[Tracy Sklenar]

Good morning!!!

>> would like to start off with Visualization: I have read part 1 and was really shocked how well I accomplished this in actually seeing , feeling, sounds ect. Being able to switch visualization with each boy as fast and easy as singing to my favorite song would be sssoooo awesome and completely helpful!!

THis is awesome! Good job on Part 1. And yes, with some practice, you will be able to switch off easily. Did you try switching off in Part 1 of the visualization? Visualize the apple… then switch to a peach, then grapes 🙂 Or members of your family. Practice flipping back and forth between things as if they were right there in front of you.

>>If I write down each boy’s needs as their handler when I run them. Take that and start visualizing each course running with that particular dog ( maybe pulling some old course maps out to help me with the exercise).

Yes, that is one of the games down the road: pick a course, memorize it, and visualize yourself running it with your dogs. I have some course maps posted in the games but you can use any map. Start with an EASY one or a short sequence, because the course itself isn’t actually the goal, the visualization/switching back and forth is the goal.

Now I maybe dense on this but I want to be sure I am fully understanding you and this correctly.. When you talk about “lists about the needs of the dogs” it would be something like:

>>Buddy – struggles switching btwn handler and obstacle focus – sending him when 3 feet away to an obstacle helps him with the switch into obstacle focus
>>Tanner – doesn’t like close micro managing handling – focus more on verbal cues

Yes, this is a good start. I tend to not have anything about struggles or dislikes on my lists, I use only positive action statements such as “Use Your Sends” (this actually was on my list for my oldest dog until he retired) as well as stuff like work each verbal, etc. Short, sweet, to the point with no associated negatives.

>>SO answering your question ” Do I have trouble making a plan for each boy?” Yes sometimes I do really struggle with this..especially IF the course has sharp turns or herky jerky spots, or when the course gets the dog’s speed really turned up then to turn around and slam on the breaks with strong handler maneuver’s with challenges of off course if you are not in that correct spot. I hope this makes sense and gives you an idea of what I am asking/relaying.>>

Yes, makes sense. I think having the list of things to remember for each dog will help – also add in list of absolute strengths with each dog, because you can pull from the strengths to create a good plan. Such as: “Tanner has great blind crosses”.

And before the walk through, trial to formulate your plans – the walk through really is just to confirm them and rehearse them (the Walk Through articles have more on that). And at some point, you have to pick a plan and stick with it LOL!!! Sometimes when I am undecided, I set a timer on my phone in the walk through and at that time, I MUST pick a plan and stick with it. Helps get rid of indecision.

As someone who also runs multiple dogs, try to plan things the same way as much as possible for the 2 dogs – it will help make life a lot easier in the ring 🙂

>>As I have gotten better and more confident how each boy runs. I have put them in the same class and may have only a couple dogs in between switching them. I can ask my instructors to have me run each one back to back in helping me with this area.>>

I think you will find this useful over time! It might go very badly at first LOL! Start with short sequences 🙂 Do you have any ring rental opportunities nearby where you can rent a ring, set up short sequences and run them back to back on each?

>>Affirmations part:

These are all good. I think you can even take out the “will” from some to make them even stronger affirmations, with the goal being more of a “this is simply who I am” rather than “this is something I will do”
This is the first couple without the “will”:
I focus on our successes in each run.
I praise God when we succeed and when we fail.
I am positive and optimistic with each run & with Tanner / Buddy
I am the handler/teammate my Tanner/Buddy thinks I am

These are pretty perfect, they gave me goosebumps:

I am the handler that I seek
I draw from my inner strength, knowledge and light
I trust myself

Taking out the ‘will’:
I forgive myself for handling mistakes I make

But you can also switch this one up to something like “I support myself” so you don’t even have to talk about forgiving or mistakes in affirmations 🙂

>>There is a good reason why God paired me with Tanner/Buddy

You can turn this into more of an affirmation by turning it around into an even stronger affirmation by starting it with something like “I was chosen” or “I was paired”.

