[Elaine Norton]

Have fun at THE Flyball!

>> If he waits too long without anything to help, his ‘temperature’ will drop and he won’t be boiling anymore.
He usually goes the other way and boils over.

>> Will NADAC allow a mat or cot in the 10 feet from the ring?
They allow crating on the dirt area near the ring so I was thinking of taking his bed there as a 2nd spot. This club is very friendly so not sure they say anything as I’m pretty sure the table I left my treats on was closer than 10 feet. They allow food in container in your pocket for runs but never figured how that was useful 🤣.

The rule mentions other aids:
No food, clickers, or other aids or devices shall be permitted on the course or within 10 feet of the ring. Food or a small non-audible toy can be in a secure container (ziplock bag is acceptable) in your pocket during your run but it cannot be used during your run, nor can you indicate to the dog it is there. All handlers may bring a non-audible toy into the ring for training purposes.

>> Is there enough time to reward him, and ‘reheat’ him?
It was 8 mins between his last two NADAC Intro runs. I did take his water and treats to ring area to give between the two runs. I mainly try to cool him down. Usually his first run is better but I like being able to repeat and adjust. There would be more time with novice since more dogs.

>>  I love how he was offering a paw shake when you went to take the leash off.
That was me asking for the left one when I take off his leash as he’s a little uncomfortable and seems to help keep him engaged. He added the other paw.

I also found a couple of News articles on the UKI site about NFC runs so those had some good examples of courses and showing how to use it effectively. They also had the interview with you in there. Like Hot Sauce, my toy Eskimo at age 2 had grade 2 luxating patella so after surgery I took her to rehab. They had under water treadmill and used some fitness for conditioning so I did a fitness class. During that class, I realized Lauren Langman’s amazing dog Blink had surgery for it too.

The UKI trial is using the agility gate app so that will be helpful. The number of dogs in his classes looks like only 10-13 and mainly tall. I only saw one 8 inch so glad Sunday is tall to small or he might have been 1st on the line. I did recognize one dog who trained in his class previously.

He looks better in class so will be good to see how he does with the new tools and owner education. Food near the ring should help.

[Elaine Norton]

>> I do almost all of my waiting 10 feet away from the ring where food is legal 🙂 Then at the very last minute, I move into line then basically run into the ring when it is my turn. Otherwise you end up potentially waiting a long time without food and the state of arousal can fizzle out and he might get stressed.

Oh, I thought that was the purpose of the no cookie pattern for waiting in line. Yes, he struggles being that close in line to other dogs and so close to the ring. Poor thing, he goes cold turkey with no food from the crate area all the way thru his run 😥. Plus, I do double runs so it’s back to back with no time in between. Fortunately, the NADAC trials are small and Intro does not have many dogs so I barely have time to get him to the line after I walk. I had tried picking him up which he does not like and facing away from the ring but his head was on a swivel. So I tried to hide him behind the wing fences in line and crouch down to give him a massage which was better. I hid behind a trash can at USDAA as they were not as strict on line up. He should be much happier with the new tools.

>> You had mentioned that is might be possible to take him up there the day before to play some games and get acclimated – let me know if that is still possible

Yes, I still plan to go on Saturday. I’ve never been to this place or run UKI so it will also give me a chance to watch. Unfortunately this week end will be quite hot for him as it will be in low 80s so that does affect his energy. Plus it sounds like it’s an open field with grass instead of a covered arena.

I tried to get my friend to distract him as a leash runner at home but seems he’s cool with it. I tried a little remote combo line up practice and he just gave a brief glance at the leash.

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks for the review. Yes his focus is great and even his taking jumps is better and tunnels from a distance.

I caught up on sleep but had to get up early for first day back in office downtown.

I noticed in some of the videos you are able to use food while in line by the ring. What do you do with the food as food is not allowed in the ring? NADAC does not allow food within 10 feet of the ring so i can’t use it when the dogs are waiting in line but I did start leaving something near the ring for between runs since the crate area is far away.

>> at the NFC runs you will want to not ask for a stay

What would that lineup look like? I usually just take his leash off, wait for him to come back and then get him over the first obstacle as quick as possible. Often he will come back and lie down near me so I just spin him over. His last start at NADAC before this class.

>> with the leash runner and he had trouble staying. I was wondering if maybe he just didn’t have a long stay

The leash was hanging down and caught his attention similar to the run Thru. He does not have a good stay the more excited he gets the more it goes. I just get him to the line and go. At trial that’s the point he takes off and runs around to leash or whatever.

