Wow I had an eye opener last Saturday- I attended Silvia Trkman's foundation seminar at Best Friends Agility. I have always wondered how you add speed once you've got a dog working...now I realize the speed comes first. I took some notes and here is what I captured:
Silvia's puppy class graduates most know the following to graduate:Heeling, forward and back figure 8, backwards, recall from other puppies and much more!
Focus on SPEED
She started off the seminar by showing us an exercise you can do while out walking with your dog. She called it the recall/run. Basically play with your dog-teach your dog that you are fun too! Coming too you is not always a bad thing. Practice recall and run...attach a name when dog is running fast-go go go, even when playing. Play wrapping trees on walks -practice sends and wraps. Train to run to toy/weaves put toy down have dog run between 2 trees.
Don't punish dog for running full speed-even if it's not paying attention. Turn it around into a game..say go go go...add direction.
Teaching Obstacles: Restrain your dog to build up enthusiasm. Restrain say tunnel, tunnel, tunnel and release when do really wants to go to tunnel. Throw toy when dog exits tunnel or do come come come or do both...come come come...throw toy. Use 2 toys sometimes..so dog gives you one throw the other in the other direction. This doesn't discourage the dog from coming back to you with the toy.
For dogs that don't like to play with toys. Some like to chase grass-no pressure to pick it up. Play with water. Transfer treat value-throw ball-treat. Condition the dog that if they get the ball they get treat.
Sending around object
Send dog around object (cone, pole, jump standard) but keep dogs turn as close as possible. Dog should do 270 around the object. Helps teach collection. Can use to teach a command for collecting on landing side of jump. Use with tunnel to teach crosses ...have cones about 10 feet away from entrance/exit of tunnel set up in u-shape.
Agility is not about the jump -it is about the turns. With good turns you will be able to take the shortest path.
270 Exercise. Start with food close, wrap dog in 270 treat dog as it exits the wrap. Then as you add distance use reward with toy to build speed. When you have one wrap mastered, do from cone to cone. And finally add a word.
Tricks for Body Awareness: Name each paw. Lift 1, lift 2, lift 3, lift 4 etc. Box games-walk in box one paw at a time. Then make box smaller. Walon on a box to teach 2 on 2 off, front paws and back paws. Teach dog to place feet on object then move rear feet around.
Interacting with Scary Objects
Adj to dogs speed and comfort zone. Use a lid with socks under it, teach closing doors and drawers, push skateboard, push teeter. Use tricks in warmup to get dog focused. To teach teeter push down prop one end of the teeter.
Train stay separately from equipment. For dogs that lack moticvation, play on startline and go -minimize lead-outs. Train Contactts. Train weaves. Train Turns. Then once all solid put them together.
Weaves: Start with 12 channel weaves set very wide apart. Once doing 12 poles, do all angels for start, starting with one side, then do other side.
Call-to-Hand: From restrained recall, call to hand. Drop hand (slap leg). Blind cross is a good test of call to hand. Use a command (Silvias boo boo boo...don't take what you see, come to hand, and wait for release).
Train "around": Go around other side of jump.Useful when a dog needs to jump from away side of jump. Tic, Tac collection cues. Lefts and rights.
Try to work in front of dog as much as possible to encourage speed for faster runs.
Well...that's the general gist of what I learned..now I have to read up to fill in the pieces!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Class 11/17
Annie is still in heat so Selena had to step in again. She got to enjoy a sunny fresh morning.
Today we worked on jumping skills. It was interesting to see what different problems the dogs/handlers had.
Pam showed us a couple of areas to be aware of what the dog was seeing and sure enough the fast dogs were seeing that path. The slower ones followed their handlers.
Tips: When doing a 180 turn keep the dog interested with vocalization
a)prevents loosing dog to another jump staring it in the face
b) keeps dog motivated
Today we worked on jumping skills. It was interesting to see what different problems the dogs/handlers had.
Pam showed us a couple of areas to be aware of what the dog was seeing and sure enough the fast dogs were seeing that path. The slower ones followed their handlers.
Tips: When doing a 180 turn keep the dog interested with vocalization
a)prevents loosing dog to another jump staring it in the face
b) keeps dog motivated
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
11/03/09
Class was back outside-a beautiful sunny day (finally!).
We worked parts of a course. First exercise was a tire to jump straight line, turn 90 degrees over a jump to a tunnel parked right behind the dog walk. Big discrimination exercise, out over a jump to teeter.
