[Elaine Norton]

Thanks for all your help during this class. Just what he needed. Now, I need to work on getting him to weave everywhere. Is it ok to start working on his weaves again as he seems happy?

>> Well, it is good to know that waiting further back (or any place where food is allowed) is more effective, because the other runs did not have that mini-zoomie before the run

Yes, it was informative to see. His 4th run was good to see what worked when he did get distracted and had to go in early. Getting his focus back with tricks in the ring before unleashing and clam was effective with no food. And he definitely needed more interactions going to the line.

>> He had trouble here for some reason – do you remember which games you did outside the ring, anything different?
For his 3rd where he sniffed, I didn’t do anything different with his tricks but it was a much longer wait since they changed courses. Also, the dog before him was Miles and the same one that distracted him on his 1st run so not sure if he recognized a scent since they used to be in his class. He went after a different dog on runs 2 and 4. I’m not sure which run with 3rd or 4th he did notice when the sheltie showed up for the run as I saw him react as he stood alert and looked. And at some point we were sitting in front of the chiropractor and massage area so one dog cried out so had to leave the area for him to calm down. But he can just vary wildly. During the 3 month break in class due to COVID, he came back like an untrained dog and trainers thought something was physically wrong but it’s just his mental state and having to reacclimatize.

>> you can try to engage him by moving away from him
Yes, he will respond to chase me if I leave him

>> If the mini version doesn’t stay on longer, you can maybe ask a friend to keep it on during the run, or let it turn off and just plop treats into the tray as he seemed happy with that.

Looks like the mini will stay on as it requires external battery. Regular will stay on with external too but says it turns off after 15 mins on battery to conserve. It didn’t feel like 15 mins so maybe my sessions started a little early and went long waiting in line. Maybe I need to wait a little longer to line up and start his tricks. I can also set it for auto time mode to keep a treat every 15 mins but don’t want to attract dogs while we are gone. The new remote works better so I don’t have to worry about the battery draining. And I can use the external battery to keep it on. The mini only holds 15 treats so I was more planning to use that for training sessions to keep short. The regular will hold more for trials without having multiple cartridges or reloading. It came early and despite the differences in device he loved it and finally ate his food. I had the motion sensor on so it kept firing treats constantly in the bowl. If they were just sitting in the bowl he wouldn’t touch. He also knows the little beep. He happily did his caveleti with it. It’s too exciting in class for him to do weaves so he just runs right to it.

>> almost all of them had the clam visible even if you didn’t throw it in the ring?   I think he is ready for the next steps – clam-in-pocket so he sees the empty hands, then you whip out the clam to reward.  And then – clam-free runs!

Yes, I did have the clam visible. The first two runs I didn’t really use it during the short run, just to start/end. How do you declare FEO when you hide in pocket? NADAC did not have that option on check in and I forgot to mention near the end but the judge figured out at the start.

>> I would mix them all up – in a new place, perhaps, start with the visible clam, then go to empty hands, then if he is doing well – clam-free-in-and-outs.

His next trial will be a new place with UKI. I was able to do clam free in class and he ran really well. I thought the NADAC double run format would give me a chance to do different options. I did see in the UKI articles they suggested doing NFCs with experienced dogs so that explained why it’s present at elite levels. And it helps to keep start lines and other behaviors from deteriorating over time.

[Elaine Norton]

For NADAC trial, he had four good runs where he was fast and focused. He did run off shortly on first start as I followed gate steward direction instead of trainer advice. 🤣 He runs here often so he was relaxed and had no trouble with any action tricks. He had better focus during his runs and never got distracted during the run. My mother only came to parking lot when we arrived to pick up things for new puppies so he was not distracted by her brief presence.

I gave him CBD oil in the AM. The weather was cooler and breezy so he was fine under the shaded arena. Unfortunately my fan drained the battery after we headed off for pattern games so he had no fan most of the day. He hung out with two shelties next to us and caught their fan. He was unusually calm and even snoozed with his head on the concrete. This was the longest he’s been at a trial from 9:30-4:30. It took a long time before his 1st run as it was after 12:30. And he had another long wait 2.5hrs between regular and touch n go so I grabbed lunch. He was calm in his crate watching me leave and come back. He didn’t even get upset when I left him in the crate to walk the course. I set his crate up on the concrete away from the ring and a chair in dirt area away from the ring for reward station including the pet tutor. After my walk thru, I took him to the dirt area to wait. He chilled out by the chair and I gave him Charlie bear cookies from the Pet Tutor for pattern. Occasionally it spit out some kibble that was lurking from home sessions and wouldn’t eat it. He was not too reactive to any dogs even ones tugging in line. We did tricks once they lined up for his height and hung back beyond the line as he was 5th. If I walked closer to the area for checking the board he got more excited around some dogs but he focused and did his tricks for rewards.

