The Training of an Agility Super Star, Day 1.

This week, I went to Paws Abilities located in Fife in order to observe the agility lessons there. Rocco and I have been practicing at home for over a year now because we can’t afford to pay for the gas to get to Fido’s Farm. Their next set of classes begin on February 29th, but I wanted to make sure their handling style would match ours.

I was thrilled with the buildings, the obviously well kept dogs inside the buildings, and the agility instructor. What particularly impressed me was that through the class I observed not one single negative correction ever occurred. Not even a collar yank. Not even the word, “No.” The only correction that happened aside from asking the dog to try again (very neutrally mind you) was when a Golden Retriever decided to go and visit everyone and ignore his handler.

The instructor had the owner stand there without chasing the dog or saying anything to it, and stare at her “command finger”. (Agility handlers hold a hand out from their side and point their finger to help direct the dog.)

Every time the golden retriever ran up to visit someone they would say, “Go back to work!” in a neutral tone. Nothing exciting there. Eventually the dog balefully glanced over his shoulder to see if his owner was chasing him yet, and saw the owner staring at her finger. I have no idea what that means in dog language, but he was horrified and rushed over to be back with the owner.

Brilliant.

I’m taking Rocco there for his first lesson on the 29th. In the mean time, I’m going crazy! I want the lessons to start now, but I’m putting my restlessness into action to at least tighten up his fitness and flat work skills. Today Rocco went to the park for 30 minutes of exercise. My goal was to do hill work with him to help build muscle. What we ended up doing is 30 minutes of hillwork at an insane gallop. Rocco has been on a leash or in the backyard for months. Apparently one cannot reach Warp 5 in a backyard.

Sunday we worked on drive plate training, where he did gallop amiably enough, but if only I could transfer his enthusiasm for the park onto the agility course…

Maybe it’s just a matter of getting fit. Who knows! Here’s a video of our drive training, which the pictures came from.