Going to Scout Out a Class Tonight

I just thought of something...

First, the collar thing, yeah, Koji runs naked, so no collar to grab. I shouldn't, IMHO, have to ever grab my dog by the collar to restrain him. He should happily come back to me so I can pick him up. Koji doesn't care if I grab him by the...what do you call that? The neck, like mom's pick up puppies by the skin. I can grab him there, but have never needed to.

Second, once you get further into agility, it's actually rare that I see dogs run off in training (as in out of the ring - oh they may run and take a ton of obstacles, but I see few run off). So, I was thinking....why not go to the indoor facility to learn foundation and then go back to the outdoors (if you like that place better), when you're further along.

Just some thoughts.
 
there is no harm in taking fundamentals course more than once IMHO.
As for collar grab you don't have to teach it or you can start it very slow- touch leash clip- reward, touch collar reward, put one finger on collar- reward etc.
SG teaches it as one of the games and I find it useful, sometimes you want that opposition reflex created when collar is pulled, sometimes if pup suddenly decides to go sniff it is easy just to grab collar preventing self reinforcement. Main thing collar grab is fun and game!
Personally I would jump into class and see what happens and retake in the spring indoor- new place, new dogs etc. But then I just like to hang out with my dogs in classes:lol:
Every dog learns differently, and most important every handler learns differently. I like homework:eek2:
 
Thanks so much to everyone who posted!

I just wrote the instructor and asked her for her opinion on when to start. I asked her if she would be willing to meet Ellie and evaluate her and let Ellie see the equipment. Hope I don't sound like an idiot for that request, but, hey, I am a Sheltie owner and therefore not normal. :winkgrin:
 
Regarding the collar grab, some venues allow you to run with a collar, others require the dog to run naked. Honestly, and I know this is a little off topic, it may be worth your time to train her to tolerate someone holding her collar on the off chance that it might have to happen one day.

You do this slowly by relating it with something pleasurable, like a favorite treat. You would do it similar to how SheltieChe describes below and make sure to progress slowly. You will also want other people to also work on touching her collar and reward her so she learns its OK.

You don't have to teach her this, you definitely don't "need" it for agility. You need to decide for yourself if this is worth the time and effort.
 
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