[k8marie]

Hi Tracy,
Great to be back! This morning we played with the Lazy Game – mostly 1.
It took her a little bit to catch on, and by the end of the fourth session she seemed to be pretty confident with moving away from me and with a bit more speed.
Here’s the first session:

I alternated Jazz with Jack (before and after the first one), so here is Jazz after a break and after watching Jack.

In Max Pup 2 you suggested playing with both of them, as long as a tunnel wasn’t involved. So I did the last few “runs” with Jack out as well. I also moved the center jump out so there was greater distance between jumps. Jazz sped up as she didn’t want Jack to get the treat. Here’s video from that:

Things I noticed: 1) work on “handling” this from more of a stand still, rewarding more often between the individual jumps, rather than “sending” her and rewarding at the end.
2) Definitely is still hesitating with the right turns. We have an appointment with a soft tissue specialist here in Sacto on Thursday. I also plan to follow up with Dr. Canapp after that. I’ve had some medical challenges that are messing with scheduling. (Sending you a PM via FB Messenger to fill you in on that.)

I’m not sure if I’ve posted these as you outlined in the course intro info so if changes need to be made, let me know. OH – I really appreciated the Brain Camp session this morning. (pain and behavior) Very relevant for us – thank you!!! that’s all for now – thank you!
K8

[k8marie]

Hi Tracy,
Yes, I do run Jack in between runs with Jazz. I have a crate set up in the shade and swap the two out. I think she may have slowed down in the last two runs yesterday as I switched to food which clearly is not as exciting as the ball.

Her lack of retrieve is really frustrating. I’ve tried bouncing the other ball, throwing it up in the air, throwing it for her and there is 0 interest in bringing it to me to play. The only way that I can get it back is by tossing high value food and praying that she goes for it and leaves the ball for me. This is working less and less, resulting in more time racing around with the ball. I’m concerned that we will never get a reliable retrieve. That concern/fear is probably based on the fact that I never have gotten a retrieve with my 12 YO Duffy (he was 16 months old when he came to us and hadn’t really had any formal training other than “pet” classes). I really don’t want another poodle with no retrieve. Can you hear the desperation in my text? 🙂

Here is our video from this morning. Kept it to two times, with Jack running first and then alternating after each “run; ball play before and after… and a lot of racing around with her prize ball.

She seems to be reading the handling cues pretty well. My handling is still pretty jerky.

[k8marie]

Hi Tracy,
The tunnel refusals continue to be a mystery. Last night as I was getting set to replace the tunnel with a jump she was willingly racing through the tunnel before and after wrapping jumps. Decided to replace it with a jump anyway to see if we still had stickiness with our handling.

I still am alternating Jack then Jazz. I warmed her up with the baby level (sorry no video) and then after Jack we ran the easier of the “advanced” starfish sequences. Started with ball rewards – we haven’t had any success with a retrieve, in fact I think she finds the game of keep away pretty self rewarding so I think I need to stop with the balls until we have a retrieve. I’ve been working on this in our office, without much success. I’m going to try attaching the toy to a rope so that I can bring it (and her) back to me and tug/play before tossing again. That seemed to work for Jack.

She did well here – minimal stickiness and this I think was due to my confusing handling cues. I’d really like to smooth these out as I seem to be pretty jerky. I may try putting the tunnel back in and trying one of the other sequences tomorrow morning (what do you think?) Also was thinking that maybe she hurt herself in the tunnel and that is why we have the refusals… who knows. Here’s our video:

[k8marie]

Hi Tracy,
Today we tried the Starfish, alternating Jack then Jazz. She does fine wrapping to the left for the tunnel entry, but got stuck on all the right wraps to the tunnel. Something definitely is bothering her with those right turns into tunnel. I got a recommendation for a soft tissue specialist that’s local so I’m following up with them before Dr. Canapp.

Given her limitations I didn’t even attempt the advanced sequences with her, but Jack and I had fun running them. Here’s her video (for what it’s worth).

[k8marie]

Hi Tracy,
I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to get Jazz in to see Dr. Canapp soon. Discussed (via email) with our chiro and she offered to make the referral thinking that might get us in sooner. Really appreciate your eye and input.

She continues to be willing to “play the game”. We set up the accordion game this morning, alternating turns with Jack. Too late into the session I realized that you suggested using a food target so the ball may not have made the best target as I was throwing it. That is probably why she isn’t flattened out on the last jump as she is looking up for the ball. Next time I’ll get out pink piggy so I can place and drag it.

