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Hi Barb, I was able to video Strut on Week 2 today. This is where we have gotten stuck. The poles are at 6’ apart. I misread your directions when you mentioned that you re sat Classy. I thought you meant you re sat after the reward before sending on to the second set of poles. So, in this video I did re sit Strut a couple of times. He seems to be gainjng understanding on the off side entries but is pretty clueless about the on side entries. My thought is that onside, he is bending away from me on the second set of poles, while off side he is bending back toward me. On the one set he was OK on both sides.
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Hi Carol,
Thanks so much for the video. One of the things I really like is Strut loves to work and play with you. Such a benefit for training.
A quick question… Is there a reason that your one foot is always ahead of the other when you set up your position. You should be having both toes together and facing the “first” pole. I see you are deliberately doing this on all your set ups.
I am also seeing that your set up for the second set is not always consistent. Sometimes he is sitting. Sometimes moving right away. If you look for that you’ll see it’s your body changes that is confusing the cue. Also, sometimes you are moving before Strut is committed to the weaves. Your body motion is the main cue for him so he moves with that without finding the weaves.
A suggestion: Think of the second set of poles as just another “first” set. Be consistent with both your body and Struts. And don’t be in a hurry. I like to make sure there is accuracy at every level before I start going for speed. The number of errors Strut is making tells me he is trying however he is unclear at the moment.
Does this help? Is there something else that might be helpful for you?
Barb
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Good morning, Barb. Thanks for your reply.
is there a reason that your one foot is always ahead of the other when you set up your position.
Yes. Strut is EXTREMELY foot oriented. I can not think of anytime I would be approaching the weaves that I would not have my dog side foot facing the first pole entry, so decided to put that in place from the beginning.
I am also seeing that your set up for the second set is not always consistent. Sometimes he is sitting.
Yes, the sometimes sitting was my mis interpretation of the written directions when you mentioned that you reset your dog before starting. I read it as meaning you were sitting him/her in front of the second set of poles to reorient. Then I realized it was the one sit stay she/he broke that you had reset not the second entry. I left that footage in because I also hoped it might help him to reorient to the second set of poles because we have been struggling for awhile. It didn’t help!
sometimes you are moving before Strut is committed to the weaves. Your body motion is the main cue for him so he moves with that without finding the weaves.
I recognized that, also, when reviewing the video. Thanks
Think of the second set of poles as just another “first” set. Be consistent with both your body and Struts.
Now, if I am facing the first pole on the first set, then treating the second set of poles as just another entry, am I not supposed to pivot to face that second set as Strut approaches? I do think that is throwing him off, as mentioned above, but not sure what to do about it.
And don’t be in a hurry. I like to make sure there is accuracy at every level before I start going for speed.
Honestly, I am not asking for speed!! This is Strut in everything he does. He only knows one speed……full out…..which does make it more difficult for me to get the timing and cues correct for him.
My Master Level sheltie is just as fast, but he is totally obstacle focused while Strut is totally Handler focused and I am working very hard to even that out. But for now, it is NOT an even playing field.
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I totally understand what you are saying about your feet. However with my program your feet will not even be in the picture. I don’t know if you know Kathy McHugh who brought Rolex through my program last year. In her first open jumpers class she was a good 30 feet or more away from Rolex when she signaled the weaves. You believe you will be beside him. That isn’t the outcome of the program. If you watch my video with Jack you will see I am already building distance. It would be easier for me to help you if you will go along with the class guidelines. Changing your feet produces an inconsistency that may be confusing for him. In the beginning accuracy on both your part and Strut’s is vital.
And when I set up the second set, my toes are pointed to those poles as though they are the first poles — consistency for both dog and handler through the entire program. I think that may be creating some of his mistakes. If you watch, the second set is not consistent with the first. What you are doing is creating anticipatory behavior for the second set which will lead to Strut offering the correct behavior shortly.
I also suggest you stop thinking as though he will be beside you when you run.
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Thanks Carol. I know you will be happier with the results.
BTW, Kathy came to my course last year with Rolex. She told me she had little faith in my program because she had tried every program with him. However, she followed my guidelines and stayed with the program. She is now able to send him to the weaves from 30 or more feet. If you stay true, your feet will hardly be in the picture. There is so much reinforcement value with the weaves that Strut will work his butt off to find them no matter how far. You’ll rarely be close.
Also, the dogs know there job so well you will be able to peel off and go to the next obstacle or sequence with the dog remaining in the poles.
Thanks for your patience and understanding.
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