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I noticed a typo – it should say “GOOD work on these too” right at the beginning, not just “work on these too” LOL!! Sorry!
>> I could not get the ending of course 3 in my head. It did not compute LOL. Julie thought I was nuts for not getting it as it made perfect sense to her, but both Túlka and I needed more rewards at the end of 3.
Ha! That sounds just like Julie 🙂 If the sequence doesn’t make sense in your head, try different handling – usually it is the handling that doesn’t make sense to your brain and that is why you felt uncomfortable with it.
>>I like your idea of having two rewards for her when I have one at the end. She totally deserved it and I think we should make it Irish for course 3’s ending coffe>>
Rewards for everyone! Perfect!!!!!!!!!
T
Hi!
>>I have to remember I can talk to her when I can’t see her in the tunnel LOL. That makes sense as I felt like I had to hold the serp at :19 and “catch her” as she was going past since she didn’t know where I was.
Yes – a great reminder from these courses is to tell her how you want her to exit the tunnels – and tell her when she is a solid 5 feet from entry. That will make your life as a handler much easier 🙂
>>I really want to try the Goldilocks moment again :).
DO IT! Even if you just set up that part.
>>Dang I have to remember the power of Decel! I was busy focused on timing/position. Just added a checklist on my iPhone: Connection, Feet pointing line, One more step?, Timing, Decel, Verbal, My Position. Hopefully help me broaden my analysis in the moment. Thanks!!!!
Instead of one more step, tell yourself to keep moving, keep moving, keep moving, never stop (ok, almost never LOL!)
And we will be working on walk through stuff to help apply this (early August) because you are correct that we need to have this all planned in advance and remember it all (written checklists on my phone always help me :))T
Hi!
>> What I’m seeing at trials (sometimes) is hitting the entry with a lot of speed. She often gets the entry but can’t hold onto it and pops out at pole 3/4 and then gets back in. >>
She is probably more excited at trials and moving faster 🙂 You can get her more whipped up in training to add that speed: do a little set up of a curved tunnel then 6 weaves then a curved tunnel – have her do the curved tunnel 3 or 4 times in a row then into the weaves 🙂 I suggest 6 weaves to start because she will probably be more successful and you can reward quicker. Eventually you can do it on 12 weaves.
>>I love NFC/FEO and that is a great idea about tying it to a leash to get around the no toss rule!
Well, AKC likes rules, so we can figure out ways to creatively apply the rules hahaha!!
>>When using NFC/FEO do you get better results using it consistently or intermittently? I’ve bene wondering about that.>>
EXCELLENT question. In the beginning of a trial career, I use the NFC option consistently to transfer the behavior to the ring (I have 3 dogs that will be starting their trial careers soon and so I will be doing a TON of NFC runs LOL!!!). When they are successful, I fade it and go to intermittently. Then when they are experienced, I do it rarely to help maintain behaviors in the ring (my 8 year old dog still sees some NFC here and there to keep the contacts and weaves in tip top shape.
T
Good morning!
>> know this is something I’m also doing in trials…. Missing just that one more step to make things clearer for her. And then to keep turning my feet/body towards the line I want her to take and stay in the moment with her. I feel myself get into my head and miss those moments.>>
One thing you can do is over-handle a bit to make sure she gets commitment – and don’t worry as much about how tight the turns are. She turns really well! So to help you keep moving, you can over-help as you get into sync on the big courses. Yes, we will keep looking at where you can be earlier and such, but it is better to get commitment and then smooth out the turns than it is to not have commitment. With commitment, you’ll get used to running the big courses and then the timing will be easier.
>>So when running tight wraps (left/right) should we run our path towards the left or right station (to stay out of the middle) or even be running a bit towards the outside of the station? If I can remember during walk throughs to target a side then perhaps I won’t put myself right in the middle of her path. >>
If I am understanding this correctly (not a lot of coffee on board yet haha) – I tend to run to the outside of the stanchion/wing to give the wrap in.
