[nstegmann]

On the second two jump game I focused on connection with Sammy and did it a bit slower.
Jazz slowed down at the wing before the jump and even more on the wing wrap at the second jump after the tunnel. Therefore I switched to give the tunnel cue directly after the wrap. It took all my attention to accelerate and decelerate appropriated.
The blind after the tunnel felt a bit weird to me. My body offered continuously a FC instead. But I am 100% sure that I saw both dogs before entering the tunnel entrance in the last runs.

Nadine

[nstegmann]

Hello Tracy,

Thank you. You wrote: “Basically it is all tandem turn work that varies depending on the situation and the timing”
It works sufficient on weave pools and on the dog walk, but not on a jump.
The dog shall take the jump from the front and flip away when landing.
Sometimes it works, sometimes they do not read it at all, but very often they take the backside (like a push to wrap). Obviously I do something wrong with my upper body when cueing with the opposite arm. Or it might be my position related to the jump – but I played with it and it seems to have only a slight influence.
Is this also part of this year summer camp?

Nadine

[nstegmann]

Hello Tracy,

Thank you, this game looks great. It looks like a lot of fun for the dog. I am pretty sure that Jazz will enjoy it. He knows already how to circulate me from RallyO and frisbee. But I will start from scratch and try to make it as fun as possible for him.
I always try to Jazz push up before we start. When I am leaving him for a lead out I have the melody of “Pink Panther” in my ears as you told in one of your course videos;-)

I am wondering whether I may ask you a question on another class of you? In case this is not appropriate, that is fine with me:-)
In your “Say What” you show “On the flat: Turn away after obstacle exit” with many examples, but not how to teach it.
Is there any other class of you which goes into these details?
I assume that the body cues are equal to the tandem turn, correct?

BR
Nadine

[nstegmann]

Hello Tracy,

It is really a challenge for me to think about all when moving. I feel that Sammy is reacting very strong on missing connection. And Jazz much more on my lag of movement and my inappropriate deceleration.
I am a bit more confident on the tunnel exercises, knowing that they will commit.
Yes, the opposite arm was missing, but I assume my biggest issue is still connection while keeping continuously moving.

Please do not laugh! In the 2 jump exercise I spook out the word “blind” loud, as cue for me;-). It should remind me to use the opposite arm.

I followed your advice on the wing wrap. I made several short sessions with Jazz throwing the toy just for commitment to the wing. I know that such things take time. However, I am still wondering what I can do in addition. There are several points that I am thinking over again and again:
Jazz has this issue on all obstacles. Whenever he presume that I am not follow his line the release to the obstacle is slow – even to a tunnel.
It is much more obvious when he starts directly next to me. Whenever I release him on a position behind me, he is faster.
Sammy does not have this issue. And I trained both dogs exactly in the same way.
I know, this only a minor issue compared to my general handling. But it bothers me that I do understand it.

Have a great Sunday!

Nadine

[nstegmann]

Thank you:-)

I tried to keep moving during the blinds, but moving and keeping the arms under control is a challenge.

Nadine

[nstegmann]

Uhh yes, I see! My unique strange blind cross version of “send and stand”:-)
I watched the video I made yesterday on the tunnel exercise. I did exactly the same: sent from far away, went to the jump wing and made the blind while standing.
So I will try to keep moving – with my arms close at my body and magnetic fingers to his nose with the lead hand. Then try to to execute quick the BC while moving as soon as I see his nose at the tunnel exit. Hard work!!!!

[nstegmann]

Hello Tracy,

Please see our 1 jump exercise. Sammy seems to be okay with my arms, although there is much more room for improvement:-)
In fact it felt easier with Sammy as he started driving ahead already at the first wing. I reviewed with Jazz driving ahead a few times and then we tried it again. It was slightly better.

Usually he is very confident in driving ahead of me, but only on straight lines or soft turns (when he expecting that I follow him or throw the toy ahead). But on they way to wraps he slows down. We contentiously working on the wraps according to your max pup courses (I pull the toy along on a long line and let him grab it.) He speeds up after the wrap but I am not able to get him with speed into the wrap. Therefore I assume it is my handling. I cut out a rep there you can see it at we add (but it was no blind).

Nadine

[nstegmann]

Hello Tracy,

Please see my kind dogs, both real gentlemans…

[nstegmann]

I tried the exersice with a bottle of water in each hand. It is real fun and it showed me that my hands are flipping around like tentakels when I am running:-) It will take a long, long time until I can do this with something in my hand which can cause cains. But I assume that Sammy will support me in breaking this habbit by jumping up on me whenever I forget it:-)

Thank you so much!

[nstegmann]

Sorry, but one more question: how can I clearly see or know, when he is committed, so that I can break the connection and set the new line or turn?

Nadine

[nstegmann]

Hello Tracy,

I am sooo grateful about your detailed answer!!! This is much more as you may expect. A BIG thank you:-)
I had the same issue at my first trial some weeks ago. He jumped up at me and made crazy jumps between the obstacles. Now I know why!
I am wondering whether you are going to repeat your “connection course” in near future? You would have your first student already:-)

Nadine

[nstegmann]

Hello Tracy,

Here is my try on the tunnel with Sammy. I know… I am too late with the blinds:-(
I also worked with Jazz. With him I was obviously one time too early. I pulled him off the tunnel entrance. It is quite hard to find the right time to turn.

Nadine

[nstegmann]

Hello Tracy,

I LOVE classical music. We live very closed to Eisenach, the birth-town of JS Bach.

You have such a good eye! Yes, I am much less trustful in Sammy. (In RallyO it is the opposite, Sammy is the superstar:-))
I am not even sure whether I would do a blind with Sammy in trials. He is getting very exited and faster than home. In addition he gets distracted sooner and he is less focused on me and responsive to my cues.

The second wing exercise is a huge challenge for me. I was completely puzzled where to go and in which direction to turn. Therefore I added a second wing to make it more look like a jump. Another challenge is to get far enough ahead of the dog.

I read in the instruction – that you want to see the whole session. But I cut out switching the dogs. I hope, that is okay.

Nadine

• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 3 days ago by nstegmann.

[nstegmann]

Hello Tracy,

Thanks for your kind words:-)
Yes, Sammy is the silver, Jazz the black poodle. We live in Thuringia, very close to the geographical middle of Germany.
It is a very good advice to keep moving with Jazz. When he gets unsure due to the environment or when he thought he made an error, he slows down. Therefore I thought he will profit from the blinds most. (Sammy is the opposite. He gets overexcited when he thinks it takes to long to get the reward.)
Here is our first wing exercise. In future I will try to follow your advice and keep my arms close to my body.

Wow, you speak German? This is quite unusual in the US. Have you ever been in Germany?

Nadine

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