Trial Tips for Novices
Before you enter your first show:
1) Teach your dog to stand and be measured. You can have someone help
you. Run a coat hanger across your dog's back, from different angles,
to get your dog used to the idea.
2) Work on entering and leaving the ring on leash, and removing the
leash quickly.
3)Teach a stay, both on the table and on the start line.
4) Get your dog used to the idea of people in the ring(judge, ring
crew, etc). Some dogs get freaked out when they see people in the
ring. Ask my ACD, he thought they all had cookies.
5) Train your dog to do the table. Work on fast automatic downs. People
don't seem to work on down enough. Make it a fun game for your dog.
6) Make sure your dog can really weave.
7). Make sure your dog knows what a Panel jump is. I don't think people
use it in training, so dogs aren't used to seeing it at a trial. Many
dogs will refuse the panel. Don't forget about the Broad Jump either.
8). Train your dog to jump the tire at full height. Many people train
at lower jump heights and the tire doesn't get used as often as single
jumps. Dogs often go under it at trials.
9) Use wing jumps when you practice. They aren't such a surprise at
a trial if you are used to using them.
10) If you usually use an 8' dogwalk, make sure your dog knows what
a 12' dogwalk is like. In reverse, if you always train on the big
dogwalk, it would be a good idea to teach your dog about the smaller
one too.
11) Make sure your dog can come to you at the end of your run. You
need to leave the ring with your dog under control, so practice that.
12) Don't forget to potty your dog and warm him/her up before your
run.
Remember that agility is about the bond between you and your dog.
It should always be fun for both of you.
Arlyn Sigeti
Lansing, IL