1st Regular Run 1
My phone was too far from watch and wouldn’t connect to record so I moved it between rounds. Unfortunately, I followed the gate steward directions so I was lined up waiting with him and we entered while the dog was still on the dog walk. He knew the dog from class and reacted to the handler calling out the obstacles. So I never had his focus at the start and he was over excited watching the dog leave. When I took off his leash, he was not engaged and he did his usual quick sprint back and then returned to me so I just started. I had planned to do quick start and run for 1st round. We ran same course as 2nd run but he took the tunnel instead of the jump so I sent him back around. He did miss a few of the hoops before and after the dog walk but I just kept going. I just tossed the clam at the end. We sprinted out of the gate to his reward station. Unfortunately the pet tutor turned off so I couldn’t reward from it. I just gave him treats by hand, dropped some on the tray and then dropped some in his clam.

2nd Regular Run 2
I told the gate steward I was going to wait before entering as he reacted to dog and she said ok, but the judge might get mad. I know that judge and no one was entering until the dog was done. So I didn’t line up and went to the gate before his turn. I kept the clam in hand. He stayed engaged when I unleashed so I was able to cartoon lead out with him lying down. He was barking at me at the 3rd jump for some reason but he kept going. I think he barked 1st run and then took the tunnel. 17.24 secs on the clock. We sprinted off for rewards.

3rd Touch n Go Run 1
It took 2.5 hours to get to his next run and it was the next class. The course layout was very similar to standard except the jumps were hoops and an extra tunnel discrimination under AFrame. I walked two different runs so I could try different things. I jogged to the line but didn’t do anything so when I took off his leash he stayed but got distracted sniffing so once I got his attention I just started. I had to send him back out on the opening hoops but he took them and no barking. At the end I told him tunnel but he just took the AFrame. I ran with clam in hand and rewarded dog walk and tossed at end. 34.55 secs on clock. We sprinted off for rewards. I was winded running back to the rewards.

4th Touch n Go Run 2
It was 30 mins between the two rounds and after 4pm so little warmer 81. We waited in the dirt area with his reward station so he just dug him a small hole in the dirt to lay down. I just did enough tricks to keep him engaged but not wear him out. I ran out of cheese right before we had to go to the gate so I thought about going back to reload. He got distracted by something back in the crated area as we headed to the gate so I just had the clam to distract him. Then the gate steward made us enter while the other dog was running so i just headed to the corner to get his focus with some tricks and clam. As I was unleashing him, the judge told me to take my time as I had 60 secs. After his run, the judge saw his Mr Fun name tag and when I looked at the timer it was 32 secs . I was able to cartoon lead out and he was standing. He ran well and I rewarded after the tunnel and the dog walk. I thought he would take the AFrame but he took the tunnel. He caught his clam and ran with it at the end. We sprinted out of the gate to his reward station for another 30sec run. He seemed to really enjoy the runs to the reward station, not so much for the food but liked running. He did stand in front of the Pet tutor and I would drop it on the tray.

These runs felt much easier. Even after a long day his last run was really good. He was Mr Chill today. He did enjoy his runs to the rewards as much as the ones in the ring. It was a long way to go but nothing blocking the path. Not sure how to get the Pet tutor to stay on long enough to use it. I will be getting the mini version Tuesday so will see how it goes as I somehow got selected for beta testing. It’s also going to have a better clicker with motion sensor.

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks for the insight.

>> Just thought of this for NADAC -they allow a zip lock bag of treats in your pocket, I think.
Yes, exactly. I was planning to take advantage of that rule. I have a little container you open one handed that I keep his tripe treats in and use inside the pockets as his reward station. I thought it would be easier to use that before and after and just put in my pocket when it’s time to enter the 10 foot zone. I didn’t think about tapping it. I also have my cheese dispenser so not sure if that would count as sealed. It has a button to dispense so it would be easier to use in and out. I heard you mention using a remote treat device. The pet tutor is high value reward delivery to him so I thought about using that as a reward station. I also power back up the clam after the empty run with treats.

