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Welcome back!!!
I hope he recovers from his respiratory bug ASAP! Poor guy!>>Ven really struggled in a number of sessions at Fenzi camp weekend before last. Couldn’t take treats, couldn’t do anything he knew.>
Those types of events are really hard for young dogs – a ton of travel, a lot of people/dogs, weird locations, lots of pressure, multiple rings, not a lot of decompression, etc. And adolescent dogs don’t always adjust quickly to it. What type of treats was he able to eat, and what type of treats did he not eat?
>> If you think it would be helpful, I’ll pull some of the video of his turns.>>
Sure! Especially if you have any of the moments before his turn.
>>I think he’s just at a tough age because he recovered quickly after each turn, played on the sidelines and had a grand time in the hotel room.>>
It is a challenging age for sure! And also, we will be doing things that will help a whole lot (the A.R.E. pyramid games will help!) The first thing will be to sort out what the highest value food is for him. For example, knowing that my 2 year old whippet was going to be asked to run in a 6 ring mosh pit 🙂 I came prepared with rotisserie chicken and meatballs – highest value food for him (higher value than cheese or regular treats and higher value than the frisbee!). So we need to sort that out for Ven too, so the motivator matches the challenge. I don’t use rotisserie chicken at home or in regular training LOL!!
Keep me posted!
Tracy
Hello and welcome!! How is your knee feeling?
>> However, in her crate if she can see out in a trial or seminar setting with dogs she doesn’t know if they come close to the crate or walk by she will bark reactively at them. >>
It is probably due to a combo of frustration (being in the crate and not being out doing things) and anxiety (being in a small confined space with no way to move away and strangers coming up to her) and arousal (the environment is stimulating!!). It is not a unusual behavior at all, and we can help her out.
>>I am not sure what to do besides keeping crate covered to not have her do this. Wondering if you have any suggestions that I could try.>
A crate cover can totally help. I also use cardboard blockers with the crate cover, so dogs cannot walk right up to the crate. Crate her as far away as possible from “traffic” and ideally, crate her in a different room or even in the car if the weather permits.That way she can relax and even sleep between runs, rather than be vigilant about the dogs walking by.
Let me know how she does!
Tracy
Good morning and welcome!!! I love terriers 🙂
>>the zoom call has me really thinking of all of the things I should have done with my other dogs.>>
All of this is from what we have learned over the years from our other dogs, as well as all of the new understanding of neuroscience and behavior. Totally nerdy and SUPER fun (and effective too!)
>>And I will surely have lots of questions as I will see you in IL at two workshops- on Wednesday with my older dog and Thursday with Lark.>>
So… tomorrow? YAY!!!!!! I am looking forward to it. Bring all the questions!
Tracy
Welcome back!!! I am excited to see him in action again, he is SO FUN!!!! And we can apply a lot of the A.R.E. games to help him handle the arousal of motion on course – FUN!!!!!
Tracy
Hello and welcome back!! He is growing up and doing great!!!! I think we will be able to put together really big pieces for him in the coming months – I am really looking forward to it!!
Tracy
Welcome back!!!!
>>She’s continuing to challenge me in all the ways – training, handling, etc.>>
She is a really cool dog! Fill me in more on the challenges you are having so we can focus on them very specifically here 🙂
>> I don’t feel like we are anywhere near ready for trialing but this will be great stuff to work on either way. >>
One of the goals is to work on the things that will make you feel more ready to trial her, so it will be really fun!!!
Tracy
Hello and welcome!!! It sounds like she is doing GREAT and extra hooray for 4 closed weaves! I think we will be able to put together big pieces for her in this class – fun times ahead!!
Tracy
Welcome back! I am so happy to hear the seminar went well – I am not surprised though, she is doing GREAT!!!! Onwards to more fun stuff here!
Tracy
Hello and welcome! Exciting times ahead!!
>>My goal is to increase confidence in public, class, and trial situations. I need to learn what to do to enable this.>>
We can’t really control confidence, in terms of increasing it. So rather than focus on that, we focus on 2 things: optimizing arousal (which we *can* control) and creating fantastic experiences (which we can also control, and which include dopamine releases, endorphins, adrenaline, etc. And when we have the optimized arousal and fantastic experiences in place? The confidence blossoms 🙂
>> I’ll work to get that inner terrier to really come out. I’m going to celebrate the day he actually goes off course!😀>>
Me too, I love off courses!! And don’t think of it as work to get the inner terrier out, because that can tip over into pressure which can suppress him. The first games package looks specifically at arousal optimization so that is going to be your first step 🙂
>>Reacher is signed up for his first agility trial at Oct. 26-27, UKI, at the place where we have class. I plan to do all FEO runs. >>
Yes – all FEO/NFC because that is part of how we create the fantastic experiences. My youngsters have FEO/NFC coming up too – it is something we also discuss A LOT in this first games package.
