Rubie's Agility Career

[Ravenbird]

I thought of you today - at our Star Puppy class the teacher brought out a 10 foot tunnel. We'd gone through a 3 foot tunnel a couple of weeks ago and Asha thought it was crazy fun. As soon as the big one was unfurled I could hardly hang on to her, she dove in and got out the other side before I could be there to meet her! Do I need to hook up with Agility folks on top of everything else I had on my plate? LOL. Thanks for all your inspiration and videos!

 

[LifeofRubie]

I thought of you today - at our Star Puppy class the teacher brought out a 10 foot tunnel. We'd gone through a 3 foot tunnel a couple of weeks ago and Asha thought it was crazy fun. As soon as the big one was unfurled I could hardly hang on to her, she dove in and got out the other side before I could be there to meet her! Do I need to hook up with Agility folks on top of everything else I had on my plate? LOL. Thanks for all your inspiration and videos!

It's usually corgi's and terrier drawn to tunnels like that but good for her! They can be very uncertain when they first see them!

Well... Rubie and I will do one more month of Agility Classes and she's signed up for one run at a trial in a few weeks.. and then I think we're going to take a break and try Barn Hunt.

On top of our normal trial stress issues, she's actually taken to running away from me in the house when I'm getting ready for us to leave for class. In class, where she's been most comfortable throughout the last (almost) three years of training, she's not participating. Not sure if it's the cold, trial stress has creeped into normal class, or her heart really just isn't in it. All she wants to do is go into her crate. IF I can get her going, I'd say she's one of the best in class so it's not a matter of ability. I'd rather try and find something she enjoys doing than keep pushing something her heart isn't in. Luckily I've got Moo to keep my agility dreams alive!

 

[Ravenbird]

They can be very uncertain when they first see the

I think that's why the teacher had one in class for the puppies to see unusual things to navigate. Asha had one to play in at her breeders house, maybe that's why she liked it so much. The next week she was lunging and barking as they were unfurling the tunnel so eager to do it again. Then going so hard & fast through it she got the zoomies and would flip around and go back the other way - she went through it 3 times before we could catch her! Then they made it curve so they couldn't see the end of the tunnel, no problem. I was laughing so hard, it was really funny.

Yeah, sounds like Ruby wants a break. I use to train horses and after a long hard season many of them just lost their "gotta-wanna". We always said "Doesn't matter how fast they are, they gotta wanna." Turn out in a pasture for 2 - 3 months just to be a horse and most of them would come back with a fresh attitude. Burn out is a real thing. Barn hunt would be a fun thing to do and so totally different, it would be a great choice. Glad Moo is there for you!

 

[Kaiser2016]

Not sure if it's the cold, trial stress has creeped into normal class, or her heart really just isn't in it. All she wants to do is go into her crate. IF I can get her going, I'd say she's one of the best in class so it's not a matter of ability.

I’m gonna say it’s boredom. You already started seeing signs of disinterest so I’m not surprised that she’s making it so clear. We saw this with Kaiser too. That Rally class was just so mind numbing slow, he was totally checked out. He is really into IGP but we always have to have something new going on for him too. Dobermans are not the soldiers that German shepherds are, that much is abundantly clear to me with just one Doberman worth of experience. Barn hunt might just be more up her alley. Can’t wait to hear how it goes for you both.

 

[LifeofRubie]

I’m gonna say it’s boredom. You already started seeing signs of disinterest so I’m not surprised that she’s making it so clear. We saw this with Kaiser too. That Rally class was just so mind numbing slow, he was totally checked out. He is really into IGP but we always have to have something new going on for him too. Dobermans are not the soldiers that German shepherds are, that much is abundantly clear to me with just one Doberman worth of experience. Barn hunt might just be more up her alley. Can’t wait to hear how it goes for you both.

That's what i love about agility, though! Each course is a different challenge and it's always changing!

I think that's why the teacher had one in class for the puppies to see unusual things to navigate. Asha had one to play in at her breeders house, maybe that's why she liked it so much. The next week she was lunging and barking as they were unfurling the tunnel so eager to do it again. Then going so hard & fast through it she got the zoomies and would flip around and go back the other way - she went through it 3 times before we could catch her! Then they made it curve so they couldn't see the end of the tunnel, no problem. I was laughing so hard, it was really funny.

Yeah, sounds like Ruby wants a break. I use to train horses and after a long hard season many of them just lost their "gotta-wanna". We always said "Doesn't matter how fast they are, they gotta wanna." Turn out in a pasture for 2 - 3 months just to be a horse and most of them would come back with a fresh attitude. Burn out is a real thing. Barn hunt would be a fun thing to do and so totally different, it would be a great choice. Glad Moo is there for you!

She definitely lacks the "gotta wanna" 75% of the time but man... That other 25% she is ON FIRE!

 

[MyBuddy]

she's actually taken to running away from me in the house when I'm getting ready for us to leave for class.

