• 14Aug

  Sneak Peak at Snooker

  Dog Agility Competing 1 Comment

  

  Snooker. It scares a lot of beginners. It looks confusing to the spectators. But in reality its a really fun game!  I am posting a course map so everyone can start planning their strategy.

  How do you play? I’m going to try to explain the game in an easy, understandable way.

  There are “red” obstacles, and “non-red” obstacles. The Red obstacles are jumps. They will be marked with red flags or cones. On our course map (below) the Red obstacles are the jumps with a 1 by them. These jumps are always worth 1 point. Think of these Red jumps as your bank account. You must go to the bank (jump a red jump successfully) in order to go to the store and purchase something (in snooker your store is the field and you purchase things by completing them successfully).

  In Snooker you must jump a red jump successfully, then go out and take any other obstacle. Each obstacle on the field is numbered. Whatever number the obstacle has, is it’s worth. For example, on our course map, the weave poles are worth 7 points. The dogwalk is worth 4 points, etc.

  So, you jump a red, then a non-red, then you jump the next red, and any non-red, and then you jump the final red jump, and any non-red. This sequence is called the “opening”. If you do this successfully you move on to the “closing” which is simply running the course in numbered order starting at #2 and going through #7.

  How do you Qualify? You need to get at least 37 points and do it under the course time (which the judge will post).

  The closing sequence (#2 thru #7) is worth 27 points (add them up, 2+3+4+5+6+7=27). So figure you need to gather at a minimum 10 points in your opening.

  Of course there are rules… If you fail to do a red-jump successfully, you do not earn the right to go do a non-red obstacle. For example, if you send your dog over a red jump, and he knocks the bar down, you MUST go to the next red jump and do it successfully before you can do a non-red for more points.

  If you do two non-red obstacles, you are off course and the game ends. If you do two red jumps without getting a non-red in between them, you are off course and the game ends.

  Using our course map (below), all obstacles in the opening sequence are bi-directional, meaning you can do them in either direction and get points for them.

  You see the 5a and 5b sequence. You must do both of these jumps to earn the 5 points. In the opening sequence you can jump them in any order but must do both of them. In the closing sequence you must jump the obstacles in the correct order starting at #2.

  ~ Thanks to Linda at http://agilityteamair.wordpress.com/ for the above entry~

  For more information on snooker, visit one of our affiliate’s pages, http://www.agilityability.com/snooker.htm

  

  Tags: agility competing, agility games/classes

• 27May

  Fun agility games to try!

  Dog Agility Training No Comments

  Thanks to Debbie Sacerich, here are a few games for your next agility get together that you might like to try!

  “Before the game set a fairly simple course.  Make it easy, but add a trap if you want. Connect two tunnels for a really long tunnel and make a trap next to it so if the dog and handler goes off course they are really far off.  Jumps are set lower than usual.

  Take 3 x 5 cards and write challenges on them. Each handler draws a card before their run and has to do whatever it says. This was the fun part!! 

  Here are some examples:

  *You better have a really great dog,  for every fault you get AS YOU RUN THE COURSE you have to remove a piece of clothing as you run (not watches or jewelry).

  *Agility is all about concentration and focus–as you run we will try and distract you with catcalls, clapping whistles, bouncing ball and offering food!

  *Are you multi-talented?  Run this course while singing  “How much is that doggy in the window” and saying nothing else.

  *You have to be prepared in agility. Run 1-2-3 and put on what is in the mystery bag at 4, then 4-5-6 etc  Place 4 bags on the course with raincoats, huge boots, floppy hats etc.

  *Run the course holding a Dixie cup of water in each hand.

  Use your imagination in creating the cards. It is hilarious!  Everyone has a good time, even those who have to hula on course!”

  

  Tags: agility games/classes, agility oddities

• 21Apr

  Couch potato dog? Try this game while watching t.v.!

  Dog Agility Training 1 Comment

  “Distance Work”, or getting your dog to move ahead of you to an obstacle, is one of the more advanced exercises of agility.  But you can start training your dog to do this at any level now, by incorporating little games into your everyday training. One of my favorite exercises is done indoors while watching t.v.!

  The Game:

  Prepare ahead by setting up an obstacle in your living room, like a simple jump.  Position it up so your dog has to go over the jump, not around it (like in a hall or somewhere where the sides are blocked). Put the bars down really low to start. With your dog in a stay (or not looking), place behind the jump a plastic lidded container (like an old butter container) with a snack inside.  Poke a hole in the top so your dog can smell the treat. Then go sit down or lay on your couch for a bit.   Now, don’t wake your dog up from a sound sleep, but if he is just sitting there, or doing nothing in particular (like you), you can then point to the jump.  Say  ’jump’ (or whatever word you use). The first time this happens, unless your dog has been patiently waiting for you to release him from the stay to investigate that mysterious container, your dog might not know what you are saying at first. So you’ll have to get up and point closer to the jump, and the container, to encourage him to come over.  When he goes over the jump, reward him by opening the container. Try it again over the course of your tv time (during commercials!), each time taking your dog over to the jump until he gets the idea.  Keep playing this game, and eventually you should be able to just say “jump”, and your dog is going to immediately seek out the jump, wherever you placed it.  (Future games will have moved the jump around).  This may take a few “Lost” episodes (or whatever you like to watch), but its a fun way to teach an important skill, while enjoying your tv time at the same time!

  

  Tags: agility games/classes, dog tricks

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