[beverley thomson]

Life and weather has been getting in the way. Competed at rally last weekend and agility this last weekend. Veloz improvrd as eeekend went on. Did melt down at start but he recovered faster. Getting better finish behaviour.worked on the straight to work exercise with both fusion and veloz. Veloz could offer behaviour close to ring. Fusion the distance eas a bit greater.

[beverley thomson]

“I think it is important to be able to play and interact around the equipment, but maybe those particular games had too much pressure? Maybe try simpler things like asking him to put his chin in your hand for a cookie, etc – things that can help the arousal level around obstacles.”

He actually finds calmer things harder

“Also, the reinforcement might need to be different – do you cue him to take off for a run as well? I believe the freedom to interact with the environment and run around is very reinforcing for him!”

I am struggling to work out whether I should be working on calming him down ie using calming quiet behaviours or using a toy but then he gets aroused… Calm behaviours I am more likely to get shut down, exciting behaviours like toys get overarousal- pebndulum shiufts so quick and seems to bypass the moderate in the middle. Releasing him to run he tends to think he should do agility equipment and then gets pissed when he doesnt get rewarded or I am not participating.

>> Then attempt to do the courses but I kept losing track and sending him the wrong way – common theme I think I got lost multiple times with all my dogs.
Aha! Do you walk the courses several times before you run them? Getting lost is frustrating to the dogs.

Yes walked it several times but because we werent well connected I got out of place and then things happen fast and I get lost or in wrong place so handling is wrong and send wrong place. Generally I send a few places post getting lost and then stop so end up with extra bits. Then dog less aware we got lost and frustration level stays lower.

Is the dig the wrap? (Hard to hear). I don’t think it was position near the jump, but I think it was clarity of cue.

Probably anything where he is asked to come past in a sequence is a sticking point with him. Perhaps when I do it further away we both have more time.. dig is his wrap cue

Thanks for your comments as hellp give me clarity on what went wrong not just that is was wrong. Felt in wrong place and not connected the whole time and when not connected things seem to get disjointed and then it goes to custard.

Fusion –
The sniffing distraction could be a response to the added difficulty and stress of it – so you can gradually introduce more height: rather than all jumps getting taller, just raise the height of one jump on an easy line. Then a week later, raise another… and so on. When is Nationals? She is a bit young to have 2021 Nationals as a goal because so many pieces need to be both trained AND rehearsed in trials before then.

I have been doing increased height with Fusion on one to three jumps building up over the last month. Introd to longer sequences is new- although still only did up to six. I am not sure whether stress or somethng very tasty as it was the same place each time. Although she is quite keen on grass eating and digging at home..

Nationals a bit different here with no qualifying and open too all dogs. Local this year. I havent been to one for many years- last one was with my old dog after a car accident when went as protest about disabled handlers in the ring. Thought was going to be permanently on crutches or a walking stick and had judges refusing to judge me at local trials as they didnt think disabled handlers was a good look for the sport. Got a ruling from ruling body just prior to nationals so went because I could…How things have changed in last 15 years disabled handlers are now encouraged and to my surgeons shock I regained almost normal use. But havent been back as either not a fit dog or too far away. It is my target with fusion- may or may not make it. There are two shows before it and I will see if she is ready to go in the ring for them and how she goes as to whether I run her or not. I think she will be ready for the jumpers courses in terms of pysical skills – starters novice maybe or not as they have weaves and contacts. But the big decider will be whether she is ready mentally- is can she focus and not stress. Although so far she seems to be the least stressy of my dogs (not that that is hard as the rest stress real easily)

Beverley

• This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by beverley thomson.

[beverley thomson]

I need to cement her understanding of weaves so my plan is to do lots of single attempts during the day – making sure each one is from a different place and then start working on multiple attempts and raising energy level. Definitely get a higher failure rate when raise energy level. We havent been doing weaves for very long and I am not convinced she understands them yet in spite of her successes. I want her to be tackling 4 poles with more conviction before I advance too much.

Have been working on the short exercises.
Veloz- long video I left in the stat work with just me playing with lead on so skip that – sometimes just touching collar – did remove play sessions I put in to try and keep him from shut down. These days we can tug and chase the toy around equipment. BUt He was shuting down. When further away he plays these games happily but as soon as he thinks agility might be involved he shuts down. Very fine line between where he is happy playing and how close can get. Then attempt to do the courses but I kept losing track and sending him the wrong way – common theme I think I got lost multiple times with all my dogs. I had issues with him getting angry on the dig but worked oout he was happier when I was further away from the jump – so need to remember this and work on getting closer.

Te was just charging and I needed to get my commands faster when I need him to turn sooner and watch my body language especially wild arms on tunnel sends. So will work on that.

Fusion – introduced her to an increased height on sequences for the first time and saw an increase in her arousal level although highly distracted by something on the ground. Reminding me that key emphasis is working on her focus – can just imagine her having a party at nationals with six rings close together and just ropes separating….