>>I let go of worries and let the run be the best we can do

We can take out the worries part for the affirmations and turn it into something like “I let the run be our best effort”.

>>I fully approve of who I am as a handler , even as I get better

I love the “fully approve” part! And we can swap up the “even as I get better” into something like “and I continually grow as a handler”

Notice that these affirmations are sooooo positive with no mention of negatives or mistakes and we stick with “do” and “am” rather than anything that might be softer. We tackle the less perfect aspects of ourselves in the handling nerves sections 🙂

Excellent stuff here! You are doing a great job!!!!

Tracy

[Tracy Sklenar]

Yes! The more specific you can be, the better. “I will handle the front cross on the line that begins next to the wing starting when he has exited the tunnel.”

Does CPE allow someone else to hold the toy and hand it to you? A bit of UKI will be totally worth it, there is more freedom with the toy – this includes being able to take it to the start line and hand it off with the leash on a ‘real’ run too! And I think AKC is starting some toy-in-the-ring opportunities as well!!

[Tracy Sklenar]

Hi Tom!

These are good but I also want to try to get them more specific:

>>>Be brave and use more blinds, he reads them well and they really help me stay ahead. Him chasing me is so much more beneficial than me chasing him.

Yes! So Be Brave is a bit general – use “I am brave” as an affirmation and you can then look for all the blinds as your performance goal.

>>Stay connected – it really helps support him

Yes! Make it more of an action statement, such as “look for his eyes the whole time”

“”Get the timing right – if I blind cross and look over the new shoulder and hes not there, I either blew the connection or timing or both

Yes! Timing is a great performance goal. Make it more specific such as “I will start the cue when he exits the previous obstacle.”

>>Figure out how to fix his stopped contacts in trial environment. Thru CPE training in the ring, i have learned that if I have a toy in hand, I’ll get beautiful contacts. take away the toy and its no stop. This is something I’ve created and need to fix and training with the toy is not going to help, but will only perpetuate the problem I think.

Training with the toy will totally help 🙂 the next step is to hide the toy on you, so he thinks it is a real run – then help him get it right then surprise him by whipping out the toy 🙂 Does CPE allow someone else to hold the toy? When he gets it right, that other person can hand it to you (CPE doesn’t allow it to be thrown). You can enter UKI, where you can throw a reward. Does CPE allow fix & go or repeat & go or whatever they call it? Every venue has a different name hahaha. That way you can fix and repeat in a trial environment as well.

Let me know what you think!
Tracy

[Tracy Sklenar]

On the 1-2-3-4 on the nationals round 1… yes, a ton of options. When I walked it, the circle wrap was the faster line. – MUCH shorter distance through it and with a good exit line as well, for dogs that wrap well. The handling depending on the speed of the dog. The #2 jump was pretty offset so leading out to 3 was not really an option. The handlers that did the BC 3-4 moved into it and while it was generally successful if you could outrun the dog, many of them blocked the wing of 4 or got in the way completely and sent the dog off course (I think the wall jump was right there). I chose another option that was really successful and set a great line – I ran into a blind cross 2-3 and pushed to the backside. In terms of the line, it worked great (other folks did that as well or some did it as a lead out push of landing side of 2). I was a bit late on my BC and Voodoo had a really hard time adjusting to the dirt (he hasn’t run in 5 months and there is no warm up area on dirt here) so he dropped bars in the opening. Then it got weird with the judge whistling an E for no reason and then walking through the center of the course LOL! It was a super fun course though!

T

[Tracy Sklenar]

Hi Nelci!!

>> ! About working during the competition, I think it helped me not to be 100% focused on Agility, which I do in local trials when I have no RV to rest at. But since I was not engaged 100% it lost some of the excitement. Also, I did not have a chance to discuss courses or strategy with anyone.

