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Hi! Sorry to hear the weather has been so hot, it certainly shortens the summer in unexpected ways.
The skills sets went really nicely 🙂 Your ‘regular’ slice seeps (front side and back side) all looked good! The first convergence rep was a tiny bit late showing it to him at :25 (the convergence should be in progress as he is making a takeoff decision, which would be before the release on this rep). The next one at :33 (and later at 1:00) was spot on, he saw it as he was rounding the backside wing! Same with the convergence to the blind at :45 – the running path was early so he read it really clearly. And big happy dane for the normal slice after the convergence reps, some BCs like to ‘self-diverge’ and send themselves to the backside when the handler is not cuing it, but he was perfect. Nice!!
Onwards to the sequences:
Both tries looked good. The slice at 2 on the first rep ate some time up, he didn’t collect that much in front of the jump. I broke out the 2 timing spots to see exactly what was making such a big difference – the turn at 2 had a slight edge of about .15 on that lovely right wrap you did on the 2nd run (it was niiiiiiice!!! but only a tiny bit faster to the tunnel – if you can tighten up 2 on the left wrap, maybe with a stronger brake arm on takeoff side, it will be faster. The 4 jump was the make-or-break: the left turn wrap was the clear winner by about half a second there. Also, you drove him a tiny bit more on the 2nd part of the sequence (5-end) so that was overall about 4/10ths faster too – so the difference in times was spread out. I think the ‘which is fastest’ lesson is about getting the highest quality turns, straight lines to the tunnel, and driving him as hard as you can on the other sections 🙂 (The wrap on 2 might be slightly easier on grass, easier to grip coming around the turn with more extension).That turn on 4 is a clear winner, which is good to know (and surprising :)) When I filed it with Voodoo, I was quite sure his ground speed turning to the right on 4 would make it the fastest – especially because I had to handle the left wrap as a RC which is not necessarily the strongest cue for me. But, as with Enzo… they both turned brilliantly AND smoked the next line, with the shorter distance and fewer turns on the tunnel entry making a big difference. Good to know!!
Seq 2: this one was more about the convergence 3-4 🙂 I agree that the slice line ‘decision’ jump was the clear winner, but it is fun to see that the other options are close! he is getting good at wrapping!!!
On the convergence lines – you can converge more on 3 to get him turning to the 4 backside sooner there. Your first rep had your best convergence, you were right into the gap and he had an almost straight line. On the next rep, you were one or two steps later, so he turned after he landed – a subtle detail but it can also contribute to the overall time, because it requires you to take one more step to guarantee the backside at 4 before leaving for 5. The last rep was pretty similar to rep one. So, if you converge more immediately, you can also leave sooner for the 5 jump. Something to play with is doing it from further away – cuing the backside from closer to the tunnel and still showing convergence – but from more of a distance to see if you can get him turned away to 4 and then it is easier to get to 5 🙂
Great job here! Let me know what you think!
TracyOh yay! She is really getting it now!!!! Three ideas for you to expand the skill, now that she is solving the puzzle:
-with this set up, lead out a little and add just a little bit of walking (everything else is the same – motion is a big distraction)
– with the same spacing, put the start jump at 4 inches and start her closer, so challenge her to come in right off her rear and not tap her front feet on the ground in front of the first jump. The easier height will make the plyometric element more palatable – then that first bar can move back up when she understands to push from the rear. You’ll probably need to experiment with exactly how close to start her to get that – maybe play with it on one jump before putting it into the grid.
– going back to the sequence where she had trouble with the slices on the backsidey jumps, you can revisit those parts of it (even if you don’t set the whole thing up again) – do a warm up of the grid for 2 reps, then the sequence for one rep, then the grid for 2 reps – let’s see what she thinks of that version of the puzzle 🙂
Keep me posted!
TracyHi1
yes, you can use a get out – but it is easier to have it on a threadle cue which means come in- go out. I posted up more about threadle foundation stuff to give you training ideas. And it is fine to post videos in any order, I am excited to hear Lit’l Bit is back!!! 😍Hi! Yes, I would be saying the backside verbal. And ideally, I would also be giving a directional on the exit of the jump before the backside verbal – but that is a lot of words LOL!
