[Denise Baker]

Shifting connection exercises

Exercise 1 Wilder

Exercise 2 Lap turn Wilder

Exercise 3 Throwback wrap (spin) Wilder (this was so hard – we really worked on this and it is me having difficulty; not the dogs) and Ending Sequence.

Lit’l Bit – quick clips

[Denise Baker]

thanks Tracy – than makes sense to me. Do you have any videos of working pups through the wing serp exercise?

[Denise Baker]

Working on Serp exits (and a few other serp skills) in this video. Based on your prior feedback, I was sending more to the tunnel so I could be at the exit wing on the first jump in the serp and just started with walking through the exercises. Then we added more jumps and speed.
In agility class last week we were asked to stand at the end of 3 jumps setup for 3 jump serp and perform the exercise just using our verbal and arms. It was not a good exercise (will remember to modify in class what I need for success) but it did remind me that I need to work serps more. So I added a few examples of what we are working on.

[Denise Baker]

Thanks Tracy – yes I do agree with you about sending to jump and leaving/turning earlier. I am working not breaking connection with Wilder when I lead out – seems to be working.

Sequences for regular and exit line connection below: he did not break his stay once in these and I believe I completed 2 reverse spins before he took the jump (or fairly close to that.) Watching in slow mode on Youtube video on my PC is so helpful compared to trying to watch playback on my iphone.

[Denise Baker]

Yes your comments made sense to me.
I’ll watch the shoulders and work on connection.

These are the last videos I have to post:
Pkg 4 – Front side of jump choices

Lit’l Bit
Sequence 1 & 3

Wilder
Sequence 1 & 3

thanks so much for your help – really enjoyed this course! Looking forward to more.

[Denise Baker]

Package 5 Sequences and Skill Sets – I am behind in my posting videos but we have been practicing!
Sequences were harder than I expected for us – broke down the problem areas and rewarded successes.

Master Sequence 1 – this was hardest for us: every time I called him from tunnel #5 he turned away to take off course jump #1.

This video is our “Clean Run”

Master Sequence 2 – also some difficult spots.

Pkg 5 skill sets
Bar before tunnel: I realized when working through this set that I have never asked for a “set point” into a sequence (not even 1 tunnel.) It has always been handler lead out, stay stationary and release dog. This was a struggle for Wilder so we worked set points alone then tried again with the tunnel. Not there yet…

Bar after tunnel and backside after tunnel:
good on just the bar; progress on backside after tunnel then he kept going straight (will try shorter practice sessions.)

[Denise Baker]

Thank you Tracey and I do agree with your analysis. Interesting to go back and watch videos after a review from you.
I feel it is best to get out ahead and lead (even if I am a bit too slow) than wait for dog and work from the rear. When we are on full courses and they are ahead the rear crosses work well for both of them.

Are you offering more Handler Toolbox classes this year?

[Denise Baker]

Pkg 4, Front side of Jump decision, sequence 3

*Note – my camera is behind the tunnel so I can’t see exact time of exit and entrance on tunnel so might be off 1/2 second but that’s all. Fairly close on all options; wrap looked slower but was actually the same and less yardage.*

***WILDER’S RUNS*** I am pacing myself for his jumping on #5 as he has been consistently hitting this bar – when we go past 18 feet he has issues. Keeping my mouth shut and staying connected.

Below are the number of steps for each option and Wilder’s time. I did 4 options.
Steps to slice to left – 23 steps
Blind cross before jump #3 – 7 seconds (slowest but could be my handling)
Rear cross before jump #3 – 5 seconds
Switch on flat before jump #3 – 5 seconds
Steps to wrap to right – 22 steps; 5 seconds

***LIT’L BIT’S RUNS***
Below are the number of steps for each option and Lit’l Bit’s time. I did 4 options.
Steps to slice to left – 23 steps
Blind cross before jump #3 – 5 seconds (I am late on this BC which caused her extra time)
Rear cross before jump #3 – 5 seconds
Steps to wrap to right – 22 steps; 5 seconds
Switch on flat before jump #3 – 5 seconds

[Denise Baker]

thank you – I took all the pups out tonight to try 5 to 7 and only managed it with my oldest girl.

