I got this product, the Tug-It, to teach Raven and Leissl how to tug while we are training. So far, I have only gotten them to sniff it. I put Liver Biscotti in the Starter. That didn’t get much interest, so I added string cheese tonight. Raven mouthed it once, but that’s all, and Leissl just sniffed it. So I am going to use a smellier food.   Susan Garrett gave me an idea through her blog and recent e-book of Tips to use sardines.  I have sardines, which I give to my dogs when one decides not to eat, so I imagine that will work.  Mine are in oil, though, so perhaps a trip to the store to find some packed in water might be a good idea.  By the way, if you want nifty and useful agility training tips, and to be in the know, make sure to sign up for Susan’s newsletter when you visit her website.  That’s where I learned about the Tug-It, too.

Here’s my first training video.  I’m calling them “Diary of a Novice Agility Trainer.”  Well, I’m having fun, and know I’m severely in the dark as this is the first time I’m going through agility training for competition, so why not have a laugh?  And watch myself improve!  I do feel a tad bit sorry for my dogs, as was the case when I was learning to train obedience.  They are the ones having to deal with my mishaps, goofs, and handling/training glitches.  Yet, I couldn’t have a better student in Raven.  She blasts through life with little abandon and nothing seems to bother her except missing a chance at a cookie.

Today, the little devil, taught herself a new trick.  While I threw cookies to the other dogs, all were sitting nicely waiting their turn, she sprung up and grabbed what she could in mid-air!  She’s a spectacular use of imagination and physical prowess.  Whatever benefits her, makes her light bulb go on high beam.  And thank God for her because she’s the one who got me into agility trials – and I mean that in more than one way!

I adopted Raven from a shelter, and soon found out why she was there.  Not the case in other dogs I’ve rescued, so don’t get me wrong.  Most dogs at the shelter do not have such an extreme drive.  But Raven?  She is here in my life for a reason.  To teach me to steer a high-velocity, high-driven character, and I am reciprocating as best I can.

Leissl, on the other hand, is a bag of flour.  If I squeeze a little, she goes poof.  What a difference!  Leissl is also an extreme Velcro Dobie, and getting her to move away from me and do go outs is a big thing.  She is progressing, and so am I as a trainer.

So onto the next page of our agility journey – smelly food for the Tug-It! training and getting better at training that serpentine move.

Helen