Here's the latest question from a reader...
Q. What would you do if your dog does not listen to you at the trial?
A. Take a rolled up newspaper and...oh, wait, that was in the olden days. =:)
No, the correct answer to that is really simple but some people are going to be very offended.
Obedience training.
I don't mean the hard core "heel at the correct millimeter" kind of obedience training, I just mean your dog should mind you when you give it a command.
I have seen SO many dogs just ignore their owners on the course and start to do their own thing while the owner gives the "Come Come Come Come Come Get A Biscuit Come Here Come Come" command.
If you teach your dog flawless weaves but not a recall, you're a bad owner. Period. Agility is for fun and exercise, obedience is for safety -- plus it also makes agility more fun.
In general, if your dog doesn't have a good recall it has no business on an agility course.
However, let me immediately contradict myself.
Don't let the lack of a good recall stop you from doing agility -- but make sure getting that solid recall is really a priority. If you can work on both at the same time, that's ideal. If you can only work on one, make it the recall first. (But most people can work on both.)
If I made you mad with my opinion, feel free to let me know. I welcome opposing viewpoints and have even been known to change my mind based on new information. =:)
PS - I actually answered a different question than what was asked. To answer that specific question, if my dog wasn't listening to me I'd escort her or him from the ring as soon as it was apparent that control was out the door.
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