I have my 3.5 year old Papillon in Novice Agility classes. I have two questions for the Agility folks out there. Piper is in a class with mixed small and large dogs. Two of the large dogs have a very high prey drive. One is a Belgian Malinois and one is a Briard. I have to put Piper in a wire crate when they are working and she shies away from them when she has to work close to them as they are growling. I feel that she is not getting much out of the class. The trainer says that it is good experience for her for future competition and she needs to learn not to be a "baby". Secondly, the jumps are set down for the small dogs and raised for the large dogs, but the A-frame, etc. is very tall and she can do it well, but the height concerns me. Please advise. Thanks so much.

In my agility class the small dogs do the A frame no problem. What I would be more concerned about is the reactions from the other dogs - big dogs intimidating small dogs would not be acceptable in our classes. How bad is it?

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-Valerie

@Amberbark

Where are nonworking dogs in your class crated?
Dogs should not be crated on the course.
If the dogs growl when you walk by them as you go on the course, it's unfortunate but true that it can happen at a trial. That's why it's best not to crate near reactive dogs. Sometimes there is enough of a walkway between the crating area and the ring so that this behavior can be avoided.

Your dog can probably do the full height A-Frame but you should ask to lower it because it would be in competition.

It is pretty bad. I have worked Piper with the Malinois before, who is both people and dog-reactive. The trainer had me practice measuring the Mal with the wicket fearing the dog would growl at the person doing the measuring at the competition. It is bad enough that I have to leash Piper and drag her over the jumps close to the reactive dogs. The Briard is even more scary. It is no fun for either Piper or myself . The trainer was to start Piper in competition in the Spring, but I don't see that happening. Here are some pics of Piper her first course outside.

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The trainer in the class is having me crate Piper because there are two prey-driven, reactive dogs in the class. I asked to move to the other end of the facility, but no-go. The trainer says that Piper is just being a "baby" and needs to get used to the "bigger" dogs. Really, one that wants to eat her? I am very limited to available agility trainers in my small town.

First, Piper looks like an absolute doll, she is so cute. Wouldn't it make more sense to crate the 2 dogs that are the problem, especially if they are people reactive too. As you state neither you or Piper are having fun, is it possible to skip this session and re-enroll in the next session, hopefully with some more friendly dogs? Is there a rush to get her into competition?

I am sorry you are going through this, J and I deal with this thing a lot too. We have a private trainer here, Rachel Sanders, that many people from your area drive over to train with. Don't know if this might be an option for you.

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@Millie's Mom....they keep the Mal crated between runs, but not the Briard. You would think that they would. I hate to stop as she loves it so much. Both of the reactive dogs are on-going at the classes. No hurry on the competition, but she is so fast and has so much fun. I might need to reconsider. Thanks.
@Claire's friend. I took a look at Rachel's website and I think that I shall move there...... I guess that I will work with what I have. Atascadero is quite a haul from Tehachapi. Maybe if I didn't work. The Mal got 5 ribbons at last weekend's Agility Competition in Bakersfield. They didn't measure her, so now growling...this time.

[QUOTE=Amberbark;1851080]@Millie's Mom....they keep the Mal crated between runs, but not the Briard. You would think that they would. I hate to stop as she loves it so much. Both of the reactive dogs are on-going at the classes. No hurry on the competition, but she is so fast and has so much fun. I might need to reconsider. Thanks.

Is the choice to crate your dog left to the owner or does the instructor decide. If the instructor decides, maybe ALL dogs should be crated to be fair. She does look like she loves agility, I just wouldn't want to have her turned off agility if she stresses out with these dogs.

As and aside, I recently had my service puppy in training, at an event, that included an agility-type entertainment show. Normally dogs are not allowed in the arena but because she was training they had to let her in. However, I was told that I had to take her to the far corner of the arena, because if the performing dogs saw her, they would attack her because they were not dog-friendly. While i very much appreciate the warning, I had to wonder about these dogs.

Many people have moved here for all the agility we have to offer. I have made the trip many times to your neck of the woods for rescue transport. It's not a bad drive at all. Just pop in a books on tape. We are have a trial here Dec 16th maybe you should come !!!

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