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We worked on the serpentine today. I realized after that the camera angle was really sub-optimal for this, so I’m sorry about that. I also though he’d remember this more easily and we’d get to adding the second jump and tunnel more quickly, but no. 🙂
I’m really glad we started with the refresher. On the video it looks like I’m quite far past the middle of the jump when I cue him to go, but I don’t think I was quite as far over as it looks, but maybe I still should have cued more when I was closer to the middle? Also I think I’m using my off arm in here when I shouldn’t – do you think so?
Thanks for the feedback!
KristinThank you! Great feedback on the timing! I see it now. We did a few sessions of this again yesterday and it went well. I even introduced the MM, but think he like dropped treats or the toy better. It’s good to have options though! I’ll save the video time for when we get back to the real exercises. But I’m going to give this remedial work a bit more time before going back to that.
We worked a bit on the contact training from last week, starting with a quick refresher of the target behavior since we hadn’t done that in awhile. He did well I think. But definitely learned that if the treats are out with the toy he definitely no longer cares about the toy! The boy has his priorities!😁
Let me know what you think. Thanks!
KristinHi! You were spot on in your assessment that I needed to take that extra movement/step out because it very clearly made a difference. The video below has a few sessions on it. The first one outside was from Monday which is just a sample of how the 2-ish minutes went, but very representative of the problem that occurred when I took out thee extra step and hand cue. He didn’t understand the 360 wraps in that case.
So okay, no problem, I backed it up a bit and made it simpler. Oh, one thing though… on the first video I did also realize that I NOT slow it down like I was supposed to, that you pointed out, so that didn’t help. My bad. After that Monday session I went out of town for several days where we didn’t practice but it gave me time to think about what to do next.
The two sessions in my basement are from today and separated by a break. I tried to reward with the toy more on the backside of the wrap and he did start getting it by the end.
Between Monday and today’s session, it also became very clear to me that I didn’t understand what you meant by keeping going if there’s an error. I’m not sure how I am supposed to keep the sequence going if there’s a mistake or exactly what I should be doing if he doesn’t execute the wrap. Can you explain more?
Let me know what you think of this, how I can improve it, and next steps. I’m thinking I should keep it pretty simple for a few more rounds before going back to the homework, but let me know! Thanks!
Kristin
Hi! We worked on the 2-wing ladder exercise today. First though, we did a sniffy walk around the field again – you could literally see where the rabbits had been frolicking in the agility area early this morning based on how the grass looked – and as a result had NO run-offs and he was super focused – yay!!!
I did realize for one of the reps I did switch hands with the toy accidentally, so tried to stop that. I kind of tested out keeping in one hand only vs. putting toy in pants. Jury is still out on what I like. Probably in the pants!
These are all the reps. Will try to get out again for another session before it gets too hot!
Let me know your thoughts.
KristinThanks, Tracy! Good idea on mixing it up more. I sort of tried that today. And I have learned something about this young man…I will get a lot more focus outside if before I try to run any exercises I just do a quick jaunt around the area with him on leash so he can sniff the edges of the field and around the jumps, etc. It’s brief, we don’t linger, on leash, and quiet, but it seems like then he is satisfied with his investigation of the area and we can just get down to work. I have not seen any running off outside if I just take 60 seconds to let him sniff around first. I know we won’t be able to do this at a trial, but for now I think it really helps!
And I don’t mind taking off running to have him chase me with the toy. I’m already sweaty out there so what’s a little more.😁I tried that out today with the blind to blind. I should not have been using that Go-go-go that I did a little while rewarding, otherwise my verbals maybe weren’t so bad. I felt a little frantic at times not really making the solid connection such that I was truly seeing his face, but he still seemed to get it.
Let me know what you think. Thanks!
KristinOkay, message received on the feedback!
1) Stop talking unless I am giving useful information
2) More connection
3) Don’t worry too much about it right now
🤣Yesterday we worked on the next exercises. I had the setup a bit off for step 1 of Wingin’ It but I think I still did the handling right.
Went back out 10 hours later for Step 2:
I think we were pretty decent on these but let me know what you think.
Kristin
I did just a few reps with this setup since I had it up and was lacking in time, and wanted to try the rear cross again (it was terrible, but I could see what I was doing wrong from the video so I didn’t even waste your time with it here). But I had a different problem on a few reps that I can’t figure out. He started running by the jumps on some of the reps. On one of them I did have some distance but still thought I was connected enough. Must not have been! One might have been due to the toy throw, but still I would think he’d take the jump.
