Agility Training: What Foundation Do You and Your Dog Need?

Multi-Time World Agility Champion Susan Garrett today is sharing:
1. Key elements to agility training foundation.
2. Demonstrations with her 14-week-old puppy.
3. Insight into her world renown online dog agility instructional program Handling360.
4. Answers your questions.
Dog agility is an amazing sport filled with fun and teamwork when you put in the proper foundation but filled with frustration and disappointment when you don't. Today Susan shares how to make sure you and your dog have the absolute best possible outcome when you approach the sport of dog agility.

[@DogsThat]

Get my free masterclass video and eBook on the Top Ten for Agility Speed and Success with special opportunities to become part of Handling360 or Agility Nation or both at dogsthat.com/y/agility-speed

[@emilyhalpert-cole8028]

My local agility class did that and thought it was cool to do all the equipment, I knew that we (my dog and I) weren't being supported in our learning journey. It was lumping everything together. The teacher would also say "CHEATER! She's a cheater!" if my dog did something 'wrong' (because she didn't know the cue to fluency). That mindset (thinking your dog is a 'cheater' automatically assumes your dog somehow knows better and is doing something wrong just to spite you) is so destructive to both learners. I'm hoping to save up enough to take Handling360! I LOVED Homeschool the Dog and Pedicure Please! :)

[@learning2curve995]

love what you are doing. Trying to apply it to show training and wow the table training has come on amazingly

[@justlookattheflowers4239]

My 4 month old Jack russell cross stopped to play with feathers on her walk. the only way i could get her to walk home was to hold one in front of her and she ran jumped all the way, the next day she just started to jump walk at my side again, so i got a stick and held it so she could jump walk again, she also loves to tunnel behind all the pots and the fence that edge the garden, she can jump two to three feet already. so i am going to look into your classes.

[@Jenily111]

If you’re considering joining H360, just stop already and sign up! The amount of learning and support I’ve experienced is unparalleled! Now stop reading this and go join! 😁

[@trishbech9082]

This is great teaching! It really makes me interested to check out agility now… something I didn’t even think I ever wanted to even try! Lol Excellent points! I didn’t realize all the benefits and relationship building, regardless if you ever enter a ring. It’s so much more than I thought it was.

[@irenescott7303]

I love your hair Susan happy belated birthday 🎉

[@SoraiaLMotta]

thanks for sharing Susan

[@jozeepare9616]

Always enjoy seeing you in the ring ! Looked at it 10 times ! 😄

[@RaptorsGirl]

❤

[@Maria-lf4js]

Love H360. Brought joy and confidence back to agility for my dog and I. The coaches are amazing and it is great to be able to rewatch the lessons in slow motion to watch the mechanics. I have seen Copper grow in confidence and he gets excited whenever it is time to train and we can keep it short to keep motivation up

[@SusanPerri]

This is so helpful! Thank you :)

[@user-si7yk3mm3g]

Just beginning the first session of sport foundation training

[@maikibordercollie]

We don't even do agility (I have a lung condition and my puppy had a knee injury) but this sounds so well put together that I wish I could find something similar for doing heelwork to music and canine freestyle.

[@jeffreyH360]

Just can’t hear this enough “wait for the sexy stuff” fountain is the key. You will never and I mean never find anything to compare to H360 it changed my agility world.

[@DogsThat]

Thank you so much, Jeffrey!

[@SarahSherman-di7ku]

Did a year training and a few trials , all NQs with a big slow cane corso, a few months training my GSD whos not really into agility, a year training my baby BC Fin while not being very mobile myself so lots of distance work..i would yell tunnel as hes leaping over the last jump...so D i guess?

[@RosetheEnglishShepherd]

I took a foundation class at one place and loved it, though agility foundation 2 is at a time I can't make until next Summer. I went to another school with Agility I in hopes it would bridge us till then. First day was all obstacles out in the ring and the trainer asking, what do you want to do first. They wanted to put us on the dog walk first which I hesitated and he had us do weave intro instead. I was expecting more structure and foundations 😢

[@mary-claretanguay8270]

Depends on whats after the tunnel could be a long lead out. I just like it and done it for 5 yrs for fun

[@rainw0lfe]

My dog (11 mo old border collie) is very motivated by his ball, and we are just beginning to look at agility, so he learns to go over, under, through, around

[@rainw0lfe]

If he's afraid to do something, we come back to it later, after praise for what he's doing right

[@rainw0lfe]

OMG I remember that age, so fun

[@terrymartin1247]

D I’ve been training for only a year with this dog

[@terrymartin1247]

Yes, And i need help because he’s beginning to sour on agility

[@EmilyKenny-ug2rg]

Maybe this should be in an email, but I’m curious about this. First off, I think your concepts are GOLD. I completely agree with what you’re saying, and I’m sold to your techniques. My question is, if I just started my 2nd typical agility class with the obstacles. What would you recommend for me? Some background: I have a 3 year old King Charles Cavalier. When she was 9 months I started one on one basic agility which she mastered. We then went into a rally class which strengthened her vocabulary, confidence and our bond. We competed in rally and she got 2 titles (novice and intermediate). My goal is to continue to strengthen our relationship and to compete in agility. We have pretty good “flat work” down before we started this class if that counts for anything. But, as I said, I’m sold on your technique and want to alter our training as I can for her. What would you recommend?

[@DogsThat]

Hi Emily! We love that you enjoy Susan's training philosophy ❤️ Handling360 would be a wonderful place for you and your dog to start agility, and you can do a lot at home and with minimal equipment. If you'd like the team to help you with more guidance please reach out to us at [e-mail] and we'll be more than happy to help 🐾

[@007brasso700]

Yes, as you say

[@rainw0lfe]

I totally get that- without confidence, they can't build skills

[@terrymartin1247]

So how do i start

[@kimdillon989]

C. I have an Excellent level dog.

[@Donna-nw1oj]

❤

[@clairesnowland626]

Hello, how do you teach the "thank you" command (release the toy)? My dog just hold on to the toy and i can drag him for a lo g time before i can have it back. Thank you

[@DogsThat]

Hi Claire, here's a blog post with help with that: susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/08/gimmie-dat-tug-the-out-release-is-just-dog-training/ Happy training!

[@elizabethnunn-gage226]

I did some agility with my first Aussie and always felt like I didn't have a plan through several coaches and classes. Since then I have been trying to figure out what the best plan and foundation actually was and this FINALLY helped! I am currently in Recallers with my 8 month old puppy, so we are in exactly where we should be for now!

[@DogsThat]

You are in the best place for foundation and a great relationship, Elizabeth! In the future, Handling360 can help you work on the agility specific skills with your dog ❤️

[@suzytyler4793]

E never done any agility

[@cathyspringer7426]

❤❤❤❤

[@lorriefilion9232]

E just starting

[@lottaknutsson2826]

F i have not started

[@joeking7645]

D begins

[@ourwayonthehighway240]

E new agility student

[@natachakluft9501]

D I am a beginner

[@janetyakes8185]

Why the Susan(she/her) on the screen?

[@larryjanedietrich6832]

A

[@007brasso700]

D

[@gailc3334]

e new

[@terrymartin1247]

❤