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Hi, Tracy,
My PT has given me permission to do “gentle agility” (whatever that is) so I decided to give the wk 4 sequence exercise a try. The way you’ve set this up is excellent, and I’ve been champing at the bit to try it. So, I’ve done a slightly modified version. I think my jumps are set a bit closer than. you have on your video, though they seemed close to your set up on the pdf. I did use my verbals during one of the last walk-throughs, but obviously not loudly enough. :(. I also did not do the “run like you’re running the course” since I wanted to save the tendon for the actual run (as it turned out, the actual 2 runs). I hope to be able to do the other sequences before wk 5 is posted. So here is my walk-through, first run, blurb, and second run. Critique away! 😉
Hi, Tracy,
I’m in total agreement with your comments. Sooner verbals, repeat in tricky situations, stay out of her way (!), and stay connected. As she gets more familiar with what the various obstacles are “all about” she is also getting more confident and, I’m finding, making a few decisions on her own without checking with me every time. Oops! So I’ve got to be more pro-active in verbals, handling, connection. Good things to realize, now I need to act on them. 😉
It’s horridly hot and humid – they have air quality warnings out for the rest of the day. So we worked on a couple more of the skill sets. I was especially interested in seeing if we could get the “out” wing. The very first time, she tried to go into the tunnel, so I went closer to the wing with her, and wasn’t in any position to do the rest of the little set. Then we did the 3 runs shown in the video. Again, I mixed up the last set to keep her paying attention and keep us connected.
Hi, Tracy,
Here’s some work from a couple of different sessions on the wk 4 Skills set. I’m not moving as much or as quickly as I would normally, out of deference to the tendon…..
As you recommended, one day I did some simple 2 obstacle “warm ups”. As you’ll see, Keiko kept me “honest” and let me know when my cues weren’t adequate. I “cleaned up” and she did the sets as I intended. Here’s the pre-set video:
Our next session had some of your suggested short sequences. At the end, I added one that was similar as a “proof” to check on patterning. She often patterns quickly. I thought she did well on this. 🙂
Oh, you are sooooo right on! It’s killing me to not be running my girls!!
However, I’m thankful there is someone in Keiko’s class and another agility friend in Yuki’s class who are willing and able to run my girls. They (my girls) have been pretty good about running with someone else – they do check in with me first to make sure it’s okay. As soon as I give them permission to “go run with so-and-so” they give me a funny look, then trot off to work with the handler substitute. Yuki yells at the sub when she doesn’t give cues fast and soon enough. Keiko tends to worry at tad more, but in this last class, she decided perhaps she could run with someone else, and had a great time.
There is no way of knowing how long I’ll be unable to run the girls in class. I’m currently in PT for something else, and now the therapist is working on the this injury with me. A total rupture can take a year to heal, so I’m trying to be careful and not turn this into something bigger. As you’ll notice in my videos, I’m doing what I can and moving as little as possible to still give Keiko the cuing and help she needs. Keeping fingers crossed that mending happens quickly.
Take care, ~KristieHI, Tracy,
The classes you talk about putting together sound great! Looking forward to seeing the actual write ups, but they do sound like they’ll be just what folks need.Yes, she loves being rubbed and loved up – the “chill” is easy. ;). Regarding the Dial it up – yes, I figure both methods (food and toy) will work with Keiko depending on the situation. I was going to feed from my hand, but wanted to get her a little more excited. She can be so “picture perfect” sometimes, and then is a crazy kid other times. :).
I’ll have to see where I can find to have her watch a class going on. Our trials around here have been “no observers” due to Covid, so I’ll be looking for something held outdoors. Her class has no barrier between the dogs in crates and people in chairs and the area where the dogs are running, so she has to be crated in between her turns. She can watch the other dogs if the setup is conducive to that, so I reward her for quiet attention to them and focus back on me when I ask, and this has been helpful. For the past 3 classes (and for probably the next 2 or 3) a long-time agility friend has been running Keiko in class for me. It’s so frustrating not to be able to run her, but I think running for others is also good for her, and I don’t want her to have to sit out classes while my tendon heals… Tonight she actually put on the steam I usually get from her, and it thrilled my friend. It was good to see her finally relaxing when not able to run with “mom”. Every new experience and confidence boost is so good, especially for our pandemic pups. 🙂
Rain, rain – so we did the transitions games. 2 Videos here, one for each game.
I tried both a treat and a toy oriented “dial it up” since I was interested in seeing if there was a difference for her. As you can see, she was happy to work for food, and stayed focused. The toy was, I think, even more exciting. Indoors at a trial or class, the food would be more appropriate, while I could use toys outside to help get her engaged, focused, and excited (if that was needed….) 😉
A short while after the dial it up games, we changed rooms and did the “Chill”. I’m sorry you can’t see my face because I was sometimes looking at her, other times gazing around the room or up the stairs at her 2 sisters who were watching (and wondering why SHE was getting all the attention!). She seemed quite happy to be rubbed – a nice “cool down.”
Hi, Tracy,
Yes, it looks like we’re on much the same wave-length. I’ve taken Agility U courses in fronts, blinds and rears and that sort of class is really, really helpful. I’d also like to see something that has us practicing cues (verbal and/or visual) that we may need frequently, as well as those that pop up now and again, but that we don’t tend to use everyday – and then they’re rusty when we need them. Things as diverse as reverse spins, flicks, wraps, far-end tunnel sends, laterals, go ons, in-ins, threadles, backsends….ok, the list is getting rather long, but I think you and I are saying much the same thing. The idea you tossed out about a class that looks at a set of specific skills and puts them in different contexts sounds great.
You are also right that the current class has lots of options and practice setups, but Keiko and I are not always able to get to everything, especially the long courses.
