Signed up for agility

RockyCody · #1 13th July 2010, 11:55 AM

Rocky is 11.5 months, almost 1 year old in a few weeks. I decided instead of doing another obedience class to sign up for agility.

Made the call today - he starts beginner agility on Monday night. I know NOTHING about agility and he has never been exposed to it.

Does anyone have any useful tips or any advice to make our transition into agility easier?

I'm nervous but excited at the same time. I hope he behaves well enough to get something out of the class at least!

Any advice is appreciated!

boxershelly · #2 13th July 2010, 12:55 PM

Years ago our local club had "trial" classes to see if you and your dog liked it. I took a couple of my poodles through it and it was so much fun. They started us out easy....they use the basics in obedience and go from there. You will be surprised at how well he will do. Take lots of treats...you will be "talking" him into going through, over, and under things he has never seen before. Nothing to be nervous about. They didn't let any of them off their leads, and if he is a little crazy...that good, cause he will more excited to do what you want.

Have fun!

Sansal · #3 13th July 2010, 01:40 PM

I don't have any tips but I would love to know how it is going for you and Rocky! I want to start agility with Sky soon, too. Have fun!

larrygs · #4 13th July 2010, 02:07 PM

It is great to hear someone else learning agility with a boxer! We began in the spring. Layla is extremely eager to do everything. We both love it. However, the most rewarding thing has been how the connection with her has deepened. A few thoughts:

Have fun!

Keep things positive and in perspective. Agility is fun, and the dog never does wrong!

Have high value treats.

I am sure you know your pups bones are still developing. There will be some things you should not do yet. However the critical stuff like being mentally connected and giving directions is great foundation. Doing the obstacles isn't the difficult part.

Not sure of the energy level of your pup. However, most boxers are pretty outgoing and distractable. There is a great book called "Control Unleashed" that has helped us.

Enjoy and let us know how your first night goes.

RoxiesEcho · #5 15th July 2010, 12:09 PM

We just finished week 3 of a 6 week agility for fun class. What a blast! Last night we ran an entire course off leash. Like someone else said, take lots of treats. I'm using things that Bella normally wouldn't get any other time, like cheese cubes. It holds her attention. Sorry, but I have to share a quick story. She was having a hard time with the teeter totter - she didn't want to put her back feet on it. I asked my DH if we had a piece of wood that I could put on the ground and practice with during the week. He reminded me that she will walk up the lawn mower ramps into the back of the truck. So the next time we tried the t/t I told her that it was just like the ramps she runs up on. She gave me a look and mastered the t/t on the very next try! Smart dog!

RockyCody · #6 16th July 2010, 09:53 AM

Well Rocky just jumped over a 3.5 ft baby gate last night - looks like he has the capability of doing some pretty high jumps for agility - good thing we signed up!

Our first class is Monday - I will let you know how it goes!

RockyCody · #7 19th July 2010, 07:48 PM

So our first class was... I guess I'll say interesting. He is the youngest one there - he's only 11.5 months old and you have to be at least 10 months to do beginner agility. I think that may be part of it.

He actually was VERY well behaved for the 45 minutes, but the last 15 minutes while we were starting weaves he was crazy. Kept biting his lead, trying to play tug. The instuctor took him - and he jumped on her and started playing tug then she had to yell ENOUGH at him

. He did stop though - and then walked through the weaves fine. We did the weave poles, hoop, basic jumps, and tunnels today.

Rocky is fine w/ the jumps - although his back legs kind of drag and he knocked the pole down a few times - once we took his harness off he was fine (the instructor asked specifically that we NOT have him wear it unless we NEED IT because it gets in the way of his jumps).

I also am going to bring his tug rope next class - the instructor said he seems to love playing tug (totally true) and that he may work harder to get his rope than a treat and pay more attention for the obstacles if I play tug with him in between them. She said she also had a boxer at one point who was like 8th in state for agility or something - so I trust her advice.