Annie did the dog walk the first time around. I rear-crossed late in front of the previous jump which pulled her back and basically left me behind her and the dog walk right in front of her. Pam suggested I cross after the jump since there was loads of space. I tried that and was easily able to get Annie in the tunnel (though she still WANTED to go up the dog-walk). I crossed in front of the teeter but used the wrong hand to signal her. Gotta remember DOG SIDE HAND.
Next we tried the same exercise with a lead out for the first 2 jumps. I didn't like that as much as I found I had to hurry a lot more to get to the tunnel/dogwalk. This time I got Annie in the tunnel but she head out of it saw the A-frame and over she went. Lesson: Remember to cue her when she is in the tunnel and reinforce it on her exit.
Next we did a teeter, tunnel jump a-frame sequence. On this we had to do a rear-cross between the jump and the A-frame. Lesson here: When doing a rear-cross you can't get ahead of your dog. On this sequence you had to hold back while the dog was doing the tunnel cue the jump then a-frame and then switch as the dog committed to the a-frame. If you were waiting at the jump after the dog was in the tunnel you were ahead of the dog which makes crossing behind awkward.
Annie worked well today.
We worked parts of a course. First exercise was a tire to jump straight line, turn 90 degrees over a jump to a tunnel parked right behind the dog walk. Big discrimination exercise, out over a jump to teeter.
Annie did the dog walk the first time around. I rear-crossed late in front of the previous jump which pulled her back and basically left me behind her and the dog walk right in front of her. Pam suggested I cross after the jump since there was loads of space. I tried that and was easily able to get Annie in the tunnel (though she still WANTED to go up the dog-walk). I crossed in front of the teeter but used the wrong hand to signal her. Gotta remember DOG SIDE HAND.
Next we tried the same exercise with a lead out for the first 2 jumps. I didn't like that as much as I found I had to hurry a lot more to get to the tunnel/dogwalk. This time I got Annie in the tunnel but she head out of it saw the A-frame and over she went. Lesson: Remember to cue her when she is in the tunnel and reinforce it on her exit.
Next we did a teeter, tunnel jump a-frame sequence. On this we had to do a rear-cross between the jump and the A-frame. Lesson here: When doing a rear-cross you can't get ahead of your dog. On this sequence you had to hold back while the dog was doing the tunnel cue the jump then a-frame and then switch as the dog committed to the a-frame. If you were waiting at the jump after the dog was in the tunnel you were ahead of the dog which makes crossing behind awkward.
Annie worked well today.
Class 10/27/09
Today we were inside yet again...and Elizabeth taught us. We worked on distance which was great as Annie and I need to get some distance on our team.
We first worked three jumps like a pinwheel. I had to step in to get Annie deep into the pinwheel. We then worked on a jump, back to tunnel send to jump combination. Annie worked well through that. Then we added a flip back out to another jump and send to A-frame. I had to step in for the flip but Annie happily layered the tunnel/A-frame.
We then worked a jump tunnel jump weave pattern. Send dog over jump -tunnel is staring them in the face so that wasn't hard. The hard part was the tunnel exit-the dogs really wanted to go back over the jump..I had to call Annie through it several times. I think perhaps in a competition I'd have done better to be at the exit and start running past the jump/effectively blocking it and then sending to jump and weaves. Annie missed her weave entrance the first time. I restarted her over the jump and she got it and had no issue with me not being right beside her. Yeah!
Next Elizabeth showed us how to incorporate a chair to teach out. I think I'll do this. You teach the dog to go out around the chair(or some object). You keep moving it further away. Once this is accomplished you put it by a jump so it become an "out, jump" .
We first worked three jumps like a pinwheel. I had to step in to get Annie deep into the pinwheel. We then worked on a jump, back to tunnel send to jump combination. Annie worked well through that. Then we added a flip back out to another jump and send to A-frame. I had to step in for the flip but Annie happily layered the tunnel/A-frame.
We then worked a jump tunnel jump weave pattern. Send dog over jump -tunnel is staring them in the face so that wasn't hard. The hard part was the tunnel exit-the dogs really wanted to go back over the jump..I had to call Annie through it several times. I think perhaps in a competition I'd have done better to be at the exit and start running past the jump/effectively blocking it and then sending to jump and weaves. Annie missed her weave entrance the first time. I restarted her over the jump and she got it and had no issue with me not being right beside her. Yeah!
