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

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

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?