[beverley thomson]

Had a weekend away last weekend. In Synch was going great we just had a few off courses because I either didnt see something when I walked it or I couldnt get the commands out early enougn to prevent. The courses were all at the hard end for the level.Will post videos when get round to editing them. Nice that I knew each time what went wrong although after a mistake is made it is hard to get a smooth run back.

Waits need a lot of work – she has totally worked out the game so lots of work happening here.

Interesting getting alot more drive over the last jump but no longer wanting a pick up she is growling with excitment as she goes around. Was very pleased so much value for the bag as when she didnt want to be picked up we just headed to the bag and moved away. Got the treats out and she was putting her head in lead for treat. This was our original plan before she started coming to me to be caught. So no panics no pressure just a practised finish.

Interesting she was highly focused on food especially at the end of a run this is new usually toys are all she is interested in.

Lots of wait training going on at home and else where. Plus some weave work.
Weaves I opened up and got more range in terms of direction. When closed again didnt see any change in that still going fast and from different angles. so the opening was a good move. Have added a jump before the weaves and she loves that.

Contacts have been using a target at the end of the dog walk – she is much more confident on my dog walk and getting a run down to the target.

Overall pleased with progress – just need to work hard on generating value for the waits.

Beverley

[beverley thomson]

Is she offering different behaviors after 2 reps, even when she has been correct? That is something to work through at this stage before closing the weaves because it might be a sign she is still guessing on the first 2 reps. So you can open the weaves up for more success and more reps.

so obvious.yes she starts offering different behaviours after a couple of reps unless go do something else and come back. I think it is because she is unsure and starts to think too much and starts to think she is wrong also weaving is hard. I have opened up and this allows me to move around more ie different angles so this makes different I think in her head. If I send several times in same place I get a look that says why again- but she is more confident and fast when it is more open. I like this as I like to ping pong difficulty and struggle with this with weaves – so stupid not to have thought about opening up again. Have never trained channels before so didnt even think about it.

Also discovered if I am in the right place she does backsides and threadles- so just need to add the verbals and move me out of picture slowly.>

This is good!!! And yes, you can add more independence. How often are you seeing backsides and threadles in course design? I am guessing you see them at the higher levels – we see them a lot at the higher levels of one organization but much more rarely in the others.

None or if they are so open dont need the handling at her current level but alot in next level up. Although happy to stay current level am aware this may not happen . If we get it right and no spins or stops in a split class she is likely to win. If we get it tight and correct good chance she may win in unsplit but somew fast mid dogs so this is less likely.

Beverley

[beverley thomson]

Oops I am good at that when loading from phone

Leash off games are off to a good start. She found it exciting 🙂 TThe next step here is to be standing, then moving: take the leash off and reward after she sticks with you. Then if that goes well, take the leash off and reward after you move a few steps and she sticks with you. Then add a jump to the picture: for her to ignore and not to run to, when the leash comes off.

we have done quite a few of these games- I was feeling lazy and also wanted to go back to easy stuff as felt it was losing some value when always done around jumps. So this week have been trying to get alot of success and value in with very little failure just to reinforce the value of head into collar. Trying to see how many places and ways we can do it without pressure.

weaves ony really get two reps before she starts to try other things. I do sometimes use a wing – yes entrance needs some work but just pleased she is now driving to the end fast . She is better at getting entry when I have a toy rather than food. This morning added with me at a different angle she didnt care but need to add more and more severe also need to add me moving at the moment I am out of the picture

For the contacts: at this point, try to be more systematic about moving across them: you can back chain like you did on the last rep here, but that also means not letting her start without you 🙂 If the contacts can’t be lowered, then definitely back chain. You can bring her over to it on leash then pick her up (thankfully she is small :)) Also – you will want to add criteria for the end. Does she have a target you can use? On the video here, she went down the plank but jump off the side (did not touch yellow) and turned back to you. So definitely time to add a target to help her complete criteria.

haha great minds think alike – used a target this morning much better driving down. I had just been pleased that she was going up and over in one direction I wasnt watching the bottom so much. Previously was rolling a ball down so driving to the end. The reason for the difference is that one direction she will go on herself and go over happily in the other direction she bails before goes over the top so I was thinking I would keep backchaining by placing her on contact in direction she is not confident and encourage her to go on herself in the other direction but can go back to keeping both the same.

