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Well Sunday did not go! The class was cancelled due to snow.
This Saturday I have Knight scheduled for Speedstakes 1 and 2 and Jumpers on Saturday. Then on Sunday I have him scheduled for Agility 1 and Agility 2 and Jumpers. I can also do mulligans after each of these runs if I want to. Figure in Speedstakes I will start him at a tunnel. Jumpers at the weaves or tunnel. Sunday start at dog walk, Aframe, teeter, weave poles. Also thinking about starting at a jumper before the contact. Your thoughts.
You might have done this, but you can mix in a run or two in class where the rewards are outside the ring (then run to them at the end). The other runs can have rewards in the ring with you, but mixing in rewards outside the ring can keep those remote reinforcement skills sharp!
Class is Wednesday. Will do.
Went to class today and he was the little dynamo. It was a master class and he nailed. His partner well…… It was only 3 of us in class and I have to admit I forget about the music. I PROMISE ON SUNDAY I WILL have the instructor turn up the music and the other students go crazy.
I did take him to Home Depot today and he was fine. He did the pattern game and sits and downs for me at the front of the store. I am planning on taking him back after class on Sunday also. Hopefully it will be more crowded.
Well Sunday drop in class was cancelled but good news have a class this Sunday so I will ask the people there to assist.
Today I took Knight to Lowes and walked him around the building. When he got to the front, he got concerned so I started doing the pattern game. Still was a little concern but was going after the goodies.
This made me feel good.Tomorrow is our regular class and he is solid there. He does his tricks outside the ring and will work with him before he runs by doing spins, etc. After class I will be stopping at Home Depot with Knight and see how he reacts.
I took Knight to Home Depot today along with a high value treats “CHICKEN”. He went into the store with no issue. As a matter of fact, he was ahead of me and waited for the doors to open and went right in. We went up and down the aisles in some closed in areas since I was looking for couple of things. He was concern (see him looking at the weird stuff and of course the weird noise) but he stood beside me and sat and did a down and yes got treats. Couple people offer to help and gave him chicken which he took like a typical sheltie. Up front of the store where we had issues, he was concern, but this time he offered sits and downs. Also he was more inquisitive about the sounds instead of being afraid and stressed out. While we were in the front of the store, he heard someone moving the pvc pipes and he went around the corner and watched the person. He took a treat and then turned back to watch some more. After I checked out, he left the building the same way he entered. No fear. Found the center of the automatic doors and waited for them to open. Feel we made huge progress.
Next Tractor Supply and Lowes.Jmp to tunnel was a happy thing – even if it was up close to the gate and the people & dogs.
But the 2 jumps through that box to the teeter was icky? It was kind of a weird start, not a lot of flow.When he did the jump to tunnel that was close to the gate was when he was finishing his run. He was focused and the people, etc did not bother him.
That is good to know for planning – the main goal is to get him moving as soon as possible, towards obstacles he likes (tunnel, contacts). At trials for now, skip any jump-jump-jump openings that turn him to the crowd… or maybe anything that doesn’t immediately lead to a favorite obstacle. Let’s build up his love for being in the competition ring before tackling the icky starts 🙂
WILL DO. THANK YOU
>Speedstakes 2 I took him into the middle of the trial where a tunnel was. He run through the tunnel over 3 jumps into the other tunnel and over 1 jump an out we went. >
Yay! Question – for the last jump, was it you decided to leave or was it him? Was the jump heading towards the exit gate? Or back towards the middle of ring?
The last jump I decided not him. It was heading towards the exit gate. He was at the gate when I got there and I kneel down about 3 feet away from him and asked him to come to me so I could put his collar on which he did.
And it was a short day, just those runs? Did you have the toy in the ring, or no? I am just trying to track where he was successful and where he had questions.
Yes just those runs for the day. No toy in the ring. When he gets moving, he is all business and does not care about anything. When I put his collar back on after the run, I tell him LETS GO and he RUNS directly to his goodies.
>On Sunday, Agility 1 run I took him into the back of the building and going through a tunnel, weaves poles jumps, teeter, tunnel and jump and over the Aframe and took him out of the ring. >
And since he loves his contacts, was he his normal fast and happy self?
YES his normal fast, happy self.>The mulligan run I started at the dog walk which went perpendicular and into the tunnel and repeated the first run. Instead of finishing at the end of the Aframe I ran him took him over a couple jumps. >
And since he was in the groove, he was happy to do the jumps? Were the jumps near the entry/exit gates where the other people/dogs were?
YES near the exit gate where the other people/dogs are at.
>Since I still had time I brought him where the start line was which was near the gating an ran over the jump an into the tunnel. No issues. >
Awesome! Was he acting like his normal spicy self? Did you start this section without a stay (using a send-and-go on the jump)?
YES he was acting his normal spicy self. I did a send and go on the jump.>Agility 2 I wanted to try the start line and it was 2 jumps going to the gating and then a 180 to go over a jump and teeter. Well this did go well. He jumped the first 2 jumps not happy an went to the exit gate.>
So these 2 jumps created a line facing the crowd/exit gate?
