The agility thread

[blackcob]

Pinching the idea from the gundog thread - how well does your dog know their verbals?

Leaving aside the fact that I don't even have some turns on separate directional cues it's becoming increasingly obvious that my large dog isn't actually listening to verbals and is doing a lot of guessing, or just thundering about taking the most obvious thing in front of her, which is fine at G2 but will see me rapidly come unstuck when (if!) she starts hitting the 3-5s.

 

[TwyfordM]

Complete agility novice but have two young dogs that I think would love it.
Where do you start?!
And age you'd think they'd be ok to start at?

Miek is coming up 2 in may but absolutely teeny tiny. I think he's around 3kgs. Prague ratter cross, so very intelligent and athletic. Think mini mini pincher.

Rodney has just turned 1, not much taller but more heavy set as 3/4 Brussels griffon, has the drive but less agile and athletic he has my balance and coordination, so would be more of fun outing and hope it helps with those areas rather than a competition for me and him. Little sis and Miek could be a force to be reckoned with and go far though I think!
Do they do disabled classes? As I can't run anymore

 

[MurphysMinder]

Pinching the idea from the gundog thread - how well does your dog know their verbals?

Leaving aside the fact that I don't even have some turns on separate directional cues it's becoming increasingly obvious that my large dog isn't actually listening to verbals and is doing a lot of guessing, or just thundering about taking the most obvious thing in front of her, which is fine at G2 but will see me rapidly come unstuck when (if!) she starts hitting the 3-5s.

Well his left and rights are pretty good, but beyond that ....... Whether he doesn't properly know them or just chooses to ignore is open to debate. As I've been known to say seesaw when I mean tunnel, and similar, and usually he chooses the correct one, maybe I can't really blame him for taking my verbal cues with a pinch of salt.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Complete agility novice but have two young dogs that I think would love it.
Where do you start?!
And age you'd think they'd be ok to start at?

Miek is coming up 2 in may but absolutely teeny tiny. I think he's around 3kgs. Prague ratter cross, so very intelligent and athletic. Think mini mini pincher.

Rodney has just turned 1, not much taller but more heavy set as 3/4 Brussels griffon, has the drive but less agile and athletic he has my balance and coordination, so would be more of fun outing and hope it helps with those areas rather than a competition for me and him. Little sis and Miek could be a force to be reckoned with and go far though I think!
Do they do disabled classes? As I can't run anymore

Training can usually start from 12 months so you are good to go there. Just need to find the right club/trainer. I teach mine directional commands when I am out walking. In my case back for left as I got used to that in obedience and it is a good sharp word, left is a bit soft. Right is another good sharp word so I use that. My younger dog is rock solid on those when walking but sadly it hasn't really transferred over to agility and she works more off body language. Previous two did the transfer just fine. As for running if you can teach your dog to go ahead you can often get away without moving too much. We have a lad at our club who is currently competing with a toy poodle and doing well with distance handling. He has the same joint problem you have and always uses a stick. I can't run any more so have had to teach mine distance handling which works pretty well on the whole. No disabled classes as such but some people compete in mobility scooters. It is a very inclusive sport. Do have a go, it is great fun and very addictive.

 

[blackcob]

Been testing out my non agility verbals this week and turns out she's started guessing those too. Any cue has her spinning through a full repertoire of Things I Know and then when no reward is forthcoming repeating them faster, screamier and with more biting. It's been fun.

Complete agility novice but have two young dogs that I think would love it.
Where do you start?!
And age you'd think they'd be ok to start at?

Miek is coming up 2 in may but absolutely teeny tiny. I think he's around 3kgs. Prague ratter cross, so very intelligent and athletic. Think mini mini pincher.

