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Hi!
>>Jumping- my big dogs it is easy to start adding low height early on by In synch is so small – think her jumping height will be only second whole up. How do you slowly introduce the jump – currently still doing almost every thing with pole on ground as first lug seems to be high for her age.>>
Great question! Do you have access to jump bumps? Those would be useful! We can also make jump bumps with cardboard rolls or pool noodles. You can also get creative and have the jump bars really low, using zip ties or duct tape to attach them to the jumps.
>>but she feels so much faster. Coping with her speed is a chllenge but will be worth it.>>
I agree that it will be totally worth it! She is amazing! Since she is so small, there is no hang time over the bar. That is probably why she feels faster. So just connecting downwards to her and staying in motion and teaching distance will make it all easier!
Tracy
Hi!
I am super relieved that there is no fracture or displacement! YAY!!!! Hopefully the soreness clears up soon!!>>What is the timing of the BC after the threadle wrap to get 4 with DOR?
Ideally, it is as soon as the dog looks at the threadle jump AND takes the first step to the wrap direction – but the handler also needs to be off the line and not blocking the first jump of the layering line.
>>Also, if you layer the tunnel are you mostly relying on your verbal for the threadle 5-6? I guess you can keep your arm back from the other side of the tunnel. I’m not sure we could do these.>>
Yes – it is mostly verbal and a little bit of arm. You might notice the slight panic in my voice and the utter surprise when Contraband got it on the first rep. I agree that it is a HARD skill so I was very surprised that he got it on the first rep. You can break it down – maybe squish the tunnel down and turn the entry/exit to the ground, so the tunnel is there but not really a tunnel.
Or, you can put a couple of jump wings in the way to act like a barrier to get the layering going.Keep me posted!
Tracy
Hi!
>>How do you manipulate the running part of a walk-through at a trial.
What I do at a trial is prepare before the walk through by making decisions by looking at the map and watching the course build (or going in an helping the course build 🙂 ) Then as soon as the walk through opens, I go directly to any tricky part of the course in the middle or end so I can run through it before the crowds get there. Then as the crowd arrives, I go to the beginning of the course to run through that! So that way you get plenty of time to be able to run. And when I can’t actually run, I emphasize BIG connection and think about timing.
And, all of the running practices at home make trial walk throughs MUCH easier because the dog’s needs and pace are locked into your neuronal memory 🙂 Let me know how the CPE trial goes!
Looking at the video: I think this went really well!!! The forward focus looked great on jump 1, you were able to get pretty far away! It was hard for her to have you that far behind her, so it takes a little extra processing time. And moving to a running start was fine too 🙂
At the very beginning, more motion to turn to the jump helped bring her off the tunnel: Being stationary and leaning over does actually open the tunnel like at :07 (first rep) but then you were turning a lot better towards the jump on the 2nd rep and after that, and she looked great!
She had a couple of little questions that you sorted out really well:
At 1:06 you accidentally cued her to go into the tunnel by stepping towards it before she was past you (you were trying for a RC on the landing side of jump 3). You sorted it out on later reps and it looked great!
She had a bar at 1:50 because after the blind you were running backwards towards the tunnel – she scrambled back but couldn’t quite keep the bar up. You moved forward at 2:18 and she got it really nicely!
She had bar at 2:50 after the layered tunnel – I think that was a new context for her (meaning, that turn back from the tunnel was weird at first for her) so she needed to see it again (next rep) and then had no trouble keeping the bar up. And then the last sequence looked great!
Since this went well, you can work on angling the jump to be more of a backside and then moving to the next sequences.
Great job!
TracyGood morning!
>>It went really well the first time! I shouldn’t have tried it a second time, lol. I was playing around with where the best place to stand was for the lead out, and I decided it was not where I was the second attempt, haha.>>
I agree – it went great the first time! There is a LOT of visual processing she needed to do (hard to see you on the other side of the tunnel, all sorts of jumps cluttering the line) and she did great! Your line and connection really helped her sort it out. Yay!