Can you take a quick peek and see what you think? Do I need to reinforce staying on a jump line for awhile somehow? What do I do in this case when there’s a mistake? Still reward I assume but how do I help him understand he needs to take what’s available? I feel like I’m forgetting a past lesson here but not sure which one to go back to!😅
Thanks!
KristinOh thank you so much! One quick question the… is the main difference (to the dog) between the rear cross and that of the backside push really just the verbal? Because now that I think about it, the motion, line and body position seem to be the same between rear cross and back side or what is the difference?
Thanks!
KristinI worked on Straight Line exercises today and it was fun. I focused on making sure he was ready to run (and in fact he did not wait on a few reps and took off without me!).
I did two separate sessions, these are all reps.
Next session I included the tunnel:
I think I used my arms too much on the push to backside, but not sure.
Managed to edit this post before your review and add in some further Countermotion practice early this AM before it gets crazy humid and hot.
It still feels kind of awkward to me with the step back, but he seemed to pick it up better this time maybe because I wasn’t blocking the wings. I tried to increase my motion from last time and he did seem to have the commitment.
Let me know what you think!
KristinOkay, good feedback on that last one. This time I went out and practiced running first, with verbals, which helped for sure. I still wasn’t spot on, but at least a little less confusing I hope!😆
These were my only reps. I tried to keep it shorter, but could have probably done 30 sec less. Had some mistakes – I am sure are my fault – especially that first one as I was switching hands with the toy. But he’s overall more engaged too, so that’s a win!
Also tried for the first time to have him hit the teeter with his back feet. Not quite like you showed in your demo, but I think he needed more help to know what I was looking for. But, let me know what I could do better on this.
Thanks!!
KristinGot back outside a bit today and tried lots of play time with good treats to prime the pump (not on video for interest of time), more standing up, tying a toy to the lotus ball (felt kind of weird and I am not sure actually added a lot of value). He wasn’t crazy speedy but was pretty engaged overall.
It was good I had some mistakes in here so we can analyze! First off, my commands were a bit mixed up sometimes. I am quite sure that didn’t help. I didn’t have my rights, lefts and go’s in all the right places. Let me know what else you see!
Let me know what you think!
KristinGreat tips, thanks, Tracy. It is hard for me to stand up with him. He’s just so little I feel like I’ll lose him if I’m not bending over, but I totally think you are right that that will work better. Bending over is just so much pressure. I will try to stand up and get him to chase me more!
Today it was raining all morning so I worked on some things I could do in the house, before leaving for 4th of July festivities.
Pulled out the contact trainer to play Love the Bang and just had it on the carpet at first since he hadn’t seen it in so long. I just used my clicker and treat throws for this one.
Then I added some more noise to the Bang Game and decided to try the Manners Minder as well. I think he was not a fan of the sound and I also think he gets more jazzed with the clicker/treats instead of the MM so I think when I try this again I’ll do that. He is a little sound sensitive (although he doesn’t even notice fireworks, thank goodness!) so we’ll work on this more.
Also tried the Countermotion setup inside. I did not realize that the video was cutting my head off on his one, so I’m sorry about that! I think a lot of the time I may not have been looking at him when giving the cue so now that I see the video I think that may have caused some hesitation. I don’t really like my body position and cues in this, but can’t quite put my finger on exactly why.
Let me know what you think,
KristinThanks, Tracy! I didn’t have time to make the toy/lotus combo, but did go out this morning early while it was still cool, shade still on the agility field, armed with some yummy turkey very well seasoned. He really wanted it! This session looks long, but really the amount of “training” was very short. I did lose him just a little at the beginning but MUCH shorter loss of attention than usual. I was only going to do the few reps, but threw in last one only because I wanted to get myself closer to the camera (to turn it off) and still end on a fun note for him. I think it went pretty well.
After seeing this I also have some ideas about how to maybe throw some more personal play in there with me and the ball and see how he likes it. I don’t know if he’ll think me getting down on the ground with him and playing with the ball is fun, but I might experiment and see.
I will try to get out for an even shorter session with some play later today as well.
