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Another day, another game or two. We played the Left/Right Verbal Minny Pinny game in the morning. I think he is doing great with the left & right verbals. I’ve never used them with previous dogs. I just hope I can remember the correct direction when on course, LOL.
It was a nice day, though a little chilly, so we decided to play the Send & Serps game in the afternoon. He definitely needed some handling to get the hang of this, but he did seem to catch on.
Laura & Teagan
Oops, sorry about the pdf question. I forgot they were in the written instructions. I usually review the video before playing a game, but don’t re-read the instructions…my bad.
Today, we tried a Pill Bug game. I realize I need to be better with maintaining my connection to him with this game.
Laura & Teagan
Tracy,
Is it possible to get PDF files for the Tunnel Exit Courses? It will make it much easier to set up and “walk” the course. I am having a hard time remembering the courses after setting up for the video and setting up the equipment.
Laura
We are back outside today…Yay! Worked on Set Point with a moving target and had the video from the side view as you suggested. He broke on the movement of the tug a few times, but was able to hold his start line a few times, progress.
We also had two sessions of Tunnel Exits, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. He had several hours of rest between the sessions. With rain expected tomorrow, I wanted to take advantage of a sunny but cold day. I need to make sure I get the correct verbals out, as I am adding ones I usually do not use, specifically directionals. We definitely need to work on the Go. I am not sure if my timing was late or that he just doesn’t understand it yet. We also have not done any separate practice with this verbal recently. I will set up an exercise just for the Go verbal before trying it again in the Tunnel Exits game.
Laura & Teagan
It was cold and windy today, so we took the training back inside. We worked on the Set Point with Moving Target and just the Moving Target game. Somehow, they are both in the same video. I am still working to remember to not move until after he releases. I do think I am getting better at it.
Laura & Teagan
We finally got around to trying the Moving Target pre-game. I was impressed that I was able to drop the toy and he held his Wait.
We also tried to do the Moving version of the game and again, he did great.
I was at an agility trial yesterday and brought Teagan along. He did awesome walking in the building, meeting new people and meeting another lab puppy. It was a good resilience walk for him.
Laura & Teagan
Another nice day in the NE. Today’s exercise was Wrap Proofing. I was pleasantly surprised that he is understanding the wrap verbals. I think once again I lost connection in a few places and he was distracted at times knowing there was cheese in my hand.
We also tried another round of Smiley Face Games. I am happy with how well he is handling this game.
I know you keep saying to keep the sessions short so he does not get tired, but honestly I have yet to tire this puppy out. After the first session today, he came in and wanted to go work in the inside training room. Teagan has yet to lie down and rest if he is loose in the house. He never settles for very long, I need to put him in his crate to make him rest and give me a break. He is extremely active…the “Energizer Labrador”. I am having a hard time figuring what to do to get him to settle in the house while he is loose, especially if the other 3 dogs are also loose. He will go to place if he is the only dog out, but will not stay there for an extended period of time. Any other suggestions you might have are greatly appreciated.
Laura & Teagan
Tracy,
The weather is nice today, so I was able to set up a tunnel (I hate moving tunnel bags, UGH!) and my vertigo is much improved (Yah!). We worked the Smiley Face Games exercises. First, I realized he was not familiar with a curved tunnel. He got over that quickly. Then I had trouble with the mechanics, since there was not a jump bump/bar between the stantions, it could seem like a backside rather than a wrap, I also had to get my verbals straight. A review of the video and I think I got it. The big lump in my back is his tug toy, LOL.
In the first video, he breaks off toward the end. I thought he was tiring, so I rewarded him and ended the session. Turns out he needed a potty break. We waited and did another session later.
The second video, we added in a few front crosses and tried working with a toy in my hand. This was difficult for him, but he did work for me, a huge accomplishment.
Laura & Teagan
Tracy,
I tried this exercise with jump bumps and he sort of galloped over them, not really jumping. Is that okay?
Laura
It’s a windy day, but Teagan and I were able to try the Set Point game. Thankfully, this game didn’t require much from me as I am still recovering from the vertigo. I used jumps set at 8″ that are locked in. As an aside, and bit of my agility history, the jumps I used for this game were bought circa 2002 when I started Brodie’s agility training with you.
We went straight to the advanced version as we had already done the baby level on our own. Teagan breezed through this game.
Laura & Teagan
Hi Tracey,
Teagan and I are glad to be back for MaxPup2. We took advantage of a nice day to work on Feel the Wind in Your Hair. Teagan did great with this exercise. I was having a little trouble as I was dealing with a bad episode of vertigo, which caused me to make slow small movements. I had to make sure to stay connected after the wrap for him to go over the jump. You will see a few times he went around the jump, because I was not connected to him.
Laura & Teagan
Tracy,
Thanks so much for the detailed info regarding starting obstacles. I have always taken it slow with my Labs and Lindsey (the rescue), always planning on it taking 2 years to train them to be ready to compete. This approach has kept my boys and Lindsey running until they were double digits in age and with few injuries, always minor.
Laura
Snow today, so we were inside. Worked on Lateral Lead Out. He did well with this.
Then we did some Simple Decel Reps. He did great with this.
Amazingly, we have worked through most of the exercises. There are still 2 in Week 12, but not sure we will get to them tomorrow. We still do need to work some advanced levels on some of the exercises, but it gives us stuff to work on over the next few weeks. Considering taking MAXPup 2 with him.
Question, at what age do you start introducing the various obstacles to your young dogs?
Thanks for all the great lessons and your awesome feedback. We have learned a lot and still have a lot more to learn.
Laura & Teagan
We are lucky to still be working outside. I tried the Reverse Spin and I think this time I have it correct with a little bit of decompression built in after he snatched the toy our of my pocket. I don’t have 2 barrels, so I used wings instead.
We also tried Serps. This still needs some work, but he is starting to get it.
And Threadles, where we are still having trouble. He comes to the threadle side but goes around the entire jump.
Finally, we worked on Turn & Burn. This is definitely better than his first try at it.
Laura & Teagan
Weather is still cooperating, so we worked outside. We worked various angles on the tunnel, but I did not video. He did well. I tried the Rocking Horses with Spin, but I was doing a BC instead of a spin. When you say spin do you mean what some call a reverse spin?
We did try Serps/Threadles with movement. He did well with the Serps but not so much with the Threadles. I hope you can tell me what I’m doing wrong.
Laura & Teagan
