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Darn!! There is a duplicate of the video. I’ll figure out how to undo (it’s been a while) and then resend. Might be able to do via email to you all.
Carol,
I am reviewing your video again. One thing I just noticed on the 6-1 side is Strut is FACING FORWARD!! OMG!! That is awesome and half the battle. A dog facing forward is “thinking” about the entry. I have a dog in one of my classes who does that also. He rarely misses an entry. And when he does and doesn’t get reinforced, he “fixes” it for the next time. What a wonderful dog you have!!
You are also already giving Strut some distance from the poles. This is a great start. He is finding the entry without being on top of the poles. One thing I am observing is there is a bit of tentativeness on that side of the poles. I want you to know I expect that with most dogs. Their behavior on that side is not quite as clear as the other side where they simply wrap the first pole. So be patient on this side and give it 10% more reinforcement than his easier side.
Keep up the good work!!! I’m like Pavlov — sitting on your shoulder 🙂
Thank you Carol.
Could you possibly check to see if you can access the new lesson? Thank you once again!
WOW Carol!!! I am taking a cursory quick look as I have to run off to teach. I will add more later. However, my quick glance tells me this is awesome!!! One thing I did notice is the other dog. Could I ask you to put that dog away for training so Strut has ALL your attention? He’s doing so well he deserves it. I’ll add more later.
OMT, I think some people may be having difficulty adding videos to the Forum. You appear well versed in the subject. Could you use my email to explain to them how you did this? Thank you.
Hi Donna,
First, THANK YOU for wanting to do things right. I love it when someone is invested in the program. Have you done any obedience? Pivots are used frequently in obedience. Pivots are small movements made with your feet/body/shoulders to slightly change position. I teach pivots to my students with an X on the floor. They have to keep their feet under them and move around to different positions. For example, a right about turn would be a 180 degree pivot facing the opposite direction. In agility, you want to keep your feet under you so they don’t become a distraction to the dog.For example: I had a student who would pivot and throw her left leg “out.” She didn’t realize that this motion was a cue to her sheltie to move away from her. My experiences with various groups and breeds have taught me that herding dogs are much more sensitive to these actions. So with shelties, border collies, etc. we have to be very aware or our movements and motions.
Does this help?
Hi Carol,
I love the names you give your dogs!! You will find that some days are better than others. I am helping my students understand the neuroscience of learning. We are creating new neural pathways with this program. It is important then that we do not use training from the past that may confuse things. This program is designed to teach you how to teach your dog to look for and FIND the entry with little help from you. For most people this is brand new thinking. Therefore the need to allow time for new neural pathways. There is a saying: “Neurons that fire together, wire together.” If you are clear, concise and consistent even in the beginning you will start to see certain anticipatory behaviors telling us the dog understands. One of the first you may see is the dog “looking at the poles” to determine his entry. If you start seeing this will you let me know? Sorry for rambling 🙂
BarbHi Lisa,
There are actually two learnings going on in Week One. First is determining the entry. In this part, the dog and owner are stationary and the poles rotate. They will continue to rotate until they are in the correct position for the dog to find the actual entry through the first two poles. The reinforcement line is also something being developed in this first part. Initially it is at a 90 degree angle. As the poles rotate, the reinforcement line ends up being down the line toward 11 or 12. It sets the stage for other reinforcements. The end result is a dog who drives through the poles with his head down because all reinforcements are low and down this line. I have a student with a border collie where this is really obvious. If we train together tomorrow I will get a video.Secondly, when you get to the second part, the poles do not move any more. They are straight up facing between 6 and 12. You and your dog will in this first part move together from 6 to 11 facing the first pole. Remember, the poles now do not move. That was only in developing the entry.
One other thought for you and others who read your post. There will be parts that will have to be broken down into smaller approximations. All dogs are different as to where they will have the difficulties. These challenges are not bad things. They simply give us information as to where we back up and move a bit more slowly to help the dog learn. I am always ready to go at my dog’s speed.
Does this help?
Hi Donna,
We do use a marker in the beginning. It provides INFORMATION to our dogs who understand the distinct meaning of the word. I do, as quickly as possible, stop the marker and just throw the food. I believe the marker allows me to let the dog know quickly that their behavior is correct and they are getting reinforced.
I am starting my young dog with this group. I have to use a scooter as I am unable to stand and walk unassisted. I started him last night with a marker to help him understand where and what he was doing. Within about 6 reinforcements I stopped using it and went to just the throw.
As far as some of the clips that are missing, let me check with one of my students who is doing a working spot to see if she is having difficulties. I would also check my own records for you.
Thank you for your really good questions.
Hi Julie,
Thanks for reaching out. My sense is if she is looking back you are late. May I suggest you start with some visualization in slo-mo. Visualize your dog’s nose exiting the two poles as you “bowl” the food. Also, stay in control of her head as she exits the poles and lure (if you have to) her back to position. One of my students has taken a working spot. I will get some videos of her and get them posted to the group.
BarbHi Linda,
I agree with Carol. Your sheltie is beautiful. If you will follow the guidelines only without adding any “past” learnings I will show you how to get the distance and independent weaves. It’s really about allowing the dog to learn new neural pathways. I will discuss this more down the road.
Barb