YES
> He was a happy boy after he exited. The mulligan I started at the teeter and ran him and he flew. >
Same course, different start place (higher value obstacle) so he was happy 🙂
YES
>(Wish I could attach the pdfs of the runs for you to see.)>
You can email them to agilityuniversity@gmail.com!
Sent them.
Two thoughts for you:
– you will want to build a long history of happy fun times in the competition ring, so keep doing what you were doing to get all the happy runs here. That will include starting with a tunnel or contact and running away from the crowd to get him going
– since he seems fine with doing jumps near the ring entry/exit after he is already in run run run mode… you can do a tunnel-contact line then circle back and ask for a jump towards the ring exit (kind of like where he had trouble here) and see how it goes. That way you can start to build in start line stuff in a really positive way, rather than at the very beginning where he has the most trouble with the pressure of the start line. And you can use that structure to add stays, etc.Will do. Thank you
Good morning!
Took Knight to an UKI trial this weekend where we train at and ran a speedstakes 2 run and agility 1 and 2 runs along with mulligans. The speedstakes 2 run was on Saturday. During the speedstakes 1 run I brought him into the building where the runs (Crating was in a separate building) were occurring and just let him hang out. Speedstakes 2 I took him into the middle of the trial where a tunnel was. He run through the tunnel over 3 jumps into the other tunnel and over 1 jump an out we went. Mulligan run for speedstakes I repeated and instead of going out of the ring we continued and he ran with no issue. On Sunday, Agility 1 run I took him into the back of the building and going through a tunnel, weaves poles jumps, teeter, tunnel and jump and over the Aframe and took him out of the ring. The mulligan run I started at the dog walk which went perpendicular and into the tunnel and repeated the first run. Instead of finishing at the end of the Aframe I ran him took him over a couple jumps. Since I still had time I brought him where the start line was which was near the gating an ran over the jump an into the tunnel. No issues. Agility 2 I wanted to try the start line and it was 2 jumps going to the gating and then a 180 to go over a jump and teeter. Well this did go well. He jumped the first 2 jumps not happy an went to the exit gate. I then proceeded to take him out. He was a happy boy after he exited. The mulligan I started at the teeter and ran him and he flew. (Wish I could attach the pdfs of the runs for you to see.)
Outside of the ring I did pattern games, spins, jumping up for food. When I took him into the ring and ran him, I could not get the collar off of him quick enough. He just wanted to go.
Overall he was a happy boy all weekend. He has come a long way. Now just have to get him over the start line issue. Hopefully we can discuss tonight.
A thought came to my mind and wanted to pass by you. Everything I did the last two days, he started with tunnels, teeter, dog walk. The one time he failed was near the gating with the jump. What do you think if next time (in January’s UKI trial) I go in the back and have him do a jump tunnel scenario?
Out of curiousity – did you have treats with you?
Yes I had treats with me at both stores and he refused them at the front of both stores.
You can test the theory: go to the front area of same store but very first thing in the morning so it won’t be crowded (weekday morning bright and early are the least crowded) and see how he does! And if you didn’t have treats, test the theory without treats. Then go back to the car and see how he feels about that front area when you do have treats.
Note: When I went to Lowes, it was on Monday morning with hardly anyone in the store.
Below is a video of Knight at a foundation class in a building he has not been in since late spring and the dogs in this class was the first time he saw.
Tracy,
Just wanted to pass something along to you that I found interesting with Knight. I have taken Knight many times in Home Depot and Lowes and never saw an issue. On Sunday I had to run to Home Depot and I took Knight with me since I knew the store would be really busy. He really was his self in the aisles the back of the store. Did tricks for me, etc. except when it came to the front of the store. At this time of year they had all kinds of displays in the front aisle (Basically making the front aisle into 2 aisles.) and there was a crowd. When he was up front, I could see he was concern. Would not do any tricks, etc. I then took him into the side aisles and he was normal. Happy etc.
Today I took him to Lowes. Lowes basically I am sure you know has the same setup. Since today was a weekday there were very few people around. But when I took him to the front of the store and walked him, he came very concern like he did at the Home Depot store. Side aisles again he was happy.
Note: I only stayed at the front of the store for a very short time.
Wondering if this pressure he feels in the store, is the same type of pressure he feels at the start line? or is it 2 different issues? Your thoughts greatly appreciate.
Mary Ann
I think I know enough people in your area that will be willing to help, if you want me to hook you up with them!
Got Knight in as a drop at Wednesday night class. Thank you for your offer!
>step 1. per the above, go to the rally class and have dogs warm up, outside the ring.>
Yes! And if there is a running order like there is in agility class, you can have him out and getting ready while the previous dog is finishing their turn. Build up to making it trial-like!
I was able to attend the rally class yesterday. Everybody there was great! I had a Belgian Trevan behind him before entering the ring along with the other dogs by ringside and he did terrific. He was engaged and having fun.
>step 2. If Knight passes step 1, then I could possibly arrange with an agility instructor at a different location to do the pattern game, spin, bounce, etc outside the ring and then enter the ring, go to jump 1 and see his reaction similar to what I did on video at the rally class. >>
Also yes! There are lots of good agility instructors in your area that will allow a drop in.