Next Elizabeth showed us how to incorporate a chair to teach out. I think I'll do this. You teach the dog to go out around the chair(or some object). You keep moving it further away. Once this is accomplished you put it by a jump so it become an "out, jump" .
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Oct 13th class...
Today it was wet yet again so we worked inside again (thank goodness for "the barn")
We worked serpentines. Annie was pretty good at this exercise. Our biggest issue was losing momentum through the serpentine.
Pam made us aware of the line of approach and how that affects where the dog lands. And how where we position ourselves affects the information we are communicating to the dog.
We also tried a bit of layering -apparently we need lots of work on this.
We worked serpentines. Annie was pretty good at this exercise. Our biggest issue was losing momentum through the serpentine.
Pam made us aware of the line of approach and how that affects where the dog lands. And how where we position ourselves affects the information we are communicating to the dog.
We also tried a bit of layering -apparently we need lots of work on this.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Class 09/29
Today we did a short course right off the bat.
I led out the first two jumps and then had to turn her about 90 degrees to the next obstacle the tunnel. I led out the first 2 jumps and tried to turn her to the 3rd...mistake #1-she missed the turn and went wide around jump #3. Dogs work better off of body movement...I should just lead out the first jump, go with her to the 2nd and turn to the 3rd.
Next part of the sequence was tunnel rear cross to jump then a-frame. My rear-cross ended up far to close to the jump, I should have been at the tunnel exit urging her on then slip behind her there. Oops #2.
A-frame was good. There was a target. Annie expects treats if there is a target. Pam reminded me to put the treat on the target to train the head down stance we want not to treat her from my hand.
Next sequence: Jump, broad jump, jump...tunnel...jump. Annie does not recognize the broad jump as a "jump". We'll need to train her a cue for that such as "over" or "big".
I have to be careful that Annie actually commits to tunnels before I pull back. If she is not in it and I go towards the next jump..there is a good chance she's going with me! I need to be definite with my cue...bowl low for tunnel keep my arm out...make no mistake about it kind of cue!
We then worked the first section to practice the cross (tunnel to jump). It's much easier when timed right out of the tunnel.
Then to the weaves...Annie needs to gain some speed here. We also worked a cross behind on the weaves (put them on A-frame contact) release, weave...they should drive to weave poles, slip behind them. We need to work on our sending to obstacles. She understands but relies on me to go with her.
I led out the first two jumps and then had to turn her about 90 degrees to the next obstacle the tunnel. I led out the first 2 jumps and tried to turn her to the 3rd...mistake #1-she missed the turn and went wide around jump #3. Dogs work better off of body movement...I should just lead out the first jump, go with her to the 2nd and turn to the 3rd.
Next part of the sequence was tunnel rear cross to jump then a-frame. My rear-cross ended up far to close to the jump, I should have been at the tunnel exit urging her on then slip behind her there. Oops #2.
A-frame was good. There was a target. Annie expects treats if there is a target. Pam reminded me to put the treat on the target to train the head down stance we want not to treat her from my hand.
Next sequence: Jump, broad jump, jump...tunnel...jump. Annie does not recognize the broad jump as a "jump". We'll need to train her a cue for that such as "over" or "big".
I have to be careful that Annie actually commits to tunnels before I pull back. If she is not in it and I go towards the next jump..there is a good chance she's going with me! I need to be definite with my cue...bowl low for tunnel keep my arm out...make no mistake about it kind of cue!
We then worked the first section to practice the cross (tunnel to jump). It's much easier when timed right out of the tunnel.
Then to the weaves...Annie needs to gain some speed here. We also worked a cross behind on the weaves (put them on A-frame contact) release, weave...they should drive to weave poles, slip behind them. We need to work on our sending to obstacles. She understands but relies on me to go with her.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Diva's 2nd and Last class at Smallie Acres
Due to bad weather today was Diva's 2nd and last class. She and KL (and I ) learned a ton.
First we showed off what we'd learnt the past couple of weeks working at home. Then we learned all sorts of new stuff.
Circles: Teach the dog to follow you. Inside and outside circles. Start with the dog on your outside and jog a large circle, treat to keep the dog running by your side and watching you. Do both ways and then switch to the inside. Inside is harder than the outside. This is a really good exercise to teach your dog to run with you and stay to whatever side you're asking her to run on. Always treat with the dog side hand.
Next Diva met her first piece of agility equipment - a big scary tunnel. At first she was not so sure but then when it was squished up she went through. After that, there was no stopping her -she was quite confident going through the whole thing extended.
