Hello,

I've recently started agility with me 2 1/2 GSD. She is normally great on her lead etc (being a pain chasing other dogs off it - have posted another thread in training and behaviour) but she has a habit of barking at other dogs who are working.
I've spoken to my trainer who hasn't seemed to notice it so maybe I am being over sensitive - I try the usual things of distracting her, making her do simple things like sit and stay etc and that helps but I find it very stressful to the point where I wimped out of going last week - it was a busy week so I had some excuse - and am not sure about this week.
When she is working she is brilliant and is so focussed. However in my other thread I mentioned that's she barking and chasing other dogs off the lead - she has tried this twice although all she did was bark when she got to them - still embarrassing tho! It also makes me nervous as a lot of the work involves lots of dogs off the lead.

I want to take her because she is an active and clever dog and I want her working (my OH tracks with her quite a lot too) and keeping busy but I don't use to be having a stressful time together.

Perhaps I should change it to - tips to keep me calm during agility???


Thanks

Unfortunately I think that you will struggle to keep her calm while watching agility. My GSD absolutely loves it & he becomes demented at agility training & shows. I now have him to the point that he only barks when he is competing, or when he is fastened up while I compete my terrier. At home he is very quiet, I think it's the adrenalin I find the 'down' position helps when waiting for your turn, I also carry a small 'squirty water bottle' & give him a quick warning with it, if he starts. If I am competing all day, he drives me mad, never mind anyone else! Water does work with him, maybe it might be worth a try.

Thank you!
Like I said the trainer hasn't said anything so I may be being over conscious! I will try the water bottle - she does love water but it might keep her quiet! Thanks for your ideas though

I am having exactly the same prob! Selma is far too excited. I made a school boy error and took her in the arena from the first time and bombed around making it even more exciting. Doh!

Now I've had to start from scratch, for the last 3 weeks we haven't even gone into the arena, just stood at the entrance and stayed calm. Bit by bit we'll move closer and closer until she has 'earnt' the privelage of going onto the equipment.

A woman at my club gave me a wonderful tip... I will try to explain it as well as she did, but forgive me if I don't succeed!! .... Work on getting eye contact from your dog. Do this by letting her show interest in everything nut do not move from the spot. The split second she looks at you, reward her. Make a really big deal out of it too. The more eye contact you get the more rewards.

Don't ask for eye contact though, wait for it to come voluntarily. Practice at home and praise like mad! Then you can start to increase the length of time of eye contact before you reward, only in seconds mind you

If you can maintain her focus on you, she should start to calm down. That's the theory anyway!!

I'm taking my time with this, I want Selma to enjoy a lifetime of agility, so a few months of nothingness i worth it in the long run. Good luck xx

__________________
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Glad its not just me!

Thanks for the idea about eye contact - I've been trying to get her to do that but i was asking for it - think the idea of waiting for her to give it to me is much better!

Like you say its worth taking the time now!

Many thanks for your ideas!

Hello!

We went to agility last night and Shadow was brilliant - hardly made a sound and much calmer - other people commented on how good she was too!!

I'm on my school holidays at the moment so think I was much less tired and stressed and that reflected on her!

Thank you for all your thoughts!!

I know I just need to keep calmer now!

I like the idea of eye-contact. I will try it as well during his training sessions. he does not do agility at the moment...but after we finish his basic obedience i intend to start on agility with him
The problem with him is that he is watching other dogs perform the heel and fetch and he gets excited. he also gets very excited when anyone says "come" or "here" and he thinks that they are all addressing him.
He does respond to a combination of toys and treats well. the only problem is other dogs toys. He's like a child and loses interest in the toy he has in 2minutes when he sees another dog with a toy. ESPECIALLY squeeky toys..he goes MENTAL!!! why bring a squeeky toy to a dog training class???
thanks for letting me rant
Cheers

Sorry to say but i think every one is right and there is not much u can do about it. Look at it this way your dog must really enjoy doing agility or it would not get so excited.

My collies bark i have some on a black dog haltie's and some in harnesses all this does is give me more control.

I use all sorts of things with mine one is a stupid merle so just a quick check and a ah! stop's him for 3 secs, one loves her toy and can squeek it to get her attention then play tuggie, my pup is being corrected and made to sit and that shuts him up but i have friends that leave them with some else, in cages and vans, and use a high pitch spray can called correct or something like it.

Don't give up or worry we all have the same problems, keep going once you feel more confident you'll love it asmuch as your dog, and if it makes you feel any better my merle use to bite me!! luckly he has grown out of that now he understands this agility game