Competition agility training?

[Shamu]

For those who compete in agility - could you share your experience what is different in training a great dane for agility, versus training a smaller dog? Most training instructions are working mostly with smaller dogs, and there must be some "do" and "don't"s about great dane training that instructions are not familiar with. Of course some things are obvious -you can't lift a dane to put him on an A-Frame:) but I wonder if there are other things that must be trained differently with great dane. My girl is enjoying agility training, and I want to do it right from the start.

And a few other questions: which methods do you use to teach weave poles? and how to get a dane to sit or lay down on the pause table FAST? It seems to take her forever to sit or lay down!

[Jamey]

I have never trained a small dog, only my danes. It seems alot easier with smaller dogs though. If they don't want to do something you just pick them up! We used a lot of treats to entice my guys to do things. Also keeping the leash on so you can lead them over the A frame and Dog walk helped. I remember when we first tried to teach Sam to do the dog walk it took three people. We had to place each paw in front of the other to show him he could do it. Then of course at the end, lots of cookies!! That was always his favorite part.

To teach weave poles you can have them set up as channels instead of in a straight line, then lead them through with a cookie. As they get better you can start to move the poles into a straight line. Start with only a few poles and work your way up. Novice classes are six weave poles and open and excellent are twelve poles.

I have a hard time getting Lilly to sit and lay down quickly on the table also. We loose a good 10 seconds on our time b/c of it. This week we are working on sit and down. I kind of got to laid back on her obedience training when she got older and calmed down. Shame on me!! Now we are drilling sit and down this week before class on Thursday night. We will see how it goes.

[bluedanemom]

Our Obedience club has all of the obstacles in what we call "baby versions". We have dog walks that start 6" off the ground and go all the way up to full size. Most all of our obstacles are that way. I've found that introducing them small and then working up makes training much easier. 6" off the ground is not nearly as intimidating :) Plus, when you do move up to bigger versions, the dog is already familiar with the obstacle and takes to it easier.

As far as the pause table... mine started in obedience, so they already had to know a drop on recall. Teach a down from a stand or "drop" and use that on the table. Practice it until you can say "down, stand, down, stand" etc (much like the sit, down, sit "push ups") and her do it immediately.

[Shamu]

Thanks everyone!

As far as the pause table... mine started in obedience, so they already had to know a drop on recall. Teach a down from a stand or "drop" and use that on the table. Practice it until you can say "down, stand, down, stand" etc (much like the sit, down, sit "push ups") and her do it immediately.
She does it, but she does it SO SLOW... She starts sitting down immediately after the command is giving, but it takes forever until her butt reaches the ground :) And with "down" it is even longer (She drops down by putting the front down first, and then slowly moves her back)

[quirkyone]

We had a great, fast down on the table until I went and screwed it up. We did a lot of motivational downs on the floor: ask for a down, then quickly release forward with a toy toss and play. Then start working to have your dog down while wrapping around your feet in a 'U'. When the two are paired together, you have a fast drop that's also in a position that allows a dane to actually fit on a table! And it's much easier to get the dog up into a sit than coax them into an uncomfortable down, especially when they're amped up. Transitioning it up to the table from the floor wasn't hard, but be sure you get to practice on a full-height table. A lot of training clubs don't switch out legs during practice and it's really easy to lose your dog sightseeing on a full-height table in competition (our current issue).

I like training weaves using 2x2s. It can be a slow process, but I've had good success with it.

[Shamu]

thank you quirkyone!
Looks like the only way the dane can lay down on the table is on diagonal :) Otherwise she just doesn't fit on it!
Do you know any sites or books that explains 2X2 weave method? I know there is a DVD, but it's kind of expensive to buy..

[camarogal00]

This may be a dumb question, but what site can I go to, to learn about what happens in competition? I was reading about markings and how some are undesirable. So, does that mean that they do not qualify to participate, or it is just looked down upon? I have a black dane with four white paws, and I have read that it is undesirable. Any information would be helpful. Thank you!

[SirMuttleyCooper]

This may be a dumb question, but what site can I go to, to learn about what happens in competition? I was reading about markings and how some are undesirable. So, does that mean that they do not qualify to participate, or it is just looked down upon? I have a black dane with four white paws, and I have read that it is undesirable. Any information would be helpful. Thank you!

IF you are talking about AKC competitions (for agility that is) they can be mismarked, spayed/neutered - just have to have an AKC registration (and does not have to be full reg either). The only time color is looked at is in conformation. Only then you have to have full AKC reg, correct coloring, etc. There are also different organizations that hold agility trials, rally trials, obedience, etc. If you are looking to find out how a competition is run, go stop in a class or find a show near you - most people are willing to explain everything to you.

[ouesi]

IF you are talking about AKC competitions (for agility that is) they can be mismarked, spayed/neutered - just have to have an AKC registration (and does not have to be full reg either). The only time color is looked at is in conformation. Only then you have to have full AKC reg, correct coloring, etc. There are also different organizations that hold agility trials, rally trials, obedience, etc. If you are looking to find out how a competition is run, go stop in a class or find a show near you - most people are willing to explain everything to you.


And don't forget, as of October 1st, AKC now offers the Canine Partners program where you can list your mixed breed, and compete in AKC companion events (agility, rally, obedience). Spread the word!

Oh, and if your purebred isn't papered, you can list them under the PAL/ILP program, and compete in companion events.