Dog owners discussion: Do you do agility? Tips, tricks, and how-tos.

[1chip2chicks3cheeks]

• Do you do agility with your dogs?

Yes! With my one and only dog, Paisley! Have been doing jumping in various forms for some time, now starting on new obstacles.

• What breed(s), age(s), and size(s) of dogs do you have, specifically ones that participate in agility?

Paisley is a tiny Shih Tzu who weighs in at a whopping 8.6lbs last I’d checked. She’s been blind for a little over a year now, she had an enucleation on both eyeballs after many months of eye problems that caused her a lot of pain. She’s now much happier and back to enjoying life. Even without “sight”, she has vision in many other ways! She’s 7 years and 8 months, her birthday is in August and she’s as lively as ever!

• Do you compete, or is it just for fun?

Just for fun! Competing may be something we do in the future when she is more familiar with it.

• What part(s) of agility do you do with your dog(s)?

She’s good at jumping over raised bars/through hoops. Currently teaching her how to do that outside, as she’s used to doing it inside. After that I’m teaching her weaving and going through tunnels.

• Do you enjoy agility?

I enjoy anything involving spending quality time with my dog! I love teaching her new things and seeing her use her brain to figure things out. I love to see her happy.

• How much time do you spend on agility?

Not much. Trying to find more time but she is a smart girl! Even when we take breaks from learning something for a period of time, when we come back to it she always seems to remember where we left off.

• How did you teach your dog(s) agility?

The same way I teach her new tricks. Lots of patience, encouragement, showing her what I’m asking for, a keyword and treats!

• How do you reward?

Treats, positive language such as “good girl!” and love!

• What tips/tricks do you have for beginners?

Always show your dog what you’re asking for when teaching any new trick/skill rather than just saying words and hoping they’ll get what they’re supposed to do. Sounds simple, but I see a lot of people just shouting commands at a confused dog! By pairing action with a keyword, plus a reward, it should be smooth sailing. For example, if you want your dog to roll over, get them into a laying position and roll them like a sushi while saying roll over (if they’re not too heavy of course)! If you want your dog to jump through a hoop, start with it on the ground and walk them right through it. Works every time for my dog and she catches on quick.

Lots of patience as well. Especially with a dog who is blind, always allow them to sniff the obstacle and feel around it. Let them get a mental map of what they’re working with. Showing them the noises the obstacles make is helpful as well, such as tapping on the hoop or weaving poles, or the crinkling of a tunnel.

Here is my sweetheart, Paisley:

 

[Prop toe]

Yes hard to believe with google and search and all .Some still need help and education of how to care for pups dogs etc.However it was in a know poverty part of the town.I didn't mind helping save the pups and dogs the pups parents didn't look so great at the time.Now they look amazing also.The man thanked me.I didn't act like a smarty pants.I entroduced told him I raised dogs for years and cared for them and ask him could I help the pups .He replied sure.Then the rest I done told.The man And I ate friends now.No I'm not a rich man but I do like helping animals out in need.Cheers

 

[townchicks]

I used to do agility, I've competed with 3 different dogs. My first was a sheltie, then my mcnab, and then my mutt (the one in my avatar.). They are all gone now, and maybe someday I'll get back to it. My current dog, a mutt, has some issues that have to be worked on, and may not be a candidate for competing. I do re command taking classes, even if you don't think you want to compete. The main thing about agility to know is that it should always be about having fun with your dog. You don't have to be perfect to compete, there is always something good to take out of every run, even if you didn't get a qualifying score.

 

[Prop toe]

Had a APBT could actually say several words.People were amazed.You ask him something like if I had treats or food ask you want some .You could see him move his mouth like he was whispering to himself afther a couple times of that won't some come out.I can't take credit for it.However my girlfriend messed with him so much she had him say mama out no want some .Dangest thing I ever seen.Yed he was a excellent bred game dog also.6 generation pedigree had 28 grand champion 32 champion and POR several times.Paper don't make a good dog but if all's correct you know the possibility is more than likely.

 

[Prop toe]

Never seen a Pedigree before with that many proven dogs before.Therefore I was a bit sceptical.However old dog was game as the day long.

 

[Prop toe]

Best APBT dogs I witness their pedigree seems to connect to one long ago breeder Earl Tudor.

 

[Silkie Princess]

I did but never competed. Now I've got another dog I'm starting all over again.

Here's my current dog:

 

[MotherofOrpies]

1. Yes
2. Aussie Tervueren cross
3. Just for fun
4. Everything
5. Yes
6. Now , about 3 hrs/week, when we started , I trained with her every day
7. Dog school, some of the tricks I did on my own ( for example jumping on tree stumps)
8. Food ( she loves liver sausage and waffles I especially make for her with cottage cheese, spelt flour, eggs, bacon, herbs and cheese, my family also gets to eat them , but the dog doesn’t really like sharing )
9. Start as young as possible, most stuff I trained at home, I only trained the seesaw and weave poles at the dog school, and she’s never been as good at that ( she was about 1,5 years old) as she is at the other stuff, best is, if you have an older dog, which is already good at agility to show them, patience, lots of it, and don’t just train at the training place, but on walks, the 1. time I tried to get her to do something outside of her training area she was like: hello, I don’t do stuff outside of the training area! , so I incorporate as much training back then as I could on our walks, and she also got better through it in the training area, she has even more fun than I do , but she also has a very high drive, we also do Hoopers, but even though she has learned more there, she enjoys Agility more

What I really like about the dog school is that they do it as fun as possible but also to learn new stuff, sometimes, we only use our voice, other time, no voice allowed, only body signals, there are 3 different levels in the school, my dog never went to the 1. one, aced level 2 and has been in level 3 ever since, she ( and I even more) have learned a lot

 

[Chicken poppy]

Im reading everyones replies and then i remembered i don’t have a dog

 

[StinkyAcres]

• Do you do agility with your dogs?

Yes, occasionally. I chose the "1-10 weeks" option because I really haven't done it much over the last few years.

• What breed(s), age(s), and size(s) of dogs do you have, specifically ones that participate in agility?

Luna, 53lb pit bull mix, almost 4 yo.
Dorie, 19lb Boston Terrier, 3yo.

• Do you compete, or is it just for fun?

Just for fun.

• What part(s) of agility do you do with your dog(s)?

Hurdles (both dogs), weave poles (Luna), and tunnel (Dorie). Only the Boston will go through the tunnel (Luna is too scared), but she is too dumb to know what to do with the weave poles!

• Do you enjoy agility?

If my dogs are enjoying it, yes.

• How much time do you spend on agility?

Not much because my dogs get bored easily. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

• How did you teach your dog(s) agility?

I taught them myself.

• How do you reward?

Treats and toys.

• What tips/tricks do you have for beginners?

As with anything in dog training - don't rush it! And make sure your dog is old enough before teaching hurdles.