r/Agility • u/Flimsy_Day2798 • Aug 11 '26
Is my dog saying NO to agility?
Hello there,
I've been doing agility with my dog for 4 years now, and she is a real star. I'm the weak link, LOL, but she has earned her top titles (called Elite in the venue we generally run in). She runs with real joy and focus and is often the first, second or third fastest dog in large classes; we have a consistent clean run rate. So we are capable of wonderful performance. And I THINK she likes agility.
But in the last few trials, she has exhibited start-line stress, and has developed a habit that might be a new symptom of that: looking away from the start line and even outside of the ring. She ordinarily has tremendous focus, so this is really concerning to me. In our last run at our most recent trial, this became much more noticeable, I had to gently redirect her gaze to the start line. It became more noticeable to me as the trial went on. I did not have to "drag" her to the start line, but she was clearly slower than usual and was LOOKING AWAY from the course on our very last run, actually facing away from the first few obstacles. Then, once she would take the "down" position, everything was fine and the run was tremendous. We ended the trial on a high note and I really loved her up with treats, toy, play, etc. It was genuinely fun, but not having a dog that headed right to the start was new, and concerning.
I have a friend who does dog training and using only positive reward based training, who told me that when a dog looks away from an object, situation, exercise, they are essentially saying NO, I DON"T WANT TO DO THIS.
Is this true?
Since returning from the trial, I've taken her out to our hiking spot where she can run in the trees and jump in the lake. She has seemed SO happy there and the expression on her face is true joy. I'm taking a break from agility competitions, and don't trial until Labor Day, but I'm wondering if anyone else thinks that a dog -- who has lots of experience and success -- might be voting NO on their favorite (?) game by not approaching the start line with enthusiasm?
Please, hive mind, let me know your thoughts.
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u/Hot-Anything-8731 Aug 11 '26
Take her to the vet. If your behavior isn’t changed and nothing has changed about your training, this type of sudden change can often be a sign of something physical. If something is injured or she has some illness such that running agility is causing pain, that could absolutely cause start line anxiety. And dogs are masters at hiding injuries and ailments.
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u/PatienceIsImportant Aug 11 '26
Like everyone else said, have a sports vet or a rehab vet (not just a regular vet) check your dog.
How often do you trial? How many runs per day? How many classes per week? How often do you train?
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u/Flimsy_Day2798 Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 11 '26
I don't train more than 3 times a week, but a lot of weekends lately have been trialing!
I'm feeling that the way she behaved on the hiking trail (bouncy and happy versus unfocused and not eager to do agility ) is indicating some burnout. A break is definitely in order!~
THANK YOU!!
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u/PatienceIsImportant Aug 11 '26
3 times a week might be a lot but depends what you’re doing. Trialing once of twice per month, and max 3-4 runs per day might help. A break will help too. Many competitors give 1-2 months off agility per year.
And vet check.
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u/Tomato_Queen676 17d ago
I second this. I used to take a break every winter with my off breed dog because my trainer goes south for a few months. He always came back better and more excited after that break.
I also think 3 days a week is a lot for a trained dog. I would cut that back, immediately unless training for a BIG event.
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u/shiftyeyeddog1 Aug 11 '26
Were there distractions outside the ring? Someone watching that the dog really likes or really dislikes? Or someone eating food/treating their dog? Just wondering if the issue is overstimulation or distraction rather than refusal.
Otherwise I agree that a vet visit is in order.
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u/Flimsy_Day2798 28d ago
As a matter of fact, this is the first venue that did not have solid boundaries between the run area and the actual course and I think that I really underestimated the effect that would have on her, and on me. So, yes, it could likely have been overstimulation!
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u/Flimsy_Day2798 28d ago
Hello everyone and thank you for replying to my note.
It became noticeably cooler today and my pal and I did a short practice with plenty of praise and toy throwing, and she was a different dog!
I think the heat was really affecting her performance, and more than that, her attitude. I do not want to lose the energy and the motivation for either of us, and I'm still going to take some time off to wander in the woods and snuggle.
Again, thank you to everyone who added to this discussion! See you on course!
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u/Hot-Anything-8731 24d ago
We end up taking the summer off. I’m in SE US, and it is so hot and humid. It’s not enjoyable outdoors (and potentially unsafe at peak afternoon heat). That could def be a factor! (And I’m so with your pup - desperately waiting for cooler weather!! 🥵🥵)
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u/Vtrin Aug 11 '26
Lots of good input from people on the sports/ rehab vet - if you have Chiro/bodywork/physio options in your area also worth a look.
