Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Hi Tracy,
Today was indoor theme park day! I worked on three exercises:1) Backing Up
2) Tug with wobble board added
3) 2O/2O with Travel PlankThe backing up went well. The goal of the tugging session was to get Cowboy to rock back on his hind end on and off the wobble board. I partially succeeded. He was a little wild here.
I finished up with the 2O/2O using the travel plank. Oddly, Cowboy decided this was a foot targeting exercise and proceeded to step on the target plate multiple times. He did move into position, but did not drop his head much. I am wondering if I should try again with the T&T since he does tend to keep his head down and forward when staring at the food delivery tray. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Video: Cowboy Teeter Games
Torrential rain had us back indoors. Overall, I thought the session went well. Although, I think I will need to revisit wing wraps (haven’t done much of them recently).
Video: Find ’em Game Using Wings
Thanks Tracy! I will retry.
Today, I practiced the mountain climbing track. I used a pre-loaded target plate which worked well when the board was stationary but not so much when it moved. As you’ll see in the opening part of the video, cheese went flying everywhere so I just hand-fed after that. I will need to come up with a different set up for future sessions.
Video: Mountain Climbing with Tip
Today, Cowboy and I practiced the end position on the travel plank and the teeter table game.
Cowboy’s 2O/2O position is not strong right now and it looks like he has more interest in collecting treats than rocking back into position. However, I plan to keep working on this including asking him to enter from different parts of the plank (sides as well as straight on) to verify his understanding.For the teeter table game, I kept the 20″ table but removed the 12″ one. He appeared to be OK going over the plank but again was not rocking back and appears to be very upright. Recalling over the board appeared to help some since he slowed down when he reached me. All good information since I know what I need to work on (including that early release from the down stay!)
Video Cowboy Teeter Games
Thanks so much, Tracy!
Before we officially started the session, I decided to play “race to the Treat n’ Train”. I wanted Cowboy to know there was a food source out there given how large and open the area was. That probably worked against me a little and may have attributed to him running past the weaves on our first attempt. I also did some hand touches which he is always polite about but never really gets him excited.
I am sharing this video of a brief tugging session near the end. I didn’t video any of the earlier ones. He looks like he is adapting nicely so I would like to try again in the same area.
Video: Cowboy tugging near end of practice session
Cowboy and I headed outside today. Last year when all of the local facilities were closed, I used this field to do some agility practice and after providing 25 – 30 minutes of acclimation, I didn’t think there would be an issue. However, Cowboy and I struggled initially. I took lots of breaks, tossed food, played tug and he was happy to engage but not ready to do any focused work.
This is a long video (almost 5 minutes). I wanted to show the full progression. We are not partnering well at first and then he switches on for the remainder of the session. I was so happy it ended well. I have taken him to a variety of places but this one had a lot of distractions…good information for me, I guess.
I could really use your insights on this scenario. We take outdoor sheep herding lessons but this is the first time we have done any outside agility since last year.
Video: Cowboy Outdoor Weave Pole Practice
Hi Tracy!
I did the exercise you recommended where we practiced going around clock on just one set of poles. It went well; although, I think I probably should have stood closer to the poles since I wasn’t dropping the treats on his line.
Because he seemed solid on the first part, I added a second set, both positioned at 1&7. I also had Cowboy go through in a different direction (towards the camera instead of away from it).
If you believe I should continue with this set up, let me know. Otherwise, I will try adding the wings (outside only…please don’t rain!)Video: Around the Clock Weave Poles
Thanks Tracy!
I definitely will try the up close “around the clock” exercise! I have seen too many courses where the weaves were set at a 90 degree angle (or less) from the previous jump and would like to be ready.
Cowboy has not been officially measured yet. When compared to my other dogs that have height cards, I estimate that he is about 20″. When I watch him go through 4 poles, sometimes he swims and sometimes he bounces. I suspect he would prefer to swim since that is often what he starts with which is why I would like to see what he does outside.
I can’t wait to give it a try and share the results! Thanks again 🙂
BTW…I checked out your “Channels Track”. I don’t have access to channels here. This facility uses the Weavamatic (v-shaped pole arrangement).
Today was Cowboy’s first time using a Treat n’ Train with the weave poles. I set poles 1 & 2 at 6:00 and 12:00 and poles 3 & 4 at 1:00 and 7:00. At first Cowboy wasn’t sure whether to look at me or the TT. However, the head checks became more infrequent over the course of the session.
We did have some fails, particularly at the angles where he has to wrap around the first pole. However, it is improving. This week, I am going to take this outside (providing it doesn’t rain)
Video:: Weaving Around the Clock – Poles 1-4
Thanks so much, Tracy!
I will have a look at the games involving the weight shift. Here is my video of the “Mountain Climbing”. game. I spent the time doing recalls (although, early on he would leave me to go to the target plate so I guess that could be considered a send!)
Video: Mountain Climbing Game – Recalls
Hi Tracy,
I had another teeter practice with Cowboy. During this session, I lowered the downside table to 12″ and then recalled him over the board, sent him to the target, walked and ran with him.
Overall, I was very happy with the session. However, it does look like Cowboy is trying to sort out his striding because he had a “fly-off” at 2:18. On the next rep I went slower and he did well.
I switched gears and did a few reps for the “Uphill Track” and he was great! (I will include that video in my next post). Cowboy drove up to the top of the teeter and looked totally confident. I was thrilled! 🙂Video: Teeter-Table Game – Session 3 using Treat n’ Train – Downside Table at 12″
Cowboy and I were at it again today. I used a Treat n’ Train instead of pre-loading a target plate and turned off the beeper because I wasn’t concerned about marking the end position.
During the session I ran with him, recalled him over the board and sent him to the target. The reps where I stood still and sent him ahead of me appeared to be the slowest (in general, his sends are still a work in progress but getting better)
Cowboy was also not thrilled with the collar grab, especially when there was this “Pez” dispenser at the other end of the board. I guess, I will need to work through that a little more 🙂
Video: Teeter-Table Game – Session 2 using a Treat n’ Train
Fantastic! Thanks Tracy,
I especially appreciate the comment about the end-position. I wasn’t sure if I should be asking. I did see in the “Bang Game” document you are having us work on it there so I will have something to keep Cowboy and me busy over the weekend.
Thanks again!
Hi Tracy!
Today we worked on the “Down Hill Track”. I had the legs on the two tables set at 20″. Cowboy seemed comfortable with that height so I lowered the legs on the PVC table to 16″. He slowed some on the first rep but didn’t appear too concerned. The rest of his passes were very solid.
I don’t plan to lower it further until I complete the different moves/crosses around the teeter. More to come 🙂
Video: Cowboy Intro to Teeter-Tables Game
