[Sorelg]

Hi Tracy,

I wanted to give you an update. We trialed over the Thanksgiving Day weekend and he did fabulous! 🙂 It was very exciting as there were pigeons on the floor along with all the usual commotion. It was an indoor two-ring trial, so up there on distractions. Two of the runs were after two dogs that love to bark non-stop. This amped him up, but I was able to get him back with the volume dial. Thank you for all of the work with that and the pattern games. I used both and both helped tremendously. With the barking dogs, he was a little higher than optimum, but still good enough that he held everything together. He was also able to give me all of his tricks outside of the entry gate and was right there to go out and get his toy at the end of the runs. It took me a day to not panic a bit down on the floor LOL. I took him down when we weren’t running to just play with it and see what worked. That helped me a lot to understand him and settle my nerves as well. LOL. At first, I wanted to avoid it, but I was like nope… let’s use it and figure it out. Each day my confidence rose that I could still connect with him even after the barking dogs.

He was FEO in preferred and we used FAST and T2B for practicing sections. Then we did remote reinforcement for each jumper’s runs. They were great runs and would have been Q’s. He was happy, happy, and wanted to go back to the practice jump after the runs to play some more. He’s loving it.

The only thing I saw was that he struggles a bit with weave entrances and staying in for all 12 when he’s coming in hot. I’m thinking we need to work at home with speed loops (one then two tunnels?) into weaves with as much arousal to help him learn how to handle it? And then add that speed to more difficult entrances as he progresses. Thoughts?

I was also wondering regarding next steps. He’s up to 22 inches in practice and is consistent enough that I was going to move to 24″ at practices. His stopped contacts were great at the trial, but I’m still working on his running. For the A-frame, we are working on consistency for hits. I feel good about our plan there.

For his dog walk he is struggling with hitting the bottom when there is a choice ahead of him. So dog walk into a tunnel or dog walk with a right to a jump. I give his verbal while he is on top of the dogwalk, but I still see him struggling with locking on to what he sees. I can get either the touch or the right choice, but it’s still tough to get both the touch and a right or both the tough and the straight tunnel. I’m also working decision points at home on the flat with a mat and two choices. I would say we are maybe 65%. Any ideas on how I can help him with that? He does much better if it’s an obvious choice I was also thinking of your game where we trained just verbal choices with a jump/tunnel i.e. hold their collars and repeat the verbal until you see them make the correct choice. I appreciate any suggestions on what you think might help.

Finally, I was wondering on where to go next at trials. Should my next step be to try FEO at his regular jump height once he is ready? Do I back up in the process and go back to just pieces, just like home? How should I work on adding in his full jump height and then eventually moving into standard?

Thanks for your ideas and I was thrilled with how well he could handle a busy trial. I’m looking forward to starting the timing course on your other site as I know my handling is going to be our biggest challange. LOL He’s going to do what I ask him even when that wasn’t what I meant to ask for. hahahah 🙂

Thanks!

[Sorelg]

Hi again 🙂

After listening to the zoom :), I think our chill may be closer than I thought. I think what felt a bit “off” is it “felt” like his engagement with me was conflicting with his focus/desire/arousal to get into the ring and line up. Hope that helps.

I think we are ready to work towards remote reinforcement as we’ve done that previously in practice. I was planning to focus on that as well the next few weeks. Does that sound right?

[Sorelg]

Hi Tracy,

He was super successful at the trail this weekend! I was thrilled with what he gave me. He had a great time. We ran the entire weekend at his preferred height and did FEO for 2 runs the first two days and one run the last day. We did no toy showing (it was in my pocket) and we started with two or more toy rewards the first day, 2 rewards and then practiced a start line on the 2nd day and one reward during the midlle of the run on the third day during jumpers since it was his only run. He read my handling and I rewarded after we completed a handling turn and/or weaves. No bard down the entire weekend.

We played at the practice jump and worked on his pattern games and arousal. He seemed really comfortable. We also took some walks during the trial since it was on a horse property.

The one improvement I wanted to ask you about is right before we go into the ring. They had an extra set of baby gates about 10 feet from the entry gate. Pattern games and the volumn dial worked outside this area. Inside the ring he was paying attention, ready to go, and was all business. He seemed like he was settled at the start jump.

