One of the challenges of training a dog to run agility is teaching her that having something move beneath her is fun (or at least fine). Since Lilly still won’t do a full-height teeter, I’m certainly no expert. However, I thought these tips on training that motion is OK around the house might help.
Glider Rockers
I often sit on our glider bench with Lilly in my lap. I give her just enough help that she doesn’t fall, and we rock together back and forth. I think it’s a workable way for her to develop good “sea legs” as it were. She doesn’t usually sit there alone … hence the cautious face.
skateboard phobia and to add more motion training, I’m teaching (or trying to teach) Lilly to ride a one. So far, she mostly pushes it around with her front feet, while walking behind or beside it. But sometimes I can get her up on it, and I slide it gently back and forth. Once in a while, she pushes off enough herself to glide a few feet, but she usually keeps at least one foot on the ground.
Indeed, you’re right. I’m so spatially challenged, and I think of Lilly as being *so* small that when I bought the skateboard I thought for sure it was fine. But, it’s not. It’s way too short for her, but I just couldn’t bring myself to drive back to the store (during the holidays). So … we started using it for basic shaping.
We certainly could trade, but I suspect the shipping costs would be silly. ;o)
P.S. For some reason, your comments don’t get automatically approved. Hence the delay in posting. I’m trying to figure out why. I’ve been really brutal with banning some ISPs because I’m getting SO many SPAM trackbacks. I wonder if that’s it. Hmmm
Might just be the angle of the photo but isn’t that skateboard too short for Lilly? I’m in the process of training Devon to ride one but his is *much* longer than hers. In fact, hers would be much better for him. Maybe we should trade 🙂
Good idea. We’ve done that too. I totally forgot about playgrounds. The other thing I’ve done there is get Lilly to jump over those springy horse things. She often pushes off of them as she clears, and they move around.
Sometimes playgrounds have sway bridges or other types of moving equipment that are good for motion training.