T
They are both great turning dogs indeed! The other thing I thought of was that you can plop the reward in past the landing spot (after they pass you) as you move forward to your next position on these, so they really drive in more to get to it.
Tracy
Hi! Thanks for the update, it sounds like the games are going well!!
<< My question is that with the food toss and then reorientate – how do you use this at a trial- or am I thinking too far ahead… I use it outside the ring and in new places, and if/when my dogs are distracted by other people and dogs (I used it with Contraband near the ring at a flyball tournament to keep his jets from exploding :)) It can't really go into the ring because it is a cloud-based game but is perfect for outside the ring! Fusion sounds like she is doing really well! Box finds it harder, so split the games into easier chunks. Move less or ask for easier behaviors or stay further from the distractions. Because he might shut down, it is important to keep his rate of success really high. You might need to move less when asking for the sits and downs, and also be further from the obstacles for the other games. He has a conditioned arousal in the presence of the obstacles, so starting further will really help - then over time you can get closer. Let me know if this makes sense! Keep me posted 🙂 Tracy
Hi!
Refreshing the 2o2o is perfect, that behavior often slides a bit when we are running courses 🙂>> The videos have the sound edited out but I will leave the sound on next time. I have always felt so self conscious
The sound is useful because it helps me figure out what helps the most! And we all sound like nuts haha!! I try to edit out the parts where I sing to the dogs hahaha
>>and feel like I don’t know what I am doing that I have only competed one time with each dog.
I never would have guessed! You looked very smooth and connected!!! I figured you had plenty of ring time already with them 🙂
>>
My former
Coach was so critical of me that I felt stupid. She used to say in front of the entire class “ 9 years of university and you have no idea what you are doing”.>>Omg! That’s terrible!! I’m glad she is your FORMER coach. You totally know what you’re doing, don’t let anyone bring you down! My job here is to just tell you what works best and give ideas to add to your toolbox 🙂
>>Bob is 8 and Pete is 7 and I feel that I let them down.
From the video, it was obvious that both boys love you and love agility with you! You are a fabulous partner to them and they most certainly didn’t look like you let them down 🙂
>> Your critique has given me some confidence again. ( to be honest I was so worried about sending any video lol).
Yay! Keep sending video, you three looked great and we are going to have fun this summer 🙂
Tracy
Hi!
>>The Regionals are this coming weekend at the Wide world of Indoor sports in Kingstown, RI. do not relish going there to practice ringside transitioning…to stressful! Am planning to go to Kim’s next Tuesday to work while other dogs are working.>>
I used to love going to that Regional!! It probably won’t be that big this year so maybe it won’t be too stressful? Even if you just play near the crating area, or near the ring during breaks? It is a nice air conditioned training opportunity 🙂
The cemetery looked distracting! And windy, which adds distraction too! High value treats helped and you were so patient. I am sure it felt like HOURS while you were waiting for him but but it was really only a couple of second when you had the lower value treats going. The high value treats eliminated the distractions – awesome!!!
Another field trip option is to a park where there might be a dog park? Now, don’t bring him into the dog park – just stay outside of it, maybe 30 feet away, and use it as a distraction 🙂Going to Kim’s place to train is PERFECT! She knows what you are working on so I am sure it will be great!
Nice work here! Let me know what you think!
TracyHi! I think the Road Show should help him be able to enter any environment with focus 🙂 Just wait til the game we add in the next package
He did well with the verbal cues here! Both the down and the turn cues looked good with you walking slowly. The down was little bit harder during the dance party… but I thought the turn was snappier! He likes to dance LOL! The turn was harder when you did the jumping jacks and your hands were over your head: I think that is because it looks a little like the body cue you use when you want him to jump up – but that is GREAT because he has to really listen to the verbals!! Yay!
He is ready for you to add more motion to the ‘motion override’ game so we can eventually build it up to having you run 🙂
Great job!
Tracy
Hi! Great job here!