>> I noticed that he stayed engaged during discussion with your instructor and got right back to work

Yes, that’s much improved and I didn’t really have to do much

>> What did you enter?

Jump Height: 8 Regular

Event Date Event Level
April 24,2022 (Sunday) Gamblers-1 Beginner
April 24,2022 (Sunday) Agility-1 Beginner
April 24,2022 (Sunday) Speedstakes-1 Beginn

[Elaine Norton]

Whew, my bank account is depleted after no sleep for two days and working all week end. Sprite slept in the corner behind my chair. He was very subdued afterwards and first night was a big thunderstorm. I did manage a walk at the park on Sunday. Near the end of the walk we passed by a pavilion with large gathering of people playing music. He seemed a little worried and stopped and stared. I used no cookie pattern with hand touch. He gave a gingerly touch and not his usual plow full speed into my hand but was able to move on. He’s had a few singing sessions so I was able to interrupt with a cookie toss.

I arrived a few minutes late to class but ahead of everyone else so he did not have much time to do anything before his first run. He did get to say hi to Rio outside and was calm. The weather turned cold and windy so it was only low 50s during class. He was the energizer bunny. I had a hard time keeping up and had to call way earlier. He was one happy dude but he did bark at me a bit in second run but seemed more excitement or telling me to keep up.

1st Run
My brain was tired so I forgot to start recording before we got to the line. I just took him from crate and asked for few actions with no cookies on way. I asked instructor to play leash runner. He was very focused even taking off the leash with instructor and without cookies. He almost ran around 2nd jump but stuck with it. He did skip jump before teeter. I couldn’t get him to go out for 2nd jump in pinwheel at back so instructor said I should have rewarded after he did that one as I waited for the 3rd one. Still had trouble going into tunnel from dog walk until I just held position. Instructor said he saw my hand on the blind at the end from tunnel to jump even though i couldn’t get my head turned back. He seems to know his reward station and happily waited as I searched for the cookies.

2nd Run
He was offering his happy dance on way to line and focused. The leash did distract him twice but he came back. He ran well and no issues with jumps. I had trouble calling him soon enough for last jump sequence to tunnel and he was happy repeating it. He was focused at the end as I looked around for the leash and everyone came to set the jumps. I worked him farther away between runs. He would chill on bed.

3rd Run
Something caught his attention on way to start so I just jogged to line and he followed. He was focused even when I tossed his leash. This run had two times thru tire and he did both. I tossed clam on 1st. For 2nd time, I planned to do blind in front of jump but he was way to fast and still did it.

After 3rd Run tricks close to ring while dog running
I moved closer to ring after his last run and he was able to watch and respond to tricks with dog nearby in crate and another running. Right after I stopped video the dog coming out of crate got him going.

This was good practice for his upcoming UKI runs on Sunday. He was really focused on me coming out of the crate. He did pull out of his harness when a dog was coming back and I was taking him back after a session but was able to keep him under control.

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks for the feedback.

>> How did these runs feel in class?
Really good. His starts are more focused even with no cookies 🙂

>> I think he was great with the people near the ring, he seemed completely focused on you!
Yes, the people and chairs are gathered close to the start but he’s not distracted by people. Unless it’s someone he knows filming. He’s into dogs. But even one person has dog out in lap sometimes and he’s cool with it as long as it’s not his favorite dog, Rio. He did occasionally casually say hi on his way but now he’s sniffing his reward station instead.

For the no cookie pattern game, is it important to keep the same trick for the sessions? He tends to offer his own behaviors and they will vary.
I tried to start with paws on leg but he came back offering middle so I just stuck to middle. He looked a little surprised when I told him to look around.

Kryptonite
1. Fast/loud dog running in ring or vocal handler
2. Person tugging with dog
3. Leash or harness on ground
4. Person he knows filming or visible
5. Loud sounds – thunder, train, 18-wheeler/motorcycle

Toolbox
1. Engage: Pattern game
2. Reinforcement: Cheese, squeaky ball, clam
3. Action: Middle, Paws on leg, touch, circle

At Home
1. Phone ringing
2. Audio from trials
3. Wildlife
4. Webster/Broom
5. Pet Tutor

At Class
1. Rio the Golden
2. Leash
3. Friend watching/filming
4. Train

[Elaine Norton]

Three dogs in class tonight and he started off first for run 1. I arrive early so he had a chance to do games before 1st run. For second run he went last so I had a chance to work the games and chill while another dog was running. He even did some ladder footwork and was rather zippy. For 3rd run, he went first again so it was back to back runs with only a break during the walking of the course.

