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graydawntreader

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I've been trying to teach Treader Agility for a while. So far he knows the high jump, tunnel, and pause table. He's coming along with the weaves.
Here are some pictures I had my brother take of Treader learning the weaves:
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh95/graydawntreader/100_9423-1.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh95/graydawntreader/100_9424-1.jpg
(Sorry about that. My brother couldn't make up his mind as to what setting was best and I was too busy to help him.)
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh95/graydawntreader/100_9425.jpg
Treader waiting for the "weave" command.
I'm using the channel method to teach Treader the weaves. Right now I have the two rows pretty close together (two inches, maybe?) and Treader is starting to do the weaving motion.

http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh95/graydawntreader/?action=view&current=100_9410.flv
This is <b>very</b> short because my camera was low on memory or something or other.
http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh95/graydawntreader/?action=view&current=100_9415-1.flv
Treader weaving. If you listen to me closely, you'll notice that I got a little confused. I said, "Wink, wave, weave!" :lol:
http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh95/graydawntreader/?action=view&current=100_9416-1.flv
Treader running through all of the equipment that came with the set we have. He was a lot more focussed on a run we did earlier, but that run was done at the same time that the camera was giving my brother crap. (Hint: the beginning of it can be seen in the first video.) I use cold cut turkey or ham as training treats, and I still haven't weaned Treader completely off of the rewards. By the time we were able to get the camera to film an entire run, Treader had already figured out that I ran out of treats. He did seem to enjoy it just the same.

P.S.
For some reason, on the first two videos it won't show the video but will play the audio. To bypass this and see it play normally, hit the pause button while the video is buffering, then hit the play button about three seconds later.
 
Treader is doing great! I'm impressed with the amount that you've taught! The only thing that I can recommend (and others will definitely know more) is to face the equipment more than you face him. That way, when you string more than a couple obstacles together, he's not as focused on you, and more focused on the upcoming obstacle.

But it seems like he has the jump, tunnel, and weaves down!
 
Snap and I are also new to agility. It was drilled into my head that you and the dog need to face forward. Also, if you keep moving, Treader should as well.

Good job!
 
Agility

I think you are doing a great job with treader. I loved the video's of the both of you.Keep moving ahead and dont stop. When you stop your dog stops. Sheltie's work on motion.
 
Here's another photo of Treader weaving:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HAtuPF2HIQs/SwyNfuLAWdI/AAAAAAAABtM/Q-g4E3aDjd0/s1600/100_9475.JPG

I'm slowly bringing the two rows of reeds closer together.

Also, here's another video:
http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh95/graydawntreader/?action=view&current=100_9468.flv
The video is a bit dark as it was taken during twilight (I hate how it gets dark so early this time of year), so I hope you can see it. On my monitor, I can see Treader and the jump, but little else.
I would show you the other one where Treader didn't knock the bar down (and where I actually ran with him), but my brother recorded too much of me for my liking.
The deal with me being behind the jump and calling Treader is because when we started near the woods and ran all the way to the jump, Treader just ran past it. To try to give him the idea that he still needs to jump over it, I stood behind it and called him. The video after this, which recorded the next run, shows that we succeeded.
 
If I plan to compete in the future (as I hope to), should I just stop until I can afford to put Treader in an actual Agility class and just work on bettering his general obedience and have fun teaching tricks in the meantime? I'd hate to do that because I love doing Agility like this in my backyard, but I'm told that that's what I should do unless I want to do a lot of retraining later on. Common sense and what I know of canine behavior says this is correct, the rational side of me basically, but I don't really want to give up doing Agility with Treader for fun. And it may be a very long time before we could afford Agility classes. I'm old enough to get a part-time job, though, and with that I should be able to afford classes...but I don't know how long it will be before I feel ready for that.:dead:
I don't know...maybe I should give up this dream of competing with Treader and save it for a future dog. We don't need to compete to have fun.
 
graydawntreader said:
If I plan to compete in the future (as I hope to), should I just stop until I can afford to put Treader in an actual Agility class and just work on bettering his general obedience and have fun teaching tricks in the meantime? I'd hate to do that because I love doing Agility like this in my backyard, but I'm told that that's what I should do unless I want to do a lot of retraining later on.
Click to expand...

Boy, no! We are pressed to train at home - even if the equipment is not exactly the same. Shelties aren't dumb, they can tell a small tunnel and a big tunnel is still a tunnel, and a table is a table, doesnt matter what it looks like. And weaves are a must to practice outside - even if you can only fit in 4 or 6. Being able to direct a dog and teaching distance work is a great foundation - definately keep it up!

Besides - its all about having fun
 
graydawntreader said:
If I plan to compete in the future (as I hope to), should I just stop until I can afford to put Treader in an actual Agility class and just work on bettering his general obedience and have fun teaching tricks in the meantime? I'd hate to do that because I love doing Agility like this in my backyard, but I'm told that that's what I should do unless I want to do a lot of retraining later on. Common sense and what I know of canine behavior says this is correct, the rational side of me basically, but I don't really want to give up doing Agility with Treader for fun. And it may be a very long time before we could afford Agility classes. I'm old enough to get a part-time job, though, and with that I should be able to afford classes...but I don't know how long it will be before I feel ready for that.:dead:
I don't know...maybe I should give up this dream of competing with Treader and save it for a future dog. We don't need to compete to have fun.
Click to expand...

I agree with Caro--keep it up! As an example, we train with Bentley with our local club, but we're never going to go to Nationals or anything like that. But we have so much fun with it that we don't care. And when we pick up Qs, it's even more exciting! But the point of agility for us is to bond with Bentley because he enjoys it.

If you're worried about using the wrong techniques, then there are a couple things you can do. The first is just to train the basics at home. Sending over a jump, tunnel, weaves, etc...but not doing a lot of handling (like stringing multiple obstacles together). Also, you can work on flatwork like getting Treader to follow your hand and to down on command, that sort of thing.

I would recommend getting a few books that explain the best way to do things. There are also some good videos out there. I don't have any specific suggestions, maybe someone else on here could help?
 
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