Agility Bits Forum

[Pat]

I'm thinking of making a new web page for newcomers to agility that would help them to keep their dogs under control at shows. I know lots of you have had difficult dogs and yet have very good control. It would be lovely to have some contributions to the page.
A couple of my tips would be:

Carry a light lead in your pocket so that you can catch your dog straight away at the end of your run without having to hunt for your lead.

If your dog is very excitable get someone to queue for you at the ring. You can do some training during the day by taking the dog as close to the competition as you can without the dog getting excited. Reward the calm behaviour with delicious treats.
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Getting eliminated is all part of the fun.

[Rob]

Don't take your eyes off it!
Gencon
distraction
close control of collar
preparation
a few bits of obedience as you get closer to the rings
Ask for room and if someone does not give it stand right next to them and let your dog go in the gap you create, I've had to do this a couple of times. One person even let their dog go round me and into the gap once though!

You might have to state what the criteria are, and be careful you don't expose yourself to criticism along the lines of "I did everything the site said and my dog still did x".

Rob.

[julesinchaos]

Do not let your dog 'eyeball' others, stand in the way. Don't let other dogs 'eyeball' yours, again stand in the way. Train twists and turns for distraction and focus. Don't be afraid to ask for space for your dog.

PS what a good idea Pat
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Jules, two girlies and a bloke xx

[Gemma]

i started out clicking for quiet. Tinka was a wailer when other dogs were running or i was running twig. now i click for calm but its rare that she lunges. she freaks a little when collies yell their way around a course but its only collies she really really watches.

if its a noisy collie running then i use the techniques above with praise praise praise (NB clickers are not used near the ring thats just for training, comp ringside Tink gets a very quiet 'yes' so she really needs to listen in, if shes not listening then she gets taken away because nothing will get through to her if shes in the eyeball zone)

i would be severely peeved if one of mine went wrong because it skirted a lunging dog so i make sure mine dont put another dog and handler in that situation.
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[Isobel]

Taught Amber the command 'watch me' and although its not strictly allowed, I do carry some treats in my pocket and securely zip up the pocket just at the head of the queue.
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Seasoned grade 1 professionals with one sometimes useless handler.

[Angela]

Agree with above, speaking from experience of having a difficult dog the things that help me greatly are space wherever possible, (which I try and make myself as people who don't have difficult dogs don't always understand) other dogs not eyeballing or lunging and barking at the side of the ring, so keeping your dog occupied whilst queing,if you can't ask someone to queue for you as already suggested.

[koolkelpie]

Great idea Pat!

My suggestion would be circle work away from the rings to get calm and focus (and don't compete with your dog before he/she can cope with it!)

KK
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Wombats 5km ahead

[Pat]

Thank you everyone for your ideas. I've put a new page on the website. Isobel, I can't really suggest that people carry food in their pockets as some judges say in the briefing that they will disqualify anyone who does this. The "Watch me" is very good though and I use it with Jamie. It falls on deaf ears with Sasha. http://www.agilitybits.co.uk/classes/tips/tips.html
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Getting eliminated is all part of the fun.

[julesinchaos]

Nice new page Pat, love the pic of Sasha asleep..... shhhh everyone....
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Jules, two girlies and a bloke xx

[Pat]

It's a rare moment.
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Getting eliminated is all part of the fun.

[Isobel]

Its lovely to see dogs sleeping.
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Seasoned grade 1 professionals with one sometimes useless handler.