Next we did an exercise that will be the foundation of rear crosses. Put your dog in a sit and then step back a few steps to the side, then back. You should be able to go right around your dog without it busting its sit. The dog should turn its head left when you're on the left, and then when you step over the line to the right, you're looking for the dog to turn its head to the right rather than move or try looking over its shoulder at you. Slowly add distance.
Out: Use something like a cone to get your dog to walk around while you walk a straight line. Treat the dog in a straight line as soon as it goes out around the object. You want to treat with the dog side hand. Gradually increase the distance between the cone and the handler.
Make a Choice: A fun game to teach the dog to "leave it". Hold some treats in your hand, and make a fist. When the dog stops trying to get the treat or looks away, click and treat with the OTHER hand. After a while you can open your hand when the dog steps back. The goal is to be able to get your dog to ignore something dropped on the ground so you don't have to use "leave it".
Watch: Put your hand out, when your dog touches, click and treat. Gradually demand more of a touch to get the reward.
First we showed off what we'd learnt the past couple of weeks working at home. Then we learned all sorts of new stuff.
Circles: Teach the dog to follow you. Inside and outside circles. Start with the dog on your outside and jog a large circle, treat to keep the dog running by your side and watching you. Do both ways and then switch to the inside. Inside is harder than the outside. This is a really good exercise to teach your dog to run with you and stay to whatever side you're asking her to run on. Always treat with the dog side hand.
Next Diva met her first piece of agility equipment - a big scary tunnel. At first she was not so sure but then when it was squished up she went through. After that, there was no stopping her -she was quite confident going through the whole thing extended.
Next we did an exercise that will be the foundation of rear crosses. Put your dog in a sit and then step back a few steps to the side, then back. You should be able to go right around your dog without it busting its sit. The dog should turn its head left when you're on the left, and then when you step over the line to the right, you're looking for the dog to turn its head to the right rather than move or try looking over its shoulder at you. Slowly add distance.
Out: Use something like a cone to get your dog to walk around while you walk a straight line. Treat the dog in a straight line as soon as it goes out around the object. You want to treat with the dog side hand. Gradually increase the distance between the cone and the handler.
Make a Choice: A fun game to teach the dog to "leave it". Hold some treats in your hand, and make a fist. When the dog stops trying to get the treat or looks away, click and treat with the OTHER hand. After a while you can open your hand when the dog steps back. The goal is to be able to get your dog to ignore something dropped on the ground so you don't have to use "leave it".
Watch: Put your hand out, when your dog touches, click and treat. Gradually demand more of a touch to get the reward.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Agility Class 09/22
Today Elizabeth taught our class. She had a course from the Worlds set up and adjusted for novice dogs. It was fun to break down the elements and then put it all together.
Things I learned:
Gotta remember a different cue for Annie for the broad jump. First time she trotted over it again.
Serpentine: Raised arm means out, dropping arm means close.
Precue: Remember when doing wraps a front cross precue will get them closer. It must be visible to the dog!
It was fun to watch Kira today. She was reluctant to perform so Elizabeth had her handler run with Desi and Kira loose behind...you should have seen Kira wake up and want to do stuff too! It was a good eye opener on generating interest in YOU the handler.
Annie weaved really well today -it was the 20" poles - I wonder if she likes that spacing (or if that is what I have here)?
Things I learned:
Gotta remember a different cue for Annie for the broad jump. First time she trotted over it again.
Serpentine: Raised arm means out, dropping arm means close.
Precue: Remember when doing wraps a front cross precue will get them closer. It must be visible to the dog!
It was fun to watch Kira today. She was reluctant to perform so Elizabeth had her handler run with Desi and Kira loose behind...you should have seen Kira wake up and want to do stuff too! It was a good eye opener on generating interest in YOU the handler.
Annie weaved really well today -it was the 20" poles - I wonder if she likes that spacing (or if that is what I have here)?
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Class 09/15/09
Today it was wet so we worked indoors - a good opportunity to practice handling in a tighter space.
First course issues: Handling the best line-some choices to push or pull, which way to wrap around a jump. Annie did the opening two jumps and tunnel well but then had weave pole issues. Pam reminded me when correcting weave poles REPEAT the obstacle before the weave poles to get the flow back-don't just drill the weaves. The 2nd time I still had problems, so we did a 3rd, and we were successful -Pam said I used a much more definite tone of voice-remember tones!