I did remember the small dog handling for the most part but still had some issues with jumps here and there and just continued on. I did reward the jump sequences, especially in the back. He was totally looking at me on the contacts like where’s the cookie and didn’t quite stop on the dog walk. He took tunnels well at a distance which is usually harder to get.

1st run
I didn’t ask for leg jumps he just did it on the way. I had practiced different leash off positions so this one I did from middle so left hand to remove gave right hand a chance to reward. He was engaged and didn’t react when I dropped leash to the side. After he was out of middle, he totally snuck a peek at his leash before returning focus back to me. He wasn’t supposed to take the tunnel on 1st run but he was off to the races so I just waited for him. I rewarded back jumps before the teeter.

2nd run
I bent down low to take his leash off while facing me, then stood up and rewarded as he was engaged. He watched the leash drop while eating his cookie but stuck with me. Then he offered all his tricks with circle, paws on leg and went to middle. I had a hard time getting him out of my legs as he followed me. I was able to lead out on this run. I pulled him off the jump and then he took the other side so we kept going. He just barely headed up dog walk and came back to take tunnel so better than last week. I rewarded 2nd time of jumps in back before dog walk. Had trouble with backside. He did the tire when I tossed the clam thru it at the end.

3rd run
He just finished 2nd run and only had break while I walked so no time for any tricks and straight from crate to line. I totally faked the cookie when I took off the leash as I ran out and tried to give a crumb. I didn’t think to go to reward station. He was totally convinced I dropped it on the ground and spent lots of time trying to find it. He was so distracted looking for his cookie he didn’t notice the leash toss. I tried asking for actions to get his focus off the ground but had no cookies to reward. Rough start and then I tried to do a front cross since he didn’t like the rear last time but that went totally wrong and he ran behind me to the tire. At least this time he did take the tunnel instead of dog walk. I only had one cookie in the clam so I used that after the back jump sequence before the dog walk. I tossed the empty clam at the end and he spent a long time looking for the cookie in it. Thankfully the reward station had cookies.

I totally need those no cookie pattern games. And think leash is part of his kryptonite items. I would be happy to put his leash in a bucket at a trial. 😆 NADAC changed the rules during COVID so putting the leash in my pocket was much easier.

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks for the review and plan.

>> that is good to know that even in your driveway, the environment is challenging

Yes, he’s easy to train for distractions as everywhere is distracting. It was impossible to potty train him outside as he noticed the birds in the sky. Although my backyard is filled with wildlife so there’s plenty of legitimate distractions, more than we see out at a park.

>> The last video was after the pattern game? This is a really nice difference! The park is distracting (I think there was music playing too) and also the park is not really associated with training

Yes, I just tossed one cookie and it got him more focused. The distractions of music and people were behind us but he was looking off into the woods and trails. I do occasionally take his agility gear to the park and train him around other dogs. This park was not a usual place and more secluded and wooded. The crazy weather was more than 20 degrees hotter after our sleet so needed some shade for his outing. Had the max AC on to cool him for the ride home.

>> Do you have class tonight?

Yes, he has class tonight and next Monday. I did register for UKI trial on 4/24 so that will be the next chance outside of class. I will practice running a small dog tonight, reward jumps and work in all his games. Hopefully more people attend this time.

[Elaine Norton]

I had planned to do run thru on Saturday but when we arrived it was canceled. So he was all set to do something so we practiced instant focus at home in different areas and leash removal with weaves.

The weather turned cold, windy and mixed in some unexpected sleet during our session so he was a bit more energetic.

Instant focus Driveway
He thought we were headed off for a walk at first. He did offer right away but this behavior is less than normal and later he did check out the environment.

Instant focus Upper deck
He was so excited heading out you can hear his feet/panting and pulling to get out. He was so quick on the first offer I had barely set it down then he had to think. He upped the behaviors in this session.

Leash off with Weaves
I practiced leash off and start line with toy and food along with weaves. By this point it was sleeting so he reacted to it. Took him a few rounds to get the weaves.

Sunday I tried Instant Focus at a Park
The environment was too much here.

Tried again after cookie toss and a little more interaction

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks for all the insights and handling tips. I just need to remember to execute them. At home, I did add the pet tutor to the jumps so it would increase the value. I need to figure out a good time to reward jumps as he’s moving and he’s stopped on contacts. I was happy to see him leave the AFrame and head off towards a jump on his own.

