Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Good morning!
>Remember how I said one of my girls is typically the “sacrificial penguin” for me making mistakes? Well, that was Kastella on Friday in jumpers. Except, in that case, I’m only taking about 90% of the credit – handler error. Kastella was really off and checked out due to some thunderstorms that happened earlier in the day. She HATES thunderstorms and fireworks. >
Poor Kastella! That is so hard – thunderstorms are really scary.
>I was hesitant because I really like to play it safe in trials but I tried anyway >
Good for you! And in these early stages of “do all the blinds” 😂 it is more important to go for it than it is if they all work 🙂
>but I didn’t like how it felt “risky” knowing Kashia would run the course faster >
Yes, they will feel riskier because they are newer and not fully in your comfort zone yet. But if you did one or two, it is still something to be proud of!! You will get more and more comfy and then doing all of them will feel less risky.
> I just wanted to mention the blinds because it was fun to see 4 places where they fit really well depending on the speed of the dog. And in a practice setting, I would have stayed with the blinds. >
Love this!! Yay!
>But I didn’t want to mess Kashia up so I changed one blind to a front cross and one to a rear. >
So you still did 2 blinds! That is super!!! And you were rewarded with a very successful day in the ring 🙂
>Kashia ended up getting all 3 Qs that day with a double Q and Kastella got 2 Qs.>
That is great! Congrats!
>However, in standard, I again went against my better judgment and decided to take a risk. >
Even though it didn’t work out and ended up with a missed a-frame, it was still a worthwhile risk! And something good to train – Kashia was probably surprised but when she sees it more regularly in training, it will be much easier to get in trials. So even though it was not a Q, it is still something to be super proud of!!
>All-in-all, it was a great trial and I was soooooo proud of my girls. I was also super happy to see some courses where I could practice my blinds, some with risk and some without. >
It sounds like a fantastic trial – a combination of big success and trying new things too! And the courses sounded like they had good challenges where you had to decide on which cross to use 🙂
>But in a trial setting, I tend to pick what’s safe and I’m slowly trying to get away from that.>
You can use T2B for that – take all the risks in T2B because that class is all about going fast fast fast 🙂 And it is fun to Q in T2B but there are no double Qs on the line or anything, so it is a fun class to try all the crazy handling too 🙂
Thank you for the update!!
Tracy
Good morning!
> I didn’t feel that in the moment but I appreciate you pointing it out so maybe I won’t get so discouraged next time. >
Yes, sometimes sessions are discouraging or frustrating, which is why it is good to always have video. That way we can look at it and see if there was actually something good? Or if it was really bad haha! Most of the time it was actually decent session even if it didn’t exactly meet our goals 🙂
>I don’t know why it didn’t even dawn on me to throw a treat or the treat toy over the jump. I’m such a dumb dumb. I get so caught up in rewards only being after completion of the exercise. >
First of all, you are NOT a dumb dumb!!!! You are a smart trainer and in this moment, we see afterwards something to tweak for the next session. No worries! When training, if the girls are missing something or asking questions or failing at something, you can switch gears and find ways to reward the spot they are struggling with.
> My girls actually get massages and chiropractor adjustments quite often! I’m a big believer in that stuff too!>
Fantastic!!! And warm up is important, along with cool down. The sports vet people tell me that cool down is actually more important than warm up.
>For summer camp, is it like these courses, where I can do both dogs under one working spot as long as I fit both of them into the allotted video time segment? >
Yes, 2 dogs can share a spot and a lot of the CAMPers do exactly that 🙂 And the pace of the class is different – a lot of content to choose from, but it is spread out very 2 weeks all summer so you won’t feel rushed to get it all in.
Tracy
Good morning!
>I need to learn me some more Pattern Games
The foundation games come from Control Unleashed (Leslie McDevitt) and we have added our own twists 🙂
Looking at the video:
She has a lot of value for the jump which is good! That is why it was harder to get the threadles at the beginning. You did a great job slowing things down to show it to her – and then I agree, it was super fun to see her put it all together 🙂The serps with motion were very easy – so to let her see the difference when you want the threadle, it really helped her when you slowed down. Your motion on the first couple of reps can can be soooooo slow, barely moving, even marching in place 🙂 that way she can process the cues that say “not the jump!” to get her to the correct side. Then after a success or two, you can add more and more motion.
