[mer.petkova]

Hey there Tracy, this is a bit of a video dump from the last couple of days so please take your time with answering!

I’m adding the verbals (thanks for the tip/reminder), which I see helps him focus on the barrel (I don’t think he discriminates between the words, they both mean barrel stuff to him for now). We got the barrel + front cross (ish) in, the ish is for the occassional ass pass: https://youtu.be/vA6vWF4Zzwo

I’m focusing on his toys too, trying to really get the drive ahead with a toy. He does OK most of the time but I feel like he waits for me when it’s just a toy (https://youtu.be/Z-UvVKZWp04). I tried the beating him to it and stealing, but maybe I’m a bad thief and a lousy tease (will try again!). For contrast, when it is a food toy (like a lotus ball) he has zeeero problem leaving me in the dust: https://youtu.be/e6JrfC7q_wo

I’m going to be working on the shaping a toy retrieve that you posted, I really hope it helps streamline the sessions instead of me doing monkey dances to get the toy back.

Speaking of monkey dances, you’ll see that we progressively both figured out how to do the strike a pose as the video went. https://youtu.be/RB7XFXMH3UM (note to self: either have a mirror or a camera and practice mechanics in front of it without puppy ..)

He is so good at figuring out new patterns, here’s the lap turn with a prop: https://youtu.be/SZRTF96kTHM (this was his first sesh with a prop <3)

Thanks for the feedback, Tracy!

[mer.petkova]

Hi Tracy!

Thanks for the backing up tips, the couch+standing gate made for a good chute and we’re doing flat and inclined klimb right now. He loves it.

Some outdoor tries with the turn and burn: https://youtu.be/Wv6ma1tq8v4

And baby version of handling combo (thought I was doing a front cross but clearly not, and I will work up to a blind!): https://youtu.be/PNNv9-bH76U

We’re practicing more of the blind cross with turn on its own before I throw it in the handling combo 😉

[mer.petkova]

Following up: We put together the collection sandwich! (methinks)

I’ll work on the parralel path feedback too, I saw what you meant about a loose arm dog-side(thanks!). I am still supposed to stare at him while he runs the parallel path, yes?

We are also working on the backing up: https://youtu.be/65cTOsr_bUk
I love his brain, totally focused for 10 seconds or so and then complete fry up/overenthusiasm/forgot what my body is about for the other 10 seconds.

For what it’s worth, we also hike every day in the woods so he gets to figure out a lot of his body then with all the rocks, fallen logs and chasing Skye (my other Berner, who is objectively ridiculously agile for her size and I hope he learns a move or two while they are at it).

[mer.petkova]

I swear I’m going to figure out how to keep myself organized with recording and training 😀 at least by the end of the course …

Here’s our Decel and turn: https://youtu.be/0b4QGNV7daQ

Parallel path game with a prop. He gets the idea that he has to hit the prop but often enough turns into me then “remembers” about the prop. I’m guessing I should have kept the distance shorter for a few initial paths through, to make it a pattern. https://youtu.be/7In9XXpj8lU

I tripped enough in the hallway, so we took the blind cross foundations outside: https://youtu.be/d6htrJm4TIY
He’s great, I have weird mechanics with being slow to turn and then turning as fast as I possibly can. I also don’t seem to know whether to stop or to keep going when rewarding after the cross.

Thanks for the feedback, Tracy!

[mer.petkova]

>>>>> Next 3 games <<<<<

Hi Tracy, here’s us working on the baby version of shaping in arousal. I didn’t have the best plan — started with a cookie tin that somehow had stuff for him to lick on so that was distracting 🙂 so we moved on to a table place mat:

Here’s driving ahead outside, and would you look at how useful camera recording is — I saw I’m not looking at Obi when releasing at all! He bailed me out here …

The bowls game was a hit, he picked it up in no time. Stinker 🙂

Thanks for your feedback!

[mer.petkova]

Thanks Tracy! Well, you changed my mind about the reward zone, especially with the argument about what is better for the dog and their body. We’ll rework things — he is a quick and smart boy.

Also, great call on the mouthiness … the struggle is real with his tendency to literally leap in the air and grab whatever is in front (me, Skye …). Having a toy on me in all high arousal states is becoming a must but even if I have it, he still ignores the toy and grabs me sometimes (if that happens all play stops). He’s never put a hole in anyone, but still – ouch!

I really appreciate you calling out my mechanics 🙂 Thanks!!!!

[mer.petkova]

>>>>>>>>>>>> WK1, Games 1-3 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Here is the “get it” dead toy on the ground game. I realized I was leading with the wrong leg after watching the video. Also I try to reach the toy at the same time or just a little behind him because he doesn’t bring the toy back yet 🙂

For the decel to turn, I have been teaching Obi to decel and turn into the reward zone in front of me. We took Tara Baggerman’s puppy palooza class (and that’s where our decel/accel habits come from). Is there a way to modify this decel exercise to reward in front, not to the side?

The little dance is so helpful for this game 🙂 thanks for the tip!

[mer.petkova]

Hi Tracy,

Thanks for the on-point feedback! I’m aware I tend to rush things and have trouble with pauses, but I think the little dance is such a fabulous idea to kill dead airtime and keep engagement. And for the hand targeting — I think we’ve been doing entirely too many look at me games recently 🙂 (he started a puppy sports class where we learn to work with distractions).

[mer.petkova]

What a small, small world! Love it 🙂

[mer.petkova]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pregames <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Obi and I worked on the pregames today. I’m really trying to build toys as a reward for him, and I am learning to use toys myself. Skye, my other pet-turned-agility Berner, is primarily food motivated and this limits us/doesn’t help us with dealing with arousal in agility environment. You will see her in the videos (she will go behind a barrier if she interferes, but she usually lets Obi and I work in peace).

Pregame #1

Pregame #2

[mer.petkova]

Hi Tracy, I think you must know his breeder — his mom is Kris Osojnicki’s Allie 🙂

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