>> You can also hang out outside the ring with cookies while they change the course
That was my first time running him championship since they changed the height rules. I didn’t realize how long it would take to swap out the jump or exactly how it worked moving between the two classes. This was his first trial jumping the double bar but he practiced many times at the run thrus so he got to the point that he quit running around those. It was good to see those did not phase him and not all bad as he had extra room after the AFrame runoff. They were storing the extra obstacles in the spot he ran to so maybe looked like a line to him but he did look at the dog by the fence.

>> Touch and Go is a-frame, dog walk & tunnels, from what I remember. No Tunneler runs?
Yes, he loves the contacts and it has tunnels plus hoops, no jumps. He’s better with doing hoops as he loves running under, clearly with those tires in class. He’s not always reliable about taking the tunnel so I looked at that class and thought he might not like all tunnels and it’s only on Friday.

Class 5-23
We had a guest dog in class Monday with one of the other trainers. Sprite just had to be social and visited the new border collie in the crate and then said hello to his buddy Rio. He was calm in his greeting and the border collie was happy but quiet. The train did go by and startled him so I tried to toss pattern cookies. He ate some but left some. Since about every dog jumps a different height, didn’t have much time to work him between runs. We stood there waiting a long time for the group to move off the course for his first start so I did do his tricks before the 1st run. He’s usually a bit more distracted in class after Sun trial.

1st Run
Tire meltdown. Don’t know why I didn’t just start on another obstacle. You can also see he had a little trouble with circle trick which is similar to the trial when he couldn’t do that one until more pattern. His tire sniffing might have been real smell distraction as the well-trained border collie sniffed same area and trainer said female dogs in heat attended class. The first run he kept tripping me up and trainer insisted my clam in my hand was distracting him and I should keep in my pocket. I don’t know know why she had him redo the tunnel in the back but she thought I should be on left and send to right side with my arm. He won’t take a tunnel with arm and requires motion from me. So I got more barking in this run.

2nd Run
I started with empty hands butI did reward his focus with leash off and then started him quickly. I left clam in pocket. He did better with this run and had much longer wait since he went last. He still had few jumps where we disconnected.

3rd Run
Course was similar to his great run last week but little longer. He had just finished his 2nd run and then ran this one so not much rest. I did reward him at the start to keep his focus. He followed me as I placed his leash off course but I was able to reset and lead out. He had a little trouble with few jumps but he took the tire first time after jump sequences but not for the end.

He’ll be happy to be back at trial Sat and no class Monday.

[Elaine Norton]

USDAA FEO Trial 5-22-22

He had another great run at the USDAA trial on Sunday. He stayed in the ring with no gates even with the start really close (I left Kryptonite home). Mother Nature cooperated so no storms in the AM and it was not too hot.

I did a good bit more of pattern games upon arrival and for his first set of tricks as he was having a hard time doing some initially. He settled in after a chance to take in the environment and later was offering some. This environment is a little more noisy than the country setting from the last UKI run. It’s a covered (mud) arena with close stands and dog crating is close by or in cars or barn stalls. Unfortunately it was hard to place the camera in a location to catch his start line so it’s just out of view on both runs. You can see the rewards on the table. He was really excited about the other rewards on the table and stood up checking it out.

Standard Run 1
For the first run, I went with visible clam. I left the pockets hanging near the exit and his cheese dispenser on the table near the start. The dogs are not lined up or close proximity so he was fine being near the ring and doing his tricks for cheese. As he was the first dog and change to championship level, we had to wait a little longer while they reset the course. For the first run, I did not realize it took that long but we waited more outside. Since the tire was first obstacle and so close to the opening I decided to just go. He had good engagement when I took off the leash and I kept clam visible. He had no trouble getting started and left me in the dust even jumping the tire – he loves the dog walk so maybe that helped. I had planned to toss the clam after the jumps but I was too late so he did run off briefly so I tossed when he returned. This run felt really good and he was charging ahead taking obstacles so seemed a little better than class as I can’t usually get that much distance.

Gamblers Run 2
For 2nd run, I started with clam in pocket and planned to try cartoon lead out. We had to wait for the course change while in the ring so I bent down and he snuggled into my legs for a chill out session and he did a few tricks. He stayed when I took off the harness but then he headed off to some distractions on the side of the ring with some dogs. So to get him back I took out the clam and just started the run. He ran well but did run off to the side again as a little dog was right by the ring near the extra obstacles. I decided to try sending him to the dog walk walk after the tunnel as that was the advanced gamble and those dogs took the tunnel. He was also good with my rear cross on the teeter. The gamble was easy so we did that and he ran well and even went back out to take the jump.