Hmmm, that's not good. Did something happen that made me frightened her? That's definitely a kid that's dreading going to class.

 

[LifeofRubie]

Hmmm, that's not good. Did something happen that made me frightened her? That's definitely a kid that's dreading going to class.

my trainer thinks that she's seen a decline in her willing to participate in training classes since we started trialing (about 2 years ago). She thinks 'trial stress' has transferred over. I think it's really just been cold and Rubie doesn't want to leave the house Perhaps she feels like she's mastered agility and it's boring for her but dang... once I get her going, she's brilliant.

She does love to use her nose, though. I had a liver treat in my pocket yesterday morning so put it on the counter in our master bathroom. a couple hours later, Rubie is upstairs carrying on, stomping, throwing a fit. She knew that treat was up there but couldn't reach it

 

[MyBuddy]

She does love to use her nose, though

Well, Barn Hunting just might be her thing. Can't wait to see how she does!

 

[Ravenbird]

Another fun thing for nosey dogs is nose work. Similar training they would do for drugs or bombs but they use novel scents (birch, anise, clove) instead. My friend with her Dutchie just got their NW2 title. In town they have permission to work "hides" in several stores, like Tractor Supply and a used furniture store - so much fun to see them at it! Asha is going to a private intro lesson in a few weeks, but we'll just have to get homework instructions or do online lessons since it's so far away. Here's a website if you are interested: https://nacsw.net. AKC has similar nose work titles also. If Ruby has food drive and nose motivation, she would love it!

 

[LifeofRubie]

Another fun thing for nosey dogs is nose work. Similar training they would do for drugs or bombs but they use novel scents (birch, anise, clove) instead. My friend with her Dutchie just got their NW2 title. In town they have permission to work "hides" in several stores, like Tractor Supply and a used furniture store - so much fun to see them at it! Asha is going to a private intro lesson in a few weeks, but we'll just have to get homework instructions or do online lessons since it's so far away. Here's a website if you are interested: https://nacsw.net. AKC has similar nose work titles also. If Ruby has food drive and nose motivation, she would love it!

I've certainly considered that, as well! CPE, the one agility venue we've trialed quite a bit with, actually just introduced Scent trials under their name. Taking a quick look, I see the place we're going to train for Barn Hunt at is actually hosting a CPE Scent Trial in a few months. I will make it a point to ask our Barn Hunt instructor for her opinion after we get a few classes under our belt. I think the fact that there are actual rats involved in Barn Hunt is what will excite Rubie. but she's full of surprises to I'm keeping an open mind!

And congrats to your friend!!

 

[Ravenbird]

Taking a quick look, I see the place we're going to train for Barn Hunt at is actually hosting a CPE Scent Trial in a few months. I will make it a point to ask our Barn Hunt instructor for her opinion after we get a few classes under our belt. I think the fact that there are actual rats involved in Barn Hunt is what will excite Rubie. but she's full of surprises to I'm keeping an open mind!

Awesome!
Reckless (the Dutchie) had one try at Barn Hunt and never went back. LOL, because she found it in about .03 seconds and grabbed the tube and wouldn't give it up (Not Allowed). She will hunt & kill ground squirrels here (they are terrible destructive "rats" here, and to her a rat is a rat is a rat. So her nose + prey drive was TOO much. If you got your Doberman Chat All Breed Calendar, she's looking at you all the month of March! Keep us posted (with photos!!!) of Rubies future ventures! I'm thinking I should do the same with Asha, I like the way I can come to one thread and see Rubies progress.

 

[LifeofRubie]

Awesome!
Reckless (the Dutchie) had one try at Barn Hunt and never went back. LOL, because she found it in about .03 seconds and grabbed the tube and wouldn't give it up (Not Allowed). She will hunt & kill ground squirrels here (they are terrible destructive "rats" here, and to her a rat is a rat is a rat. So her nose + prey drive was TOO much. If you got your Doberman Chat All Breed Calendar, she's looking at you all the month of March! Keep us posted (with photos!!!) of Rubies future ventures! I'm thinking I should do the same with Asha, I like the way I can come to one thread and see Rubies progress.

It feels a little self serving at times but I actually went through the whole thread the other day and wow it's been a journey! I've kept all our course maps but I like the write-ups I included here and the video's when I have them. We've certainly had our ups and downs

I'm hoping we have a bit of a head start with Barn Hunt because she knows the game "find" in regards to us hiding, 'tunnel' and 'up' from agility and can generally tune out trial chaos on the sideline. Will be interesting for sure! I'm just bummed we have to wait a month to get started!

 

[Ddski5]

Well, cant say you went at it half ass. You sure did work hard with her.

As far as I can recall, Ruby was usually on/off and somewhat indifferent. Have to give Ruby credit that if she didn’t want to do it, she did do it to please you.

I am anxious to hear what she does with barn hunt.