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THANK YOU for the timely and sound feedback! We got out in the field this morning about 7:30AM to take advantage of a glorious 60 degrees!
So we ran it again, breaking it down and rewarding some parts.
<<Wraps were a little harder – you were throwing the reward a little late, as if waiting to see him take the jump but you can throw as soon as he is arriving at the backside wing.>>
I think I still was throwing the reward a bit late but I’ll keep working on that.<<The other thing to consider here is using two different verbals, rather than a compound verbal for the wrap.>>
Okay, you’ve convinced me. I had tried it but nothing was sticking in my head so I guess I had given up, but I’ll use Dig Dig and In In and just practice more until I’ve got them in my head. I’ll do whatever I need to to make it more clear for Reacher, so thanks for the reminder and nudge. I just have to work it myself so I don’t forget to use my words!<<Then when he is approaching the 7 jump, you can be moving away to 8 and calling him which should take his eyes off the line to the tunnel.>>
I really tried to follow this advice and still think I was a little late, but it did work out and he got it!We still had a little issue with the backside wrap but got it the second try and I think if I work on us both learning the verbal as you suggest it will really help.
Thanks again, I really appreciate your coaching!
Kristin
Hello! We worked on the countermotion exercises yesterday, a short session and here are all the reps. I feel like I personally was concentrating more than when I tried to work similarly on the jumping course #1 that we did this morning!😆
Backside with Countermotion – These are all the reps. On the wrap where we had the oops, it seems like I was moving too horizontally vs. forward in a straighter line but I’m not sure if that is exactly what caused the error or something else. What do you think?
The jumping course #1 was pretty fun! Had a few surprises but would like to try it again tomorrow if you can help me work through the errors.
On the wrap on what I think was #15 jump it seemed like I just took off too suddenly before he was committed. No worries, we just kept going.On the second rep we had a bit of a bobble on the backside push, but the big surprise was him taking the tunnel instead of the line of jumps. I thought in the moment I hadn’t really said anything to him after the threadle so he made a choice. So I just set up that little sequence (didn’t start from the beginning) and spoke to him a lot more and got up down the line, but he was just into the tunnel!🤣 He got a reward both times so he was happy, but would like to get thoughts about how to handle that better please.
Will be getting out early tomorrow to beat the heat and then get ready for what looks like a week of rain.
~Kristin
Tried out a walkthrough today. Somehow managed to walk course 2 not course 1. Not sure why I ended up with that page in the field instead of 1 but no matter. 🙂
Did have a mistake at #9, and I was pretty sure what I did so ran it again. Didn’t correct my mistake as well as I had hoped on run two but he got it.
I did a slow walk through, regular speed (and I never quite know what speed of dog I’m going to get but usually slower than I think), then run 2x.
Let me know what you think.
KristinHi Tracy,
The screenshots were SUPER helpful, thank you!! Had to share a few victories from our regular agility class last night. We did the threadle wrap and push wrap and he nailed it! And then we did some layering, followed by a threadle almost-wrap in another section. I actually laughed when walking the course because it was like she’d read a bit on Package 2 homework.
So on the video, the first clip is just showing the yellow tunnel to the threadle wrap (even with another tunnel entrance close that provides an option to take), followed by the blue jump in the foreground. I tried both the threadle wrap and push wrap and he got both no problem. I was pretty surprised that he got the threadle wrap! Unfortunately, you can’t see it because apparently my batter died just as I was walking out on the course, but thought I’d show it just so you could see the setup. I was celebrating that victory after struggling with those threadle wraps all last week!
Then, we did some jump to tunnel layering, which I could’ve had more distance, but he got it 2 out of 3 tries. The second rep on the layering I could see on the video I had disconnected from him and so I’m guessing that’s why he came in. THEN, we had threadles again that were what we’d really been struggling with on the Jumping course 1/2, jumps 1-3/4. This one didn’t have a full wrap but a bit softer turn to another jump but close enough to count! I was just happy he got the threadle at all after how we’d struggled. I waited until I for sure saw his eyeballs looking at me or the proper side of the jump before I kept moving.
So, we’re making progress!
Taking today off from training and maybe tomorrow too for a probable rainout, but hoping to try out the walkthroughs later this week.
