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Hi Tracy,
Thanks for the tip on the “go” cue! Sometimes I use the “go” verbal like I use the “here (in)” verbal and it has caused problems. I definitely need to be mindful of that!
Today, Tribute and I worked on three things:
1) Pivot on a feedtub platform – This seemed to go well.
2) “Strike a Pose” Serpentine foundations – I continue to struggle with getting Tribute to switch between food and a toy. If I start with a toy, he is much better. However, as soon as I introduce food, it gets messy.
3) Teeter End Behavior (four-on) – Tribute is currently nine months old and so to reduce the height on the lower end, I propped it up using a jump wing. If it is still too high, please let me know and I will add a Klimb platform to the lower end. I didn’t do a lot of these.
The last rep was unplanned. I turned to switch the camera off and he went up the plank on his own. He seems to be much more confident turning on the board than two weeks ago.
Video: Tribute MaxPup1 Agility Foundation Practice 032826Thanks so much, Tracy!
Before I brought Tribute into the ring, I practiced the collection exercise using food and a toy, and quickly realized that I needed to work on my own coordination before using the toy. Hah! Work in progress! I also realized that I was moving into the turn too quickly, causing him to go wide. I think I need the collection cue more than Tribute!
I’ll have another go at the “Turn and Burn” activity, using the same set-up. I use the verbal cue “Go” for my forward sends to a clicker board. I will start using it on other objects as well.
Hi Tracy,
We worked on two things today:
1) The blind cross / collection combo: That was a lot of fun! Although, I found the multiple changes of direction challenging. I wanted to try this with a toy but decided against it for now!
2) Turn and Burn! Thanks so much for the tip on using a cone and a jump bar to mark when to start moving and in which direction. Very helpful!This time, I didn’t warm up with the Vito Game and I think Tribute was expecting the bowls to be out there. I think I will go back to doing that and fade more slowly.
Video: Tribute MaxPup1: Stride Adjustment & Barrel Wrap
Thanks so much, Tracy!
I will continue to work on backing up. I will also start throwing a treat between Tribute’s front paws as he is moving backwards to encourage him to keep his head lower.
Today, I revisited wrapping around a barrel. I did the following progression:
1) Vito game using bowls
2) Vito game without bowls (placing food on floor)
3) Wrap and feed from hand
4) Wrap and toss a ballI liked using the ball to keep Tribute from focusing on my hand. I have a Hollee Roller that migh work well too. It’s in the car under a pile of leashes. I will need to dig it up!
Video: Tribute MaxPup1 Agility Practice _Barrel Wrap
Hi Tracy,
Today Tribute and I worked on backing up. We also worked on stays but since I stopped using a platform or mat for the stays, I am starting over; more to come 🙂
When practicing the reverse, I used a clicker board and covered it with the blue mat so that Tribute would have a large target for his feet. He did reasonably well. He doesn’t always move in a straight line but I do love that he is starting to add multiple steps!
Video: Tribute MaxPup1 Practices Backing Up
Thanks so much Tracy for the visuals! I especially love that I can see the timestamp and can find those sections in the video! This is awesome!
I really want to thank you regarding the teeter feedback! I knew that jumping and weave poles were off-limits for his age but somehow didn’t consider the teeter as well. I am happy to continue working on the travel plank until he is older.
Thanks so much, Tracy!
I had planned to do barrel wraps today but became obsessed with the rear cross. I made the mistake of using the clicker board instead of the blue mat so now Tribute is consistently doing a rear cross to the left and consistently spinning when going to the right (spins are a favorite trick). I stopped when I realized that I might be clicking for the spin.
“Goat Tricks”: I had planned to introduce Tribute to the bang game on the teeter but it converted into mountain climbing. He is becoming more coordinated but there is still work to do. I am planning to do a “four-on” for the teeter.
I had a few minutes left on the rental so I finished with a straight tunnel. I think next time I will use a toy to get more running from him.
Video: Tribute _ Rear Cross, Teeter & Tunnel
Thanks Tracy! I am going to give it a try at our next session.
Today, I took Tribute to a new place. Since I didn’t need any agility equipment, it worked out perfectly. We worked on rear crosses followed by blind crosses. The rear crosses were a bit messy. He wanted to spin (more on his less preferred side). I know it is my handling. I am just not sure about my timing and position on this one.
The blind crosses were a little awkward at first but we fell into a nice rhythm (somewhat). towards the end.
On to more barrel wraps and focus forward!
