Drills

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

I'm curious.. what kind of drills do y'all do at home (ya know, home work?) Here's a cool vid of a drill using two jumps..

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

this weeks homework was to stand behind your dog with the dog in a sit position and step side to side (left side, than right side), when they turned their heads in the direction you are, you gave them a treat, if they didn't or got up they got put back in the sit and tried it again...this is to teach your dog to follow you with their eyes.

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

ohhhh I love this! I think I'll try it with Lucy.. I'll report back!

[Linda and Murphy]

Murphy does this goofy thing where he brings his head straight up and looks directly behind him, without breaking the sit.
I can't wait to try this.

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

One assignment I got from our trainer which is VERY basic was to work on "self control" which honestly Lucy needs work on (some call it impulse control). You take a high value treat, have the dog sit. Raise the treat directly over the dogs head. Lower the treat to their nose then raise it slowly. When the dog looks at me; then give the treat. The point is that the dog see that in order to get the treat she must look at me. At first you give when they just glance at you. Then slowly increase the eye contact time before giving the treat. I haven't done that drill in over a month. I think I'll try it along with Denise's attention drill!!

[Linda and Murphy]

Sounds great. will try both tonight.

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

So, how'd it go??

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

I ordered 4 collapsable jumps from Clean Run. I can't wait for them to get here! The cool thing is they fold up into a bag so they are extremely portable without the hassle. Susan Garrett in her 2x2 Weave pole video says it's important to practice in different settings... so I can take a couple of jumps just about anywhere and practice. I'll let you know when I get them!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

We are starting a semi-private (with Dana & 'Mac') beginners Agility Class the beginning of July. What should we be brushing up on to start the class prepared?
Trainer also want us to purchase her "crate games' dvd. What do you think? Should we buy it? Samantha has been out of her crate for 9 months - she hated it!

[Kim Williams]

Hi Adrianne,
You will be COMPLETELY ready to begin your agility. I have found that the obedience training was the biggest help in the beginning. Having a good recall is so important. Parris was one year old when we started, and our recall needed some work. It is so much fun to see how your dog reacts to the obstacles. The relationship that Parris and I have developed is really special.
In agility, a lot of owners at my training facility use crates while waiting for their turn and for sure at the trials because you have along time in between runs. They say that the dog expends a lot of energy if they are not occupied in their crates. I do not make Parris go in the crate at the training facility. I have a really good down stay(several minutes while I walk the course) . When we start to trial this summer, I will have to use a crate.
All that being said, I wonder if that is why she wants you to do the crate games???? I know you will love agility.
Keep me posted.
Kim and Parris

[Adrianne Matzkin]

thanks, we will work on recall diligently! Samantha has been deciding when she pay attention to me - out comes the 20' leash tho I am sure she will do great with a leash on - it seems to be off leash when she has selective hearing.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Hi Adrianne,
I totally agree with Kim, Crates are such a necessity when you are competing, in our class we crate our dogs till it's their turn to practice on the floor. This also gives them the adjustment when they are out in a crowd and other dogs are competing...they need to be crated and accept it easier. One thing you might also want to work on ahead of time, and we don't do this with obedience but some dogs have a harder time adjusting to this is working with them from your right side instead of your left, it totally confuses them because we do all our obedience from the left side, along with their handler...(like me). When you advance through agility classes you will be working them from both sides. Also try standing behind Samantha and have her in a sit position and step from side to side, when she turns her head in the direction you are, treat her, if she moves her body, just put her back in the sit and repeat, this will start her learing to follow your commands with agility. Hope this will help...Love Denise HannahNHoney