A.D.D. Agility Dog?

[LuvourGSDs]

Ok, how in the world to have their 100% attention, them stay on course, NOT be nosey, etc??????????????? Is it a GSD thing or bad me training wise???

I find my headstrong female wants to do what she wishes at times & so hate to get mean with her as then makes agility neg IMO & do see her tend to shut down afraid she's gonna do wrong.

All of my crew will tend to if you try to restart them or something is more interesting on the course, get A.D.D. on me..............

We have been training at a new building & on the course to the side is some stackable crates & mirrors, well, they have to go sniff the crates or go visit their self in the mirrors !

We are talking about adults that I didn't train as pups that I'm their magnet.

At class the other night, I have no clue what has been on the floor, but I had headbutts with Sable all night, b/c I could not keep her nose up off the floor. She would jump & off to sniff.

I want for them to do their job of agility play without them doing their own thing, without getting at them.............. I see some in class get pretty mean with their dogs & think that makes agility neg.

Suggestions ??????

[LuvourGSDs]

Not sure why heading is A.d.d I had all caps................

[MaggieRoseLee]

First off you have to make sure it's really them getting bored and heading off and away... and not some 'calming signal' due to either them thinking they weren't still on course OR cause another dog barked OR someone scary just walked in OR....

I'd also stop doing longer sequences for a bit. A much higher rate of reinforcement (more treats more frequently) or if a toy works better, doing only 4 or 5 obstacles and just stopping to play...

I know that sometimes (actually I'm doing it with Bretta right now and she's got her MACH!) I go back and take a more basic class just cause it's set up with much shorter sequences so it FORCES me to stop/reward. Truthfully, our 'problems' aren't about doing an entire 20 sequence course. Instead it's usually just a few places within that course that we crash and burn with the off course or the knocked bar! So it's those skills needed within the 3 or 4 pieces of equipment that we need, and that I can work thru while giving Bretta lots of tugs and/or treats.....

Not sure why heading is A.d.d I had all caps................

FIXED!

[AgileGSD]

I suspect her problem is not "boredom" but that she's stressing. The things you mention are all signs of stress and trying to correct the behavior will likely just make it worse because it adds more stress.

How long have you been doing agility? When did you begin seeing these issues? Can you describe a bit how you train (what you work on in class, how you reward, when these problems start to surface during class, etc).

[JakodaCD OA]

stress can play a big factor...Honestly, the gsd's i've done agility with, I have never had a "sniffer"..which was probably my downfall when I got my aussie)) My gsd spoiled me bad, my aussie, well she was WORK...She is a major food hog, and will leave a course to visit the food vendor..definately a dog like this makes you 'humble'..

I agree that trying to correct stress, only makes it more stressful!! It certainly did for me...After getting to Open, and realizing this dog doesn't WANT to do agility, it was stressing us BOTH out, I retired her..she is so much happier just hanging out or herding sheep or stealing food)

Sorry I have no advice gsd specific, as I said, my gsd's never did this, they were/are always quite focused and don't seem to care about whiffing and sniffing..

[LuvourGSDs]

Originally Posted by AgileGSD

I suspect her problem is not "boredom" but that she's stressing. The things you mention are all signs of stress and trying to correct the behavior will likely just make it worse because it adds more stress.

How long have you been doing agility? When did you begin seeing these issues? Can you describe a bit how you train (what you work on in class, how you reward, when these problems start to surface during class, etc).

She will do, seems like when she wants.............LOL Really, she is super nosey at EVERYTHING. Shadow will normally stay on track till the end & only seems to get upset if I re-start him over a few times. He is really to go normally & most of the time Sable is, but have to get at her more, for butt off of the ground for start line stays (I say wait), being nibby, etc! She does this at times at shows, oh what's that. must go see..........................

I have clicked, many treats, trying to bring toys out more, etc ! I feel she's not obed when it comes to her of course nibby & want to make her, but not sure how without making it maybe neg. I hate to grab at her collar to place her back, stop her from doing equipment on her own, etc, but she has to learn somehow, not sure what to do.

I would like to make it super happy at the end where she is driving & wanting to finish to get whatever. I'm trying, but need advice on the A.D.D.

Storm with do everything (tires easy, sz), but when we come to weaves, na, not fun for him. I have been working on this. Not sure if it's b/c of his length, sz, or what?

Keep inputs coming plz..................... or For Sale, 1 very A.D.D. just wants to go, go, go, have fun on her terms female................. LOL

Thanks for fixing A.d.d. MRL !

[LuvourGSDs]

Originally Posted by JakodaCD OA

stress can play a big factor...Honestly, the gsd's i've done agility with, I have never had a "sniffer"..which was probably my downfall when I got my aussie)) My gsd spoiled me bad, my aussie, well she was WORK...She is a major food hog, and will leave a course to visit the food vendor..definately a dog like this makes you 'humble'..

I agree that trying to correct stress, only makes it more stressful!! It certainly did for me...After getting to Open, and realizing this dog doesn't WANT to do agility, it was stressing us BOTH out, I retired her..she is so much happier just hanging out or herding sheep or stealing food)

Sorry I have no advice gsd specific, as I said, my gsd's never did this, they were/are always quite focused and don't seem to care about whiffing and sniffing..

She has came along way & not always doing this. Just Mon at class, must have been classes ahead of us pouring steak juice on the floor or something! Errrr Anyway, she does like, has, fun, & is a busy butt. She never likes to sit still. She needs a job even at the ripe old age of 7 last wk !

Gal in my class has many Aussie's, gets at them. They do agility, but more like robot dogs doing for the owner IMO. They don't dare sniff the ground & I think sometimes, I need to be more harsh I guess. Just like to keep the F, in FUN when it comes to agility.

I would agree, some might be stress at times.

[MaggieRoseLee]

If you really really really know it's nothing to do with your pup worrying, then frankly you need to figure out some WAY better treat than what you are using. I'm not kidding.

Liver? Roast chicken? Steak? Chicken McNuggets? WHATEVER! If you aren't exciting enough and your treats aren't good enough, then it makes keeping their attention much harder.

[LuvourGSDs]

Originally Posted by MaggieRoseLee

If you really really really know it's nothing to do with your pup worrying, then frankly you need to figure out some WAY better treat than what you are using. I'm not kidding.

Liver? Roast chicken? Steak? Chicken McNuggets? WHATEVER! If you aren't exciting enough and your treats aren't good enough, then it makes keeping their attention much harder.

I agree............... Need to switch up the treats I guess, been using the same for awhile. Yes, I'm not too interesting I guess.

[MaggieRoseLee]

Originally Posted by LuvourGSDs

I agree............... Need to switch up the treats I guess, been using the same for awhile. Yes, I'm not too interesting I guess.

Are you kidding, I get yelled at in class all the time for the boring crap I bring cause for Bretta it usually doesn't matter. Glory, she likes a yummy treat though. Hey Pizza flavored Goldfish crackers went down well on Monday's class.

Have you tried those huge bags of frozen Italian spiced meatballs from the Costco/Walmart? I just thaw out a ziplock the morning of class, cut them up small, then off we go!