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Hi!
We did the send sequences again, but the video was too dark to ask for feedback on since we ran it as the sun was going down. I think it went pretty well. I worked really hard to point at her nose unless she was going ahead of me.
<<stay as close as you can to the previous obstacle: so if the sequence is sending to the wing, decelerate and don’t go past the landing spot of the jump to set up the send with the connection and the dog side arm/leg.>>
I definitely need to work on this more! I think I expect to get refusals on sends, so I babysit them too much rather than reinforcing it.On to the next video- Package 2 Shifting Connection! I was focused on looking at the landing spot on the wraps, and when I was able to do that correctly, she read it well. There were a couple of times on the wraps when I turned my chest away from her and got a refusal, but we got it on subsequent attempts. I think that focusing on the landing spot helped me not to leave before she gave me permission to go for the most part.
Hi!
I’m not sure if I’ll have time to try the combo sequences again before the class ends, but I tried to use the information and apply it to the Package 2 sequences, specifically with the exit line connection. Some of the reps felt pretty good, but others had some obvious connection issues, mostly with the sends (ongoing struggle, lol), which gave me refusals as well as making me late for the crosses. I think I didn’t hold the toy long enough after the crosses like you suggested either. I felt like I held it longer, but the video says otherwise, haha!
I noticed that I was getting a lot of direct eye contact with her (hard to see in the videos), and I feel like it was causing a lot of handler focus when she should have been looking at the next jump, so I think I didn’t find the “sweet spot” every time.
Hi!
<<Your exit line connection on was really strong at 1:20 and 1:38. Compare t 1:42, where your dog-side arm was visible and down at your side, so the exit line connection was not as clear – note how she zig zagged on the way to the jump, sorting out the line.>>
I used to always use big “NADAC arms” for all of my runs, but after first working with you a few years back, I realized that’s not always ideal. I am still struggling to figure out the balance of when my arms should be up and when they should be out of the way. I’m seeing the difference more and more, but it’s definitely a work in progress, lol.
Here are the combo sequences:
I have two quick unrelated questions if you don’t mind answering them. I was wondering when Max Pup 2 is set to start. I am working through the self-study Max Pup 1 with my puppy and want to be ready for the live session of #2. My other question is also related to the puppy. I bought the teeter class when it was on sale for Black Friday; at what age is it safe to do teeter training?
Thank you so much for that feedback on my runs!! I watched the video several times but never connected my head movement to her knocking a bar. I also have never considered where the judge might be in relation to her line of sight, thus impacting her ability to process a jump. She is not very forgiving, is she lol?
<<add connection changes to the simpler more successful grids to help her maintain her mechanics>>
As an example, if I do a ladder gird in a straight line, should I use a different type of connection other than regular for some reps, or is it more a matter of leading out to different places and altering my speed so I have to connect with her behind, beside, and in front of me?Hi!!
I was finally able to get some training done before it got dark after work on Friday! I am so ready for winter to be done so I can train after 4:30pm, lol!! The weather isn’t helping either.
We tried the exit line connection set ups again. I felt like I was getting better with my mechanics overall, at least as far as which arm was doing what. I have two spots I’d love feedback on. First, what caused the dropped bar 1:20? Second, what is causing her to land so hard at 1:38? My guess was a late cue, but I wasn’t positive.
Here are the videos from the trial.
Premier Jumpers- She knocked a bar on the wrap; I then made a poor handling choice with putting the blind in the wrong place towards the end
Novice Jumpers- So many bars!
Now I just need to remember and replicate it every time, lol!
We were at a trial this past weekend, and she knocked a bar on her premier JWW run on a wrap. It was actually a really nice run other than that. After rewatching the video, I can see that I did not have enough connection (Exit line connection!!). On her novice JWW run, she knocked 4 or 5 bars. I don’t think I had enough connection there either. She still really struggles with jumping, especially in an arroused state, and I’d love to figure out if my level of connection (too much or not enough) is impacting that or if it’s mostly something caused by her emotional state. I’ve experimented with both levels of connection, but maybe I’m missing the sweet spot in the middle.
