I keep talking about "naughty beagles" on Facebook. I'm having an interesting problem with the beagle girls – I keep losing their focus.
Even today, though Macy Qed, she lost focus on me at least three different times. The good news is that I got her back and we were able to Q.
I even lose that focus in class – which is a good thing. I have also learned something I wish I'd figured out a few years ago – the Zella exercise wear I wear all have hidden pockets in the waist band and the beagles seem to forget the food is there. Weird, but it really helps in training as the only way I can get good focus is to have food in my hands. At least I'm figuring this out BEFORE the new pup.
At first we though thought it was some kind of ring stress, but now I'm convinced they are happy to be at the trials and with me, it is just that there are other things to do in the agility ring besides what mom wants. It's a matter of convincing them that playing with me is more rewarding!
Today was a good example – Dulce was paying all kinds of attention and doing tricks outside the ring but once we got in, she was focused on anything BUT me. It's a just a matter of working though it I think.
I do think scaling things back and showing Macy only in FAST is helping her. I'll probably start adding JWW next. That was the class that was giving her the biggest problem.
