Every drill Kate
runs from four weeks.
Short-form clips of the foundation-exercise drills Kate takes every Rippletrix puppy through — before they go home, and for a new owner to keep running once they have.
Every Rippletrix pup does these before they leave the yard.
Kate is a veterinary physiotherapist. She has spent thirty years watching what happens to the adult dog when the puppy misses its foundation window. Nail trimming, being handled, being on a conditioning platform, being separated for short periods, being stopped mid-motion — these are the drills that decide whether the adult dog will accept a vet, a groomer, a boarding kennel, an agility handler.
Every clip below is short. Under a minute or two. You don't need to watch them in order. Take the ones you need this week, come back for the next batch next week.
"Do a different paw each week to get them used to it. Small things, done often, are the whole game."
Twenty-four short drills.
Kate's clips are being uploaded and titled one by one. The grid below shows the shape of the full set — individual clips will light up as their titles and files are added.
Incline ramp — balance and shaping
A young Border Collie on the incline ramp with Kate — learning to hold position, adjust weight, and read a handler. The single most useful conditioning drill Kate teaches.
Front paw box work
Building rear-end awareness by anchoring the front paws on a low box. Every Rippletrix pup starts this drill from around eight weeks.
Dog walk and cone — exit and entry
Introducing the agility dog-walk with a cone gate. Kate uses cones to shape approach angles before the puppy ever encounters the full obstacle.
Two-box hops
A short, sharp hop between two low boxes. Teaches rear-end drive and lands, and reads well in later agility work.
Front-end box work — extended set
A longer set of the front-paw box drill, adding position holds and small handler moves. Good for older puppies once the basic drill is confident.
Tyre — approach and drive
Introducing the agility tyre with a proper approach line. Kate builds this over weeks — starting with an empty frame and adding drive incrementally.
A-frame and cone — exit sequence
Blue merle Rippletrix pup on the A-frame with cone gating for the exit. Foundation for competition-safe A-frame contacts.
Handler and step platform
Working the step platform with the handler present — teaching the puppy to hold position while the handler moves.
Dog walk — introduction with handler support
Kate seated on the dog walk introducing a young pup to the surface at safe height. Slow, low, calm.
Slope spins, pushes and hops
Kate's longer conditioning session on the slope — slow-speed spins, pushes and hop-ups that build core strength and rear-end awareness.
Balance and rear-end awareness
Combined balance and rear-end awareness drill using low equipment and handler-shaped positioning.
A-frame — full sequence
A blue merle Rippletrix pup on the full A-frame — approach, ascent, contact, exit. Kate marks the contact zone verbally.
Dog walk — supported walk-across
Full walk-across the dog walk at safe height with handler support. The step before the puppy runs it independently.
Side pole box hops
A blue merle Border Collie working side pole box hops. Cross-body driving pattern that builds later weave work.
Dog walk entry — pole and box
Setting up the dog walk entry with a pole gate and a box. Kate uses this to shape the puppy's line onto the contact obstacle.
Step platform work
A working set on the step platform — controlled front-foot placements and calm rear-end holds.
Cone weave and platform
Combining cone weaves with a low platform target. Builds later weave-pole discipline and driving lines.
Tyre — quick entry
Short clip of the quick tyre entry drill Kate uses once the puppy is confident with the frame.
Seesaw introduction
First contact with the agility seesaw — controlled tip, calm handler, no drama. Building confidence over speed.
Watch the piece first, then the clips.
If you're a new owner — read Kate's Top Tips for a Perfect Border Collie first. The clips make more sense once you've read the philosophy behind them. Both are free.
The written companions.
Top Tips for a Perfect Border Collie
Recall, the off switch, toilet training, the puppy-clock idea, and the hard-wired herding instinct.
Read the piece →Top Tips — the free PDF
Kate's own guide as a printable fifteen-page PDF — the same document she sends home with every Rippletrix pup.
Download the PDF →The Full Owner's Manual — free PDF
Twenty-nine pages: socialisation chart, exercise-by-age table, poisons list, worming and vaccination records, and more.
Download the PDF →Kate's Rippletrix CPD
The breeding-side content: canine fertility CPD, timing, testing, and the practical decisions of running a kennel.
See the CPD →The full Rippletrix story.
These exercises are one part of Kate's Rippletrix Border Collies programme. See the bloodline story, meet the pack, and read the full guide to bringing a Rippletrix pup home.