Hi!
This is the Exit Line Connection video. This one is a little messy, haha. I got completely mixed up about which hand the reward is supposed to be in for which cross despite watching your video multiple times and walking it without a dog. Since I was so focused on my hands doing weird things, I don’t think I thought about where my eyes were looking even once, haha. Apparently I can think about my eyes or my hands, but not both!
If you want to skip to 39.72, that’s where I figured out my mistake and put it in the correct hand for the front crosses (although somehow the first few reps technically worked, but they sure felt awkward, lol). There are 4 attempts at front crosses from that point forward. Then, there are 3 spins. Finally, I included 6 blinds, but feel free to ignore the last couple (just wanted them all in the same place). Sorry for cutting out the edge of the view in the blinds. I didn’t realize it until I was editing it!
Hi!
<<She had a little jumping trouble on the first 2 reps>>
STORY. OF. MY. LIFE! Lol!! Ugh!<<You might laugh (or smack me lol) I think you actually had a little too much connection on those early reps>>
😂😂😂😂 And this is why I need this class! We tried it again, and I think I did better job this time. I got one refusal when I left before she was committed to the wing, but that was an easy fix.Hi!!
Thanks for the magnet fingers video!
>>>> so she gets more aroused than at home. There was a lot of barking in places that I don’t think>>
I think a lot of that came from the footing being frustrating to her – she had to work a lot harder to keep her feet under her, especially on the bigger distance sends and the tighter turns.>>If she was your dog, would you avoid running on these kind of mats (they are Great Mats brand)? We only go to this facility every now and again because it’s air conditioned. It’s nice to have the option, but I don’t want to build in more frustration for her or risk an injury. I’ve only seen her really slip a couple of times, but I’ve also seen her do that on dry grass…
I was able to do one final course, and per your suggestion, I did the jumping ones from package 4. You said to focus on where she would be, not necessarily where I would like her to be when I’m doing my handling. Although I would have preferred several more blind crosses, I just didn’t think it was realistic for me to be in those spots because of the big lines, so opted for rear crosses. Unfortunately, those are very weak for us, so it caused a few issues. I think that’s the next big thing I need to focus on! (That and countermotion, lol). The video is a bit long, but it has both jumping 1 and 2. I struggled the most with 2, so if you want to just focus on one of them, I’d prefer #2, especially at the threadle wrap after the tunnel (I think it was #8 or 9). 🙂
Since I will be going to Rising Star for a seminar tomorrow, I very likely will not get a chance to post anything else, so I’d like to say thank you so much for all of the invaluable feedback you’ve given me!! I am so thankful to have found you and for your recommendation to do camp two years ago. I have learned sooooo much!! I set up some of the sequences from last year throughout the year, and it was so nice to have all the specific feedback to look over before reattempting them! I’m also very happy that I did the mental management add-on. Although I didn’t post much in that forum (not enough time in the day!), I have read through most of the material and have gotten some really good ideas from it. I will be going back through it more thoroughly now that camp is over and taking some notes to refer back to. I especially liked the live chats pertaining to that topic!
On another note, I was wondering if you were still planning to send me the extra pup tent you had? 🙃 If it’s too much of a pain, it’s totally ok!
Thank you again for everything! I hope we get to work with you in person again soon!
Hi!
>>That is a connection issue, because basically rear crosses are moving sends>>
Well, we know how much Nox loves sends, lol.
>>Basically, the only errors here were your connection was too soft in the places where you need BIG EYEBALL connection. Those are: exit of crosses, sends (including rears), landing of countermotion, and exits of tunnels.
Pretty much everywhere else can be normal connection which is more casual, and that is where things went really really well!>>
This is a bit of a struggle for me sometimes as far as figuring out which spots call for more connection and which don’t. You’ll see in the video below in the first sequence, it was really hard to get her out over the jump and into the tunnel. I tried a lot of connection and soft connection. I will try to keep those specific moments in mind when walking courses. Also, in that spot, I couldn’t figure out what to do with my arms. I used to run with my arms extended for the whole course, but since working with you these last couple of years, I have learned that often I should keep my arms down, or at least low. If I put my arm out to support the send, I was turning my upper body and pulling her off the jump. If I didn’t use my arm, she came into me. Is there a good guideline for what to do with your arms, lol?
