My Corgi needs to jump higher in agility

[Michael Romanos]

Taylor and I started in agility only since February, 2005 and we have been competing since April. Taylor's speed around the courses is good as is his weaving. For example today at the ribbon trial (non-championship) he finished fifth fastest in both the starters event and the jumpers(starters) event - and these were against allcomers ie in New Zealand they have yet to introduce separate competitions for the dog sizes. But he knocked down too many hurdles. This part of his abilities seems to have gone backwards since we started. Today from three events (including the novice contact event, he knocked down a total of seven hurdles. What can I do to get him to jump more cleanly?

In his first ever competition back in April after just six training sessions, he knocked down only the last hurdle when I got excited and sped him up too much on his approach to it,
So far he has had one clear round and six others where he has knocked down only a single hurdle.

[Five]

I'm not too familiar with agility, but am very interested. It sounds like fun.

Are the hurdles set at the same height for all dogs?

[Michael Romanos]

Hi

Even though I was looking for some help at the time for Taylor's knocking down too many rails, this has to be your best response to date of all the ones you have made, because it asks a sensible question and makes no silly one line remarks or statements.

Agility is great fun for most dogs and their handlers. It pays to keep it at fun level no matter how well one advances in the sport because you're dealing with dogs who need to be continuosly reassured that it is a fun thing - then the dogs will enjoy themselves to the max. And that's the way it should be. The great thing about agility is the rapport and combined effort required of both dog and handler in physical and mental capacities.

Most Corgis will simply love agility because they are energetic, herding dogs who need lots of exercise and mental stimulation, they respond extremely well to their owners, are easily controlled, and are usually a very aware dog which is important in agility.

At present, dogs in New Zealand all compete together whereas they are separated into different competitions most elsewhere, according to their size. In both cases however, the hurdles and long jump differ in height and length according to the dog's height.

The top rail of the hurdle for Micro dogs is set at 4 inches, mini (Corgis are in this category) at 8 inches, midi at 12 inches, maxi at 16 inches and the really large dogs ( I forget the descriptive word) 20 inches.

A typical course will include at least a dozen hurdles, a tire, two or three tunnels including a collapsed tunnel, a long jump, a 12-pole weave, an A-frame, a board walk and a seesaw.

In 90 percent or more of cases any error made whilst competing in agility is the fault of the handler/owner and not the dog. That's another good reason to retain a level head and a sense of humour at training and competition times.

One day you might see agility in the Olympic Games.

By the way, I have sorted out Taylor's jumping problems - he needs to muscle up his back legs and the way to do it is by climbing plenty of steep hills and steps. He went another clear round a week or so ago and jumped all the hurdles cleanly in two other events.