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Hi! It has been great getting to watch you and both dogs!! You are so talented and I am looking forward to cheering on your runs!!!! See you in September š
TracyHi again!
The walk through looks good here too – good decisions and you were putting in the connections early in the walk through. Having the dogs around makes it feel like a real trial LOL!!! Since the final walk through got deleted by accident, be sure to add in the important connections so the dogs know where to be – probably the 2 most important connections are the 2-3 (so the dogs donāt go behind you to hop into the first tunnel they see) and also the push to the backside if you go to the far side of it. The blind to the backside at 7-8 takes some hustle but is very doable for you, so it would be fun to do both and compare! That is a definite decision-making spot, so when the walk through opens go directly to it to make the decision, before the masses arrive to make the decision and work the handling in a bit before looking at the rest of the course.
As with the other course you posted, I think you can go to the handling sooner in the walk through, to give yourself more time to rehearse it. Everything happens so quickly with your dogs, that even 2 or 3 more passes with handling/connection/verbals at the pace of the run will make a big difference.Emmieās run:
I think this was overall very strong, the only things were connection things. On the opening line, this is a more-connection spot, with your arm back and eye contact so your line is clear, both to get jump 2 and keep her on the line for 3.It looks like you changed your plan a bit 4-5-6 in terms of where to put the blind, but it worked well and got you further ahead for 8! Nice! Add in the critical connection spots like at 8 (:22) to get her to the backside) and also at :32 (bar down there).
Kippy – opening was smooth and connected! Did you run him after Emmie? You definitely had the connection going really well here.
The BC 4-5-6 can be sooner and closer to the jumps to get it a little tighter but as with Emmie, it got you way up the line for 7-8 where the cross went well.
I see what you mean about getting extra push on the backside towards the end! Convergence on the ending line pushed him out towards the teeter so he and Emmie are similar in that convergence is a powerful cue, so you can use more of a parallel path to the backside and less of a push to it. Saving it to continue on caused a disconnect to the last jump, but that is why we work on the āfight for itā concept so you can get practice in maintaining connection even after a wide turn.
The rest of the run looked really great – fast and connected.
So I think the main thing with both of them is finding the critical connection points to really rehearse connecting, then adding in doing it at high speed š And on both of these courses, we got a good look at convergence and how they read it for backsides, so you can use connection as the āgo to the backsideā cue with a little bit of motion and less converging in to the entry wing.Great job on these! Let me know what you think!
TracyOMG! You are a strong soul to run this course after an Orange Theory workout! But, it is great prep for US Open. I mean, if you can run this well after the workout then you will have an easy time of it at the US Open!
The walk through looked good – thinking about the time management for bigger courses at bigger events, you will probably want to plan the lines before you go into the walk through so all you can get into the handling rehearsal sooner. For example you started the handling at about 3 minutes after looking at lines and the decision making spot for the first part – you can probably do the decision as the very first thing then start the handling, if you have looked at the course map or course setup before the run. That will give you a lot more time to rehearsal the handling/connection/verbals/etc, more like 6 or 7 minutes of the total 8 minute walk through.
During the speed elements of the walk through, especially the last one – lots of good connection and a very clear handling plan! The last walk through is the kind of thing you will want to do multiple times during your 8 minutes, to really own it, which is why I bring up the time management of getting that element started earlier. Of course, you can be more perfect in your connections during the walk through, try not to look ahead of the invisible dog at all, but overall I really liked the walk through!On the run – really well done! You You have done such a great job incorporating the connections and rhythm of her pace into your handling and it was a really good run! I think you ran it according to your walk through, which made it almost perfect with a big ālearning momentā LOL! And I am always happier when learning moments happen at home and not at trials LOL!!
She dropped the bar at 3 and it might have been an ever-so-slightly late shoulder turn? Paired with maybe needing more decel? Definitely a skill to work on a bit separately to see if deceleration when she lands from 2 will help there (this is not the learning moment LOL!)
The FC looked great 7-8. Connection there and from tunnel to tunnel looked great!
The learning moment was at :23 on the 11-12-13 moment. And by learning moment, I mean āthings to remember about Emmie for planning purposesā – at :2 when you were converging in on the landing side of 12 for the cross to 13, your line of motion was towards the little dog walk off in the distance… and it kept her on the line to the backside which is why she ran past 12. So in those moments, knowing that she will stay on the backside line, you can plan to face forward to the line for 13 and not get as far across it for the blind (you were almost on the exit wing doing the blind at :23, and you can be more on the entry wing side of 13. It is a subtle detail about how she reads convergence – some dogs donāt read it like that at all.
If you could have been further up the line and gotten the blind in as she was jumping 11, she might have taken 12 – but I think it was more about your convergence on her line so that is good to remember: donāt converge when you need a front side.And the rest looked fabulous: fast and connected! And your run played out like your walk through did. Well done!!!
