding us back. The more I learned the more I appreciated how much my students could also benefit. Working with lots of different types of dog has been enlightening and a great way to expand my knowledge. I love details and the joy of the process!