That's something I never thought of. Could be! Our trainer is going to take a look at the videos - I will bring that up as a possibility.
You are so, so, so lucky to have that opportunity. I really wish they did that here. So many of us are dealing with a completely different dog at trials than we have in class. Hope this works for you guys and I'll bet it will.Last night I took Spirit down to Miami for class. There's an agility club that holds classes down there, at the same venue that some of the trials are held. I just didn't know what else to do to try to help her with her ring stress and contacts. Turns out it was the best thing I could possibly have done. In Spirit's regular class, of course, she has no issues and does everything well. But last night, at the arena - I got the dog that I get during a trial!!!!!!! Which is a really good thing - I finally have an environment where she is struggling, and I can help her. She was refusing the contacts, zooming into the tunnels, sniffing the ground and ignoring me. But with lots of treats and many repetitions, I got her onto all the contacts, including the teeter! By the end of class, she was actually offering the a-frame and teeter without me asking for them!!!!!! So I'm sure that things are not totally fixed at this point, but at least we are finally making progress. The most important part is that I'm POSITIVE now that all the ring issues are a question of confidence. It's not about her not wanting to do agility, or not wanting to trial. She just needs confidence in that setting. So we will be going down to Miami quite a lot over the next several months to continue working on her confidence
That is amazing! I honestly am having the exact same issue with Cleo. I think I am going to have to try this out with her at the building in Indianapolis. That is where a lot of the clubs hold their trials. It is a little over an hour away, but if I can get her into a class there for a few weeks, it may do her some good. Still debating since it is getting colder out and an hour drive to Indy in snow or ice is not something I want to do.Last night I took Spirit down to Miami for class. There's an agility club that holds classes down there, at the same venue that some of the trials are held. I just didn't know what else to do to try to help her with her ring stress and contacts. Turns out it was the best thing I could possibly have done. In Spirit's regular class, of course, she has no issues and does everything well. But last night, at the arena - I got the dog that I get during a trial!!!!!!! Which is a really good thing - I finally have an environment where she is struggling, and I can help her. She was refusing the contacts, zooming into the tunnels, sniffing the ground and ignoring me. But with lots of treats and many repetitions, I got her onto all the contacts, including the teeter! By the end of class, she was actually offering the a-frame and teeter without me asking for them!!!!!! So I'm sure that things are not totally fixed at this point, but at least we are finally making progress. The most important part is that I'm POSITIVE now that all the ring issues are a question of confidence. It's not about her not wanting to do agility, or not wanting to trial. She just needs confidence in that setting. So we will be going down to Miami quite a lot over the next several months to continue working on her confidence
Yes, this is totally worth it! Of course, we have no ice or snow in Florida
It's close to a 2 hour drive each way - AND we have to completely set up and break down both agility courses before and after the class - but if this gives me the opportunity to help Spirit out, I will do it every single chance I get.
Exactly! I was at my wits end trying to fix a problem I couldn't replicate. I am THRILLED that she had trouble!!!!!!!