Ah yes, I see what you mean 😁Yes – prioritize in that way for sure because there are plenty of skills she won’t need for a year or so – like layering the dog walk, weave entries with a tunnel behind them, etc.
THi!
I feel the pain of the heat and humidity! Anything done in the morning needs to be done at 6am here!
On the video – this looks great! Perfect position! It is so hard to stand still LOL! She did a great job of coming in and going to the lotus (you can totally still give her the ‘get it’ cue as long as you stay frozen like that for now :))>>Her last set cracked me up. I put her in a spot where she had to pass by the lotus on her way to the wing. Look at the careful avoidance she gave it!>>
That was *hysterical* !!!!! She is so dramatic LOL!!! But, good girlie, she got it right! Yay!
>>Anything else you’d like to do with this now, or are we headed for motion soon?
Motion is coming soon – but first, do a session or two where you show her the difference between the serp position and the threadle position (and associated verbals) – all in the same session, alternating. You can see the demo in the Advanced level of the game video. If she does well with that, we will add motion. Yay! Great job!
TracyHi!
>>Barrels
I’m pleased with the distance and sends I have with her, since I’ll need that down the road. You are suggesting that I send less and run more – is this so she sees more different types of motion and speed from me? >>Yes – sometimes do the sends, sometimes run in and out of the turns. We will teach her all the options, she is like a sponge and soaks it all up 🙂
>>Also, you suggested I exit forward which will cause her to speed up the chase. This is what I was doing with the reward on the wing side – to increase her speed and tightness on wraps. I can certainly do that around the barrel, too. Both with a reward and with my own running.>>
Yes, perfect! Stay nice and close to the barrel so you set a really tight line.
>>Yes, she almost stuck her nose up in the air over the MM.
She almost looked offended that we would even suggest such a thing. LOL!
>>I, too, loved the moment when the thought processes kicked in and she said, “so this is what you want!” Those a-ha moments are the best!>>
Agreed!! So fun to see her light up!
T
Hi again!
Another training opportunity at a trial, that is so awesome!! He did really well, both with the games and with the environment. Lap turns look fabulous! We will do a concept transfer on those soon.Are the tandems feeling more comfortable? They look really good! Just remember to keep moving as you walk forward – you were doing a really good job of turning him away and then turning your feet, it looks great!! You commented right at the end that it felt better, so hopefully it felt comfy. You can try adding in the prop to these now! Great job!!
Tracy
Hi there!! This also looks great! Baby dog is doing really well 🙂
One tiny slightly obsessive detail 🙂 – when you do the arm motion as part of the send, you can use the arm as a gentle cue forward, but then kind of let it relax and not follow his line. when you were following his line with the hand, it was turning your chest more than needed, which delays your exit a little bit because you have to unwind your rotation before you can leave for the FC. If you relax and lower the arm as he starts to move, you can turn your chest the new direction even sooner which translates to leaving even sooner 🙂 The chest turning to follow his line is causing you to step back and then do the FC – one extra step that you won’t have time for when he is in full on speed demon mode as an adult LOL! If you don’t follow his line with your arm/shoulders, you will be able to turn and move away more immediately.
No worries about the oopsie at the end, he had a TON of good reps and many that were similar. He is doing great! You can start a little further away so you can leave for the FC as he is arriving at the barrel and then before he gets to it 🙂 He is also looking ready for the rocking horse game!!Great job!
TracyHi! He is doing really well with this too! His targeting looks great and that really helps establish the behavior. Yay!
As with the serps, you can stop feeding at the hand target – only rewards are in the bowl, so he can get the rhythm of the in-then-out to build the default.
And I see you are pre-planting the cookie in the bowl (did I miss that on the serp video? Maybe – he is cute, it is distracting :)) so now you can just send him to the cookie with your verbal cue (I think you said ‘eat it’) but not physical cue to help develop the default commitment to the bar without any arm or shoulder motion. That is the hardest part – keeping your upper body frozen, no pointing 🙂
He did an AWESOME job of threadling even when he started *right next to* the cookie bowl!!!! I am impressed!Well done!!
