Question about Dog Agility?

Question

Ok so my dog is a beginner in agility. He can jump pretty well but with a lot of the jumps he just likes to crawl under (I have a basset hound). I always have to put something underneath it so he'll jump over and not go under. I try to just keep practicing with out things under but he always does and when I dont give him a treat he just gets bored and doesnt jump anything at all. How can I fix this? Plz help!

Answer 1

How high are the jumps.  In AKC agility a basset would probably only jump 4-8 inches.  Any higher would hurt him, they just aren't made for jumping bigger jumps.

Answer 2

if you lose enthusiasm so will youre dog express excitement and so will youre dog

Answer 3

You may be boring him.  There are lots of other things to learn in agility besides jumping.  There's front crosses, rear crosses, blind crosses, directional cues (left & right).

Take a break from jumping him for a while, put the jumps on the ground and work on other things.  Keep it short and fun.  Also, make sure your dog is not overweight or jumping to high.  

What height are you jumping him at?  Are you aware that Bassets, Dachshunds, Corgi's and other similiar built breed sometimes get a jump height allowance (it depends on the venue), where they jump lower than their actual height.

If you stress you dog over the jumping issue, he won't work for  you.  Keep it fun and short.  

Answer 4

With Agility you have to keep everything fun. He is a beginner,  It is up to you, the handler to make it fun.  Don't get frustrated.  Agility is not the easiest sport for Basset hounds.  They can do it, but they have to work harder at it.  I also do agility with a breed that is not usual.  My issue with her is all of a sudden she takes off, sniffs around and ignores me.  A couple of weeks ago my trainer pointed out that she always does that when we miss an obstacle.  (usually handler error of course).  She was reading me,  when I got frustrated she shut down and took off.  

I am also a little confused.  With all the jumps that we use except the tire there is more that one bar.  There would not be any room for him to go under.  Also,  don't give up the treats yet.  Just work in more obstacles per treat sometimes.  All the agility dogs that I know of even the excellent dogs get treats in their training sessions.  

Answer 5

Are you going into completion or do you just want your dog to jump?

I don't think Basset Hounds are bred to jump and you might be hurting  him.