I think you were also looking at your hand on some of the threadle reps (or dipping your shoulder down, it was harder to see on video) – that really helped! So you can also look at your hand instead of her cute face to help cue the threadle.
Great job here! I am looking forward to the rocking horse video!
Tracy
Good morning!
These sessions went really well!On the German turns on the first video: he seems to really understand them so I agree, you didn’t need to stay at the exit wing. You got to the takeoff side at the same time he did – that is ideal! So you can keep moving through it. If he needs extra commitment support with all that countermotion you can look behind you or point to the landing spot.
>maybe because I didn’t have anywhere to go?>
This is possible! The sequences will provide more stuff to do after it 🙂
For the blind to threadle wrap:
The blind was late at :23 & :32 (starting at jump 3 when it should be finished) so he was a little wide there. He did read the threadle cue really well! You can get that blind going earlier with 2 things:– When he is committing to the tunnel, you can take off to the landing side of 3, rather than rounding the line with him
– Start the blind when he exits the tunnelLooking at the sequences: I love that you timed these 🙂 There is a LOT to geek out about! And on bigger courses, if there is a challenge heading up ahead on the course, the threadle options are almost always faster overall because it puts us further ahead. But on sequences where we go back to where we came from, the German/pushes to the backside can be faster (which me be the case here: more below 🙂 )
Run 1: one suggestion is to call him before he enters the tunnel. He was surprised by the turn and skittered after exiting the tunnel. You did add calling him on the later runs so he had better turns there.
>I geeked out with getting the FC from 6 to 7……I really don’t like fronts – definitely not my strong suit! Once again Connection for the Win! >
At :12 he was a little wide on the FC – you mentioned something about backing up but you didn’t back up there. Two things contributed to the slight wideness: You had lots of motion through the FC, where a bit of decel can help him add a collection stride.
As you exited the FC, your dog-side (right) shoulder was closed forward, so it took him a stride to find the new line. Having exit line connection on the exit of the FC like you would with a blind will help him see the line sooner.2nd run at :30 you went pat the mouse line (bar down). :48 & 1:05 had the decel on the FC and a really nice collection! Yay! You had good connection in those spots as he was over the bar which also helped get a nice line. Be sure to maintain that connection through the landing and resist temptation to look ahead at all 🙂
1:25 also had the decel on the FC, connection over the bar, and continued connection as he landed. That was the fastest run so far! You set the line on the Fc better with the decel & connection, plus also being a little closer to the jump helped too.
The German turn reps went well and were just as fast, which makes sense because you were heading back to where you came from. That similarity in speed might partially be because the info before going into tunnel #3 he saw you pulling away, so there was a slight turn cue on the tunnel.
I bet the Germans can be even faster with one small tweak to your running line:
At 1:37 and 1:54, when he as exiting the tunnel, you were at the entry wing of the backside jump. Then there was motion parallel to the bar like a serp. Two things happened there:
– It showed a wider line, so there was not a lot of collection on the exit
– It put you on his line as he landed and needed to find the line to 5.So the tweak would be to handle 2-3 from further from the tunnel. Send to the tunnel and run directly to the exit wing of the 4 backside. So as he exits the tunnel and is committing to 4, he sees the countermotion for the exit of the German. That will get a tighter turn and get you off his line there, eliminating a stride or two! That should take off a couple of clicks on the time 🙂
Great job here!!
Tracy
Good morning!
I love the giant rug for the training area: functional AND pretty!! I hear it is really hot in FL so it is lovely that you have this indoor space!He figured out the minny pinny really quickly – he looked kind of shocked that it was so easy 🙂 He turned really well in both directions. And great job with your reward placement!
>I started with treats and did some with a toy. >
The toy brought a whole new level of excitement to it! But he still turned really well. Super!
