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Good morning!
>>This is so hard for her without her getting BIG MAD!! I am going to have to start very small with this probably. >>
Yes – start on a short, straight tunnel and to jump start the skill, you can have the MM past the tunnel exit. Then over the course of several sessions, switch to you throwing the lotus ball like you mentioned.
>>What exactly are “tandem turn hands” supposed to look like? It feels very similar to a threadle wrap cue when I do it, but I’m not sure if that’s what I want. >>
They are very similar to the threadle wrap hands – I use both hands directed back to the dog (but shoulders pulling away). Threadle wraps are a more complex variation of tandem turns, if that helps you think about them – they are littermates LOL!!
Looking at the video:
First rep – you had a very big exciting GO TUNNEL as she was going to 2, bar down (more on that below).
The 3-4-5 section was really good, especially on that first run! On the 2nd run – you were a little late leaving at 5, so she thought she was going straight and hit the rail there – as you are showing her the threadle slice, you can decel and leave as soon as she looks at the jump. You did this at 1:17 and 1:33 and it was super!
She was a little wide and had some big opinions at 6 – to help her out, you can decelerate into 6 and stay in your initial position (near where the wing and bar meet), and try not to step back as you rotate because that widens the line (:34 had a hard landing, she was wide on the other reps)
She had some trouble with the Lin to the 9 tunnel. At :37 – the go tunnel verbal did not override the deceleration and shoulder turn, good job just finishing it out there!
Good job running into the tunnel more at 1:04 and 1:23. That really helped her. To keep building the skill, ue a marker to indicate where the reward is placed, and throw the reward anywhere but near you 🙂 Using a marker (not praise, because praise draws her to you) will help get her eyes on the line more, and throw it either way ahead of you (get it!), or all the way back to her at the tunnel exit (‘catch’) so she looks at your position less and at the line more.
At 1:40, you put in a comment in the video that the line from 9-10 should be more of an out. I think it is a go because it is a straight line. She was curling into you because she had just been rewarded near you a couple of times 🙂 so she was migrating back towards you and the most recent reward placements.
The opening of 1B went well, no problem getting the backside of 5. Yay!
Stay tight to 6 for the FC, with a little decel, same as sequence 1.She had the bar down on 7 (1:56) but she had been struggling with that bar anyway – more below on that too, but she needs a smooooooth transition coming out of a turn and accelerating into a line so she can process the jumping (I think the lead changes going out of the FC on 6 are more complex then we give the dog credit for).
Sequence 2 went well! You can definitely throw the reward long and far for the jump on the straight line after the tunnel (#4). You can also BC sooner 5-6, when she is looking at 5 but not taking off, to tighten that line a little.
Good job getting up the line for the 8-9-10 section! The blind 9-10 can be sooner in terms of the reconnection. You started it when she landed from 8, but on a line like this where your motion is supporting it so well, you can start it when the blur takes off for 8 – that gives you an extra step or two to get the reconnection, followed by the deceleration into the spin on 10. That decel starts no later than landing of 9 (which is why the BC timing is important) – you started the spin as she passed you (2:21) so she didn’t know how tight the turn was (and she vocalized her opinion there LOL!)
Seq 3:
The threadle wraps are moving along nicely! One detail to add is a little more decel and a little more shoulder pull away from the jump. That will get the turn tighter because she will get it done before takeoff (2:46 and 3:27)
You had more decel at 3:06 but other than using two hands, it looked like a threadle slice til you stepped in to the jump. So think of it as more of a turn on the flat to get the wrap and less of a turn on the jump.On the ending line – you got a little too far ahead for the tunnel rear at 2:53, you would have to run up to the jump before it, let her catch up (decel) then accelerate forward so she passes you sooner and you can set the RC.
The blind at 3:32 got it done – and yes, it is scary LOL!! The trick is to keep your arms in really tight to your ribs, don’t try to use a hand to reconnect, so the dogs can see your shoulders and eyes. The arm blocks the info a bit and slows down the quickness of the shoulder rotation.
