This week I'm not even sure she was really IN the class. Totally insane. Beyond insane. Through the roof spastic. Herding drive overflowing to a degree I haven't seen even in most border collies. Retrieving drive not far behind.
The next person that comes on the forum saying that mixed breeds have "tempered" characteristics of the breeds that comprise them is going to get an earful...
We got through...we did all the courses (and with great enthusiasm), but my word I think I need a nap...
Shaina - I can completely relate. Voodoo did that a couple weeks before class ended. She just lost her mind at class. She did not go insane but I would say had a temporary loss of her brain. LOL We could not get a course complete for nothing. LOL I am sure Kim will be back to her normal self for next week. They all have their days (even though we hate when they do lose it in class) LOL
Quote:
Originally Posted by CorgiKarma
Bailey and I have our first class tomorrow at 7:45! I'm so excited!
CorgiKarma - That is wonderful news. You all will have a ball I have no doubt! Let us know how it goes!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaina
Looking great very nice pic! Just wanted to say...if you have your eye on an upcoming trial do NOT hesitate to get that CPE app in...it took me about a month to receive my registration #s and such from the time I sent it in.
Thanks Shaina, when I got it in the mail I was so excited. LOL Then I was like LOOK at her. HA HA HA. It is a cool picture though. Thanks for the heads up about CPE. I had no idea. I really don't have a trial in mind but a few people from class are trying to talk me in to some. LOL I will get it in ASAP.
Last edited by Solid Mutt; 07-13-2009 at 10:26 PM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Holy crap.. Voodoo is GORGEOUS! Why have you been hiding that hot mama from us?!
We have class tomorrow night, but it's supposed to be near 80 so I have a feeling we won't get a ton done. Some work on the teeter would be nice, though.
Shaina - I can completely relate. Voodoo did that a couple weeks before class ended. She just lost her mind at class. She did not go insane but I would say had a temporary loss of her brain. LOL We could not get a course complete for nothing. LOL I am sure Kim will be back to her normal self for next week. They all have their days (even though we hate when they do lose it in class) LOL
Yeah I mean she's "gone goofy" in class before (zoomie crazy play type), particular when she was younger and I was just learning how to teach her impulse control, but this wasn't "zoomies"...this was like all of a sudden she had so much work drive she didn't know what to do with it and would just direct onto something and have complete and utter focus on that...and redirecting her to agility was like pulling teeth.
For comparison I have a friend I often watch run her high drive Malinois and I would say Kim was right up there with the Mal on a particularly drive-y day last night. She wanted to herd any moving objects, and she wanted to herd NOW. Any dogs acting out of line by not listening to their handlers or running amuck she wanted to correct (nevermind that she was barely listening herself...hypocritical dog ). In retrospect I should have left the building between my runs and brought her back down to Earth...20/20 hindsight I guess...and again we got through but just not in the way I would expect us to at this point.
Sooo we are going back to impulse control and redirecting attention this week...I thought she was settling down now that she turned 2 back in March so we kinda slacked off on that sort of thing, working more on other skills for agility/obe, but now I think her apparent improvement was mostly due to obscene amounts of exercise taking the 'edge' off...got home late from work yesterday so she didn't get her pre-agility run didn't really just how critical it was especially considering our instructor always says things like "make sure your dogs are rested up and ready to go!" lol
Near 80?? Lucky you!! It's been over 100 here every day. Even at 9:30 at night its still in the upper 90s. which is pretty much why class was cancelled last week. the heat index was up to 110.
If class gets cancelled again this coming saturday I'm going to have to withdrawal from the class because normally I have school on Saturdays, but since it's the summer I don't. I start school again on August 29th and If we start class on July 18th and go every saturday without missing one then we finish on August 22nd which is just in time for school to start so if we can't start this coming saturday, I don't know when dohggy and I will get to take agility.
Solid Mutt, I just love that picture of her jumping through the tire, it's great!
Shaina you're not the only one with reac this week! Marge was OFF THE WALL. Ran at another dog who was practicing a tunnel/jump sequence. She just barked, went up to him, I called her and she came back. I don't think it was a fear or aggro thing, she likes this dog and I think she wanted to play. She was also very unhapppy about the Pit Bull who she does NOT like when he was going over the A-Frame.
She met one dog before class for the first time, a Golden.. He was a very respectful kind of dog so I figured what the hell, why not. Unfortunately she got a little riled up playing with him and snapped at him. Fortunately we ended on a good note with him - zoomies and play bows. And I left it at that.
