CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Activities => Other Activities => Topic started by: crazyspaniels on November 24, 2006, 02:19:26 PM
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Oooh, a section for agility bits :D
So who competes and at what level? and who is in training???
I compete here in Scotland with Bilbo, he is a large working cocker so actually comes in as a large dog so we are up with the collies. Been training for a few years and this has been our first year seriously competing.
Proudest moment was winning our novice shield at our club as he did it with a double clear at agility and jumping and the year before we had been in beginners and not made it round a simple course :D
Dobbie is in training and will hopefully be competing before the summer :D, he will be medium as he's only an ickle working cocker :D
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Really want to start Alfie in this next year... roll on his first birthday! :D He's like greased lightning and scared of nothing so I think he should be pretty good at it. I don't know if it's so much Miss Tills' thang but I'd like to give her a go as well.
Between that and the working training Alfie's going to be a busy boy!
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No I don't compete with Hattie - but we do go to agility training most weeks. She loves it :luv: and is fabulous at it - but I can't be doing with all the competitive stuff, and don't really want to spend weekends trekking around the country :D
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Bella and I have been doing agility since about Feb this year and she absolutely loves it! We may start competing a bit next year, won't be doing the trekking round the country thing though, just the occasional local show.
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Ruby does training for fun but no competing (I don't have transport so can't get to club let alone competitions but the farm where they do soem agility training is easy for me to get to --- plus I'm with Penel there re trekkng all over to comps), and Wilf has had to stop due to injury
She hated it at 1st when we did it as part of our obedience classes but loves it now for some reason --- she's quite fearless and sacred the hell out of me the other week when she flew off the see-saw up into the air and landed with a thud on her chest, legs akimbo, then just got up and jumped over the next jump.
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We don't travel to anywhere over about 1 hour away from home and tend to only do saturdays of 2 day shows, but we still manage to fit in loads of shows in the summer, no time to compete in the winter :D
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Hope to be in training soon we've found someone who charges £15 hour for agility training, don't know if that's a good or bad price, we've been told he is very good and OH wants to do it with Molly, not sure about going in for competition and we wouldn't travel far I think there are quite a few local events about. there certainly is with obedience.
There is a big waiting list to get into the nearest club though, we did try another one but it rained the night before and the woman didn't show up and just us and one other newbie was there, they didn't have the decency to let us know it was cancelled so we never bothered with that one again .... so it looks like we will be on a very long waiting list.....
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Storm has been on a waiting list for 3 years! She's only 2 1/2...I booked her place before I even got her.
Some clubs dont run beginner courses...and when they do it is for their own new dogs, not for newcomers >:(
Probably when Storm is 6 we will still be on the waiting list >:D
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Storm has been on a waiting list for 3 years! She's only 2 1/2...I booked her place before I even got her.
Some clubs dont run beginner courses...and when they do it is for their own new dogs, not for newcomers >:(
Probably when Storm is 6 we will still be on the waiting list >:D
I guess I've been sort of lucky as while the local club often had permanent waiting lists two of their instructors has a farm and 2 permanent agility courses on it so its the only way I get to go at all
It might be worth seeing if anyone does 1-2-1s --- I find half an hour is fine per dog (at a cost of £6)
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Thank you PennyB; that's a good idea.
I think she would enjoy agility (she has done when she has had a go at YKC training days), but most trainers round here (including those offering 1-2-1) still seem to want the dog to have a basic understanding of all the obstacles (which she hasnt, even though I am sure she would pick things up quickly) The trainers at YKC training said they would accept her into their club, but they are too far away from me :'( I only know of one trainer round here that does 1-2-1, and I wouldnt take Storm to him; I dont like his training methods.
Maybe next summer I will be able to find somewhere :huh: :blink:.
edited because my spelling is appauling
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how do you get your dog to weave between the posts. I think my cockers would have a job as they have to see whats in it for them usually. do you dangle a tidbit in front of them until they get the hang of it and is there an age thats best for training for this. my frien has bought some stuff but I havent got over to try it out rolo will love the tunnel but the weaving posts I think may prove a challenge.
