Look at the world from your dogs perspective! I was @ a trial on the weekend watching some friends compete. I watch several Novice dogs cautiously attempt the dog walk, you could tell they were anticipating the board to start moving like the teeter.
Challenge - look @ all obstacles from a lower perspective, to be more specific, from your dogs height, get down on all 4's if you have too! things look very different!!! The dog walk/Teeter is just an example. What about the weaves, as I have said in previous posts, if you approach the weaves head on, they look like 1 pole! Winged vs non Winged jumps; winged jumps are easier to see then not winged jumps.
Also note: it happened more then ones that the novice handler left the novice dog on the upside of the dog walk, just a piece of advise don't leave your novice dogs alone on these pieces of equipment, especially if you have not been trialling long and not sure how your dog is going to react. I know it is often easier said then done, I have only begun my journey in the dog agility world and am still a novice myself, so I understand how much you have running through your mind when running around in 50 seconds or less. :)
Great post!!!
ReplyDelete