~Kristin
I decided to flip the order on the discrimination just for fun and have the tunnel as the closest obstacle. I think he did much better with this. To be fair, I did push the things a bit closer together this time, although the camera angle does make the jump look a bit closer than it actually was IMO. I just think he prefers the jump. So, we’ll work on that!
Now, for the pull threadle again…Ugh, SO HARD! 😂 I see on the first rep (of the pull threadle, not the push one) my feet were totally pointed to the jump, not parallel, so taking the front side makes sense. But the next ones, I’m not sure what’s going wrong. I even tried adjusting to not be as far ahead, and then another adjustment of the jump so the wing wasn’t as far out from the tunnel exit and we’re still not quite getting it. More advice please!😀 I just don’t get it; he’s gotten this move several times in class at Fusion with no issue so I’m not sure the deal now. I with there was an easy way to find those class videos!
Pro Mosquito Tip: Wear long sleeves even if it’s hot. You’re sweating your ass off either way, so might as well get less bites.🤣
~Kristin
<<On the video: look at all that glorious shade! I am jealous!!!!! >>
Yes, at least in morning the building casts a nice shade on the a good chunk of the field – it’s a blessing! Still humid but the shade helps so much.After that last session I really wanted to work on the threadle and have concluded I need to stop and go back to like MaxPup 1 and rebuild this skill. I felt like in my next round I did get my arm WAY back and it it was still a struggle. Thinking to go back to almost the beginning on this for a bit, but what do you think?
From yesterday:
<<He was losing steam at the end, but my guess is that he was physically running out of air – you were breathing hard too – so it is probably a stamina thing that you can work on.>>
Yeah, fitness has been taking a backseat to other things in the last 3 months and it shows!! Getting back on a plan now!From today: We worked on the tunnel/jump discriminations this morning and well, it’s safe to say we’re still on the Struggle Bus. It’s apparently quite a long journey. 😆
He seems to really want the jump more than the tunnel, even goin so far as doing a backside push instead. On the last rep I moved the wing closer and used more motion to get a tunnel, but can’t really see what I might have been doing wrong in my indications. Or, we just have to make it simpler and build this skill again also.
Let me know what you think,
KristinThanks for the great feedback. As you suggest, I am going to reset up the threadle wrap practice in the basement or outside, either way with much more room to work that.
Meanwhile, I did set up Package 2 Jumping course and tried to run the first option. Wow, was I surprised at “our” terrible threadle skills UNTIL I watched the video and realized that what I imagined I was doing was to cue it was 100% opposite of what I was actually doing, it was almost comical. At least Reacher still got snacks either way!! 😂 I remember this one from Max Pup and actually thought we’d really nailed it there but obviously all it takes is to add in more motion and I completely mess it up. Ha! My cue is a “close” command with the opposite arm across my chest to differentiate it from a serp. But I was so closed off that it’s no wonder he did what he did.
At one point I moved jump 2 in closer to make it easier, then just thought “forget it” and went on with the course. Tried it again at the end with the jump closer in but my position was still terrible so it was just lucky we got it, probably because of the extra decel.
So..um..HELP! 😆
~Kristin
Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I was really happy with this session in terms of him saving me and really starting to learn the layering. He’s such a good boy!
Today we did the Jumping course once again mainly to try to get the German turn before the tunnel and then work the jump after. I didn’t get my mechanics right at first but he still got his reward. Kind of stumbled through it so clearly this is a move I need to practice more. 😀
We also worked a little on the threadle wraps inside after it started getting hot. I did the push wrap successfully except that I added the blind cross after and I’m not sure why! Ha! And then with the same side threadle wrap we didn’t get it which kind of surprised me because he has gotten this one in class and seminars before, but here I think it was a combination of my feet and bending over too much and also just not enough space.
Let me know what you think!
KristinGot out early this morning before it got too hot to work on the Pkg 1 Jumping Course 1. He’s learning the layering, as I’m seeing some improvement there. I worked on almost the full course and then just a few sections of each until I think I lost track of what I was really trying to do and it started to go poorly. The mosquitos were starting to find me and it was very distracting. Will need to remember that for next time – I have about 2 reps before they get too kicked up out of the grass and enter attack mode!