>>you were kinda mad and you looked at her like “TAKE THE FREAKIN’ JUMP” (TTFJ) which is actually perfect connection…>>
That’s exactly what I was feeling, haha!!
>>When working the layering, rather than you go to the other side of the tunnel, you can move the jump in closer so she sees it better.>>
That definitely makes sense so that she can still see me being on the other side of the tunnel.
In the video below, we were at the indoor place again. We don’t go there very often, so she gets more aroused than at home. There was a lot of barking in places that I don’t think (?) she had questions because of my handling. We played Super Bowls before each run and 1-2-3 in the in between moments as much as possible.
There aren’t any walk throughs since my friend and I were walking at the same time. We pay by the hour, so I didn’t have time to do separate walks on video. 🙂
Hi!
>>Rear crosses are a tool that most folks don’t train enough but are SUPER handy. At seminars and classes, I think courses are set up to get the handlers ahead all the time but in reality, we are not always able to be ahead so rear crosses are really useful.>>
I definitely want to improve our rear crosses. She often barks and spins when I do one, but I know it would be very useful to be able to do them!
>> I think the hardest parts were the threadley sections>>
Yes! I am new to handling threadles correctly. I am feeling better about them, but they are still not fluent. I was very happy with some of the threadle wraps she did in the video below. 🙂
We did the RYG from week 5. It was very challenging!! We mostly struggled on the sequences with rear crosses and the layering of the tunnel.
Hi!!
>> I think on the smaller sequences, it is easier to be ahead so also easier to be in range of the jumps for handling and not parallel to or behind her.
>. Plus, all the bars come down in a scary way if I’m too far ahead.>
<This is useful info for planning – you can plan to get up closer to obstacles (especially tunnels) which can also help you NOT get so far ahead!>>
This sums up a lot of my problems, lol. I can’t get too far ahead of her because she has such a short commitment point before an obstacle, and she knocks bars. BUT… if I don’t get ahead, I’m always behind, and things go so much smoother if I’m ahead (and I’m certainly never catching up to her, haha).
I did a second attempt at the jumpers courses from Package 3.
<<You are definitely getting better about the ‘keep going’ if there is an error, and she reminds you when you don’t>>
<<My mantra is “Get on a line, any line, and go” 🙂>> (Totally adopting this phrase btw!)
Well, you will see a hilarious attempt to do this that turned into an absolute train wreck! It took me way too long to realize stopping was just better that point. Watching it on video was painful, lol.
I included 3 walk throughs of the first course (actual running with Nox starts at 2:21). I watched the walk throughs before running, but I didn’t catch a couple of errors that I made in every walk through until I ran it for real and Nox told me I was wrong, haha. I did several fast walk throughs on the 2nd jumpers run, but apparently I didn’t hit record, so you won’t see those included.
Oh! I signed up for a working spot in the Jump Into Shape class you recommended. It was perfect timing for your suggestion since the registration started a few days later. I’m SUPER excited about that!!
Hi!!
We have been on vacation for the last week, so it’s been a bit since my last post. 🙂
>>It is possible you need to do more ‘go fast’ walk throughs to get the arm locked in, so you don’t have to think about it and so it is easy on the first run. Rather than doing it once, do it 3 or 4 or 5 times to really get the flow – then watch your video of the walk through.>>
I do several fast “walk” throughs, but I only post one of them. 🙂
<<Overall, the runs are looking really good and you are tackling the most important skill… the walk through! When that is really comfortable, you will find that the courses run much better on that first run 🙂 It is all beginning to click into place, which is very cool to see!>>
I feel like things go really well on the shorter sequences (for the most part), but when we try to do the big courses, things fall apart. I think that a lot of it has to do with me getting behind in sections, often due to having to support her line all the way up to a lot obstacles since her commitment point is so close to the next thing. It would help if I could run faster, too, lol. I am seeing some improvement on driving to things by herself, but we have a loooonnnngggg way to go still. Plus, all the bars come down in a scary way if I’m too far ahead.