Playing with where to stand on the tunnel. If you are going change your position, it should be along the tunnel closer to 3 (not further from the entry, as she told you here). There is a LOT of trust of the dog required for this opening as you move further away on the tunnel, but I think she had it nicely!
At :55 she was layering and you decelerated and closed your shoulders a bit so the bars started coming down. Handling from the takeoff side of 6 (doing the blind 5-6) supporting the layering line more because there was more motion. Setting up getting to landing side of 6 is possibly why you decelerated on the 2nd run, which muddied the water on the bars at 4 and 5.
NOT layering and running into the line produced a lot of acceleration (yay!) but on the first run, the ‘right’ verbal alone was not strong enough to get her off the tunnel. She got it on the 2nd run but a brake arm for 5 will help get the turn, or you can try running like mad to get the BC between 5 and 6.
On the jumping course: The main feedback here is to handle each rn with the same connection/motion along the lines as you did on the first run. O n the 2nd or 3rd run, you were softening the connection in spots or pulling away/not driving as close to the lines, so that caused questions from her.
On the opening line:
I think that is too long of a lead out into a blind for her to be able to visually process your position and her jumping (bar 1 down) on the first run back is turned to her so seeing the connection is really hard). Compare to the 2nd & 3rd run where you did it as a lead to push (:59 and 1:39) and she got it a lot better! Is it because the lead out push is clearer or because she knew the sequence? Yo can test the theory by trying the lead out push first the next time you see this sequence or a similar sequence.
2-3-4-5- 6 looked great! Nice and smooth and connected each time!
>>I couldn’t figure out a better way to run the course without the wrap at the time.>>
You are correct- it is the best way to handle 7. She got it the 2nd and 3rd times!! And you can use just a wing there to help her turn away, if working the wing only is easier for now as you build up the skill.
The 7-8-9 line looked good the first run. On the 2nd run at 1:10 you took off past 8 without connection so she jumped looked at you (bar down) but you fixed that on run 3 and added back the connection so she got it nicely.
She had questions on 9: you were sliding her then flipping away on the flat and it was not that clear so she barked at you 🙂
You can clarify that line for her by doing a blind cross (German turn) to get her on your right, or doing a more distinct flip away as she is approaching takeoff, so she knows where to go when she lands.Nice line 10-11 nice weaves on the first and 3rd run! On the second run, you had more countermotion on 10 so remember to shift connection to the landing spot as you move forward to help support commitment
Terrific 12-13-14 on the first run. On the second run, you were not showing as much connection or line there so she was not sure of where to go. O the 3rd run (2:06) you were using verbals but turning away from the 12 jump so she was not sure if she should follow the physical cue or the verbal. Compare to :32 on the first run where you had the connection, verbal and motion all supporting the jump so she took it with you questions.
On the closing line (15-end), the closer you were and more connected, the better she read it (first run). On the 3rd run, you were not quite as connected so she had a question 18-19 (she thought she was supposed to go straight so the turn to 19 was late).
She came out to he tunnel at :45 on the first run – I think you were blocking it then pulled away so she was not sure if she should actually take it. She found it easily on the next runs!
Great job here! Let me know what you think!Tracy
Good morning!
>>I was also thinking if I have enough barn time on the last sequences I was going to try filming my walkthrough on that one like we did on the week 4 packages. The last exercises where it’s a bit longer. If that’s okay.>>
Totally yes! Feel free to film all your walk throughs and send them with the runs. That is going to be the biggest game changer – comparing the walk throughs to the runs.
The session here was really terrific! On the video:
Run 1 looked great 😁
Run 2 – you were a little too far ahead and not as connected getting the tunnel layering. It actually looked like a bind cross at :12 where you turned your head away and looked over your left shoulder. He saw that and did a blind – good boy!!!!
