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Hi!
>> I zero’d in on the drill that may slow them down to think. It didn’t work – LOL!!! >>>Ha! Nope, it is designed to make the human run faster, not slow the dog down haha!! She did really well, I would say any of the bloopers were yours 🙂
The short drills looked really good – jump to wing, then wing to jump around the tunnel.
You had a little blooper on the Jump – to the far end of tunnel at :28. Based on your line of motion, I thought that was what you wanted, I think she was correct you – were blocking the wing there 🙂 Your line of motion there was pretty identical to 1:12, when you did want the tunnel 🙂 So you can reward the off courses because 99% of the time it is you:)
Your line was much clearer to the wing at :46 and she had no questions.Building to the bigger sequences – this is going well in general. Yay! As you mentioned, it is hard to get around the tunnel – At 1:20 you need to either send her so you can get ahead ot start the sequence, or run faster 🙂 She smoked you there and didn’t know where to go.
When she was taking the tunnel behind you, it was a connection issue at 1:34. Your shoulders closed forward, connection broke, she thought you wanted a blind cross to the tunnel. Note how you adjusted the connected at 143 and it was much easier for her to know where to be!
Same idea to fix the oopsie at 2:15: ramp up the connection like you did at 2:33, it was great there!>>I also need to get more comfy with her stay at trials. I don’t trust her and that’s an awful place to be. She’s a pushy one for sure.>>
You can totally do some FEO or NFC runs to surprise her with a reward for the stay! I totally know how nice it is to trust the stay completely 🙂 Some NFC runs will help solidify it 🙂
Great job here!
TracyHi!
This is also going well, even though it had more bloopers.Good job continuing after the errors in the beginning, you were able to get some good work in on that first run! She turned the wrong way at :30 because of the pressure of you leaning into her to get her to take the jump.
At the beginning, the error on 2 was a disconnection error: watch your head there. As you were running to the blind cross, you turned your head to look forward at :18, she saw it and correctly came off the line. She had a little trouble with commitment to the bar on the backside of 8 – you can help by looking at the landing spot as you move through, but you can also work the training so she commits as the default – she might need a reminder there of you tossing the toy to the landing spot as you move forward. I thought your handling was appropriate there so it is more about the training.
O the 2nd walk through you had much better connection on 2 which you executed better too, so she took the jump. Yay! You did peek forward and look forward when you saw her committing, so that means you needed more rehearsal of knowing exactly there to run to so you don’t have to look forward there at all. You can work that rehearsal by marking your running line off what you can see without disconnecting, which is the wing so the 2 and 3 jump – you can work the line and connection by sticking close to the wings in this situation which will put you in a great position for the blind without having to look ahead to find the position. You also got it nicely at 1:08, disconnected as she was taking 2 and going right into the blind.
The blind went well! And she found her line to the 7 backside nicely! But she didn’t take the jump at :57 (she did take the bar on the 8 jump though) . She did take the jump at 1:16 but your timing for the backside at 8 was late (verbal & connection as she was taking off for the front, and you were moving laterally away so it did look like a front side cue).
Much better on the last run!
On the last tunnel entry – your running line and having her on your left did indicate the other side of the tunnel, she was reading you correctly. You would need a threadle cue to keep her coming in to #9, or do a blind and get her onto your right side as she exits 8.The side by side had you moving faster than her but again, as long as you obsess on connection, I think that is fine 🙂 So keep up the good work with the staying in motion, and keep obsessing on the connection 🙂
Great job! Let me know what you think!
TracyGreat job here!!!
I think the walk through looked good in general! I will keep bugging you to look back to her at all times – the crosses are all where you are in front of her, so keep reminding yourself to look back to the dog because the invisible dog will not be immediately past you after a cross 🙂On the runs: She read the backsides really well! Keep moving on the backside at 6 at 1:13 – reconnect yes – but do it as you are moving. You stood still reconnected then got going again. It was not problem here but it will bite you on a big course. Good for you for feeling it and adjusting on the next run!
Have you ever done the game where yo run with an open bottle of water in your hand? It challenges you to be connected AND keep moving. I think I remember you doing it a while back but you can do it again now that your connections are in place (I think you had good connections on the run!!)YES, well done staying in motion at 2:11 on the 2nd run! Yes, you didn’t quite call her soon enough on the tunnel but that is fine for now – the staying is motion is more important and you were connected
You got the turn cue in on the tunnel on the last run and kept moving through it all. Super!Nice side-by-side, note how your pace is getting better at matching the pace of the real run! I will keep bugging you about perfect connection but that is how I roll LOL!! And I think on these smaller sequences you should totally try to do the running with a water bottle in your hand – don’t spill it! – so you can feel the balance of staying in motion and staying connected 🙂 Do that in. The walk AND the run 🙂
T
Good morning!