TracyHi! These also looked strong!
First up: Kaladin!
Really good walk! I will keep bugging you to rehearse more connection 3-4-5, try to make it all as perfect as possible š But overall, good walk!Run:
Holy cow, he was great! Fast and tight! You can cue the backside at :37 sooner (start the cue as soon as he lands from 5)
The rotation on the tunnel entry at :39 can come sooner but also open up back to him more when he exits – at :40, your shoulder was closed forward when he exited so he was a little wide. You definitely had more connection on the last 2 reps there and it really helped!Min:
Also a good walk! I think that you can also rehearse more connection 3-4-5 (you had more with her than with Kaladin). And also start your backside cue when your invisible dog lands from 5 – the more I watch that, the more I see a little zig zag and that adds time.Run: also a really strong run! Super zippy for sure! I think you can cut off a bit of time by starting the backside cue for 6 when she lands from 5 – you are letting her land then cuing it, which is causing a bit of a zig zag. If you start the cue as she is in the air, she will land facing the backside and have a straight line.
Tightening the tunnel exit was good with her too – the most effective moment was when you got close to the tunnel exit like at :41. She was really honest at :52 when she ok the off course – she didnāt see the connection and stayed on the off course line.
Overall, both dogs are looking great here! Let me know what you think!
TracyHi!
>> What fun stuff do you have planned for your online peeps after this?>>
I have some evil stuff planned, stay tuned LOL!
Sequence 3 – nice options on the walk through! Of course I liked the blind to the first tunnel better than the threadle š You can rehearse a bit more connection on the 5-6-7 line but the walk was otherwise very strong! On the 2nd walk, I *think* that your choice of ending for that is the faster one – did you walk the distance? It would be really close either way.
Both runs went well, the blind to the tunnel was great! Wheee!
It sounds like you also felt that this option 2 was better – I was trying to time it but couldnāt get a time to compare. I agree that the line to the tunnel was better on option 2 but the turn to the backside there was harder. On the option 1, the line to the entry was better and it is possible that he can change his leads quickly enough that this is the faster line? Anyway, it is super fun that we can obsess on these little handling details to see which is faster. Fun!!! And the rest looked great which is why we can obsess on which way is faster at the end LOL!Minās work also went well. The walk through went well for her, easy peasy š
I think that you were a little off her line 3-4 at :14 and :39, you were a little too much heading towards the exit so you had to push her back to the entry. Kaladinās line was better there.
I think you were far enough ahead on 8 on the exit, but needed more clear connection at :23 – and head more directly to the tunnel entry (you were closer to the exit)
I timed the 2 different ways and they were really close! The first option was slower because she had a question – but it might end up being faster if you can smooth it out! That entry line really makes a difference.Great job on these, both dogs looked great!
TracyHi!
Lots of good work here š They are really challenging courses! Both dogs did extremely well!!! And your walk through was clear, I donāt think the questions were walk through issues.First up: Hero!
Wow, his weaves looked great! You might need to show the rear cross to get the entry and move down the line more to maybe pole 6, so he can see where you are when he exits – eventually he wonāt need that, but for now maybe go down to the middle pole then pull away. You went further at 1:41 but he still didnāt read it – at 1:51 you went a little past halfway down the line of the poles and that helped.Another option there is to send 1-2-3 from further away to blind cross between the 3 tunnel and the poles, so he enters on your left side rather than rear cross. It would likely be a blind on the tunnel exit then a threadle to the weaves.
I think that weave issue threw off the line for 5-6 so he was wide on 5, but he was also wide on the other reps too. So a brake arm will help there – your right arm coming up softly to help cue a collection while you still drive the line there.
The other thing to consider for him (and for Ruse) is letting the dogs come in towards you on their left lead and come to the other side of the 7 backside, doing a circle wrap instead of a slice from the other side. That might end up being faster than the little zig zag line they are doing!
I see what you mean about 15! Definitely more connection at 15 at 1:19 and 2:22 will help. And him skipping the jump was why you were a little further behind on the line to 17. at the end
The other option there is to go closer to 14, send to 15, and run that line all on your left, so you are lateral and doing the tunnel exit with him on your left – picking him up on your left for the last tunnel-jump-tunnel.Ruse:
She also did well!
You can try the opening as the blind to the weaves too!
