agility

[Chip's Mom]

It sounds like you are past the beginning obedience class - am I correct? How old is your Tucker. I would say that Perfection like beauty is in the eye of the beholder - and our Rose colored glasses see only perfection in our perfectly, pawsitively little ones and because we love them so much, we expect everyone else to see the perfection also and cannot understand why they don't. Maybe they need new rose colored glasses - it can't be ours because ours are perfect!!!!

[corgimom]

Bonnie,

I am going to have Cody take over this last puppy class he was in. He made improvements from the time he started, until the time we finished, but he was the youngest in the class. The other dogs were around 16 months old, and Cody was a bit over 8 months when he started; and he could use the class again - even the instructor thought so, because he was and still is so young. I am not able to re take the class until November because of other family things going on in the evening, but I work every day for short periods of time on what he has learned so far. She had told me that it was common for pups to retake classes especially those that start at a younger age.

She had mentioned agility at our local Kennel club that we have; but she also said they won't let you start until the dog is at least closer to 2 years old - I have not inquired any further into that.

[Fluffypants]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Susan - it is up to you to heap praises and rewards on your Corgi whenever he does what he is suppose to do. The instructor is looking for improvements where ever they emerge and are apparant. So just maybe the instructor is just doing his/her job and leaving the encouragement aspects to you.
Your personal ewards will come later - maybe when Tuck is sent to an advance class while the others in the class you are in now, remain for further training.

Yes Michael . . . but who is going to praise and encourage US? It is very frustrating to only hear the negative, and no positive (not to keep harping on my past a as teacher, but that was one of the things they drilled into our heads . . . always have at least 2 positives for every negative . . . and still apply it to my life in all aspects).

Susan & Bonnie - can I join the "We Don't Take Criticism Well Club"? I'm SURE that I meet all the criteria! I have the same problem as you in class. I'll be all excited that Jackie is actually paying attention to ME, and not the other dogs, and the trainer will tell me she needs to be BETTER. I know she needs to be better . . . but can we acknowledge that she has shown improvement? For a dog whose nicknames include The Mayor, Class Clown, and Social Butterfly, I think that it's noteworthy when Jackie refrains from jumping on the nearest dog!!!

PS - must be true corgi nature, because so many people here have the same nicknames as above for their dogs!

PSS - Susan & Bonnie, you are doing a WONDERFUL job with your corgis! They have shown marked improvement in their focus!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!

OOPS! Almost forgot! I voluntarily made Jackie repeat Basic 2 obedience. I didn't feel that she completely grasped the concepts, and she was still so young, she needed to practice the basics before moving on. So it IS done, and nothing to be ashamed of . . . although be warned . . . my decision prompted LOTS of eye rolling from husband & family . . . and I think I even heard the words "pageant mom" whispered around!

[milles2]

Tucker is 1 1/2 years old. I will not compete w/ him, I have him in class to improve his focus and behavior and to make me remember he is a dog and not a child (I don't have kids so it's easy to fall into the trap of treating him like he is a baby).

It's good for both of us. The classes are as much for me as they are for him. And it forces us on a weekly structered basis to address these things.

If my dogs can go with me, they do. So I need them to be well behaved. I took Tuck and Lu to the minor league baseball game the other night, it was bring your dog to the game night. They were absolutely amazing, extremely well behaved. So it is paying off!

[corgimom]

I would love it if I they would have a "take your dog" to the baseball game night here. We can't even bring our dogs into public parks around here.

[Chip's Mom]

Jessica you are more than welcome to join our I don't take Criticism well Club. Although, I need to practice being more cordial when I am confronted with it. My children are grown so I tend to baby Chip. The empty nest syndrome.

[Michael Romanos]

Bonnie - Taylor won the club's agility trophy last year because he wae the only dog among 24 who was able to progress from the beginners to the advance class. After five club lessons and a few more at home, he was able to compete at non-champonship events (ribbon trials) - so the satisfaction from any critical coaching came with the rapid progress Taylor had made.

Linda - it is sad that your town has so many restrictions. Taylor loves going to rugby matches weekly to see my son play - and the venues for theise matches vary a great deal. When I was covering live sport for the newspapers, I often took my Corgi along - that might have been softball games, rugby, netball, cricket, track & field, hockey etc

[Chip's Mom]

That is wonderful Michael. I bet you were so proud. It amazes me how quick they learn but the other side of the coin is boredom very easily. I do believe Chip is ready for something more because he is starting to show signs of boredom in the class until they get out the tunnel. He runs so fast through that and doesn't even look for treats. He does it for pure enjoyment. As soon as he is out of the tunnel, he is looking around for me ready to go again. We took him to Lowe's tonight and walked him around and he behaved very well. The only thing he does is puts his front paws on people when they pet him and I haven't the heart to break him of that. How old was Taylor when he won his trophy?

[Michael Romanos]

Bonnie - Taylor had just turned two when I first took him to agility. I would have given him a go at the sport earlier but I had thought that the min age was 2 - whereas he could have gone to agility training after he turned one and competed after he reached 18 months. I assumed he would be hopeless - but I assumed wrongly. I guess he was very enthusiastic about it and not every dog or Corgi is as much.
When you actually compete - no treats are allowed to be carried on the circuit, can only be given before starting on the course and after it is over - and away from the finish. So I quickly learnt not to offer Taylor any praises until he completed the event. A lot of handlers come unstuck by always or often praising their dogs whilst in the middle of a stack of obstacles. It upsets their concentration and they might prematurely think the 'game' is over before it is.
The trick with Corgis is to keep up with them - I don't thnk they are good at firing in and over obstacles with their handler standing still. So it pays for the handler to keep fit - the faster you stay with your Corgi, the quicker they will be. I'm actually starting a fitness ( jogging) campaign on the First of September which is officially NZ's opening day of spring.
When Chip gets out of that tunnel, you should be positioned ahead of him having already yelled "jump" or whatever, if that is the next obstacle. You generate enthusiasm for him to emulate - that's why it is a partnership thing.

[Chip's Mom]

Right Micheal - I need to join a fitness club also. He is too fast for me. That is why he looks for me when he pops out of the tunnel, I am still trying to catch up. LOL I am hoping to keep Chip in advanced obedience until after he is one and then go from there. The beauty of this advanced class is that it is very versatile and it is only 3 mondays a month.

[milles2]

Oh yes! Being out of shape sticks out like a sore thumb! Tucker is way ahead of me, I'm huffing and puffing, and he's looking at me for treats! It is truly a humbling esperience!!!! I keep telling myself - run with them in the morning. Right now I manage about once a week! Got to get better!

Bonnie: I feel your pain with the "putting paws on people"! Tucker, in Mayor mode, loves to run up to people, stand against them until they put their faces down to him, then proceeds to kiss them (complete with tounge!). He does this to me when I come home and I love it. I don't love it when he does it to strangers. So I am trying to rid the habit but in my heart, it's very endearing to me!

[Chip's Mom]

I know exactly what you mean. I have to sit on the floor with Chip for about 5 minutes after I get home so he can crawl all over me. How are you trying to break him of it? The lady at obedience uses an aluminum pie pan