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No worries, you are doing a great job of adding all the things! And you are keeping it super fun for her – that is the most important part 🙂
Tracy
Good morning!
The left-right minny pinny with the front crosses added looked great! He was spot on with maintaining his commitment even as you were going the other way. Super! The next step is to take it so he can add speed on the grass – I understand if the weather makes it impossible for now, though: we went from 97 degrees on Thursday to 48 degrees and raining on Friday, Saturday and today. Ewww!
I think he really liked Find My Face! It was SUPER easy for him at first. It got a little harder at 1:20 where you looked away a little more, but he still thought it was pretty easy. It got REALLY hard at 1:45 where you fully disconnected – he seemed to think it was weird at first 🙂 but he figured out how to find your face and get the reward. Perfect – we want him to learn that even if something is odd or weird, to just find your face and all is good. This can definitely turn into a fun obedience game, with pivots in heel position, fronts, etc.
Recalls were fabulous too, I think he really liked this game as well and he didn’t have to think hard about it at all. And I also love that he played with the toy!
You can work up to having your holder have treats in his other hand: can Rusty still come to you even when there are treats he has to leave behind? You can also leave distractions off to the side (like a closed bag of treats or a toy) that he can recall past. And if the weather is ever nice again 🙂 you can take this one outside too!
Great job on these!
Tracy
Good morning! All of these sessions were excellent 🌟
The tunnel threadles were hard at first! I think she was shocked that they even existed LOL 😂 I mean, why not just go into the tunnel that is right there?
After the first 2 misses, you switched sides (smart!) and rotated towards her a bit. That TOTALLY helped and after that, she did great! And click/treat for you, for not allowing more failure. Yay!
You were able to take out the rotation towards her on the tunnel threadles – you had earlier cues and decel, then turned to face the tunnel entry you wanted – that was super strong!
She also did well adding the 3 wing and the race tracks – the threadle wraps/tandem turns were definitely harder – I think the main thing will be to decelerate into them. Decel is actually a big part of the cue because it fives her a heads up that the new cues are coming. That will help her prepare for the turn away cue, because the decel predicts it.
Lead outs 1:
She did great! It helps that she has a great stay 🙂1st run – super! Like Kathy said: go go go! As soon as she is heading to the tunnel, you can take off up the line to get way ahead. I love that you two train together like this!
Leading out to the blind – also really good! As you run up the line and do the blind, keep moving towards 3 because that direction of motion gives her strong turning cues. If you are running straight towards 2 then do the blind, she will jump a little wider.
Lead out push – pretty perfect! Maybe have your arm back more, like a serp? But she totally read it and had a great turn. Your connection was spot on.
FC to throwback – lovely!!!! Your position on 3 gave her a ton of turn info so she was already turning really well over 2 without you needing to do anything (which is why I recommend moving closer to 3 as you do the blind cross there)
The throwback went well! I think she was surprised by the first one but then the 2nd was perfect. Your connection was fabulous!
Lead out video 2:
Run 1 went GREAT! You were able to get all of the blinds (takeoff or landing side of 3, you did a great job on all of them). You did a FC at the end on the landing side of that jump after the tunnel – also great, you had plenty of time.You got the wrap FC easily on 5! You also did get her turning the correct direction on the RCs, which means the info was strong! But she seemed surprised – I think that was partially due to her being relatively inexperienced on RCs in sequence, and also the turn there jumped her right into the dog walk (very little room). She was like “this can’t be correct” LOL!!!
So the adjustment for that is to try to spread things out – more distance will make it feel more like grown-up courses too! I know it is hard at the club to do that, but maybe you can set up 25 foot distances at FF for the baby dogs to open up and run run run 🙂
Great job here!!!!!
Tracy
Good morning!
The first sequence went really well!
It seemed easier to get to the blind on the takeoff side of 3 than on the landing side. He was sent to the tunnel really well when you didn’t go past 1 very much so you were easily in position on the takeoff side at :11 and 1:05.