Looking at the jumping clips:
Jumping is wicked complex in terms of processing and mechanics. Handling is part of the processing issue, because we have to show the info with enough time the dogs can process it. Plus, there is a boatload of conditioning and skill work we all need to do (but most of us don’t do enough, myself included) So she might need jump grids once a week, just to work the balance and hind end, maybe cavaletti work, etc.
>>I was trying to figure out if there is anything about my handling that is different when she jumps way too early vs much closer to the jump.>>
I think sometimes the bars come down when you get out of visual range (she definitely has a bubble of how far away you can be) or with sudden transitions to deceleration.>>She is a 16 inch jumper, but I trial and usually train at 12 because she has always had such difficulty with jumping cleanly. >>
This is SUPER smart and I wish more people would follow your lead on this.
>>She never has issues with depth perception in the house (i.e. jumping on the couch or bed even when she is running, catching treats in mid-air)>>
Those require less processing 🙂 The brain doesn’t have to split as much to take it all in then spit out a learned skill.
>>That leads to me believe it’s likely not a vision issue (although I’m certainly not a vet nor a jumping expert).>>
The only way to know if it is a physical issue is to rule it out with a vet. With all of my young dogs, I get them x-rayed early in their careers (hips, elbows, shoulders), get patellas certified, get eyes and ears checked (CERF and BAER). I am in the process of doing that with Contraband this summer (plus a heart echo but that is a whippet thing, I don’t think Shelties need it LOL!) And there are other eye exams that can be done – retinoscopy is one, I think?
My best guess based on her jumping questions is that it is a visual processing question – if you are too far away, or make a sudden shift in acceleration or verbal (like at the very beginning when you said GO TUNNEL in a really big way and she landed on the bar of 2), or there is something new in the environment (she had jangly tags on I think here, or something else was jangling) – her brain is unable to process the mechanics of jumping and that is when we see the form changes.
This is not unusual and we do see it a lot in agility – sometimes it is more obvious than other times 🙂 and it is something we also see a lot in Shelties. So she needs a power-steering style of handling – smooth, calm, within the bubble for jumping (maybe 10 feet or less), with subtle transitions – but no slamming on the brakes or hitting the accelerator hard LOL!!
This might also be why she has trouble with the massive distances on the tunnel sends, or finding the weaves from 3 miles away: the brain is trying to process your handling and find the obstacle.
The more we learn about the dog’s brain and multi-sensory integration, the more we understand just how much the dog has to do in sports like agility (and why I don’t ever punish bars anymore).
Great job here! Let me know what you think!
TracyHi!
>>Regarding Week 3 Standard, I went back and forth in my mind about which side of #1 to go from; I agree that I made the “wrong” choice when I ran it. >>
I don’t think it was wrong, I think it is more that you and Enzo have reached the fastest lines/winning lines stage of training 🙂 With Casper, run it both ways! With Enzo, go for the fastest way 🙂
>Also, I was surprised that I had to help with jump#3 and I agree that more practice with counter motion is needed (rats – I thought we had that).>>
Yes, he is telling us for now he needs a connection shift to the landing spot on the couyntermotions. Good to know!!!
>>Not sure if I believe “layer the A-frame” will make the line “very easy” but I’ll agree it would help. >>
Easier 🙂 Maybe not very easy, but definitely gets you ahead 🙂
>>Question: What are you using for the video overlays?? There was a Dartfish tool but it was VERY expensive. Did you spring for it?>>
Oh heck no, I didn’t pay for dartfish 🙂 I use my iPad and iMovie for all of the videos and editing. So when doing the overlays on an iPad:
* Isolate the walk through and save it as a different video
* Using the green screen function in iMovie, you can drop the walkthrough right over the run for the overlay. I just slide it back and forth a little to line it up 🙂
TracyHi!
>>AHA! I managed to sneak in a second post before you got to the previous one. Must be all the sleep you are missing watching our team in Europe!!>>
I wish! The American team members were absolute rockstars!!!! It was just that my fancy plan of looking at video between runs at the trial today didn’t work because… no cell service. Sorry!!!!