It was really fun to see her light up with that toy!! And it is also great that she can eat treats in between and go back to the ball.
She was a fast and focused on the sequences! The errors were speed-induced, which si great. The first video looked good with the sequence. On the 2nd video, she went off course to the purple tunnel based on your motion (she was faster there and you were late because there was more speed) , then she didn’t go to the off course on the next rep but you were late turning her back to the correct side of it- but as you mentioned, the sequences were not really the point, the speed and happy attitude were the point!
So, taking it into the trial ring:
First step is to make sure she still really loves it in that environment – is she still crazy for it? Probably 🙂
The other thing you can do is begin the Transition To Trials game where the ball toy is the ‘remote reward’ – it is the Package 1 game where were place the toy down on a chair or table and move away from it onto to the course – at first jump moving away, then doing a jump, etc – eventually working up to doing a full course at a trial. This takes time but if you can teach her that she is working for the toy that sits outside the ring, she will be happy to play! Then you can build a whole routine of doing the volume dial before the run, putting the toy down, doing the run, then coming back to the toy. I also suggest getting a second identical toy, so you can hide it in your pocket or down your pants LOL and use it during FEO runs to surprise her in the ring 🙂Let me know if that makes sense! There are more ideas on NFC/FEO in the Pack 5 Transition games 🙂
TracyGood morning! The wing and tandem videos were interesting! I think if we change up 2 little things, then it will go better for her 🙂
1st video:
Yes, I agree – the toy might be too big and also you were switching it from hand-to-hand which made it harder. Yo can do this with treats, I think it will be easier unless you can grow a third arm LOL!
The first reps where she was turning to her right went well (you didn’t really connect on the first one, but the next couple were really good!
The troubles start when you switch to turn her to her left:
The FC at 127 on the new side needs more connection, and
I also think you can stop moving or move more slowly – she was seeing a lot of motion so she just went into the tunnel like at 2:4, because the left turns are so much harder for her.
You can also reward her for coming into your hand then turn her away as a refresher of that skill and help convince her to come turn left 🙂2nd video – she also appears stronger turning to her right here – on this video, she was perfect on the 1st one to her right which is the same as the start of the first video her.
When you switched and asked her to turn to her left, she couldn’t do it til you slowed down and made it really obvious and then she got it nicely!So break down the left turns by moving less – just kind of walk for now) and reward her for coming into you hand, starting without the tunnel distraction there then building it up to more speed and adding the tunnel back. On the right turns, you can keep adding speed as long as you maintain the connection you had.
Plankrobatics are going really well! She can jump on, turn, jump off really nicely! My only suggestion is to put some tunnel bags on the bases so the base doesn’t move out from under her when she is turning around and especially when she is jumping off.
Driving ahead also looked good! Having the reward out there in advance gave her a good focal point (and a good reward :))
You can add your motion to it by moving with her and faster than her too!Great job here 🙂 Letg me know what you think!
TracyHi! These are looking good!
On the first video:
The BC on the landing side of 3 was consistently great! That works so well with her. The RC from th distance looked good too! I don’t think you need to ‘pull’ your shoulders to your right as much, you can face forward a little more to 4-5 and that will smooth it out even more.
The BC at :29 was good on the landing side of 7 but you stood still there after it then accelerated, so then at :31 she took off straight based on your big acceleration then she didn’t make the turn to the last jump, That line worked much better when you kept moving and turned your shoulders, like at :59.On the lead out push – really nice at 1:35! You can be closer to the side of the jump closer to #3 and keep moving to the tunnel on that first rep. Your position and motion were really great on the next rep – really nice connection!!!
FFC video:
Throwback looks good in both directions! Keep being super consistent with the stays – on the first couple of reps, you released as you moved your hand into position so at :38 she released as you moved your hand into position (she is an over-achiever LOL!) On the rest of the reps, I think you were more careful and she did well!