>>I signed up before this class came to my attention otherwise I may waited, but hopefully I can still start things off right with your guidance!>>
Will he play with toys or frisbees or balls? If so, then signing up was fine and we can make a plan to create the fabulous experiences 🙂
Tracy
OMG I am sorry to hear about your girl’s leg!!! I hope she is doing really well now. I am sure West was not feral but I am also sure he is ready for more training.
>> I just binge watched the videos for max pup 3 to look for holes >>
No worries! The holes always find us LOL!!! And we will work on them as they crop up… I mean, he is maturing, so there might not really be any holes! And we can totally work on the start line – a stay doesn’t have to be a sit, it can be any position that he is comfortable holding. I have 3 young dogs training right now, about to start trialing – one does a stand, one does a sit, one does a down (his choice LOL!!). So we can sort out what works best for West.
Have fun!
TracyGood morning and welcome!! I am excited to see you both back for more fun 🙂
I totally understand how hard it is to make the transition into the ring when you are basically ‘home schooling’ the baby dog. I am in the same boat. You will see that a lot of the games are designed to be done individually and still make it easy for the dogs to make the adjustment 🙂
There are some great FEO/NFC opportunities in Louisa, VA – how far is that from you? I am bringing my youngsters to a couple in coming months.
Tracy
Welcome to you and Coal!!! I am glad to see you here. And I am happy to join you in Italy to discuss his training LOL!!! Where in Italy?
Enjoy!
TracyHi!
>>She actually did have decompression time after she played with the toy inside, but I hadn’t processed that bcause her waiting inside (instead of “helping me set the course”) amped her up, she was starting from a high level again. >>
It is possible that the decompression needs to be directed (snuffle mat, chewing a bully stick, lickimat, etc) and also just before training if the arousal has been increased (either with toy play, or by having to wait, etc). Teenagers don’t really decompress themselves LOL!!
>> I’m just laughing at the thought that she is “old enough” to enter UKI SS. I deliberately called out how ludicrous that is (for her) on my FB post in an effort to cut down on well meaning folks asking me when she’s going to start trialing. >>
I saw that post – it was great! Just because they are legal to compete does NOT mean it is a good idea. Some carefully set up NFC? Maybe. But competing? Nope! Brain and body are just not ready to handle it. I have chatted with plenty of big name handlers who have debuted their dogs at 15 months because the dog seemed ‘mature’ and they all regret it… the dog did well in their early careers but then burned out physically or mentally or both. Waiting is better!
>> a 12.75in measurement on her since she is hovering right around that 8in cutoff. At least I have several options to choose from at Fusion where she is quite comfortable. (and I hired all those judges)>>
Plus a 15 month old will tend to measure higher than a 2 year old. You can enter UKI NFC only and won’t need to measure 🙂
Have fun! Great job in class here!!
Tracy
Good morning!
These are all looking good!Looking at the tunnel entry/exit game:
I agree, the Go and left/right went really well! You had really good timing on the GO cues for the tunnel – add in throwing the toy while she is in the tunnel so it lands before she exits, so she doesn’t look back at you or curl in.The Left and right cues were well timed and sounded completely different, which was great!
For the rear crosses: the question was about conflicting indicators. The physical cue said to turn left, when the verbal cue said turn right (and vice versa on the other side). In a nutshell… the physical cue was late 🙂
On these (and the other RC reps) the physical cue was showing the opposite turn from the verbal cue so when she heard the verbal and peripherally saw you changing sides, she stopped what she was doing to look at you for more info.
Here are some screenshots so you can see the last thing she saw as commitment cues:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gWa80mcjiKNBFTyqNJn6uXLn6ua6xhX5qZ7ISJU0vgQ/edit?usp=sharingSo two ideas to help get the RCs going:
– shorten the tunnel up so it is easier for her to get through, maybe try to get it to be 10 feet long or less. That way she is less likely to turn around or not go through it.