On the table I forgot to rotate Annie and remembered as soon as I asked her to down and she sort of shuffled down like where am I supposed to lay?
The jump to teeter closing was OK- my rear cross was misplaced - I forgot to draw some straight lines to the obstacles. I should have drawn out away from the second jump to allow Annie room to make a nice forward jump.
Red line is correct path, green is the one I initially tried-cross ends up way to close to jump
Other topics of the day: Delivery of Random Reward-don't always treat just the contacts. When doing discrimination exercises reward the tunnel as much as the A-frame. Occasionally just throw out a jackpot at a jump to keep jump value up.
The last exercise we used timers to see what path worked best for our dogs. The first time through I led Annie out by one jump and then curved her around me for the turn to jump 3 and 4 - and then crossed behind for the tunnel -it worked OK but I think the next pattern worked better. I led out two jumps and front crossed Annie to turn her to the next two jumps. She certainly hustled the first 2 jumps and we got a tighter turn to jump 3 with this method. Gotta always be aware which handling method will work best for MY dog.
First course issues: Handling the best line-some choices to push or pull, which way to wrap around a jump. Annie did the opening two jumps and tunnel well but then had weave pole issues. Pam reminded me when correcting weave poles REPEAT the obstacle before the weave poles to get the flow back-don't just drill the weaves. The 2nd time I still had problems, so we did a 3rd, and we were successful -Pam said I used a much more definite tone of voice-remember tones!
On the table I forgot to rotate Annie and remembered as soon as I asked her to down and she sort of shuffled down like where am I supposed to lay?
The jump to teeter closing was OK- my rear cross was misplaced - I forgot to draw some straight lines to the obstacles. I should have drawn out away from the second jump to allow Annie room to make a nice forward jump.
Red line is correct path, green is the one I initially tried-cross ends up way to close to jump
Other topics of the day: Delivery of Random Reward-don't always treat just the contacts. When doing discrimination exercises reward the tunnel as much as the A-frame. Occasionally just throw out a jackpot at a jump to keep jump value up.
The last exercise we used timers to see what path worked best for our dogs. The first time through I led Annie out by one jump and then curved her around me for the turn to jump 3 and 4 - and then crossed behind for the tunnel -it worked OK but I think the next pattern worked better. I led out two jumps and front crossed Annie to turn her to the next two jumps. She certainly hustled the first 2 jumps and we got a tighter turn to jump 3 with this method. Gotta always be aware which handling method will work best for MY dog.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Class Sept 08
Today we played snooker in class. Annie was very good as she lets me tell her where to go.
Next we worked on the closing for the snooker pattern. Two jumps in a row then a 180 back behind the 2nd' jump so a front cross was in order, and then to the weave poles (basically a loose serpentine pattern).
My first try Annie got behind me and on the wrong side for the cross. Pam showed me how to precue the cross by getting my non-dog side hand out as she's going to the jump so she sees me as she's going over not blowing right past me. It worked great! Yeah!
Next we worked on jump, weaves a-frame tunnel jump...Annie did it well. Then we changed up to the tunnel instead of the A-frame. Now the dogs were patterned to doing the A-frame instead of the tunnel so we really had to work and getting their attention and performing the tunnel. A low cue is in order rather than waving a high hand at the tunnel...high makes them look up..what's up? The a-frame. Low they look down...what's down? The tunnel! Also it helps to not just shout one command but several so a cue of Tunnel, Tunnel Tunnel...worked to get the dogs attention.
Next we worked on the closing for the snooker pattern. Two jumps in a row then a 180 back behind the 2nd' jump so a front cross was in order, and then to the weave poles (basically a loose serpentine pattern).
My first try Annie got behind me and on the wrong side for the cross. Pam showed me how to precue the cross by getting my non-dog side hand out as she's going to the jump so she sees me as she's going over not blowing right past me. It worked great! Yeah!
Next we worked on jump, weaves a-frame tunnel jump...Annie did it well. Then we changed up to the tunnel instead of the A-frame. Now the dogs were patterned to doing the A-frame instead of the tunnel so we really had to work and getting their attention and performing the tunnel. A low cue is in order rather than waving a high hand at the tunnel...high makes them look up..what's up? The a-frame. Low they look down...what's down? The tunnel! Also it helps to not just shout one command but several so a cue of Tunnel, Tunnel Tunnel...worked to get the dogs attention.