He was really good here with not being so reactive to dogs and engaging in the pattern game around the more exciting ones. He was not reactive to the dog running in the ring either. He did react to a person going by once and when I looked up it was one of my classmates. One of my trainers was the gate steward so she warned the scribe he might try to run out or over but he’s a totally different dog after this class 😁. It was interesting to see how well the dogs doing FEO ran compared to the others, and how happy the handler and dog walked away afterwards. The guy in my class who yelled awesome for Sprite was a bit upset with his dog’s performance and she clearly was stressed. She struggles with the teeter even in class but I looked up and she was just standing in the middle of it. He stopped the run. I heard him debating whether to reward her afterwards and I’m thinking don’t punish further. I tried to impart the wisdom from this class and how it helped Sprite. He said the difference was noticeable. My trainer said she was running her dog for the 2nd time and just focused on happy ring experience. I said, FEO? No, it’s gamblers and he might get a Q so why waste the money. She was happy after his Q run. 😂

Not sure how his class will be since it’s likely to storm during the day and rain for class but he will like the 69 temp. We might be inside so he’s way better and I can run weaves.

Next, I will be able to assess with NADAC on Saturday 5-28 at a place he runs frequently. This will be more challenging so we’ll hangout in the 10 foot legal area. I signed him up for 4 runs as it’s double runs in Standard and Touch and Go. I’ve never done Touch and Go but it seemed to have his favorite obstacles and I don’t have to worry about the discriminations. At least right now the forecast is showing even cooler temps.

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks

>> These runs looked really fast and engaged!!!
YES!! They felt easy and I didn’t have to think.

>> Clearly he was a limbo champion in a past life
Funny thing is I have one fitness game where he’s supposed to go under a cavaletti pole. His first action is to put his front paws on it and he does not like going under it.

>>Was this after the Tire Limbo Championships?
Yes from what I recall he sniffed after his run under and it was the spot he ran thru. I remember thinking how did he find that hole so quickly. Then we both came up to inspect the gap. He’s not typically a sniffer for stress as he goes high. We dug those out of an area near the fence so think it has an interesting dog or wildlife smell. He will sniff that intently on walks in the woods.

>> So it fell out, she picked it up, and he continued on with focus?
He was halfway down the dog walk so when I stopped and turned around he started to follow but then we both continued on. It fell out more than once and I picked it up so that didn’t distract him.

>> he seemed to like that connected cartoon lead out
Yes, I think it’s working for him with the long waits otherwise we just go.

>> both of you entered the ring with a smile
One of my classmates just noticed his new name tag MR FUN as we started. He is one happy little dude wagging his tail for the unleashing.

>> If standard is first
Yes, it is then Gamblers. Your memory is fine. I didn’t realize the order is consistent.

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks.

Class went really well this week. I left Kryptonite at home so I could practice level 3. We had the full class so that gave him more time to chill out. He was happy and focused. He’s wagging his tail when I take off his leash. I don’t recall any barking this week. I got a new mesh version of his harness to keep him cooler and he lived up to his new “MR FUN” name tag.

Run 1 Empty Hands
I only got 3 secs of nothing at start and 1 sec of the end recorded so it’s not your Internet. I did get the wings in front of the tire which was the start line. I wish I had video of his amazing feat running under it. I looked in amazement at how he managed to slip so effortlessly between the tire and wing to still run under without moving anything. There’s some metal piece at the bottom that left a tiny gap. I included the video so you can see the setup. And then he was so distracted by the smell on one of the feet my instructor and I had trouble getting his attention back to start.

I did have a chance to work on his tricks before the run so he was focused to start. Once I got him back from sniffing the leg he did run well and at the end my instructor said that’s his best run. He ran up the AFrame instead of tunnel as I took away my hand too soon. I tried to run with empty hands but the dispenser kept falling out of my pockets so she said to continue and she would get it.

Run 2 Empty Hands
For the 2nd run, I kept my pockets on and left just the rewards on the seat so I would have some way to run and keep the rewards from falling out. I didn’t get the video zoomed out so his start is off camera but he was focused and I did cartoon lead in front of the tire. I was kicking myself for not rewarding the first time so I pulled it out for the 2nd time thru. He got distracted by something in the sand for a moment before the weaves. I stopped moving too soon for the tunnel in the back but he did fine on reset. The tire at the end was not part of the sequence and he ran under knocking the strap.

