[Amy Sannes]

>You can slow down & elongate the soft turn verbals so they don’t sound the same as the more rapidfire go go go verbals.
Thank you for mentioning this. I’ve been deliberate in choosing words/sounds that are distinct from one another, but I haven’t thought about how I say them.

>Looking at the rear crosses:
Thank you for breaking these down. It’s timing I need to practice.

>I am not concerned about the sitting – when we add a target at the end and the board is moving, it is highly unlikely that he will sit.
Good to know. I won’t worry about it. I’m excited about nonchalant he is with the teeter height and movement and backing onto it.

Today we played the rest of the Wingin’ It game. I definitely practiced before and between reps to plan my piece. It went pretty well. A few questions at the end of the racetracks related to my change of motion, I’m sure. Also a few miscues (verbals) – though Skizzle reads the body language correctly as the salient cue.

We also tried the Straight Line – 4 ways.
Pretty good, all in all. I need more practice with timing and positioning.

[Amy Sannes]

>You can build up to doing 3 or 4 in a row and adding the race tracks around the outside too.
I will have to look this up and try it. I have a habit of focusing on the baby level and skipping the next step (see backsides question 😉 Though my focus is better this session, and we’re getting caught up on some concepts.

So today we went back to MP2 and tried the wind in my hair exercise, including the backsides (that was the advanced level!). Mostly went well – probably better than my handling deserves (thanks, Skizzle) – but a few places where my handling was unclear and he let me know. From working on this, it is clear we could benefit from trying it again – both for the directional blind crosses and for the backsides. We’d both benefit if I used the intended directional word for the blinds, and if I said it earlier, and if I moved more clearly to the middle of the jump from the wing (or some of this). The L-run definitely didn’t work, like you said it wouldn’t 😉 For the backsides, I need a better plan for myself than to stop moving, as I can see his questions about that. I think you said to keep running around the jump – not sure why I didn’t try it (next time).

We also did a little teeter work – both Mountain Climber and 4-on with backing. Trying to reward before the sit (and rewarded a down once, too). I might intermingle moving from 2-on to 4-on to see if it helps with that. I could also remain silent and wait for him to move…instead of “beep beep” for each one; I think him rhythm was better without the words.

[Amy Sannes]

Hi Tracy –

Thanks again for your patience and your encouraging feedback!

I’ve put down the backsides lessons as something to review – hopefully before repeating the Straight Lines game.

>He had one question about the wrap towards you: the decel at :54…
Thanks for deconstructing this moment! I can see that I moved strangely (fumbling/hesitatingly/in-anticipation of the end ?) – and yes, he noticed. (He’s really making some speedy direction-changes!)

>I grabbed screenshots of those question moments so you can see what he was seeing.
Yes! Super helpful. I love video for demonstrating exactly what I’m doing in the moment – and hopefully I can help my brain adapt. Overall theme – is to be IN the moment (so if I’m thinking about where I’ll go after he exits the tunnel/takes the jump, I can not be moving there early).

>Space. It is a trade off – you have plenty of space for now, and at some point you can see if there are places you can rent or drop into a class? Do I remember correctly that Monica Bush isn’t too far from you?
Yes, there are in fact other people who practice agility with their dogs here 😉 …including Monica Bush. I need to reach out and bring the agility game further than my backyard. It’s my summer plan to get in plenty of agility.

Today we had an easier time of things with Wingin’ It and Looking Ahead.

Here’s our Wingin’ It. I was still a little fumbly (despite taking some time to plan my moves). I didn’t catch on, until reviewing the video, that going to 2 wings would require moving the toy from one hand to the other (or gesturing with the toy in the hand on the 1st wing). And I left you Skizzle’s bark of frustration. Bless him! That this is the first bark I’ve heard. And hopefully it’s not to continue (barking is not for me).

And Looking Ahead. Compared to the Pinwheel and Wrap Exercises, it seemed like a break (for my brain). I moved the jump – from 15′ to 18′ to 21′ and moved the wing as well.
I think maybe I was a little lazy in my movements – since it was the running parallel that was harder for Skizzle when I played the first version the second time.
Things I noticed…at 00:13 he takes off way early for the jump.
At the end, I try to get fancy w/ tunnel-wrap-tunnel-jump. But I’m not in the right place to cue to the wrap – and stepping backwards brings him to me.
On the whole – a fun, flowy session.

[Amy Sannes]

Thanks again for the feedback!
>The blind at 2:08 was my favorite! It was the most on-time to start & finish it, so he had a great line there!
It’s nice to know where I’m putting things together better.

>That might have had more to do with your motion – when you slowed down, he slowed down. When you ran – he was still very zippy and fast.
Yes – thank you for pointing this out. I can keep the feet moving to support his movement for now.

We tried Straight Lines – Four Ways, except we only did 3 (no backsides). Speaking of – I feel like I missed (skipped) the backsides lesson…can you point me to what that lesson might be called?

Also – he took the tunnel the “wrong” way (aka following my body language) once – is there a verbal for intentionally sending them to the far side of the tunnel (was that in week 1, maybe? – I feel like I can see Contraband and you doing this.)

