Adjustable stride grid (foundation)
​- Susan Salo 

  • (T) is for target. What you want your dog to drive to. (A toy, food bowl, food toy)
  • See table below for jump distances and heights.
  • Jumps 1-3 are always low. 
  • Start Jump 4 lower than full competition height. As your dog gains understanding, gets fitter and stronger, 4 can go to full height.  
  • Do not do this as a send exercise (with you hanging back at 1), because your dog will run with their head higher and a shorter stride.
  • If you don't have a lead out, get someone to hold your dog.
  1. Set your dog up half the distance of the low jump, e.g. if 1 and 2 are 3' apart; set your dog up 1.5' from jump 1. ​
  2. Move out a couple of feet past the target, facing ahead (feet to the future) - look back over your shoulder to your dog (tits to the target). Make sure you stand both sides.
  3. After the first repetition (rep), move Jump 4 out. Do this a couple of times then back to the starting position. See table for how far to move the jump.
  4. Do 5 to 7 reps only (5 for smaller / unfit dogs - 7 for bigger / fitter dogs)
  5. Do this grid maybe once a month 
GOAL: Your dog bounces 1 to 2 to 3 and puts in a single stride between 3 and 4.
You're looking for a low head and a flat top line
VIDEO this from the side -- you will not be able to see your dog's performance. Play with the distances until you're reaching the goal consistently

Trouble shooting

Dog runs around the grid
This is your dog's way of saying, I don't understand. Break it down into parts for them. Just do the 3 low jumps REWARD. Put the target just in front of 4. Make sure your dog is happy and understands the grid before moving 4.
Dog does 1-3 but runs out of the grid at 4
Do a couple of reps with the target in front of 4. Then try it again. If you dog still runs around 4. Shorten the distance to and lower #4.
Dog Bounces 3 to 4
Ask your dog to repeat the grid. It might just be that they misjudged the distance. If they continue to bounce, increase the distance between 3 and 4 (by about 1') and then repeat the grid.
Dog keeps offering multiple strides between 3 and 4
Reduce the distance and lower the height of 4. First and foremost we're teaching our dogs about distance. 
All of this is from Susan Salo's jump grid book.
> Buy it from Clean Run
Generously sponsored by National Storage.