TWANG Trial
I certainly was anxious to see how Annie responded in a trial situation after a summer's hard work...so we eagerly set off to the labor day weekend trial at Watt's arena. We left at the wee hour of 4:50 am...with Annie meeting me outside our front gate after hurdling over the fence in the dark. She was eager too...
Our first run was a novice jumpers run and it wasn't the easiest of novice runs. Annie worked well but got sucked into the wrong end of a tunnel. I was very very happy with her and she payed attention to me the whole way around -we got a bit discombobulated in a couple of turns but all in all a very respectable run.
Her next jumpers class Annie just flew....she knocked a bar but with a time of 4.65 yps I now know I have an AGILITY DOG! Yippee! And do you know? She didn't even look like she was going fast...
Next came a gamblers class -it was an ugly gamble. The dog had to do an out blind to the handler therefore relying solely on voice cue - Annie wasn't ready for that but we used the time to practice our contacts and such and she did them nicely.
On to our standard runs. I think Annie was getting a bit stressed by this time. When we walked into the arena she started looking all about ...I had a sinking feeling...oh oh...is she going to take off? Happily...once started she stuck with me. A couple of times I thought I was going to loose her when her attention strayed but she stuck with me the whole way through...even when she stopped at the end of a tunnel with her head up in the air like a giraffe looking across the ring at the other ring...when I called her name her attention came back to me. Happiness! And our first half cue of the weekend (we knocked a bar along the way)
The next run was even better and we got our 1st full cue of the weekend and a good time -10 seconds less than course time, and our first title Novice Standard! Way to Go Annie.
Sunday I was flat out exhausted. Getting up early, fighting allergies or cold or whatever the krud was, working, driving etc. had really taken its toll on me. Annie seemed a bit different too..in her crate she made a commotion at another dog and while walking outside her attention was wondering to the other dogs...I was worried I might have trouble.
Happily Annie was a good dog ALL DAY. We earned 2 more regular legs with great times (averaging almost 10 seconds less than course time). Her gamble she went out to the tunnel, but came back out to me around the jump. I was able to send her back out to the chute but out she came after the shoot again. We'll have to work on keeping her out and sending her out after tunnels.
She gained 2 more standard legs on Sunday and had what I thought was a faultless jumpers run but somehow got 5 points so no cue.
All in all - a huge success!
Our first run was a novice jumpers run and it wasn't the easiest of novice runs. Annie worked well but got sucked into the wrong end of a tunnel. I was very very happy with her and she payed attention to me the whole way around -we got a bit discombobulated in a couple of turns but all in all a very respectable run.
Her next jumpers class Annie just flew....she knocked a bar but with a time of 4.65 yps I now know I have an AGILITY DOG! Yippee! And do you know? She didn't even look like she was going fast...
Next came a gamblers class -it was an ugly gamble. The dog had to do an out blind to the handler therefore relying solely on voice cue - Annie wasn't ready for that but we used the time to practice our contacts and such and she did them nicely.
On to our standard runs. I think Annie was getting a bit stressed by this time. When we walked into the arena she started looking all about ...I had a sinking feeling...oh oh...is she going to take off? Happily...once started she stuck with me. A couple of times I thought I was going to loose her when her attention strayed but she stuck with me the whole way through...even when she stopped at the end of a tunnel with her head up in the air like a giraffe looking across the ring at the other ring...when I called her name her attention came back to me. Happiness! And our first half cue of the weekend (we knocked a bar along the way)
The next run was even better and we got our 1st full cue of the weekend and a good time -10 seconds less than course time, and our first title Novice Standard! Way to Go Annie.
Sunday I was flat out exhausted. Getting up early, fighting allergies or cold or whatever the krud was, working, driving etc. had really taken its toll on me. Annie seemed a bit different too..in her crate she made a commotion at another dog and while walking outside her attention was wondering to the other dogs...I was worried I might have trouble.
Happily Annie was a good dog ALL DAY. We earned 2 more regular legs with great times (averaging almost 10 seconds less than course time). Her gamble she went out to the tunnel, but came back out to me around the jump. I was able to send her back out to the chute but out she came after the shoot again. We'll have to work on keeping her out and sending her out after tunnels.
She gained 2 more standard legs on Sunday and had what I thought was a faultless jumpers run but somehow got 5 points so no cue.
