Simba's agility progress

[corbinam]

I'm going to get to work on those backsides haha! I know exactly what you mean thanks a million. One last question sorry about all the questions). If I take a direct line in that particular situation He will literally stay right at my side and so doesn't take the jump. I along with my trainer went over that particular sequence a few times, from the jump after the second tunnel to the jump before the weaves, and the only way he took that jump without a refusal was to make a c in towards the weaves. It uses up so much time though and risks taking the wrong obstacle.Any advice on how teach him to work away from me a bit. So that he isn't always literally following my exact line

Did you do any cone work with him as a puppy? That's a really great way to build a foundation. Teach Simba to circle a cone really tightly (only working one way per session). Start adding motion so you can send and then run away while Simba still completes the turn around the cone. If he's toy motivated that's a great way to keep him driving.

Once he has the cone all figured out and you can send and run, change the cone to a jump stanchion/wing (just 1) and do the same thing. Then you can add the second wing with a bar on the ground, then finally advancing to a jump!

Does that make sense? I can try to snag a video if that would help.

 

[labgirl]

How do you teach weaves? (2x2, channel etc) Are you heading to crufts this year?

Merlin was old-school guided weaves. Sparrow has been taught on channels, but she has gotten stuck with an inch to go, so I have switched to 2x2s. She managed to do a closed entry last night on the club weaves, which made my night.

I will be at Crufts on the Friday (I think its 11th March?). Going to spend most of my time watching the agility ring and dreaming of being in there one day, lol

 

[Simba13]

Merlin was old-school guided weaves. Sparrow has been taught on channels, but she has gotten stuck with an inch to go, so I have switched to 2x2s. She managed to do a closed entry last night on the club weaves, which made my night.

I will be at Crufts on the Friday (I think its 11th March?). Going to spend most of my time watching the agility ring and dreaming of being in there one day, lol

I'd love to try the channel weaves I'll have to save up to buy some haha. I have started the 2x2 after failed attempts at the guided weaves but so far that hasn't been working for us either so maybe channel is the way to go!

I'm flying over and back in he one day on Thursday and am hoping to go on Saturday as well. A few of the juniors from my club qualified for both individual and team so I'm going over to see them Are you going to the kci show in rockingham this summer? I might be heading over for that

 

[labgirl]

I am hoping to do the KCI festival, just don't know which days yet. Waiting for the schedule to see which days would be best for us. Would be great to meet up

 

[Simba13]

Did you do any cone work with him as a puppy? That's a really great way to build a foundation. Teach Simba to circle a cone really tightly (only working one way per session). Start adding motion so you can send and then run away while Simba still completes the turn around the cone. If he's toy motivated that's a great way to keep him driving.

Once he has the cone all figured out and you can send and run, change the cone to a jump stanchion/wing (just 1) and do the same thing. Then you can add the second wing with a bar on the ground, then finally advancing to a jump!

Does that make sense? I can try to snag a video if that would help.

I did a little bit but never followed up on it as he got older. I only did my first agility class when he was 9 months old. It was a foundation class and we did cone work so I think I know what you are talking about I might just invest in a proper jump at home so we can work on the wings Thank you for all of your help

 

[Piper's mom]

Awesome work with your dog! Just curious, I'm interested in doing agility/rally with my pup when he's older, how long did it take you to get where you are now (how much training)? It'll be awhile before we start that training (spring/summer maybe) but just curious and did you do any practice at home with your own equipment. (I like to think ahead as to what I might need to get haha).

 

[Simba13]

Awesome work with your dog! Just curious, I'm interested in doing agility/rally with my pup when he's older, how long did it take you to get where you are now (how much training)? It'll be awhile before we start that training (spring/summer maybe) but just curious and did you do any practice at home with your own equipment. (I like to think ahead as to what I might need to get haha).

Than you I started training this time last year and try to get to one class a week. I started basic training like recalls and waits from the time he was a young puppy. We started puppy obedience classes and then progressed onto the competition class. For the first few months Simba was very nervous and lacked confidence but after 4 or 5 months building his confidence everything just clicked and then it was my handling that needed work

I do have some equipment at home I bought a basic set of jumps. Dogs shouldn't start jumping until 12 months but you can still work on short sequences without the poles. I also have a set of weaves but did not start teaching them until he was 18 months. I'd say a tunnel is the best place to start. I have a kids play tunnel that my puppy uses about once a day for 2 or 3 minutes. He will even run through tunnels at simbas class.

 

[Piper's mom]

Thank you for that info Simba, I think I'm on track then...you start second guessing yourself...(should've started sooner etc etc lol) Piper is 10 1/2 months now, just started level 2 yesterday. Piper definitely doesn't lack confidence...patience maybe but then he's still a puppy haha. Definitely going to start getting some agility equipment so we can start doing some fun practice at home.