I’ve already written a post about how to train (or retrain) a start-line wait. This is an incredibly useful skill to have, unless perhaps you are able to run much faster than your dog. It’s like a free gift at the start of every run, allowing you to be exactly where you need for the first few obstacles.
I’d always recommend training a reliable start-line wait as a long term solution, but sometimes that advice isn’t practical. Not everyone has the same priorities in life (or in their agility training). Sometimes it’s not worth the effort or the missed runs that you may need to fix a long-term problem. Or maybe you’ve started retraining, and you’ve decided not to ask for a wait in the ring until you’ve made more progress.
There’s also a group of dogs which dislike being left at the start, and tend to go slower if they are asked to wait. The handlers of these dogs tread a fine balance between trying to keep their dog’s enthusiasm up, and getting to the right spot to handle the start of the course.
Whatever your reasons, here are a few other strategies you can use to give yourself a head start on the agility course.
The Slingshot
