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Training classes for agility

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gemmaw:
Poppy who's 10 months old has just begun obedience classes in preparation for agility (when she's old enough). We have been doing things like getting them used to sitting near jumps and waiting. The classes are really good and I would like to take Tilly who is two along as well. Tilly is shy around strangers despite socialisation from a young age so I thought joining a class like this would be a good idea. Poppy doesn't mind strangers. I just wanted some opinions on what people thought about taking two dogs who live together along to the same class. Would this distract them? Of course separate people would be training them. 

CraftySam:
Our situations are very similar!

Max, my golden retriever, has attended training classes from being a puppy and is now 19 months old. When he went into the adult classes I thought it could be something Sapphi, my lab who is now 3 but was 2 1/2 a the time, could do too.  Sapphi, like Tilly, was a little wary of strangers despite having the same socialisation as my other two dogs, so I thought it might help her too.  So we took her along too, my OH comes training with me and we alternate handling each dog every week. Sapphi's confidence has grown so much and its so lovely to see a girl who wouldn't approach any of the other owners now go bounding up to say hello and take them balls to throw for her in the play sessions.

I won't lie, sometimes keeping their focus is a bit more difficult. The problem we have is that all our dogs work better for me, hence the reason we alternate dogs. This is because apart from going to training classes my OH hasn't ever done any training with them. Before we took both dogs he just sat and watched.  ::) So sometimes if we are working off lead in a group situation I'll give the one I'm handling a command and the other responds too. I firmly tell them "away" and then ignore while OH gets them back under control.

But its not such a massive problem, you just have to work a bit harder to keep their attention on you. I've certainly not felt it such a problem that I would consider not taking them to the same class.

Thats my experience, my advice would be give it ago and see how it works out for you. Hopefully you'll find Tilly gains in confidence like Sapphi did.

gemmaw:
Thanks for the reply its really helpful and reassuring. I'm going to take Tilly along to classes tonight. I'm going to work with Tilly who responds best to me and my sister is going to come along and train Poppy (who is so laid back she doesn't mind who's training her!  :005:). I'm hoping that it will increase her confidence I'll let you know how it goes tonight!

gemmaw:
Just got back from training! Tilly was a bit nervy but was much better than I expected. The trainer and everyone there were very understanding and gave her treats when she approached them. Its good that she is so treat mad. She was jumping on one lady's lap to get more treats which was a big step forward for her  :blink:. Hopefully she'll continue to improve! She was a bit spooked by the tunnel but I managed to get her to go through.

They didn't really distract each other too much apart from one bark fron each of them when they were each doing recall. I think it helped Tilly to have Poppy with her.

I'm going to practice with a tunnel I've got to get Tils used to using it before next week :blink:

CraftySam:
I'm really pleased it went well Gemma.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the amount of confidence Tilly will get from going. The other week Sapphi was running around, going up to anyone and everyone when the trainer commented on what a difference there is in her from just six months ago.

I'm glad they didn't distract each other too, you just can't tell how they'll be until you do it.

Let me know how Tilly is getting on, and if you can see her growing in confidence.

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