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Hope to be in training soon we've found someone who charges £15 hour for agility training
is that for 1-2-1?? seems very expensive but if its 1-2-1 then its someones time. I pay £22 a month for one club which is very small classes, 2 or 3 max and £15 for 5 lessons with our bigger club. The bigger club where I train with Bilbo, we were on the waiting list for nearly 2 years as they are a competitive club and dont take in beginners all the time, and they couldn't fit Dobbie in this year unless I train on a sunday which I won't do as I have 3 other dogs and a marriage so can't train all the time, so I found the other club and manage to train on a monday morning which is ideal :D
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how do you get your dog to weave between the posts. I think my cockers would have a job as they have to see whats in it for them usually. do you dangle a tidbit in front of them until they get the hang of it and is there an age thats best for training for this. my frien has bought some stuff but I havent got over to try it out rolo will love the tunnel but the weaving posts I think may prove a challenge.
I trained Bilbo using a channel weave which took ages - putting the posts wide apart so they run down the middle and then bringing the posts in, with Dobbie I used the walking backwards with a titbit and it took him a week and he is much faster than Bilbo. We have 4 weave poles in the garden (wedged into the paving slabs to avoid wet grass) and I try and practice as often as I can, just a few each time, it only works if you practice
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they can weave between bushes at speed when scenting so its just getting them to see the point of it. Im dead keen to have a go but we will have to wait for better weather as my friend doesnt want to put all her stuff out in this weather it would blow across the sea to portmahomack on days like this!
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Hope to be in training soon we've found someone who charges £15 hour for agility training
is that for 1-2-1?? seems very expensive but if its 1-2-1 then its someones time. I pay £22 a month for one club which is very small classes, 2 or 3 max and £15 for 5 lessons with our bigger club. The bigger club where I train with Bilbo, we were on the waiting list for nearly 2 years as they are a competitive club and dont take in beginners all the time, and they couldn't fit Dobbie in this year unless I train on a sunday which I won't do as I have 3 other dogs and a marriage so can't train all the time, so I found the other club and manage to train on a monday morning which is ideal :D
Yes it's for a 1-2-1 training session, once you get into the club it's a lot cheaper not sure what tho, this trainer actually works with that club so I'm hoping we can get in quicker :P.
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Yes it's for a 1-2-1 training session, once you get into the club it's a lot cheaper not sure what tho, this trainer actually works with that club so I'm hoping we can get in quicker :P.
the only thing I don't like about agility 1-2-1 is that your dog shouldn't do too much and they do find it really tiring so you won't get much of an hour?? we have an hour with 3 dogs and take turns but dogs and handlers are tired at the end, our bigger class is 2 hours but you have to wait around alot
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Yes it's for a 1-2-1 training session, once you get into the club it's a lot cheaper not sure what tho, this trainer actually works with that club so I'm hoping we can get in quicker :P.
the only thing I don't like about agility 1-2-1 is that your dog shouldn't do too much and they do find it really tiring so you won't get much of an hour?? we have an hour with 3 dogs and take turns but dogs and handlers are tired at the end, our bigger class is 2 hours but you have to wait around alot
That's really interesting hadn't thought about how tiring it would be .... as OH would like to do it with Molly I would like to take George but at that cost it would have been too expensive, I will have a chat with him and hopefully it can be split into 1/2 hour sessions for them both ...
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how do you get your dog to weave between the posts. I think my cockers would have a job as they have to see whats in it for them usually. do you dangle a tidbit in front of them until they get the hang of it and is there an age thats best for training for this. my frien has bought some stuff but I havent got over to try it out rolo will love the tunnel but the weaving posts I think may prove a challenge.