Interesting – you might have to build in time to get into the environment and get yourself more engaged, so you find a good balance of engagement and relaxation.

>>One of the things about these large events, is that it is very hard to have your friends on the same group or ring, so it is hard to walk courses together.

True!! But you can make time. For example, 2 of my friends walked the Snooker course with me this morning because I had a good plan and they wanted to steal it LOL!!! They were in different rings. And I will often message a friend or find them if I want to see what they are doing.

>>Yes, I agree, I need to concentrate on the entire course, and dedicate special time to the hardest parts but without losing site of the full course.

Set a timer on your walk through – 2 minutes to the hard part, maximum, then back to the whole course.

>>Also, at these large events it is very hard to run a course (too many folks), and I didn’t do that, and I think you are right, if I had run it and would have been more comfortable with the execution. Something else to keep in mind!!!

At big events, I have a plan going into the course then when the walk through opens, I go directly to that spot so I can get the plan and run it a few times before the crowd gets there. And I can totally at least jog through the crowd at a big event, I make a point of it on the harder courses.

>>Lead outs are tough for me, there are many places and options where I could stand, and when doing long lead outs I need to be more aware of my exact position!!! Definitely something I will be working on.

It might just be simple indecision… you will just need to pick a place and go to that place. Pick the option then stick with it!

>>>Can you please let me know what is a reasonable amount of time I need to practice visualization? I am a very structured person and need to follow instructions 🙂 If you tell me “visualize for 1 min every day” I will do that, but with no goal it is very hard for me to do the “homework” 🙂

Try to spend 5 minutes at night as you are laying in bed or on the couch to work your visualizations. You will find it very relaxing 🙂 As we get into the more specific visualizations for events, set aside 5 minutes during the middle of the day when you are more awake.

>>Hope you had a great day today!!!

Thanks! It was totally as expected… I haven’t run courses with Voodoo since June – he had a hamstring injury and then I had to recover from gall bladder surgery. So we are going in on 100% mental prep haha! I am a bit rusty and slow so we have managed to end up off course in each run, but he is really fun to run – so much speed and power with no room for a mess up at all LOL! He has no patience 🙂 The courses are FUN!!!!
Tracy

[Tracy Sklenar]

Hi! It wasn’t that tough, but it was annoying to have to stop my dog because the judge was randomly walking through the course. I just took it as a lesson of what I need to do for next time!
That is pretty icky that people comment on runs close enough to the ring that the handler can hear it! Poo!!! Let’s take a moment and recognize that as poor behavior from those people. Bleh!
Ok. Now we also recognize that it will happen and so own we plan for it: insert it into your visualizations and then work through it with self-talk, reframing and release valves. Yes, I’m suggesting practicing hearing it and then practicing ignoring it and squashing the negative self-talk it can create. Do this away from the ring, starting at home, on the couch, no dogs around. It can be difficult for sure but it comes down to 2 things: recognizing that this is bad behavior in OTHER people and that is their problem, not yours.
A good reframing technique for this situation is that people only say these things when you are really good and that gets you noticed. Fast, well-trained dog that can win? Yep, that’ll get you noticed. So if you hear something, replace negative self-talk with something like: “So fun that they noticed our speed and training!!”
Let me know if that makes sense 🙂
Tracy

[Tracy Sklenar]

Hi!
Let me preface this by saying that every dog has different needs so it is super important to get a PT or veterinary PT to give you a plan specific to the needs of the dog.
In general, after each run, I give my dog a long cool down walk. If there will be several hours between runs or if it is the end of the day, I will do passive stretches: light massage at first then with the dog laying on his side, I do longer stretches: front leg forward, front leg back, a ‘chicken wing’ stretch of the front leg. Some lured neck stretches (side to side, up and down). Hind end back, hind end forward, up and out too. Each stretch is held for 15 seconds or so, and I do both sides of the dog. I also do some light massage of the back and muscles in shoulders and thighs. If I am doing this at night, I will warm the dog up a little with movement and massage before stretching, because we never want to stretch cold muscles 🙂

