So, as some of you already know, I'm beginning an agility class with my 3 year old coonhound in (gulp) like 10 days, and I'm feeling a little nervous. When I signed up for the class, the instructor asked what breed my dog was and when I said coonhound she said, "Oh! My!"
Oh my, indeed.
My goal here is to not completely embarress us, and to make sure that Marlowe always has a good time and can experience some modicum of success (as defined by him having a good time, of course!). I've been reviewing some of our basic obedience (just CGC stuff) and a few tricks just to get him thinking again, but I'm wondering if anyone could recommend some things we can work on before class starts that might at least put us within shouting distance of the skills the more "traditional" agility breeds already come to class posessing.
I myself have never participated in agility before, or any dog sport for that matter. I've only ever taken one formal obedience class, and that was Marlowe's CGC prep class last year (which he passed with flying colors). So not only am I bringing a hound into the agility ring, it's my own first time as well. :yikes: pretty much sums up how I'm feeling right about now.
Oh my, indeed.
My goal here is to not completely embarress us, and to make sure that Marlowe always has a good time and can experience some modicum of success (as defined by him having a good time, of course!). I've been reviewing some of our basic obedience (just CGC stuff) and a few tricks just to get him thinking again, but I'm wondering if anyone could recommend some things we can work on before class starts that might at least put us within shouting distance of the skills the more "traditional" agility breeds already come to class posessing.
I myself have never participated in agility before, or any dog sport for that matter. I've only ever taken one formal obedience class, and that was Marlowe's CGC prep class last year (which he passed with flying colors). So not only am I bringing a hound into the agility ring, it's my own first time as well. :yikes: pretty much sums up how I'm feeling right about now.