Good luck on setting up classes! There are lots of us, and I’m sure everyone has their own “request” list. :). Take care, ~KristieHI, Tracy,
A while back, when I asked you about the next cycle of classes, you asked if I had any requests or ideas. I’ve been thinking about that, and figured I’d share something I would find helpful and useful.
As you know, Keiko and I give your lessons and exercises a good go every time. Then it’s on to the next and, often, something new. What I find tricky is making sure we go back and review and incorporate past lessons as we move ahead. A good example is the “in-in” which I tend to use in threadle jump lines or instead of a forced front. When the teacher in Keiko’s class suddenly wanted to see what we did in a different type of setup, Keiko came to the back of the jump but didn’t automatically turn and come back to me without my forward motion. I’m realizing that we “learn” a verbal or a cue, but don’t always go back and review on a consistent basis. With a young, green dog, that review and repetition is especially important. So, I would love to see a class where some of the exercises required us to review and reinforce different handling and verbals. It wouldn’t all need to be focused that way, but a few exercises that keep us going back through all the things we’ve learned, and applying them in sequences so they are ready to be used when the situation arises. Does this make sense?
I realize there are still tons of new things for us to cover, and there may not be a place for the idea I’ve tossed out. Just thought I’d share, since it’s something I would really find useful.
Take care, ~KristieHi, Tracy,
Love your detailed analysis of my handling and Keiko’s response. Perfect, important and useful info – thanks so much! She does want to know where to go (makes sense) and she would appreciate knowing that as soon as possible (get with it, handler!)
We’re going to get started on wk 4 and do what the heel will allow. Take care, KristieHi, Tracy,
Thanks for the feedback. I know dogs are “sided” just like people, and sometimes I wonder if our sidedness affects our dogs’….Chicken and egg discussion. ;). I love this t-shirt, too. The image is of my first Aussie, a simply outstanding, wonderful girl who is my forever dog. She was a marvelous teammate and companion, and she taught me so much. It’s fun to wear her photo – it’s both memory and inspiration.Now, on to a couple more videos. These are of our runs on the first sequence in the SfS part of Wk#3. Video #1 is the runs we did – I did 3 for the left hand turn on the jump and 3 for the right hand turn. The left turns are all pretty much the same. On the right turn, I tried 2 different handling techniques: 1) a blind and post turn – it didn’t work the first time because I did not get in place fast enough and cut her off. The second time I put myself in a better starting spot and moved sooner so I was able to do the blind and post turn 2) was a reverse spin.
Times: The fastest run with the right turn was the reverse spin. You can see that she liked my extra motion, turned close and moved quickly. I measured times from her entry to the tunnel to her exit to the tunnel. That took out my differences sending her around the wing. Time for this run was 5.50 sec. The fastest of her 3 left turn runs was 6.06. Definitely a difference. 🙂
The second video is a split screen, comparing the left and right turns. I’ve gotten a kick out of learning how to do the split screen. Of course, now I want to learn how you did the overlay, that was cool.
Looking forward to your comments. Here are the videos:
All 6 runs:
Split screen:
Hi, Tracy,
It feels like forever since Keiko and I were able to work on agility exercises. :(. The Achilles is still an issue, but I decided I could do short little things that didn’t require a lot of running. So, here’s our latest work on Flick. Keiko seems to be pretty confident on this when she’s turning to the right. Her left turn is a bit less sure, so you’ll notice we backed up a bit on the training on that side. I also tossed in a couple of straight runs past the wing. I do think this is coming along. For the last run, she just started trotting to the tunnel so I decided I’d include that as part of the exercise. I think she liked having “more” to do. ;). How do you think this is looking, and what steps/suggestions do you have for moving this forward. Thanks!
HI, Tracy,
Regarding the focus in new places activity – I was wondering if I can treat from hand. I don’t think you did that in the video until you took it on the road, and I think it makes sense since the hand has to be involved in most real-life settings.Regarding the flick – OK! We’ll add more speed/distance from Keiko (since I’m not moving any faster than I was in the videos right now) and I can also add straight ahead motion, etc. Thanks.
A question regarding the skill sequences. In your pdf, you have exercise #1 with wing as #1, jump as #2, tunnel as #3. Yet in your video it’s Wing #1, tunnel #2, jump #3, tunnel #4. Which way do you want us to do it? I’m assuming the way you did in. your video, but just wanted to be sure. Thanks!
Hello, Again,
We have also been working on the Flick verbal. Here are clips from a couple different days. I’ve added the forward motion and am trying to stay in a straight line, while decreasing the amount of hand cuing. Please “get picky” on this and let me know what I need to work on/change/improve. You’ll notice Keiko is in molting mode. All three of our Aussies are shedding like crazy. It’s a new decor trend!
I also wanted to mention that I have managed to pull my Achilles tendon and am in PT. Hoping this mends quickly. I won’t be able to do the running sequences for a while – though I may try sequence 1 if I can do it mostly with sending. Very frustrating. 🙁
Hi, Tracy,
I decided we needed to reinforce the value of the white object, so we did a couple of little sessions in the agility field on different days. For the first session, I had the treats on me. The second time, they were on the DW. She seemed quite happy to focus even though we were in the agility field – and NOT doing agility – and using cheese! 😉
Time to take this elsewhere.
~Kristie
HI, Tracy,
I’ll have to see what I can do to make the targeting activity a bit more enticing. ;). Cheese obviously was not as much fun as the agility field. 😉
BTW, I have a question about another/next class. We’re half way through this session (how did that happen?) and I’m wondering if you will be planning another course specially for this group, or will you be offering other courses that follow-up on all we’ve been doing? I think Keiko and I need our Tracy fix. 😉
Take care and try to stay cool,
~Kristie