Seriously trying to figure out what's better for Marge.. to be able to interact with the other dogs at class, only interact with dogs outside of class, or to not interact at all. She has done more interacting than usual the past few days, meeting up with some old friends and even getting in some new sniffs too. I don't know if there's a connection between so much greeting and so much reactivity. There's also the fact that she did not get much exercise today, but I did that purposely because it's hot and I wanted her to be fresh for class. Guess I got what I wanted!
Fortunately our runs were pretty good. Didn't do anything outrageous.. Had one jump jump tire (frontcross) jump jump sequence, got that on vid, might upload later. I've noticed I'm *finally* not running as slouched as I used to, but as my instructor said, my arm movements are spastic. LOL
Teeter was good, too.. trying to stop her from hesitating in the middle, she ran over from end to end once, the rest of the times I had to coax her (she would have went over all the way, but braces herself for dear life in the middle). And not too much else..
Holy crap.. Voodoo is GORGEOUS! Why have you been hiding that hot mama from us?!
We have class tomorrow night, but it's supposed to be near 80 so I have a feeling we won't get a ton done. Some work on the teeter would be nice, though.
MM - Thank you so much. LOL We think she is quite a cute pound pooch ourselves.
Wow, 80 isn't too bad we had class a few weeks back at like 92 or so. It was HOT and the dogs were just not in to working in the heat. I hope you have GREAT class and it gets cooler for you! Let us know how it goes! I love keeping up with everyone!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaina
Yeah I mean she's "gone goofy" in class before (zoomie crazy play type), particular when she was younger and I was just learning how to teach her impulse control, but this wasn't "zoomies"...this was like all of a sudden she had so much work drive she didn't know what to do with it and would just direct onto something and have complete and utter focus on that...and redirecting her to agility was like pulling teeth.
For comparison I have a friend I often watch run her high drive Malinois and I would say Kim was right up there with the Mal on a particularly drive-y day last night. She wanted to herd any moving objects, and she wanted to herd NOW. Any dogs acting out of line by not listening to their handlers or running amuck she wanted to correct (nevermind that she was barely listening herself...hypocritical dog ). In retrospect I should have left the building between my runs and brought her back down to Earth...20/20 hindsight I guess...and again we got through but just not in the way I would expect us to at this point.
Sooo we are going back to impulse control and redirecting attention this week...I thought she was settling down now that she turned 2 back in March so we kinda slacked off on that sort of thing, working more on other skills for agility/obe, but now I think her apparent improvement was mostly due to obscene amounts of exercise taking the 'edge' off...got home late from work yesterday so she didn't get her pre-agility run didn't really just how critical it was especially considering our instructor always says things like "make sure your dogs are rested up and ready to go!" lol
Oh I see now. It sounds like she has a strong drive. Don't ya just love when your instructors say stuff like make sure your dog is rested. LOL
I did not mean zoomies in the last post. LOL Voodoo is a HIGH ENERGY DOG! LOL In my last post I just meant she had a mental block like she had no clue what any of the obstables were. Weirdest thing... Oh well they all have their moments. I am sure your next class will be much better.
Last edited by Solid Mutt; 07-14-2009 at 09:42 PM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Shaina you're not the only one with reac this week! Marge was OFF THE WALL. Ran at another dog who was practicing a tunnel/jump sequence. She just barked, went up to him, I called her and she came back. I don't think it was a fear or aggro thing, she likes this dog and I think she wanted to play. She was also very unhapppy about the Pit Bull who she does NOT like when he was going over the A-Frame.
She met one dog before class for the first time, a Golden.. He was a very respectful kind of dog so I figured what the hell, why not. Unfortunately she got a little riled up playing with him and snapped at him. Fortunately we ended on a good note with him - zoomies and play bows. And I left it at that.
Seriously trying to figure out what's better for Marge.. to be able to interact with the other dogs at class, only interact with dogs outside of class, or to not interact at all. She has done more interacting than usual the past few days, meeting up with some old friends and even getting in some new sniffs too. I don't know if there's a connection between so much greeting and so much reactivity. There's also the fact that she did not get much exercise today, but I did that purposely because it's hot and I wanted her to be fresh for class. Guess I got what I wanted!
Fortunately our runs were pretty good. Didn't do anything outrageous.. Had one jump jump tire (frontcross) jump jump sequence, got that on vid, might upload later. I've noticed I'm *finally* not running as slouched as I used to, but as my instructor said, my arm movements are spastic. LOL
Teeter was good, too.. trying to stop her from hesitating in the middle, she ran over from end to end once, the rest of the times I had to coax her (she would have went over all the way, but braces herself for dear life in the middle). And not too much else..
LOL I get yelled at for slouching too, though I think (hope) I am also getting better...