As you mentioned, definitely more connection needed on the send to 7 at :26, you disconnected and pointed forward. Much better connection at 1:15! But you went too close to the entry wing so as you tried to get past the exit, she read it (correctly) as the line to the tunnel. I think based on the way this is set, that you might find the circle wrap faster! If it is still set up, try it that way and let me know š
Another idea for you – 12-13 is probably better as FC for her she jumps wide on the blind there. Hero was good with the blind but I think the FC is better for Ruse.The line to that 2nd to last tunnel (17) at :49 is a threadle for her when you had pressure on the line, so she pinged away to the other side of the tunnel. She got it a lot better the 2nd time, you gave her more room so she was able to get to the correct side. I think the idea of keeping her on your left for that whole line would be great too š
At the end, after the 17 tunnel you were pointing to the jump at 1:56 rather than connecting so she went to where you shoulders were, good girl! So even if you are behind, try to look at the tunnel exit and that will turn your shoulders to the line and she will take it š
Great job! Let me know what you think!
TracyHi! I am glad you found it! I think she doesnāt hit the age minimums though – the young dog sequences are 15 months and older and everything else is for dogs that are competing. It is full on course work, so I will keep you posted when we have more stuff posted for her age range š
Tracy
Ah, it was really smart to back chain the teeter into the sequence!
And thank you for letting me a part of it all with Cowboy, it is so fun to see you two!!
Tracy
Hi!
Up first, Mr. Kaladin!
The walk through overall went well! First part of the walk looked really good, and I would suggest a bit more connection on the back line 10-11-12-13 then after the FC to 14. Otherwise the lines and rhythm all look good! The run will give us info as to whether the walk through was correct or not LOL!On the run – if he had a hard time settling, you can try either moving further away (to get him more under threshold) or switching to the volume dial game to help change his state of arousal. When one tool from the toolbox is not working as well as weād like, we can try pulling out a different one š
I think you can lead out further 1-2 to get the BC to 3 earlier for him, it was a little late at :11 – he was taking off for 2 and you were just arriving at position and starting it. He got it, but slowed down to do it and think about it, and we want him to just go fast and not think too hard š
The FC 7-8 went well and the I think he really liked the big fast line across the back! He needed you to be one step closer to 11 with a tiny bit more connection, but great job seeing his question and helping him out there. And then the rest looked really lovely! Yay! He most definitely likes those big, fast lines. Giddy up!Minās course – the walk through looks quite strong!
Everything looked super clear, only one spot with a question: I think the BC at :14 at 7 was late, she would probably have already chose a takeoff spot by the time you got there to start it (you were correct in the walk through to be starting it before you even arrived in position, but it will be hard to get to. The other option there is to send to the other side of the backside – it is decision-making moment for sure!Run – this was good feedback from her!
She had a couple of questions 1-2-3 because of the short lead out – in the walk through, your connection showed her as past you at 2 but in the run, she was parallel to you and not quite sure where to be so you an use a longer lead out to drive that line there to the #3 tunnel so she doesnāt look at you.The BC at :25 was a little late (she barked at you) but that is how it looked in the walk through – you can try to plan to send to the tunnel to get there sooner, or look at other options like the threadle you did below or sending to the other side of the backside.
On the tunnels, a bit of strategy to consider: at 3-4-5 and also at 11-12-13 (:34) you sent and stood still, so she decelerates as well then ended up a little wider on the next jump as you accelerated again. So, to keep the motion in place, you can go closer to the purple tunnel in both of those spots so you are moving the whole time, rather than stopping and trying to time when to accelerate again.
On small detail – you can add more connection and more motion to 14 after the blind 12-13-14, so she doesnāt have that little question – 14 is pretty far away at :37 and she looked up at you there because you were heading to the next line before she really saw 14.
On the very last backside at :42, you went pretty close to the entry wing and then moved across the bar which set a slice on the exit line for her rather than a wrap – so she was wide on landing at :43. She has great backside sends, so try to be no closer to the entry than center of the bar (ideally even a bit further across it towards the exit) so the line of motion she sees is you stepping forward past the wing to set the wrap exit.
The threadle wrap worked really well! In context, she seemed to have no trouble with it. You helped with plenty of decel but you will probably be able to power through it pretty nicely. That is a good comparison point before the US Open – is the slightly late blind still faster than the really good threadle rear? Maybe, maybe not – but good to know! (Sometimes the slightly late blind is still faster LOL!!!)
Great job here, let me know what you think!
TracyGood morning!
The FC worked really well on the 6 jump! Try to decel and get that even sooner – you were finished before he landed but I bet you can finish before he takes off to make it perfectly on time š The spin also worked well, you were basically fully rotated and almost done with the blind before he took off, so he read it well but you can still see how hard of a turn it is there.
Same with Min – you had a good FC there and even though it might seem Iike three are more turns, it was still faster.
I donāt think this is an overuse of the spin – it is ācorrectā in that it cues the turn and the next line as you rotate. Generally if it creates the best line and turns your feet to the next line, it works! The post turn or send there widens the turn but also has your feet rotate towards a line you donāt want, so the spin is better there when decel alone doesnāt get it.