TracyHi! You’ll be fine, don’t worry about screwing up the signals – that is why we do all of this on a random prop 🙂 It allows us to figure out the exact mechanics before transferring it all over to the real equipment. You always maintain a high rate of success, so she is happy to let you figure out your signals. You’re doing a great job with her!
TracyHi!
This is going really well! The bowl is a good target for him – exciting but not mind-blowing. I love how he is setting himself up for the turn here!!
You can play and do tricks on the way back to the set up, and give set up cookies too.
We can move to the next step, where we fade out the actual touch of the hand – as he is coming in towards the hand to touch it, cue him to get the cookie in the bowl – don’t feed the hand touch anymore 🙂 The easiest thing to do is have a cookie already in the bowl, so you can keep your upper body completely stationary and just use a verbal get it. This is the gateway step to adding motion!
Great job 🙂
THi!
>>Wing Wraps
I’m not sure if he doesn’t like the toy as much as food or if i’m asking for too much too soon and break the sessions up.>>Overall, he is doing really nicely! Bear in mind that he is only 5 months old 🙂 You might be pushing things too quickly sometimes, and sometimes the toy just needs to squiggle around a little more 🙂 But, mainly, any struggles had to do with connection:
On the first session: nice job using a noise and not saying go!
Add more connection on your send and after the FC. On the reps where he went beautifully, you were looking at his eyes. On the sends or exits of the wraps where he had a question, you were looking ahead too much or too soon. For example, at 1:40 and 2:19 it is a great angle – as you exit the wrap, we can’t see your eyes so he reads it as a blind and goes on the other side. Then the send after it wasn’t as clear (high arm blocking the eyes) – he gets a little grabby at your hands or toys when he is frustrated, so take that as a sign that he can’t see your connection 🙂
So keep arms nice and low, your hand should hang our near your knee, and make lots of eye contact for now 🙂2nd session – good start with your rewards!! On the ‘wrong way’ where he curled in to the inside of the barrel, that was because the connection moved forward rather than to his eyes. So if that happens, reward a trick and connect more on the next rep. I suggest rewarding a trick or something when the barrel wrap isn’t perfect because 99.99% of the time, it is something we humans are doing wrong and rewarding a trick keeps the success level high while allowing you to reset and try another rep – if he doesn’t get rewarded, he loses a bit of the excitement especially outside in the heat (relatable, it has been HOT out!) So at 1:33, when he was a little stuck (you were sending with an arm and leg but not a lot of connection), you can call him back, do a spin or something, give a cookie, then reset with more connection.
He definitely likes the connection!! And his wraps are SUPER when you are connected, so keep reminding yourself to look at his eyes.
Threadles are looking really good, he is totally getting the in-then-out chain idea!!!! Only one suggestion on these sessions: join Team Chill and don’t move as he is doing it – stay totally still til he gets to the MM. You were moving your shoulders as he was passing you and walking forward. It is not a problem on this one jump, but it will dilute the independence when we add motion to this 🙂 Otherwise, this looks great and he is really getting good at it!! Actually one more little suggestion: on the outdoor video, you were a little too far from the jump at the beginning, stay about half of an arm’s length away from it.
You can move to the next step if you promise to be on Team Chill: fade the hand target element and let him swoop in then out without touching the hand 🙂Get Out:
>> then we got some “Get Out”. When I went back and reveiwed the video, I used the wrong arm. Ugh, poor dog. We will have a better session next time.Oopsie!!! That is another reason why I recommend rewarding a lot of tricks in between if things are going wrong… I totally feel the pain of looking back at the video and realizing I was doing it wrong LOL!!
On the indoor video: this is looking really good!!! One suggestion to make it a little easier – start him behind you (stay or cookie toss) instead of moving up the line next to you – that way you can set your line and cue without turning your feet towards the prop. Also, makes it easier to do the balance reps when you are ahead (he will anticipate the get out less). One other suggestion is to keep your arm below boob-level, more towards you hip, and less above boob-level (not near your shoulder) – it will be easier for him to see and it will be easier to run fast when you do this cue 🙂>>Getting training done outside is so tricky right now. The grass is so wet and then it gets so hot. I know different environments is important but dang, come on mother nature.