~Kristin
<<One option for the opening to play with: Lead out more laterally so you are closer to 2 and not as close to 1. That will be even more useful when you spread it out more when you are outside.>>
I definitely see what you mean here. I’ll remember that for when I get the Jumping Course set up outside.Today we worked on the 4 Corners again but advanced to a portion of Sequence 5 this time. I think he’s starting to get it! Granted, I did move the jumps in a bit and I still have my shorter baby tunnel in there (longer one needs a REALLY good wash first and I’ve been procrastinating!) but I was at least able to get a tunnel layer outside for the first time. Video shows all reps.
On the last rep I was probably kind of cheating by blocking the tunnel – unintentionally though – to help him get the jump, but hey, it worked. 😏
I notice I did probably go out more to #2 than should have had to. I also did feel like I should’ve been moving more, but also I felt like I had nowhere to go. He was a little slow again, but I felt he did well when I could tell he’d really much rather be hunting for critters!
Let me know what you think!
KristinI’m sorry it’s so hot for you too! Quite unfortunate timing when trying to do all the agility things outside (or anything except jump in the water)!
I’ll make sure to move the jumps in the next time I can set up the big one outside. I definitely think that will help!
For now, I did have to train yesterday without your feedback so I did the small setup in my basement (more than 1 rep this time!) and then the Jumping pop out. It’s hard to squish in a small space but I think worked mostly okay. These are all reps.
Four Corners Downsized:
Jumping Pop Out Downsized:
Let me know what you think!
KristinThanks for the great feedback. I tried to take that feedback and work into the next FF session and here’s a short clip of the result (using the MM):
So, we’re getting there.
Tried to take that concept into the 4 Corners setup and failed fairly quickly on that. I think I lost some of the starting connection you mentioned and that I’d worked harder at in the FF session and then kind of lacked it again on this setup. And, I realized quickly that I need to break this type of work even more with him. I used the MM (which he loves) as a placed reward to make it more valuable for him, but made it too hard too fast. It didn’t help that even at 7:30AM it was sweltering and so humid I can’t believe it wasn’t actually rain. He just has even less drive under those conditions.
I think I’ll try to cram a really small setup like this in my basement to work the layering skill in the A/C. Things will be in much more close, but I think that’s where I need to start with him anyway.
~Kristin
Well THAT didn’t go as planned!
I had so many mistakes in this morning’s training session. I could not get to the other side of the tunnel as I’d hoped and definitely had more than 2 failures in the session, which means I need a refresher on the nuance of this…so like if we have failures, then I make it easier and he gets it, then I make it harder and he fails again, then we have to stop and go back to easier again or quit the session? I can’t remember when we “reset” that count as guidance.
For this session, one mistake I made was using the wrong wrap cue – I’d put those down for awhile and picking up again recently, so clearly I’m rusty. So that might have been confusing but I still think not enough to have not taken the jump. Thoughts?
Should I have used more motion forward, like even just one step? I think this was another mistake. I also think I should have gone up to the jump to show it, then move into position EVERY TIME. Should I also try a placed reward to help him out?
Will eagerly await your feedback on what to fix so I can be more successful with the lateral starts!
Kristin
<<Nothing to be sad about! >>
You’re right, I totally had a weird typo. <doh!> I was happy with his focus on the jump!<<you jogged back to the start and had him chase you, which made it more fun too! You can also have him do some silly tricks at the start line.>>
YES! I have to remember this. I especially thinks he likes the chasing.<<there was no option to move indoors? The mats are not great there, so it is not a great option either.>>
I did ask about that, and the organizer could not commit to knowing if they would move indoors, so I didn’t want to risk it. Figured it was easier to cancel now and give someone else a chance to get in – and me a refund! 😂 Have thought about going to audit, so we’ll see if I want to spend the time. I can do more LYD CAMP practice if I stay home. 😉 I will say that I’m really trying to practice what I preach to my clients trying to get extreme productivity, and that’s to not say yes to everything even if it seems fun. Right now the estimated ROI has got to be high for me to do a thing! Ha!We will work on increasing challenge in our next round by putting me on the other side of the tunnel. Should I also be switching sides to turn the other direction, or doesn’t really matter for teaching the skill?
Thanks!
Kristin
