Re: agility...and behavior

[Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>]

At 10:19 AM 10/16/00 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi everyone,
>
>Yesterday, Monza and I went to an agility course just down the road from
>where we live.  I could immediately tell that we've been out of a class and
>not around a bunch of other canines in a while.  Monza was a pulling
>monster.  Even if I stopped, went the other way, or circled him, he
>continued.  He's usually so good at the watch-me command, but had a memory
>lapse yesterday.  Could this be adolescence?

Lyn and Everyone,

These are 6 month old puppies!!!!! Golden Retrievers.  Social active 
sporting dogs.  It is not possible to train any puppy of this breed  at 
this age  to "behave" as an adult in these kinds of excitable 
situations.  To expect a puppy of this age to heal and preform under 
excitable conditions is totally unreasonable. Even Kaycee at age 11 get's 
excited when we take her places.  Sure we can say ok Kaycee settle down and 
she does but she is 11. But if we allow her to she will be at the end of 
the leash too.

  Some puppies are less excitable than others even with in the breed and 
with in litters but to expect any puppy to sit quietly or act dog like at 
this age is futile  nor should you want to have less than 
enthusiasm.  Training is an on going issue and time in training can not be 
rushed.  Letting go and finding balance is important as I have pointed out 
many times.  Find the balance.  If finding the balance means you have to 
endure some embarrassment then learn to laugh with it... <VBG>  Find ways 
to combat the energy level.  Every dog needs freedom from restraint 
daily.  No matter the weather, snow, rain, wind, cold temps, ect they need 
exercise of some kind.  Leash walking in heal position is not exercise if 
anything it creates stress and pents them up.  I realize not every one has 
property that they can just let their dogs run on and you do have to be 
creative.  Games of fetch are great and you don't have to be able to throw 
the ball as far as your arm will either.  20 feet times 20 throws or 110 
throws...

There are times to train and times to be a puppy.  It's you're 
responsibility to find the time for both or your puppy will take matters 
into it's own paws.

A note on jumping and agility too:  I do not recommend playing on agility 
equipment or jumps with out good supervised instruction.  It's important to 
get instruction on how to train for these activities for safety and not 
setting in bad habits.  This is why so many Agility clubs have age 
requirements for certain equiptment and most as well have criteria for not 
only the dogs but the handlers.  Agility is a great release and good fun 
but with puppies you really have got to limit what they do.  Many clubs 
have puppy courses with shrunk down equiptment for good reason.  There are 
books on Agility and list groups on line that support the sport and anyone 
interested should do a search and get some education before jumping in.

Mother Gina :-)