Dog agility

[doby]

Ok hope you can help me, so ive made a bit of an agility course for my dog but the problem is how do i get him to use it? i direct him through it but soon as he gets to the leap bars he just wont jump or even go through it, he stops in hs tracks and i cant force him so how should i encourage him?
Ive tried throwing tennis balls over underneath it bt he just goes around LOL.
Can you give me some tips on how to do this?
I thank you in advance.

[sheplovr]

I do not know much about training except for my Gino male jumps a six foot wall because he was trained in Germany started in Shutzhund. How I might do it is lower it first and u jump and try and drag him then treat or pet and praise is he goes over lower bit first. Practice low before going to his real size of what he is to do. No dogs just jumps high at first I am sure they start out low for encouragement. Try it that way honey.......Wish I knew more but that is how I would start. You do not want him to be frightened or not like it so my mind tells me go slow one thing at a time low. then praise and hug him tons.

[Sabledog]

if he is scared of the poles you are trying to get him to jump, start him out like they do horses, lay the poles on the ground, make him (or ask him) to walk over it several times, once he is comfortable with that raise it a few inches off the ground, and repeat the process until he is jumping the height you want him too, it will take time, and lots of praise and encouragement, dont discipline him if he does it wrong it will only make him more unwilling to do it.

[doby]

Nice thanks, ive just found out that i should probably wait a another 6-8 months to start him on agility since hes just a yr old. SO i guess itll have to wait, would little jumps say knee high Max, would that be ok to do to get him use to them untill he reaches 16-18 months?

Another quick question, does agility training encourage bone/joint problems in the future due to all the jumping and landing hard? and ive heard that dobermans have those type of problems when they get old due to their big bones and long legs?????

[doby]

Help Please

[nic_brandy]

It is advised people dont start doing agility until they are 2years old as it can effect their bones etc as they are still growing.
As for kneww high jumpes i suppose its not a bad thing, but def start by laying the poles on the floor, and maybe conentrate on the non-jumping things such as tunnells and contacts. :)

[golden&hovawart]

At a year old,you should be able to jump knee high bars,that height shouldn't do any damage to the joint.Have fun!!:)

[doby]

Great thanks for the replies, ive made small jumps for him out of pvc pipes and started him like you adviced me, by puting them on the floor than raising them as he got use to it hes able to jump just under knee high allready and im sure he could do more but ill keep him on that, and i will buy him a tunnel and concentrate on things that dont involve jumping like you sayd, thanks again, great advice verry helpful.
Does any one know if it can be bad for their bones/joints in the long run though?
Andwhat would be the best way to get him going through the tunnel?
Any advice on that?

[mysterydog1]

There aren't any agility places to go to around you? I suppost i could try teaching oakley how to do agility but i'd be a lot of work. If you find a good trainer at a resonable price there are tons of owner/dog classes you could attend. =) good luck

[mysterydog1]

Should I start another thread? I am talking about the same thing. Starting agility with Oakley. Just asking, don't wanna like, take over your thread. ;)

[retriever crazy]

Great thanks for the replies, ive made small jumps for him out of pvc pipes and started him like you adviced me, by puting them on the floor than raising them as he got use to it hes able to jump just under knee high allready and im sure he could do more but ill keep him on that, and i will buy him a tunnel and concentrate on things that dont involve jumping like you sayd, thanks again, great advice verry helpful.
Does any one know if it can be bad for their bones/joints in the long run though?
Andwhat would be the best way to get him going through the tunnel?
Any advice on that?


i have done agility for two years now with my golden retriever Lilly. I would advise the same thing about keeping the jumps really low and jump over the jump with your dog. that helped with lilly alot.

with the tunnel, scunch it up as small as you can and get someone to hold your dog on one end and you on the other. when you do that, call your dog and get some what into the tunnel so the dog can see you. treats and toys will help too.

good luck with agility, its alot of fun!!

[mysterydog1]

doby i've been meaning to ask you. is your boy black and tan or is his black kinda blueish? because in the pics his black looks kinda silverish. is it? or is it just your camera?