Going to arrange this for Knight. Figures crossed
And in classes, mix in runs that are fun without all the pressure: easy fast courses where you do have cookies in the ring.
Will do.>Also where I train at there is a UKI trial every month through the winter (Dec through April) with mulligans. My thinking is doing the pattern games outside the ring which I know he will be happy doing the first day. Second day only sign up for one run. Pattern games. >
Remember to do tricks too! If you sign up for a run, I think it is a good time to find something he will enjoy inside the ring, like a lotus ball on a fur toy that he this chase around. That way there is a toy inside the ring! And his reward station should be right outside the ring and he should be able to see it.
Thank you for your thoughts on the UKI run. I will put them to good use this weekend.
Since next Monday is the last day of this course. I would like to put my thoughts on paper for you to review and comment on the next steps with Knight.
step 1. per the above, go to the rally class and have dogs warm up, outside the ring.
step 2. If Knight passes step 1, then I could possibly arrange with an agility instructor at a different location to do the pattern game, spin, bounce, etc outside the ring and then enter the ring, go to jump 1 and see his reaction similar to what I did on video at the rally class. If reaction is positive, take collar off and have him go over the jump and put collar on and say lets go and go to his goodies outside the ring. If reaction is shutdown, run him out of the ring and say lets go and get his goodies. If he does shut down, what are your thoughts on proceeding to the second round? Take back in and run him back out if he shuts down?
Also where I train at there is a UKI trial every month through the winter (Dec through April) with mulligans. My thinking is doing the pattern games outside the ring which I know he will be happy doing the first day. Second day only sign up for one run. Pattern games. Take him in the ring. Gage him. If he is in shutdown mode, run him out of the ring and go get the goodies. If engage, take collar off and do a jump or a contact (second day first runs are agility. He loves the dog walk, teeter) and out of the ring and do a mulligan.
This is all great!! Sounds like he was really excellent and happy, even when all the people were added in. And it sounds like this was a lot of people but no other dogs in the environment. Maybe it is the proximity to the other dogs that makes it challenging for him? So the next steps would be to add one dog in (a calm dog :)) and see how he does. Then keep adding them in – at trials, they will be milling about near the entry/exit, barking, staring, eating, tugging, etc, so we can address that and see what he says.
Thanks Tracy for all your comments. I spoke with my rally instructor friend and she said that we can work something out of having the dogs warming up, etc. outside the ring. (When I did the runs yesterday they were all crated about 5 to 6 feet from the ring.) Start small and add on the second round.
I did this session with Knight around 11/18 It is a long video but showing the first steps from that session. Feed him with the collar on, taking the collar off and putting it back on, etc. As you will see he was a happy boy.
Before the rain came, I decided to do the go out with Knight just with 3 jumps to see how he would do. I figure I can set up the rest of the criteria when I do a rental.
This morning I had the opportunity to take Knight to a rally class that a friend runs and do the 1 jump with Knight. Knight was at this location when he was a puppy over 3 years ago. As you can see from the 2 videos below which was his first time in the ring, he was having a great time. Notice he took off before I told him too. I forgot though to just take the collar off and run him. Going to try that in class this Wednesday. (Note: Did not have class for 2 weeks – UKI Open and Thanksgiving)
(No video sorry but everyone was helping me)
On my second turn the jump was moved in a different location. I had the gate closed open it and proceeded to the jump. This time the people in class were clapping and yelling. My friend was the judge and a person in class was sitting in a chair next to the jump. Knight came to the start line and was a happy boy. Sat there until I gave him the okay to continue. Second time I was on the other side of the jump and the judge on the other side. Again no issue. Third try. Judge behind him and when I took the leash off and threw it behind him and again no issue. Note the first two times on the second run and I had the leash with me and when he jumped I just put the leash down for him chase it and he decided to tug it.All the times before I went into the ring I did pattern games and had him bounce and spin. For my second turn I just chilled watching the person in the ring. Knight just laid down in front of me.
Finally when we were exiting the ring, each time I told him lets go after I put the collar on. This is what I have always done.Video 2. Let me know if it was supposed to be a different video.
Yes different video.interesting how he didn’t want to tug with the leash coming off at first here – is there where the collar was on?
In class when the collar comes off he automatically goes into a sit for his start line stay. My thought is to have him tug on the leash when he comes through the gate to keep him engaged and then take the collar off, do couple spins, and have him bounce to keep engagement. Your thoughts.
You can trust his line commitment here to get the BC earlier: send to the tunnel from further away so you are more ahead of him as he approaches the jump after it.
Have to admit my blinds suck period. It is a long work in progress with him. As you know adjusting to different dogs is a challenge but I will do it. Just have to trust the little guy.
The physical cues were excellent so he got it, but with his speed we don’t want to rely on physical cues only. Since ‘come’ and ‘here’ probably mean ‘turn towards da momma’, you can add a ‘tunnel threadle’ verbal that means ‘go to the other end of the tunnel’. I use ‘kiss kiss kiss’ 🙂 and it means something very different than the turn cues on the jump.
Good winter project to work on. Thinking about POW POW POW!!!
