- Warning: Turn the volume down before playing the videos, if you don't want to hear me yelling commands and Cinnamon's name hurriedly, which may be disturbing for some viewers.
Cinnamon's agility class starts at 8 pm, so we practice under the night lighting throughout the one-hour class in winter.
Cinnamon usually does the Tunnel without any problem, but this week she was so scared of the darkness in the long curved tunnel that she didn't want to enter it. So the instructor had to block the entrance to encourage Cinnamon to head for the other end where I was waiting. She did the Weave beautifully. It seems she likes it!
When Cinnamon was at the start position, red tail lights of a car in the car park beside the training club's ground turned on. Because the car park was very dark, it looked like only the two red lights were glaring in the darkness. Then, staring the red lights, Cinnamon started barking aggressively. Once she gets overexcited, it's hard to control her. I somehow brought her back to the start position and tried to guide her to the first obstacle, but she was so excited that she couldn't do what she usually can.
Cinnamon tried the A Frame for the first time. I was pretty confident that she wouldn't mind the height, and in deed she had no trouble climbing up and down the obstacle. But, again she didn't want to get into the dark tunnel, so this time I threw in a couple of pieces of sausage! That's why she stayed in the tunnel for a while before coming out of it. Please keep it secret from our instructor!
On reflection: What I learned from this week's training is that I should stay calm first and give commands in an uplifting but firm voice.
Cinnamon did so great on the A-frame! Was that really her first time? So proud of her. Looks like you had a good lesson. I agree with your reflection on staying calm. Sometimes its hard to do, but overly excited dogs need a calm handler and under motivated dogs need an enthusiastic handler. Just part of what makes dog training so much fun! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing great with the agilities (must better than I am, I have to admit). I still struggle with that whole "wait" part before you get started.
ReplyDeleteI think you kept your focus great even though there were lots of distractions. Your training place is so big!
Kisses,
Dexter
Hi Cinnamon - WOW!! I am so impressed - I think you did so fantastically!! I have tried agility a few times but it's really hard for me coz a lot of the equipment (like tunnels) is too small for me to move fast through them easily and also, I am a big chicken and I get scared of things like tunnels! Hsin-Yi has to crawl in first and then I will follow her...so we both look very stupid! Hee! hee! plus she hit her head coming out of the tunnel so she was in a bad mood! :-) I would also be scared of going on things like the A-frame...you are so brave!!
ReplyDeleteHee! hee! I am definitely an "under-motivated dog" who needs a VERY enthusiastic handler!! :-)
Hey - I noticed that you have added Momo & Pino to your blogroll - great! Did you go to visit them? Aren't they so cute?
And I noticed that Mango has come to visit you too - he is BRILLIANT!! His blog is so funny - you should visit him if you haven't yet! :-)
Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane