Focus, Focus, Focus = Foundation
Many of you with more advanced dogs or who are more advanced handlers may not experience this, however, focus is something that doesn't get talked about in great detail because those of you who have been doing this for a long time make it look soooo easy!
However, those of us who are new(er) to agility and find ourselves with a very young pups (19 mos. in my case), can find that focus - especially in foundation work is the hardest, yet most necessary work of all. And, when you're a novice handler, it's hard to regiment yourself into doing what needs to be done not to mention knowing when/how and how long to expect you and your youngster to do it well.
Krystal and I have been working with Olga since late last year and have been progressing quite well. Every now and then during class though Krystal loses focus and goes off to "socialize" with whoever is watching.
We mark this down to her age, training to date and whatever else may be affecting her or her handler at this time and correct with an "oopsy" and a recall.
What's interesting is, last weekend, we had a chance to compete (literally on the fly and for fun) in a distance and accuracy disc competition in Fullerton. My pup, who has been called ADHD-challenged at times, suddenly had the focus of a world class champion who'd been doing such a thing all her life. No lie - a nuclear bomb could have exploded and I feel confident in saying that Krystal would not have lost focus on me or her frisbee. Quite a feat for a dog who doesn't have an always reliable sit/stay at a start and is a known car-chaser.
I managed to contain my pride and delight by NOT distracting Krystal in her work (as described in a previous lesson.) But I have to say, I was amazed and thrilled and did quite a happy dance later.
Now . . . how do I get her to apply that in agility? Is there something we did there that we can apply to our agility work?
Re: Focus, Focus, Focus = Foundation
I know exactly where you're coming from! My 20 month old terrier also has some focus issues in agility (and obedience) but show her a rat and she is all business! Nothing else exists! However, I'm not using rats as a reward for doing agility. We just have to figure out something else.
ValÂ
Re: Focus, Focus, Focus = Foundation
Hi Lisa,
That is great to hear how Krystal did this weekend...it sounds like it was a lot of fun!
I've watched your lessons with Olga every week, and have been meaning to tell you that I think both you and Krystal are doing great!  You're right, though...it isn't easy.
There are a lot of factors involved, too. Some dogs are naturally more "serious" about their work, while others are more easily distracted by just about anything. Another thing, as you touched on, is confidence as a handler: what to do, when to do it, how long to do it, and just as important, what NOT to do!
Freddie and I started work with Olga when he was 8 weeks old, with life skill lessons, teamwork, play, retrieve, watch, walking (one of our most important skill-building lessons was walking along Roscoe Blvd.), and some of the early agility stuff: interact with the sticks, park at the bottom of the contacts, etc.
We have faced the same challenges that you are facing now...just when Freddie was a bit younger!
Since Krystal loves the frisbee (Freddie does too), here's a thought as to how to transfer that focus to agility. The first step is to be sure you are happy with her retrieve behavior. Does she run back to you just as quick, so that you will throw it again? (If not, work on that until she does: toss it, and as soon as she gets to it, and even before she is picking it up, call her and start running away. When she gets to you, celebrate! She'll think this is very cool, and you will quickly build up her desire to get back to you as soon as possible!) When she brings it back to you, make her earn that next toss: a heel or side position, a right or left, a stay and release to get the frisbee that was already tossed, a speak, whatever she knows or is learning. Mix it up, so she stays interested and doesn't anticipate. Eventually these exercises will lead to a toss after sending her over a jump, or at completion of the weave poles, after a sequence, etc. The final result will be that she will see you with the frisbee, or the tennis ball, and she will be sure you are going to have fun together, and she will be anxious to see what you have in store for her this time!
You are fortunate to have a sweet, happy dog that isn't fearful, and you have a great relationship with her.Â
No worries....you are on the right track! Be patient, do your homework (this is crucial to progressing), and it will all come together. You are building the foundation with everything you do, and even if sometimes it seems like it is going slow, I promise, before you know it, you will be putting those components together and having a blast!
Enjoy your journey!!
Becky & Freddie
Re: Focus, Focus, Focus = Foundation
Sounds like a good idea Becky!
 I have an aussie who lacks focus even still occasionally at age 6! When I play with my dogs, go to the park or even when I am lying in bed and tossing a ball for them, NOTHING is ever free, every ball throw, every frisbee toss, etc., only comes after I ask for at least 1 behaviour. I then build this up to 3 or 4 behaviours before the reward. Its sort of the whole NILIF acronym - nothing in life is free. They must do a behaviour for everything they find rewarding and all good things come from me - it works!
Wendy
Re: Focus, Focus, Focus = Foundation
Hi Wendy,
Gus, my aussie, is 8 and also has the LAFG (lack-of-focus-gene)! The good news is that he absolutely LOVES his tennis ball, (actually, it is an unhealthy fixation....), but after lots of work (thank you again, Olga), he works really well when I run with a ball in my hand. In fact, I'm the only game in town when I have a ball....squirrel? cat? who cares? If only the rules would change, and I could run in a trial with a tennis ball....Gus would be in the nationals!
Becky
Re: Focus, Focus, Focus = Foundation