Congrats on the teeter progress too
Regarding the dog interactions...for me personally I do not let Kim interact with other dogs while "working" unless she is released to do so...it's too self-rewarding. We're to the point now that (normally) when she is released to meet a dog she will go and greet, then reorient and return to me right away for a reward and simultaneously turn her back on the other dog. I encourage this because it keeps her from getting too ramped up, promotes refocusing in a potentially stimulating situation, and also keeps the other dog from getting too ramped up since having a dog turn its back to him is normally pacifying.
Granted there are nights like last night where "normal" flies out the window. And while it can be frustrating, I'd rather have to deal with that sort of thing than have a "robotic" dog on the opposite end of the spectrum. We'll just keep working that self-control.
Also I'm being talked into entering Kim in her first trial this weekend...we shall see.
Seriously trying to figure out what's better for Marge.. to be able to interact with the other dogs at class, only interact with dogs outside of class, or to not interact at all.
At our agility club, the dog are not allowed to interact before or during class, but after class is OK. This is done to teach the dogs that ring time is work time, and all of the dogs have done really well with this routine.
The 4 of us dog/handler teams in our class have regular dog park get-togethers on the weekend, which is a ton of fun, and I think that socializing the dogs outside of class actually helps the dogs to define when it is ok to play with their friends, and when it is time to work.
ara28 - Wow over 100 I can't imagine. I hope class doesn't get cancelled for you & Dohggy this week. You will have to keep us posted.
Thanks, I thought it was a neat picture too.
MM - I am sorry Marge had one of those nights, maybe it is in the air. It is great you had teeter progress though! WOO HOO! You and Shaina are not the only ones that get in trouble for slouching. HA HA I do too. We definitely need as much work as our dogs or more for that matter. LOL
I think Shaina has some great thoughts on dog interactions while working. That is something major for Voodoo and I. She is great when we "WORK" but teh in between stages she is like a jumping been on crack on the end of my leash. HA HA It is getting better, something we have worked on. They told me be thankful for the energy now I will appreciate it later. LOL
Shaina - WOO HOO Kims first trial! That is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by Solid Mutt; 07-14-2009 at 10:45 PM.
Yeah.. I think it was foolish of me to let her interact with the Golden. Thing is, some of the dogs who are around before class aren't around after class - they're in the class before us, and I don't really let her socialize with the two that ARE in my class because a) she hates the Pit Bull and b) while she does get along with the other dog, he himself is iffy around other dogs sometimes and his owners try to keep him from interacting at all while at class. I guess it isn't a big deal if she doesn't socialize at all while at class as long as she's getting stimulation from dogs elsewhere.
Going to try to cut out dog-dog interactions before class and try to maintain some socializing at other places, as Marge has been doing okay with other dogs and is showing me a lot more positive body language. I'm still being very selective, though.
Shaina that is such exciting news about Kim's first trial. Keep us posted! (BTW, I feel like I've asked this before, but how long have you been training in agility with her?)
Oh, here's the aforementioned sequence.. nothing stellar, as you can see, but I was proud of how well she was focusing and happy with her speed! And yes I am quite aware that I'm swinging my arms like a monkey and need to cut it out.
I had so much fun in class tonight! Bailey did so well! It only took her a few tries to get the tunnel down. The balance board, tire and chute went really well! The "dog walk" on the ground was the most challenging. They said she was a fast learner! I'm so proud! I can't wait for our next class!!!
Shaina - WOO HOO Kims first trial! That is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!
Well whether it is awesome or disastrous is yet to be determined but thanks lol
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissMutt
Shaina that is such exciting news about Kim's first trial. Keep us posted! (BTW, I feel like I've asked this before, but how long have you been training in agility with her?)
Will do...we're only running one day because (a) I don't want to overwhelm her and (b) I have work stuff going on the second day.
Kim's first agility class was in October 2008 but to be honest I don't think we really started to learn a lot until March 2009 when I got my key to the club building and was able to go on my own, meet up with people, and/or join the agility sport group. The classes are more to help her work stuff she already knows when we are both more stressed due to all the people/distractions. As I've mentioned before I don't really care for the format of the classes because I think it tends to confused the dogs more than anything.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CorgiKarma
I had so much fun in class tonight! Bailey did so well! It only took her a few tries to get the tunnel down. The balance board, tire and chute went really well! The "dog walk" on the ground was the most challenging. They said she was a fast learner! I'm so proud! I can't wait for our next class!!!
Will do...we're only running one day because (a) I don't want to overwhelm her and (b) I have work stuff going on the second day.