Also discovered if I am in the right place she does backsides and threadles- so just need to add the verbals and move me out of picture slowly. Have also been working on 270 with the three jumps to work on getting more nighter turns.

[beverley thomson]

hi
Great job on the good weekend! I think that the dogs missing the same jumps are probably also a connection issue. You look at the video and look for when you are calling them (before the tunnel) and if you are connected on the exit.
definitely and I didnt pick up that that without an instruction that their natural line after the tunnel was wider so they missed the tighter turn to line up for the jump. My bad I didnt see it.

Okay have been having rest but also a little training.
Doing lots of lead on off work – video here I am sitting but varying it in terms of my position and location- wanted to reinforce the value of this. Also doing abit with toy and also doing close to a jump


weaves- feel as if gone off script and doing what she wants. She can do six weaves quite close not completely straight but almost. have gone to 12 because didnt want patterning six. Widened them out at the start. and slowly narrowing them. Alterating according to success and failure. So in middle widest as that is where she kept failing and second six wider than first six. Have kept first six wider than when just six. I am also varying the distance I am to the weaves. I havent done alot of me changing the angle of the send since went to more poles. But firstly she seems to be having fun and when I only do 2 high rate of success although if dont eset her up right she will miss the first one. So each session making a little piece harder and then doing two attempts and finish. Totally not what I have done before The weaves are in a line just middle wider and on a slope. on watching video shouldnt have let her bounce in and out coming back.

Contacts. Dog walk mine she will go in one direction on her own and robyns also one direction. coming further yup ramp on second side and okay if start her on middle plank. A frame she has offered a go over on a lowered aframe a couple of times but most of time still running up and doewn or if lace gher at top she happily runs down

[beverley thomson]

You can buy pool noodles (not sure what they are called in NZ :)) and make a tyre. Or a small bicycle tyre? Just wrap it with tape so she doesn’t get a paw caught in it.
Yes that is my plan- couldnt do that with a big dog.- she handled the tyres well at the weekend but there placement suited her.

Definitely struggled with the wait this weekend so top priority to get that reinforced again. I am a bit concerned with her doing tricks with no lead on at the moment as she could easily decide to start but need t do more of this with training and I now have a small group of friends I am helping so can do it in a situation with other dogs running.

I think the big difference fusion and InSynch in the ring is all the brain camp stuff we did (plus slightly different natures) so she knows how to stay more focused. Fusion is doing so much better (not there yet) but when I get the timing right reverse spins and brake arms are huge. I did a reverse spin on one course when she was in full flying and she pulled off the jump in front and then stayed focused for the whole course (pity about the rail on second to last jump) and another course missed first brake arm (too slow at start) but second one I saw her collect and glance at me before she went in tunnel and turned. the other difference I think is the number of strides (although same speed) in that she has time to still turn.

It is funny! They will be very friendly at this stage, early in her career. Then when she starts winning a lot at the higher levels? They might be less friendly. People are odd like that!
haha I can already see that happening.. She is getting too many ribbons – the dog that is currently beating her is relatively experienced 3yr old- she is on freebies ie already won out but entries closed before she did.and has learn to be tight. me and Insynch will have no trouble getting there and no pressure to graduate on my side. when you have a dog being successful it is easier to step back and laugh at peoples attitudes.

On the higher level courses, are there more turns? That might actually be easier to handle with her, in some ways.
Tighter, more turns and changes of side although it varies as can get C at top end and B at bottom end. A few more obstacles and time tends to be tighter not that we will notice hat. no backsides or real threadles at jumpers c and not really serps. Any there are tend to be very wide. I also think she will enjoy the more turns once I get my head around it. The other thing about B is slightly less tolerance for baby dog behaviour as having won out of C you are supposed to have skills so am happy to play in C while we are sorting things out but if we dont its not a biggie.In terms of standard agility there are weaves at starters and then contacts at novice both of which I could enter her in but staying away from novice. Starters and novice dont have as much handling generally as a jumpers course.