When you went too far past and had to back up, he had questions about whether he was correct to commit or not – so sending then moving forward to the blind worked like a charm!That even allowed you to get that rear cross on 5 and come back down the line at 1:13 – impressive! It is a hard rear cross!! It was no fluke, you did it at 1:23 also – super nice!
Being on the landing side of 3 was harder to get to – you can run forward to it then do a blind, that might be easier than backing up and trying to get connection. They were still good runs but it was harder to show the line to 4 from that position.
Nice job getting the wrap t o the right at 1:37! He needed a little more connection coming to the next jump (your arm was pointing at it but he ended more eyes 👀 :)) but you were still able to get the blind after that – he is reading the cues really well!
When you revisited the lead out to the FC or BC – he is doing a lot better about reading the line 1-2, which allowed you to get the crosses to 3. Keep working on leading out more and more so you can eventually be up by jump 3 and standing still, and he will still find the line. Feel free to adjust the angle so it is more of a straight line at first (easier for him to find) and then we can go back to the harder angles.
>except I still did more of a front cross than a throwback. >
No worries! You were moving fast to get to position which is why the FC felt better than a throw back. It will be easier when you can lead out there and stand still.
Great job!!
Tracy
Hi! Lots of good work here and some things that can make the blinds a lot easier for you on course!
Sequence 1:
Yes, you sorted out the timing and position of the blind beautifully! Super!
On the send to 5, 2 things to tighten it up:
– send with a left cue and 2 hands
– you were decelerated as he was in the #3 tunnel then accelerated after the send, which was a motion cue for him to not turn. You can flip that: get in closer to the tunnel so you are accelerated when he exists, then decel on the send. That will help with the turn cue and will still get you you to great position.
Seq 2:
>I obviously need help with running it with the BC on the takeoff side of 5. I want to blame our problems on Casper’s enormous stride and non-existent turning ratio but, of course, that is a training issue I haven’t managed to conquer.>
The blind on the takeoff side of 5 is a good skill especially if 6 is a front side! I think it hinges on getting the turn on 4 so you don’t get caught having to bring him back onto the line.
To get the tighter turn on 4, two things to add:
– Flip the decel/accel that I mentioned in sequence 1. If you are stationary when he exits the tunnel then accelerate, that will cue big extension on 3 and 4. So, run in a few steps closer to the tunnel so you are still in motion when he exits. That way there is no big acceleration cue or go on verbals.
– start the blind when he is approaching 3, even if your position is not perfect yet. At 1:02 and 1:51 you started when he was already taking off for 4.
Compare to 1:19 with the BC starting when he was at 3 – MUCH better timing! Your position there was a little too close to 4 so it was too hard to get back up the line for 6.As you mentioned, 1:35 was actually too early! You started it when he was still la full stride from takeoff and finished/reconnected when he landed at 1:35. That is rare, we are almost never early. So it is something to be celebrated that he listened so well!
The send to 4/start of the blind was also a little early/disconnected at 1:44 – I think he knew that things had gone wrong and was getting careful.
>I would choose to put the BC between 5 and 6 because I would be afraid I couldn’t get around the far wing of 5 in time to support the backside at 6. >
Doing the blind on the landing of 5 made it much easier to get 6! It worked really well on this sequence.
You can also reverse your motion here – instead of standing still then taking off running for the blind (which sends him wide on 4 because of the acceleration), you can move in closer to the tunnel and stay at a steady pace: that way he will read the send and turn better and you will easily be in position for the blind.
Sequence 3:
>Casper’s isn’t as spectacular and this gives me another option to try while he is learning.>
This is a good skill to have so it is definitely something worth trying!
>I spent all my mental energy on this course worrying about 7 to 8 and that was a snap for Casper.>
Yes, that looked great!
