F is for Fixing

When something goes wrong, or breaks, you automatically want to fix it straight away. This is similar in the sport of dog agility; when mistakes happen, it's important that we fix them with our dogs, learn from them, and make them right again, in a friendly and positive manner. When mistakes happen, fixing them and improving from them is as much a part of a successful agility career as placings. Because learning from these mistakes you have fixed will help you place in the future. Remember; this competition isn't your last, and there is always a next time!

As you can see in the above photo, I was practicing 'two on, two off' contacts on the garden step. Earl came off on one occasion, so I put him back on and fed treats for the behaviour, just as I would using real equipment. He soon grasped it, and I could run towards it and he would remain in the position until my release.

The point is, when your dog makes a mistake, go back and fix it. Make it right once again, in hope of more success on this issue in the future. For example, your dog has an issue with weave entrances; keep going back, slow down mentally and physically, and guide your dog in the right direction. When he succeeds, send bags and bags of praise his way! If you leave mistakes wide open, you may encounter this unfixed issue again some time, due to a learned habit on the dog's part. This is unfortunate, however happens commonly to dogs and handlers in the ring. Learned habits are the hardest to break, so it's vitally important that you fix them as soon as they occur, so you can move on with a refreshed mindset.