Run 3 – he dropped the bar on 2 at :18 looking at you to confirm info, you were still really far ahead. He dropped 4 also, probably just scrambling a bit to catch up and sort out the line, and not seeing the 4 jump in time (new stuff for the young dog!). The backside bar at :25 was more of a handling oopsie – lots of speed but no collection cues in terms of decel so he was not sure he was supposed to collect
Run 4 – much better connection and support from you for 1-2-3-4 and he did well! Remember to not sure run through the backside circle wraps with him – handle the decel to help cue the collection. A lot of motion is getting you wider turns (he hit the bar here even though it didn’t come down til he back jumped based on your position).
Run 5 – blind on the jumps looked GREAT!
Run 6 – super nice jumping effort from him on the angled backside – great job rewarding it right there! He worked hard to get the bar to stay up 🙂
Run 7 – looked more comfy and he did well!
Run 8 to the totally ‘flat’ backside jump – SUPER nice! He is really working the jumping effort not looking at the tunnel. GOOD BOY and you are helping with your verbal and a little bit of arm and connection but this is also mainly on a verbal and that is exciting.
Run 9 – nice balance to the tunnel, easy peasy!
Run 10 – back to the backside slice – super nice!!! This was not as good of a jumping effort, but he might have been working hard to process the cues (especially after having just done the tunnel) or a bit of fatigue – but he got it right. Super!
Great job on these – very exciting to see him find the backside versus the tunnel!!!!
Tracy
Good morning! These are looking great!
Walkthrough 1 – I could see your invisible Synnie on this walk through! You were looking at where she would be so it was a great rehearsal for the run. The lines and positions are looking good here!
You were paying a lot of attention to the GO jump after the tunnel (with the layering) which is good in terms of practicing the connection and verbal and line – as long as you are sure you are not spending tooooo much time there (and potentially missing other parts of the course). Great job adding speed and verbals!
On the runs – you were definitely closer to the 2nd jump on the lead out – she was still a tiny bit wide on the first run, which is feedback from her that you can be even closer for this type of line. On the second run, it looks like you were a little closer and a littler more lateral her 3 – this was the best turn yet! Yay!!
On the first run, you were bending over at 4 and not moving much so she dropped the bar. You moved more on the 2nd run and she read the line really well!
On the first run you were not as connected as you were in the walk through on the 7-8 layering moment and your line was not as parallel… but you got it really well on the 2nd run!! Great verbal before the tunnel, strong parallel line during the layering, and I could see you reminding yourself to keep connection and not block it with high arms. YAY!
The rest looked good! SUPER connected and nice lines throughout!2nd walk through: good job sorting this one out, it is a little more complicated! You didn’t quite get the full speed full verbals walk through but your attention to detail in the walk through really helped the run!! My only suggestion in the walk through (other than keep adding in the running and verbals) is to remember to make clear
exit line connection back to her after the FCs on 5 and 8 and the blind after 7. That will really solidify things.On the run – I love how she is doing her forward focus on cue now!!!! The connections are getting more natural now, because even though you didn’t walk the exit line connections, you executed them nicely on the run! And your other connections and verbals looked really really strong too. Nice job with the timing of the cues to layer and the turn cue on the 6 tunnel to set up the blind to the backside. Fabulous!!!
>>Loved how the second sequence worked…wish it felt that nice when we trial!!>>
I loved it too! That is the goal: walk it and then go run it clean and fast the first time. Click/treat for you!!!
And it will start to feel more and more like that at trials – we apply these walk through skills to bigger and bigger courses, plus the skills will get more and ore natural (like the connections and verbals, and also knowing how fast she will be moving, etc). If you have a trial coming up, plan your walk through just like this (video it is you have a tripod!) and then we can match it to your run!
Great job!!!!
Tracy
Hi!
This went really well! You are moving more and your arms are lower, so she is able to find the lines better. That is the goal: more motion and connection. And you are achieving it! Yay!
Some small details: The jump before the backside slice is a spot where you will want more connection – you are way ahead (which is good) but on the first reps, your arms was getting higher there so it was blocking connection a bit.
When working the circle wraps on the backside – she did really well with the push wraps! You were clear, connected and moving so she got it very nicely!
