Agility training

Laurelin

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Honestly it just makes me feel like my dogs aren't very welcome there. If I were to jump Summer in her championship class it would be 3 in higher thn her shoulders. That's 1/3rd of her height. And there's no way to bump down a dog to 4 in unless you run veterans which not all dogs can. Every other height has an option to bump down the jump height except for tiny dogs.
 

Flyinsbt

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I was surprised that they didn't; the changes are nice for me (Gusto can be 18" Championship as long as I decide I'm happy with the a-frame height), but I really expected a 10" championship height.
My first thought on seeing the changes was to laugh at ALL THE JUMP HEIGHTS! Then I was moderately pleased that if I can't get Pirate measured into 16, he can jump 18. Even thought I might enter him at 18 whichever way he measures.

But I'm really not comfortable with the taller A-frame. And really? My just barely over 16" dog (maybe. He might still measure in at 16) is a large dog?

So I suppose it still remains to be seen. I will most likely enter him in a USDAA trial in October, and we can find out if he'll measure into 16 or not. If not, I suppose we're back to my first plan of no USDAA.

I don't think these jump height changes are going to do anything for the organization. Just a lot of effort/expense for the clubs, and no new entries.
 

BostonBanker

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I do wish they'd add one lower Championship height with all the other changes they are making. There's already a lot of height changes; one more would not make or break things.

Every other height has an option to bump down the jump height except for tiny dogs.
But...they do? Unless I'm misunderstanding you. My dogs both measure as 22" dogs, but I run them in 16" performance; your dogs both measure as 12" dogs, but you (can) run them in 8" performance. Did they not offer that at your trial? I guess I'm assuming all heights are offered everywhere. Maybe I'm mistaken.

Gusto is pretty much the same as Summer on a different scale currently; he measures 17", so jumps 22" championship, 5" over his withers. I run him 16" performance as I said, partially for the lower height and partially for the lower a-frame. I know a lot of people who use performance just for the a-frame. Some of them even just use the championship height (or higher even).

Not that I'd change things up with Meg at this point, but she still measures into the 22" class, which I think is still a big leap for a 17.75" dog. I know some people who have said that they hear/experience/feel that the performance division is considered the "loser" division, but around here, there is zero judgement about it, and it is often just as competitive or moreso than championship. I wish that attitude extended to all competitions, because the division is such a great option for those of us with dogs who don't easily fit into the championship classes.
 

Oko

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Ok agility people, advice needed. What should I be looking for in an agility class/instructor? I would potentially want to compete. This isn't for Wesley, it's for the future puppy. Obviously can't start in for a while after I get her, but I figure I might as well pick a training facility for Puppy K that I can also do agility at should we decided to (leaning that way). Tips for what to look for? :D
 

yv0nne

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You can definitely start right away with her! I brought Penn home right away& started with agility obed the next day :) Look for a facility that has a focus on puppy foundations& obedience. Maybe go watch some of their classes? I don't know ..we don't have puppy schools on my tiny island& I love my trainer.

Off to Not the Nationals this weekend! Good luck to Izzy who is heading to the real thing :)
 

Finkie_Mom

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Since Kimma and I are taking a break from trialing for the next month and a half, we are just focusing on getting her a bit faster. She's getting REALLY reliable, which is cool because I know she's following what I'm doing, but we need the speed for when we start trying to get MACH points.

But I figured I'd update on babydog! We've been doing some jump standard work, including wraps. His aren't as "fast" as I want them to be yet, but he understands the game and I shaped them which is cool. He's getting good with 2o2o as well, which is fun. I have him now going from our tippy plank doing a 2o2o (he's getting very good at just stopping at the end - with the box he learned on I would just keep running by him and he got it) to a jump standard doing various wraps or just going straight through. We've done bits of work with rear crosses, and a good amount of stuff with front crosses. I'm having SO much fun with him it's ridiculous. The only thing I need to work more on is getting him to REALLY drive away from me. He will go to a target but only so far away. And he's not totally in to toys yet, so that's something I want to do for 2x2s eventually (we're getting there!).