>>I did tape my walk-through’s – you know how much I love to do that
! HA!!! I think of you as one of the people who hate this exercise but do it anyway LOL!! It really is incredibly useful, as well as uncomfortable and also a bit of a pain in the *ss LOL!
>>(I have been looking through my notes for a sentence like “only 5 minutes of video per week” and haven’t found it. Of course, if I cut out all the walking… >>
You didn’t find it because it is not there 😁😂
I just ask that people not submit more than 4 runs per sequence/course, because then we get into over-training of the dogs. 4 runs on each sequence/course? That is plenty for humans and dogs! The walk through videos will take more time, which is fine of course 🙂First video – he is so cute trotting around with his frisbee!! And a nice little distraction as you try to walk it – thanks, Enzo!!
The walk through looked good – it looks like you were emphasizing connection and thinking about where he would be in each part, plus shifting the connection to the landing spot after the backside.
The only handling choice suggestion I have for you: you can use your switch on 4 to the layering – it will get the same tight turn as a FC to a spin like you walked, and it is far easier for us humans… plus it is an incredibly strong skill for you and Enzo!The run looked good and I must say that the FC to the spin looked awesome at 3-4!!! Your timing was spot on, and the style of delivery was spot on as well – basically it was an ‘in your face’ cue which is what he needs and he responded brilliantly. Love it! OK, I eat my words about doing the switch haha
The layering was easy for him (yay!) and click treat to you for shifting your connection to the landing of the backside. SUPER!!! You can stick even closer to the wing and add more countermotion, because your connection shift was very powerful and really helped.
Wow, what fun to see Casper sort this out! So fun!!!! I think his speed and commitment surprised you at the 3-4 line (tunnel to FC to spin) because you had to hustle to get it – his commitment looked great and he is plenty fast!!
>>First time through, I had his toy on the ground: caused quite a look 4 to 5. Yes, that is a training thing I need to work on…!>>
Yes, no worries about that – I think part of it was that you had to hustle to get the handling to 4 and ended up being late and rotated more than he needed for 4… so you ended up facing forward to the jump and toy for a moment while he was committing, so I think he guessed it was toy time. He was a good boy to not pick it up when he realized you were running the other way! You can handle the spin like you did with Enzo, never turning to face 4, and I bet Casper nails it and doesn’t look at the toy.
>>so I tried to get closer to #8. Wheeee – he was so wide, that was not a problem>
He did great with the layering! He was on a roll! And then maybe he thought the tunnel bags were an obstacle as you drove to the wing to help him?
Super nice connection on the backside and last jump with him too!
The 2nd run looked great too – you were prepared for his speed and didn’t over-help to wait to long, and the entire opening as gorgeous. You handled the spin at 4 the same way you did with Enzo, and he was great!
On the backside- he found the entry perfectly! At :37, you were looking at him and maybe at the bar so you really had to help him get it. Because he is young, make. Big exaggerated connection shift and look behind you to the landing spot, and use the dg side arm (left arm here) to point at the landing spot. He likely won’t need the exaggeration forever, but as a youngster it will really help him.
Seq 2:
>I saved you from watching Enzo try his wings: first dropped #1; second no stay; third is what you see; also a goat rodeo but at least we were working together (sort of).>
Did Enzo have to watch Casper run? He might have a bit of a learning curve to be able to watch or hear his “little brother” run, and maintain his focus when it is his turn. Breaking stays and dropping bars and general goat rodeos are not usual for Enzo.
The walk through looked really strong except I could not tell which side of 9 you wanted – looked like a front side cue on the walk through.
The first run was not a goat rodeo at all! Quite nice, actually – just one moment where you were in his way and then late cues for 9.
The threadle opening and the layering went really well!!! The 6 jump position was hard, like you mentioned. Looking at 1:31 (walk through) and 2:01 (walk through) versus 1:53 (run) and 2:38 (run) – the 2 walk through reps had you clearing the bar a bit to show the correct side of 6. The first run had you stopping on the backside cue line, so he took the backside. Good boy! The run at 2:38 was great position with you fully clearing the bar, so he had no questions. NICE!