The dog must allow and offer the stretching and you need to hold the dog for the stretch in a specific place to keep it safe, so that’s why I recommend having a professional develop a routine for your dog and help you through it.
Hope that helps!
Tracy

[Tracy Sklenar]

Hi Francine!
Yes, that is a common problem! My suggestion is to choose a word that is important to your success in the ring, such as “Connect” or “Focus” (or “Observe” which can be helpful in nosework!). Then, every time one of those distraction thoughts pushes in, squash it and replace it with one of your words. For example, for a long time, I used “CONNECT!” As a replacement word for any little distraction thoughts like “OMG we are still clean” or “We made it through the hard parts” or “I wonder if he will stop on the dog walk”. Now those distraction thoughts are gone! It takes some practice for sure, and you will have to be actively guarding against the distraction thoughts at first, but it will work!!
Let me know what you think!
Tracy

[Tracy Sklenar]

Hi there!

>>I have found it extremely challenging running two dogs with such a wide range of how I run them. Getting my mind to switch which boy I am running and how I need to run him has been extremely challenging. I am getting better as my relationship with each has grown into our Teams. Buddy prefers close handling >>, Tanner prefers distance handling.>>

Ah yes, it is challenging to run more than one dog!! And even more so when they run very differently. Let’s start figuring out how to make it easier. Have you had a chance to read the visualization articles? I suggest creating your plans for both dogs and then visualizing them back-to-back, at a rapid pace, and sometimes in reverse order as well. Think of getting your visualizations so solid that your muscles twitch and it seems as easy as singing the lyrics to your favorite song. Then the visualizations and your handling plans will be as easy as pulling up a file on the computer: you can switch gears and have it at your fingertips.

Do you have trouble making a plan for each dog? I keep written lists about the needs of the dogs to help me remember when I am running more than one dog. Some folks attach them to the leash of each dog as well! And try to have your plans in place as much as possible before the walk through, so if you have one walk through for both boys, then you can use every inch of it to create 2 different plans.

Are they in group classes? If someone has more than one dog in a class, I often ask them to run the dogs back-to-back so they can get into the practice of remembering 2 different plans 🙂

As you get deeper into the course, you will find a challenge where you memorize 2 completely different courses. That is pretty similar to running 2 completely different dogs, so you will be able to improve your skills in planning and remembering as well 🙂

Let me know what you think!

>>Also the affirmation assignment I am really struggling in coming up with even one , I maybe trying to put too much thought into ..

One way to come up with affirmations is to take what worries you, or what you feel are weaknesses… then flip them 🙂 For example, if you worry that you won’t be able to run both boys, you can go with something like:
“I will run both dogs with focus and connection”
Or
“I will create the right plans for each individual dog”
Let me know if those make sense, and what other ones you come up with 🙂

Tracy

[Tracy Sklenar]

Hi there!

>>I am very proud of Lilu’s and my performance, we run very well and I used my verbals and my connection better than ever.

Yay! The video showed a lot of aggressive, lovely runs!!!
>> As such, I did not watch many of the runs as I usually do. But I did not feel that I was as engaged as in prior times (this being my 3rd time).

Do you think being less engaged was a helpful thing, or less helpful?

>>– My best run was Biathlon Jumpers. A very tough course with a very hard WP entry. I can’t remember what I was thinking while I was running.

That means you were ‘in the zone’ 🙂

>> But what I remembered is that I did not want to over handle the WP entry, I trusted Lilu and our training! Once I saw the run on video I couldn’t believe how well it went. I think it is one my best runs ever!

It was nice!! Really tough weave entry that she did a great job with!!

