Annette47 (05-03-2015)
We signed up for an Agility class. It's agility basics, no A-frames, jumps, or the high walk thingy yet.
We worked on touch points, Cavaletti's (sp?), tubes, tunnels, ladders, working on both sides/switching sides, and a walk that was about a foot off the ground. We also had to show that our dog would come when called. Maverick loved everything, but he didn't understand that he was supposed to walk across the big board. It was his first day though and we got him to walk with his hind legs on the ground and his front feet on the board. After that he jumped up and finished the walk and the trainer had me treat him and end that exercise there with him doing it right. Our homework is to work on touch points, which I can do no problem. Can't wait for next week!
On a non agility related note, we took Maverick to a park with a creek in it. It's a public park in a small, rural area. There were about 10 teenagers fishing and a group of kids playing on the swings. We were able to keep Maverick's attention on us and the water and had him playing fetch in the water for a good 30 minutes before he was looking for ways to get the stick without jumping down into the water because he was tired.
He's still a happy, goofy, in-your-face, love you lots, drooling boy but we are extremely happy with the progress he's made. We've never had a dog that we could take anywhere and let run off-leash and feel comfortable about it. I've also never had a dog I could enjoy sports with. I tried obedience with a Mal once and she was the shining star of class....but the clown of the match. It was a complete failure. We are very much looking forward to what this summer has in store for us and Maverick!
Annette47 (05-03-2015)
Sounds like a success and fun! I am eagerly awaiting word that a local trainer is going to start a new beginner agility class for Linus.
The touch is fun to train. I found that clicker training it took about five seconds (slight exaggeration). Now Linus can't see a sour cream container lid without touching it. We use it for go-outs.
The match thing happens to all dogs. I took mine to one match a month on average for a year before I'd put them in a trial. Proofing is key!
Yes we've worked on the "touch" command. We used lids and post-its and things like that. The goal was to push a truck around the room. I do clicker train, but not exclusively. I do it for things like "spot" and things where I have to send him somewhere.
I don't clicker train exclusively either, just started with Linus a few months ago, in fact. It's amazing how sped up catching on to new things (and some old things we hadn't quite mastered yet, either). I watch some training videos that sometimes use clickers and Linus just stands at the TV waiting for treats.
WTG Maverick! Sounds like you had a lot of fun.
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