Having the toy on the ground was hard and she did have a big
Oops at 1:19, grabbing the toy instead of coming to you. But then she was a good girl at 1:44! Yes, it should be semi-auto pilot like that, where she comes ot the backside and takes the jump immediately. That way you will be able to leave sooner and she won’t have to wait for more cue info – we don’t want her relying on your motion for the jump cue there, it should be default so you can totally just move away to the next line. When you had her stay with your hand, it was creating a question from her so you can let her go onto auto-pilot in that situation, it will serve you well in the future!Great job here 🙂
TracyHi!
This walk through had more emphasis on pace, and it made all the difference! If you have. To be too slow or too fast – be too fast, as long as you are connected because rehearsing the hustle and the transitions faster than you need them to be will make the actual run feel roomy and comfy 🙂 if you practice more slowly, you might feel like yo are in catch up mode the whole time, plus he doesn’t get the transitions for the tight turns.Adding motion to help the flip cue was good – on the walk and run, there was a little too much forward motion for the front of the jump. When you deceled/turned a bit, he got it nicely! So that goes on the list of things to remember to do because it is a useful skill. It s a similar concept to a tandem turn, in that we turn and run a parallel line so that we can get the dog to come in then turn back out.
You walked a RC on the tunnel 18-19 at the end but ran it as a spin move at 2:01 – I liked the spin better because it gets you further ahead for the ending 🙂Also on the 2nd run, you used softer handling in the opening and it worked nicely! The first run had too much power in the handling so he was wider. The intense but softer handling of th second run looked great.
Overall, I think this is a more effective walk through because of the pace. The hang up was the challenge of the flip, but everything else was really strong! So keep being ahead of the pace in your walk throughs, adding in the transitions mentioned above for the other course to get the turns.This will be especially important at trials to get those tight turns that we know he can do, he just needs to know very early 🙂
Great job here! Let me know what you think!
TracyHi again!
Hi! These are good to see!
In the walk through, connection on opening line was good but you were too slow in your pace as you noted – going at a steady pace doesn’t allow you rehearse the transition for the tighter turns, which might be what it is harder to get the tighter turns on the bigger courses. The only other detail in the walk through is to remember to rehearse connecting after the crosses on 11 and 15 – you tend to naturally connect during the run so it is not a big issue, but I will keep bugging you about it anyway to keep pushing for best possible rehearsals 🙂
A decision idea: I think slicing the other way on 2 will be faster (going to t he entry wing on the side further from the tunnel so he can land facing the tunnel – it should set up a better exit line and also shorter yardage so it will be faster.Good run here! Little details to get it perfect: you can tell him out to the #4 tunnel sooner, while he is still tunneling #3 so he doesn’t exit looking at you then turn back to it.
O n the crosses: The FC on 11 looked really good! It was also the turn that you rehearsed with more speed during the walk through, so the change of pace was rehearsed. On the wrap at :23, he went wide: you decelerated late and rotated late there. So in the walk through, you can rehearse going super fast til he is in the air over the previous jump then decel and send to the wrap then rotated away before he takes off so he can drive back nice and tight 🙂 Working that section coming in from more speed will allow you to rehearse the transition to the tight turn on time, which will tighten it right up.You can also work that transition from fast to slow into the turn cue for 14 at :32. You didn’t have a clear change of motion and you were facing forward when he took off, so he jumped long there. I think a decel as he over over 13 then send and move away when he lands will help (and possible a brake arm too, using the outside arm there a “you gotta slow down, dude!” cue 🙂 )
So the run was connected and the ‘bones’ of it were really good! But focusing on the changes of pace need more rehearsal, which will help tighten up the turns nicely.
Great job here! Onwards to the next course!
TracyHi!
I think he is feeling the wind in his hair lately, so things like tight turns on tunnel exits are much harder 🙂 It is a champagne problem, because the speed is fabulous and we can get the turns back 🙂T
Hi! This went really well! Your plan was very clear in the walk through and it went really well during the run. My only suggestion in the walk through is to connect more to her on the backside pushes so you don’t have to go as close to them to support with motion – if you look at her more, she will go more independently so then you can run less/leave sooner 🙂
And when the tendon is fully healed, I will bug you to run faster during the final stages of the walk through to really get her rhythm, but not til the tendon is healed 🙂
The run went well! Layering the #3 jump to show her 6-7 went really well! And so did the ending line- the plan was strong and it was well executed. She did have some questions about the off course obstacles that she could see as you mentioned, so that was good to work on more. I think you can also revisit the proofing games, like when we have the wing or serp or backside jump right next to a tunnel – these can remind her to do the cued behavior and not add any extras LOL! That will help her to tighten up those lines, because she will remember to NOT scope out past the backside cue, for example. I don’t think there is much to do differently in terms of handling, you were doing the send-and-leave which is perfect! So revisiting the dog training will help remind her 🙂
Great job here!!! It is fun to see the walk throughs beginning to really match the runs!!!!