About the 9 threadle jump – when he went off course at 1:59, the physical cues were forward and the in in was late, so he stayed on the line to the front side. Ideally, you would start peeling away and start calling before he gets into the 8 tunnel so he is ready turning on the exit.
At 2:43 you moved away more laterally so he saw the turn cues for the tunnel exit, and called sooner, and the threadle went well at the 9 jump! Super!!
>>On the third time through with the same obstacles, I am always surprised I remember any of it.>>
Yes – this is relatable, it all looks the same after a while! The trend nowadays is to have such nested courses that we are basically running the different courses on the same setup all day (like my day, today!)
The walk through looked good but the end of it – it was fun to see it form into the handling choices! I liked your choices throughout – I think the 6 backside is indeed the hardest part because it is a different context (layered backside) and also there is a threadle option to bring him to the entry between the wing and the tunnel there.
First run:
Great position, lovely timing of the FC on the tunnel #2 entry!
The handling from 3:07 – 3:09 looked like a lap turn (foot position, line of motion on the exit), which is why he took the right turn and not the left turn wrap. Compare that to 4:29-4:30 where you were rotated but did not do the step back like we do with lap turns, and your connection/arms looked behind you to the left turn wrap spot. It looked great!
He got to the backside at 6 really well! I think the praise marker at 3:15 was distracting, especially since you were moving forward and his toy might have been out near jump 1 – so, no praise there 🙂 and shift connection/point to landing spot.
You walked that connection shift at 3:36 and really exaggerated it at 4:35 (gave a big step/foot rotation too). That is what he currently needs when there is countermotion on the backside slices (maybe not the foot rotation but definitely the connection shift), so planning it to be able to do it early, before he runs past it, really helped!>>I thought the 9-10-11 sequence was too loose and he was very wide on the wrap at 12.>>
I think it was just delayed cues from your brain possibly saying, “wait, which sequence is this one again?” It was a little wide 8-9 because you had a little hesitation, which put you a beat behind for the rest. So a little wide yes, but still really nice!!!
Nice work here! Let me know what you think!
Tracy
Hi! Sorry for the delay – the trial site today had no cell service, so no internet access for me 🙁
Walk through – Watching the walk through and having read your post: running into the blind or the threadle requires a big lead out so in the walk through, it did look like you were cuing the tunnel after 1. When you ran the girls, the most effective handling on 1-2 was when you moved to the landing side of the #2 jump and did a push.
The rest looked really good!!! Super clear planning!!
Runs with Rosie – She is a small dog with BIG OPINIONS LOL!! Be sure to reward her or keep going even if the run it not perfect – she gets the BIG MADZ (looks like she stomps her feet and puts her hands on her hips LOL!) if she feels like she was not getting credit for reading you correctly. And I think she was reading your opening 1-2 correctly…
On the 1-2 line where she kept going to the tunnel… your verbals were calling her but the rest of your body was running directly to the tunnel. So she as correct! If something goes wrong like that once or twice, definitely stop the session and look at the video to see what your motion is showing her.
Switching plans to push to the backside worked well just needed one more step to get to the backside. And calling her harder worked to get her eyes off the tunnel, but it also slowed her way down. So I think without a lead out, the best plan would be pushing to the backside because she will find it very clear.
Once you got her to 2, the rest looked terrific! She is doing really well with the layering, making great decisions to go find the jumps on the other side of the tunnel, so the blind (like at 1:29) was easy and beautiful!!
You started Lily with the push to the backside and it worked like a charm – she didn’t even look at the tunnel 1-2! Yay!
At :36 and on the other reps when you ran forward into it (looked like how you started Rosie, as if running into the blind), she read it (correctly) like a cue to the tunnel (like Rosie did).
She finds the layering much harder that Rosie does, so you can plan the reward strategy in advance to get her successful (too many failures here, we don’t want more than 2 in the session).