I mentioned this on another thread - a target stick is brilliant for teaching this :D
Clicker training can involve the use of a target stick to get the dog to touch/follow a stick with their nose :)
Once you have achieved this - you can use the target stick to guide the dog in and out of the poles, adding the verbal cues once the dog is confident, and then removing the target stick ;)
I am really desperate to join agility classes, we tried it at a Charity Dog show, and Molo was a natural; I know we will both love it :D
Each time a new beginners class starts over here it fills up with existing members from the more advanced classes who are training their younger/newer dogs ::)
I might see if I can ask for a couple of 1-2-1 sessions - although the trainer also works F/T as a groomer and runs loads of classes too, I don't know if she will be able to fit us in ph34r
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You shouldn't really need a target stick to teach weaving with a clicker - I know Hattie is right up there in the brains stakes ::) - but it took her literally about 15 mins to learn how to weave, at about 6 months old.... just lure, click and treat, lure click and treat, then lure every other one, keep clicking and treating every weave.... then after they have perfected that, you add in the cue "weave" - only treat every 2nd pole - but keep clicking every pole..... then you'd click every other pole, and randomly treat.....etc eventually you will be able to only click at the end, and treat ...
Tilly isn't nearly as clever, and it took me about half an hour to re-train her to weave, using a clicker as well. Previously she was useless at weaving !
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Milo does agility every week and loves it. He's very fast, we just need to work on a little more control. :005: I'm sure he'd be fab if he had a better handler - I've got no co-ordination and am so busy making sure I'm in the right place and not tripping over that Milo's long gone and doing his own thing! :005: We're getting much better though and it's all coming together, with practise. My trainer asked me today if I would ever compete him and the answer is I would, but only at local shows now and again, really not up for dedicating every weekend to it and travelling miles, camping etc! ;)
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I'm sure he'd be fab if he had a better handler - I've got no co-ordination and am so busy making sure I'm in the right place and not tripping over that Milo's long gone and doing his own thing! :005:
Ruby would say the same about me :005: all of a sudden I can't work out my left and right ::)
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I would like to try agility with both Spike & Domino; I'm sure they would be fit enough(& hopefully so would I!!); it's just a case of my getting organised enough to arrange it as there are quite a few agility clubs locally to me. ;)
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how do you get your dog to weave between the posts. I think my cockers would have a job as they have to see whats in it for them usually. do you dangle a tidbit in front of them until they get the hang of it and is there an age thats best for training for this. my frien has bought some stuff but I havent got over to try it out rolo will love the tunnel but the weaving posts I think may prove a challenge.
We used poles rather than a weaving channel. Started with Bella on the lead just leading her through, and saying "in" as she goes in from the left, and "come" as she comes back through from the right. We then went to offlead (which was easier actually) and did the same thing but holding a treat in front of her. I've found recently that she's quicker if I don't actually move my hand all the way (so my hand's not also weaving, if that makes sense), but at each post I kind of stick it through (for the "in" part) and then bring it back round to the other side of that pole for the "come" part. I keep my hand at her level, and try to go fairly quickly as Bella seems better if we go quicker.
I don't think cockers are natural weavers though :lol: My class at the moment is 5 collies and Bella ::) so she's got no chance against them. And sometimes if she's in a particularly impatient mood she just can't be bothered, we get half way down the weaves and she kind of goes " ::) c'mon let's JUMP!" and runs on to the next jump :lol:
A little brag though for Bella today, she's been scared stiff of the seesaw for the last 8 months, lying down half way over it, using lots of avoidance tactics, and today for the first time ever she was completely fearless over it, twice in a row - am I a proud mummy or what!? :luv: Good girl Bella!!!! :D It was the only thing on the course she didn't like so now there'll be no stopping her!
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the weaving is an interesting one....we were taught slightly differently as our teacher thinks that leading through a weave with a titbit does not encourage a smooth and fluid weave.
so we had 2 of us doing a fancy 2 step either side of the poles (alternate poles/legs type thing) guiding jarv's entire body through the weave which helped him keep close and move really fluidly (with tempting titbit in hand)
was harder for me than jarvis and i must admit we looked atrocious from the rear view ph34r ph34r ph34r
we don't compete, but will be re-attending classes as jarv loves it :lol:
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Tsk - clicker train the weave - no need for silly leg movements, or target sticks. Whats up with you lot ::) :lol:
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Tsk - clicker train the weave - no need for silly leg movements, or target sticks. Whats up with you lot ::) :lol:
What is the difference between using the target stick and the lure as you describe, Penel?