After #5 when I pulled the dog, could I use the “get out” command while moving forward on a parallel line heading to the wing of #6 jump?

I am posting my runs out of order. I had a few runs posted on 8/9/20 with Lit’l Bit – she is back in action but we are taking it slow.

thanks,

[Denise Baker]

Pkg 4, Master Sequence #3 with Wilder

I only taped our run – forgot to hit the record button for the walk thru.
Everything went as planned except at jump #6. I slowed down while he was taking jump #5 so I could pull him in and continue onto #6 slicing jump to the left. Instead it looked like a switch and he turned to the right so I wrapped #6 to the right.
Watching video I felt my FC at #8 was late but I am trying to not rotate too early and end up waiting for him on those long stretches – that is when bars come down or he disengages.
I was pleased with this run and didn’t repeat it.

[Denise Baker]

Question on ZigZag exercises – sorry if this is a late post but I finally have time to read other people’s post. This is an interesting topic – what is the reason for the Zigzag work? Related to serp exercises?

I’d like to try these with my guys – thanks.

[Denise Baker]

My videos are out of order – but having fun running both dogs again.
Lit’l Bit is cleared to run again – doing a few sequences with her right now.

Pkg 4, Front side of Jump decision, sequence 3
*Note – my camera is behind the tunnel so I can’t see exact time of exit and entrance on tunnel so might be off 1/2 second but that’s all. Fairly close on all options; wrap looked slower but was actually the same and less yardage.*

***WILDER’S RUNS*** I am pacing myself for his jumping on #5 as he has been consistently hitting this bar – when we go past 18 feet he has issues. Keeping my mouth shut and staying connected.

Below are the number of steps for each option and Wilder’s time. I did 4 options.
Steps to slice to left – 23 steps
Blind cross before jump #3 – 7 seconds (slowest but could be my handling)
Rear cross before jump #3 – 5 seconds
Switch on flat before jump #3 – 5 seconds
Steps to wrap to right – 22 steps; 5 seconds

***LIT’L BIT’S RUNS***
Below are the number of steps for each option and Lit’l Bit’s time. I did 4 options.
Steps to slice to left – 23 steps
Blind cross before jump #3 – 5 seconds (I am late on this BC which caused her extra time)
Rear cross before jump #3 – 5 seconds
Steps to wrap to right – 22 steps; 5 seconds
Switch on flat before jump #3 – 5 seconds

• This reply was modified 4 years, 10 months ago by Denise Baker.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 10 months ago by Denise Baker.

[Denise Baker]

I’m excited after watching the decision making front side and back side videos. These are the best explanations I have heard so thank you for that. My agility instructor asks us this question during every class but my option is usually the opposite of what she has in mind and then she wants everyone to do the same thing. I don’t like “cookie cutter” approach to training.
Now I can give a valid reason for my choices (which will 90% of the time be a slice for Wilder.)
Hope my yard is dry enough to play tonight.

[Denise Baker]

Pkg 4, Master Sequence #2

I included a side-by-side of walk thru and our first attempt.
Had 2 faults on first attempt so I modified my handling and we ran it again. Unfortunately in my editing for the side-by-side portion I deleted sound on the 2nd run.
Basically I was saying that I did not like my first handling attempt; Wilder ran slower than I expected and I had plenty of time to get ahead of him and handle instead of pulling him.

Push to the backsides continue to be about 25% accurate, so on this one I did a forced blind cross on #4 which allowed me more motion on #5 and got me up the line to BC before the tunnel.

Much happier with the 2nd attempt.

thanks,

[Denise Baker]

Wilder’s vision – you are correct; when he is doing distance he does not have to focus on me and his jumping is much better and I do try to keep a certain distance ahead of him.

First run – he was much slower than I expected and it put my timing off (he is faster in class.) On the 2nd run I remembered to rev him up with very quiet READDDDY! That has made such a difference and he was faster on the 2nd run which could be another reason he pulled off the tunnel – I wasn’t far enough along to push that line.

Hand touches – since our earlier classes this year we have worked about 1,000 hand touches. He will now come running and give me a light grazing with his beard but I’ll take it. At least he is coming to me and is always rewarded in practice.

I’ll be posting my 2nd run today. We taped before the sun was up and did a better job.

thanks for the feedback

[Author]

Posts