Dog Agility Questions PLEASE HELP

~Wishful Thinking~ · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 69

My dog doesn't do so well with the tunnel for what I've done with him. He is fine with "over"(jumps) and "under"(under obstacles) + "weave" (will weave a couple poles) and the pausing moment etc. I'm having trouble getting him to trust the tunnel and A-frame. He is kinda scared to go through the tunnel even if I make it a positive experience (playful and easy) and the A-frame is to "high" for him (not size wize) but like he is kinda scared of that too. He is a medium sized dog and he is super fast but I don't have any other ideas for the A-frame or tunnel. Anyone have any advice, comments or hepl? Rolling Eyes

Thanks!

LouLou07 · Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 4178

Have you tried putting treats in the tunnel or going in first as if you go in he may want to follow you

odinsdottir · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 2856

A thing to understand with the tunnel issue..... dogs dont mind dark places, nor going through solid tunnels. the issue arises because the tunnel is "collapsed" and thus a fear of being trapped arises. They can't Hear as well in there, and all they can smell is other dogs (potentially threatening). Since dogs rely more on scent and hearing than sight, you can imagine how it could be super scary.

So how do we help?

Well one thing to try is remove the fear of the "trapped" by snuggling under a blanket with the dog for a few minutes every now and then. Once comfortable with that, throw the blanket on them (gently), and call them out with a treat. Be aware that short coated dogs can have serious dislikes for anything approaching CRAWLING... so make it worth the temporary discomfort.

With the tunnel itself... climb through first... leave favourite treats.... SHORTEN the tunnel.... build the confidence bit by bit.

As for the A-frame.... a few questions for you.... are the dogs nails really in need of a trim? is the A-frame fixed to the ground or a temporary affair?

odinsdottir *hoping she helped a little*

~Wishful Thinking~ · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 69

~Wishful Thinking~ · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 69

Baranduin · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 17

After your dog learns to go through a shortened tunnel (have someone hold your dog while you walk through to the otherside and bend down and call him to you), always talk to your dog while you move to the oppisite side. Some dogs get afraid that you will disapear on them. Your voice will help to relieve that fear.

Baranduin · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 17

My old agility dog had a fear of the Aframe and we solved it by doing this....it sounds crazy, but we used it on several dogs after and it worked surprisingly well.

1. Walk up to the Aframe with your dog and place your dogs front paws up on it giving a command (we always used the word step), do this until your dog willingly places his front paws on the Aframe (don't ask for him to go up it).

2. After he is at ease with that, next ask him to step higher (always ask him to come down the same side).

Keep repeating step 2 until your dog reachs the top.

Once your dog reaches the top, at some point he'll decide that it's just as easy to go down the otherside. It may take a 2 or 3 weeks, but he'll get there.

Important Do not force your dog to go over, you will destroy his confidence and set your training back.

~Wishful Thinking~ · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 69