You can move the timing of the blind up sooner here. There BC at 2:20, 2:35, and 3:04 started when he was already jumping 4
That timing was what made turn cues on 5 late – if you are finished with the blind before he takes off for 4, then it will be easy to show turn cues for 5. Keep moving up the line laterally so you can start the blind when he is approaching 3, in that steady motion (rather than sudden accelerations when he exited the tunnel).>He dropped the #3 jump a million times. >
The sudden acceleration and high arm at 2:34 and 3:01 and 3:26 pulled the rail on those reps. I think if you are in a steady motion the whole time and don’t fling your arm up, he will read the line and keep the bar up.
>Things that went really well: – Start line stay: this has been a nightmare but is gradually yielding to consistency and audible releases. – Returning with the toy after a rep and setting up to run again went very well. – After every set, I gave Casper the toy to chew on while I put down the new numbers and walked the course a bit. Then I called him to come play and he came! Every time!!>
These are huge!! Yay!!!!
So the main thing that I think will help is to keep you in a steady motion rather than stopping then running. If you go in to the previous line (the tunnel, in this case) I think you will find it smoother and more connected, plus he won’t see any accidental go/extension cues when you take off. And that all still set you up to start the blinds on time and get to a good position.
Nice work here!
Tracy
Hi!
>correct he was pulling my arm forward vs me shoving. He was pulling pretty hard>
I was once given 5 faults at a trial because the judge thought I shoved my Dalmatian to the first jump. In reality, I was trying to get the leash off and he pulled forward really hard LOL!
> You mentioned using toy for find my face so would I just start with the pattern game and treats and then one time he does find my face toss toy or say tug?>
Yes – I think that would be a very happy-making surprise reward for him!
Have fun!
TracyHi!
>They aren’t always in the mood for agility practice, I guess!>
After reading it and before watching the video, I was all prepared to give you a pep talk, say that maybe they were just not in the mood, and that sometimes we have bad sessions, etc etc.
But it was actually a good session! I think the parts that felt bad were because the skills were new or they thought the skills were weird.
>I’m embarrassed to even post it but what’s the point of online lessons if I don’t show the ugly too. >
I am glad you posted it because the session might have felt like 💩 in the moment, but on the video it had a ton of good parts. And the video helps us isolate the things that went wrong. Both girls were pretty clear with their opinions 😂 😆
>I’ve watched your podcasts about behavior and pain with the other 3 speakers. I forget the name off the top of my head. Anyway, I’m always watching for little subtle cues now that something may be amiss.>
Thanks for watching! You can add regular massages and stuff to your girls’ routines – I spend more money on body work for my dogs than I do on entry fees 🙂 It is possible the girls were sore or tired here, but I don’t think they were masking a pain issue.
On the video:
When the girls think something is weird, they slow down to try to figure it out. So the 2 skills they both thought were weird were:
– the turn away with you on the other side of the tunnel
– The layeringFor the turning away after the blind on the other side of the tunnel, they got it really well when you were closer and very connected. When you were further ahead and not as connected, they were not sure what to do. That tells me that this is a newer skill for them, which needs you to be closer for now and very connected.
When you were closer and connected, you still got to the blind really well! Super!!!!
The layering (the out to the jumps on the other side of the tunnel) at the end of the sequence was weird for both of them! You can have a thrown reward on that line: when they head to the first jump, throw it. Then you can go to throwing it towards the 2nd jump hen they get the first jump. Then throw it for committing to th 2nd jump. All that reward will build up the skill.
And when they are sure of the skill, they will be fast 🙂 Both of them wanted to work, they just didn’t know those 2 skills well enough to go fast.
Kashia had one other small question – at 1:01 she did read the cues on 6 as a rear cross because you stepped in that direction. Super nice job continuing! And you were clear on the other reps and she knew exactly what to do. Yay!
I had to stop after 10 mins. I was getting too frustrated at not understanding what I was doing wrong and why my dogs were so lazy.>
They were just thinking REALLY HARD 🙂 but it was good to stop and put the video in! I think they did really well and it will feel much easier when they are comfy with those skills.
Nice work here! Enjoy your camping trip, it sounds AMAZING to take the horses camping!!!
Tracy
Hi!