>>I wonder if one of your responses got lost in the forum black hole. I posted Games 5, Seq 2 right after Seq 1 on Aug 28 but I think you only replied to Seq 1.>>
It probably didnāt get lost, my guess is the Seq 2 came in as I was posting the reply or just after it so I didnāt see anything marked as new. I will go take a look – there are lots of videos here so I more than likely wonāt be able to see them all til tonight because I have a seminar day today (I am on Pacific time, so it might be late).
>> Iām so happy with how Kaladin did in Duluth on Sunday. >>
Yes! It sounds like he did a great job!!! Trial ring distractions are really the one thing that we can only present to the dog in that actual environment… and since covid set us all way behind there, it will take more exposures. But it sounds like he did really well! And being in close proximity to the other dogs, even ones with their noses in the wrong place, will be a skill he will be able to recover from a lot more quickly with more experience there š
Tracy
Oh no! I have been watching the news reports and it sounds like power is a big unknown right now. Is there anything you need? I can totally send stuff or find stuff for you, just say the word.
T
Good morning!
Ugh, so sorry to see it is so smoky! I hope you all get some serious rain soon!!!!!>> When is the last date to submit work?
September 10th.
On the videos:
I think layering the tunnel skill is smart because it is something that we are seeing on course All.The.Time now!!! You were not being lazy – you were being strategic š
She had no problem with it as long as you took that one step to commit her to the wing behind the tunnel like you did at :45. And on that sequence you did starting at about :55, setting up for the layer required some *serious* connection on the wing wrap at :57 and you nailed it. Super nice!!!
She was nice and tight on all of the wing wraps except at 1:19 – yo were facing forward for a long time on that one and didnāt say the wrap verbal til she was past the wing, so she (correctly) kept going straight til told otherwise. Good girl!
And on the last rep when you did go more behind the tunnel for the wing, you still had a really nice challenge of sending to the backside of the tunnel and she got it – these are going to be really important and useful skills for her generation of agility dogs šWhen I saw your setup, I thought it looked like a tunnelers course LOL!!! Tunnelers is the MOST fun for the dogs and not so easy for us humans š I would say there is NO question about her tunnel commitment HAHA! She looked fabulous – look at her start stay! And based on the amazing speed in the tunnelers course…that start stay will be VERY useful because she is fast fast fast blazing fast and she is still young enough to not be running at full speed. You had to hustle! And you did, great connection and great hustle. Lovely run! I am so excited for her future because that was a really impressive run!!!
And, to be honest, it makes the first video even more impressive because she was able to shift her focus to the more wing-wrap centered skills and didnāt look at the tunnel when she was not asked to look at it. YESSSS!!!
Great job here! Let me know what you think!
TracyGood morning!
These are really good tricks! It looks like you also have the ālegsā trick which is a great line up at the start line. He seemed VERY engaged and excited to play! And I love how he was also engaging with you without the tricks. At the end, the ball came out – he REALLY seems to like that ball! This is all good to know š
So now, for next steps – you can have a pile of treats on the table next to you and nothing in your hands. Do the trick, then reach over and give a cookie. You an start right next to the treats, then over the course of the training you can move further and further away, so he is moving with you and doing tricks and engaging…. all while the treats are behind you on a table somewhere. This will help transfer to the start line at trials, where the treats will be behind him and he will be doing all sorts of tricks, also known as running the agility course LOL!!
You can also take this game on the road, and engage him like this before he does anything in new places – start it exactly like you did here with the treats present and visible, then move to having the treats on a table behind you, and so on.Great job here! Let me know what you think!
TracyAwwww he looked so great here! You two really looked like a team š Those were some big courses and he ran well – I am really excited to hear that he was able to do a full day of it too! Onwards to an exciting career in the ring! His contacts looked good too, he looked pretty happy to be on that teeter!! (Great song choice as well, you always pick excellent tunes :))
Thank you for sharing it!
TracyHi!
>>A follow-up question for you regarding trials if weave poles arenāt successful: If I retry weaves with her at trials it typically gets worse and digs a hole (even if you make weaves easier). So is it best to just go on if she does miss them? Iām trying to balance consistency between training and trialing, not digging holes, and marking correct/incorrect behavior to increase understanding. Weaves at trial speed/arousal is a challenge for us.>>
There are a lot of ways to approach this –
You can do more NFC runs with the weaves mixed in with real runs in classes without weaves. The main goal here would be to help get her acclimated to the trial environment with simpler stuff so that the arousal levels are lower and she is more successful. Then when she successful with the weaves in NFC runs and also during non-weave runs āfor realā, you can start adding ārealā runs with weaves šSeparately, you can work weaves still in higher arousal in training – more tunnels before them, different locations, etc.
These two paths will come together to help get success in the trial ring š
T
