Agility and treats

I give treats throughout the entire class as well.  When we are waiting our turn I make Dasher do some obedience to keep his focus on me.  It usually easy stuff like sit, wave, hand jives (not sure what that offical name is, its just what I can hand signals), watch, etc.  For us its a great way to keep Dasher focused on me otherwise he gets revved up watching the BC's run. [] In my case it does not deter Dasher's enthusiasm during the actual course. []

Thanks, Dasher (and Dasher's mom)
 
Ok, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong. He seems excited to do the actual course, but b/c we are new at it and I'm getting the hang of commands, he doesn't always do the obstacle right.   I just wanted to make sure it was b/c he doesn't understand what I want and not that he's not motivated enough to do it.
 
Plus, a lot of people in my class have very calm dogs that aren't fazed by other dogs running around and they just sit there calmly while they are waiting!

ORIGINAL: catherinec
Plus, a lot of people in my class have very calm dogs that aren't fazed by other dogs running around and they just sit there calmly while they are waiting!

Its funny, Dasher will be totally dis-interested in some dogs, but goes nutty over others. Usually the fast dogs, i.e. BC's Aussies, Shelties, Corgis set him off. Its great to have these "distractions" during class, we are able to work on our obedience. []

If you're just getting started in agility, it's probably because of mixed signals or not knowing the obstacle yet.  The best thing I've done for my dogs to get them revved up to do agility is to click/treat for every jump or weave or tire, etc.  But I have a full course in my backyard to play with.   I will pick an obstacle and tell them "go" and point to the obstacle.  Once they go in/over/through I click and treat.  Then say "go" again and keep doing that.  It doesn't matter if they knock a bar or not hit a contact, they just have to interact with it at first.  I'm building drive to do the obstacles.  This has been a great method in the last few months for my beginner dog and my novice dog.  Both have benefitted from this type of added training.

Also, don't rush your dog through agility.  It truly does take a long time to become good and also to get the handling maneuvers down right.  Spend lots of time on the flat work and crosses on the flat.  You don't need the obstacles to do this, you can use a chair or something.  But the flat work is just as important as the obstacle work!

Good luck and have fun!!!!

Well we had our first agility class!! It's so much fun. We tried every obstacle (except jumping) and Scout wasn't scared of anything. I already want to buy some equipment to practice at home!!
 
I also do obedience and stuff while we wait, if not Scout gets ultra-focused on the other dogs. I alternate using treats and using a toy (a tennis ball on a rope). I also use the toy during the obstacles as her reward.

I'm glad you guys had such a good time! We didn't have class last week b/c of the holiday so it will be fun to get back into it this week.
 
I find myself finding "obstacles" on our walks - getting C to walk on a picnic table bench, weaving through cement posts in parking lots
 
I know, C wasn't scared of anything either, seemed to attack everything with gusto.  Except the tunnel the first time, and I think that was b/c he is so tall that his back hits tunnel ceiling.
 
Was your class a mix of all sorts of dogs?
 
By the way, Tashakota/Leslie, when you say "flatwork" do you mean when they are running between obstacles or sitting after an obstacle?

flatwork is working on sends to targets; crosses in straight lines, 90 degree turns, etc.; working on moving out away from you to the side around obstacles(cars, trashcans, trees, whatever happens to be around);  stuff like that.  I fell into the thinking that we were ready to compete because they were good on all the obstacles.  But it's *my* handling skills now that I'm going back to work on!  lol... 

I can now get Kota to turn either direction with a command.  This is great flatwork in preparation for rear crosses and directionals if your dogs are out ahead of you (which mine aren't! lol...)

I see what you mean, Tashakota - thanks!
 
Man, those 90 degree turns are killing me. I'm really bad at them.  It's just so hard for me to realize what i'm doing when everything is happening so fast! I think I am curving more than making a 90 degree turn.
 
But it's so much fun - I really like it!  We completed 6 - 7 obstacles in a row last night!!