treats in agility

[kalima62]

which treats work wonders in agility for corgis, is there anything that drives them nuts and would do anything for it???
Also, my trainer has told me to hide all my corgis play balls at home , so that in the field when he trains on the obstacles he is more eager to run after the ball out of the tunnel and threw the last obstacle ect ect...

[kalima62]

sorry for my spelling...through....

[Michael Romanos]

I have never had to resort to toys or tug toys to entice Taylor re agility. And from what I have observed, it is better not to get into this form of encouragement. Here is one exception though - at the end of a really good performance (event) play a little tug game with your Corgi , providing the Corgi is stimulated, excited by a tug game. Treats - apparantly small diced pieces of cooked liver are eagerly sought after by Corgis. I give Taylor small pieces of a easily handled dog roll which is chicken based.

[kalima62]

thanks Michael, I'll surely try the liver.....so toys are not regarded as treats?? It does work on the dogs in my group though, but surely everybody has their own way of training, the main thing is not how you do it but what results you get in the end that counts.
bye

[Michael Romanos]

Toys and treats(food) can also be a distraction during training - If I hold a treat, Taylor will follow the treat or alternatively look for it and miscue or hesitate on occasions, what he is meant to do or complete. It is somewhat similar to praise during training and in competition before a full task is completed or the full circuit has been completed - if I praised Taylor whilst in the process, it may distract him. So I leave it all until the finish.

[kalima62]

Well it does actually confuse ME in holding the ball in one hand and indicating with the other, the obstacle, expecially when I have to switch the ball to the other hand and indicate the next obstacle with the dog on my other side!!
You know, I mean ,when you have to cut from behind the dog once he's cleared the jump! Oh blimey!!! I'm so confused, I hope you get what I mean Michael!!!
Does anybody else use toys in agility???

[Michael Romanos]

It us not a training method that is used in the club I am associated with - and this particular club (Upper Hutt Dog Training School) has several world class agility handlers, judges and coaches.
I can honestly say that Taylor started agility from scratch as a 2 year old, and after five proper training sessions and several at a neighbours property, Taylor and I were ready for non-championship competition.

[kalima62]

I started with Rommel at 11 months just 3 months ago. He is quite clever, but.................has a very timid side which he flashes now and again when you are not expecting it. He may give all he's got at the begginning with a clear run, to let you stop and start in front of the obstacles in your other turns. We've never had a competition yet, but I think between us two. I 'd be the one that will shake with fear and make a mess of everything!!!

[Michael Romanos]

Taylor has had a lot of clear rounds and a lot lot more with just the one error - usually a rail knocked down. Just lately he is not approaching many of the hurdles with a nice flowing action - instead he hesitates a little before jumping them. I put it down to being slighly over the maximum ideal weight and the rails in New Zealand being set too high for a Corgi. We can go fast - he has gotten down to second fastest time out of over 60 competitors of mainly large size dogs (Border Collies etc).
Try giving him a real sincere and vigourous pep talk when on the starting line. It should help rev him up.

[kalima62]

I would like to write to you about yesterdays lesson, but here I risk in beeing OFF TOPIC!! l'l simply go to "agility" then, I would like some advice on corgi psicology! Is that how you write it?? REad me over there soon, please!!!

[Michael Romanos]

Marisa - psychology. It is one of the more difficult common english language words to spell. It's a wonder the Americans haven't simplified its spelling.

[kalima62]

I'm glad someone bothers to correct me Michael, My english is not too bad I suppose after living in Italy 20 years, apart some spelling errors!!!