Since this went pretty perfectly, you can add in the left and right verbals when you revisit this. I am sure that will be easy, so you after a couple of reps you can bars to it as well. That might be the trickiest part (figuring out what to use as bars). Regular jump bars might be too thick for this game? So maybe weave poles if they are slimmer than the bars.
Great job here!
TracyHi!
Oh yes, I think she really liked the added distance with the rocking horses! You both got to go a lot faster – and you maintained your connection so she knew where to go each time. Super!
Every now and then you would tap your leg – you don’t need to do it, she knew where to be thanks to your connection. Plus, she speedy so you won’t be able to give timely cues and tap your leg ,so better to just focus on timely cues 🙂
She had a couple of questions on the right turn on the barrel – it looks like it was mainly because you needed to take one more step to the wing. You were pulling away just a shade too early, so she was pulled off with you. On the reps where you took the one extra step, she committed beautifully.
Looking at the stay video: she did great! I love that she happily held the stay while you ran away or waved your arms/toy. Super! Be sure to add in connection back to her before you release – you will need that when she is front of a jump, and we don’t want her to think that you looking at her is the release. So you can move away, look at her, praise… then release.
Minny pinny: She read the setup really well! I think was a horse distraction in the background which is why she was barking.
Now that she understands the turns really well, we can get the verbals more independent (you can use a toy also). Was the video image mirrored? It sounded like you were saying left when she was turning right (and vice versa).To get the verbals more independent, start with her at your side and you are holding her collar. While holding her, you can say the verbal 3 or 4 times -then let her go but you remain perfectly still 🙂 You can keep saying the verbal, but she should zip around the minny pinny without you moving at all. That might be harder so you can throw the reward out between the bars when she does it.
Great job here!!
Tracy
Hi! His understanding of commitment and lines looks good, and I think your blind cross connection also looked really good! So now we can focus on convincing him to go faster 🙂
One thing I notice is that he cues off of your acceleration or deceleration. For example, looking at :10-:19 there was not a lot of acceleration from you, so he ran in collection. Compare to the same line from :40-:48 where you ran closer to the line of obstacles, so you were showing more extension cue and he ran in extension 🙂 Yay!
You can also see more acceleration from you equaling more extension from him at :20- :25, then :28-:30, for example.
So keep planning on running closer to the lines so he sees lots of acceleration cues 🙂
>Then I thought what if instead of stopping to throw the toy after tunnels if I ran with it flyball style then threw it. He liked that. And then I did one with a reward in the middle>
Yes! Getting the rewards moving totally helps, he likes that a lot! Try to mix it in over jumps a lot more frequently – that way he will really drive to the jumps because a toy can be thrown at any moment 🙂
One thing you can add is throw the toy and then race him to it – if you get there first, you win and tease him but don’t give it to him. It is the grown up version of toy races 🙂 and will really get him driving along the lines because he will want to win the toy 🙂
>He started out well and I think he just gets tired and hot from the ball throws.>
There is a lot of explosiveness when throwing the toy, so he might need longer breaks between runs. But it will be well worth it! And as he builds up his heat acclimation, you will be able to extend the working time.
Great job here!
Tracy
Hi!
OMG! He did so well here! He was 100% with finding the jump! Only 1 little blooper where he did not take the tunnel because you took off too early. But then he was perfect!
When he did the sit at 1:01 – it might have been because you were leaning towards him and not moving to the wing, so he was unsure and offered a sit. When you were moving, he did great!
Nice work here 🙂
Tracy
Hi! You did a great job with your arms! The connection was really clear on both videos here!
On the first session and part of the 2nd session – yes, it took a moment to convince your feet to turn away for the blind instead of towards him for the FC or spin 🙂 it definitely feels unnatural in this context but will feel easier to turn away for the normal blind when you are more used to it and don’t have to think about it as much.
