Agility Handling

[emilymarston]

I've started up agility again, and I've noticed my handling skills are not looking too good. Mostly Bonnie is being great and somehow happens to understand my crazy cues, but at other times I confuse her. We're hopefully joining an agility club soon and I don't want to start out looking really silly.

This is today's session, plus some tricks, which is probably my worst handling yet.

So can someone maybe help explain what I'm doing wrong?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2kN3qLWA_K8

PS. I've never taken any agility lessons and Bonnie is the first dog I've trained, so we're both pretty much beginners.

[skip]

Hi Emily M

did u learn an actual handling system? I can't help u as I only know the Greg Derrett system and it doesn't quite follow the way u handle.

plus I think you are pretty damm good. Many people would like a dog that keen to do your bidding. Love the tricks, you can see the bond you've created.

YOu call your cues "crazy" ? Did you go to agility training before?

I think you are doing great. I have found learning a consistent handling system like Greg Derretts made my small pretty laid back dogs heaps better speed wise and with accuracy. Now you need to take it out on the road and also try to find a training class. Do you know contacts as well?

Good job, Bonnie too!!

Edited September 7, 2013 by skip

[emilymarston]

Hi Emily M

did u learn an actual handling system?

YOu call your cues "crazy" ? Did you go to agility training before?

Do you know contacts as well?

Thank you! No I haven't taken any lessons at all, apart from obedience classes, but I've watched a few basic tutorials on agility foundations.

I've started a little bit of 2o2 but I don't have any real contacts to put them into action.

So far Bonnie only knows jumps and a little bit of weaving, which is why we need classes to practice on other equipment

Thanks for the help!

[Zug Zug]

Looks like a fabulous start to me!

If you want some tips from some top agility handlers, why not take your video and re-post it into the Training/dog sports area rather than the 'general dog discussion' area. There are some very experienced people there and they'll give you some helpful tips, I'm sure.

I think the next step may be for you to join a club and show off your wonderful little dog in company (and at the same time, get him/her used to working around other dogs, which can be difficult for some dogs)

[skip]

I hope you can get to a good agility training club then. With your dog and your skills you would do well.

Keep it up.