It will certainly be less damaging on my back to use the stick - but don't see any difference in using the stick as the *lure* ;)
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Tsk - clicker train the weave - no need for silly leg movements, or target sticks. Whats up with you lot ::) :lol:
there's more than one way in this world penel ;)
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What is the best way for you find out about agility classes running in your area?
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What is the best way for you find out about agility classes running in your area?
a great resource is agility.net
http://www.agilitynet.com (http://www.agilitynet.com)
look up your local club(s) and they will point you in the right direction; however, as others have found it is hard as courses fill up so quickly waiting lists are very long
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What is the best way for you find out about agility classes running in your area?
You could try contacting your local dog training clubs and associations (the ones that offer any of: obedience, puppy classes, ringcraft, KC Good Citizen, field trial training etc) to see if they know of anywhere that offers agility :)
Not all clubs are on AgilityNet, but there are some people in every area who do loads of stuff with their dogs and so go to more than one set of classes ;)
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ph34r I am one of "those" who trawls up and down the country with our caravan competing on weekends.
We love agility and the weekend away with the "agility community" having a laugh and meeting up with old and new friends. It is not fiercly competitive - yes some people are but there are also a lot of us that are there to have some fun and have our own achievements.
At the moment we have:
Charlie - medium novice (taken into novice by Ellie) - he has a whale of a time and listens when he is in the mood - has had had 5 top 5 places this year and I am really proud of him but on another day the burger van is just tooooo exciting :005:
Ellie - novice - small (12") who won me out of starters - little star - and got half way senior before the new grading system - not the fatest over the ground but so neat and tight and responsive with weaves to die for - she is a very special little girl. :luv:
Dylan - senior!?! medium - Martin's dog who is noisy and bouncy and quite mad
Miah - large (honorary spaniel - would be devastated if you told her she was actually a kelpie!) novice
Baby Spice - will start grade 3 next year and is 100% borderline small medium - due to be measured last month - toally mad, crazy and my first working spaniel
I am lucky that as I am a club member we have had priority on waiting lists and I know that it appears unfair to others but please bear in mind it is these members that usually give up their time to teach, run the club etc. I know I am training 1 hour 2 nights a week and on committee to run the club. I know new members will also help to the best of their ability but the sport is growing in popularity so much clubs can not keep up and unless there are people willing to start new ones there is only soo much capacity.
Finally - Penel I am impressed with your weave teaching!! It took me months to teach Els and Charlie.
With Miah Spice and Dylan we have channell weaved and the advantages are that yes it gives a flowing movement but it should also encourage an independant weave entry from any angle (alledgedly if done properly - Spice is my first dog channel weaving so I will see!!).
I will stop waffling now but just a little brag - I passed my judges seminar with 100% yesterday - not sure if I am brave enough to judge yet but maybe sometime!!
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Posted by: anita96
What is the best way for you find out about agility classes running in your area?
The KC can also give you a list of KC registed clubs in your area.
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also check out www.agilitynet.co.uk for a good list
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Oooh, a section for agility bits :D
So who competes and at what level? and who is in training???
ME! ME! ME!
Finally - after spending the day at the show on Saturday, Kathy phoned me to say that her Beginners class had agreed to fit in an extra one (making it up to seven) - so we went to our first class this evening :D
We had a brilliant time - Molo got so excited and desperate to have his turn, and when he finally got it, he was a star; up and over the A frame and dog walk, through the tunnel and even did the weaves with a treat in front of his nose :005:
I've got loads of questions on technique - I'll be starting lots of new threads ph34r :005:
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Glad you have a place at a club and that Molo enjoyed it.