But then at 1:52 and after it on video 2: nice blinds! You were definitely getting into the groove and had really nice blinds! And the connection was super strong on those too. So it is mainly a question of convincing yourself to turn away from him. He also did well with the race track – it was a little harder to the left but I think that might have been because he was expecting a turn on the first wing? But the 2nd one went really well 🙂
Great job!
Tracy
Hi!
>He needed to poop! haha. All of a sudden he was much less distracted after that.>
Haha yes, that makes sense!
>> even though it might have been accidental
It completely was. I’d forgotten about it until it fell out of my waistband bahaha. I took that as serendipity telling me to reward my dog.>It was the agility gods rewarding him for you LOL 😂 😝
Hi!
I am glad you liked the sandwich concept 🙂 I am food-motivated so I like food analogies 😂Lots of good work here! He was able to go out to the mat but also had a lot of really good reps of going straight when you want him too! Yay!
>However, Tribute would occasionally spin (similar to what he does when working on the rear cross). I wonder if the timing of my treat toss / movement is causing it.>
For the out, it is not really a RC – it is more of a shift away as you move straight up the line. So the RC element was a little late which is why he sometimes had a question.
When you do the out, if he is on your right, use your left arm – and you are going to keep moving straight up the line. He will shift away to his the mat or go to the wings, then continue forward on a line parallel to where he started.
I drew a sketch of what the lines would look like for that! It is not fancy but it might give a clearer visual 🙂
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yD2gC5uBxpjkAs6gJW3RJXVvHv0543xDacvNws0r4mQ/edit?usp=sharing
Let me know what you think! Nice work here!
Tracy
Good morning!
The forced fronts are looking good! You have taught her a lovely stay and that makes this much easier 🙂
Your position on the jump was more of the forced threadle (where your belly button was facing the wing more than your behind was) but that is actually fine – we use more of the forced threadles nowadays anyway 🙂 You can switch to the full threadle with your in in cue and using the outside armOn the 2nd side, the line was harder – be sure to set her up on a pretty severe slice over 1 so she goes directly to the hand cue. You did more of that on the last rep and it really helped her!
Speaking of the stay – be sure to put your hand in position and *not* release at the same time. We don’t want her thinking that the hand cue is the release. So you can put your hand in position, praise, then release. She might break the first time or two because she is used to the hand cue and the release happening mostly together, so you can have a laugh, reset her, then reward her for not breaking with you move your hand into position.
Decel video: you got to the decel jump with great timing at the beginning so she had a great turn 🙂 And when you did it on the other side, she also had a great turn – it is VERY nice to see how well she is turning in both directions!
The sends went really well too! I think you were quietly saying your wrap verbals? If so – yay! If not, you can add them, she is ready.
Great job!!!
Tracy
Good morning! These games are looking lovely!
Forced fronts:
Hooray for a great stay – that made this session so much easier. My only suggestion is to remind her to stay as you slowly put your hand in position – then release. The releases were all coming as you moved your hand, which means she will start to think the release is your hand movement.Overall, the session went GREAT! The first side was pretty perfect 🙂 She had a question at 1:48 when you switched sides: she was set up on an angle facing the front of the jump and had to make a severe turn to get to the backside – she didn’t really see the hand cue, she mainly saw the bar. Lining her up on a lice at jump 1 so she is facing the line to your hand will make a big difference. But everything else was terrific!
Decel video:
The first rep of this game always cracks me up – she was definitely not decelerating LOL!! But then the 2nd rep turn was VERY different and she was great. She also did a great job on the other side with a distraction jump out ahead – I think she figured out very quickly that when Da Momma slows down, she needs to turn. You can see that when you added motion too: great job getting to the decel position with perfect timing. She also did well after you did a Go rep!The sends went really well too (click/treat to Donna for reminding you to not use your go verbal :))
On the sends where she went to the jump, you held you send position until she was taking off. When she was a less sure and didn’t take the jump, it was because you stepped back a fraction too early. No worries, she will commit better with more experience so for now, keep your arm and leg pointing forward until she takes off for the jump on the send.