>> I really concentrated on that section, so when I went in the ring and I led out, I realized that I did not remember where obstacle #4 was!!! So my approach into one of the easiest part of the course (tunnel to tunnel) was not correct and Lilu missed the entry to the second tunnel. However, the back to back BC’s were exactly as I had visualized them 🙂 Lesson learned, visualize the entire course. Thoughts?

My thoughts are… lesson learned! Prepare the entire course, not just the hard parts or the ‘easy’ parts become the hard parts. Put that on a list of reminders for the next event!

>>– My worst run was Biathlon Std. I had planned on a BC to handled a very tight turn (on a very sharp pinwheel), BUT when I executed it I did a FC!! Not sure what happened.

Hmmmm – in your walk through, did you walk that section or RUN that section? It is possible that your body was telling you a FC was better there or maybe that the blind wasn’t comfy? Try to run or at least jog as much of the walk through as possible.

>> Then there was a turn from a jump into the WP with a tunnel as an off course, Lilu had a beautiful turn, and I thought “what a beautiful turn” then I got lost and went to the wrong obstacle, argh!!!

Eek! So we need to do more visualizing at high speed so the runs are automatic. Be a sure to visualize BRILLIANT turns from her so you aren’t distracted when she gives you a brilliant turn 🙂

>>– My second worst run was team snooker. I had a long lead out (I consider lead outs one of my weaknesses since I am not confident about where to stand and not consistent with executing my plan), and I pushed Lilu to the “finish” jump, so I only got ONE point!!!!

OOps! At least it wasn’t a zero LOL! So now for the next event… we need to focus on lead outs. Where to lead out to, and why, and how to convince yourself to execute it as planned.

>>So in all, great experiences, great moments from Lilu and myself, and lots of improvement opportunities for Nelci

Yep, that is agility – always improvement opportunities for all of us!

Thank you for the update, let me know what you think!
Tracy

[Tracy Sklenar]

These are great affirmations! Repeat them randomly throughout your day, put them on post it notes on mirrors 🙂 and whenever the negative self talk creeps in (such as saying she would be better with a different handler), stop the thought immediately and replace it with your affirmations!
This will take practice but pretty soon it will be second nature 🙂
Tracy

[Tracy Sklenar]

Hi Francine, and welcome! You gave a lot of great things in place in your trial day routine and in your walk through. When you step into the ring and things don’t go as planned, what happens, exactly? We can get to the root of it and sort it out 🙂 Let me know what you think might be happening!

Tracy

[Tracy Sklenar]

Hi!
I will often set an alarm for every hour for water, and every 3 hours for food.
We will miss you this weekend! I will keep you posted 🙂
Tracy

[Tracy Sklenar]

Hi! I personally don’t draw the dog’s path but many people do and they find it really helpful. I tend to wait until I have seen the course “live and in person” because the map can really differ from the actual course. I like to ‘stalk’ the course by looking at it from around the outside of the ring to see the lines.
Sometimes the walk throughs are too short to walk the entire dog’s path, so I will generally have my handling decisions generally made and when the walk through opens, I go directly to the spots where I might need to look at the dog’s path. Most courses have spots where the dog’s path might be super obvious, so you can save precious walk through time by going directly to the trouble spots and walking them first 🙂
About walk the course from the end first… it depends on how you learn as an individual (everyone is different in terms of learning styles). I tend to go to the hard parts first so I can get a good view before the crowds get there. Then I go back to the start. But there are many many folks that do better when they “back chain” the course, but starting from the end then working backwards before putting it together and going forwards. I know a lot of folks who are really successful with that. Have you found that starting at the end works better for you than starting at the beginning?

Tracy

[Tracy Sklenar]

Hi Mary and Tanner and Buddy! Welcome! I think you will find LOTS of ideas for keeping your nerves in check and getting your mental game in shape 🙂 It sounds like you already have a lot of good stuff in your trial day routine. Yay! Be sure to get some time for relaxing, eating, hydrating and also visualizing (as you will learn more about in the other lessons). Let me know what you think!
Tracy

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