The layering is hard without verbals but she had a lot of good reps here she stayed out on he line!! If you stayed on a parallel path for longer, then she got it better (like 3:10-3:16). If you move way faster & sooner, it was harder for her to find the line (like 2:48-2:50).
She was not always sure if it was the backside or front side (threadle) of the layered jump – that is where arm position can help (“closed” arm for the backside and the arm “open” and swinging back for the threadle”). But definitely verbals help with layering, so now for the next step add the verbals into the layering 🙂
>>. I did spread it out more than on the course plan apart from wrap which was still close->>
I think that spacing was good, as it simulates what you will see at a trial! So if you have plenty of room, feel free to use it and spread out the sequences.
Great job here!!
Tracy
Hi!
>>I thought I wanted to kill you after fusion but now the hit man is coming.>>
Ha! I will go into hiding!
>>
I never thought I would say this but she showed me how much fusion saves me.
Fusion is a lot more experienced and can find lines. So for In Synch, you will want to really make massive connection on every line – that will get her on the lines nicely. When you did that on the video, she looked great! When you did not connect on the tunnel exits, she struggled to know where to be. So definitely add more connection especially on the tunnel exits.>>I was totally disconnecting and she got mad- very vocal and bit me. >>
It looks like you were stopping her too much when something went ‘wrong’ – which feels like a punisher to the dog when she was doing the best she could. So if you are disconnected and she doesn’t take the line, just keep going or reward. Don’t fix it because she wasn’t wrong – just amplify the connection on the next rep.
>>She feels faster than fusion probably because she can turn really tight.>>
Yes, and she might also be faster, period. She is really fast! So practicing making the connection will make handling a lot easier. I think that you are totally on the right track so keep doing it. And if something goes wrong, keep going and reward (rather than stop).
Great job here!
TracyHi!
>I am at a loss for getting her to bring the toy back without a victory lap first. >>
Have you played the reverse retrieve games from MaxPup 2? Those are very helpful! And you can reward her with another toy (you were doing this) or treat for bringing it back. Or you can throw a lotus ball and then play tug after she eats from it. The other thing to add is as soon as you throw it, run the other direction so she finds it very exciting to chase you 🙂
She did well finding the line to the jump here! No problem at all!! It is a good game to try to sort out the retrieve.
Tandems are going well – On the cone, her head is a little high and I think that is because you were hands were a little high. On the wing outside, your hands were lower so her turns were a lot better! She did really well with the tunnel-wing version it the tandem (and with the balance rep to the other side of the wing). On a couple of the reps you pulled away a little more than needed, so you had a wider line. When you were closer to the wing with low arms, the lines were really good!! You can totally add in the threadle wrap game for this one now.
Great job here!
TracyThat is awesome news about the contacts! Sounds like you are getting plenty of practice in and she is doing great!!
Tracy
Hi!
Yes, it has been a bad weather couple of weeks!
I am excited to hear that the weaves and the zag zag grid are going well!On the videos: these are going well!!
Sequence 1: super nice! She found the lines with no problems
Sequence 2 – this one took a bit more sorting out. On this first one, you are too far across the bar of 2, so she was jumping straight and not turning towards 3. And then when you finished the cue for 2, pointing forward to 3 turned your shoulders past it so she went past it.
Compare to video 3 – you were positioned facing 3 more so she turned on jump 2 better. And your connection when she landed from 2 was GREAT (big connection and low arm) so she found 3 beautifully. Super!
Sequence 3 – very nice job showing her the very tight turn on the jump before the tunnel! Nice!
The next step on all of these is to spread out the distances, to begin building up to competition distances. Maybe try these at 18 feet apart and see how she does.
Great job!!
TracyHi!
She did well jumping on the end of the board with the bang game! It looks like she was putting her feet right on the target too. Super! I think some of her thoughtfulness (especially at the beginning) was because she was asking if it was a weird variation of the mountain climber lane LOL!!