THe one step sending on the wings was har for him at first – but then he picked it up really nicely! You can be a little quicker to toss the treat out there so he can get it pretty immediately for committing. He is definitely ready to do it from a tunnel now!The lazy game on jumps – I think he was pretty darned speedy considering how lazy (on purpose) you were LOL! I am super happy with his work – yes, he was checking in with you a little but that was because you were not moving much at all – for example, he just needed a little more motion to know for sure he was allowed to go to the yellow jump. But overall he was really driving those lines – galloping to them. We don’t see the dogs going faster than that on this game, until we start going faster.
So, since his commitment looks great here: onwards to more motion with the one-step send and leave with this setup and also the Wingin It games as well as the sequences with this setup.
Lovely work!
TracyHi!
>>I feel like a bit of an idiot. I forgot about focusing on keeping the dog arm down. I was using the incorrect cues all over the place>>
After watching it, I can definitely say you are NOT an idiot LOL! It went pretty well, actually! I think the one step sending stuff just feels awkward because, well, it is 🙂 One step sends are HARD for us humans because we have to be stationary!
I think you might have been a little far from the wing on a couple of the reps at the beginning, and maybe your arm was a little high – she had a couple of questions but she sorted it out nicely. And she definitely did better when you used your verbals, especially as she was exiting tunnels. When you were quiet out of the tunnel, she had questions and tended to go wide.
Yes, a couple of wrong verbals – I was trying to figure out what they meant then I remembered that you mentioned you had mixed them up. No worries! Take a moment between each rep to plan which ones for the next rep, to keep them correct. And remember to say your tunnel cue too.
She was really starting it get it with lots of independence! Also, she has very good forward focus on her lines and that is going to transfer to courses amazingly well 🙂Great job here! Let me know what you think!
TracyHi!
>>Will need to look around and get creative. I think you mentioned a spoon. hmmm.
My Papillons learned their 4on positions thanks to the magic of a spoon and duct tape 🙂 No video, sadly! But it worked like a charm 🙂
Hi! Hope you had a good weekend!
>> although the major lightbulb for me is the holes in the independence that both my dogs have to allow me to get to where I need to be on course.
That was one of the goals of this set of courses – finding independence holes. Now, bear in mind that these were pretty exaggerated challenges – definitely training courses and hopefully NOT competition courses LOL! We will keep training the independence and then it will be much easier 🙂
On the video:
Weaves – she came out on your FC movement at :08 so it was smart training to do the FC again at :19 even though you were planning to reward and had the TnT there. You can leave the TnT out there, randomly and off to the side so it just sits there and blends in – not really a target, but also present as a reinforcement, so she can continue to get rewards for the independent weaving.
I like the line you choice for 12-13 -it looked great! Also at :45! Also a 1:06! As you saw, handling on landing ide of 13 works for 12-13 but puts you way behind on the running frame and she is certainly not going to slow down and wait for you LOL!
NICE blind on the frame at :48, even better at 1:11!
I don’t think her wide turn on the jump after the frame was a timing issue – it was more of a position plus extension issue. You were running hard at :50 and 1:13 and ended up several steps past the wing of the jump. You can decel and stay closer to the exit wing so she gets a nice tight line on the tunnel send there at 16-17.On the line to 20: at 1:21 you had it but needed connection. I think you were scared, totally understandable and relatable 🙂 The spin worked when you isolated it so getting you there would make it perfect. Do you think you can layer the #10 jump to get down there sooner and not be afraid for your life? A more independent dog walk would be needed but that makes it worthwhile to train it!
The BC between the DW and the #19 tunnel turns her to her right, which takes the 20 jump off her line because she would need to be on a left lead for it – the BC between the DW and the tunnel would work if you could make the blind then outrun her to get to the tunnel exit when she is maybe halfway through it – but that is crazy talk LOL!! Blind crossing the exit of the tunnel (safely :)) is the best way, with a tight rear cross wrap on 20 being the 2nd best way to get it.Great job here! Let me know what you think!
TracyHi!