>> what if you went on Sunday, entered gamblers, agility (nursery) and speedstakes? I need to double check that you can enter nursery and other levels of gamblers and speedstakes

The rule did indicate you can’t do other levels with Nursery except Speedstakes. He likes the teeter so it should be fine to do regular agility. It’s only 45 mins so I could go Sat to get used to it and maybe get him measured, then run on Sun.

He normally jumps 12 because his height is 12.5 and I was trying to keep him same across the orgs. I used performance with USDAA but just noticed they changed the heights with the mock trial. I have started him at 8 inches a few times in Intro USDAA or run thrus just to make it easier. In UKI his height is 8 inch. Is it better to stick with 12?

>> Is the Saturday run through at the same place as the class?
No, this is a different facility but he’s familiar with it as we go once a month. It’s indoors and same place we went a few weeks ago. It’s AKC.

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks for the tip on small dog handling. I did always feel like he needed something else but all the trainers have big dogs. I had seen something about feet first handling and thought it might work better. I did some Dognition test with him and he actually understood feet better than pointing with hands.

>> did you notice that he was offering engagement before you even took the leash off? And then again when you took it off?
Yes, his focus was great and I thought he was better than in class :). He was very happy and no barking.

>> Did you have food in your hands? Or in your pockets?
Pocket, the little cheese dispenser in my right pocket. Clam in left pocket. He does check my hand for cookies when I reach for his harness to unleash.

>> At :18, he exited the tunnel and you had stopped – did you reward him?
No, I was so stunned he took the jumps and I was supposed to give my info to the judge. He was supposed to follow me to the start line. I did line him up in middle to reset for the real start. He ran the 1st run without rewards until the end. I did remember to pull out the clam for the gamble and toss at end.

>> Meaning your arm was too high? Handling an elephant instead of an Eskie?
Exactly, the same thing you called giraffe handling. Sending him to the tunnel looks like I’m pitching underhand softball or bowling.

>> How did you feel about how things went?
Awesome. He was focused and happy. No barking. He had more obstacle focus. I got a lot of comments about him and his name. I actually started him off in USDAA with gamblers as I thought it would be easier for him since he likes contacts and could just go with him without a set course.

>> what is coming up that is at your training facility, and also not at your training facility?
I found a UKI trial near me as I heard that discussed in chat 1. I’ve never run it or at this facility. I wasn’t sure what was best to enter. In NADAC I used Intro to start so seems like they have Nursery. You mentioned doing easy things like jumps and tunnels. For him, he does better with contacts and tunnels, maybe due to the handling issues. I also limit the trial day to one and only one/two runs so he doesn’t get over excited. I never used the NFC or FEO option. I thought maybe Gamblers and Agility at novice or Nursery and Speedstakes. Should I enter more days/ events?

1. Canine Capers Run Thru Saturday 4/9
2. Class Monday 4/11
3. Class Monday 4/18
4. UKI Trial at The Dog’s Place 4/23- 4/24

https://entries.ukagilityinternational.com/ShowUploads/4223/2022%20UKI%20Premium%20The%20Dogs%20Place%20April%2023%2024%202022.pdf

Class 4-4-22
For his 1st run, he was the only dog at class. I did pattern and few tricks before going to start line. I had his harness and leash in my hand so could not reward until I tossed it. He did react to the toss but came back quickly and rewarded. He did the tire at start but not during the middle of a run later. Tried to keep my arm lower. The opening sequence had same line as gamble so he did it again but then pulled off jump after it. Tried the weaves to see what he would do but he didn’t try and sniffed the ground so jogged on to tunnel. He did not like my rear cross so trainer suggested telling him go. That worked in a later run to get him over the jump in the back

Thankfully 2nd dog came to class. I forgot to hit record on 2nd run but his start was focused and he ran well.

Forgot to start recording his 3rd run until the middle when we retried the tunnel sequence. He loves that dog walk! I did use reset cookies and actions so he was happy. He had a good start line and I was able to take him out while other dog ran. I fixed the handling of tunnel to AFrame where he had issues with blind during gamblers. In the back I was able to send him over the jump with go and no barking. I had asked about handling the complex sequence near the end so he did it well but dropped the bar on last jump. That excited the trainer as not normal for him. I couldn’t see anything touch so maybe his back feet grazed it and he started his jump a bit early.

Trainer said he looked good. He was focused and happy. Much calmer than I expected with back to back days.

[Elaine Norton]

Not sure what happened with the earlier post, maybe the thread is too long for my browser.

