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We practiced some of the trial games at Fusion today. Here is the second part of the end of run routine.
I think when I’m excuting these I’m thinking I’m doing them slow, but the actual execution is fast at the last minute 😐 These pinwheels/soft turns are such a struggle for me.
Here is the second sequence from the mid course challenges. #4 was basically the death of me but I was so happy with how she responded in each rep. I just don’t know quite how to get my timing down so she both takes the jump and I can get a cross in for #5. I feel like I’m caught just staring at her a lot during the reps.
On a separate note, we did the drop-in class last night. It was probably more good for me than for her because I got nervous even though I knew everyone there. So I didn’t get anything on video because I was a hot mess. First half of the class i didn’t do a great job for her. The ring was split down the center and the first side we did had a really bad set up because of the split. There were not many easy options for us at all and only two jumps that I felt comfortable using with her. And combined with nerves I just wasn’t very connected. After the first round, I settled in better and really focused on staying connected with her at the startline. And when we switched sides it was much more conducive for her. But really focused on connecting at the startline again. I was so happy with her once I got my act together. She held all her startlines. Next week I think I’ll be more settled and we also will have the full ring so I can find things that are more to our level. Plus my friends have a ring rental this weekend there so we can be more comfortable practicing stuff.
I was able to finagle a couple of drop in classes at Fusion this week and next. I am going to try to work some of this there as well. The class might be a bit over our heads but I figure we should be able to break stuff down or make it easier.
Here’s the start of our end of run routine. I’m using what will be her competition leash and collar. First time with treats in my hand was a little awkward but it’s a buckle collar that really can’t be adjusted bigger/into a large circle. I still haven’t figured out if I’ll tug with it or not at a trial. I typically don’t and usually have an actual toy with me.
Still have to review your feedback from above but figured I’d post this from today. We did the volume dial while friends trained today. There was some excitement in the middle of it all 😳🤣 but Lu handled it really well. I thought that would have terrified her but she was fine. Jen Weaver’s Misia said it was a little too much for her to watch Lu doing tricks on the side while she worked.
Here is mid course sequence #1. I didn’t think we could make it past 4 on this course but we actually did a couple of times! I completely forgot to NOT throw the reward during this session 😕 Noted for the second course. Rear cross was poorly executed multiple times on my end but finally got the timing down on the last try.
I’d love to get her into a class but there’s just nothing available for her at the places closest to us (which is Fusion and that is on mats). She has had a couple little mini seminars at On The Run so has been exposed to the turf but nothing consistently. There’s not any classes that work for my schedule there unfortunately because of the drive time (1.5 hrs for me to get there during traffic). She’s at the awkward stage where nothing fits her right now so it’s making it really hard.
I’m starting class with Em soon so I’ll bring Lu with on those nights and start working on the volume dial. We don’t have another trial until Dec. I did go ahead and enter Lu in 16 select Speedstakes for the Dec trial for NFC. When it gets closer, I’ll have to get a game plan ready with you.
Hi Tracy,
Got home last night from a weekend of agility in WI at Canine Sports Zone. Got some video of Lu during a break on Sunday. We did some pattern games and also just hanging out ring side with a snuffle mat. We are right next to the exit of the ring. You can see that in the second half of the video with dogs leaving. I do think her tendency is just naturally be chill ring side. I fast forwarded a lot of the snuffling but she is just content to hang out listening to all the dogs going through the tunnels, etc. The snuffle mat is actually Emmie’a and is a life saver for me with her. Emmie is such an easy agility dog but outside the ring she is one of the hardest dogs I have. So it only makes sense the universe gave me Lu who is the sweetest chill dog in all life events but really hard for me agility wise 😂. But she’s my level up dog 🙂
Here’s our volume dial which I think is broken lol.
Her volume dial is very dependent on what toy I’m using. I really can’t use a hollee roller in training anymore. It’s by far her favorite but she goes into stalking mode, especially as a placed toy. I don’t think I could really use a regular ball either. Toys are pretty high value but food is too. Ironically, she is VERY chill outside the ring. I’ll video some sessions this coming weekend in WI.
When is the last day we can post for this class? The next UKI trial is Dec 14-15 here. I’d consider USDAA too but there’s nothing local any time soon. I’d prefer not to have to focus on getting a measurement yet since that will probably be a project in itself and I think I’d be able to just run NFC without a measurement for the weekend in UKI. There’s a lot of CPE in the area but I’ve never competed in that venue so I think I’d be a little nervous myself about rules etc. I’d rather just focus on her than worrying about myself lol.
<But she has done jumping work for multiple days this week, so give her a couple of days off from this so her body and brain can rest & reset, and latent learning can work its magic>
She got the weekend off from training and hung out at the agility trial this weekend. And because I’m exhausted, we went on walks the last two nights instead of training. This weekend she’ll be tagging along to WI to Canine Sorts Zone while Emmie competes at an ISC trial.
<Throw the reward more distinctly close to the landing line of the jump – not as far or as wide as you are throwing it, because it is not really correlated to the jump in particular as it is correlating to going really fast out there somewhere. So the toy placement should be super consistent and maybe 15 feet past the jump (so she doesn’t splat herself getting it) and not off to the side anywhere. Throw the toy to where you would want her to take off for the next jump 🙂
And you can also throw it on the line between the 2 jumps after the tunnel so she is really driving to the line and not looking out to the big areas where the toy is getting thrown>
This is one of those things that is really obvious when you point it out but I just didn’t think about it. I tend to throw the toy to let her chase it because she it’s such a big reward for her but I also think she anticipates it sometimes too.
I try the water on the next round of sequences. I’m sure there’s plenty of places it’ll be applicable there too.
You posted your Master class on timing in one of the groups. Do you think that would be a good next step from Lu? Or too advanced for her? Julie and I were discussing some NFC options and I don’t think we would have one until December (and I’m not certain if I should enter Lu in it yet/if she’s ready for it yet).Is that something that could be posted in that class?
