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Hello, again! 🙂
Here is more work on the wing/tunnel/verbal exercise. I tried to use less motion and fewer visual cues. There were times when I faced the wrong way for some of the cues.
While we were working, I noticed that she turned to the left pretty consistently when she was standing on my right side, but if she was on my left side, she sometimes started to go around the wing on the left side (which would have meant a turn to the right). So, I added some wing work at the end to reinforce left turns from either side. The wheels were turning in that sweet brain!~Kristie
Hi, Tracy,
We gave this another spin. I moved the far wing closer so it would be easier for her to see it while in the tunnel. I also worked on getting out the verbal “go” earlier and to use more motion. She’s working hard on the turns, and I did use a “here” when I realized she needed to turn to the right. She really loves the tunnel piece!~Kristie
Hi, Tracy,
We just did 3 little set point runs. Jumps at 5′ (same as yesterday). This time I followed your suggestion about moving out farther from the setup, and used a dropped toy. She stayed forward focused, but once she got to the toy she looked for a treat so I tried to make the toy more interesting by tugging. The last run I wiggled the toy on the ground to see what that might do. She seems to be doing fine. Your thoughts? ~KristieYup, all your suggestions make tons of sense. When I watched the video after we were done, I realized I should have placed the “go” wing closer to the tunnel. I will do so next round. Also, I wasn’t sure how much body motion you wanted from us? If we’re working on verbals, then usually I thought we weren’t supposed to do much supporting with arms and body. If it’s ok, then I’ll get more of “me” into the directions. That should make it clearer and therefore easier for her. She really tries to do things “right” and I can see those mental gears churning when we’re doing something new. 😉 ~Kristie
Hi, Tracy,
Here’s our first take on the new tunnel exit exercises. As I believe I mentioned to you before, I have never used left and right on course. I’ve taught the verbals, but not been comfortable being sure I was using the correct one during class or at a trial. However, your exercise is pushing me in that direction, so now I need to determine where and how my “around” and the directionals work together. It will all come together I’m sure. I also may have mentioned that I prefer to teach one direction well before adding the other to the mix. So Keiko and I are working on lef-lef-lef at this time. I also noticed I needed to step in and put pressure on her path if I wanted her to circle the far wing in a particular (anti-clockwise) direction. Good to know and train for should we decide to do NADAC.~Kristie
Hi, Tracy,
Went back to 5’ and had a tug toy in-hand. I think this is finally looking pretty good. These are the only three sets we tried, and she was happy on all. You may notice a slight bar tick on the first set. The low jump cup on one of the green wings broke off, so I had the bar hanging on the 8” cup. I can swap wings and make that lower next time if you think that would be better for her. Otherwise, how does this seem to you? KristieHello!
We took the same few-day break from the set point set-up, and tried it again today. I used your suggestion to widen the set-up to 6 feet apart and to set the reward farther out. The video shows the 4 times she tried. When only one of the three tries at 6′ seemed to go well, I tried 5.5′ with the same trot through result, so we quit for the day. I think she did a bit better at 5′, but maybe we just need more time? ~KristieHi, Tracy,
I gave Keiko a break from the verbals for a couple of days, then followed your suggestion of rewarding each correct individual behavior rather than doing more than one at a time. I thought she did pretty well, especially considering she had had an out and about class earlier in the day – saw and heard her first trains and ferries! ~KristieHi, Tracy,
Yes, I thought this went very well. It also reinforces sends to the tunnel from a distance. I did throw her tennis ball for one run…my aim isn’t the best and the ball ended up hitting the camera stand! 😀. Keiko didn’t bat an eyelash- just chased it in the new direction.
Kristie
Good morning! Keiko and I went out to give tunnel sends and runs a try. She did checked in out of the first tunnel, then ran ahead of me. On the barrel/tunnel sets I should have placed the reward farther away so she kept on running. It was really obvious when she’d had enough! 😉
Thanks so much, Tracy. Yes, I goofed on verbals. Also, I realize I should have mapped out specific sets so I wasn’t pushing her too hard and for too long. It’s exciting to see what she is capable of, however, you are absolutely right that I need to pull back, do shorter sets, and reward more often. Keiko has just picked things up so well and quickly, and I need to remember she’s still very young. She turned 10 months old yesterday. 🙂
And one more…Here’s our first “smiley face” time, both the suggested exercises and some of our own. You’ll notice in the third clip that she swung wide coming out of the tunnel when I was doing a front cross. So the next time we did that, I cued her name while she was still in the tunnel and she turned much better. She is learning to look for that connection rather than always expecting a reward to run for. This was lots of fun for both of us!
HI, Tracy,
We did more work on the wrap and tunnel verbals. I tried to use less motion most of the time, then tossed in some running to the wings. That will take more practice. ;). I thought she did pretty well. It’s interesting that at first she thought every set should have a wrap before going into the tunnel. That’s why I changed things up in that regard. ~KristieHello, again!
Here is some more “windy hair” stuff. 🙂 I worked on connection around the wing and on some front crosses. Some rewards were placed, others were thrown. With the early connection, she did run ahead since she knew then what I really wanted. Thanks for the feedback. Always good info! ~Kristie
