[Deborah Hill]

Thanks so much, Tracy!

The local young dog workshops require skills we don’t have yet so the “Art of Play” workshop was perfect for both of us; it was so much fun!

I know there are still a few weeks left for this class but wanted to know if you are also offering a MaxPup 2. Even with being behind, I am getting a lot out of this course and want to continue without a long break.

[Deborah Hill]

Thanks so much, Tracy!

> My only suggestion on the little sequences is to throw the rewards on the line more, spreading it out so each obstacle gets rewarded at some point:  use a get it marker and throw a toy or treat out ahead, so he looks forward at the line and get lots of rewards throughout.> Your point is so valid! I really want to make sure my reinforcement rate doesn’t slip! I noticed that the word “get-it” seems to have lost some meaning so I am going to practice tossing treats/toys and using that verbal without any equipment.

On another note, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop with Stacey Manzo titled “The Art of Play”. I signed up for three reasons:

1) Exposure to a different place / other dog/handler teams / distractions, etc.
2) To work on driving to a dead toy (a challenge)
3) To work on switching back and forth between food and toys (a challenge)

Tribute was all in! He had no issues with any of it and I honestly don’t know what I did differently so I don’t know what to repeat!

Video: The Art of play

[Deborah Hill]

Hi Tracy,

Today we worked on pulling some things together. I started with backing up on a platform. I was searching around for a Cato Plank with the tipping feature but couldn’t find one so I used an imobile platform instead. I think Tribute backs up straighter and with more steps at home, but he did a credible job here (I also need to rember to throw thre treats between his front pasws).

I then transitioned to the parallel line with puppy bumps. I added a front cross on one of the jumps. It was his first time seeing anything like this so I thought he did really well once he got the idea.

Video:Tribute MaxPup1 Agility Foundations Practice 041926

[Deborah Hill]

Thanks so much, Tracy!

On Saturday, I was at an agility trial with my other Aussie, Tarot, and was tired and sore from all the running. I walked into the training center with Tribute thinking it would be an easy day of walking and tossing treats and was totally blindsided when he started running! Looks like he knew the assignment and I didn’t; LOL!

>you can look at him but you don’t need to point at the jumps or line.>Hah!!! I attended a full-day workshop with Diane Patterson and she said the same thing! Apparently, I am still doing that thing!

>remember to use your ‘get it’ marker when you throw the reward, so he continues to look forward and not at you.>I have this same issue (head checking) with Tarot I definitely need to work on that.

[Deborah Hill]

Thanks again, Tracy, for the feedback!

I did start working on backing up on a low platform. Tribute is doing really well with it. However, I don’t have a video of that session.

Today, I continued working on the parallel path activity except this time I added two more “jumps”. Initially, I rewarded each one individually but then Tribute started offering to go forward on his own so I rewarded after the third jump. I also added a start line stay on the last two reps. You can’t see Tribute, as he is off-camera but you might hear me say “Catch” or “Free”.

I was thrilled with his commitment! I just have to make sure I balance that with an appropriate amount of handler focus so that I am still in the picture!

Video: Tribute MaxPup1 Agility Foundation Practice 041226

[Deborah Hill]

Thanks so much, Tracy, for the fantastic feedback! I am really enjoying this class and I love how confident Tribute is becoming with all the games (although, it’s starting to get a little scary for me as he eyes up all the equipment that he never noticed before)!

I put the teeter on pause and had a go at the following three things:

1) Parallel path with jump wings – This went well. I added some rear crosses. Although, I don’t think Tribute noticed that I was crossing behind him. Once we got into a rhythm, I also increased the lateral distance.

2) Backing Up – The number of backward steps is increasing and Tribute is keeping his body straighter than before.

3) Stays – I have never taught stays this way before. It’s a lot of fun! I am using the verbal “catch” when releasing backwards and “free” when releasing forward

Video: Tribute MaxPup1 Agility Practice 040526

[Deborah Hill]

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 032826

[Deborah Hill]

Thanks 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.

[Deborah Hill]

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

[Deborah Hill]

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 ball

I 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

[Deborah Hill]

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

[Deborah Hill]

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.

[Deborah Hill]

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

[Deborah Hill]

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

[Deborah Hill]

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

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