• 27Oct

  Walking backward trick?

  Dog Training (General) No Comments

  A blog member has an unusual training question.  If anyone here has any advice, please click on “comments” in the upper right corner (or scroll to the bottom) to share your idea!

  ” 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 sandwiching him between two walls, but he thinks that he should sit when taking a step back. This is a hard manuever because it goes against all that he has been taught. All helpful hints would be welcome. Thank you” - Carlotta

  Suggestion from another member:

  Sharon

  Submitted on 2009/09/13 at 9:13am 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!

  

  Tags: dog tricks

• 24Oct

  Concerning AKC’s Mixed Breed Program

  Dog Agility Competing No Comments

  Regardless of mixed feelings you may have concerning this issue (click here to read our controversial and well-commented post on this subject), I just wanted to spread the word for those interested…

  AKC’s new program for mixed-breed dogs, AKC Canine Partners, is now open for business. If you have a mixed-breed dog you’d like to enroll in this program—giving him the chance to compete in stand-alone obedience, rally, and agility events—go to akccaninepartners.org. In addition to event eligibility, owners enrolling in AKC Canine Partners will receive lifetime enrollment in the AKC CAR Lost and Found recovery service, a one-year subscription to AKC FAMILY DOG, an AKC Canine Partners decal and a frameable certificate of recognition.

  

  Tags: agility changes, agility training, dog fame

• 23Oct

  Agility Games ~ For the Mind!

  Dog Agility Equipment No Comments

  In the winter, agility is hard to come by in most of the U.S. It’s cold out, and we do little more than the obligatory walk around (shivering), and games of tug-a-war (after drinking a hot beverage) for our dogs inside for exercise. That’s okay for your dogs’ physical exercise, but their mental stimulation can be lacking. Enter these dog board games! It’s like agility ~ for the mind!

  Product “Rave-View”….

  What you do is hide treats under the ‘game board pieces’ and your dog has to use his smarts to find ways of dislodging the pieces or moving the puzzle pieces around to get to the hidden pockets.  There are different ways he can do this, and as he continues to play he will learn more effective ways of getting to the treats faster.   It will engage your dogs’ mind and keep him thinking and happily occupied all through the winter… between those knee-deep in snow walks!   It’s also great family fun for something to do around the Christmas tree.

  
  

  

  Tags: dog products, dog tricks

• 22Oct

  Course Book we’ve Begged For!

  Dog Agility Equipment No Comments

  Coming up with creative courses for practice sessions can be a challenge.  Sure you can get out the graph paper and little cut-outs of obstacles and try your hand at designing, but why do that when someone has already done all the work, and the people who did the work are judges and instructors who are the ones who put the courses together at trials to begin with?   With the extra time you save, you can be out there playing with your dog!

  We have some free resources of of places where you can get courses (see our post on course design), but we also recommend the Clean Run Sourcebook as a great value for the price.  It features 100 courses with three different difficulty variations, making it a total of 300 courses! These courses are designed for two size areas- 50′ x 100′ and 80′ x 120′.  The courses contain standard equipment and a wide sampling of challenges and sequencing patterns to test handling skills and enhance any training program.  It’s a great resource for a trainer, club, or a backyard player.

  
  

  

  Tags: agility games/classes, dog products

• 21Oct

  What’s your dog’s best time?

  Dog Agility Training No Comments

  I love the fact that getting legs (i.e. qualifying) in agility is not all about having the fastest run.  Especially in the early stages of my career when my dog was performing obstacles accurately, but seemed to lack the drive.  Because she was accurate I was able to qualify against those dogs who were speedy bullets, but sloppily knocking bars and running by obstacles (refusals).

  But as I progressed in competing I discovered that speed was becoming increasingly more important.  I was competing against other dogs who were also accurate, and now I needed that edge.  We’ve blogged in the past about motivation techniques, and we’ll do more of that.  Right now I just want to encourage you to start measuring the things you try.  There is a quote I like that says,

  “If you can measure it, you can own it.  If you can own it, you can improve upon it”.

  There is a place for winging it, and there is a place for planning.  If you really want to succeed, consider recording your dog’s time going through the weaves, running through sequences, or running a course.  Then try some new tricks to see if it doesn’t save you a few seconds.  You’ll never know if your ideas work unless you start measuring them!

  A helpful tool at this point is a stop watch.  I suggest a stopwatch that also has a chronometer as well.  Affordable Agility now offers an inexpensive stop watch that keeps time to 1/100 sec and also features a clock with time functions.   So you can keep track of your dogs’ run speed, and know when you should head home from the park with him, too!  

  

  Tags: dog products

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