-sigh- *1st agility class a disaster - need advice*

[vinjashira]

I can remember our first agility training like it was yesterday

Fortunately my experience was more enjoyable and our instructors were really helpful.

It is probably better to take Jack for a walk before you go to the training class if he is too excited to begin with like that. Our instructor actualy did give this advice to one of the handler whose dog was overly excited like Jack and it seemed to work as the dog was calmer at the training after that.

I'm not sure if this would work for Jack but Snowy gets focused when I have her favourite treats so perhaps you can give it a try and bring Jack his favourite treat? or toys perhaps as some dogs prefer toys to treats.

Lastly, be more positive - enjoy the training. I know it can be frustrated not to get it right. But hey this is training after all and you do get better after a while. Just remember that it may takes years of training to do it absolutely right in the meantime enjoy the training it will be more fun when you get to do different things in the training, I promise. I can hardly wait for our agility training to start again this year.

[k9krazee]

Thanks guys.

I will try walking him before class, and I really meant to but I had a lot of other things to do. Before his obedience class I took him for a bike ride before to tire him out and he was still a brat But I will definately try it again before our next class!

I had treats, and I didn't feed him dinner before hoping he would be more focused on the food than anything. But he still wouldn't take the treats, everything else was way more exciting...

I know that my frustration had some effect on him, he was stessed out enough to have diarreah last night Its so hard to be more positive though when he won't respond to me

I definately am not going to give up on agility completely, I have wanted to do it for YEARS and I know it'll take time, I just kinda wished the instructors would be a bit more helpful I guess. I asked them what I should do about his problems and thats when she brought her dog over to play

[k9krazee]

Bumpity bump?

[Crikit]

Seeing as I help teach Agility classes perhaps I can help you a little.

You have to remember that people teach differently then others and it could take you a little while to get used to this new teachers style.

When we first start agility classes the head instructor goes over some of the rules of the class and the building and also over some of the things that students might need in the class. From there we go straight to the tunnel, the head instructo likes to explain each obstacle as she goes along.

As for Jack I actually go through the same thing with Beaker, only also inculde the IG need to zoom around the room at break necking speeds. What I've learned to do with him is either keep him focused on me while we are waiting our turn by working on other commands, flat work, or on attention commands or I keep him up in my arms unless of course I have his kennel there and then he goes in to his kennel while waiting our turn.

The waiting game is a big thing in agility classes because it's not like obdience classes where you can work on the stuff as the same time as everyone else. That's why I always find it good to work on the other stuff with my dogs while I'm waiting. Some of the things that I do are things like getting the dog to follow my lead hand, which doesn't need any equipment at all. I also do target work with my dogs where they target my hands which will later help when we are running on course because they learn to watch my hands. I have also be known to work on my side changes while waiting or even just working on the dogs commands for the side changes. It's also fairly easy to do attention work while you are waiting as all that really takes is praising your dog everytime they look towards you...I could explain that in more detail if you want.

Jack could have been acting like that for the first class because it was a new place, with new smells and new dogs. I've seen plenty of dogs that are really excited and hard to control for the first week or two of classes but who eventually settle down as they get used to everything going around them.

[Tralee]

This is what my agility instructor taught me to help Toby focus on me when there is distractions


My instructor is having me play a name game with Toby. When I say his name he should look at me within 2 seconds. You start off by having him on a leash and holding no longer then his body. Standing behind him you call his name once and if he doesn't immediatly turn around and look at you, you goose him or give a little pull on his tail to get his attention. As soon as he looks at you, you click and give a high value treat. You build up with more distraction such as other dogs and treat and toys on the ground. When he is consistently responding on a leash you caan move to a long line. You also want to back when you call his name so he has to chase you. You have to be very consistent. The most important thing is to have really good treat and a variety of treats.

[Fear_Nuclear]

I still love Jack don't worry!!!! I have some great advise for you!!! But I haven't thought of it yet But I hope that your second class goes better Remember Jack is the man!!!! I hope this helped you ALOT

[slleipnir]

I think you need to give him time. Zeke was like that at flyball at first. He still likes dogs and sometimes get distracted, but he became much better at focusing on me after a while. I think it was a new thing for him, and very exciting. Does he have a fav toy or treat? Try brining it and getting him to focus on it.