Agility Novice Help

mwiacek10 · 09-02-2011, 08:30 AM

Need some advise. We are in an Agility Novice class. Its just a class...I'm simply looking to have some fun with my dog.
No aspiration for formal competition, just fun. With that said, I'm having a hard time working with him off leash. As soon as he realizes I'm not hanging on, he goes spaz. Runs around the course like a maniac, nose tags and nips at me. The thing that gets me is that when we work on leash, he's perfect. He runs through everything like a champ, even the tunnel and shoot. I guess what I'm looking for are suggestions on what to work on at home to prep for the class.

wildo · 09-02-2011, 08:34 AM

You need this: Susan Garrett- Ruff Love

Gotta teach your dog to value you more.

mwiacek10 · 09-02-2011, 08:40 AM

Silly question.... Does it get better with age? Seems as if the other dogs in the class are a year or two older than Gunny.

wildo · 09-02-2011, 08:45 AM

Well, it might. But personally, I'd say it gets better with training. I mean, some dogs are going to calm way down with age, but others may not. So I wouldn't bank on age fixing the problem. Based on what you describe, your dogs is finding WAY more reinforcement in the environment (not hard to do on an agility course!) than with you. So you need to help the dog understand that all good things come from you.

BlackPuppy · 09-02-2011, 08:54 AM

It gets better. There's always at least one dog in class like that. Keep working on your obedience.

I train obedience off leash from the start so there's no surprises when the leash comes off.

09-02-2011, 08:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
mwiacek10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Grosse Ile, MI Posts: 281	Agility Novice Help Need some advise. We are in an Agility Novice class. Its just a class...I'm simply looking to have some fun with my dog. No aspiration for formal competition, just fun. With that said, I'm having a hard time working with him off leash. As soon as he realizes I'm not hanging on, he goes spaz. Runs around the course like a maniac, nose tags and nips at me. The thing that gets me is that when we work on leash, he's perfect. He runs through everything like a champ, even the tunnel and shoot. I guess what I'm looking for are suggestions on what to work on at home to prep for the class. __________________ Michele Gunny Sgt von Wind Dancer CGC (12/23/09) Lana - Siamese (12/26/06) Twister - TB Mare (4/14/06)

09-02-2011, 08:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
wildo Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,230	You need this: Susan Garrett- Ruff Love Gotta teach your dog to value you more. __________________ Willy Pimg - DOB: 2/06, CL1-R, CL1-S, CL1-F, CGC

09-02-2011, 08:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
mwiacek10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Grosse Ile, MI Posts: 281	Silly question.... Does it get better with age? Seems as if the other dogs in the class are a year or two older than Gunny. __________________ Michele Gunny Sgt von Wind Dancer CGC (12/23/09) Lana - Siamese (12/26/06) Twister - TB Mare (4/14/06)

09-02-2011, 08:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
wildo Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,230	Well, it might. But personally, I'd say it gets better with training. I mean, some dogs are going to calm way down with age, but others may not. So I wouldn't bank on age fixing the problem. Based on what you describe, your dogs is finding WAY more reinforcement in the environment (not hard to do on an agility course!) than with you. So you need to help the dog understand that all good things come from you. __________________ Willy Pimg - DOB: 2/06, CL1-R, CL1-S, CL1-F, CGC

09-02-2011, 08:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
BlackPuppy Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,420	It gets better. There's always at least one dog in class like that. Keep working on your obedience. I train obedience off leash from the start so there's no surprises when the leash comes off.

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