All in all - a huge success!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Diva's First Class
Diva had her first official dog class tonight. She and Katielyn started a foundations for agility class with Mama spectating. We got off to a bit of a rocky start, traffic was bad, Emma needed to pee so badly she couldn't stand it, KT was stuffed up from allergies and when I got Diva out of her crate her whole butt was soaked because she threw up. We got everybody sorted out and ready at last...
First thing on the agenda was to introduce the dogs to clickers. Michelle showed us how to load the clicker. Click and treat, click and treat until the dog knows click means treat.
Then we started on some shaping exercises with wobble boards. Diva wasn't very interested and Kt not to patient but I think Katielyn understood what was wanted...I'm not so sure about Diva!
Next on the agenda was playing to liven up and loosen up the dogs. Poor Diva was really too stressed to play so Katielyn went for a run around the yard with her. Michelle suggested putting something really yummy in a mesh bag and play tug with that.
The last exercise for the night was walking on a loose leash. Take a step if the dog doesn't pull click and treat. Take another step click and treat, take a couple of steps click and treat. If the dog pulls no click no treat.
So Kt has some homework to do, and me too with Annie. My goal is to get Annie to show some interst in toys.
First thing on the agenda was to introduce the dogs to clickers. Michelle showed us how to load the clicker. Click and treat, click and treat until the dog knows click means treat.
Then we started on some shaping exercises with wobble boards. Diva wasn't very interested and Kt not to patient but I think Katielyn understood what was wanted...I'm not so sure about Diva!
Next on the agenda was playing to liven up and loosen up the dogs. Poor Diva was really too stressed to play so Katielyn went for a run around the yard with her. Michelle suggested putting something really yummy in a mesh bag and play tug with that.
The last exercise for the night was walking on a loose leash. Take a step if the dog doesn't pull click and treat. Take another step click and treat, take a couple of steps click and treat. If the dog pulls no click no treat.
So Kt has some homework to do, and me too with Annie. My goal is to get Annie to show some interst in toys.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Annies 3rd agility class
Today we did some dogwalk exercises. Pam says to always bait the bottom of the dogwalk -sometimes with a target sometimes with not.
We also did a jumping exercise, involving a pinwheel to tunnel to 3 jumps, a vertical to a broad jump and then a cross after the broad jump to another jump. I had troubles with the cross. Pam pointed out I was using my away from dog hand and Annie really couldn't see the cue very well as my body was blocking her.
After that exercise we did an A-frame exercise and tunnel discrimination. One of the dogs got to barking and making a big commotion with the horse across the fence while Annie was running. It was too much for Annie and she had to dart off to see but I hollered "Annie come" and wouldn't you know it -she about faced and came to sit in front of me and Pam said to carry on don't make a big deal of it. I was pretty tickled that Annie came back so quickly, and Pam said it was very good! Yeah progress.
I was a little dissappointed with Annie's lack luster attitude at class today. It was a little cooler and I was hoping that it would make her a little more enthusiastic. Somehow I've got to find what makes her tick!
We also did a jumping exercise, involving a pinwheel to tunnel to 3 jumps, a vertical to a broad jump and then a cross after the broad jump to another jump. I had troubles with the cross. Pam pointed out I was using my away from dog hand and Annie really couldn't see the cue very well as my body was blocking her.
After that exercise we did an A-frame exercise and tunnel discrimination. One of the dogs got to barking and making a big commotion with the horse across the fence while Annie was running. It was too much for Annie and she had to dart off to see but I hollered "Annie come" and wouldn't you know it -she about faced and came to sit in front of me and Pam said to carry on don't make a big deal of it. I was pretty tickled that Annie came back so quickly, and Pam said it was very good! Yeah progress.
I was a little dissappointed with Annie's lack luster attitude at class today. It was a little cooler and I was hoping that it would make her a little more enthusiastic. Somehow I've got to find what makes her tick!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Class 2 08/25/09
Elizabeth Evans swapped classes with Pam today so we got to learn under another person. I think it is helpful to get input and opinions from lots of different people.
Here is the exercise we worked on today:
class 082509
Things we learned:
1. Don't lead out to much if you plan on doing a rear cross shortly -you want your dog to be AHEAD of you.
2. Handler Path: Where you do the rearcross will dictate the dogs path. In the first case we want to go from 6-7-8. The handler will run a straight line parallel to the intended path of the dog. In this case the cross will be done right after jump 6 so the handler is running a straight line to Jump 7.
Let's change things up now. Course will be 6-7 to unnumbered jump above 6. In this case the handler will run by 6 and go deep behind jump 7, pivot and do straight line to the next jump, again running parallel to the intended path of the dog.
