The Schnauzer Forum

Me and Flint attended our first agility foundation training class this evening. The class is for dogs from 6 months old - Flint is 7 months - so there are no obstacles involved at all at this stage. The class is based on Susan Garrett's Recallers course, aiming to build a good relationship with your dog so that they enjoy working with you even in distracting environments.

Week 1 we did collar grabs (to build a positive association with holding onto their collar), settle on a mat, responding to their name, and rewarding offered eye contact.

There are only 6 dogs in the class and one of the others is another black and silver Mini! Sadly we're on holiday in the Peak District next week so we'll miss lesson 2. We will have to practice settling on a mat in country pubs to make up for missing class

Anyone else started agility recently?

We started in July. Lots of different things you can do before the big boys jumping. We did things like walking along a ladder on the ground placing each foot, no bunny hoping so they learn where their back feet are. A good "wait" command. Teaching "come" so they will come to either side and not just the obedience to the front. Walking on different surfaces. Teaching to follow your hand.

Get him fixed and motivated on a particular toy. Finding a reward for Barney has been the hardest part He changes his mind every week it can be Tuggy, ball, food or something someone else has and I never know until we start

Unfortunately ours finishes in a couple of weeks until Feb as its outside venue

I use a bungee treat pouch for training.

https://tug-e-nuff.co.uk/bungee-tug-toy ... d-bag.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I put some high value, smelly, treats inside and the dogs will work to it. It only gets used for agility to maintain it's reward function. Boris hasn't started yet but he knows about the special bag because he gets a treat out of it when Bertie and I get home. He already knows that it's special.

Mike Jackson wrote:I use a bungee treat pouch for training.

https://tug-e-nuff.co.uk/bungee-tug-toy ... d-bag.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I put some high value, smelly, treats inside and the dogs will work to it. It only gets used for agility to maintain it's reward function. Boris hasn't started yet but he knows about the special bag because he gets a treat out of it when Bertie and I get home. He already knows that it's special.

I made something similar out of an old fleece jumper and put thin strips of dried tripe and fish skin inside. Those are special "sweeties" and toy for agility.

I also got one of these the other week, still building up its value.
http://www.traininglines.co.uk/busy-bud ... -ball.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Boris starts his agility training tonight. I'm going along to watch Mike try and control him

You must take pics !!! I imagine Boris to be a bit like Albert! He'll love it and do it.... If he wants to!!!!!!!