Run 3 In and Out
The 3rd course was a short sequence that was mostly jumps so I did the run with no rewards and ran out. Still forgot to zoom out the video but the start line was in view. He was engaged. I lost connection after the tunnel which is off camera so he ran around the jump and my instructor told me to keep my arm out. I was trying to just use the pumping arms. He did really well and everyone was cheering at the end and one classmate yelled awesome. He even went thru the tire correctly at the end.

His two runs on Sunday for Standard and Gamblers will be from 10am-12pm and under cover. It will be a little cooler and hopefully he’s done before the storms as he does not like thunder.

[Elaine Norton]

>> Wow, this is IMPRESSIVE kryptonite LOL!!
Yes, I know he has a hard time when she comes to class, a run thru or trial. I didn’t realize I was bringing the whole planet as he’s not usually that distracted. And I thought the toolbox would help. It’s been a long time due to COVID. I tried once recently at run thru so he had ring fence to keep him inside but he was running around so we skipped 2nd run and I went back to solo. He’s actually slipped thru the ring fencing to get to her.

>> he was able  to do the teeter to the jump to the tunnel (turning away from the Kryptonite!!!) at the end.
Yes, I was pleasantly surprised and thought he wouldn’t take the tunnel and just run back to Kryptonite.

>> You are highly unlikely to see that level of distraction at a trial
I had put it on my list as he’s had that issue at trial but I can manage by going solo. I started using the tripod and my watch to remotely record. The USDAA trials where he ran out of the ring were to her filming. At NADAC she was standing on concrete crating area above ring and he caught her scent and would not stop trying to get to her. Then he started doing that when my mother was filming in the middle of his run when we got closer.

Same Kryptonite

My mother

>> So in the face of the Kryptonite friend, you can try adding a new high level of reinforcement instead of the regular level.
I did map out his reward hierarchy so I had his highest value. How I deliver the reward is a factor with the reward value. He often won’t take from hand but will chase a tossed item.

I was able to practice his tricks, start line at home in mock set up with gate while she was nearby with the other dog. He was more interested in the toy with food than her. That same toy has no value in class. He did take glances over but returned focus quickly. I tried to send him to her for his reward but he preferred his toy.

I tried to practice a training run in the dog park. I was hoping to be able to try level 3. Unfortunately, it seems they let the grass turn to weeds and I finally realized it was hurting his paws. I did get to practice the cartoon lead so that kept his focus even with dogs and people walking nearby. He wouldn’t take the jumps due to the grass. He did like the tunnel and even did his weaves.

I got the lineup order for his 5/21. It’s a small trial and he’s first in both runs. And the judge from his last UKI run is 2nd.

[Elaine Norton]

>> let me know which device you were getting the crashes on and which platform it was running.

Yes, I use Apple devices. I tried from both iPhone 11 and iPad 6th gen running 15.4.1.

I didn’t realize the post went thru as it never came back success. It had gotten harder and harder but none of my tricks worked this time. Both Chrome and Safari had the issue on iPad. If I closed everything out and then did a clean restart of the device I could get it to post earlier. I tried clearing the website data but still no luck. It seems more like the amount of data it was trying to load as the bar would go halfway, when I try to scroll to bottom it would tend to refresh the page halfway thru and then give the website crash after too many attempts.

I did try on the Windows PC with Edge and that is able to load the page. I’m a software engineer so I sit in front of my computer all day so I use mobile devices for my home “PC”. I did some mobile development so the language is pretty old for Apple but I would never own Android as those are not secure. I don’t trust my PC as a hacker from foreign country got into it years ago so I cleaned up what I found.

[Elaine Norton]

Class 5-9-22

Thanks.

At home, I tried the tire and he happily does it so it’s another obstacle where he’s different in training. He does the one at run thru better than class. Mine does not have the same frame that is easy to run under.

In this week’s class I brought a person that distracts him as Kryptonite. So the other dog came too. Fortunately the weather was much cooler as he did lots of running. He was fine with the other dog but kept running back to the person. I explained she might need to increase distance but it was hard to get enough distance for him. Even with her in the car, he went searching for her.

I did have a chance to do pattern on arrival but he was fine in parking lot. But she said could not hear his screaming when she headed off first without him. Before the 1st run, he was able to relax on bed and do few actions while she was present.