Yeah…. truth!!! No rush though, he is looking terrific so you can squeeze in tiny bits wherever you can.
>>What do you use in your MM? My kibble keeps getting stuck and it really disrupts our training sessions. For your viewing pleasure and for a good laugh an impromptu It’s Your Choice Session.
Ha!!! I hate when the MM jams yet I am too cheap to buy a Pet Tutor. I use kibble and Zukes.
>>>Also, we used a little laytex pig for our toy retrieval session the other day. so cute and funny. I’ll video another session and share.
Awwww yay!!! Can’t wait!
Great job here 🙂Tracy
Hi!
This was actually a good choice of music for turn and burn – dramatic, tension, excitement…. LOL!!
He did really well here, especially considering it is a new item to go around!!! A little less arm motion will help – for example, at :24 amd :29, you had a small arm motion and a LOT of eye contact – he sent really nicely and you left nice and early. (He might have tried to do a hand touch on the way to the barrel LOL!). At :49 you had a big arm cue and it blocked connection, so he had a question (looked up at you). So keep working the smaller & lower arm motion and maintaining the eye contact.Strike A Pose – this tune fits the session too – more relaxed LOL!
He did really well here coming in over the noodle. The toy on the ground was really hard at first but I am excited to see he worked it out! He is doing a great job of bending his body to make the turn, that is an important element of this game. Yay! My only suggestion is to remain perfectly stationary as you are cuing him to get the toy, try not to turn your shoulders forward to it at all (I am thinking ahead to the upper body cue for serpentines :)) Great job here! Keep adding the harder angles 🙂>>I went back to using the target in my hand, primarily because when I am using the toy, he comes at my target hand with an open mouth and lots of teeth. 👹 We are working on hand targeting with a closed mouth in separate training sessions, but now what I get is him smushing his nose up against my hand and his little front teeth biting my palm.>>
The target for this is fine, because now that the toy is on the ground, we can fade out the tooth hugs – oops, I mean the target hits. The advanced level is to have him come in and go out without actually touching your hand, just seeing it as part of the cue.
>>this after I finished filming, he moved on to music from Hamilton. 😂 The orchestra is playing a pops concert outdoors at the drive-in movie theater later this month.>>
OMG that sounds like a HOOT!!!!
>>When it is sunny, he only gets outside time in the yard on leash to potty so he can’t rehearse the compulsive behavior.
Smart!!
>> I have done a few very short training sessions in sunny conditions with varying degrees of success. In general, he will not work with me and can’t respond to well-known cues when he is fixated on the shadows.
Question: will he eat or tug in that moment? Will he eat or tug if you move him further from the shadows? There are games that can be done if he will eat in the vicinity!!
>> I am concerned enough that I have decided to call my vet.
Smart! Is the vet a behavior vet? There is a LOT of good behavior stuff out there nowadays!
>>Honestly, I am torn about putting him on behavior meds. He isn’t an anxious dog (in fact, he’s a happy-go-luck little guy) and this isn’t really interfering with his quality of life. But it is interfering with my training goals, so I feel as if I’m being selfish. Have you ever dealt with this with any of your dogs?>>
I have not dealt with this specific thing with my dogs, but it is pretty common. The meds would not be for anxiety, they would be for the compulsive behavior and work on the brain receptors differently to help. You are not being selfish – in fact, you are catching something and working on it *before* it really becomes an issue.
I have an agility student who dealt with something similar with her yougn agility dog (an Aussie) and she has a ton of great ideas. I can ask her if you like!
>>My main reason for bringing it up is that I’d love to be in my yard for the Tuesday night class since we need a bit more space, but if it is sunny at 5:30pm MT, he might not work for me. So I’ll play it by ear. I could always move downstairs to my basement. Right now, the forecast is for partly cloudy skies.>>
Play it by ear – we can always tweak the order so you can be outside when it is cloudy 🙂
>>I heard about the earthquake this morning. Did you feel it?
Nope, I miss all the excitement! Didn’t feel a thing LOL!
Tracy
