Agility Question

Having a 3yr old sheltie with degenerative joint disease (djd) I do not recommend doing jumping until your dog is much older. Deska used to love jumping as a pup (I know how hard it is to stop them). I have no idea what influence this had on him getting DJD but I wish now I had played it safer. I know weaves are definately a no because of the twisting, jumping can also involve twisting and extra stress on the elbows. If you want to do jumps make them ones she can step over.

I agree with directionals are really useful to teach, basically any groundwork. You can teach your pup to follow your hand, swapping sides etc, it makes a fun game as well.

Rather than an A-Frame look at making a small dog walk, even if you just put a plank on bricks. Getting a dog used to walking at a height will help. Tunnels are also a really fun thing to practice. You can just pick up a kiddie tunnel, mine used these for ages (still have one in the backyard). You could also have a 'table' - like a piece of wood or table top (I used a folding card table). Keep it low on the ground, its just about getting the dog used to being on a table and waiting not about jumping on to it.
 
ClantyreSheltie said:
I don't usually have a problem with left and right, but my brain is too slow to name obstacles while I am running. So I have it down to four commands "over" "tunnel" "weave" and "go up". "Go up" is any contact, doesn't matter which one. It seems to be working so far.
Click to expand...

I didn't have a problem with that until I got Diva. She is so much faster than me. She outruns my brain. With Ember and Justice, I could make a mistake and make up for it, with Diva she's gone. I am struggling so much with her. :(:wink2:
 
blackguppy said:
Well,
My Home Depot trip yielded this, a Bar/Hurdle jump.Came out pretty good.
Now if I could only get her to jump it.She likes to run around it.:biggrin2:
I guess that's a start.

Found the design on this site.http://www.instantagility.com/
Probably and old site to everyone here.
Click to expand...

Glad you built a jump for practicing. I've used Instant Agility a few times for do it yourself equipment.

Word of caution though.

The way you have your jump bar set is NOT safe because the dog cannot knock it off from both directions if she hits it. It's easy to fix, however. Turn your jump cups so they are facing the inside of the jump instead of the outside. Then double check the measurement on your jump bar. It should only be wide enough to sit in the jump cups between the uprights.

Take a closer look at the picture on Instant Agility and you'll see what I mean: http://www.instantagility.com/2008/04/14/bar-jump-or-hurdle/.

One more suggestion for the jump cups. I tried using the ones on Instant Agility and really wasn't happy with them. I've been using the Clip and Go Jump Strips they sell at Clean Run, http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1191&ParentCat=335.
 
I used Instant Agility this weekend to make a jump. The jump cups gave me a problem since my PVC cutter slipped and a I sliced my middle finger on my left hand (already mentioned that's my main hand). I fainted... literally (and bled everywhere!!). It was my fault, so oh well! I think the jump was worth it. Sort of. I used the snap saddle suggested in the article and put small rounds of PVC loosely to hold the bar (so it can fall if jumped from either direction).

Yay...
 
Lovely said:
I used Instant Agility this weekend to make a jump. The jump cups gave me a problem since my PVC cutter slipped and a I sliced my middle finger on my left hand (already mentioned that's my main hand). I fainted... literally (and bled everywhere!!). It was my fault, so oh well! I think the jump was worth it. Sort of. I used the snap saddle suggested in the article and put small rounds of PVC loosely to hold the bar (so it can fall if jumped from either direction).

Yay...
Click to expand...

Oh my. I hope your finger is alright. I pinched my abdomen in the handle of the PVC cutter a couple years ago and cut myself and still have the scar. My friends husband did the samething last week but he didn't cut himself. It made me feel better in a way.:smile2:
 
Silaria said:
Glad you built a jump for practicing. I've used Instant Agility a few times for do it yourself equipment.

Word of caution though.

The way you have your jump bar set is NOT safe because the dog cannot knock it off from both directions if she hits it. It's easy to fix, however. Turn your jump cups so they are facing the inside of the jump instead of the outside. Then double check the measurement on your jump bar. It should only be wide enough to sit in the jump cups between the uprights.

Take a closer look at the picture on Instant Agility and you'll see what I mean: http://www.instantagility.com/2008/04/14/bar-jump-or-hurdle/.

One more suggestion for the jump cups. I tried using the ones on Instant Agility and really wasn't happy with them. I've been using the Clip and Go Jump Strips they sell at Clean Run, http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1191&ParentCat=335.
Click to expand...

I know.It is directional.First thing that came to my mind.
I tried a few different cup ideas but,I did not like any of them.
The clip and go looks like a great option.And the price is not bad either.
Thanks
 
Phebe*DD said:
Or a toy. Sometimes it's hard for them to the treat, but they can see a ball or bumper and will follow it.
Click to expand...

I guess I'll try the treat from a sitting position in front of the jump and throw it over.Once she starts herding the jump I can't direct her over with anything.:lol:
 
I've been practicing both sending over the jump and having Duncan come toward me for the jump. Little bugger wants to go around still though... I'm going to lower it as much as possible tonight. Silly as it is, I lost my favorite clicker and it has thrown us off. I had it set to click at a slightly less annoy pitch and we work so well with it. Oh well, it will turn out. Or I'll have to go get another. Oh darn. :rolleyes2:

Justicemom said:
Oh my. I hope your finger is alright. I pinched my abdomen in the handle of the PVC cutter a couple years ago and cut myself and still have the scar. My friends husband did the samething last week but he didn't cut himself. It made me feel better in a way.:smile2:
Click to expand...

It is okay. It hurts every time I do anything with it on accident. Those PVC cutters are dangerous!! Should have gotten out the table saw... <.<
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top