>> I have no idea what the matter was, except it is very hot.>>
After watching, it might be a combination of physically/mentally tired (3 day camps are exhausting) – he made some errors he doesn’t normally make such as missing that weave entry and also check out how he jumped at 1:17 – his hind end went all *ss over teakettle on a relatively simple line. I cannot recall the last time I have seen him do that. So, we chalk some of it up to being a little fried. Add in the 90 degree weather? Yep, not necessarily fully with you on these. But he still worked his heart out!! And there are some things we can smooth out with the handling 🙂
Backside at 3: The threadle looked good at :12 an on run 5 at 1:13! I curious to see if it is faster or slower than a forced front or a german turn there. Feel free to try different ones and compare (we will be doing more of that comparison shopping for best cues in coming weeks).
As you saw, he needed a stronger turn cue at 8 (:22) – you said something loud with energy (I couldn’t quite make out what you said) but he was already in the air there. Much better cues at 1:25! I wonder if a brake arm (left arm coming up to help give him a whoa moment) or even a spin from the lateral position (followed by a rear cross on the teeter) would help sweeten that turn, plus quieter verbals.
When you released from the teeter at :36, your voice said ‘around’ but your line of motion was blocking the jump so he was looking a the tunnel. You were further over at 1:39 but still blocking the wing. The more independent we can get the teeter (more below on that), the more you can release him from a position that is more center of the bar so he drives directly to the backside wing with no thoughts about the tunnel.
The missed weaves might be a bit of mental fatigue, or he is not all that experienced getting them from the RDW with you miles away. It is definitely something to revisit when he has recovered a bit.
The line 17-18 is tricky – it is more of a get out lead change away and not a go on – you had to help him because he was (correctly) going straight and that extra help propelled him way out over 18. You were earlier and clearer at 1:56 – the FC there at the end worked well! You can also play with a double blind there if you can’t get ahead for the FC: as he is landing from 17, you can cue 18 but also turn your head away to do a blind, make a heartbeat of connection, then do another blind to get him back on your right – all that while you are converging in to get to the a-frame. I like the choice of the Out at 2:00 – keeping your opposite arm lower (nose level for the dog) can help him see it as you converge to get into that area.
Speaking of convergence – I think it was the convergence on the 16-17-18 line that contributed to the rail coming down at 1:55 – that is a good one to revisit as well.
>>A bit discouraged on the teeter: have done a million bang-games (hop on from the side) and full teeters into 2o2o but I’m not seeing it in course work. Will have to do a million more, I guess. Less than a month in; I should be more patient, I’m sure. But I figure whining to you is better than whining to Enzo.A bit discouraged on the teeter: have done a million bang-games (hop on from the side) and full teeters into 2o2o but I’m not seeing it in course work. Will have to do a million more, I guess. Less than a month in; I should be more patient, I’m sure. But I figure whining to you is better than whining to Enzo.
Well, yes and no. Bear in mind that I am not patient nor do I like to do a million of anything 🙂 Whining to me is fine haha! Yes, he was doing the 4on for a long time and the 2o2o is only a month in – but we can help speed the process! The bang games are great! But have you ever done elevator games with him? Those are the next step after the bang game to get the 2o2o going on the full teeter.
Then separately the full 2o2o with more independence… this is gonna sound crazy coming from someone who loves to shape behavior, but I think on the full teeters in the big courses you should use a well-placed “prompt” (cough cough lure cough cough) to begin to get the behavior in that context. So that peanut butter lid can actually have peanut butter on it so he goes into 2o2o without you. And yes, I would show it to him beforehand. A bit of luring can jumpstart the behavior in that context, especially because you are getting rid of a different behavior. If we embrace the ‘get the behavior’ mantra, I see nothing wrong with getting you out of the picture by luring it for a bit – then we fade the lure (easy enough to do) while keeping the independent skill. Let me know if that makes sense. And feel free to whine about it any time LOL!
Great job! Let me know what you think!
Tracy
