Agility,  Rio

Options I & II (A Moment of Panic)

Option One: Rio finds focusing in high-intensity environments difficult, and asking her to focus (ie. introducing a high-value reward) can push her over threshold. She is currently learning to assimilate her environment, relax, and focus in short bursts, keeping her at optimum threshold and allowing her work productively. This is not entirely successful as yet because we’ve only been working through her new routine for a few weeks. HOWEVER, this may be teaching Rio that working is optional OR ignore the “real” problem, which could be …

Option Two: Rio doesn’t have a really high-value reward system to engage with, which leaves her open to distraction and a lack of focus. We need to work more on building a high value reward, something that is better than food or tugs or me, since those are all moderately rewarding currently. HOWEVER, building a higher value reward may exaserbate Option One issues.

If BOTH or NEITHER options are correct, I want to give up now. Ri can take the role of puppy-lover and ear-licker, I’m good with that.


This in no way reflects on Rio; she is my perfect girl, and I love her to pieces. In fact, that’s probably why I’m getting so stressed about it. I don’t want to fail you, Beanie!

I think I need to work more on using ME as a reward, even if it means sacrificing a few limbs (I’m only partially joking), because Rio’s biggest switch is movement. Tugging is often engaging for her because it’s motion-based.

Daisy is going to be my “easy” agility dog, I swear. I can deal with dogs who try to kill me when they’re not getting her own way, it’s when they’re all nice and polite I have problems.