These were regular soft turns, so to get the rear cross version: have her exit on your right side as you run towards the center of the bar, where she will turn right and end up on your left side.
>Different volumes is a great idea! I am also loud (I think I scare people at FastCAT lol) but will work on being quieter. So many things to remember!>
FastCAT is supposed to be LOUD!! And agility is pretty complex with verbals (soooo many words and different ways to say them). So FastCat is a great balance of all-things-loud, and so is flyball if you wanted to try that too 🙂
Tracy
Hi!
>For the Minny Pinny next steps you gave me above. Do you want a rep using the verbal before adding bars? I just reread what you posted and wasn’t sure>
Sorry for any confusion!
You can do a quick warm up with the verbal and if that goes great (as expected), add the bars. Keep me posted!Find my face went great, even with the Golden audience watching you closely LOL! Dublin said it was the easiest game in the history of all games and he was perfect of course.
He offered some nice heel position 🙂 but also came to your right side super well! This is a fun game to revisit in different environments, and you can also sometimes whip out a toy reward too.Great job!
Tracy
Hi!
>For the spins should I move onto adding in more and the turn and burn?>
Yes! You can add more spins, more distance, turn and burn at the end… you can make up mini courses 🙂
>I was trying to pay attention to my steps away from him so not surprised I messed up that variable.>
I don’t think it was the # of steps as much as it was how much time passed after you stopped. Dogs are pretty amazing at counting the seconds between stopping and releasing!
On the video:
Your instructor is going to have longer arms from holding him LOL!! He was so offended that he was being held at first LOL! But he did GREAT. What a good boy!!I LOVE YOUR ENERGY when you ran around him then did the recall!!!!!!! Everyone should have this energy!!!! Inspiring! You can always come play flyball with us too, we love this energy in all sports. I wish more agility people brought this energy to the recall games!
And yes, it is an exhausting way to practice but the energy level makes it worthwhile. He was fast and focused and loving it!!
Your videographer was HILARIOUS too.
Working in the back corner of the ring was hard for a second but then he got right on it. And even after showing the toy toy to the paparazzi, he came right back when you called him. Brilliant! (And yes, pull back don’t bowl into the tunnel, that was great advice – I think he is pulling your arm forward so not really shoving?).
He was on fire here and worked with super high intensity, thanks to the energy you put into it. Click/treat to you! He was tired by the end but it was a really great session 🙂
Nice work!
Tracy
Hi!
>The other night we had a lesson at the pole barn. Instructor commented “Sunnie was more focused tonight” but reminded me that can change next time due to her age.
said to myself yup you reminded me of that awhile ago LOL! >Ha! This is sooooo true – it can change minute to minute LOL!
>Question, Is it Ok to let Sunnie wander off in between reps? Or should I keep a thumb on her? when the rep is finished I reward but should I make sure she is still connected with me? Keep her connected until our turn is over?>
I personally do not let my youngsters wander between reps, because it risks creating a conflict/frustration when I don’t want them to wander. With my youngsters, I only want complete focus and engagement in the ring, so I will reward them then if I need to talk to the instructor, I will gently hold their collar (I often get down on one knee so it is easy to do that). Then when it is time to get the next rep, it is easy to get there attention again and there is zero conflict about leaving or not leaving, sniffing or not.
>when the exercise is over, I am not making sure she stays with me, sometimes I do but not every rep. >
Try to hold onto her after every rep rather than let her wander. She doesn’t have work or be fed or tug – a collar hold is perfect. Yo can ask instructor to help you with this. I often stop talking if the dog is wandering, so the handler can gather up the pup.
I let my experienced adult dogs wander sometimes – but those dogs have total engagement when asked to work 🙂 and I don’t think young dogs have that skill yet.
>She does come back when I call her, but not snappy, it may take a bit, while she is exploring in the pole barn. This happens at the turf place too.>
Right, that is where the conflict can start- the recall gets weaker and the environment gets interesting.
