Jake the Dog's very first lesson

N

NHAnimator

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He's 11 months old and therefore a little young, but he was invited to try it out. I think he did fairly well. At this stage, they were just seeing what the dogs would do in regards to the equipment (if they were afraid of it, etc.).

Jake got up to jumping all of the hurtles and stayed on course more than off, which was pretty encouraging. Regarding the box, he would lean up onto it to get a treat and would walk around the front of it. Did not attempt anything more than that per suggestion of teacher.

However, there were seven dogs there and Jake would NOT STOP BARKING and PULLING whenever a dog was running. I could stop him when the dog stopped and I he would be okay if I distracted him walking the perimeter. But whenever he heard a command given to the other dogs, he was at the end of his leash. A solid hour of this. And the other dogs were quiet for the most part.

It was a little embarrassing that I had next to no control over him, but I was assured that it was okay as he was a herding dog and that's what they did in those situations. It also surprised me that when he was on course, he actually seemed fairly focused.

Good news was, after class, he jumped up into the SUV on his own for the first time ever. His adrenaline was going good.

Again, as it was all new, he did good in exploring.

Just thought I'd share. Looking forward to next week.
 
It sounds like you had a great first time out at flyball. I hope you'll post more about the training and Jake's progress. Phebe is the same age and I would like to expose her to flyball some time this spring.

Phebe has been barking like a fool and flailing around when the other dogs run at agility class. At our new class last week, the instructor helped me get her under control by spraying Binaca in the air over her head when she bared. After one squirt, all I had to do was either "AHH AHH" or touch the Binaca and she quit barking. At our Saturday class I didn't have Binaca, but was able to control her barking by "AHH" and covering her eyes. She pretty quickly figured out that she was only going to get to watch her buds run if she could be quiet about it.
 
That's actually fantastic that he was barking and pulling - it shows he was dying to have a go and at flyball comps thats what the really good dogs do. They have so much drive and love it so much they just want to have their turn. Lucky you have a small dog - you build up great shoulder muscles holding back an eager dog. Tully has 2 other buddies on her team (all herding dogs) and the three of them just bark their little heads off at each other until its their turn, then they are really focused. Sounds like you wont have long until he gets to competition stage.
 
Deja and Darby start their classes in three weeks. I can't wait :)

My friends shelties were the same way the last time we went to an event. Most of the other dogs ere quiet unless they wre in the lanes to run but Killian and Amber barked non-stop hehe
 
Flyball

I learned the Bianca trick with Shadow from Joan Meyers when I did a private with her a few years ago for agility.. It worked for awhile and then I found something better called "The Magic Touch" wich my obedience trainer taught me when he was younger.It works like a charm.
 
Thanks for the feedback. Will try to keep everyone informed. I am taking Jake to watch his first tourney next weekend. Will be bringing earplugs.
 
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