Obstacle Question

[k9kreationz]

Well, I have some questions. There are some things Koji needs to work on. I'd like to start competing him in standard, although, my instructor says its better to wait longer and get the dog comfy with everything, versus going to early.

The problem is, we don't do contact work enough in class. Granted, a lot of it is coursework (front crosses, distance work, etc). We haven't and don't even work on, oh what is it called. When the dog can tell what piece of equipment is what (so they don't go in a tunnel that's under the dog walk, when they should be going to the dog walk).

We also haven't worked the table, teeter, and chute very much. Granted, I'm in the process of retraining a down and sit (when he sits too long, he thinks I want him to lie down).

So, my thought is this. I live in a condo (think apartment, no yard, no space). What can I do to work on these things? Should I ask to move into a more advanced class (I've progressed with the same class, but I've always been a bit ahead of them). I'd like to train and be more well rounded.

There are local groups that "train" together. But aren't classes. They basically set up equipment, people take turns either running or working on things, etc. Should I sign up for something like that, in addition to my regular agility classes?

At the rate I'm going. Koji will become a Jumpers champion before he even gets to Standard Novice. LOL. Thoughts? Advice? Etc?

 

[HopeShelties]

You mean obstacle discrimination? This won't be such a huge thing yet in novice, but as you get into open and excellent, yes, discriminations will show up frequently. It is something to definitely work on.
Since you'll still be going to your regular class, going to the get together groups run throughs would certainly be a good idea. It'll get you more time on the obstacles you're needing to work on, allow you to practice more sequencing, get your dog used to a somewhat trial like setting, and give both you and your dog more time and experience to help you progress.

 

[corbinam]

There are some things you can do in a small condo, for instance we work on two on two off on the stairs. The dog can tell that he should get in a position where he has two feet on the ground and the other two are raised up. It doesn't matter that it's stairs vs. an incline.

That being said, I would recommend joining the group that does run-thrus. We do run-thrus once a week, and it makes a big difference. Running through handling and obstacles is one thing, but it's a huge help to be in a real situation.

 

[Silaria]

The biggest thing I can tell you is don't rush into trialing if you aren't ready; especially where contacts are concerned. A misstep on some contacts, like the teeter for instant, can really set your training back.

Keep going with your classes but also get involved with the individual groups so you can get more practice and more exposure to the obstacles you don't get to spend a lot of time on.

I tried for just under 1 year before entering my first trial, a CPE trial. Since CPE doesn't require the Teeter or Weaves at Level 1, I had time to continue to work on them before moving to Level 2. If you look at my videos from my August CPE trial, you can see Edan really wasn't ready because he was still hesitant on the teeter.

The extra training time you take before you start trialing will be worth it.

 

[k9kreationz]

You mean obstacle discrimination?

Obstacle discrimination. Yup, that'd be it. I know you say it's not big in novice, but at my first trial (NADAC), they had a tunnel under the dog walk, and the opening was so close to the walk ramp that most dogs missed it. So I was thinking, UH-OH! Need a LOT of work, lol.

Since you'll still be going to your regular class, going to the get together groups run throughs would certainly be a good idea. It'll get you more time on the obstacles you're needing to work on, allow you to practice more sequencing, get your dog used to a somewhat trial like setting, and give both you and your dog more time and experience to help you progress.

That's what I was thinking too. Thanks.

 

[k9kreationz]

There are some things you can do in a small condo, for instance we work on two on two off on the stairs. The dog can tell that he should get in a position where he has two feet on the ground and the other two are raised up. It doesn't matter that it's stairs vs. an incline.

Unfortunately, I'm not doing the 2o2o. I'm doing running contacts. For the most part, Koji doesn't jump off and that's why I chose that route. Although, I did see a good article in Clean Run talking about teach a dog to walk backwards up the stairs.

I also have a single jump, but not enough room really to use it indoors.

That being said, I would recommend joining the group that does run-thrus. We do run-thrus once a week, and it makes a big difference. Running through handling and obstacles is one thing, but it's a huge help to be in a real situation.

Again. My same thought. I just looked at the local club. Gosh, in Sept they were going almost once a week, to every other week. But since then, it's been barely once a month. Hmmm.....

 

[k9kreationz]

The biggest thing I can tell you is don't rush into trialing if you aren't ready; especially where contacts are concerned. A misstep on some contacts, like the teeter for instant, can really set your training back.

I completely agree. I don't want to rush him, but it's hard to "rush" or "not rush" when we're not really working on it. I haven't seen the chute since maybe the first or second session of classes (so about a year ago). And it freaks him out. Maybe I'll just make or buy one. He really needs to get over his fear. Which he cant do if we don't work on it.

I tried for just under 1 year before entering my first trial, a CPE trial. Since CPE doesn't require the Teeter or Weaves at Level 1, I had time to continue to work on them before moving to Level 2. If you look at my videos from my August CPE trial, you can see Edan really wasn't ready because he was still hesitant on the teeter.

The extra training time you take before you start trialing will be worth it.

Maybe I'll start in CPE trials. Oh wait. They probably do the chute and table, huh? We don't have a lot of NADAC trials where I am at (mostly CPE/USDAA/AKC) and I would love to enter in those, but obviously, Koji has a LOT of obstacles he's not "used to". He's got some great weaves (when he doesn't pass them up, lol) Sigh. I'll check out your videos. I know Edan is a bit in front of us, but yet I am hoping to get there soon.

I agree with the extra trianing. I just need to figure out where to get it. Maybe I'll ask my instructor and hope she won't be offended. I need more practice on obstacles. Although our flatwork needs to be worked on also, I think expanding our horizons on obstacles important too. I may be great at Jumpers (I can hope I am), but I'd like to move beyond that. lol.

 

[HopeShelties]

Yeah, I don't compete in NADAC, only AKC, so didn't know they had much of that in the other venues in novice level.
Also, you mention some of the obstacles haven't been used since the first couple of classes you did. Have you tried asking the trainer if they'd mind throwing them in every once in a while? It may be they just didn't think about their not having those obstacles included recently