Keepers Agility Update

KeeperBoy · 02-23-2009, 07:31 PM

Keepers had his third private agility lesson today. He can now do all the equipment on his own, except the weaves. We started the dog walk today and had it all rigged up to teach him very slowly, after two attempts it was obvious he could do the whole thing by himself. His favorite piece is the A frame, he just goes up and down, up and down, he doesn't even want a treat for it. He also does the shoot without hesitation now, which was exciting. We have lots of hand and place work to practice for our next lesson, but he's such a star. His teacher, who has been teaching for 10 years said he is a "natural". He has a private lesson next week and he will also start his group agility class. He is so darn smart, it is really amazing. Agility has been such good bonding, I have so much respect for what he can do and how smart he is. He doesn't just do what I say either, he thinks it out on his own and tried other ways to get the cookie, he is always thinking. I've never worked with any of the so called "smart breeds", border collies, poodles, but I cannot believe they would be smarter than Keeps. He is seriously brilliant.

Nismo · 04-03-2009, 01:40 AM

Where can I find a place like this around my area? Sounds fun, and a great way to bond with my boxer.

KeeperBoy · 04-03-2009, 07:00 AM

Agility is super popular right now, you should be able to do a google search and see what pops up. We have three places in our area but have chosen to train where we do based on the trainers methods.

You could also ask a vet or at the humane society for some references. I would start with some basic obedience first and go from there.

Nismo · 04-03-2009, 11:43 AM

Ok. Thanks!

Ron · 07-27-2009, 01:12 PM

is keepers still doing agility?

boxingBabe · 07-27-2009, 05:56 PM

I was thinking about looking into this because I think Babe would enjoy it . Would love to atleast let her try it to see how she made out .

KeeperBoy · 07-27-2009, 10:02 PM

He is! We had to take July off because wedding planning has left little time. We got back August 18th. He is now doing the teeter by himself 100% of the time, so all that stands in our way is the weave poles!

Ruby Red · 07-28-2009, 03:39 AM

I been doing agility with Rubes since we got her and I so agree it is an excellent way to bond with your dog. How are you approaching the weaves? I was taught to place myself standing backwards to the weaves and to literally walk backwards through the weaves, luring Ruby with a treat the whole time – she only got the treat though when we had gone through the last weave. Ruby is ok at most things – she has never liked the dog walk – it’s too high for her and she’s all legs everywhere so we miss it out, also, I have to walk beside her when it comes to the jumps – if I dare to run she just leaps all over me, and not the jump! She’s ok at the weaves, she won’t jump up onto the pause table [she walks up the stairs that are there for the smaller dogs!] scrambles up the a-frame fine, but rarely hits the last 2 rungs at the bottom! She’s brilliant at the tunnels though – yahoo! She’s not a natural at all, bless her, she’s too excitable and too forgetful. We've been in the beginners class since we started – everyone else moved up but us, but who cares, it’s just abit of fun for her and me!!!!

KeeperBoy · 07-28-2009, 09:02 AM

We started with the weaves in two lines instead of one. We were using chicken wire fencing, he could only go through them the right way. Then we changed to one piece of wire, he could easily go over it, but it was there to help him. Slowly we move the wire closer and closer to the floor and the weaves closer to one line. He can do them now, it's just he isn't as predictable as I need him to be.

As for everything else, he loves tunnels and A frames. The teeter he does well, he gets bored with too many jumps.

We do private lessons, and I think he is learning much faster than he he was only in his group ones. The trainer we work with has been to the ACK national championships on several occasions and is so good with Keepers. We're so lucky!

Ruby Red · 07-28-2009, 10:20 AM

I never heard of this method with chicken wire before, interesting, we were just taught on the weaves as they are usually laid out. Our trainer doesn’t do private lessons, our classes are held at a riding school - in a horse training ring and we have to set the equipment out every week!

You are lucky, your trainer sounds really good, ours used to compete but I don’t know what credits she has. Would you be thinking of competing in the future? I couldn’t be bothered even though Jakey is really good, we just do it for fun!