We ran the jumpers courses from Package 3 before we left for vacation, but I wasn’t able to edit the videos before we left unfortunately. I put them in two different videos. I know we’re only supposed to post one video at a time, so although I struggled in a couple of places in the first course, specifically with 12-13 and 16-20 (I know what the issue was for 11– leaving too early, lol), I need more help with the second course. I just could not figure out how to do 14 and 17. Getting from 20 to 21 was also difficult, but I think if I could get ahead more at 17-18-19, that would help. If you want to skip the first video, I’m totally ok with that. 🙂
Hopefully the quality isn’t too bad. It was getting dark (since that’s the only time it’s not 1000 degrees…), and my phone doesn’t take the best videos at night.
Since I will not have time to do all of the material before the last day to post thanks to bad weather, Nox being sick, and our vacation, do you have a recommendation of what I should focus on based on the skills we need to work on? Here’s what we have left.
-Package 3, Round 2 of Jumpers (videos in this post are round 1 of these)
-Package 3, standard
-Package 4, jumpers and standard
(There wasn’t a live for package 4, right?)
-Package 5, everything (Is there supposed to be anything on the overview page for 5?)If you don’t have any specific recommendations, I’ll just pick a couple and then work on the rest after camp is over. I am definitely going to do the RYG challenge for 5. That looks super fun (although I think it might be difficult since Nox thinks countermotion is stupid, lol).
Hi!!
>>I recommend Dr. Leslie Eide, a sports vet who teaches online jumping and conditioning classes
Thanks! I’ll check her out.
>>One thing to remember is that the dogs are always slower on mats and the handlers are always faster
Yes, I think she is more careful on the mats to avoid slipping. I only saw her really slip once (and only noticed it in the video!), but she’s definitely slower.
>>One thing I notice on the walk through (that was mirrored on the run) was that you are really far from jump 2 here – as the dogs learn to be super independent on the threadle, you will need support it with a positional cue by being close enough to the jump to touch it
Thanks for that observation! I didn’t realize that I should be so close to it. It feels like the closer I go to the jump, the rather behind I’ll be getting to the next line, but if I’m not trying to “handle” it with my shoulders as you also mentioned, I should be able to leave earlier. I know with the threadle wrap you said my feet should be facing the next line, not the jump she’s wrapping. Is that true for the threadle slice as well?
>>You can try going even faster on all of the walk throughs, and also get the verbals out loud like you would do on a run – that changes the body language!
I already feel like I’m going fast until I watch the video, hahahahaha! It also feels hard to go fast in the smaller or more technical courses. So much direction change! I don’t know how Nox does it. Maybe I need more legs… I will work on louder verbals, too, in the walk through.
>>The other thing to plan in the walk through is seeing her head look at the jumps – that seemed to be the only real source of questions from her on any of these – you being a little early to cue or move away, which pulls her off or pushes her to a different line.
If you want to just save yourself time, I think you can just copy and paste that as your feedback to everything I submit, lol!! I tell myself before I run to watch her face for commitment. And then when I run, I only do it half the time. But… I think I did better on the video below (at least the 2nd attempts, lol).
>>Depending on exactly how the jump is set up (it was hard to see here), it is generally a backside push to slice but a threadle wrap is good to practice there too.
This is a skill I’m definitely going to practice!! It was an interesting challenge.
On to the new stuff… We did the Live 3 sequences. We did these Tuesday, so it was before I was able to edit and submit the last video. The verbals on the walk through are a bit quiet (and even a bit quiet when I was running I noticed…), and the speed could probably be faster taking into account your feedback previously. I only stopped once when I messed up. I knew I should have kept going as soon as I threw her reward. I was super happy with the whole session. It was crazy hot, and we were only supposed to do two reps max anyway, so this was our entire training session. I did walk/run the courses several times before I brought her outside. Again, her questions were pretty much when I left early. I just need to get my 1st reps to look like the 2nd ones!