1st Run – Kryptonite Person Hiding Behind Building
I kept rewards visible. I couldn’t get him to do much tricks to start his 1st run with the person present at a distance. I left his rewards but he was looking back towards the person on way to 1st obstacle. When I took off his leash, he sprinted off to the person. After a couple of mins of running back and forth, I was able to get him to run the course. When I disconnected, he would head off. When he got to the end of the dog walk, he could smell her as she was standing behind the building near that area so he took off again with the teeter. He came back and finished the run. I was able to give him his reward and then head over to the person.

For the 2nd run
I was too distracted with putting Kryptonite in car and all his running around to search for her that I forgot to start recording. I could not get him to do any tricks. When I got to start line and removed his leash, he went sprinting off and ran to the back door of the inside building. He eventually ran over to the gate on other side and stared into the car. She said he was looking at her but the windshield is tinted so not sure if he could see. I totally don’t remember the 2nd run but it was tough like the 1st one but little better since he mainly ran off at the start. Think in that run I went to far past a jump as I forgot the next jump was serpentine. My instructor said I should keep my arm extended so I just smiled as I remembered to intentionally pump my arms instead so he was following well. My friend said she noticed I kept my arms low.

3rd Run
By this point, he finally was able to focus with Kryptonite in car. I was only able to do (lots of) pattern games and no tricks. Unfortunately, I forgot to refill my rewards so I ran out at the start for leash engagement. He had little trouble starting with tunnel and needed little more energy. I started with rewards in my pocket and just pulled the clam out for a reset but kept hold of it so that’s the leap in the air near the AFrame. I did get him to redo the tire at end with clam.

Not the best night in class to bring Kryptonite as there was only one other dog and that was the exciting Rio. He ignored Rio when my friend was in the crate area but at the end of 3rd run before we left he was focused on him tugging so I just took him to the car and came back to get his stuff. My instructor said that was interesting training and I needed higher value rewards. I’m not sure how to make that easier because he does not react at home. He does not react with other people. He would not even take the reward at the start line. Just knowing she was present he went searching. I did not try with her in the ring.

Thankfully, he snoozed on the ride home. The other dog could easily watch Rio run and was fine in that environment.

Next up
Class 5-16
Run Thru Sat 5-21 which I likely will skip due to work and Sun trial
USDAA Trial 5-22 Standard and Gamblers
NADAC Trial 5-29 – my mother attends but he’s less distracted by her and she hides

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks.

>> either my computer is losing its mind, or  there is no sound
Oops, it was my device. Dog wrestling muted the audio when I saved it. Normally he steps on the TV remote or my adjustable bed but this time it was touchscreen. This version is unmuted. No unusual sounds this week, just that typical freeway noise.

>> I notice the biggest differences when you have an oopsie or you are talkin to the instructor. The little dude stays engaged and gets right back to work with very little effort from you.

Me too. I’m enjoying my new freedom. 😃

>> Note the difference n the next lead out when you were sillywith the cartoon game
I still couldn’t tell whether calm or cartoon works better. I know if he’s distracted I have to be more animated to get his attention.

>> I think he probably needs more understanding of the tire in general. Do you have one you can borrow to clicker training him to go through it?
Yes, I have a practice tire, not same style as class. It’s so old and neglected I had tape the foam pieces together. I also have the donut holder so I use that to reinforce just going thru it – for some reason that was part of fitness class.

>> in class, you can try putting big jump wings between the frame and the tire
Good idea and there are some extra wings. They tried cones and he still ran under.

>> Less arm to show the line, and more eye contact. I know it sounds weird and counterintuitive, but works really well!
It’s habit and I used to have to run so close to obstacles I needed to watch where I was going. I need some cartoon eyes for the back of my head. Someone mentioned their instructor had them run with hands in pockets so that might work.

I did find a USDAA trial on 5/22 so hopefully I will be able to make it as there’s another work event Friday/Saturday. I signed up for gamblers and standard. He’s been to this location once before in Feb 2020 and ran out of the ring twice. Plus it’s double ring. His monthly run thru is on Sat 5/21 so not sure that will work out.

From what I can tell, they amended the rules in 2020 and allow FEO outside of Intro now. You’re not allowed to use toy in distracting manner to other ring. Previously it mentioned not throwing. So this might be one for clam on leash.

Do you know if USDAA allows FEO at regional events in the regular classes? There’s one place that has AC 😀 but it’s mainly used for regionals.

https://www.usdaa.com/events/event-calendar-details.cfm?e=111501

The rule says

FEO” runs are permitted at competitor’s discretion in any/all classes at all local events. However, FEO is not permitted at the All-Around Dog Agility Championships, tournament classes at Regional Championships, or at Cynosport®.

