FundyBorder

I'm looking for suggestions on USER FRIENDLY agility programs to run a trial. It must be compatible for the AAC formats. We're also looking for ideas on premiums. This is our second trial but last season we ran in conjunction with another club which prepared the paperwork. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, Christine

The daughter running I can understand, Border Collie's stop action. Now on the other hand it's not acceptable. The son and the bookbags I'm not sure, is the dog becoming stressed at that point? I find that my Jak only exhibits barking traits at the point when he's stressed and I'm sure if I permitted to continue he would probobly nip also. I'm not a trainer so don't know the best way to deal with the situation and I'm very new to the breed myself. I would suggest you posting this in the general discusion area as you'll see alot more posts going through that area. On the other hand I would have the dog sit/down and wait while the children are getting ready to leave. My rule is that they need to stay at the top of the steps when the door opens and closes. I would also be sure to closely supervise the dog while interacting with the children and be sure to nip this issue in the butt so to speak before it gets out of hand! : )

Could partly be because of the cross. Are you certain there is nothing bothering the dog physically? If that is out of the question I would also try running starts. If you want a fast moving dog start with them on the line. Some say to lead out but when I'm really looking for speed (ie: Steeplechase) I get right on the line with the dog hands around them getting them all rowled up before I take off. Dogs LOVE to chase. So be the item that they're going to chase. I try to keep quiet when I run but when they're going into tunnels and the chute I really encourage them on with a high pitched "woo woo woo woo" or "Go Go Go Go" something that really founds fun (make sure they're committed though) and take off like a flash yourself so they see your movement when they're coming out. I would break down your training and work on the speed. One Jump quickly than Two and a tunnel and play. Than two jumps, tunnel than back over the same two jumps. Break your training down and try to find the underlying problem. Have you moved forward quickly in training, is there something the dog doesn't understand? And at this point DON'T correct the dog if they go to do something wrong you continue on, at this point the dog can do nothing wrong!! Make sure that your having fun too!

Great videos! I've always wanted to start it up in our area but it's the barking that I'm not sure I could handle! Looks like alot of fun though.

A friend brought up an interesting topic this morning. They were asking about starting a new pup and the discussion came up about the teeter. When I taught our two boxers I've always had running contacts BUT they were taught to tip the fulcrum than continue onward. I'm seeing alot of people having their dogs run and ride the board. I'm curious if this however can be hard on their structure as alot appear to be slamming down on the board. How do most work the teeter and how do you ensure that if they're riding the teeter they're not flying off which seems to be the biggest problem I'm seeing. Thanks, Christine

Blaze and 2 on 2 off? Wahahah....ok that's a mean joke Tony! Actually, the pictures were taken of Blaze earlier in the summer since that time the two have been working very hard at the contacts and see the importance of reinforcing them....the proof is in the pudding isn't that what they say? This weekend we had an interesting agility clinic and actually discussed the 2 on 2 off and how many people get them and than allow the dogs to get away with them even at a trial. An interesting point was made that if your going to train them you need to train them right.....and if at a trial are you willing to give up a Q if your dog doesn't complete the 2 on 2 off but still gets the contact? I definately think this is something that will be a hard decision for many (including myself) but something I'll be thinking long and hard about when I start my guy. Christine