Krikkit - D'Artagnan has been involved in agility for almost six months. We've made it through beginning, intermediate and novice sequences, though barely squeaking by. I would have withheld him, but the class behind us has a lot more dogs in it than our current class (3 dogs). Our instructor is great and she goes pretty slowly on all the obstacles to be sure the dogs are confident on it before moving to the next step. I think D'Art got bored in the lower classes because we were going so slow.
D'Art is somewhat treat motivated, so good treats help, but only to a point. I'll take one of his toys (stuffed animal, squeaker, tennis ball on a rope, etc) and get him wound up in the beginning, but about half way through the class something else will gain his interest (smell, spectators, etc) and I can not regain his attention. I can bop him in the head with a stuffed animal, stand in front of him, take off running, and he can't refocus. We might as well go home at that time. When I referred to wandering, I guess I meant more mentally than physically. D'Art is pretty good off lead, but he does refuse obstacles when his mind wanders. I don't know if I would call it "refuse" or "doesn't pay attention."
Also, both of my dogs have a serious aversion to the tire. Any thoughts on why? Oh, and just to make you laugh, My husband handles our other dog, Helmut in the ring. Well, last night in class, (the dogs are not in the same class), Scott told Helmut to "Go Dog Walk." Helmut ran around it, and at the last minute decided he ought to get on the dog walk, and tried to jump up onto the middle of the long plank! But of course, even though it was only the small dog walk (4 feet hight), he couldn't jump up on it. It looked like he was trying to do a chin-up on the board before he fell off. He was pretty embarrassed and got sand all over his face, but did it correctly the next time! LOL! I guess he learned his lesson the hard way!