Thanks for all your help so much to work on.

Beverley

[beverley thomson]

I will keep working on it. Have been working on changing angle each time so no two exactly the same and she fails on the second time I ask. Perhaps I need to change it more so it is more obviously different.

Beverley

[beverley thomson]

Thanks didnt want to waste your time with obvious mistakes.

It took ages to get veloz working as he was just all over the place so by time I got started I was frazzled but he had calmed down.

I love watching fusion thinking things thru. she is getting faster and more confident every time I train her at the moment. did a little of skills course on a higher height today and had a different dog in a good way – she had so much fun. On a side note for the second time today she did weaves (4 or 6 poles) well but when I changed things slightly she started offering other patterns. Wondered if she thinks because I ask her again she was wrong so took her and did a jump then reasked the same thing she failed on and she did it no trouble. is this normal, should I just changed things more so it is less like a repeat at the moment.

will poat videos tomorrow as cant do from home,

Beverley

[beverley thomson]

Hi

Thanks for that. Makes perfect sense- I need you standing next to me….

I am thinking twice about posting videos of Tes runs at jumpers from the first sets- it showed me just how out of practise I am running proper courses rather than close courses. He got overexcited and my handling was late so rails went flying… Here te work on course 2 week 1.
I tried leaving on the weaves- need to train this more. Also cross after second tunnel to go to the weave I needed to cross in there but hestitated too much so got a discusssion there.

Veloz he just went sky high – no focus just jumping…

veloz first jumpers course or bits of it

seconfd one I didnt do just focus work around jumps and when anohther dog running- he did well on that but then exploded when did some jump work so just did a little circle and stopped.

Fusion is so much easier to run- she is slower at the moment but every time she is speeding up. just more and more work on distractions needed.

beverley

[beverley thomson]

Here veloz video edited out the stuff in middle and left in bits where he struggled food plus toy no issue, food plus agility equipment no issue, toy as reward plus equipment hard. should have moved away I am great at hindsight.

treat toss game

need to take on the road.

verbals – some veloz has no issues but some he cant do when his head starts to spin

verbals are fine until add arousal so this is obviously step missing.

[beverley thomson]

I am a bit slow what is a cloud based game

I was thinking more about the safety of throwing food on the ground at a show close to the ring

The hardest thing I find with veloz is that he seems fine and then it is just a step too far…
will try and post videos tonight.

Fusion is very into how do I get most reinforcement fast and as yet hasnt quite the same attraction to agility equipment. So she is there are lots of treats what would you like. She is a planner and patient… Am having trouble with her escaping at the moment- you think she is relaxed and asleep- go a few feet away and she climbs over the top of the crate- checks to see whether second compartment locked if it is climbs back into hers and goes over the outside edge and pushes window open and jumps out. I can work her for ages with treat bag on the ground but if I leave it to put her away. When she comes out later – straight to where treat bag was just in case I forgot it.

[beverley thomson]

Hi

I did play around with the transition stuff. But left computer at home.
All my dogs are very used to the first steps of this game as it is one I use alot for teaching and get my dogs working with me. But I hadnt thought about taking it up a few levels.

Summary was when I raised the level by doing with a toy or agility equipment close at my place veloz was able to work. If I had a toy and agility equipment close he started to think twice. I havent taken it on the road yet- definitely will struggle then. Fusion was fine as long as on a lead…
My question is that with the food toss and then reorientate – how do you use this at a trial- or am I thinking too far ahead…

Verbals Both my dogs showed they were sloppy on the downs and sits- in that they would throw either one in regardless. But fusion fast worked out that didnt work. Veloz stressed when he didnt get rewarded something to work on. Again Veloz started to shut down a little if toy and equipment close especially if I asked him for an interaction with the wing. Fusion was pretty good although again if she was unsure she threw what ever she assumed.

[beverley thomson]

I was happy. She did take alittle bit to get that focus especially after she discovered the horse poo her brain exploded for a bit. I then had used the toy to get her back working so had it in my hand and just sent her to get her working. Second round I tucked in in my pocket and she was less distracted by it.
Distractions and being a social butterfly are going to be her big challenge so lots of visiting other places in next couple of months as she seems to be getting the hang of sequences fast.

Beverley

[beverley thomson]

Good evening
Thanks for your comments, Fusion is surprising me so much- must be that great coach in max pup!!!. I cant believe how fast she is putting things together – have only started weaves and more than two obstacles in the last few weeks. She is growing so fast and I keep realising I am handling the dog from the previous session not the dog in this session. I need to stop thinking about what she is doing and think about me..