I always ask myself: is this behavior undesirable if the dog chooses it during training? Such as: will wandering and sniffing be something I don’t want during training?
If the answer is yes, I don’t want it… then I won’t allow it to get rehearsed between reps because that rehearsal will strengthen the behavior.
>Also, I noticed and maybe it’s just a coincidence, (but I know you like the brainy stuff, me too!) she was quite wired when we came home from that lesson. >
I love the nerd stuff! My guess is that it was a lot of adrenaline left over from the training 🙂 and she needed to decompress. A good run in the yard, or treat scattered in the grass, or a chewy or even a lickimat can help her chill out and settle faster.
On the video:
Nice job with your connection as she exited each barrel! There was one little blower at :49 where it looks like you looked ahead a little too soon and rotated too soon so she had a question, but the rest were great. The FCs and spins were all super. Yay!2 things on this game:
You can add more distance between the barrels to get more running 🙂 And it will give you a little more tie to cue the turns, because you will have more room between the barrels.She is going faster and touching the barrels (not smashing them, just touching). We are getting ready to transfer this all to wings anyway, so let’s go ahead and move this game to two nice, big wings 🙂 You can start with turn and burn on one wing, then rocking horses on 2 wings. She is ready!
Great job here!!
Tracy
Hi!
>I think I’m going to need to make sure and help him remember to take breaks and take care of himself since I think sometimes his desire to do the thing could overshadow his self preservation.>
Yes, his body probably doesn’t even realize that it could be a very hot summer ahead… he was born in the fall, right? It will be his first encounter with heat! I can see he was getting hot here – short blasts can build up heat acclimation so keep doing some short blasts of heat sprints 🙂
On the video:
The distances here were nice and big! And you were sending from far away and rotating a bit earlier on most of the reps (he had no questions).
At 2:20 (last rep before hug time :)) you had the best & earliest rotation. Love it! You can continue down that road: as he is exiting the start barrel, you are shifting from running into deceleration. Then you can either send to the next barrel for a nice early FC, or you can stay in decel and do a pivot so he stays with you. Then you can reward or send to the next barrel! Keeping it happily unpredictable can be very fun and also great prep for course work, where the dog cannot really predict the sequence and has to watch for the cues.
Great job!
Tracy
Hi!
His stay has been great for a while now, and it was fabulous in this video 🙂 You’ve clearly put in a ton of value for staying while you move away fast. I thought you were going to jump through the minny pinny on a couple of those reps! He seems to enjoy the stays too 🙂 Even when you were getting him more excited: his stays were still spot on. Super!
Since this was fantastic – you can add in sit stays in front of exciting things to simulate a start line jump. For example, place his favorite toy or a bag of treats on the ground. Then bring him into the area and line up & sit-stay in front of it, as if it was a jump, while you lead out. That might be a harder challenge! And you can see if he will hold a stay while Folger comes to you for a treat, or does a trick – all sorts of fun things to teach him to ignore while holding his stay.
Great job here!
Tracy
Hi!
He did indeed have some questions about the tunnel threadle which is why he got aroused and bitey.
I think the dog-side arm was a bit confusing for him? He was not sure abut the turning away element of it. Have you considered using the opposite arm or both arms? That can be a really unique cue to show him the turn away.When you re-visit this, you can get closer to the tunnel entry for the threadles so it is more visible for him. And warm up by showing him just the threadle part of it so he turns away – then add in the first tunnel on the normal send before the 2nd tunnel with the turn away.
Rocking horses –
>Also did the rocking horse again adding in more than one thing lifted his arousal. Realise he has been used to one thing one reward. >
I don’t think it was the 2-in-a-row that was hard, it was more that he never saw a connection as he exited the first barrel. You were trying to stop him with a hand touch later in the session but that was frustrating him more. So rather than a hand touch: as he exits the barrel, keep your arm back to his nose and his eye on his eyes, rather than pointing/looking forward to the next barrel. That big connection plus a big step to each barrel should make it clearer and easier for sure.
Nice work here!
Tracy
