Dog agility-my dog wont jump over the hurdles he just runs as fast as he can andthen he just stops at hurdle?

Question

1 year old lab mix wont jump over hurdles

Answer 1

Sounds like you have the jumps set too high. A one year old Lab mix should not be jumping very high as he is not mature yet.
Also, are you sure he knows what you want him to do?
Training the jumps, you start with the jump set at maybe 2 - 4 inches. Pup a 'bait plate' (a plastic lid will do) on the other side of the jump and put a treat on it. The dog should be on leash btw. Then you run with the dog, tell him 'jump' or 'over' or whatever command you want to use and he will most likely step over the bar and go for the treat. If he just knocks the bar off, then try jumping with him. If he still won't jump, then put the bar on the ground and have him just step over it to get the treat.
Don't raise the bar more then the 2-4 inches until you are sure the dog knows what the command means.

Answer 2

I love dogs and have had the pleasure of dog sitting for my friends when they are out of town. I use a "knee and submit" method which when used consistently will correct this behavior in a matter of a few days. Given the fact that your short, use your fist. Don't punch the dog! but rather push the dog away from you. what you want to do is create a sense of discomfort for your pet when jumping. I never hurt the dogs that jump and don"t approve of painful methods of correction. The effective method is the "discomfort method. When your dog tries to jump up on you, raise your fist at him/her to intercept your pet. It wont hurt your pet but will push your pet away from you. Immediately follow with a submission hold by forcing your pet to lay down and stay down until you permit him to move. I suggest a 15 second hold. If the issue is just repetitive jumping, this could be a sign of excitement. For this I suggest two things: First, use the submission method I explained in the previous paragraph. Second, Take your dog for a run. He may need to burn off the energy. I do hope your prepared to do what ever it takes to be the leader of your pack and your size should not be a factor.

Answer 3

Before putting jumps at any height, you need to teach your dog to trot over the jump bars when they are laid flat on the ground. This teaches them the right footwork, and gets them used to going over the jump bars. Line up 5-10 jump bars, spaced a few feet apart. Sort of like a ladder lying on the ground. Run with your dog across the jump bars. If he runs right through without stepping on any of the jump bars -- great! If he steps on some, it means he needs more practice at judging where his feet will land. Just keep running over it for a few days and he will learn. He'd rather step on the grass then a hard, rolling bar.

Next, make this a little harder by putting the bars a little slanted, and have random lengths between one bar and another. This is more challenging because where he needs to put his feet is always changing. He'll learn to judge in a split second.

THEN, you are ready to start taking him over jumps set at a low height. At first, set the jump bar on the ground again between the jump. Then raise it a few inches at a time. If you're running next to him, he should realize where he has to go. You can also put him in a sit-stay on one side of the jump, move around to the other side of the jump and call him to you. If you stand right behind the jump and then move back as he comes closer, he really has not choice but to go over the jump. Then praise like crazy!

Answer 4

Been there done that have the T-shirt.
It could be the height went up too fast for his comfidence level.
OR he could have a physical injury or problem that causes him pain when jumping so he reluctant to jump. My sisters German Shepard had a back problem - refusing jumps was the first symptom.
IF you have ruled out the first two- well my "worlds slowest agility whippet" stopped haulting to check out each jump after I put the treat cup behind every jump on the course........

Answer 5

He probably doesnt quite know what you want him to do yet, but if you got this dog from someone else and he could really do that trick with that person then ask the original owner what his tactics were.....but if you have always had him then hard work is the best answer.

Answer 6

Maybe hes lacking confidence, or isnt compelled to.. Are you giving him enough compliments and saying "good boy, woofers" enough? Also give him treats when he does it successfully so he would want to do it again and have a motivation.. Good luck with him