Video: Tribute_Rear and Blind Crosses
Hi Tracy!
A MESS is an understatement! I haven’t seen that much snow and ice and multiple days of sub-freezing temps in over a decade! The training center closed frequently due to the weather and I only shoveled enough snow in my yard so my dogs could potty, so not much yard space either.
Karen was great to work with! During her introduction, she noted the increasing trend of dogs as young as five months old doing full courses and she set the expectation that the workshop would focus on puppy foundation flatwork. Although, she would make adjustments for any team that had more advanced skills.
Tribute was wonderful throughout! Karen did attempt to move the toy so that Tribute would target it better. However, he seemed a little confused. He hasn’t played tug with anyone else and wasn’t sure if he should grab it. I guess I’ll put that on my “things to work on” list! I will also try having him drive to a bowl. That seems like it should work.
Today, I worked on sending and wrapping around a barrel. I started with the Vito game as a warm-up and then asked for the wrap. I used both food and a toy. It was a little rough. I am not quite sure how to convert the Vito game into a send followed by the wrap. Maybe I missed that part in the video and I am happy to view it again but any suggestions would also be appreciated 😃
Video: Wrapping around a barrel
Hi Tracy,
The availability of the training center (and my yard) were hit or miss in February due to ice and snow. However, it looks like we are turning the corner and I will finally get back on schedule.
In the meantime, Tribute and I attended the Karen Holik Puppy Workshop where we worked on
1) Go on
2) Get it
3) Bring it back to hand (toy)Tribute is still not overly thrilled with driving to a dead toy but I can see he is starting to get the idea. While waiting my turn, I practiced short stays and he did really well considering that two rings were going at once and there were a lot of distractions. We still had to use collar grabs for some of the activities but he was much better about it. All-in-all it was a good outing! He is an honest and happy worker and I really love having him as a canine partner!
Video: Tribute at the Karen Holik Puppy Workshop
Brilliant! I love it!
I love All the props (mats, bowls, T&T, etc.) but if there is way to not use one, I am all about it.
I also use “catch” when throwing a treat back towards the dog. Hah! I just didn’t think to do it for Tribute.
Thank you for your comment about reward placement and fixating on my hand. I probably have taught Tarot to do the same thing. Ugh!
Thanks Tracy! That is all so very helpful!
I do have a question about running NFC at the local UKI trials. You mentioned having someone throw or place a reward or target to help Tarot drive ahead in trials! It never occurred to me to have a second person in the ring as a helper. Is that allowed in NFC? If so that would be fantastic since there are a lot of UKI trials in the area!
Hi Tracy,
Tarot and I did a small CPE trial at Y2K9s two weeks ago. Overall she did really well for her 4th trial. Her startlines were beautiful and the end behavior on the dog walk was really nice (the A-frame, we will not speak of). I still struggle with encouraging Tarot to drive out ahead of me (she want s to turn and flank) and she will still occasionally run past an obstacle but this 4th time around was much improved over previous runs.
The video I am sharing is not of one of our runs but the warm-up. A while back, I attended a workshop with Bobbie Bambhree at Y2K9s and she talked about these dots. Tarot trends towards high arousal and this dot game really helps her to settle.
Video – Dot Warm-up:
Thanks so much, Tracy!
Here is a video of Tribute being introduced to the “stay”. This is our first attempt. He didn’t understand the release word (in this environment) so I decided to use a hand touch instead and will start using brief stays and releases while we are out and about.
Video: Tribute’s Intro to Stays
Hi Tracy,
I have not had access to a snow-free training space, so I focused more on simple inside games like developing a startline stay (work in progress!)
I did have the opportunity to attend another puppy workshop with Tribute. It was instructed by Mary Ellen Barry and Rachel Sanders. They split the ring and taught a group each and then switched midway through. I thought it was a great format!
Tribute and I worked on the following things:
1) Offering a jump (Vito’s game without bowls) – Tribute was a little stuck at first. However, when he got going he was fantastic!
2) Following the handler – Tribute is still not overly thrilled with driving to a dead toy. However, my forward movement helped a little.
3) Reverse wrap on a wing – These went reasonably well! I was less coordinated than he was!
4) Lead changes on a series of wings – Tribute does not have a working startline and has an issue with collar grabs so I couldn’t do many of these. I was thrilled all the same. The workshop was scheduled for 3.5 hours and he got progressively better with each exercise!
Video: https://youtu.be/a_VRfPTN2ZE