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks
>> it also can be dangerous for when you truly disconnect on course – he could trip you
Fortunately, he does not do it on course and he’s very adept at staying out of my way. He does walk between my legs during outdoor walks on occasion and jumps on the back of my leg.

The class setups were a bit harder to practice simple, fun runs without rewards as they had more complex jumps with serpentines and backsides.

Class Run 1
He didn’t have much activity before his start so he was a bit more distracted to start and ran over to his reward station which reminded me I forgot his clam. I did try the cartoon lead out and my instructor tried to tell me he skipped the tire but I just kept going. I started 1st run with empty hands. He was all set to head off for his reward and my instructor wanted to redo the dog walk with a stay – I can’t lead out from it so I mixed in a cartoon backwards walk that worked the best. I was totally happy with him going out and taking the jump instead of tunnel.

Class Run 2
Couldn’t practice much of a lead out since started with tunnel but did calm. I gave reinforcement at start but still empty hands. He went last so I was able to take him out while another dog was running to get him ready. I had trouble with tunnel to backside jump but he was cool with the retries and even took the tire.

Class Run 3
It felt like the best run so I was curious to see the video but I stopped it 4 secs into the start. For this run I did probably step 4 instead of 3 as it was 17 obstacles and he added the tire on his own at the end and actually took it. I just kept running to his reward and came back to leash him. He did have better focus to start and was on opposite side of tire going to tunnel. I did cartoon lead out walking backwards facing him and was able to get in front of tire so he took it this time. There was a long stretch the instructor said he did well following me as it was the blue jumps in the middle all the way to the white jump near the woods past the tunnel and AFrame. I didn’t stop anywhere or retry but didn’t seem like he had any issues. It took 2 mins since I accidentally started the recording during his reward session. He was fine with the Sheltie coming out when I was leashing him so he was better than last week.

After his 1st run, they had the inside open so took him inside. I practiced disconnect on tunnel and he found my face, not middle. The channel weaves were open so he ran thru those and hopped on a table. Between runs, he was checking out the chairs which had his rewards and someone else’s treats. They had watered the ground so it was a tight area to navigate to start his run.

On jump sequences he runs in toward me frequently but he’s better about going back out and taking it. He seems to do better on lead outs if I face him and walk backwards. Opposite of how we were trained to walk away.

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks

>>I think you can at class be doing some Step 2 (empty hands) runs (already doing those) along with the steps 3 and 4

I will see how it goes in class tonight. Last week I ended last run with the clam in hand since he was having a harder time.

>>the Find My Face is next up on the list of games for him and it will be fun to put it in action!

I may need to call it Find My Legs. About half the time he ends up in middle even when my legs are together he shoves his head between them. I did get him to wrap a column and take jump a couple of times.

I tried the cartoon and calm lead outs but couldn’t tell much difference at home. At first he looked at me a little puzzled like what are you doing? I’ve played the crazy lady game which is talking to nobody and using other words before release on proofing boundaries. Three times he did not release during cartoon and once he broke the stay on calm. It will be easier to tell in class as he does not have much patience and will start on his own.

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks

>> I think he looked better than he does at class
I thought so too and it felt effortless running him. His outside class is one of the most challenging environments – freeway, train, rabbits, rock band, and bacon factory. Plus that sand is harder to get footing and not fun to eat dropped cookies. Inside he’s much better and it has AC.

>> what do you think were your most useful and successful tools at the trial?
Volume dial with food waiting in line
Engaged chill away from ring
Pattern game I only used a little for really exciting sounds
Crating in the car with AC really helped

I really didn’t have to use many tools at trial. The leash off engagement at home/class really transferred to the ring. Kryptonite with leash runner in class helped. Volume dial with clam on his first start kept his focus so I didn’t need anything for the other ones.

>> And what did not work as well (such as instant focus on Saturday)
Yeah, instant focus does not work well as 1st thing, even when I tried at different places. I did have his bed set up in shade so he did hop on it right away after we had already been walking around. He didn’t use it the rest of the time though but it was a magnet for a border collie who liked boundaries. The bed works in class away from ring.

His class Monday felt worse than it looked on video. He has more trouble right after a trial on Sunday since there’s no break. My instructor asked if I had commands for the jumps and sending back. Unfortunately it was even hotter Monday night than Sun afternoon and he was not in the AC.

