Bouncing is what Tiggers do best
 Harrjak
Tigger came into Lolly Scott's life through Tim Knee and Michelle Townsend. At the time, Lolly
was working a rescue collie called Holly at Elementary level and was not used to handling a
super fast dog. It's been a struggle but the tears of frustration turned to tears of joy when
they won out of Starters at Carn Brae.
Lolly has agreed to write her story for the benefit of others who are struggling with a
talented but manic agility dog.
Tigger is
completely obsessed with agility and has been an extremely hard dog to train. I seemed to be
forever in tears, or having a tantrum at training, or at a show as I felt I would never be able
to get on top of him and control him in an agility environment. Luckily I had - and still
have - fabulous friends who were always there for me and stayed there with my strops and having
to listen to me saying 'I’m rubbish. I need someone else to run him.'
But recently,
through sheer determination and being able to train more than once a week, we turned a corner
about six months ago. He now listens to me, has a good recall and wants to do what I ask
instead of what he wants. He is still incredibly excitable and hyper in the queue, but now has
his raggy to chomp onto rather than the lead. He's been known to chew it through and escape
into the ring.
 What's
the secret?
With a dog as hard, fast, manic driven as Tigs, you HAVE to put the work in and practice
even if it’s only ten minutes on something at home when not at a lesson. Though we may get many
eliminations and plenty fastest times with five faults - partly as I go to pot in the ring -
when it goes right it goes right!
I really have to
use my voice with Tigs. Otherwise it’s 'up yours, I’m going over this jump.' As he is so fast
in the ring, I have to over exaggerate everything I ask of him. False turns are a very useful
tool. On his turns, I now have to have my arm at waist level and grab his attention with my
'agility finger' as he is so into the slightest movement I make.
If I have my arm up
high and then bring it down for a turn he drops his legs and knocks the poles. He’s still
knocking the odd pole but not as much. In training I’m forever being told that I've been too
late or too early with his instructions. It is hard for me as I’m trying to look where I’m
going, where he’s at, where his feet are, when I’m supposed to call him.
 We
tried all sorts with contacts but the best for me was training on a lead and using Stop as a
command. Food and toys at the end didn’t work. It may have been a pain stopping him in training
to put him back on the lead for his contacts every time but even though I say so myself his
contacts are amazing now!
Since competing in
September 2005, my gorgeous lad’s had five first places (two UKA) and a third. Tigger has
taken me out of Elementary and now Starters too - a brilliant start to 2006! I’ve never felt
particularly good at anything and now I feel I've really achieved something with a difficult
dog.
Hope this helps
other people starting out with a mad dog. I certainly wouldn’t want Tigs any other way
and I love him to bits! I’m hoping for a Tigger pup in a couple of years time, maybe a girl
this time!
I would like to
thank my good friend Sam for all her hard work and patience!
 About
the author...
Lorraine (Lolly) Scott lives in Honiton (Devon) with her two collies Holly and
Tigger. She is a member of Honiton & District Canine Society and also trains at Buckland
Agility.
Tigger is at stud
to approved bitches. Please email for details
lollys_dogs@fsmail.net
For more
information about Lolly's dogs visit
www.freewebs.com/lollysdogs
| 