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[deleted] t1_ithaobm wrote

Reply to comment by Gedunk in TIL that the dogs in competitive agility don’t rehearse the course ahead of time. The courses are randomized at each competition, and the trainers (without their dogs) only see the layout beforehand on the same day. When the dog runs the course they are literally seeing it for the first time. by Pyraunus

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nathhad t1_ithd1e7 wrote

Most dogs were originally bred to have jobs, and an awful lot of them will be downright sad if they don't have one. Few things in the world happier than a dog who knows they have a job and like the job they do ...

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Gedunk t1_ithddms wrote

A lot of breeds need a "job" to do. They're eager to please and need to be challenged physically and mentally. Herding dogs in particular (Border Collies, ACDs, Shetland Sheepdogs etc) live for this type of thing. They've been bred to drive livestock, so they are good at following commands and reading body language of the handler from a distance. A perfect fit for agility.

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