~Kristin
Okay, this is super great advice, I will try it. You are right, because I have limited time during the day to train I think I try to jam too much into one session. I don’t have these issues when working in my basement, he is engaged and will happily work for toys. But outside I think I’ll just have to slow down and work on this engagement issue first.
<<On the mountain climber game, I am glad he is very confident! So fun to see him driving up the board! What was the reward you were using at the end? Ideally, you can place the reward there in advance so he doesn’t look at you or wait for your hand.>>
You’re right, I thought about that after the fact that I should’ve had the reward at the end I was using Zukes, which he loves. But I will smear some peanut butter on the end and try it again.<<First up – what are you using for reinforcement in the lotus ball?>>
I am using Zukes most of the time. He really likes those, but I will see what he might like more. I have some meat that I will try out tomorrow.<<He did a little jump/tunnel stuff but then had trouble with the environment. So when you see that happening, rather than say no and interrupt and keep going, try to shorten the sequence and just get speed loops going, throwing the rewards a lot more to get him very very engaged.>>
Got it. Makes a lot of sense. I can do that!<<Also – will he play with toys outside? Throwing treats even in the lotus ball will create pools of scent, which he has to then ignore. A toy or a ball might be a better reward in that environment.>>
Not really. I even tried a toy today but he was only interested in the toy for like 1 rep. Soooo different than when I train in a less distracting env. In those cases, he LOVES the toys, but outside I have found that I can keep his attention better with food. I would much rather use the toys; totally agree with you about the scent pools. But he’s just not that keen on the toys outside. 🙁<<So, do lots and lots of speed circle reps for high value rewards, before throwing in a turn here and there.>>
Okay! I can do that!<<On the blind cross reps – the other thing I think would be fun to add is, instead of dropping the lotus ball when you want to reward, either throw it long and far. Or attaché it to a toy so you can drag it and he can chase it.>>
Yep, again that makes total sense. I have tried attaching the lotus ball to a string, but it made it hard to throw well and far. But you did give me another idea about attaching it to a heavier toy with a string for a better throw.<<Looking at the runaway – same question as above… what rewards are you suing? And the next question is – what did you do to mentally warm him up before you brought him to the jump and took the leash off?>>
For the runaway, I actually had tried one of his favorite toys as a reward, but it was not enough. And maybe it would have been different if I had spent more time warming the thee brain as you suggest.<<…bring him in with high value rewards, do some tricks on leash. If he can do tricks, take off the leash, ask for MORE tricks (reward each one). When he can’t take his eyes off of you? Do a sequence and reward while he is still working, before he gets distracted. That might be 3 or 4 obstacles, and that is great!>>
Okay, I can do this! As well as the ping pong approach. And I will shorten the sessions. Might mean I need to slow down in class a bit but in the end I really want an engaged dog that enjoys the sport, so taking this time now to ensure he’s feeling good about our sessions is important. THANK YOU for the reminder!!!! ❤️You’re the best.
KristinStill catching up and did some Mountain Climber. Didn’t have my camera adjusted as well as it could have been, but you get the idea. I was glad I put the leash on him because he might have just jumped off the end. He’s a real high flyer in the house so I suspected he might think this was pretty fun.
We also worked on some Wraps and Blind Crosses. We had a few not-so-great sessions. He was very distracted and didn’t seem very motivated to train. It was kind of hot for one of the sessions, but not the other one. I figured I needed to run just portions of the sequences under these conditions to keep his attention as best I could.
Wraps – Sessions 1:
Blind Cross – Session 1:
The Runaway… this is a situation that happens fairly often when I’m training outside and I could use your advice on how to deal with it. Usually when I first come out for a training session and I set him up to work, he immediately takes off to go sniff the area. I’m not sure how to handle this behavior. To be fair, there are lots of good smells here and it’s not uncommon for wildlife to walk through this area because the several sections of the fencing are meant to come down so hubs can mow and I take them down at night so rabbits don’t chew through it. So, yes, many distracting smells. I just don’t know how to be more interesting than that or if I should find some way to prevent this. I don’t see how. Usually after 1-2 runnoffs to sniff I get him back and we can work.
There was one wrap in this session and the rest were blind crosses. We had some difficulties and some successes. Even though he was moving pretty slow and I didn’t need the distance, I tried to work some in just for the experience of it. Of course, some reps my connection was better than others too; maybe he is uncertain of me.
Let me know what you think!
Kristin
