Comments on: What is YOUR biggest obstacle?

By: Sharon

Sharon — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:13:11 +0000

I was able to teach my dog to walk backwards just by facing him, then walking forward which forced him to back up. I added a hand signal by putting both of my palms at eye level to him, moving them forward and backward while saying “back, back, back” at the same time. It took a while for him to really feel comfortable with it so at first, I rewarded him with a treat if he even took one step back. Now he goes back much faster and easier. I hope that helps!

By: Carlotta

Carlotta — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:31:15 +0000

This is really not a comment but a quest for training tips. I’m currently trying to teach my dog how to walk backwards. I have tried sandwitching him between too walls, but he thinks that he should sit when taking a step back. This is a hard manuver because it goes against all that he has been taught. All helpful hints would be welcome. Thank you Carlotta

By: Robbin H.

Robbin H. — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:32:46 +0000

I’m grateful to all that have noted that their course memorization ability is their greatest hurdle but that they can and have overcome! We (both my Lab and I) are new to agility and are now beginning obstacles to build on our foundation skills. When I visit trials and see folks walking the course, I wonder that I will ever be able to do it. But just like learning the obstacles for my dog, step by step, I won’t fail him (too badly, anyway! ..and he will forgive me, as he always does. I’ve started reading about courses and hope that by the time he is ready, I will be, too.

By: Barbara Gordon

Barbara Gordon — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:05:21 +0000

Few peope I know, including myself, started out as expert dog owners, trainers, and handlers. We all stumbled and tripped over our dogs, learning how not to embarass them. We have all had dogs that presented us with difficult challanges. The kind that keep us up at night sorting through our options, excuses not being one of them. The kind that cause us to enteract with other knowledable dog folk and toss about ideas. The kind that make us take a good hard look at ourselves and what we know about the dogs we live, play, and work with. The kind that make us buy DVDs, books, and go to seminars, searching for the answer. Sometimes it appears there is no answer for the dog that has teeter terrors or creates his own course every time, or beleives the name of the game is run through the jumps not over them. How much time and effort have I put into the dog that will not wait on the line or put his butt all the way down on the table? My dogs have taught me a lot about dogs (once I learned how to look and listen)a lot about life ( it’s never easy and straight forward) and a lot about patience and perserverence (giving up is not an option). My dogs have taught me that if I can teach it, they can learn it. And they will learn it when they can, not when I want them to. Finally my dog doesn’t care if we get a title, first place, high in class, or the fastest time, so relax and enjoy the ride.