TracyHi! Working this in the yard with the trees and birds and squirrels is definitely challenging – bearing in mind that he probably has a longer history of chasing birds/squirrels than moving to the start line without food or toys, so he is finding the distractions challenging! I like how the pattern game brought his focus back after he was marking a bird or whatever distraction caught his eye when he was staring at the fence on the ride side of the screen 🙂 He also did best when he was moving with you to the ‘start line’ on leash, doing things. When you tried him off leash at the end… he took off (it was also funny with Tenzing was stuffing his head into the cookie bag while you were going to the start line with Nuptse LOL!!!)
So an idea: because this is intense work that requires a lot of brain power, try to just get one great rep of the routine. Then run back, get the treats… then release him to go chase some birds and squirrels. He probably needs that mental release after the intensity of focus required to do the start line routine without food or toys in your hand. It will be similar to the kind of release that running a course provides! Than after he has a good time chasing birds, yo can call him back,and try to get another rep of the routine, then run out, give treats…. then release to go for a run in the trees nd party with the squirrels.
I think that release to run will probably also be a reinforcement for him, which will also build up the focus in the start line routine. Let me know if that makes sense.
Great job here!
TracyHi! The course content remains visible forever! We have til the beginning of September for video review. Fingers crossed for cooler weather! And check out the transition to trials games to help get your youngster happy and relaxed in new environments 🙂
Tracy
Hi! I think that is a good plan! You are prioritizing reinforcement and connection – those are the top 2 things for youngsters, in my view 🙂 You are keeping it simple and letting him offer. Now, if he looks like he needs help for whatever reason (distracted, etc) and can’t respond or offer: then yes, you can totally ask for a hand touch or a trick to try to get him more focused on you and more engaged. But if he is engaged and ready, you can go into “get on with it” mode rather than keep asking for stuff. It is a fine balancing act for sure, as we try to figure out the young dogs! Keep me posted!!
Hi there!
>> My question for a trial setting is though what if I am sure he’s setup well and I cued it well and he doesn’t take it? First of all I’d be shocked if that happened because he’s such a good boy that way that my inclination would be to assume that even I though I did everything right I must not have so just keep going.>>
I am with you – i would just keep going. It is possible that you did do everything right, but something was going on in the environment and he couldn’t process taking the first jump for whatever reason. Just keep going is smart and will help get him ignoring the environment. And if it is a training run, you can reward something else then bring him back and try it again and reward.
>> You’ll laugh but one of the things I frequently say to the folks that take lessons from me is that I’m really good at this in slow motion without my dog! I’m going to make a real effort to get at least a couple of walks at speed in all my walk throughs for both dogs tomorrow. Sly’s just got one T2B run so it’ll be fast, fun and FEO>>
Ha! That is funny!!!! Too bad we can’t take the course for a spin with a slow “schooling pony” then take the real dog out for the run LOL!
Oops sorry for not seeing it earlier!!!!
>> I am having trouble showing her threadle wrap vs threadle slice. I know it will be body position but when I watch it back I can’t think how to make it more obvious.>>
Watching the video – I think there were a couple of things going on.
Early in the video, you kept your feet and shoulders very forward on the threadle wrap, and really turned your feet/shoulders to the bar on the slice line – it worked great! Then when she had questions, like at :57 and 2:24, you wanted the slice but you kept your feet and shoulders very forward like you did on the threadle wraps so she was confused (compare to the successful reps like at :12 and at 1:30, note how you turn more for the slice).
Then I think she did some guessing after a couple of errors 🙂 So definitely keep that subtle difference in the handling as she is learning the different verbals: fully forward facing feet on the threadle wrap, slight turn to the bar (more exaggerated than what you were doing when she didn’t get it) and keep the sessions really short: do just a couple of reps then do something else, so she doesn’t start to guess or experiment 🙂 She did well on the push backside and the front side!>> watched a video of a pro yesterday and the whole time she was looking at the dog, I don’t know how she navigated the course!!>>
Lots of practice, and peripheral vision 🙂 with practice, you will get really good at being able to see the course without looking at it while you are running 🙂
Let me know if that makes sense 🙂
Tracy