You may need to put down your beverage before watching the video.

He was comfortable at the mock trial since we train here. I did do pattern game upon arriving and tricks before his turn. He was able to do engaged chill while waiting to run since they ran tall to small so he went 3rd from last out of 20 dogs. He did well waiting inside for his 2nd run and did not want a chew but would lick his Kong widget with cheese on it until a dog came by. He was quite happy when I left the pockets on the table outside but left easily and enjoyed his reward station at the end.

I misunderstood the start area of the gamblers line so I practiced the walk on the wrong end. I had to wing the first run and messed up my start line since it was on other side. I did jog out, took off his leash, forgot to reward, and headed to the start. We ended up at the same start line, just different routes.

For the 1st run, he didn’t get many points as I sent to tunnel end that did not cross the start. He did run well except my attempt to blind from tunnel to AFrame ended up on my left and not taking it. He actually got the gamble (4 out of 10 dogs in novice). He’s never been able to do that when we practice gamble in class but this line was less distance than class. I only rewarded his end of run but had clam in giraffe hand for the gamble and then went to his reward station.

That jump, jump , tunnel he took before the start is part of the gamble in reverse. And the same one he did not do the last two weeks in class either skipping the jump or tunnel. He was headed back to his leash when I took off.

For the 2nd run, the video only recorded the last 4 secs. I still took off his leash before we got to the start but remembered to reward his focus. He then went the other way on the course as the pink ribbon for the gamble line was flapping in the breeze and caught his attention as he loves lure coursing. I did get him to the start line but he was wild so did few actions. I sent to the correct end of tunnel, then did jump, teeter sequence twice to rack up the points, rewarded 2nd teeter before heading to back jump, then AFrame. He could not do gamble in the 2nd sequence since the tunnel entrance went back to entering the exit tunnel beside the dog walk and he also crossed in front on the 2nd jump.

I had 5 min coaching at the end so worked on his gamble tunnel issue. She called it elephant handling. I also had to hold the position longer. He was happy working thru the tunnel session and did do it once I learned how. He got a little hot and dug a hole in the sand so we stopped.

He got 6 points 1st run and gamble with time 37.07.
He got 20 points 2nd run, no gamble, and NT.
He finished 1st ahead of the other dog in both runs.

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks for the insights and plan for mock trial.
Yesterday I used his monthly pills for the breath and it worked fine.

>> His little happy dance when you started with his front feet was SO CUTE. He was fabulous with his responses – crisp and attentive. Yes, you got some barking, but that is the excitement of the moment.

Not sure why he was so happy with this session but he had already eaten so I used his real reward dispenser with cheese which I use in class and trial. He doesn’t usually dance with his feet as he normally doesn’t stay still. My first dog did it in the sit. The other one stands up and peddles front paws, so adorable. Yes, that’s his happy to work barking. He’s the most vocal one I’v had with quite a variety of sounds.

>> And if treats are allowed in the ring – hide a bunch of cookies in your pockets and walk to the start line with empty hands, as if it is a real trial. then take off the leash – if he offers engagement: BOOM! COOKIES! Then proceed into the run, rewarding as you like

Toys and food are allowed. So just do normal start line entrance without any action tricks? And do the tricks before we enter. For the run, should I keep the reward in pocket or hands?

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks for the tip on hands. I will see how he reacts to me with water. He LOVES water and might think it’s a reward in my hand. I may need a gallon.

>> Have you tried the air scenting where you show it to him then lift it above his head? Or you can try the mimic approach, where you sniff it first.

Above head was anything but chill with frantic paw offerings and attempts to sit pretty. The mimic worked first time I tried. Seems like cheese is working better as he sniffed it when I was putting on his harness with a piece in my hand. After our remote session, the empty cheese dispenser was on table by me and he came up and sniffed the air. So something with more smell.

Remote Reinforcement Combo
I added leash off. Took me the 3rd time to stop using yes marker. During leash off he thought I had a cookie in my hand but it was empty.

Engaged Chill on Bed
I know you didn’t consider mats but for him it was part of his calmness training so he’s not working. After our session he grabbed his squeaky ball and chilled on the bed even after it fell off and the other dog was chewing in front of him. I thought the blinking was calmness until he cleaned his face so maybe pollen from our session outside.

We have the mock Gambler’s trial this Sunday at the same place he has class. Then class on Monday so no downtime.

[Elaine Norton]

Thanks for the feedback.

>> If they were being delivered for lining up to re-start the sequence? Also cool
Yes, that’s when I rewarded.