– Get the RC timing earlier by starting right next to the wing with her, and not moving forward til she is exiting the wing. Then as she exits the wing, put pressure on her line immediately as you accelerate to the tunnel. Ideally, she will pass you to the tunnel and you can do the side change before she goes in
– Always reward on the next side whether she turns that direction immediately or not. That will help her understand that the RC pressure is both a commitment cue for the tunnel, and it indicates the turn away from the line she is on. You can get that toy out there really early or have it placed there in advance so it is there when she exits the tunnel.Lead out videos:
One thing I notice is that she seems to be bringing the toy back really well!! Super! And her commitment is looking really good too.The Lead out push went well and also the BC openings went well! On t he ending lines, I don’t think you need to say go jump – you can just name the line and say GO GO GO 🙂
The Throwback was also really good – you can be more stationary at the jump so the step back to it is very small and only the dog side leg – multiple steps back there sent her wide.
Nice timing of the blind on 3 at 1:09!
For the RCs at :50 and 1:10 – get in closer to jump4 and decel there, and set the RC line to the center of the RC bar. You can get right next to her as she drives past you on the RC lines. At :50 she is jumping to her right based on the physical commitment cues. She was able to turn in the air but the info can be sooner in terms of getting directly onto the RC diagonals.
You can give her a BIG connection and acceleration needed at :52 to get line to the tunnel (it is a slight lead change away and you were decelerating and turning to your left so she took the jump). You had a really good adjustment to get it at 1:14!
When doing the BC on the takeoff side of 3 at 1:26, don’t go past 1 as much so you can be quicker to get it done (before she exits the tunnel) – this rep was late as it was started as she was exiting, so doing more of a send to 2 will get it earlier.
She had a question at 1:29 – I think the transition into the decel was missing before you rotated your feet. Compare to 1:45 where you had a really clear transition and she got it beautifully!
The crosses on the landing side of the jump after the tunnel worked better for her as blinds. You did a FC at 1:38 which takes longer to finish, so you ended up being in the way and she dropped the next bar.
The wrap exits on jump 2 at the end went well (remember to line her up on a slice to face the line you want, rather than lining up straight to jump 1)
For the RC 5 at 2:16, remember to go close to 4 to set the RC and move to center of the bar on 5. You were closer to that at 2:32, but you can be even more on that line so he doesn’t see any pull to the other wing.
Looking at the forced front and forced threadle video:
>What’s the difference between a regular threadle and a forced threadle? Aren’t all threadles done with the handler on the takeoff side of a backside (at least on a jump)? >
Theoretically yes, the handler is bringing the dog in to the ‘other side’ of a jump which can be a backside from the dog’s perspective, but these are called forced threadles to keep them in the same lead out category as forced fronts. It is also perfectly fine to just call them threadles 🙂
The forced fronts looked really good! When adding the threadles, 2 suggestions:
– use the close verbal as the release, because ‘break’ implies the front side line
– look at you threadle hand as you release so that helps guide her to where you want to her to be (the front of the jump has a lot more value in this context for now)/At 1:22 you shifted your gaze a little more to your hand and that helped a lot!
The throwback FC at the very end looked great, especially the connection on the end of it to get to jump 3! Nice!
The layering game went really well – nice timing of the cues at the beginning!!!
The blind on the jump after the tunnel did start a little late at :29 so she changed her commitment at the lsat minute but the other reps through there looked good!
She came off the line at :42 and :57 – what happened there was you stepped in past the layering jump and then had to step to your left to not run into it – and as you did that, you disconnected at :42. Those 2 things caught her eye so she came in towards you
You were more connected at :58 so she did end up staying out, but setting the line with a parallel path and not going past the layering jump at all with make things smoother for sure.
A suggestion: you can name the line in this context rather than all the obstacles, using the destination obstacle and a directional. What I mean by that is rather than use “go jump” because there are a lot of jump options – cue the entire line with go tunnel the whole time so she goes straight and is looking for the tunnel.
She got it at 1:12 nicely but also she is now slowing down – tired! There were something like 12 reps her, ending up somewhere around 40 jumps approx. You can do far fewer reps of each sequence and let latent learning do the rest – no need to keep repeating a sequence on the same day til it is perfect for you both – do the sequence maybe once, then move to the next one. That way you are also sure she is reading the handling rather than learning the sequence.
>>I’m AMAZED at how many skills Katniss has learned in such a short time with these MaxPup classes. >>
She is looking great! Well done to YOU for working the small pieces of the foundation… things come together pretty quickly as the dogs get closer to trialing. Fun times ahead!!!!
Tracy
Hi!
Serps went really well!
The cot was useful, I think, she was really happy to release off it and your releases were very clear!Getting her to come in over the serp jump looked good in the different contexts: you can drop your serp arm back a little sooner (so she is seeing it as she is exiting the previous jump).
