I want to do agility but....
- Thread starter Biscuit
- Start date
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
I agree with everything everyone else said, slow down. But in the back of your mind, keep things in perspective. She's young, has a lot to learn. Training, in general, will be great for her. She'll need lots of socialization and if she continues to be reactive to other dogs/people, it's something you need to nip in the bud fast! As in, address it now, not later.
I eventually quit agility because my dog was too reactive and too aggressive at agility trials. I knew one day I would probably get kicked out or worse, have someone sue me. As with Ashley's (corbinam) dog, Koji would work in the ring and couldn't care less about anything else. But outside, you could see he was uncomfortable, stressed out, etc. Spending the day at a trial became more of a hassle than the few runs of fun. I regret not addressing it when it started.
So, train in obedience, train in agility. If you see that this isn't passing (as you stated, maybe it's the fear stage), then start working on her reactivity to things. It may never go away, but you can train to make it easier for her and you.
Good luck!
I eventually quit agility because my dog was too reactive and too aggressive at agility trials. I knew one day I would probably get kicked out or worse, have someone sue me. As with Ashley's (corbinam) dog, Koji would work in the ring and couldn't care less about anything else. But outside, you could see he was uncomfortable, stressed out, etc. Spending the day at a trial became more of a hassle than the few runs of fun. I regret not addressing it when it started.
So, train in obedience, train in agility. If you see that this isn't passing (as you stated, maybe it's the fear stage), then start working on her reactivity to things. It may never go away, but you can train to make it easier for her and you.
Good luck!
Lanie
Forums Enthusiast
Hi Biscuit
I don't know where in California you are, but if there's a Zoom Room near you, it might be perfect for you.
We're taking agility there and their set up is great for reactive dogs.
The classes are limited to 5 dogs. They are spaced pretty far apart on tables when we're all in the gym together (on leash) and you and your dog are in the the gated ring with just you and the trainer during course work (off leash). You wait in the lobby area while you're waiting for your turn and you can keep away from the other dogs very easily. There are plenty of reactive dogs there and we've never had a problem. They also have their own leagues, under 30 pounds and over 30 pounds, that's really just friendly competition for trophies and ribbons. It would be great practice for her to get used to the agility environment. My dog is reactive to people if they try to touch or pet her. She just doesn't want to be touched by anyone, but me. Agility has helped her so much. She lets the trainers touch her now and she'll touch her nose to anyone's hand on command now with no reaction at all.
I don't know where in California you are, but if there's a Zoom Room near you, it might be perfect for you.
We're taking agility there and their set up is great for reactive dogs.
The classes are limited to 5 dogs. They are spaced pretty far apart on tables when we're all in the gym together (on leash) and you and your dog are in the the gated ring with just you and the trainer during course work (off leash). You wait in the lobby area while you're waiting for your turn and you can keep away from the other dogs very easily. There are plenty of reactive dogs there and we've never had a problem. They also have their own leagues, under 30 pounds and over 30 pounds, that's really just friendly competition for trophies and ribbons. It would be great practice for her to get used to the agility environment. My dog is reactive to people if they try to touch or pet her. She just doesn't want to be touched by anyone, but me. Agility has helped her so much. She lets the trainers touch her now and she'll touch her nose to anyone's hand on command now with no reaction at all.