Had a lot of fun with this! Skizzle demonstrated each place where my handling body language and/or verbals were not clear or there was disconnection. I can see I was showing him my backside most of the time when he didn’t go where I had intended for him to go. He was pretty amped up, esp. at the start. I left in his early re-run on his own with the toy 🙂 for your entertainment!

I forgot about squishing the tunnel shorter (& straighter) – will have to try that on the next attempt and see if I can work the angles to squeeze in the single jump, too. I might do better, as well to have a more scripted plan (go, wrap inside, BC/FC + wrap away, backside).
Until this week, I thought I had plenty of space for agility practice here. It’s still a total luxury for where I live, and completely adequate. But now I have space envy.

Thought I’d try the camera angle from the end (to see his commitment over that jump), but it’s easier to see the way I had it in the first part. (You are amazingly flexible with this – please LMK if I’m cutting out things you’re interested in seeing).

[Amy Sannes]

Hi Tracy –

>When you revisit this, the next step is to get him to put his front feet on the board too when he is backing up, so he ends up in the 4-on position.
Ok!

Here’s more play with the pinwheel and tunnel – the fluffy blinds and fronts.
I think when I give him clear cues early enough, he does really well. It seems like he’s listening nicely. I need the practice more – saying the correct word and being in the proper position are a challenge for me. This is the whole of what we did today (minus some play). I need to stay organized, because by the end, he was more flat. So I need to keep sessions a little shorter. I had a bowl at the side – and he used that as an opt out once.

We’ve also continued playing on the teeter. Tried the mountain climber. I think he’s doing great with this.

[Amy Sannes]

Hi Tracy –

Thanks for the great feedback!
>Yes, I think that is the most important thing: pointing at the jump blocks connection while turning your shoulders and feet away from the line, so he would look at you or come off the line.
I can clearly see how my body language leads to his behavior. It’s pretty consistent feedback for me!

I’ve continued with backing onto the teeter. Here is another synopsis of a few steps – starting with no movement in this location (inside), then have 2 increases in movement. He does well with those, as well as taking a toy (because he wouldn’t eat to start) and then taking food, and with me changing position a bit. He did better than I anticipated – we’ll take it!

We also did some more wrap work (mostly for me). Here’s a bit of that. My back is unhappy, so didn’t lug the tunnel out today. Self assessment – better at not throwing the arms around, but still need to focus on keeping eye-contact with Skizzle.

[Amy Sannes]

>There is also an anti-perfect element to this game: we humans cannot be relied upon to be perfect and we really love it when the dogs take the jump anyway
Love this! I think one of the most important pieces to learning is what to do when all doesn’t go right. I did some of this today – and missed the opportunity some of the time. Given where we are, I should pre-plan for when he goes around the jump instead of over, or not into the tunnel, etc.

We tried concept transfer wraps. I practiced without Skizzle first. I still had trouble when he joined – but probably less than if I hadn’t practiced first. I can do better at cuing the soft left and right for the middle jump of the pinwheel. And I can use less arms or stop pointing at the jumps. I should also cue something or throw the toy when the unexpected happens – instead of stalling out, making weird noises, or throwing up my hands (all punishers to Skizzle).
Skizzle has lots of questions here. When I’m decelerating to cue the wrap, should I also use my verbal for the wrap? Was the Mission Transition lesson without the verbal – to try to help the dog learn that the cue IS the decel?

[Amy Sannes]

>And I love the wings you’ve added – is that a mountain and a speedskater?
Yes! Mountain, speedskater and cactus. I think artwork on wings should be a thing!

> I am also happy to see that his jumping form stays lovely even when he is going super fast.
I’m glad you’re noticing for me! I’m in a handling bubble, but good to be reminded that the dog’s form is important going forward.

>Keep trying to use (verbals) sooner plus you can say the several times to be sure he processes them.
Yes! I watched the lesson about timing and saying the cue for the next thing when the dogs feet hit the ground for the jump. I need way more of this.

>And before changing the setup, you can add the challenge of you being ahead of him.
Ha! Probably an important part of the exercise that I missed by not moving on the first round. We tried again – and this is definitely challenging.

So, here’s our latest.

Teeter Movement. Started easy – low angle, on grass, no bang, little movement. There’s a short section (before backing up) where I increased the amount it moved. And the backing up had no movement. I was pleased with all of this. Plan to move on to backing onto a moving teeter.

Here’s more Looking Ahead – same baby level, going the other way. With the handler moving more…trying to run up the line to be at the jump or past when Skizzle gets there. 1st try – I lost connection, at 00:29, I have ok connection. At 00:36, I went – “oh, I should be over there” – and pulled Skizzle with me, esp. since no connection at tunnel exit. At 1:18, I think he’s figured out his route…suspect my handling could still use some help (?).

Thanks for all the great feedback! I was talking to my dad today about our agility practice. He was telling me about watching agility on TV and how the announcer was pointing out the handler’s connection or loss of connection with their dogs. I told him Skizzle was teaching me all about it! 🙂

[Amy Sannes]

>It was more of a connection issue and probably his harder turn direction.
I knew you’d have handling help for the misses 😉 In an earlier agility class, the instructor said don’t be an 80’s disco dancer (with your arm movement in agility). It’s always stuck with me – something my brain goes to when I need to stop flailing my arms around.
>keep moving and keep the big connection… but don’t use your arms 🙂
This sounds great to me – I can focus on connection and not worry about the arms. Less is more. Also – if in doubt, point at the dog.

