[Deborah Hill]

I waited until the weekend so that I would have time to really study the screenshots and wow, Tracy, this is excellent feedback!

I have viewed the images about half a dozen times and find it so helpful. Thank You! Will be trying this again!

[Deborah Hill]

Hi Tracy,

I decided not to do any outside training due to the heat wave so am a bit behind.

Today we worked on wraps and sends and I introduced the “mountain climbing ” game. There were parts that were rough and other parts that went smoothly. Tarot fell off the teeter once when turning around but did not have any issues after that.

Video: Tarot Wraps and Sends plus Teeter Intro July 2024

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by Deborah Hill.

[Deborah Hill]

Hi Tracy,

This is a combo video. The first segment covers the wing and tunnel game and the second shows Tarot making passes on a travel plank (The long plank was not available). I am taking a class called “Movement Puzzles” which is why I am using bowls instead of tossing the treats. However, given my bad aim, I decided to toss the treat pass the bowls anyway 🙂

Tarot is offering the 2O/2O position, but I am not asking for it and did not mark it.

Video: Wingin’ it and Travel Plank Passes

[Deborah Hill]

Thanks Tracy!

Tarot will work for both food and toys. I thought I had a video where I am using food but it’s probably embedded in another video and I can’t find it.

I definitely will continue to work on that exercise.

[Deborah Hill]

You are spot on regarding moving vs. stationary!

Tarot will not always grab the toy if I turn and go in the opposite direction.

I have a video showing two reps of this. The first one, was somewhat successful. Although, she switched sides by running behind me (I know, no connection 🙂 ) and I stood and watched for commitment before turning to leave. On the second, she turned with me without going to the toy.

I can’t wait to start working on the games in the course!

Video: Tarot Reverse Retrieve

• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by Deborah Hill.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by Deborah Hill.

[Deborah Hill]

Thanks so much, Tracy!

I think you captured one of our main challenges (there are others but will start with this one). Focus forward! I was planning on doing Rally along with agility so I practiced a lot of attention heeling. She has a long reinforcement history of looking at me.

Tarot also likes to chase me (very velcro) instead of focusing on the next obstacle so if I try to leave, I will pull her off the obstacle because her commitment is not that strong (focus forward again, countermotion?)

I am really looking forward to working with you, Tracy, and want to make sure I am doing the right things by her!

Here is a video I took during a private lesson with Grace Heck.

Tarot Focus Forward:

[Deborah Hill]

Thank you Tracy! You give the best feedback!

I love working with young dogs but it can also be challenging because my older dog is becoming seasoned and I am falling into the trap of assuming the young one will just do the thing!

I will reset and try again

[Deborah Hill]

Hi Tracy,

Today, I spent some time with Quinlan on wing wraps and the “Smiley” sequence. I started off with a toy but quickly switched over to food, as he doesn’t have a good “out” and his retrieve is a work in progress (any suggestions to improve on both would be genuinely appreciated :)!

Quinlan is not as enthusiastic when food is in the picture but I was able to get in multiple reps.

I didn’t do much of the “smiley” sequencing because he would dart behind me or go wide so I wanted to hear your thoughts before I continued.

Video: Quinn Wing Wraps March 2023

[Deborah Hill]

Thanks so much, Tracy! Yes; he is a big dude! I haven’t measured him recently but he looks to be very close to 22”.

Sometimes I see a very athletic young dog and other times, I see an uncoordinated youngster who looks like he is wearing roller skates! I am happy to give him the time that he needs.

Quinlan shares the same dam as Kelsey Kirkpatrick’s Endeavor and Janet Terry’s Menty. His sire is a Welsh import who was very successful in herding. I know there’s no guarantee (so many variables to consider) but am hoping his genetics and our partnership come together 😊

[Deborah Hill]

Thanks so much, Tracy! I find your feedback extremely helpful!

The decel exercise was a tough one for us! There was a disc dog event outside and Tarot was really distracted by the people coming in and out of the building and the sound of the electronic voice over the PA system.

I warmed up (and finished) with some tugging which she really likes but the switch over to food typically gets a lukewarm reception. I will revisit this one.

Video: Tarot Deceleration
https://youtu.be/L_3hCTPLIwo.

[Deborah Hill]

Thanks so much, Tracy!

Today’s plan was to do another session of foot targeting but didn’t want the session to go too long. Instead, I warmed up with some hand targeting followed by focus forward.

Tarot’s retrieve and her toy release is not consistent yet so if you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them, as I don’t want to introduce conflict while playing these games.

Video: Tarot Nose Target and Focus Forward

[Deborah Hill]

Hi Tracy,

Here is our first entry. I walked around looking for some novel non-agility item and found a silicone water bowl and a foam disk.

Tarot didn’t know what I wanted at first but once she sorted it out she was very consistent.

Video: Tarot Foot Targeting

[Deborah Hill]

Hi Tracy,

I worked on soft turns today. I wasn’t sure how far the wing should be from the jump placed behind it so I set it to about 12 feet.

In addition, because this was our first time doing this exercise, I started by staying mostly stationary. I wanted to get you feedback before doing the walk-jog-run portion.

Video: Cowboy Soft Turns

[Deborah Hill]

Thanks Tracy! A lot to unpack for sure!

Looks like I will need to undo some things. For the wing wrap do you think “Check Right” and “Check Left” would work since Cowboy is used to hearing the word Check? I am thinking about using the Manners Minder for this but if you have any alternatives, I am happy to give it a try.

I am not sure how to indicate to Cowboy how tightly he should turn when doing a rear cross. I rely a lot on my motion to get him to collect or jump in extension but would love to learn more how I can improve my precision in that area.

Here is a video from Friday. I tend to use “Check” and “Check, Check, Check” interchangeably but am working towards being more consistent with the wording.

Video: Cowboy Wing Wrap

[Deborah Hill]

Wow! This is excellent feedback!

I will start placing the MM behind Cowboy in the ring and occasionally outside of the ring.

I also liked the idea of placing the leash next to the MM and developing a routine where where I mark the end of the sequence and run to the leash/MM combo. While watching the AKC Invitationals over the weekend, I observed a few dogs that had been trained to get their leash from a chair after their run. This should help with diverting focus on the ring gate where treats tend to happen.

Where it makes sense, I will also leave the MM in the middle of the ring to serve as a substitute judge and/or ring crew if needed but will still reward after completing the sequence.

Thanks again, Tracy!. 

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