We had a good weekend this weekend.
Just one starters where I took a toy in to reward some behaviours esp the wait at the start. I put her in a wait then released her away from course to the toy in my hand and then we lined up and went. but it did confuse her a little on course but I think it helped rewarding the wait. First jumpers I didnt call soon enougn (story of my life) so she turned and took a tunnel the rest was beautiful. Second course she broke her wait and was a little spinny but got a second. Third course was late in the day did some lovely send work. But missed a couple of jumps – fusion missed the same ones suggesting I missed the fact they would come of of a tunnel so wide but she tried hard .

[beverley thomson]

try again- lost last reply

Run 1 – WOW!! Look at her driving lines but also turning when asked. Also WOW!! Look at you running brilliantly AND with connection. So exciting!!!!!
Run 3 – 2nd video here – also super nice!! Her line driving gets better each time and also you are handling assertively which really helps.

yes loving her drive and she listens

Run 4 – also super nice! She is not yet driving 3 full obstacles away on those huge distances, but it is coming along nicely and I am sure that will lock in soon

also tyre was the last obstacle- although she knows it a little it is still a gap and she misses if any question. need to create a look alike tyre at home so becomes normal.
Run 5:
>run 5 had too long a wait before hand and lost her at the start should have stopped her and restarted>

Was the wait at the start line before the run began? Yes, you can re-start or re-start at jump 2. And if you feel the wait beforehand is getting too long, you can see if she will do a trick or something to keep connected to her when you are waiting.
Yes was doing tricks and then took off lead- which lead runner removed and realised the dog before me was taking for ever..could have made a cup of tea while waiting. She definitely relised this weekend that lead coming off means we are about to run and she got very skirmy when we were still waiting. lesson now need to keep her on lead until previous dog is almost finishing.

You both recovered nicely and the run went well!

Run 6 – this video link was the same as the run 4 video, can you repost run 6?
much the same as others she is getting quite consistent in how she runs in that the errors are easy to see in terms of timing etc.

>got a wait but argued over it and a second ribbon had a tyre at start which she managed.>

She might have been a bit brain-tired by then, but I am glad she was able to do it. And yay for the tyre!!I think it was also because she broke the wait in previous one (will slid out of my arms and started) and I wanted to make sure she didnt break again.

Overall thoughts for you:
There are a bunch of things I see that I am really excited about:
– your running and staying connected/ getting verbals out
– She is finding lines super well- I love this about her runs
– when she is not sure, she is looking for info but NOT getting frustrated or barking or jumping up – she is waiting for info and then getting right back on the line. Super!!! I love this too- at home still get the frustration a little but she is all focus and working in the ring.

A couple of ideas:
– to help her stay on the big lines after tunnels, you can give your tunnel exit verbals sooner (they are happening as she exits) and repeat them, such as saying GO GO GO GO if it is a straight line exit. No time for taking a breath or anything LOL!!

– that also applies to the very end – start your GO cues sooner and repeat them more.

I had been sick so lungs not workng well and she was running harder so now I have to catch up definitel need to do more commands as she responds well.

– Train the tyre 🙂 for her to find independently on lines. I also have to do that this week, with the smaller/weird looking tire the dogs see in UKI events here.

>next show back to nc as stand with weaves and still training those so will work on waits in ring and getting smoother.>

This sounds great!! She is doing REALLY WELL! If you listen closely on some of your videos, you can hear people in the background commenting on how cool the runs are! Yay!

Agility people funny. My rea friends were more excited about Fusions ribbon as they are hard to get. Other people suddenly want to talk to me because we have an amazing dog- that suddenly means I am a good trainer as opposed to a shit trainer… I find this funny. Others just commented how lucky I am to have such a biddable easy to train little dog – I just sniggered – biddable she is not …

I find her harder to train than my other dogs- perhaps because she is small and feisty. But she is easier to run than Fusion. Although she has a similar commitment point to Fusion I can pull her off whereas Fusion once she is fixed she is hard to change. I am pleased that long term she is going to handle in a similar way as it will definitely be easier- part of this is due to training in that try to encourage her to find the lines- see too many people here micromanaging the little dogs to get tight lines and this slows dogs down in that they dont drive their lines.