When you try this again, warm up like this and if she is still happy like she was here, we can go to the next step: Line her up very precisely at the bottom of the board so she hops on right at the end. Then we can add your target cue: gently holding her collar, say the target cue then let go so she can hop into position. When the target cue is added, we will be able to add your movement next!
The mountain climbers went great! The first rep with the tip is always nice and fast, it is the second rep where the dog knows there is more tip where we find out what the dog thinks about the tip LOL!! She thought it as perfectly fine – I didn’t see a difference in her speed as she ran to the top, she was fast on all the them! Yay! And she did well as you changed up the handling too.
Since this went so well, the next session can start with a rep or two just like this then add a tiny tiny bit more tip.
Great job!! Have fun at the ISC event!
Tracy
Hi!
These are looking good!For the lead outs:
The position on the FCs looked good here, it looks like you did the FC on the line towards 3. Yay! I didn’t see any blinds here, but they would be on the same line.
On the lead out push, you are on that opposite wing when you release her. The better position is more literally on her line: Stand on the landing side of 2, between the uprights, quite literally on her landing spot while practically reaching across the bar 🙂 Then release and slide forward towards 3, while maintaining connection back to her and you will get a nice tight turn 2-3.>>Dish- got a bigger one. She was not so Keen on it.>>
The bigger dish will work well when she recognizes it as a dish (it is different enough that it might take a session or two) but I think it will be very useful! You can pump up the understanding by doing something like a wing wrap then the ‘dish’ marker then drop the treat in the dish. That will get her driving ahead more and also get you moving, which is what he will see when we add the mat.
Bang game – nice job getting her on jump right at the end at the beginning! Yay! As you got into the movement reps you were not as precise about getting into the right spot to hop on and she was getting on higher, so maintain the precision of the starting spot on each rep.
The first rep with movement was too much movement 🙂 But then after that, you used less movement and she was better about holding her position. When she is finding it easier to hold position while you move, you can add more and more movement while tossing reward back to her.
Great job here!!
TracyHi!
>>and we have ‘get it’ – he runs to treat without me. That is usually treat I throw – but I wonder if I can use the same cue word for machine? Or we better to have machine-specific cue? LOL – I’m running ‘out of words’ to use>
I think a different word would work, because the machine never moves and a ‘get it’ is about something thrown ahead (hopefully you are not throwing the machine). Maybe something like “snacks!” LOL
He did well today with the games! Definitely faster! Yes, he was still sticky leaving the magic pet tutor because it is really high in value and his brain had tp work hard to ignore it.
He was finding his lines well! Of course, he was fastest driving to the machine but overall doing a great job moving away from it too (like at :33 – :35). He also did well reading the line to the bind between 2 and 3! He will blast off the start line even faster when the machine is not right behind him 🙂
At :48 and 1:25 and 1:39 you pulled him in to take the jump as compared to 1:03 – he was coming toward tie and then you said “GO!” So he went on the straight line he was on (directly to the reward :))
>>Suggestions which game we can do with this setup and ‘one-handed handler’?>>
I agree, this one went well. You can play with the tunnel turns and exits (wingin’ it). You can replace the tunnel, though, with a couple of wings touching each other for him to go past like a tunnel. It is here:
Great job here!!
TracyGood morning!
The serps are looking good! Your handling was very strong and click/treat to you for really holding the serp position as you moved then tossing the toy along the serp line. Yay! Yes, he had trouble moving to his left over the jump but that is likely a side preference question. For now, move very slowly when you do that side (dog on right) so he can see you between the uprights better. It will balance out as he gets more practice 🙂
The zig zags are going well! The thing to add next is the toy on the ground about 10 feet past the 2nd jump. That will get his head lower and focus forward, which will get more power from his hind end. He was watching you here, decelerating to the toy in your hand.
After a couple of reps going to the toy in your hand, you can start flattening the angle bit by bit 🙂If he has trouble holding stay , you can place the toy in the spot then hold him and send him through the grid without a stay for now.
Great job here! See you soon!!!
Tracy