I think she looks pretty good, although her color looks off in the second to last one. Here’s the video:

I was hoping you might be at Invitationals. Jack got an invite last year from the WC Open but we weren’t able to go. This year he had an invite from an ICE win, good thing as we missed the WCO due to my partner’s broken leg. He’s not the fastest but he’s a steady teammate. The distances will be a challenge for us. Looking forward to the experience. Jazz will be making the trip with us, Duffy (the 12 year old) is staying home with my partner.

I signed us up for MaxPup 3. My other concern about the “live” spot is that due to the artificial turf on our training yard it really heats up in the sun. On warm days I can usually train before 10 am or after 7 pm which may not work with the class schedule.

Thanks again for your help – greatly appreciated! K8

[k8marie]

Hi Tracy,
I think I get it… only do one rep then run Jack!! It only took you saying that three times (at least). 🙂

So – things went well today. She had a chance to run/play and say hi to everyone when we get there. Then she hangs in her crate (quietly – except when I get Jack out). I figured to keep it simple since I’m setting things up in someone else’s yard, so we did the Lateral Lead Outs. Really pleased with how this went. Had one blooper but came back out for her next turn and did really well. Only did one rep at a time and then gave her a break. I was especially pleased with her focus as I did this while other dogs were running on the course to her left (you can see her checking that out every now and then). Kept it simple, and didn’t do repeats. I did notice that instead of walking in a straight line (over then straight up) I walked out on a diagonal. Didn’t seem to confuse her for these but I could see how that would come into play more when I move the wing out further. Did recalls while we changed jump heights and was pleased that she also had no hesitation to do a few tunnels out there as well. Here is the video:

With regard to pain follow-up, When I took her in for the xray I did ask the vet about doing a pain trial. Her assessment, based on the physical exam and x-ray results, was that it wasn’t necessary. I’ve followed up with our chiro vet as I feel like she has a better understanding of the pain points and hope to hear back from her in the next couple of days. We will see her again when we are in Chicago as she will be there as well. For this weeks games, Given that I am only doing one rep with her, I’m postponing the Accordion game as it seems like those should be done in one session and will set up the starfish next.

I plan on entering MaxPup 3 and was hoping to take it as a “Live” student, but if we are only doing one rep it seems like this might not be the best session to plan on being live. What do you think? Safe travels this weekend and have fun at the trial!
Kate

[k8marie]

Hi Tracy,
Totally agree with your suggested approach. I am gaining a better understanding of how to relate with this little poodle girl.

Took the big dark tunnel down and got my shorter tunnel out. Also set up the Backside game from Wk 8, and also had a “send” exercise set up so there were different options out there.

Weds – absolutely no interest in any of them, with some interest in playing. She had an adjustment on Tuesday so thought it might be due to residual discomfort from that. Played after our afternoon walk – I have discovered that she is much more likely to bring the toy back closer to me if I’m on the ground so Weds afternoon played tug/grab/toss with me laying on the grass. Fewer laps that way and she almost brings it to my hand…

Thurs – She went with me to Jack’s sequence and coursework class. Fun environment for her to explore (on leash) while other dogs are running – chickens, wild turkey, peacock and of course the other dogs running and barking. Did great with all of that and I was even able to get her tugging on the field while I set bars – I haven’t been able to get her interested in tugging here since she was a little pup — again, me being on the ground was the key to getting her started. Once tugging with me sitting on the ground she was OK with me standing up and walking around. Thursday afternoon we did a couple of send exercises throwing her purple rabbit and then play time with all the poodles.

Friday – Decided to see how she was first thing in the morning as part of our “walk around the yard” time. Again 0 interest in any of the “games” set up. Later this morning decided to see how things went if I had Jack out first. I decided to move the “Backside” set up so things looked different from the morning. Crated Jazz and played/ran Jack. Jazz was clearly not happy to be left out but settled down. Swapped them out and had one excited and ready to run little girl: nailed the backside with only one wrong side; sends were great – forward focus and driving; and no hesitation at the tunnel. Mixed these three up and did this twice. Unfortunately I hadn’t turned the video on so all of her greatness wasn’t captured. Was going to swap the poodles again when I realized the video hadn’t been on so kept on with Jazz wanting to have her brilliance on video. Lesson learned – don’t push it Kate. It was getting too hot on the turf (noticed that she was always heading for the shade of the tunnel) so decided probably best not to swap them again. Still – grateful for the today’s success.