And then of course just getting him out to as many different places as possible. He's so focused on me it's awesome. MUCH different from Kimma, though Kimma obviously has her strong suits, too :)
 

Beanie

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The only thing I need to work more on is getting him to REALLY drive away from me. He will go to a target but only so far away.
Try putting a harness on him and doing restrained sends. Do you have a tunnel and will he do it yet? You can do them to wraps too. Start really close, pull back a bit on the harness - or just take hold of it if he seems upset by you pulling on the harness - then say "GO!" and "send" him to the tunnel or wrap. Then just gradually start backing up more and more. You should find he starts pulling more on the harness as you progress too. You want him straining when you grab the harness or at least leaning into it because he's amped up ready to explode forth.



This weekend's project is rebuilding my a-frame and it's going to be a hell of a project...
 

adojrts

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The Punk update:

Punky came into heat the day before her 8 month birthday. So that limited (a little bit) what we could do and not do, mainly any off leash work (not worried about her but other dogs coming to visit).

Her 2o2o work on a plank is solid, smarty pants wont break no matter what I do until she hears the release. Her wraps and sends are coming along nicely along with some lateral work.

I am really pleased with her heeling and pivot work. My puppy however didn't have much of a sit :rofl1: Still makes me giggle when she can so many other things and tricks but we had no sit. The looks I got from folks after they watched her to handstands etc, and then I told them she didn't know sit was very funny lol. But we are starting to get some nice sits now.

I introduced her to a lowered teeter last night for the bang game. She very quickly started jumping on from the side, running to the end and riding it down with me guiding it when it was higher. Note: training for a skateboard, wobble boards, balance disks were started in the whelping box and have continued to this time. I could then take off, she would hold the position until released, racing to me and coming to the right side.
 

Shai

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The Punk update:

Punky came into heat the day before her 8 month birthday. So that limited (a little bit) what we could do and not do, mainly any off leash work (not worried about her but other dogs coming to visit).

Her 2o2o work on a plank is solid, smarty pants wont break no matter what I do until she hears the release. Her wraps and sends are coming along nicely along with some lateral work.

I am really pleased with her heeling and pivot work. My puppy however didn't have much of a sit :rofl1: Still makes me giggle when she can so many other things and tricks but we had no sit. The looks I got from folks after they watched her to handstands etc, and then I told them she didn't know sit was very funny lol. But we are starting to get some nice sits now.

I introduced her to a lowered teeter last night for the bang game. She very quickly started jumping on from the side, running to the end and riding it down with me guiding it when it was higher. Note: training for a skateboard, wobble boards, balance disks were started in the whelping box and have continued to this time. I could then take off, she would hold the position until released, racing to me and coming to the right side.

We want Punky vids!!!

Sounds like she's coming along great. You must be so excited and thrilled with her :)
 

PWCorgi

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Emailed about a foundations course that would finally fit into my schedule! *crossing fingers* This is my last ditch effort before starting private lessons and never again having any money.

I feel like we are soooo behind, I haven't started anything other than some basic cone work and crosses at home :/
 

SaraB

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I am really pleased with her heeling and pivot work. My puppy however didn't have much of a sit :rofl1: Still makes me giggle when she can so many other things and tricks but we had no sit. The looks I got from folks after they watched her to handstands etc, and then I told them she didn't know sit was very funny lol. But we are starting to get some nice sits now.
Go Punky!!

Zinga didn't have a good sit for a really long time, and her sit out of heel position is still questionable at times. Same deal, she knew tons of stuff before I ever got around to teaching her to actually sit. Wouldn't have it any other way. :D
 

SaraB

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Emailed about a foundations course that would finally fit into my schedule! *crossing fingers* This is my last ditch effort before starting private lessons and never again having any money.

I feel like we are soooo behind, I haven't started anything other than some basic cone work and crosses at home :/
Where?!
 

DJEtzel

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YAY! Drop in agility tomorrow IN TOWN after an agility class that I teach in the morning. ALL THREE DOGS ARE COMING. I'm a little insane.. ;)

Hopefully we'll get some pictures. Recon got to play around during my class last week and did really well!
 

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