>> Looks like he missed the 2nd jump, but that was a connection oopsie (handling with your arm too high so he couldn’t see the connection)

Yes, that’s an issue I have with him as jumps are not his favorite obstacle. I can’t seem to keep my arms out of airplane mode but I think I’m so close to the jumps I try to avoid hitting the wing. I need some straps to hold them down. I thought in the runs when he does it that my line is not straight and I veer away so he follows me instead. I have trouble getting distance with him so I run close to the jump and if they curve then I have to move away. If I redo I try to give more lateral space so my line is straight.

>> is that something he struggles with (finding the tire during a run)?

At the run thru facility he will do the tire normally and in one trial he took the tire at the start as I was turned around dropping his leash. But he does run under the tire in class more often than taking it. The trainers kept trying to put cones to block him and he still cleverly found ways under it. I purposely was skipping this obstacle like the weaves since he’s not reliable. I think the tire height is different since it’s set for USDAA in class and lower in the AKC run thru.

>> It was hard to see what was happening inthe back of the ring, but I did see him barking. If that was a re-start after getting feedback from the instructor, you can take a moment to line him up again so he is ready to roll with focus.

He tends to not like the back area as well but I zoomed in to see. I think my arm was pointing to the sky 😂. He also got a little ahead of me and didn’t know what to do and I stopped so it wasn’t the instructor interrupting. I heard him bark at me in the last trial when I thought he missed a jump so my body stops moving forward and leans back. He really barks at me with the weaves in class but I haven’t figured out why.

>> Nice reset at 2:05!! That was a good way to get him back into the sequence.

Exactly. That’s where my trainer thought I treated too much 😁and she did have me retry so I thought it would be good.

>> What did you think of his focus and work during the class?
Great. Better than previous week and much better than normal for him, especially after he has run over the week end. Much quicker to look and return. The action tricks to start seem to make him happy. He’s been pretty tired when he comes home and didn’t chase the other dog like normal.

>> Let’s focus on the off leash engagement game and the remote reinforement combo game as well as getting him to chill more with the 2 new chill idea

I started with these. I have never tried the breathing game before. I need to work on my mechanics so he’s not trying to eat it right away. I use all kinds of the calming items and the boundary for him was part of calmness, not work. I had to increase his licking toys with all the action tricks from the week before. He had a big calming session today as people were at my house outside.
He’s done a form of the leash game. He’s more sensitive to it going on. His mood can vary and sometimes he’s happy while other times I have to start with his head in a cup, then a big loop of slip leash and finally the harness over his head. At home, he’s focused when I take it off. But that is the point I loose him in trial. At the Feb run thru, he took off at the start and followed the leash as the person walked off with it.

[Elaine Norton]

For Monday night training class, I was able to go 4th and practice while 1st dog ran, let him relax on raised bed, and use pockets for remote reinforcement. By the third time of running over to his remote reward, I noticed he was happily standing and wagging his tail with anticipation. I had his reward in a cooler on a chair with the pockets. One instructor said that could backfire but liked I was putting it near the dogs in crate. I decided that was not good and set up behind the camera away from dogs.

I had a hard time without the pockets so I ended up with a few cookies in hand at the start of the actions on entrance and during the first run trying to put the clam back in my pocket Instructor commented it messed up my hands and line I took on jumps so he ended up dropping a bar which is very rare for him.

He did engage quickly when working him with another dog out running. We had to walk past barking dog to the area behind but he ignored it and happily hopped up on his bed. He would face me and briefly turn his head to see the dog on course and then quickly turn back. He didn’t really need many cookies for the pattern game so I just moved to action’s and then some engaged chill on the bed.

After class, the 2nd instructor told me I was giving him too many treats and I explained it was purposeful. She was having him retry sequences and he was a bit more vocal with some frustration. She thought he should calmly sit, do the obstacles and then reward, not reward before.

1st run after remote reinforcement
The video did not record to start his run but apparently I did record after he got the remote reward and we headed back to get his leash. For his start he did walk into middle on his own so just walked up forward in middle.

2nd Run
Still had cookies in my hand for start action and actually did drop one on ground. I tried to call him away before he ran under the tire. I stopped video before we ran off for the remote reinforcement.

3rd Run
He looked away briefly at start for freeway sound but returned quickly. I just had clam in hand as we ran by the weaves and accidentally told him back instead of wrap on the jump after so he did what I said. Stopped video before we ran off for reward. He’s was smiling and wagging tail waiting in anticipation by third time.

[Author]

Posts