Agility Dogs Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 I'm sitting here filling in jumping trial entries and wondering if I should put the two rat bags into CCD on the same day...........Because we only ever trial in ADAA I don't ever get the chance to set foot in the obedience ring......hmmmmmm....... We've been going a fair bit of obedience work of late and they are both going pretty well, but I'm not sure we are ready for a trial. (our obedience is not necessarily as formal as the ring requires, although for CCD we should be OK.) I'm not big on jumping into the competition ring when the dogs aren't ready, but then again obedience isn't adn won't be our focus until the dogs can't run agility courses any more. So many thoughts..............maybe I should just try really hard for the next month and a bit and bite the bullet. Thoughts anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bisart Dobes Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 "but then again obedience isn't adn won't be our focus until the dogs can't run agility courses any more." Why take the chance with dogs that aren't ready that you ruin a pass for someone who is focused on obedience and gaining those titles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janba Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 I'd have a go especially at CCD so long as their stays are stable. What have you got to loose other than the entry fee? "but then again obedience isn't adn won't be our focus until the dogs can't run agility courses any more."Why take the chance with dogs that aren't ready that you ruin a pass for someone who is focused on obedience and gaining those titles. Why would entering a dog who isn't quite ready wreck someone elses chance of a pass unless the dogs has unstable stays? Stays are taught in other disciplines other than obedience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agility Dogs Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 (edited) I'd have a go especially at CCD so long as their stays are stable. What have you got to loose other than the entry fee?"but then again obedience isn't adn won't be our focus until the dogs can't run agility courses any more."Why take the chance with dogs that aren't ready that you ruin a pass for someone who is focused on obedience and gaining those titles. Why would entering a dog who isn't quite ready wreck someone elses chance of a pass unless the dogs has unstable stays? Stays are taught in other disciplines other than obedience. BD, I can see why you would be concerned, but I would never put my dogs or anyone else's dogs in a situation where I thought they would wreck anyone's chances of anything - either in a ring or 'just' in training. Their stays are VERY stable - I can put either of them on a stay in a flyball ring while the team warms up or on the side of the field at agility while other dogs are training. Now that is working with distraction! Any dog can hold a stay, it's only once you put a jump in front of them you know how well proofed it is! The only way they are not possibly ready is if they decide they don't want to walk on a loose lead. As the T-shirt says 'pulling builds drive' Seriously - they will only get to the end of their lead IF they are having a really bad day, thinking with 6 weeks of solid practice I might even fix that. I can't see any real downside, just wondering if anyone else can. Edited December 14, 2009 by Agility Dogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janba Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Any dog can hold a stay, it's only once you put a jump in front of them you know how well proofed it is! Or a sheep or 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Hmm my youngster has no problems holding a stay while I throw toys over her head, while there are agility dogs racing around, while she is in front of a jump on a lead-out but she still can't do an obedience stay . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bully Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Go for it!!! If I had waited until we were "ready" I'd still be waiting to enter our first CCD trial Pele now has her CCD and CD titles and we will be having a crack at Open next year With a Bull Terrier you could be waiting forever, you just have to bite the bullet Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agility Dogs Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 Any dog can hold a stay, it's only once you put a jump in front of them you know how well proofed it is! Or a sheep or 3 hmmmmmm yes......CK seems to think that when the sheep stop he has done his job. He then lies down and gives them the evil eye. Something else I think we might do more of next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 (edited) I've entered Banjo in our first CCD trial which is in February. I feel like there's still so much fine tuning to do but I've been saying that all this year so I thought bugger it I'm entering. I think you should go for it . Edited December 14, 2009 by Tiggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Try and do some practice in group stays. The dogs are pretty close in a trial. If you do shadow handling (as we should be!) I would give that a miss for the lead up and focus on your obedience. Have you got your left about turn worked out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agility Dogs Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 Try and do some practice in group stays. The dogs are pretty close in a trial. If you do shadow handling (as we should be!) I would give that a miss for the lead up and focus on your obedience. Have you got your left about turn worked out? Thanks Jules. I think we are looking pretty good. Group stays are easy - we do them at flyball just about every week. (I know, go figure.) At the moment we do shadow handling and heelwork at the same time (or at least in the same session) so that shouldn't be a problem - as long as I keep my signals nice and clear. Left about turn is not a problem, for some reason it was one of the first things I taught them. (even though I tell the beginners in my agility classes to forget about it unless they intend trialling in obedience!! ;) ) I've just been down in the park practising. I think I'll enter with CK and leave Xena to do agility. He had an absolute ball - both on lead and off. She just HATES working on lead - it doesn't matter how hard I work at making it fun or how much I reward she just puts her head down and looks miserable. I don't think I'll ever get her past the horrible way I first trained her. Off lead she is a dream, but the minute I ask her to work on lead I get a sad dog. Maybe I'll just have to start her in CD. (one day). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinkispirit Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Try and do some practice in group stays. The dogs are pretty close in a trial. If you do shadow handling (as we should be!) I would give that a miss for the lead up and focus on your obedience. Have you got your left about turn worked out? Thanks Jules. I think we are looking pretty good. Group stays are easy - we do them at flyball just about every week. (I know, go figure.) At the moment we do shadow handling and heelwork at the same time (or at least in the same session) so that shouldn't be a problem - as long as I keep my signals nice and clear. Left about turn is not a problem, for some reason it was one of the first things I taught them. (even though I tell the beginners in my agility classes to forget about it unless they intend trialling in obedience!! ;) ) I've just been down in the park practising. I think I'll enter with CK and leave Xena to do agility. He had an absolute ball - both on lead and off. She just HATES working on lead - it doesn't matter how hard I work at making it fun or how much I reward she just puts her head down and looks miserable. I don't think I'll ever get her past the horrible way I first trained her. Off lead she is a dream, but the minute I ask her to work on lead I get a sad dog. Maybe I'll just have to start her in CD. (one day). If Ember can get her CCD, I have no doubt that Xena or Ck can! They are ready and need the practice working with your nerves as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 sorry nothing important to add and OT but AD were you at Southside Dog club tonight? I saw someone there with a dog that looks a lot like one of yours! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agility Dogs Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 sorry nothing important to add and OT but AD were you at Southside Dog club tonight? I saw someone there with a dog that looks a lot like one of yours! No, we haven't been down there for a while. Been a bit busy with everything else that is going on! I've made a decision - same as the thought last night. CK is going to have a go in the ring and then once I get a taste for it with him I'll put Xena straight into the CD ring (I have to do sweepstakes first, dont' I?) so I don't have to put her through the pain of working on lead!! I'm nervous already!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dova Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Go for it you've got nothing to lose, I've entered Izzi in the novice new years eve & I know she'll fail, but I as we're going to be there anyway I thought what the hell . Good luck Agility dogs & have fun that's what it's all about . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinkispirit Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I've made a decision - same as the thought last night. CK is going to have a go in the ring and then once I get a taste for it with him I'll put Xena straight into the CD ring (I have to do sweepstakes first, dont' I?) so I don't have to put her through the pain of working on lead!! I'm nervous already!! Good luck - you'll be fine! Yes sweepstakes first for Xena. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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