Misty is starting agility

[mistymoo]

Misty and I are starting agilty training on 2nd July, it shuld be good for a laugh as we are only finishing our basic obedience course next week and she only pays attention at that when it suits her

She is still very nervous around other dogs and the instructor thinks agility may build her confidence, there are only 5 dogs per class so we will see how it goes.

[Speeds]

Good for you. I am sure she will love it.

It does build confidence I am sure and also as you are usually with the same group of dogs Misty will get to know them.

One thing to be prepared with. People can get very excited and dogs may bark when they are working so try and keep Misty occupied or distracted if this would upset her. SHe should get used to it over time but it would be a shame to dent her confidence further.

[greyghost]

I was going to say the same thing Speeds. Keeping her distracted is key if she seems upset at the close proximity of the other dogs. When I got Holly and took her to her first trainig class she was a pickle as she had never been socialised properly with other dogs.

The next week I had her keeping her eye on me the whole time whilst trying very hard to keep an ear out for the trainer. I only used the classes for socialisation which would really have been better starting from a distance and gradually working up but needs must and we don't see that many dogs out here.

Hopefully Misty will take it all in her stride. Maybe a Bach Flower will help her:

Agrimony - is for animals that appear never to be quite at ease or relaxed; anxious to please their owners all the time and for anxiety conditions that manifest in skin irritation, digestive upset, urination or defecation.
Aspen is for use before and during thunderstorms etc; inexplicable vague fears, apprehensions, secret fear of some impending evil (spooked)
Beech for picky eaters who usually refuse their food, continual barkers, whiners
Centaury - for animals who do not stand up for themselves allowing other animals to push them around.
Cerato – Flighty, easily distracted animals; lack of confidence in own decisions
Cherry Plum – loss of self control, aggression caused by illness or pain,
Chestnut Bud - failure to learn from mistakes
Chicory – attention seeking, manipulative behaviours, eating disorders.
Clematis – Increasing attention span
Crab Apple - the cleansing remedy, also for poor self image
Elm - overwhelmed by responsibility, loss of self confidence
Gentian - discouragement after a long illness
Gorse - hopelessness and despair, loss of the will to live
Heather - self-centredness and attention seeking
Holly – aggressive behaviour, rage, jealousy, biting, fighting.
Honeysuckle – pining for the past
Hornbeam -weariness, tiredness at the thought of doing something
Impatiens – impatience, highly strung animals, snappy irritable behaviour
Larch - lack of self-confidence, inferiority complexes.
Mimulus - fear of everyday things that can be named, shyness; timidity; afraid of the world
Mustard - deep gloom for no reason, suddenly appear and disappear, for no apparent reason
Oak - the dog who keeps going past the point of exhaustion, who nevertheless struggles on bravely, never giving up
Olive –completely exhausted, extreme physical and mental fatigue
Pine – for dogs that feel they have done something wrong
Red Chestnut – excessive concern and worry over others
Rock Rose extremely acute state of fear, terror and panic
Rock Water – rigidity, arthritis
Scleranthus – indecisiveness, mood swings; lacking inner balance.
Star of Bethlehem – shock, trauma; after effects of physical, mental or psychic frightening experiences, irrespective whether of recent to distant origin. ‘Comforter and soother of pains and sorrows’.
Sweet Chestnut - Extreme mental anguish; feelings of absolute dejection. Thinks one has reached the limits of endurance.
Vervain - over-enthusiasm and hyperactivity; strains his energies; highly-strung and even fanatical
Vine - dominance and inflexibility; striving for power
Walnut – emotional upset, change of home, owner
Water Violet - pride and aloofness
White Chestnut - Pacing
Wild Oat – dissatisfaction with life
Wild Rose –listlessness, apathy
Willow - self-pity and resentment, feeling mistreated

You know her better than me but I can see a few might suit. If you decide to get some give me a shout and I will tell you how to mix them to make just one mix.

Hope you enjoy it - that's the main thing.

[cressy]

Freddy took over a year before he really started to blossom with his agility confidence. I did persevere as I was desperate to find a safe outlet for his energy and he didn't fight to get out, just didn't pull to get in.

He now does agility training twice a week and has a whale of a time .

I used to stand off to one side and do basic tricks and training while the others were having their turn, it did help both his confidence and his focus.

Main thing is to have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Locco]

Good for you! I'm sure Misty will do great during agility training. Good luck!
Magda&Blaster

[mistymoo]

Well, we turned up at training class on Monday, all excited and ready to go but ....... we were a week early, classes start on the 9th

[marjolein]

Oops (LOL)!!

[greyghost]

PMSL - talk about eager....

[mistymoo]

Hi folks ! Doesn't time fly ? We have done our 6 weeks introduction course and both survived. I have been on the floor a couple of occaisions but we both really enjoyed it.

We have had a few set backs on the way - she enjoyed the view from the top of the A frame and decided to sit up there one day and not come down

some weeks she would jump but not do the tunnels next week tunnells were ok but she wouldn't jump.


Today was mainly ok and we got a rosette !!!!

[greyghost]

Well done Mistymoo - hope to see her up there with the professionals soon...... ;D

[marjolein]

It's fun, isn't it?!?!?!!

[Cheryl]

And now her opinions are showing? So her confidence is growing? Teenagers, Boris is making certain statements lately;)

[moonbeam]

Glad you're having fun Karen.

Whisper didn't like tunnels last week, the floodlights were casting shadows over the entrances so they must have seemed like scarey black holes ... funny dog as the rigid tunnel is dark anyway!

[jai]

Teenagers, Boris is making certain statements lately;) Well put Cheryl
I have a teenager and he adds to the already 2 teens and 1 pre-teen in my home! Although sometimes I fancy him to a toddler.. glad you are having a good time and keeping your sense of humor..
jai and falko