The first day his toy was enough to play the volume dial inside that 10 foot barrier. The 2nd day his toy was not enough motivator to get him within that wait area for the first run. He wanting to go in. For this trail, that is where they want the dog that is right about to go in. On the second run of the day, I could play the volume dial with his toy in that area.

The third day he only had the one run and I worked behind that area and we could play the games. I kept the time in that area really brief. I could get behaviors, but he didn’t want the toy (food was non-existent). He wanted to go into the ring.

Once he is inside the ring, he was better. Lined up and was all business and had great runs.

The second day, I worked that area and the gate while they were setting up the course. He could give me behaviors at the gate and when I opened the gate as the intensity in the ring was low. I did try to use his chill and he would put his muzzle in my palm, but his mind was not “chill”. We played that at our crate, and about 20 feet from the ring.

We have another trail the weekend after Thanksgiving (29th) where he is again in preferred and I’m planning all FEOs. In the next few weeks, I wanted to figure out how to help him up close to last waiting area/gate. I was thinking maybe working more on chill, but wasn’t sure. I of course figure out the basic plan for that weekend.

He was great exiting the ring. He sat and got his leash on most times. I mixed it up with letting him tug on the toy as we went out after the start line and weaves.

Today we took the day off from his regular class to relax and so we could listen to the zoom meeting. 🙂 Hopefully that all makes sense and isn’t too rambling.

One additional question. He measures exactly at 22 inches. One judge had him at 21 7/8″. The other 22 1/4″ and then got 22″. Are there ways I can help set up for him measuring at 22 so he can jump 20″? With his OCD history in both shoulders (and for longevity), I’d like to be able to jump him at 20″ if possible.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Sorelg]

I’ll look for USDAA. The local club shut down, but I’m not sure about nearby states.

Thanks for the info about the masterclass. That helps me understand the differences. I think timing might be where I’m at handling-wise. I feel like my connection usually isn’t too bad (obviously I make mistakes :), but I feel like I “get that” now. But I’m usually a bit later/early or need to take just another moment/step to support him. Or I’m early on a blind and he comes directly to me. Or I think he has the line and I start to move to my next spot and he pulls off. Would timing help with things like that?

The next two videos are pretty long, so scroll away LOL. I wanted to share trying to simulate getting in and out of the ring using our current tools. After I watched them, I realized I provided you with a running commentary as to what’s in my head. LOL The only other change I made was to switch the leash as it seemed short. I didn’t have his buckle collar without tage….. So experimenting there.

On the second run, did I wait too long on the pattern games or was it just that the food was boring the second time as you’ll hear me say?

One remote reinforcement question. If I use “let’s go” to go to remote reinforcement inside the ring and “let’s go” for remote reinforcement outside the ring (either at practice or a show). What do you do at trials if it’s “Let’s go” to run back to his leash and tug and the “Let’s go” again to exit the ring and go to his snake (which is higher value)? Just use it twice?

Looking forward to your suggestions on how to improve. 🙂 Thanks!

[Sorelg]

Thanks, Tracy for your comments about the trial. They are really helpful.

UKI is limited nearby, but I’ve been keeping an eye open for it. Colorado is starting to ramp up, but driving there can be dicey in winter- depends on weather. 🙂

“And there’s lots of self-talk to remind myself to look at the long term career and not try to move things ahead too fast, even if the dog is doing well or the course seems do-able. Patience with baby dogs is key!”

Thanks for the emphasis. 🙂 I purposely signed up for preferred, lower height and plan to run NFC to keep focus on figuring out what he needs and having fun. I still get nervous with my young boy. 🙂

I think starting with empty hands makes sense as we usually practice either with the toy in my pocket or back at a location. The late summer trial went well, I think my main mistake there was not entering at a lower jump height.

I’m looking forward to reworking remote reinforcement with you again as well as working going through the gates. His love of the game is still changing and I can feel him ramping up 🙂

Question: Facebook sent me your link to this master class timing https://agilitymasterclass.com/

How do these classes work versus this class or your summer camp? Is this something we would be ready for or is it beyond our current skills? Thanks!

[Sorelg]

Hi Tracy,

I have Kótaulo in at 20 inches for the upcoming trial and plan to use Fast / T2B as NFC runs to determine if we try jumpers as NFC or a run. Is that a good plan? No standard runs as contacts are still in work. I was thinking maybe having some fun on contacts in Fast/T2B to get trial rewards – depending.