This weekend only two jumpers and rest have weaves so fewer runs and training runs only. hen several weeks to teach weaves, contacts tyres need to start on serps, threadles and backsdes In case we win out by accident ( I like seconds…) but think sshe will be easy to teach the handling as already done alot of it.

I am loving her drive and energy and that she seems to love the game so much

Beverley

PS she is the size of a larger pap so runs in the lowest height class here.- always had dogs in the highest height class before with Fusion being my smallest dogprior

Great job!

[beverley thomson]

Hi

We had a crazy weekend- with three ribbons no firsts which is good. She was getting cocky by the end. Plus baby mistakes – a few wides and spins plus tyre misses.

first video she got second for this by about 0.5 sec – just a little wide and couple hestitations

no video run 2 she had two spins and end up with five faults just 3 sec slower than wnner and a third place
Run 3 we missd the tyre towards end of course I lost her for a moment – tyres she is not confident on yet

sunday
run 4 missed tyre at end

run 5 had too long a wait before hand and lost her at the start should have stopped her and restarted

run 6 got a wait but argued over itand a second ribbon had a tyre at start which she managed.

next show back to nc as stand with weaves and still training those so will work on waits in ring and getting smoother.

Beverley

[beverley thomson]

Hi

Did a seminar last weekend- she did some amazing stuff. Lovely sends and got some blinds in. Instructor nearly stole her- I wasnt worried thought she would comeback fast. She kept working even when struggled. It was hot and I ran out of legs when we did the full 20 obstacle course. A few things to work on- leaving from the wraps, sending to a blind tunnel entrance-although she nailed this once worked it out and a backside wrap with me moving forward.plus waits. I was pleased with her work ethic in a class where the other dogs were more experienced she was a trouper. After watching foundation some simple exercises I need to go back too. Plus Fusion we focused on reverse spins- Fusions class was easier than In Synch and wonder whether should look at these for In Synch as well long term

Since then have been crook so have done very little. ysterday put her thru six pole weave almost closed and she nailed it. then asked her to backchain on dog walk and she did and then offered a full dog walk. Big party and stopped as I was ready to crash again.

Beverley

[beverley thomson]

I agree

Oops sorry about that doesnt really matter. My impression is that she is starting to work things out. I just need to get my stuff together and she is getting faster and driving more all the time. Waits we are working hard on but trying to do without pressure.

What we did this week- I didnt feel like alot of training.
first video actually end last week was working on extending her run on- decided the first jump after tunnel wasnt issue more the later jumps so did the exercise with jump 2 and 3 close together and then moving three further out not that these two show very well in video. Definitely helped.

Then here is where we are at the weave – she is more confident and best when I only do a couple. Only got six at the moment will add in more when get rest back. The toy has made a huge difference as worth trying to get it right when toy available. huge zoomies and play between attempts which cut out

here is start of back training on dogwalk- think it is too old to pull apart and its not mine. Have now done from about 2/3 of dog walk .

on all of these would like to place toy or havesomebody else throw it but neither possible. so thinking about options so dont get bend back. wondering whether if placed a jump a little on it would give me time to toss forward more as dont want to toss while she is doing dogwalk or weaves. and she loves jumps so might add even more value.

have a seminar this weekend so will see how that goes and hopefully get more ideas.

[beverley thomson]

Hi
Can the dog walk be lowered? That can help build her confidence to go across it without you. Also, is she targeting something at the other end, so she doesn’t look back at you?
Not the two I have access to. She turns before she gets far enougn across to have a target at the end. However, now that she is okay on the horizotal plank just doesnt like crossing. I have now started back chaining it. I didnt want to do this until she was confident going on to the top. So have started at the top of the down ramp and then starting to move back along it. Only two run down per session.