Rodney has just turned 1, not much taller but more heavy set as 3/4 Brussels griffon, has the drive but less agile and athletic he has my balance and coordination, so would be more of fun outing and hope it helps with those areas rather than a competition for me and him. Little sis and Miek could be a force to be reckoned with and go far though I think!
Do they do disabled classes? As I can't run anymore

First port of call is finding a club, just to warn that there are often waiting lists and you might have to do some chasing until you get offered a spot. 12+ months is usual for novice dogs/handlers as you can start them on most equipment by then. You don't need to be able to run, distance handling is a thing and a good trainer will help you teach the dogs to go ahead and seek the next obstacle in any case.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Back to training tonight as equestrian venue has reopened. Good news was Daz didn't seemed scared of DW after the issues and falls at our last show. The bad news was she was flying and pinging off the end.. every.. single...time so fast for her too. I keep repeating to myself better than being scared. Lots of work required.

 

[blackcob]

Verbal proofing, backsides and pole value this weekend. Few quiet weekends coming up to keep working on these, then might enter her a day at Easter to see what we've got.

 

[Spotherisk]

Verbal proofing, backsides and pole value this weekend. Few quiet weekends coming up to keep working on these, then might enter her a day at Easter to see what we've got.

Ooh she’s sharp and fast!

 

[Spotherisk]

Having a head scratching moment

The club I train with isn’t great but is close - 10 mins, 5 miles. Indoor school so all year round. There generally is no or little help offered, not even a ‘you could blind that’ kind of comment. I am not at all experienced but have seen those who are really relying on the trainers become very demoralised.

I train with another, who uses the One Mind Dogs method which I really like. She is 52 miles, which is over an hour away. Outdoors only. Awesome, positive, full on helpful trainer, I come away buzzing.

Actually I’m not having a head scratching moment, I know what I need to do!

 

[blackcob]

An indoor venue is worth hanging on to - do both and get what you need from each.

 

[MurphysMinder]

An indoor venue is worth hanging on to - do both and get what you need from each.

This is what I do. I don't get a huge amount out of the indoor venue I go to, not least because they rarely have all contacts out. I was lucky that I also went to a great trainer who trains outdoors, the winter before last we didn't train for months because the field was waterlogged, and now the trainer has semi retired so no regular sessions . But there is another excellent trainer again local to me luckily who has started doing sessions, pricey so I couldn't go every week but she is running some good workshops. We did a Course running workshop on Sunday, only 1.5 hours but was really good and learned a lot.

 

[blackcob]

Ooh if that’s the one I’m thinking of MM have you ever been when she’s got another trainer there too? Just wondering what the field set up was like when running two classes in parallel, as she’s advertised a dual course running and jump grids day.

After another class cock up at indoor venue #1 last week I was tempted to tell them to stuff it but I know I would regret it sometime around December. Large one restarts additional outdoors next week after the clocks change, I don’t keep it up over the winter as too many sessions cancelled and she’s too much to manage on very wet ground.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Ooh if that’s the one I’m thinking of MM have you ever been when she’s got another trainer there too? Just wondering what the field set up was like when running two classes in parallel, as she’s advertised a dual course running and jump grids day.

After another class cock up at indoor venue #1 last week I was tempted to tell them to stuff it but I know I would regret it sometime around December. Large one restarts additional outdoors next week after the clocks change, I don’t keep it up over the winter as too many sessions cancelled and she’s too much to manage on very wet ground.

It’s just one field , fenced with stock fencing . I was there on Sunday and those not training waited outside . I read it as one trainer in morning and other in afternoon , but could be wrong . If you message her I’m sure she’ll tell you if it’s suitable . I’m thinking of doing that one , got to check date .
Didn’t actually answer your question did I , not been with 2 trainers . Im doing a day next month but probably too late to report back then .

 

[Ditchjumper2]

An indoor venue is worth hanging on to - do both and get what you need from each.

I agree with this. Indoor spaces are worth hanging onto.

 

[Spotherisk]

Thanks all for your feedback!

