First Agility Trial

Congrats!!!!!!!! We're in the same boat...I'll have to give you some advice after this weekend! :biggrin2:
The main jist of things that I've heard is: keep relaxed, don't worry about Qs or embarrassing yourself, remember everyone has had their first trial, and just HAVE TONS AND TONS OF FUN!! :smile2: Good luck!
 
congrats!!

I wouldn't bother with a sit stay or making her do any commands if you are thinking she'll not be able to hold that, it will just make her and you even more nervous, just go out there and run with her... She'll love it :)
Running start :D
 
Yeah Randi and bailey. You'll have alot of fun. You got alot of good advice, just do your best and at the end of the day you'll still go home with your best friend.:smile2:

Look forwarding to hearing how you did.
 
Toffee's Mom said:
congrats!!

I wouldn't bother with a sit stay or making her do any commands if you are thinking she'll not be able to hold that, it will just make her and you even more nervous, just go out there and run with her... She'll love it :)
Running start :D
Click to expand...

I've never practiced a running start with her. And I like to have a little lead out before we start.

My BF recorded some videos from class last night. Nothing exciting to post. As usual he recorded all our bad moments. :lol: After watching the videos, I realized that we are pretty slow! I always thought we were much faster...at least it feels like we're running faster.

Bailey was mostly good in class last night. I think we're really starting to click. I had some bad handler errors. Still working on perfecting my turns. :rolleyes2:
 
Randi,
I use a Standing Stay with Edan.

When we started trialing it became fight to get him to sit at the start line. One of my favorite instructors asked me after one run 'Why are you causing your dog stress at the start of the run by making him sit? That's such a minor thing as long as he stays. Pick your battles wisely and you'll see better results.'

Ever since then I've been doing a stand stay, which he does with out question and doesn't break.

Just a thought that may help you.
 
well, Toffee can hold any sit stay at the start line, normally... BUT if you THINK Bailey is NOT not gonna do it, and you haven't proofed one in different arena's etc... don't give her the opportunity to start self rewarding behaviour, slippery slope :wink2:
I would only do any kind of start line stay if I was convinced she can hold it...
If it is just supossed to be for fun for the dog, I would do whatever is less stressful for your individual dog :)
HAVE FUN weeeee.....

PS I always hear the chariots of fire in my mind when I run, thinking I am going all out!!!! and then I review video and I realize I was barely hopping along, lol
 
Good luck to you and Bailey, I use a standing wait command with Cosmo Now, I started with a sit stay but switched once I knew he knew what was expected of him, the differance is around .3 to .5 seconds depending on the dog and how he starts,on the standing start vs sitting, and yes that .3 sec cost me a Q for a title, thats the reason I switched, with a slow dog you need to take any possible advantage that you can, if you are driving a rocketship or very Hyper dog then the sit or even a full down can be a much more stable starting position and I found it easier to do a much longer leadout from Cosmo in the sit, from the stand I rarely lead out much past the first jump if that, from the sit I used to lead out 2 to 2 & 1/2 obsticals so the Standing start is a bit more running for me not a big deal though.

With the pup I am using a full down stay right now and even then she will start creeping in anticipation.

I am sure you will be way more nervous then Bailey, I know I was, but just try to stay as cool as you can . always easier said the done. trail 1 was a bust for me, trial 2 was much better and by trial 3 I finally started to feel comfortable with it and Cosmo was an old pro.
 
Last edited:
About the start line....it sounds like you guys have a better start line stay than we do! :biggrin2: Our trainer told me last practice not to worry about the start line because a stay wavers her focus at the moment. Our routine is she goes in the middle of my legs, gets eye contact, sits, I take the leash off, step over her and to the side of the jump, and we're off!

You sound like you have a better start line stay than we do, so I would try it, but from what I've seen, having the stay sometimes gives the dog a chance to look around and "Oooo.....hot dogs!" or "I know that person" and bam, the ofcus is lost. Not all dogs! Good luck to you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top