Have been away dealing with parents so dogs been neglected in terms of training- just walks and cuddles. although did fit in a dog show in middle.

did two starters first one didnt get video was a nice run. Second one I cut the weaves out and then got my self lost and sent to tunnel so just finished . Jumpers first jumpers had too many tunnels 7 in a row. she went into the wrong end of one my fault but then was convinced another tunnel didnt make sense. lots of dogs had this issue.
Last run video stopped half way thru. One bobb first tunnel and then one bobble on last obstacle which was a tyre. still onlu 5 sec slower than the fastest dog didnt help that I fell heavily a little bit earlier running fusion but she ran amazing over last half .
It was interesting both her brother and sister were crazy this weekend. it was as if they suddeny went we know what we are doing we dont need to listen. She had it a tiny bit but not like the other two. She definitely understood what was happening and got very alert when we checked in etc. I got alot more we are here to run lets get going.

jumpers c meant to have 7 tunnels in a sequence

jumpopers c 2 best run of weekend video stopped filming

2nd starters saturday very hot

what I need to work out is how to make collection ?weaves fun for my dogs so they enjoy the same way they enjoy running to a tunnel.

[beverley thomson]

oops here it is for the dog walk but now superseeded. I now have a dogwalk (well something close to one). Last night she pranced the whole way across and this morning went half way. Realised looking at the video I didnt keep up with her so she stopped. Currently seems to need me beside her but at the rate she is now progresssing that will not stay true for long.

weaves
I agree with my position and rewarding. I put the bag down as before I put it down she didnt seem to understand to go to the end but she has got over that now. I took out a toy last night and what a difference she was much more focused and we got better weaves even when she was in the wrong position. I should remember at the start of stays I had to use a toy in order for their to be a strong enougn reinforcement for something she finds hard and/or a little scarey- anything that she has to do slowly she finds hard. also it is easier to throw a ball as when I throw a treat she doesnt always make the effort to find it.

Beverley

[beverley thomson]

Hi

We had a few days off with some fitness stretching, toy play with a few waits just incorporated into the play. Just generally chilling out having fun while reinforcing basics. Then have started weave training. Early we started with two by twos- this wasnt going anywhere. Introduced channels out wide – she took awhile to get over her suspusion of the bases and poles and then was charging thru when they were well open. Generally much happier but she didnt have to do anything except run thru them. She was running thru happily as long as wide enougn to run straight thru with no bending. When I narrowed them up got some successful thrus but she has been testing as to whether she actually needs to go thru all. Will skip to end etc. Interesting there is a zone in terms of how straight they are where the behaviour is the same. If I go tighter than that at the moment we lose any attempts. I suppose this is because she is little . The session videoed here wasnt great with more failure but did notice it was better when I moved further away. Previously I have also got better results when I introduce a jump. I seem to get more energy from her when she is moving- also can get more misses but she seems happier working when she is more in the zone.
https://youtu.be/TWfSsJ8fwEk

Contacts are slow progress but it is happening- each time she goes abit further before she bails, I dont blame her it is along way up for a little dog. Now have a dog walk and aframe at home so can do tiny sessions more often. Letting her set the pace as I want her to be happy on the equipment and think this will happen if let her slowly work it out.

https://youtu.be/TWfSsJ8fwEk

Have also been working on her measuring and she is getting more relaxed aout it and her measures are getting lower- am pleased about that as dont want her to go up a height.

Lines we have been working on – she is getting much better coming out of the tunnel but still struggling long straights. I think I need to work on me more for this as dont think I drive enougn up the long lines.

Back at a show this weekend and away visiting sick parents
Beverley

[beverley thomson]

Hi

Sorry phone crashed so only just catching up while I am at work

This last course was very similar to the previous one. yes elem a and B are always the same but a has weave b has long jump. a is for experienced handlers new dogs b is for new handers new dog but I have been doing both NC as simple course and very relaxed and mistakes almost assumed.

