The less we practice, the better he does

[bcmoffatt]

Is that strange??

We just got back from our first agility class since before Christmas. I was worried, because we didn't get to do ANY practicing at all (mostly because we've been busy sledding! ).
Kena had is best class in a long time! He was on fire!
We have been having trouble with the dog walk for two months. Kena has been afraid to get on it for some reason, and when he did get on it, he would mosey on down it and I couldn't get him to pick up speed for anything. He went flying over it today! He would even run ahead and get on it eagerly. He was running it so fast, he'd come to a skidding stop for his contact! It was very BC of him! LOL!

In addition to that little treat, he was extremely focused and attentive all class. He was hitting the frame super hard and charging through the weaves.

It seems the three week break really helped him.

When we first started, I was very excited and wanted to practice all the time. I have a bunch of jumps, weaves, a mini-A-frame and a tunnel for home practice. It seems these things are of no use to me at home. If we practice during the week, he seems burned out and fizzles in class. If we slack off all week, he does great.

Now, I only practice the things he has trouble with or is just learning at home. Maybe three minutes a day, twice a week. It seems I do more handling practice w/o him for my sake. I would LOVE to practice every day with him, but it wouldn't do any good.

Is this weird?

[adojrts]

It's not uncommon at all, dogs need breaks just like people do. Drilling a dog often has the opposite effect than what we want, they get demotivated.
Especially if there are problems, sessions should be very short a few minutes, then move onto something you know your dog does well.
And quit when training is going great, don't get caught up with 'just one more time'. I have gone down to my agility ring, warmed up and if my dog gives me a awesome performance on a short sequence, the first time I ask for it. We are done, I take him for a walk, some swimming etc. Therefore some of my training sessions can be as short as a couple of minutes. Both of us are very pleased, we leave while the dog is wanting to do more.

[Dekka]

Kaiden got almost a year off..he was too slow (from doing so much obed work first I think) so after we got out of starters and into more advanced/masters stuff we stopped making time. So I focused on Dekka and Zo who are fast fast fast and really love the game. Dekka came into heat for the Ont regionals so I switched for Kaiden. Even though we did qualify (heck he had been off for a year) he ran better than he ever did.

[AgilityPup]

Same thing with Zoey... She was off for longer, and a lady comment on our "GREAT sit stay and focas!" which was our problem... Let me just tell you I went the rest of the day with my jaw hanging! lol

We pratice weaves maybe 2 times a week at home, and that's all! And at class she does good

Glad to know you had such a great pratice!

[Lissa]

I'm glad you had such a wonderful practice! I hope his new "fearless of the dogwalk" outlook sticks!!!

Originally Posted by bcmoffatt

If we practice during the week, he seems burned out and fizzles in class. If we slack off all week, he does great.

I would LOVE to practice every day with him, but it wouldn't do any good.

Dodger is the same way - repetitions bore him completely. Which is why the weaves and jumps I bought are being used by friend's - they're no use to us! At a single "agility" practice I have to incorporate agility obstacles, flat work, competitive OB moves, as well as tricks, shaping, tracking, flyball and rally drills to keep him focused and drivey. We can now go to the field 2-4 times a week but the reality is that we only get 15 minutes of agility practice in each visit... The rest of our time is filled with non-agility work to keep him interested.

[bcmoffatt]

I wish we had a ring we could practice like that. Kena can't focus in the yard, so I have to pack up my gear and take him to a field to practice. It's a lot of work for 5 or 10 minutes. I think I feel like I need to make the best of class time.
I *try* leave everything on a high note with Kena wanting more. Class is an hour once a week, and we do individual obstacles, followed by short sequences. There's a lot of play time and own time in between everything. I think he spends more time goofing off with his tennis ball (his reward) than actually practicing!

Originally Posted by adojrts

It's not uncommon at all, dogs need breaks just like people do. Drilling a dog often has the opposite effect than what we want, they get demotivated.
Especially if there are problems, sessions should be very short a few minutes, then move onto something you know your dog does well.
And quit when training is going great, don't get caught up with 'just one more time'. I have gone down to my agility ring, warmed up and if my dog gives me a awesome performance on a short sequence, the first time I ask for it. We are done, I take him for a walk, some swimming etc. Therefore some of my training sessions can be as short as a couple of minutes. Both of us are very pleased, we leave while the dog is wanting to do more.

[bcmoffatt]

A year off?? I'd go crazy! I like agility more than my dog does, I think! I've been thinking about getting Tiku into it as well, so I can spread out my addiction between the two of them. It would give lil' Kena a break!

Originally Posted by Dekka

Kaiden got almost a year off..he was too slow (from doing so much obed work first I think) so after we got out of starters and into more advanced/masters stuff we stopped making time. So I focused on Dekka and Zo who are fast fast fast and really love the game. Dekka came into heat for the Ont regionals so I switched for Kaiden. Even though we did qualify (heck he had been off for a year) he ran better than he ever did.

[bcmoffatt]

Originally Posted by AgilityPup

We pratice weaves maybe 2 times a week at home, and that's all! And at class she does good

Glad to know you had such a great pratice!

Thanks!

Now that I've got a feel for how much Kena can take, lately we've only been practicing our turns and lead outs at home.

[bcmoffatt]

Originally Posted by Lissa

I'm glad you had such a wonderful practice! I hope his new "fearless of the dogwalk" outlook sticks!!!

Thanks! I hope so too. I was hoping his issue with the walk would dissapear into the thin air from whence it came!

Dodger is the same way - repetitions bore him completely. Which is why the weaves and jumps I bought are being used by friend's - they're no use to us! At a single "agility" practice I have to incorporate agility obstacles, flat work, competitive OB moves, as well as tricks, shaping, tracking, flyball and rally drills to keep him focused and drivey. We can now go to the field 2-4 times a week but the reality is that we only get 15 minutes of agility practice in each visit... The rest of our time is filled with non-agility work to keep him interested.

Yeah, we kinda do that too. We practice EVERYTHING! He's switched 'on' the whole time we are there, and he needs to be occupied. I end up working on everything he knows in the 'down' time. LOL!

[Dekka]

Originally Posted by bcmoffatt

A year off?? I'd go crazy! I like agility more than my dog does, I think! I've been thinking about getting Tiku into it as well, so I can spread out my addiction between the two of them. It would give lil' Kena a break!

LOL with 7 dogs, I am not a loss to play agility. And Dekka loves agility more than anything. Kaiden still did the terrier trials and such. I have 3 that can compete, and one that needs more training. THen there are the whippet pups. Its a good thing I am going back to school-the entry fees are going to hurt!