Kim's first agility class was in October 2008 but to be honest I don't think we really started to learn a lot until March 2009 when I got my key to the club building and was able to go on my own, meet up with people, and/or join the agility sport group. The classes are more to help her work stuff she already knows when we are both more stressed due to all the people/distractions. As I've mentioned before I don't really care for the format of the classes because I think it tends to confused the dogs more than anything.
Hm, interesting. I can definitely understand only trialing one day. I don't believe my club lets anyone use the agility field outside of classes, which stinks, but we do have some agility equipment in the indoor building. I have been considering checking out the price of a rental so we can work on stuff 100% distraction free.
I do not go to classes as the only instructor in our area is too advanced for my dogs but I am lucky enough to be able to use Agility equipment in an arena, twice a week. There are five of us, we set up the equipment, practice on the equipment, then usually have a couple of run-throughs on a course. My sister and I also built some home-made equipment at her place so we use that for a short period every few days. I am just starting a new pup, she is one year old so should have fun with her. She is Maltese x Shih Tzu and quite small so only set the jumps at 6 inches at the most. I have just had her on our homemade equipment so will take her into town with me tonight for her first look at the "big equipment".
Had fun doing agility arts and crafts today after work...with PVC...
*easily amused*
Took Web to a new club last night with a friend to try it out...they have an outdoor arena which was new for him but he did great. Thinking of taking them both Saturday...still undecided.
Will be a super long day though since lower levels run last but they'd have to be there first thing to get measured since it's their first trial...so basically it would be ALL day then I would come home and go straight to work since I have to go in and work Saturday and Sunday nights (special circumstances)...
At agility trials, what kinds of courses are there? I know by size, but do they have beginners courses also?
There are different levels of difficulty as well as different "types" of courses...the specifics depend on the venue.
For instance, AKC has Novice, Open, and Excellent (in increasing order of difficulty). Heights are 4", 8", 12", 16", 20", 24", and 26". They also have different type of runs...offhand I know they have Standard ("normal" courses), Jumpers (tons of jumps with some other obstacles), Weavers (lots of weaves and I think no teeter), and Fast. NADAC, UKC, CPE, USDAA all have their own variation of levels, types of courses, and even jump heights and how they are assigned, not to mention different equipment or different specs for the same equipment.
The variety of options available for what is more or less a single sport is pretty amazing.
At agility trials, what kinds of courses are there? I know by size, but do they have beginners courses also?
We play AAC agility. It's USDAA like. Three levels.. starters, advanced and masters.. standard, snooker, jumpers and gamblers are the usual titling classes which you move up the levels, and challenge and steeplechase are stand alone games with no levels.
Everyone starts at starters (novice) and you work your way up. Need less points in games, get a little more time, challenges are easier, and what is counted as refusals are less equipment, and courses usually flow a little easier.
MafiaPrincess, we will likely be doing AAC when we are finally at a competitive level Will you be at Nationals this month? I am volunteering!
Last night we had our last night of Novice III. We missed last week because we were camping, so class was a bit rough for Libby. Despite a good walk before class, she still had a case of the zoomies. We did the weaves first, and it went weave-zoomies-weave-zoomies, lol.
However, she did great on the teeter; I have stopped treating her at the pivot point, but she remembered to tip it herself.
We also did a few nice sequences, and we managed to get through those with minimal zoomies!
We have a break before the next session starts in 2 weeks. The next Level, Intermediate I, will be in the "big dog" ring!!
Well, we actually had our first class today! It was fun but really hot. in the shade and with the breeze it was ok though, but just right in the sun was really hot.
We walked the field to let the dogs sniff all the equipment and then we were told about all the different obstacles, what their called, etc. and a bit about how an agility course works.
Then we went over a few jumps. Dohggy knocked the poll down a few times but most of the time he jumped over without knocking the poll off. We went on the dog walk, he loved that.
we went through the tunnel and he actually did it with no hesitation! I was very proud of him. No one else in the class did the tunnel though, I just wanted to see if he would do it since before with the little tunnels he was wanting to walk around them, not through them. Then we did the weave poles. They had a training set that they split apart and we just had the dogs walk through the middle and the trainer said they'll start putting the two sides closer and closer until they're in a straight line.
All in all it was a fun first class and now dohggy is pooped.
very nice pic! Just wanted to say...if you have your eye on an upcoming trial do NOT hesitate to get that CPE app in...it took me about a month to receive my registration #s and such from the time I sent it in.
). In retrospect I should have left the building between my runs and brought her back down to Earth...20/20 hindsight I guess...and again we got through but just not in the way I would expect us to at this point.
didn't really just how critical it was especially considering our instructor always says things like "make sure your dogs are rested up and ready to go!" lol