 

[blackcob]

It’s just one field , fenced with stock fencing . I was there on Sunday and those not training waited outside . I read it as one trainer in morning and other in afternoon , but could be wrong . If you message her I’m sure she’ll tell you if it’s suitable . I’m thinking of doing that one , got to check date .
Didn’t actually answer your question did I , not been with 2 trainers . Im doing a day next month but probably too late to report back then .

Ta, I'll drop her a message as I assumed both classes would run simultaneously and then swap. It's a weekday but I have a day of holiday left and desperately need the grid work

 

[MurphysMinder]

Ta, I'll drop her a message as I assumed both classes would run simultaneously and then swap. It's a weekday but I have a day of holiday left and desperately need the grid work

I’ve just booked on to it . Hope that doesn’t put you off !

 

[Ditchjumper2]

After our golden run of competitions we were back down to earth with a bang on Sunday. In our defence I was extremely emotional due to the day being an anniversary of the sad kind.

Daz acted like she had never weaved in her life E in agility with 5 at the weaves in both jumping comps. However nailed her contacts so was pleased with that.

Pebs had an E in a tricky 4/5 jumping by back jumping but that was all my fault and an E in agility too but I can't remember why.

Best way for me to spend a tricky day surrounded by agility friends. See what next weekend brings.

 

[blackcob]

I’ve just booked on to it . Hope that doesn’t put you off !

Two groups will be running simultaneously, field will be separated by a mesh fence.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Two groups will be running simultaneously, field will be separated by a mesh fence.

Ah that's a shame. Are you going to give it a miss then ?

 

[blackcob]

Probably but I'll stew on it for a few days. I might be overthinking it as she runs in parallel with another group every week, but new venue and all that. Just back from 45 minutes of Looking At Dogs in town and she smashed it, including taking a border terrier to the face without even blinking, but she's a different beast away from an agility field.

 

[Annette4]

All being well we'll be back at training after next week (been stuck at home with KC post Crufts). At least they've had lots of left/right, wait and wing wrap practice

Booked another 2 steeplechases, one at a new venue. They're both finally weaving but with the break want to make sure they remember it before braving our first 'proper' agility show

 

[Poing]

Very proud of my daughter and her spaniel Nala. Moved up to grade 3 yesterday after wins at Carlisle. Has her sights on a Crufts qualifier now.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

A flipping long day today. I thought I'd be home just after lunch Daz started in the jumping a really tricky 3 - 5. We did all the tricky stuff then I crowded her at the end of the weaves for 5 pens but she still got the win...if only! Then it was a horrendously long wait til the agility only made slightly better by cheesy chips and a latte in the cafe Then finally G345 agility. Daz did the tricky stuff but seems to need her paw holding on the distance jumps for 10 pens plus time. Pebs was fab for a 5 plus time. Tbh I ran like a plank as was just wanting to go home. Both were unplaced 2nds in their grades. The day ended with a presentation for Daz winning the Green Pantry Agility League small C 3-5. Was well chuffed, not bad for a wonky Schnauzer. So that concludes our winter shows. We do less in summer as they don't like it too hot, the grass too dry, or too long, or too prickly they are sensitive little souls but I love them

 

[Spotherisk]

Well done Ditchjumper, I really hate those long days, great results though.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Thankyou STR was pleased with them both especially pup.

 

[blackcob]

Put this up last night, ran well except 17 to 18 for which I either lost him over 7 or if I kept him off that, he nipped behind me to take 6 instead. Got it on about the sixth attempt with some batshit handling. Thankfully a few more course running nights to go before we embarrass ourselves with another bash at champ.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

I totally am in awe that you can run at Champ. I am sure you'll acquit yourself brilliantly!

 

[blackcob]

We did not exactly cover ourselves in glory last year My goal is to make a final just once, after that he can do as he pleases.

Large dog was high as a kite training last night and bit me square on the arse.

 

[Clodagh]

We did not exactly cover ourselves in glory last year My goal is to make a final just once, after that he can do as he pleases.

Large dog was high as a kite training last night and bit me square on the arse.

I was going to laugh but oh my I bet that hurt.