[Deborah Hill]

Thanks so much, Tracy!

I genuinely appreciate how well you break each game into logical bite-sized pieces.

Even though I had not done this activity with Tribute before, he understood the assignment based upon earlier games. His reaction to the sideway sends threw me off a bit, but I am glad we are sorting it out now before we start doing any hard core sequencing.

Thanks again! You’re fabulous!!

[Deborah Hill]

Thank you so much, Tracy!

I am so optimistic! Mary Ellen announced her Summer Sizzle workshops. I am sitting this one out, but am hoping I can join something later in the year.

Today, was our first attempt at wrapping barrels in a figure eight pattern.
I started with just one barrel using a forward send and then added lateral and backward sends with two barrels. 

There were some good moments and some disconnected moments but overall a decent first try 🙂

Video: Tribute MaxPup1 Agility Practice 051026

[Deborah Hill]

Thanks Tracy!

I look forward to joining round 2.

>What skills do the young dog workshops require that you need? We can prioritize those if needed so you can get more workshops for him.>

That would be fantastic if that could happen! Tarot has done several young dog workshops starting at around 18 months and the things I have often seen (and struggled with) are the following, Apologies, this is a long list:

1) Distance sends (lateral and forward); Tarot is not as obstacle focused as Tribute so if I send from too far away she will refuse
2) Backsides (specifically sending to a backside/Threadle Wrap
3) Reverse Spends (very popular these days)
4) Focus Forward / commitment

I suppose I should put startline stay on the list. Tarot has a decent leadout (most of the time!) but Tribute is just getting started.

Here’s a video of Tarot at a Manca Mikec workshop. I believe this was her second young dog workshop (her first was Emily Klarman). The course was tough (for us) and we could only do four or five obstacles at a time. Tarot was a trooper!

Video: Tarot at Manca Mikec Young Dog Agility Workshop 2024

[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.

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