Agility training

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 4:19 pm

Finn, my Portuguese Sheepdog has just completed six weeks of agility training. He is doing well except he is very reluctant to go through the tunnel. He will go inside it following his treats but won't go through to the other end! Do any agility experts with briards or beardies have any tips? I am thinking of buying a tunnel to use at home but since Crufts the prices on ebay have gone sky high!

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 1:58 pm

I just thought I would bring this up to date because nearly a year on Finn does well at agility. I did buy a tunnel in the end and he loves it. As the spring approaches I will bring it out again. I am sure Bonita will enjoy it too. Finn progressed from a short tunnel made from a garden leaf collector with the bottom cut out. When he left this behind it became a great toy for his puppies. He starts another course in April 2008. It gives him so much pleasure it's a joy to watch. Laughing

Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:07 am

Way to go Finn Razz

Best of luck for the new course in April, it'll be a breeze! Cool

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:50 pm

Finn's first session of the new agility course began today. He was a STAR Laughing

He went round the whole course, completing every obstacle really well. He had remembered everything about what to do and had improved on it. I was SO proud of him. Laughing

The last time we took part was months ago and he hadn't had any practice in between times. He paid attention to me all the time, was focused and collected as well as being fast and agile. He just LOVED it. Laughing

His only short coming is me. Embarassed

Keeping a fast pace - well I should be more fit! Embarassed

He waits for me and that's a handicap for him Rolling Eyes

Otherwise I know he coould do competion agilty with no problem. He'll miss next week's session as we're away exploring Devon but I am now confident he's just going to go from strength to strength. Very Happy

Friend in Training Joined: 27 Aug 2007 Posts: 16

Hi Pauline

Have you taught Fin to go to a target? If you have you can use this to teach him to work ahead of you on an agility course. Once he can do this the pair of you should really fly round the course.

Sharon

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:44 am

Thanks Sharon, I'll see if I can findout exactly what that involves when we go to our class this afternoon. I guess from your comment that you are knowledgeable about agility. It's all still very new to me. Thanks again. Very Happy

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:27 am

Wonderful to hear how well Finn is doing at Agility, I'm really looking forward to checking out some classes local to us for Lola although I know what you mean Pauline, when Serra's run they really do go! Hmm, I may have to get my fitness up to speed if I'm going to keep up with my girl too. Very Happy

Friend in Training Joined: 27 Aug 2007 Posts: 16

Hi Pauline

The agility classes I have attended haven't had a clue about targetting so I will be interested if your club teaches it. If they don't and you want to know more give me a call and I will talk you through it. It may be helpful if you have a pen and paper to hand.

Have fun.

Sharon

Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:37 am

After a long time i read all the topics conserning trainning,i found out that it was the first time i read some of them Embarassed

.Probably next winter i'll move to Athens because of my daugthers school,and that means i'll have the possibilitie of finding a trainning program for fivos,my wonder is if he'll be too old to start and if his HD will be a problem.He loves all kind of games and playing and as far he's really eager to learn more.Next winter he'll be 2,5years old.What do you think?

Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:52 am

Gosh how quickly time passes! Fivos would not be too old to start. If the trainer is sympathetic they go at the rate that is best for you and your dog. I don't go to agility training any more which is a shame as Finn loved it although I think he felt held back by my speed. Sad

I will look again at targeting that Sharon mentioned. I have seen it used - it's magic the owner appears to direct the dog which then goes really fast around the course. Very Happy