We played the baby Looking Ahead Game. I cut out a couple reps – but no big errors. This seemed to go great. We avoid a few problems because of the small space, but I was still tickled by his forward focus to the jump. And it definitely seems like he knows what some of the verbals mean! Upon review, I’m mostly cuing him super late (though I did say “over” before the tunnel once!). Am I even supposed to be using verbals for this exercise (?)
I did measure out the 15 feet from tunnel exit to jump…tried to used the long part of the yard. Next setup, I’ll back the tunnel more, go the other way (I think we only went his preferred direction today), and play with the distance of the more advanced version.

[Amy Sannes]

Hi Tracy –

We’re on a roll with working on things, so trying the next exercises. It’s starting to feel like someday we’ll play agility for real 🙂

We could both benefit if I would take a minute to practice what I’m going to do without the dog first…but I’m a little inpatient and running up against the end of daylight…but I’ve said it, so maybe I’ll try it now and again 🙂 All to say, I feel a bit discombobulated some of the time…like “oh, I’m in the wrong spot” – throw toy! Also having trouble cue word-finding in the moment – so a few random “go”s where directional cues are what my brain thinks I should be saying.

We started with Wingin’ It

And then tried the Send ‘N Go. More misses in this one – mostly because I lose my connection with him (showing him my back as I rotate away from him). With the multiple missed yellow jumps – makes me wonder if there’s something about the grass there (like it’s dirty where poop was) that he doesn’t like…though I suspect you may have handling suggestions that are a simpler explanation (?)

[Amy Sannes]

Hi Tracy –

>I think he is learning how great it is – there was a definite increase in his interest in moving it, lots of good reps, and happy engagement.
Thanks for the encouragement! We’ll keep trying things…dampening around the base is easier than manufacturing something new, so I appreciate the suggestion.

I’m having a lot of fun working on these exercises with Skizzle! He seems to be having fun, as well.

Here’s a raised plank…atop concrete block, so maybe 9 inches above ground. He comes off of it more quickly than when it was lower. It very likely has more side-to-side movement than when it was lower, as well. I think he does pretty well.

And from a couple days ago, our re-do of the lazy game step one. He’s a little more excited than he was on the wet grass. And he pointed out that I need to fill my jump wings ;). Soundtrack is birds that have come to celebrate early spring.

And then our lazy game steps 2-3. Crafty wing fill complete. More thanks to the neighbor kids for distracting noises (interesting how it seems so loud on video when I hardly notice in the moment). Before I watched, I thought maybe I wasn’t lazy enough, but looking at it, I’m constrained to lazy because it’s a tight setup with jumps and tunnel close together.

Wings

[Amy Sannes]

Hi. Here’s our next attempt at wobbling. His paw taps are very cute (almost want to capture this as a trick), but not helping him learn how great underfoot movement of things is.

Here’s our next round on the plank… elevated a little more than the previous session. He does great here.

I may try to create a less wobbly board, or I may move on and attach the teeter plank to the base and see if things go all right at 1/2 Inch off ground (strongly suspect that he’ll be just fine with it).

[Amy Sannes]

Thanks Tracy.

This plank work was in the morning, with wet grass that he sometimes has an “ew” response to. Was happy he worked as well as he did.

Yes. Can elevate the plank and have him on and off at different spots and turning to get more comfortable.

Here’s our wobble board work. I wish I had a less wobbly board. He’s a little more hesitant than he was many months ago when we last wobbled. Seems like he knows the game, and evident we’ve worked on a nose freeze/chinrest (for nosework).

[Amy Sannes]

We’ll get back to the lazy handler drill soon…with softer treats and/or the lotus ball.

This morning, we tried the plank. This was Skizzle’s first encounter with this plank – and I think he did great. The softer treats (string cheese) worked great.
I’m back to my old habit of mostly clicking vs. “get it” – will continue to try to use my words.

[Amy Sannes]

Thanks for the feedback.
> to let him know when it is the wing versus when it is the toy in your hand, keep using your directionals but also use a marker for the toy. Sometimes he was getting the toy, sometimes you wanted the wing, so he was not sure which. The toy marker will help a lot.
Ah yes, “use your words!” Will try to do this. I’m sure he would appreciate it if I could give him more clues 😉

Also appreciate the feedback to stay upright and look at him! Will also try this. Definitely would benefit from practicing without Skizzle for a few reps.

We tried some backsides – I think the example was proofing, but I thought we could start without the tunnel distraction/proofing first (that was probably an exercise I skipped over). I do have sincere thanks to the neighbor kids on the trampoline and the neighbor dogs barking – to help with environmental distractions.

If my notes are right, I think tomorrow or Wednesday is the last day to post…this likely will be my last one. Thanks for another great course! I don’t feel like we’re ready for the MaxPup3, but plan to sign up anyways to have the progression for next steps available.

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