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[P.S. Congrats on your new puppy–looks like a dandy!]
Week 4 / Feel the Wind in Your Hair Part 2: Rear Crosses and Backside Wraps
Week 5 / Concept Transfer: Rear CrossesI am posting my progression so you can see where I am at. This was a skill that I wanted to keep working once I started. The order of posting is my progression and crosses over into Week 5 with the tunnel added.
I’m behind on replying and on posting. Week 4, while super fun, was daunting. So, I’ve been taking that week’s games a little slower and I haven’t gone back to recently posted exercises, like adding a toy to Minny Pinny as suggested for getting more juice into the game.
Payday is my go to word when I don’t have a clicker. I’ve tried adding the reward placement markers–that’s a slower process for me though I do see value in it (earlier you thought I could get by with fewer of those and I am currently rethinking my list–I agree that a simpler list is more in keeping with my ability to keep all the verbals straight. You might hear me couple payday with “bonus” when I want to continue paying for a particularly good rep.
The question you asked about when he will lunge to take the toy–that’s harder to isolate. When we first started with reward markers and a different (less punitive in my mind) method of IYC, he was getting very good at only taking rewards when offered.
Adolescence, my inconsistencies, impatience when I’m slow to get started, higher arousal with more movement, frustration on his part if something seems too hard, etc. can all cause the toy grabs. I’m going to start logging when it happens in each session so that I become better aware.
I’m doing lots outside agility to address some of the mental prep that I need with this pup.
So, before all my Week 4 and 5, work becomes out-of-date, I’ll get on to that. I really fell behind so I was happy to see week 7 is a catch up week.
Max Pup 2 Week 3 / Left Right Minny Pinny Proofing
I worked on this a good many sessions. That neutral position is tough. We finally got it here, but I don’t think I can say it’s solid by any means. It’s a fun exercise that JP enjoys doing. Thanks for another super fun way to build skills.
I do have plenty of different toys and can change up. He’s been doing a lot of grabbing at the toy, but I will definitely work on that. I want to use toys, just don’t like the self-serving distraction that I’m getting at the moment. Just another little challenge to train through. Thanks! Can’t wait to know what your big reveal suggested by the teasers is going to be. In the meantime, I’ll post another one of my exercises for review. I so appreciate getting the help.
Max Pup 2 Week 3 / Find the Jump
This is from another one of those windy days. I didn’t try setting myself behind yet. Here’s Find the Jump Day 1. I did 2 sessions, same day. I found the toy made it too hard for me to rotate to get my magnet arm back, so I didn’t use it in the evening session.
Thanks much for the detailed feedback. I’m getting a really good list of homework! I had to create a spreadsheet to manage the exercise juggling. Next up, Find the Jump.
Great. Thanks also for the progression. Looking forward to chipping away at the increased difficulty and chance to keep challenging my timing and connection to get it accomplished.
Week 3 / Zig Zag for Jump Slice Foundations
Whee! This was fun. Built it over a couple days, then suddenly got this. Haven’t tried again, in case I’ve introduced a bad habit getting him to do it. (I took your instructions literally, that I could do whatever it takes.)
Thanks much. I saw the leaning too. I’m going to return to these grids after I get a little better understanding on stay, which I haven’t wanted to rush right now. Such a complex behavior where so much can go wrong. I REALLY don’t want that lean in.
I have some other week 3 videos to start posting, all done on those windy days. Be prepared to see the cones in them and to hear the roar. I didn’t want to you hit you with these while you were away at the Invitational. In the meantime, I’ll be chipping away at week 4. The Rear Cross needed some more foundation before the Wind in Our Hair!
Next up, a shortie—Zig Zag fun.
Thanks again for working with us on Set Point.
(Week 2 / Set Point with Moving Target, cont.)
Thanks, so much. I went out last night and did a quick session. I only got a (really) nice set up for feet on the first try and stays were a little shaky. Rather than fuss with him on precise foot placement since, for some reason, from above they didn’t look as off as they do in the video and stays which I haven’t really trained yet, I stuck to just testing the effect of improving my walk-away with connection, no speed.
He rubbed the landing side of the bump with front feet ever so slightly on 3 of 5 tries, but at least not giving it the hard rubs like before. And, after all, I did let him drift back from the ideal start point, so that’s on me.
I’ve got my plan for future sessions: more precise foot placement at the feet of the jumps, 4’6” spacing, walk away rather than speed for now, with connection; and I’ll be thinking more about my stays over the next few weeks, giving that some special attention. (oh, and no windy day practices with cones bolstering the wings 🤭). Thanks so much. 💪
Week 2 / Set Point with Moving Target
Per your suggestions for Week 1, Intro to Set Point, for this round I set him up with his feet just past the feet of the wing and got rid of the cone and went straight to moving target for Week 2. I used 4’ spacing in the Week 1 exercise. I opened up the spacing to 4’6” for this round. Before further work on this, I was hoping you could help with advice on what to do to tweak my set up or what I’m doing. In two separate sessions, he clipped the bumper on most his attempts (once he hit the set point bar instead). I think he had only a couple clean attempts. Here’s the video.
And thank you for the feedback on Tunnel Exits. I’m anxious to get my verbal and motion timing coordinated (and getting the verbals out at all).much appreciated.
Oh this is terrific news about turns out of the tunnel. So happy to hear I didn’t miss steps in Max 1 foundation. I’m comfortable with on the job expression of verbals for learning so I’ll start looking at the new exercise now with greater confidence. Much appreciated! And thanks for quick reply. It’s a rare fine day here so we’ll get some training done out in the crisp but sunny day. (And, I am sticking to the 2 error rule—there’s no leeway with this little monkey! I should have stopped in my first session when that happened and regretted immediately even though he did get it right. I will not make that mistake a second time.)
ADDENDUM TO TUNNEL EXIT DIRECTIONALS EXERCISE: I removed the TNT that was for the right turn exit and I moved the left exit machine a little to make it more visible. I tried a few times and, after a couple unsuccessful tries, he did start turning left regardless of where he was next to me. I quit right away after those few successful attempts.