She does seem to be coping well!!! So after this next show, she can have a break from trials then you can work on your training list.
she seems to be coping better than me. no more trials for a few weeks so will have a break for a few days than wait and finish work then get back into working on lines and tunnel exits

She was on fire at the weekend. every class I saw little changes. She is now offering a sit at the start do still get a stand when remove lead so may experiment with carrying in no lead on. She also understand s me throwing lead back. by the end of sunday her wait was less shittery her teeth less chatty and her body stiller rather than vibrating. Also last two rounds she was growling (almost like a purr she gets when playing her favourite toy) over the last couple of obstacles. On saturday ran just one starters started after the weaves was very fast – got lots compliments. Sunday didnt run her as nc officially as the toy was just getting in the way and no weaves to avoid. But I treated it as a training run with objectives . The first run she missed the first turn to the tunnel which was a hard turn and took a little to resettle. Second run she did lots of spins thankfully otherwise I would have been in trouble as she got second to her sister. She is faster than her sister but her sister is much calmer at this stage. Third run she back jumped on the wrap. Videos were not as great as very hot and people trying to stay out of the sun.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by beverley thomson.

[beverley thomson]

Hi
attached videos of yesterdays runs. first two started after the weaves. A lthough similar mistakes ie not running on after tunnel and not running to the end and me not quite in position for waits. I thought massive improvements I felt more connected so way to go but felt slightly in control rather than heading for crash barrier at speed. I got alot less bouncing at the start and she was offering a sit and also less jittery in her body language. Ran all as non comp so could start where wanted and had a hidden toy.

starters – this is her normal level for champs

elemetn a = this is her level at ribbons – baby level so only avail at ribbons

element b- she is not eligible for this except as non com as only for new handlers but only non jumpers class with no weaves

No more ribbons for a while unfortunately.

Heading off shortly for a champ whic is agility plus jumpers- she is doing one starters if can avoid weaves and then jumpers on sunday.
I had been worried about how much she has been doing but she seems to be cooping better than me,

then no more shows for a few weeks so will work on startline and exits tunnels and long lines

Beverley

[beverley thomson]

This does make it harder when starting a young dog. Are there classes that you can enter her in and she is the only dog, so you can give her your full attention? And that way you will be less tired and can support the lines better too.

Haha I had less problem when they were both in the same class – hardest was when in different classes running similar- it didnt help that ribbon trial so only about 12 dogs total in the two baby classes In Synch was in so not much space between her runs.

Be super careful with waits at the start line. If she gets a history of breaking, then it becomes really hard to get the wait in the trial environment. So either ask for a very very very short wait that you are sure she will hold…. Or don’t ask for a wait at all if you don’t think she will hold it. That is where using a behind-the-back start can really help so you can get a good start without breaking the wait.

he wait she broke on it wasnt really a wait – in that she didnt settle and just took off. Next course jumpers c ws her best wait I think we were both more aware. Then they got worse esp in the last run as we both got tired. Have been working hard at home on being able to walk out stright and cue the break but she was struggling so I ended up walking crocked to keep her in place.

I think for classes that have weaves, you should either end the run before the weaves or skip the class entirely – trying to get her past the weaves got a lot of jumping up and frustration from her, which we don’t want her to rehearse in the ring. So you can end the run early or skip it since there was no easy way to avoid the weaves.
agree – when I started Fusion we could bypass weaves as she didnt even see them. In Synchs weaves at home are much worse than fusions were at the same time so I sort of expected the same behaviour instead she looked at them so I need to actively avoid by starting or finishing to avoid. So amny things to think about. I also need to do alot more work at home on the weaves- we are struggling with them- she doesnt want to slow down and focus so have been trying different things. Have introduced channel weaves- first time have done this as think she might prefer as train with some motion

Definitely I noticed too she is struggling with direction after tunnel and going straight. Also a little of tunnel being a default obstacle. Need to work on these at home big distance.

Also like all baby dogs every time I go out (will only six runs so far) things change- different challenges with enviroment and courses. I am trying to work out her start routines- I think at the moment as long as she has had a good walk around earlier she is better with less time out especially when hot. so will keep playing with this.

This week we have just been doing wait work and being settled around a jump as at home

Another baby dog show tomorrow (wish the were spread out several months to the next one) and then a proper show at the weekend but not entered in very much and manly jumpers. My preference for her at the moment is baby shows or jumpers when I can

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