I guess overall - decent experience. I'm a bit hesitant on whether or not this is for rocky - but I'll finish the 8 week course with him and hopefully he learns something and improves. We will see!!!

rayofsun · #8 20th July 2010, 09:31 AM

Sounds like fun! I'd love to have Sadie join a class of some sort, so I'll be happy to hear of your continued experiences. I know you mentioned its an 8wk course...does that mean you go once a week for 8 weeks?

RockyCody · #9 20th July 2010, 10:48 AM

Yes - it is an 8 week course - every monday night for 8 weeks.

I'll post again after our experience next Monday!!

RockyCody · #10 3rd August 2010, 08:09 AM

Last night was our third week - Rocky FINALLY did well. I tried bringing a tug rope to "reward" him after doing obstacles/mini runs but he just got too excited and then proceeded to jump and play tug w/ his leash when I would hide the rope in my pants.

I tried something different last night. I made him sit and "watch me" before the obstacle, treated him, and then we did the obstacle and he got another treat! I got really excited after - and he would jump and pull on his leash, etc but then once i made him focus on me again he was ready!

Finally - a good formula to help him focus and realize what he is there for.
So far we have been introduced or done:
tunnel
chute
a frame
dog walk (low only)
jumps
tire
weave

we started last night on a "wobble board" to get them used to how it would feel on the teeter totter - he did okay on that but was kind of freaked out by the noise and the fact that the ground was moving under him. But he did good for his first night of that.

Now I'm excited. The first two weeks were hard, I was very frustrated and felt like a failure. But now I'm ready - and anxious for our next class. I hope he continues to do well!

WOOHOO!

larrygs · #11 3rd August 2010, 11:58 AM

For only three weeks, you are doing great! I bet you will be at the top of the class by week 8. Your experiences are fun to read, and hopefully encourages others to give it a try. Keep them coming.

Your post reminds me of how our first few weeks went. I think I described Layla as ADHD on expresso. Really was hard to get and keep her focus. However, you could tell early on she loved doing things, or LOL she loved getting the treats. And she picked up on things really fast. Of course being a boxer, anything was at her discretion. While we are novices, we have clearly moved on from the intro stage. While there may be an occasional set back, it does indeed get much better.

So stay excited, there is much fun ahead of you!

RockyCody · #12 10th August 2010, 11:08 AM

was in addition a GREAT week

He was SUCH a good boy last night. I only had to spray his leash with bitter apple once to get him to realize he needs to stop trying to play tug. The "watch me" command really helps him focus!

We did a few new things last night - the high dog walk (he stumbled the first few times but then loved it) and also the broad jump.

He hit the boards on the broad jump the first time, but then was fine.

We starting to do a sequence of obstacles this week. He did a great job - he goes through the tunnel now without being afraid or hesitant! At first he used to back out - not anymore. He jumps through the tire like its not a big deal.

we had a course of this:
tire
table sit (he has issues w/ sitting quickly or laying quickly...so lazy and selective hearing)
tunnel
weave poles (still working on these. He's afraid of them I think - sometimes he does well, othertimes he jumps out of them and we have to start over)

So we did this combination like 2 times and on the third time he did everything perfect! After the weave poles the tall dog walk was right there and he just started going up it even though I didn't command my "walk this" like I normally do! How awesome!! He also went up the A frame after the dog walk cuz it was right there - it's like he is anticipating what is next!

My only issues are the weave poles and the table sit/table lay - or "pause box"

How do you get ur dog to QUICKLY sit or QUICKLY lay down. At home he will do it pretty well. Is there anything I can do to make a "new" command that means DO IT NOW?

silly boxers and their selective hearing.

Excited for next week - we are learning more handling things as most obstacles have been introduced.

The last week of class we get to take our dog for a run of the course OFF leash! I'm looking forward to this but also think it is hilarious cuz I"m pretty sure he will not pay any attention to me and run around and do whatever he wants.