Agility advice needed.

[agiledogs]

Hi guys, I am new to this forum. We just recently moved from Ohio to SC. In Ohio I worked as an agility intructor in addition to that there were at least 5 training facilities where I could go and train my own dogs with other intructors. That was great because I could work on habitat with my dogs all the time. However since we moved, I started teaching agility over here as well at a training facility, however I am the only trainer within 100 mile radius. So my problem is what about my training, sure I can use their facility as often as I please I also have a full agility course in my back yard, but how do I stay on top of my game without any fellow intructors around. As most of you know even if you're very experienced you still need to continue with the agility lessons. Having other instructors around really helps because obviously while i'm running my dogs in practice, it's really hard to see if I'm doing anything wrong. If my dogs or I mess up I have to go back and figure out what went wrong and try to problem solve myself. I do have all the books, which I read on regular basis, but if any of you fellow intructors have any suggestions for me, please share your ideas with me. I just don't want my dogs to start regressing.
Thank you!

 

[adojrts]

Hi Welcome to the forum
As an competitor in agility and an instructor I attend nothing less than two or more agility seminars a year (2 - 5 day workshops with one of my dogs). And these seminars are with people that compete on a international and world level.
I also have two instructors which I get lessons from every week (usually one instructor one week, the other the next). My one trainer/instructor is over 1 1/2 hrs travelling time one way, the other is just over an hour.
To keep on top of the game and to achive great instruction we often have to travel, IMO much better to train once in a while with a top trainer, than to trainer all the time with lesser one.
Also competing on a regular basis also helps.

Take care and good luck
Lynn

 

[agiledogs]

Thanks for your reply. I totally agree with you as far as training with a great intructor once in a while rather than none at all. While living in Ohio I would travel to MI for trials. I would avarage about two - three trials a month, however since I moved it's only about one trial every two months. I have found a facilty that is about an hour away. I will definitely try and get in there even if it's just once every two weeks or so. Thank you for your input.

 

[BostonBanker]

What about setting up a video camera while you are working on your own? That way you could go back and review it later yourself.

 

[tessa_s212]

What about setting up a video camera while you are working on your own? That way you could go back and review it later yourself.

What a great idea.

I actually do this myself. I try to video most every training session. I can sit back and watch it later to see if I'm doing something wrong, where I can improve, etc etc. If you don't have someone there at that moment pointing out the things you are doing wrong, they always say you are your own worst critic. So why not be your own.

 

[agiledogs]

Thanks, that is a good idea. I always have my husband record my runs at trials and one can pick up on so much when viewing the tape. So yes I will start doing that - that is once we have our camera repaired. ( we left it in the car over night and the screen froze..lol)

 

[AgilityPup]

When I was trainig Zoey this summer, our instructors had us run a course and they taped it so it wanst just them seeing uss making mistakes, but so we could look over it too, and I think its a great idea! This summer9as soon as the ground hardens) I will be doing the same. I hope you figure something out.


Obtw, Wlecome to the forums!


Shay*