What sports do you compete in with your dog?

Congrats, Graham. Good luck on your next agility classes!! Isn't it great fun?

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***Save a life, ADOPT***

Sorry I am so late with the congratulations for Star and Graham on their success at Agility. And Tats, thank for the clicker training suggestion to get Hannah to come. That is one thing I haven't tried with her. Ktreva, thanks for all your input as well. I have used them all in the past and some in the present. "What a good dog" is a much used phrase around here", and we have 15 ft. 20 ft. and 50 ft. leads as well as the light weight clothes line. But it all boils down her knowing when none of those things are attached and if there if something else of interest at the time the command is given. Lately although we still practice daily, I have gotten sloppy about enforcement. She's not a hard dog to live with most of the time. One stradegy that we have recently been employing is to call, give her ample time to obey, then just shutting the door and ignoring her. Our door squeaks when it is being shut, and now I have noticed a lot of the time, when she hears that squeak, she comes a running.

Thank you everyone for the congrats...Tats, congrats on Star's "shining" performance in agility http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif Isn't it fun? I wish I had gotten my yellow lab Beener into agility, but I am not sure if he'd like it. He was one of the unusual cases, he did not care for obedience training, although he'd hang in there for me. I only took him to beginner class, he just did not care for it, don't know if he would have liked agility or not. I think he would have.

Tats, a WHOLE bunch of homemade doggie cookies??? Well Graham LOVES you now! I told him that just because he did not get a doggie diploma or a special doggie cookie with this agility place, that does not mean he's not a good dog! He told me to tell you that it was as sweet as sugar of you to offer to send him such a yummy graduation gift http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif He wagged his stubble http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

Ok, it's bragging time now http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif Graham, surprisingly, was the only mutt in both his class and the class before his (which I arrived early to watch every week). There was even an American/Canadian grand champion Rod. Ridgeback in my class, as well as a full border collie and Graham, once again, outdid his entire class! He won best in class in every obedience class, and he was by far the best in his agility class once again! The trainers told me (in private, so we would not upset the class) that Graham could have skipped the next class and placed well in the class after the next one, but I needed more training (correct ways of handeling him) so they told me I should do the next class so I am able to learn all that I have to learn (I've been outsmarted by a dog!!!)

The last class (graduation) they had us run the dogs through all the obsticles (in the weeks previus we were split into teams, and only tackeled 2-3 at a time), and, to my surprise, Graham knew the names of all the obsticles. I was closer to the middle of the arina and I would call out the name of the obsticle and Graham went right to it! He knew the teeter, "climb it" (a-frame), table, tunnel, "walk it" (dog walk), shute and all the jumps by name. I called out what he has to do next and he ran to it without me next to him guiding him http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif My husband went to the last class and he was beaming with "proud daddy". He had never before been so proud and impressed of a dog. Graham had not shown fear once of any of the obsticles, but I did not know he actually knew the names of them all!

Sorry, had to brag about my boy. He was the only mutt and he was the best. I am determined to get his first title in agility because, not only is it oodles of fun, but also he makes mutts look good. I am not against purebreds, I absolutely love purebred GSD's, but when a "throw away" mutt does so well, it might promote more mutt rescues. I am so proud of him. He's so exceptional and I am SO lucky to have been the one to see him first and adopt him out of that aweful prison he was in.

P.S. Su, my agility class started at 9:30 PM, I hated that it was so late, I am an early bird, but I came to the class yawning every week and as soon as the class started I was wired! I ran and sweated and was more awake and alert then ever! My next class starts at 8:30 and I know that, once again, energy will intoxicate me and I'll, once again, be as awake as if it were a bright, sunny morning http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

Congratulations Graham!

Love Daisy and her Mommy

AdoreMyDogs!!! I'm just gonna CRY!!!! Nothing gets me more emotional than seeing anyone show how proud they are of someone they love, then SHOUT IT TO THE WORLD!!!! What a fantastic job, Graham. Nothing can stop you now. (Unless your Mom falls asleep in class!) I love all dogs, but "All Americans" are just the best. Their hearts are the biggest. Their eyes say, "Hey, look at me. Here I am. I can do it all." You must be soooo proud. No diploma or special treats needed here. No doubt Mom and Dad's pride, joy and love for their special kid knocked him over! I couldn't be happier for you. I know the joy you are feeling in seeing Graham "soar." My spirit soars with you. Still want to send you guys some treats; maybe some No-Doze for Mom!

Hello,

I plan to start training my pup to perform agility. He already knows how to jump over hurdles (in my case wooden boards) on command. If any one here knows any good sites or has any tips on agility training please e-mail me.

Thanx a lot,
Rachel n Bandit

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*Get a Grip Get an Aussie*

Thanks everyone for letting me brag about my super doggie. You are all WONDERFUL!

Tats and Adore congratulations! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

i compete my dog daisy(4 year old sheltie) in obiedence and agility.

Well, I haven't been here a while and look what Graham did!!! Big Congrats! There is a type of agility that you actually have to stay in a specific area of the arena and call the obstacles out to the dog -- looks like Graham would have that sewn up!

There was a blue-bound book I found at PetsMart about agility and it's packed away just now, but it has all the info about different type of agility, the clubs you can contact, and how to build the obstacles. I've seen it at dog shows, too. I wish I could recall the title. I'll research it and let you all know.

Rachel -- sounds like the old "ignore" is the trick on getting that come down. Good for you. I like to recommend that aspect as it really makes the dog think you might be doing something he/she ought to be interested in.

As for Beener -- well, I have seen agility spark a dog's interest in obedience like nothing else will. It's a good time for the dog and reinforces all obedience commands. You might want to give it a try and see how he does.

I'm so thrilled that everyone is taking an interest in agility. Expecially the mixed breed owners. It is really a sport where any dog can excell and title and it doesn't depend on what "breed" the dog is like some of the other things like go-to-ground (terriers & dachshunds), or herding (herding breeds only), or anything else except flyball. Best wishes in the new year for all of you.