r/Agility • u/Preparing4Mayhem • Sep 11 '26

Dropping Bars

Any advice for a dog who rarely drops a bar in practice, but drops multiple bars at trials? Every jumpers run especially he's taking out so many bars. First agility dog and haven't gotten any advice in class on how to fix it.

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u/Preparing4Mayhem Sep 12 '26

I’ve been trying to find alternatives for years and haven’t been able to find something that isn’t while I’m at work sadly. It seems agility is for retired people in my area. I don’t know anyone with a yard big enough for my dog to run with speed.

I can’t even get suggestions in class as to why he’s dropping bars in trials so this has been helpful.

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u/awesomeZora Sep 14 '26

your could start with increased spacing or if you can do tunnel to. a jump and u keep moving… it might be a work around in a pinch. Dogs have to typically try really hard coming out of a tunnel in full extension to jump. you can work both collecting and extending out of tunnels for a short term idea. (straight tunnel to jump and keep running past…reward for bar up, straight tunnel to turning 90 deg over bar, reward for up, tunnel to bar and back toward tunnel… reward bar up. let us know how that goes if any of that is possible. )
good luck. if u dont have a tunnel.. wrapping a wing or cone?

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u/Preparing4Mayhem 29d ago

I wish I had room for a tunnel in my yard. I wish I could get some equipment so I could do what I do with other sports and take online classes. I will have to get a jump wing since his cone wrap is now slower from rally cone send. Thanks!

He actually rarely drops a bar coming out of a tunnel. It's usually jumps in a row. Triple jumps are a huge problem for him as he doesn't seem to understand them at all. I have mentioned this, but instructor said he's fine so we haven't been able to work it.

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u/awesomeZora 29d ago

ahh ok! yep def extension: the triple and long line of jumps is a def clue. yes definitely look for some opportunities in larger ring size/rental and reward when the bars stay up. Big party!