Definitely have the jumps moved in like you did about halfway through – and throw the reward for when she even looks at the first jump. You can throw the reward for a “close enough” effort to keep the success rate high. And when she can get the first jump reliably (with lots of rewards :)) Then you can go to rewarding the 2nd jump on the layering line (beginning with ‘close enough’ efforts). All of that thrown reward will help her actively look for the line like Rosie does, with fewer errors.
And having her pick up the line of layering it totally work it, because when she did – that blind looked terrific and the closing line was fabulous!!!
Great job here! Let me know what you think!
TracyHi!
You can try adding more arousal for Buddy! That can help get him to the next level: getting more pumped up before running agility can help him ignore the distractions.T
Hi!
That might be right about the calf muscle!!I can get it to you as an independent study if you like -no plans to run it again any time soon. Busy times ahead!
T
Hi! Those runs are a great way to get him into the trial environment! I think he liked the tunnels better than the barrels LOL!!! But both runs were super high success!
>>Now it’s clear that me staying the F out of his way needs some work – totally blocked him from the pink tunnel.>>
Yep… the magic of video LOL! That’s why I tell people to never get mad at the dog and always watch the video before the next run. You were indeed blocking his path. In that moment, you don’t even need to reset him into the other end of the tunnel (he was confused), you can just carry on 🙂
TracyHi!
One thing to think about is because he is soooo fast… you don’t need to be fast 🙂 you can precise and have clean mechanics, but you don’t need to try to be as fast as him 🙂
TracyHi!
I agree – the best part is the focus!!! Being able to walk into a new place and act just like it is home? Priceless!!!!!!!T
Hi!
Yes, it makes total sense that the stress in life made it harder to handle the up-and-down emotions of agility! I hope your wife is feeling better!!!
Thank you for the playlist! I am going to check it out as soon as I remember my Amazon password LOL!!!!
>.and maybe rub some apple pie scented Vicks under my nose 🤣).>>
I mean… science has been telling us FOREVER that scent is powerful as a memory aid. I want to use it for human mental prep and also for canine mental pre/behavior modification 🙂 I just have not quite gotten myself to do it yet, but I like the apple pie scent idea LOL!!!!
Tracy
Onward is right! In your visualizations, be sure to practice the connection as soon as you enter the ring, the release, and the first few obstacles. And let yourself get a little nervous, if you might sometimes get nervous 🙂 That can really help get you focused for the beginning of the run!
T
Hi!
It was great to see the how the up and down game helped Changste re-engage! Watching dogs go by the fenced yard is HARD (plus the bike zipping by) but it did not take long at all to get her focused again. Super!!>.I realize now that I should have done a very simple sequence after the Up & Down session. And here is the same sequence again:>>
I don’t think she needed a simpler sequence – she was fully focused and fast! On the first run on the first video, I think the handling was not quite as clear (plus, 4 is a front side wrap not a threadle to the backside :)) – you were a little late showing her the threadle cue then didn’t quite has as much propulsion getting her to the next jump.
On the 2nd video, the handling was clearer for sure – earlier call to the threadle, and then a lot of propulsion on the send to the 5 jump – she nailed it!
Nice work here 🙂 Let me know what you think!
TracyHi!
This session went really well! great job breaking it down to help her understand the concept – turning away after layering is hard, especially when we are trying to minimize rear cross footwork. She did well!
And yes, you can start the cues a little sooner (before she lifts off for the jump before it) and you an also emphasize the hand cues to help turn her away so you can fade out the motion and be further and further away 🙂
Great job!
TracyHi! He did super well here too! You are making a really hard game look really easy 🙂
He was more centered here between the crate and tunnel, and did really well! You can add challenge now: move the crate and tunnel to be about 2 feet apart, and line him up between your feet and try it just the verbals. Try not to wait for him to look at one or the other before you cue the obstacle – he can be looking anywhere 🙂 We don’t want him to look at the tunnel, for example, then you say tunnel.
Nice work!
Tracy