Then maintain the serp arm back and big eye contact as she is landing from the serp jump – that was one of the questions she had hereL
At :52: you had your shoulders closed forward and arm parallel to your side, which actually cues her to go right past the last jump. And in the type of course design that is popular now, we do need to her zip past off course jumps and not flick away to them 🙂 So you will want to have more arm back to her nose and eye contact as he lands from the previous jump, because that is what cues the turn away to the next jump. At 1:33 you were a little more connected like that (and also closer to the jump) so she got it really nicely! Increasing the connection and having your arm back more will allow you to be further ahead like you were at :52 and still get commitment.
Speaking of further ahead: at 1:05 you were a little too far past the serp jump so at 1:06, she was not sure if you were indicating the jump, the gap (you are more in threadle position there) or the next jump. She zig zagged a bit then abstained 🙂 Compare to your potion at 1:21 and 1;31 where you were clearly indicating the jump and she knew exactly where to be. Nice serp arm and connection there! For now, running in closer to the tunnel in this scenario will allow you to be in the serp position and remain in motion.
I was in a picture mood, so grabbed screenshots of those moments:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Oo9Z94RjcOU7VGpi_oYfYuaYpbj4A_kAwnA1pofgkJ0/edit?usp=sharingBang game: She was very keen to bang the teeter and play on it!
>Had big feelings about being lured into position on my left even though I wasn’t trying to touch her collar and just doing a little tap on her chest to get some excitement since restraint wasn’t going to work. >>
I don’t think it was the luring, that was all good on the first couple of reps, even when you gently took her collar on the first one. I think it was the pushing back on her chest – she is actively avoiding it. As soon as you started that on rep 2 and 3, she was stepping away from it (not sure if you were actually able o touch her there because she was moving away) then she started refusing to line up (possibly because it was being paired with the push back).
So a couple of ideas for teeter training:
– no need to the push back or pulling back on her collar, because she says it is not motivating or fun. You can take it out of the game entirely. We can accept that feedback from her LOL! She is quite driven for the game, so we don’t need to amp her up at all. She can self-amp LOL! And I bet you can give her a bit of verbal “ready ready” and that will be super fun.– do one rep, maybe 2 reps… Then go do something else like a short sequence, run around through a tunnel, etc. That way she is finished with her teeter moment before she starts to think too hard about it and every rep can have the high excitement like the first rep did here. You can always come back and do another rep or two later, but doing a bunch of reps in a row is going to get a lot more thinking than we want on the teeter.
– If the teeter session goes sideways and she says “no” and you are getting barking and backing away – leave the game and come back another time (later on that day, or next day). Otherwise, we risk building frustration and pressure into it and often in the moment can’t see what she is mad about. So, she can go do a short fun sequence, then you can watch the video and see if you can see what triggered the change in her interest in the game: too many reps? Too much being pushed back or collar pulled back? That seems to be the #1 thing she doesn’t like, so the video will let you know – the rep or two before she says “no” will be the insightful moments.
>>She seems happy with the small drop and the noise. Should I work up to the teeter being a bit further off the ground?>>
Yes – she seems happy with it so yes, add a little more tip! But definitely limit the session to 1 or 2 reps of vast quantities of high value rewards. We want her to dive in and not start to do high level calculus about it LOL
Lead outs: She looks so cute on her cot!!!!
>>I need to be better about schlepping it around and setting it up.>>
This is relatable! I have gone to just having a set of training aids (cot, tripod, etc) that just lives in my car so I never forget them. Yes, the car looks like a hoarders reality show but that is fine LOL
Hard to see if she got a cookie for the reset after the broken stay – I have no problem with delivering a cookie as I reset the sit, because stay questions are my fault LOL!! And throwing the cookie back after the praise really helped her too.
The blinds are looking good!
The timing at 1:37 was earlier than the previous rep and her commitment looked good and her turn was lovely! The timing of the left turn cue on the tunnel entry on that rep was good too – she was a little wide there because the physical cue supported the wider line, so a decel or spin when you are going the other direction can hep tighten up the tunnel exit too.FC on jump 2 looked really good and getting her back onto the leash at the end was great! She really wanted back on her cot, so it is was a mild distraction to ask her to come off the cot and get the leash on. That is a similar framework to what might happen when she is on course: leaving something high value to get the leash on. She did great!
>>) So apparently her brains were still in good shape and nicely settled after her training sessions.>>
Hooray for the toy party! And she did look really happy and engaged in the last sequencing – not physically or mentally tired at all from what I could see, and you did a great job of setting up the session so it was a little challenging but also fast & fun. Super!Great job on these! Let me know what you think!
Tracy