Veloz is changing fast now that I am starting to train him again and need to do alot of work on the transition trial stuff so well timed. Have done a bit with two leads but need to go back to it after 12 months of little training

Following video is here because I am so over the moon with Fusion. I know my handling is not present and lots of mistakes but I couldnt get over how much she achieved. I know Fusion is going to struggle with distractions so borrowed a friends paddock to train the first jumpers with Te and veloz- we were fails but will edit video and load probably monday.
Took fusion out to work on listening in a strange place. First she found the horse poo – pity video wasnt closer as her eyes nearly leaped out of her head with shock that it came so big she was in heaven. She then went into run and explore. when I got her back and focused these are the two bits of work I got. I had planned to do one or two but with a few errors she did the majority although didnt do tunnel in corner as too much horse shit. She has only just started working on 4 poles for weaves but with assistance got the six. My handling was off as I hadnt planned it . Video just to celebrate – no need to comment but I was so proud of her focus and her trying ,,,

[beverley thomson]

Do you never rest. That was a fast response

Okay next video. Fuson doing the small courses. This is over two sessions with just the rewarding removed. I was using the MM. I thought this would be too hard for her but she did well with a few baby mistakes (missing the tunnel once). My arms got crazy in a few places and I used the wrong verbal and she dropped a rail. Jumps on low at the moment as I havent raised the height yet. Used a tunnel as wanted to work on the sequencing with equipment she was familar with. Biggest fail was when she discovered the really exciting runny sheep poo and decided to take a snack. Was only using kibble as a reward up until then but upped it to steak and she was back again.

Also did a little with Veloz just on lead on and off -realise donot part of exercise so no need to view. I was happy – he did think about shutting down but never did completely. I put in so I can track as want him to be more comfortable

Then did a session using the lead as a toy unattached this worked better although not as much value as some of this other toys. But he was ahppy. Again no need to watch – some of this for me to watch progress.

will get back to actual games when have these bits abit more fluid

Beverley

[beverley thomson]

Veloz.

Yes lots of mistakes from me when watched video. I was abit surprised that i managed to get so much arousal at my place. This is good as easier to work at home. Lots pieces to work on

Food treats actually low value his dinner. Was surprised as usually have to use something higher value around agility equipment or a toy.he will take food around an agility ringbut not do anything for it. He directs his focus onto the food almot as if he is tryingto keep focusand the struggles to keep focus when not thrre. Why we struggle these gaes. I think a leach tug might helo but need to build the bridge of nothing

Fusion
The focus on me on weave and plank was unexpectedat the time but not in hindight. I have not hung back before or changed irection o weaves. Plank i have buti obviouly not enougn. I use a target at the start but stopped as whe shehot comfortable on plank she ignored it to do the behaviour. I think if plank had been on a slope it would have been clearer.
Minners minda i hadnt used with fusion for ages and not alot so wanted to insure she understood and wanting to prevent the turnback as dont want to practise that.
Tunnel i woild have got a different end behaviour if i jadcued something else.

[beverley thomson]

Here bits of fusions training yesterday was a bit misty.
It is a mixture of things. Note not all in one session.
I decided to start testing her skill to send using a tunnel as she is familiar with this equipmentand has only just started on weaves and contact stuff.. Thta was too easy – I did do from both sides and ends. No trouble. I also did a couple with a low jump again easy.

So decided to try with 2 weave poles (currently doing 4 but not confident) – an ahh moment all though I have done from different directions I havent done from this distance or with me moving away so she hit the weaves fine but then turned back to me- treat throwing etc could have been better but this is all we did as decided not to rehearse the coming back to me.

Then thought of well I would put the contact board out obviously I havent done enougn proofing of me in enougn places without me moving forward- she went to the end turned around and and came back. Stopped the training and went inside to think

Found the manners minda, changed its batteries did a couple of reminders- she hasnt done alot with it as was scared of it to start with.

Repeated the two poles and plank. Definitely better although she was still unsure – so we need to do more training with this set up.

Am pleased seems to understand send to obstacles – but excution when there needs work.

[beverley thomson]

Hi

Tried to post this last night but internet didnt cooperate.

First exercise I did with Veloz as this is a major gap that has got worse since he was out from competiting.
I have done this but not as much as I should have recently as we are only just starting to get back into training properly. I did play when we werent training but that is different than when he knows there is the possibility of a jump..so a good reminder

first point when I put food on table see his look of what the …

Then he remembered.

He did well on food. But thought I would do a bit with lead so changed to a toy- this upped the anti perhaps I should have gone back to food as that lower value.
I did get some shut down but tried to get him to work thru it.
When I asked him to tug on the lead he was unsure – this is something I have never done.
alot of take home exercises- I went too far too fast and there is a fine line with Veloz. need to do a lot of rewarding for taking lead on and off around agility equipment- he is fine else where. need to play the game from the beginning with a toy not just jump in to the middle. Or perhaps need to raise the value of the food first will play with this. Also need to work on tugging on the lead. I think this could be hugely helpful.

sorry did edit it but ended up too long still sorry-

Now to edit fusions video – will keep it shorter…

Beverley

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