He’s comfortable jumping 22 at home and 20″ at class when he’s more aroused, so 20″ seemed to make sense.

My main question is how much do you plan before the trial and how much do you decide in the moment with NFC choices? It should be a good trial to work our toolbox as it’s a smaller trial.

PS: I noticed your youtube feed with Taylor and Sabrina Carpenter. It would have been fun to catch their acoustic duet in person. 🙂

Looking forward to working on package 2.

[Sorelg]

That makes sense about incorporating the leash. I’ve done that in the past, but need to bring it back. I’m also wondering if I should incorporate going through the gate barrier as well. I noticed at the trial, that walking through the gate seemed to kick up his arousal. Should I work that as well since the practice facility conveniently has gates?

That makes sense for the chill. I’ll try changing up the order.

I’ll work on making my commands earlier on the contacts. That makes sense as I had to push him back out after the A-Frame. I’ve always had stopped so I gave the next command at the end, but it makes sense. Wish I had an auto-brain reprogrammer, but I will start working on that now! Thanks!

[Sorelg]

Hahahah “tiny little boy”. Mr Tiny put on 10 pounds in this last little while. I think he finally started filling out versus being just legs. 🙂

[Sorelg]

I thought it might be easiest to let you see where we are at by filming a typical practice run. It was a group set up, but lowkey as the others were out walking their pups.

I filmed our first try incorporating where we are at with the pattern games and tricks for the volume dial. Chill is still one of the harder skills for him.

Later, we did some “catches” for stays as he anticipated my verbal, and worked on contacts. I tried rewarding the toy out straight with me moving laterally to help with him leaving sideways and be in a better position for that last jump. Let me know your thoughts and looking forward to your comments as always. Thanks in advance!

[Sorelg]

Thanks Tracy for the additional ideas and all of your help!!! This summer and before. 🙂

All the best bringing out your youngster!!!

[Sorelg]

Thanks Tracy!

Yea, he worked really hard this weekend and was totally paying attention and giving it his all! After this, we went to the upper field to cool down, sniff the horse field and be a dog. He hung out in the shade and then totally crashed in his crate. He’s wiped!!!

Thanks that makes total sense regarding the distances. I liked the UKI shows I did with Túlka, we just don’t have as many here as AKC. I’ll see what the nearby states have. Yea, UKI would play to his strengths a lot more.

It also makes total sense for the AKC distances, he’d need to see the tighter distances more at 24”

One follow-up question. Is it harder for them to switch between venues once they have seen the distant difference? ie Is it a lot easier for them to stick with one type of distance?

Thanks again for the quick feedback and support. It’s really helpful on our first trial! You think you would get use to it, but it’s a bit nerve wracking bringing out the youngster. :).

[Sorelg]

Hi Tracy,

Yesterday went well:). He dropped a bar where he tried to bounce. It was just a bit too far and his back leg took it down.

This morning I was wondering what I did that got him off? Also if he gets off like this, should I keep going or stop and reset?

I tried uploading from my phone and messed up my first Youtube try. The second seems to work 🙂

[Sorelg]

Morning Tracy,

I figured I’d share our first run. 🙂 He was a good boy and I was really happy with what he gave me. He was trying super hard. He held his start line (Mr. Business), got weaves, finished on a nice go, and totally followed my body when I turned off the loop. I thought he was committed, but it’s pretty amazing how in sync he is with my line as he pulled and pushed back to the jump.

One question is on the first three jumps. The dummy jump was in play even when I tried different lineups and I wasn’t confident a shoulder turn would be enough. I did think about the bar going down with the lead out. So I’m wondering what handling I should choose and how to determine what will make it easiest for him.

The rest of the weekend I plan to split between FEO runs and giving jumpers a try. He loves their long grass and afterward was rolling around banging his head with his ball. Guess he ranked it a head-banging run. LOL : )

[Sorelg]

Hi, yes this is his first real time in the ring. We did agility league as fun matches, but this will be his first time in a regular trial. Just jumpers as we’re still working on contacts. 🙂

[Sorelg]

Thanks, that does help clarify things for me. I was thinking the dig had to be the full circle. So knowing it doesn’t helps me make sense of how to figure out the right verbal to use in the different situations. Thanks!

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