I need an opinion
Ok, so Cooper is alittle over a year old, we've completed two rounds of obedience (beginner and intermediate) and I really really really want to run agility with him. BUT the thing is...............is that he's afraid. Afraid of plastic bags, afraid of motorcycles, afraid of the littlest dumbest things. We've been getting better and I take him to work with me EVERY day, so at least he's ok with people coming in and out and the telephone ringing and the noises from the other animals here at the clinic. I guess my question is, what do you do when you really want to pursue something but you just don't feel that you've got the right dog for it?!? I love this dog even more then my dachshunds, he's obedient, smart, and overall just the biggest mama's boy ever. So..........what's a girl to do!?!?!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Wendt Worth Corgi's on
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It makes it hard and hopefully w/patients and consistency he will learn these things aren't going to hurt him. Though there are times where you have a gorgeous animal, has the movement, the intelligence but just doesn't do the job well or doesn't like the job. There are many show dogs or should have been show dogs but they hated the ring and wouldn't present themselves well in it. Sometimes you just can't get them to do something they don't want. I wish you the best of luck and would think just more exposure to these things might get him to accept them alittle more. We can only hope. Do you go to agility training classes or are you doing this on your own? Heres a graphic for you.
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Permalink Reply by MagnoliaFly on
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I recommend going into a few agility classes and sitting to watch how the trainers train the group. There are a few things you should be keeping in mind:
How does the trainer react when a dog seems scared or unsure about an obstacle?
How fast do they push a dog on a new obstacle?
What kind of training techniques do they use (force or positive reinforcement)?
What is stressed more - fun for the dog or competition?
Is the trainer nice? (I know this seems like a dumb question but there ARE trainers out there that belittle their clients)
Is the program personalized for each client and dog or is it more a "one size fits all"?
I teach Intro to Agility classes and have several dogs in my class solely to gain confidence. The whole trick is to not push the dog past their comfort zone. You encourage them for taking small baby steps towards the end goal. If the dog stops having fun we're all doing something wrong so we have to take a step back and start over.
It is entirely possible to take your dog and desensitize them to the obstacles. You will probably take longer than the usual "gung ho" dog and handler but it is very rewarding in the end. It will give both of you confidence and agility is a lot of fun to do.
Let me know if you have any other questions - I'd be happy to answer them for you.
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Permalink Reply by GoGoRainbow on
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Pooka is also afraid of plastic bags and motorcycles, funny you mentioned those exact things! She's nearly 6 months but when she's about 1.5 years I want to try agility too. Why do you think he'll be afraid of agility? have you shown him the courses? We went to a kite/dog festival and I was sure she'd be afraid of the kites cuz they're like plastic bags, but she didn't give a darn about them, acted like she didn't even notice. So I think our dogs can surprise us.
She also didn't want to go through the tunnel at the dog park, but after my sister and I stood on opposite sides, giving her treats for going back and forth, she considers it her job!
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Permalink Reply by Geri & Sidney on
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I was noticing on our walk today that the little stupid things that used to spook Sidney into barking like a madman or running off with his tail between his legs just did not faze him anymore. The overturned trash can, the unfamiliar sofa left out for the taking, the neighbors talking in their yard. He is now curious and confident where a few months earlier he was a scaredy cat. He's about 20 months old now, so maybe with a little time and patience Cooper will come around.
We have not started agility yet, but both of hte schools we talked to offered for us to come watch and even have a trial class free of charge. It might be worth it to check it out and guage his reaction.
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Permalink Reply by Cooper, Nora, Grady, Izzy & Jax on
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thanks guys, as of today I signed coop up for agility classes tonight! We start tonight @ 7! Im super excited, I called and talked to the woman who runs it and she totally made me feel comfortable knowing that my dog IS afraid of some things and that we can work through his issues. So wish me luck guys! Thanks again for all your helpful info, I absolutely love you guys!
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Please keep us updated on Cooper's progress!
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You know I will, it's so nice being able to log onto my corgi support group! You guys are the bestest!
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Permalink Reply by Natalie, Lance &Tucker on
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Yay! Go Cooper! You can do it! : )
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Permalink Reply by Warhol on
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my dog used to do a whoooole lot of crazy barking when he would see a plastic bag in motion. After lots of exposure to the bags, and good positive praise every time he even looks at a bag without barking, he now almost doesnt even realize they are there. So, praise when he looks at things that normally make him act fearful, but responds even the slightest bit better.
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