Tomorrow (Saturday) we will be at my friends (International Courses) and I hope to set up another one of the games to try with her there. Thinking that my yard may have soured her on agility here. Have a short video from this morning:

Chiro Update: Saw the chiro on Tuesday. Since the X-rays didn’t show any structural abnormalities she was able to work on some deeper tissues and noted that the pain is more of a ventral hip pain (Jazz let her know). We’ll continue to due stretches and monthly adjustments.

[k8marie]

Hi Tracy,
For the past few days we’ve been playing with the tunnel threadle game. After editing videos of this from the past three mornings and reviewing our videos and your comments on the forum I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m sucking all the joy/fun out of these games for her. I thought I was mixing things up, but realized I need to put more play back into things.

The first part of the video is from yesterday morning – started with tugging and playing with her flying squirrel. She seemed really into it, but not enough to want to do any wraps or tunnels. Switched to food rewards and had a bit more engagement but still had sticky tunnels. This morning she was really into her squirrel, until she’s not, and then I couldn’t even get her interested with food. Ended up just throwing the squirrel for her. I think we’re regressing…

[k8marie]

Hi Tracy,
Went back to the Week 5 Concept Transfer for RC this morning. We started with Jack and a toy and then gave Jazz a turn. We had some great runs with the toy — too bad I forgot to turn on the video. Switched to food and things went so/so. Gave her a break and ran Jack rewarding with the balls. Then tried the more advanced with Jazz and ball for the reward. More drive and also more laps – used the other ball and/or food to get her to give up the ball.

Still seeing hesitation for the “Go”. I know that I was late with the cue on some of them so tried to get better on that. Since she isn’t driving forward it’s challenging to get the line for the rear crosses set up. I tried not to repeat things – even though I was changing the end part, the start wrap was always the same. Didn’t seem to cause any sticky behavior although I didn’t ask for a sit/stay before starting as that seems to be a sticking point. No hesitation for the tunnel – made sure there was light coming through as I think some of the hesitation could be from dark tunnel entries. Realized I wasn’t sure of the handling/verbals for the advanced sequences – I should have reviewed this more before so I knew what I was doing. Here’s the video:

[k8marie]

Hi Tracy,
Very helpful feedback! I will have to set up a couple of different options to keep us moving through after successes or freezes. I was using the squirrel as end game play. Interesting that after I turned the video off we had a super “run” on the sequence with the flying squirrel. I turned the video back on cause I wanted to capture that — no go… frozen poodle… so repeats will definitely be out. I do need to get another squirrel so that maybe I’m more successful with getting it/her back. I have been bringing Jack out as he is very reliable with his retrieve – hoping that maybe it rubs off on her.

Yesterday we went to a friends – able to build international courses on her agility field. Jazz did great on all levels! Played well with others (2 border paps, 1 working cocker, and 1 border collie), awesome recalls, wrapped wings on jump (bar on ground) in both directions with no hesitation, settled quietly in crate while others were running, and played with the zig zag game on one side of the field while course building. Really pleased to see her “working” in an environment full of distractions. Here’s the video from there.

Grooming the old boy today – he’s a pill to groom these days. Thanks again – screen shots have been very helpful.
Kate

[k8marie]

Hi Tracy!
Good news – x-rays and ortho exam showed no abnormalities. Vet thinks she is the perfect puppy. So I left in some of the sticky moments we had playing the tunnel threadle game this morning. Overall I was thrilled with how she read the threadle cue especially because we haven’t done this since Max Pup 1, not so thrilled with the stopping before the tunnel. Am I peeling off too soon? She looks committed, but then stops right before going in. Not sure what is going on with that.

On the wrap cues I have a tendency to bring that DS arm forward which rotates my chest away from her. Could that be why she is stopping? I’m relieved that nothing showed up on the X-rays just means there is more to figure out with this pup. Here’s the video – longer than usual as I wanted to include some of the freeze points. thanks! K8

[k8marie]

Hi Tracy,
Revisited the Diamond Game this morning. Wraps and blind crosses went fairly well. Challenge for us was sending out to the top of the diamond and mini challenges with tunnel entrances.