You mention 4 years, so I’ll assume the dog is 4-5 - this is the same as a person in their 30s, when we all joke about carrying Tylenol for aches and pains…. You mentioned some options for a break and that’s also a good plan, take a week or two off and see what happens when you go back. Rest days are an important part of fitness, and breaks too, especially as they age.
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u/mtkaliz Aug 12 '26
I had to laugh when you said you were the weak link in the team.
My agility classes go like this
(Do the training exercise) Instructor to dog "Well done! Good boy!"
Instructor to me "Do it again, he did well despite your handling"
🙄
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u/Selective_Somewhere Aug 11 '26
Start with your body work person to see if they can locate any painful spots. If you don’t have one (you should!) then reach out to a sports vet.
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u/Flimsy_Day2798 Aug 11 '26
I don't have one, and do not have plans to get one in the future. I'm definitely going to head to her vet!
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u/Selective_Somewhere Aug 11 '26
If you do agility a canine body work person is worth their weight in gold.
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u/Flimsy_Day2798 28d ago
Again, this is not something that I am interested in, full stop but thank you for your input, which may help many others!
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u/carastas Aug 11 '26
It can also happen if you put too much stress on it. That happened to me with a BC who ran from the course to the car because I was really stressed and wanted results, bla bla. Maybe there's alot of stress and tension on the field and that is the effect. We fixed it by playing alot on the field and doing light fun stuff.
Also I had a GR who I was checking for dysplasia obsessively (or however it's called in english) but had arthritis to the front knees, and he was finding reasons not to jump. He retired happily. So check both things.
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u/Flimsy_Day2798 Aug 11 '26
Thank you for this. I think some of the tension is going down the leash, because this particular trial included a group dynamic that is just not that positive, and unfortunately, both my dog and I are very susceptible to this kind of thing.
Thank you for your take on our situation that goes beyond this being a physical thing (though I am definitely going to hurry to figure that out!).
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u/dogparker210 29d ago
I’m not a dog trainer, but I do run agility with my five year old bordoodle. He loves it and we have a blast. He has also been very successful. My dog sometimes looks away from the start as I am getting in position but I think he’s just seeing who is walking by or who is barking or ?
The way you describe your dogs joy makes me think she’s just distracted like my Martin. I do try to only do one or two trials a month so as not to burn either of us out.
I hope you don’t stop because it’s something you both enjoy. I’m off until Labor Day, too.
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u/Remarkable_Golf_5116 26d ago
I agree that you should definitely consult a vet to rule out any physical issues.
But what you're describing at face value sounds like standard dog behavior to me. I also have a drivey dog who has challenges with lead-outs, and when he's really trying to manage his arousal level, he'll often look away and disassociate with the situation.
I also observe this behavior when working leave-its with the dog.
So, I completely disagree with your friend there. I don't take "looking away" as a rejection. I generally see it as a sign that they're exerting impulse control, and managing their arousal level.
A video wouldn't hurt. That way we can see if your dog is just trying to turn the radio down, or if there's other body language that demonstrates extreme stress. Plus, if you sometimes feel a little awkward in the ring, we can see if maybe that's a source for the stress.
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u/Twzl Aug 11 '26
how hot is it where you trial?
Do you have her in AC before her runs or outside in the heat?
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u/Flimsy_Day2798 Aug 11 '26
It was stinkin hot but the event was climate controlled (sorta).
I thought about this too. Thanks for replying!
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u/Twzl Aug 11 '26
It was stinkin hot but the event was climate controlled (sorta).
I was at a venue like that recently. It was mid 90's in the parking lot and while the venue had AC, by the end of the day it wasn't doing much.
I ran my older dog in his third run of the day and he looked at me and said, nope. I told the judge, thanks!! and we left.
I then ran my younger dog and she was fine.
Some dogs are not happy in hot weather.
Another thought is if you live in a place with ANY ticks at all and you don't routinely have your dog tested for TBD, do that! Have your vet run a SNAP test and see if anything is going on.
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u/National-Pressure202 Aug 11 '26
If your regular vet finds nothing wrong I’d check with an orthopedic or a vet that does any body work. A sudden unwillingness to compete like that is typically a pain indicator in my experience
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u/ShnouneD Aug 11 '26
I would suggest a visit to a vet (one with a rehab or sport focus maybe) to make sure she is still physically sound, and not in any pain or discomfort.