1st run
The Elmer Fudd walk was unintentional but maybe influenced by seeing your video before class. There was a really loud noise that distracted him so I was trying to sneak in a lead out while waiting for his attention. Seemed noisier than usual and even I was distracted by some of the chatter. I got scolded by him for being behind on the jumps at the end.

2nd run
At :31 he looked distracted by his leash that far away. He struggles with that tunnel/dog walk so I used a few tricks to get him going. He had a nice sequence with jumps but I had to toss the clam to send him away to take one. I was going to move on with his crazy run in front of me taking the wrong jump but my instructor thought I was off after my rewarding but I said I had planned to run that side. He was patient thru the discussion and did better on retry.

3rd run
My instructor is enjoying being Kryptonite. I heard one of my classmates complaining she distracted him and she told him she was a judge and allowed to move. I was happy to get the practice and rewarded with his clam.

He was not so calm in class and after one of his runs we were headed back while the other dog was running nearby. His clasp on the harness had not fully latched so he pulled out and went to interact with the female Sheltie. I was calling him back so I didn’t see but they said she gave him a female correction and he stopped and came back to me

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks for the help planning.

OMG, he was AWESOME! I don’t think he knew he was at a trial. 😀 For the 1st time ever, he held his start line for all 3 runs. He was engaged, able to hang out next to the ring with other dogs and dogs running, and ran all the courses perfectly and super fast, even the last one when it was hot and late.

It was cooler in the morning so he was able to just hang out in the shade close to the ring. It got harder to find shade later and as it got hotter, I just set the AC to max and he chilled in the car. He even got in a nap (1st time). He stayed fresh. After his last run, someone commented he looked happy. For his last run he was under the tent with four dogs and ignored them. I was more distracted and he was just offering his tricks to get my focus.

The judge was happy to have NFC run for coffee break and rest from the sun.

1st run Gamblers
It was still cool and only upper 50s. I did use few tricks on way to start and rewarded with clam. He stayed when I took off the leash so just started him. He was so fast on start he got so far ahead he almost ran past A-Frame but he stopped on all his contacts. He totally did the gamble run and blew past me on the last jump. He grabbed up his clam at the end and had a nice run with it. I had trouble finding where they left his leash but we ran off for the reward.

My watch had trouble finding my phone so didn’t record the 2nd run but he had great start and run like the others. His eyes got so big with excitement when he saw that clam in my hand while taking off the leash I didn’t make him wait long but longer than 1st. He enjoyed his clam and even picked it up and ran away with it briefly. He was so fast he finished my planned courses well before the timer.

3rd run Speedstakes
I carried him from the car to shaded area for his last run. He still had engagement when leash came off. He did well with all the jumps. He got excited at end when leash run handed me his leash. For last 2 runs I left the pockets by the ring so we didn’t have far to run.

From these photos you can see him relaxed and the modified course I ran.

This trial was much quieter setting in the country but he’s never ran that well, especially the first time. He was a totally different dog – non-reactive, focused and fast. We had a great time, much easier to walk and run your own course but I had to avoid running into the rest of the group. And my watch showed all 3 rings closed including 30 mins of exercise trying to keep up.

NADAC at the end of May will be a good chance to test his training.

[Elaine Norton]

I had my friend video the instant focus when we first arrived. I had my back pockets stuffed with toys to test if the more exciting ones would work here.

So he could not do the instant focus. He was headed for the shade under my vehicle as soon as we arrived. He was fine with pattern but no offering on the fitbone. He was much calmer and more engaged as it’s much quieter. He calmly said hello to one dog along the way.

I worked further away in a shady spot under a tree as he was so hot. No shade near the ring but he could hear the handler. He was able to do his action tricks. The only toy he would engage was the clam. Less interested in the one on leash than the solo one. I had been using a skunk tug with food pouch and tassels dangling. At home he would stick his head in and gobble all the food but here he would not touch it even with better food.

I did take his bed and he hopped on it right away but spent most of his time on the ground trying to keep cool.

He may only last 1 run since that is first in the AM when it will be cooler.

I took the other dog to the ring to observe as she’s better with the heat and not so reactive. He wasn’t too vocal as I left him. They have a tent for the line up entrance area so he’ll be huddled up with other dogs in small space. All the people are close to the ring but very quiet.

The classes show up in the app so he’s last in each run and the only dog his height. A few runs the dog before him will be one he’s met from class but not the one he goes crazy over. 11 dogs in gamblers, 15 agility, 23 speed stakes.

Here’s the interview

https://ukagilityinternational.com/handler-spotlight-marie-and-joel-staffeldt-2/

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