Afternoon all,
I've recently started doing a bit of agility with Murph ( which he likes cos he likes charging up and down :D ) but we're struggling abit with the A-frame ,when he gets to the top he wants to jump off
If I keep him on a long lead I have to run alongside him and push him back on at the top ,which obviously means I can't be in position for the next thing ,
He's the same off lead -goes up no problem then trys to swan dive !!!!!
I've led him up and down with a treat I've even thrown the treat to the bottom ,I've stood at the other side and not treated him till well away from the frame
He's only one so I don't want him doing huge leaps yet
All suggestions greatfully recieved
Liz :)

Hi liz, kick me cos I can't remember what breed Murph is! I thought he was a dobe, but correct me if I'm wrong! IMO larger breeds of dogs shouldn't start agility until they are at least 18 months, and the littler ones at least 12 months, I know of clubs that start them earlier to just get used to the equipment, and use the tunnel - but no jumping!! I didn't start mauser (working cocker) until he was 18 months to be on the safe side, but that's my personal opinon and I know of clubs that have let people join with their GSD's at ten months and there was also a GSP! In reply to your question, I would get the trainer to have a lead attached as well as yours, so you send him up and you are on one side of the A-frame and the trainer is one the other controlling him with his lead, preventing a giant leap off the frame! I wouldn't be doing any equipment off lead yet either, as you know , you need control with this kind of equipment as very nasty accidents happen:( (says she who's naughty spaniel stands at the top of the A-frame balancing on hind legs as he can see the birdies nesting in the rafters even better!!!:D) I would try the double lead tactic and be encouraging him to take it slowly with treat on nose leading him down - how high is your A- frame? I know with the full size one's you cannot reach the top with your arms so it makes it difficult to control the dogs at the top, (thats the one we've got) however the smaller ones, you or your trainer can hold him, one hand on collar - the other underneath his belly, infront of his hind legs to slowly guided him down (like you do when using the see-saw to start with, and coming down the dog walk (if that makes sense). I find that if I shout 'steady' to mauser and the top, he pauses, instead of hurtling straight down to stop on the contact points, therefore enabling me to get more control of his coming down. phew!!! hope I haven't confused you!!!! or offended you! HTH julie:)

Hi Julie _yes he is a dobe and I understand about the jumping,he doesn't do jumps- more like step overs ( very dainty at that) he does the tunnel and we've started with an A-frame i'd say it's 5 feet at the top (quite wide so not too steep ),If he stays on it then theres no jumping involved . I'll keep him on the lead then .
I use the training field on my own some days so theres no-one to hold an extra lead He understands 'steady ' so I'll try and keep him slow !
thanks no confusion or offence :)
Liz

Hi Liz

Try teaching the contact points as a separate exercise. Take him to the bottom of the A-Frame and sit him on it - b*m and back feet on frame and front feet on floor - use a command word = sit, wait or a new one you will use particularly for agility (swait).

If he will walk backwards (very useful exercise this) then reverse him up the frame a few steps, bring him back to the bottom and use your wait/sit command. Try to teach him that he is supposed to slow down on the contact points - you can speed up once he has the idea.

If the A-Frame is one that you can collapse completely this also makes it easier.

HTH

Christine

Thanks Christine
I think I can widen it out more I'll have a look tommorrow :)
Julie
We're using the agilityish stuff to help with training as I've had a few problems with Murph with control this seems to be working ,he is starting to listen to me more and watch me more so whilst I am aware of trying not to overdo it he is very active and needs the brainwork as well as the legwork ( does that make sense? )
Liz
but I'm always open to suggestions thanks :)

makes perfect sense liz, I think agility is a good way to reinforce control and exercises the brain as well! I was terrified when I started with mauser ('daddy's little prince' was never obedience trained as he is - 'a free spirit!' :) as someone (nasty) told me that he needed to know 'left' and 'right' commands before he could even start:(! I have found he is really obedient now, he has learned to listen to me more! Actually although he has never been to obedience training, he must watch my dogs when I practice with them and take it in, as in the park today, I had a little practice with him (shh! don't tell my husband) and he did perfect heelwork, and a wait and a fanastically straight recall to sit, to finish! He makes me laugh so much!!!:D julie:)

I think Anne (Cava14Una) does agility too, so she may come up with something else as well! Personally I would love mauser to do it on a long lunge reign- that way I can stand in the middle of the course and not have to run at all;):D! I always finish the course five minutes after he does anyway!!!! :D it is fun though:D julie:)

Liz,
Just thinking aloud take and use what you like.
1 Try steadying him before he goes over the apex.
2 Once he is over on lead, keep pressure downwards on lead combined with treat near top of downside.
3 This is the one I would go with. Start again on a lower A-frame and teach him to run up and over without stopping.
4 Try to keep his head low, although Dobes don't bend that way naturally, if he sort of slithers over the top he will find it harder to jump off.
I must admit in all the time I was involved in training agility others as well as my own dogs can't remember coming across this. Mine would more often come to just above contact and jump off.

How old is he again Liz, I thought he was under a year, if he is I would be careful of doing too much agility, you can do control, tunnels, even dog walk but I would wait to start A frame, weaves and jumps.
Hope some of this helps
Anne

Hi Anne-- he's just coming up to 14 months (9 Dec )
Liz

Oh good that should be ok then, although I think A frame puts a bit more strain on joints than might be first thought due to push going up.
I would go back to basics, the best dog I ever had for contacts learnt them backwards, learnt to touch contact then moved up and brought down on to contact moved back further and further until he was doing whole obstacle. You couldn't do this entirely with a 14 month old Dobe, unless you have a hoist :-D but advice Christine gave would be good. If you are doing agility for control a good solid stop at apex might help but if you want to compete that will take too much time.
Anne