Decel video 2:
First 2 reps were a little wide but you were late getting there. When you sent to the tunnel and got to the wrap jump sooner: perfect! That was at :35 approx – you got there sooner by trusting that she would take the jump after the tunnel based on your motion. Super!Gorgeous sends here too! You held your commitment cue a bit longer, plus she is figuring it out really well. Yo can use your collection verbal but resist temptation to say ‘go’.
Great job on these!!!
Tracy
Good morning! Lots of good work here!
Reverse retrieve:
Working this in an hallway was perfect – it limited his option for running off with the toy while allow you to build in a lot of reinforcement and fun! Super! And when you are ready to the game to bigger locations, you can put the first toy on a long line so he can’t go off to far with it 🙂
Minny pinny:
He is relying on handlign a bit here, so ideally we can get him to do it without you moving. The way to do that is to move all of the wings together so they are touching in the middle. That way the distances are shorter and he can bounce without you moving as much (or moving at all :)) Then you can send him around it with you in the middle: if he is uncertain, you can throw rewards after every jump to get him started, then after every 2 jumps. That will get him zipping around in without needing as much help, which will hen make it easier to add the verbals.Rocking horses:
He is doing great with the bigger distances! Super!!! And you were being patient and clear with the connection, and that made a big difference. If he is going to go really fast, then you don’ need to be fast, you just need to be clear. That is exactly what happened here and it was very successful!Turning away: He did a great job coming to the threadle side – it was harder for him to turn away to his right at first. You were again super patience and clear which really helped. To get him to turn away without first turning towards you, you can put and empty food bowl as a visual target out on the other side of the barrel: when he comes to the threadle hand you can turn him to the bowl and then toss the food in or near it. I think that will help him get the turn away even more smoothly.
Remote reinforcement:
He was very excited to work but also getting very bitey, which means he was a bit overaroused by the setup. So rather than ask for any work like sits or arounds on the cone, you can simplify it to get ride of the bitey behavior: just walk away one step and if he moves with you, use your marker and run back to the treats. Then if he can easily do one step without getting bitey, add two steps. Don’t add anything harder until he can do it without grabbing at hands or clothing – that is his way of saying it was too hard.
O n the last video – I am not sure he knew there was a treat there until about 1:50 but then he did well ignoring it as long as you moved away from it quickly. I think he does like the toy better so you can use a toy reward in these sessions as well, so he gets a great reinforcement for ignoring the food. And eventually he can transfer that to ignoring the toy on the ground 🙂
Great job here!
Tracy
Good morning!
>We did another round of the Shpile game and I wilded him up with a toy and he was much wilder jumping around the pile. I could see him working to control his body when it felt out of control. I messed up the video though>
Bummer about the video but great that you could see him working on controlling his balance and movement! We definitely want to see that.
He was definitely getting the idea of the tight turns around the upright! There were one or two questions early on for the right turns but he sorted that out really quickly – having your hand move slowly really helped him. The left turns were more challenging for him, so keeping your hand low and slow will help get those nice and smooth too. He will probably sleep on it and “know” the left turns perfectly for the next session.
The backside session went great! He found that line every time, no probably (and I am glad Frainke and Bazinga got to play too, even if their verbal was different LOL!!)
He seemed to be waiting for the cookie to drop before coming over the bar when you were not backing up as much or dropping it as early. So when you revisit this, you don’t need to back up (you can add in moving parallel to the bump like it is a serpentine) then throw the cookie back behind you. Use a big exaggerated hand gesture to do this for a few reps (pointing at the landing spot then throwing the treat). After a couple of reps of that, you can use the hand gesture to point at the landing spot, but change the timing of the treat throw: throw it after he goes over the bump. That should help him keep moving.
The threadle wrap game is off to a great start! He picked up the concept of coming to the threadle side really quickly. He had to sort out finishing the wrap in both directions – I think part of it is he had to look up at your hands so you can try to keep your hands as low as possible (without making your back angry from too much bending over) and see if that makes it easier for him to turn his head away. He was getting the idea for sure, so it might not even be needed the next time you do it – he is a strong latent learner!
Great job on these!
Tracy