For the tunnel bloopers I think it’s because I’m racing to the tunnel entrance and then stopping rather than connecting and letting her commit to it before I peel off. Seems like maybe I need to slow down a bit on all of these so that she is committing rather than me trying to take her places – does that make sense?

We started with food, which works OK. She’s not nearly as engaged as with the ball. I tried the two ball approach, limited success, she seemed happy to leave the one and play with the one I had, but unless I was able to pick it up (without her grabbing it first) it became a distraction on the field. I also used food tosses to get it, but she caught on to that pretty quickly. Once it became a game of keep away we called it quits. Unfortunately I got pretty frustrated trying to get the ball back as she was starting to chew it up. High value food wasn’t working, high value toy (flirt pole) didn’t work. I figured I’d just leave her in the yard till she got tired of being alone and watched her from inside until I noticed that she had chewed off a piece of the ball and was starting to eat it. Hate to do it but had to rely on firm reprimand to get the pieces away from her. I know my mechanics with this probably aren’t the greatest. I plan on scheduling a private lesson once I have the hip issue sorted out as I think I need “in the moment” coaching. Once again – sorry for the long and wordy post.

[k8marie]

Hi Tracy,
Vet visit is Weds so I’ll let you know how things go. Played with the Rocking Horse Turn Away game this morning. Knowing where I need to be to handle the different turn aways (Lap vs Tandem) is the biggest challenge for me. I seem to get myself in an awkward position to handle the turn properly. Jazz seemed to follow the cues well when I was in position. Noticed that if I carried too far forward it caused her to have a wide turn as opposed to those turns where I wasn’t as near to the wing. Clearly I get confused about position when trying to handle the tandem.

Started with food to get the pattern down, then switched to the toy to get more drive. Used two balls – took some time to get her interested in the ball I had. Need a better idea of the mechanics for this. I edited out the ball victory laps and other throws as we would have a 10 minute video if they were included.

[k8marie]

Hi Tracy,
Realized we had skipped the Week 5 games (Oops!) so played with the layering game this morning. Noticed a couple of things with my handling. 1.) Lack of connection after the wrap brought her to me so she bypassed the jump. Connection, with the “Go” and she was focused and driving forward. 2) When layering the tunnel if I wasn’t in the right lane and had to step around the tunnel it pulled her off the line and off the jump. Was much better if I was further away and could show more of a straight line. Would also help if I didn’t fall over the tunnel.

I discovered something about her yesterday when I was trialing with Jack. My crate to crate warm up with him includes a small holie roller that we use for focus while waiting at the gate. We have a number of games that we play with it. At UKI trials I can take it in the ring with me and give it to the leash runner with his leash. Then at the end of his run the ball is there and we go out and have 3 or 4 tosses of fetch before our cool down walk. Anyway, I was sitting watching with Jazz, and trying to get her engaged with a tug toy she had 0 interest in. When she caught sight of Jack’s ball she was totally focused and responsive! I’m not sure if you can see the difference in her intensity and focus on the last “run” of our layering game. This was done with the ball as her toy and the speedy little poodle that I know was back. Challenge is that she doesn’t bring the ball (or any of her rubber toys) back. Which is why I really need to get her retrieve down. The ball for all my poodles has much more value than any tug toy or bait bag and I really would like to use it but won’t until I get a reliable retrieve with her.

Sorry for the lengthy/wordy post. I seem to be discovering more about what makes this little girl tick. Thanks for your help with the discovery process!

[k8marie]

Hi Tracy,
Thanks for the reminder about warming up. I toss rubber toys and let her run around while I’m setting up; adding some easy stretches would probably be a good idea.

This morning we played with the Go Proofing game. She did great, but when I reviewed the video while editing I realized that I was totally handling “Get Out” by practically taking her to the jump. So we took a break until this afternoon.

We did much better this afternoon, although I still have a tendency to drift in for the Out it wasn’t nearly as bad as in the morning. I only did this with the left wrap as I do think the right wrap is problematic for her. I’m holding off on those till we have more info from the x-ray. Here’s the video from the afternoon session. All in all I think she did pretty good — handler needs some work though (haha).

I plan on scheduling another private lesson. I’d like more help with her retrieve (really need to get this soon) and also her rear end awareness (perch work). I’ve been holding off on perch work till we have a better idea of what’s going on with her.

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