Storm went to a YKC training session earlier this month. She loved it and learnt so fast. She pulled right away from me to go through the collapsible tunnel as we were leaving the session. Had never been trough one before, and wasnt phased in the slightest. :005:
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I only just spotted this bit but we do agility.
Ben has been doing it about a year now - and we have just posted off entries to our first competition!
Ben just loves agility he is sooooo brave and very fast, we just have a slight issue with left and right :005: but we are getting there.
We will be starting in the elementary section wich is for complete beginners - lets hope we don't disgrace our selves too much ;)
Bens mum
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Storm got invited to join an agility club!!! Finally :D
I moved recently (without my dogs) but I went home on the weekend (to collect Storm...lol), and came back (via LCSS show) to take Storm to an introduction to working trials day near where I now live. A couple of people at the training day compete in agility (and suggested Storm had a go ;) ) Their club is not too far from me and they may run a beginners course soon, so I'm going to put my name on the list :D .
Hopefully my dogs will have moved down here too by the time the classes start...lol.
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We compete in agility too...
Sophie, my first agility cocker started it all 8 years ago, although now at 10 she's retired from anything but veteran or anysize, although she loves it more now than she ever has done.
Billy won into Novice at in 2005, and he competes at medium height. He is a really fun dog to run. (except when he's thinking of biscuits!)
Ted competes at small height, and is just getting more confident over the jumps, really need to work on his weave entry though.
Having had measuring issues, which have now been resolved :blink: I did not enter KC shows this year, although have continued to compete at independent shows. We will be back to some KC shows next year though.
We're off to a show tomorrow, not too far down the road; just t'other side of Mansfield. Wish us luck! :lol:
PS/ I think I met Rosie at Wye Valley in 2005!
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whooppeee, Bilbo is fit and back at training, after me worrying about him and giving him a month off, took him back and he was a demon, so excited to be back so fingers crossed no more stiffness in his back legs.
Dobbie got a right hand entry into the weave yesterday without guidance in the middle of a small course, week 12 of training - whooppeee :shades:
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Sorry, coming in a bit late here ;) I haven't posted before and we don't actually do agility (well, we do a little but just for fun) but...we DO do flyball!! I was brought up with CKCS but now breed and show border collies and have been competing at BFA flyball for about 7 years now with them. 5 years ago I took in a rescue english springer pup that I trained and competed with and he was a complete star, sadly he died very unexpectedly last month (absolutely heartbreaking), we also lost our last cavalier earlier this year but, still haing a serious soft spot for spaniels, a few months ago I got my first working cocker...a beautiful blue roan and tan bitch called 'Teal' :angel:; she is now coming up for 8 months old and has just started her flyball training and is doing really, really well :D like a total sucker (I must be mad!!) I have now also got a 4 month old black and tan dog called 'Drake' (groan....Teal and Drake....I know it's sad!! lol) he is also a fab little man but not quite as easy and biddable as Teal (perfect child!!) as he has frequent bouts of selective deafness!! He is as agile as an alley cat and already retrieving well so hopefully his flyball training won't be too taxing (his problem will be keeping his mind on the job!!). All my agility buddies are trying to convince me to train the cockers though...I think Teal would really love it but only so many hours in a day!! lol
Sorry went a bit O/T there ;)
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Can anyone recomend any agility classes in the Beds/Hearts area?
I have looked on agility net before but find it a little intimidating ph34r
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Can anyone recomend any agility classes in the Beds/Herts area?
I have looked on agility net before but find it a little intimidating ph34r
ask your local dog training club and see if there's a local dog agility club in the area (just look under the clubs section of agility net)
http://www.agilitynet.com/activepages/clubsv2_ed.asp?fldName=TrainVenueCounty (http://www.agilitynet.com/activepages/clubsv2_ed.asp?fldName=TrainVenueCounty)
This link should be divided into County --- there are a few for each area you mention (just click on the name of the club and a little screen/popup appears)