Other tips to think about:
If you miss an obstacle in training (and sometimes in competition) don't worry about doing it-go on. Repeating tells the dog it has to be perfect. You have probably made a handler error and the dog is not understanding. It is demotivating to have to repeat endlessly (same with the weave poles-attempt if the dog comes up loop around to the obstacle BEFORE do it again and then retry).
Barking: Barking is a great stress release. If your dog learns to bark on cue it can be used as a motivating tool.
Annie's Performance: At first she didn't know what to do with the broad jump but she hadn't ever done the full jump nor had she seen one in month. Tipping the back board up helped her figure out it was a jump and after that she cleared it each time.
Here crosses were great and she performed the above pattern with ease both times. The weave poles proved to be an issue. I don't know why-yesterday she volunteered to do 12 and stayed in them. She couldn't seem to find the entry today - I don't know if it was because the poles were smaller, slimmer, spaced differently or what. We'll have to make a point of doing different poles.
She had absolutely no distraction issues -every time she was out on course with me she stayed with me even when we were jumping right toward and close to the other dogs.
Yeah another positive lesson!
Here is the exercise we worked on today:
class 082509
Things we learned:
1. Don't lead out to much if you plan on doing a rear cross shortly -you want your dog to be AHEAD of you.
2. Handler Path: Where you do the rearcross will dictate the dogs path. In the first case we want to go from 6-7-8. The handler will run a straight line parallel to the intended path of the dog. In this case the cross will be done right after jump 6 so the handler is running a straight line to Jump 7.
Let's change things up now. Course will be 6-7 to unnumbered jump above 6. In this case the handler will run by 6 and go deep behind jump 7, pivot and do straight line to the next jump, again running parallel to the intended path of the dog.
Other tips to think about:
If you miss an obstacle in training (and sometimes in competition) don't worry about doing it-go on. Repeating tells the dog it has to be perfect. You have probably made a handler error and the dog is not understanding. It is demotivating to have to repeat endlessly (same with the weave poles-attempt if the dog comes up loop around to the obstacle BEFORE do it again and then retry).
Barking: Barking is a great stress release. If your dog learns to bark on cue it can be used as a motivating tool.
Annie's Performance: At first she didn't know what to do with the broad jump but she hadn't ever done the full jump nor had she seen one in month. Tipping the back board up helped her figure out it was a jump and after that she cleared it each time.
Here crosses were great and she performed the above pattern with ease both times. The weave poles proved to be an issue. I don't know why-yesterday she volunteered to do 12 and stayed in them. She couldn't seem to find the entry today - I don't know if it was because the poles were smaller, slimmer, spaced differently or what. We'll have to make a point of doing different poles.
She had absolutely no distraction issues -every time she was out on course with me she stayed with me even when we were jumping right toward and close to the other dogs.
Yeah another positive lesson!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
First Group Lesson at Best Friends
Annie and I joined a novice class with Pam Richcreek at Best Friend's Fun Farm today. I was very happy with Annie's response to a new group -she was happy and friendly and not too worried about her surrounds.
Exercises for today included: Rear Crosses. First we did jump to teeter with rear cross between jump and teeter. We did the exercise from both sides. Next was jump, teeter to tunnel in an S shape. After that jump-teeter-table.
Tips on these exercises:
The rear cross should be done in the firs 50% of the distance between the obstacles, once you're beyond the 50% you're not saving ground and are defeating the purpose, and likely to pull your dog off of the obstacle.
Table down: If the dog jumps on and sits facing you right on the edge, before asking the dog to down, do a 1/4 turn to give the dog some room to lie down.
Final exercise of the day was Jump,rear cross to A-frame, then flip back to tunnel. Pam notes that we have to be very definite when the dog gets to the bottom of the A-frame, Touch. Then release and big gesture, "Tunnel".
Annie was a really good girl today and did the exercises well!
Exercises for today included: Rear Crosses. First we did jump to teeter with rear cross between jump and teeter. We did the exercise from both sides. Next was jump, teeter to tunnel in an S shape. After that jump-teeter-table.
Tips on these exercises:
The rear cross should be done in the firs 50% of the distance between the obstacles, once you're beyond the 50% you're not saving ground and are defeating the purpose, and likely to pull your dog off of the obstacle.
Table down: If the dog jumps on and sits facing you right on the edge, before asking the dog to down, do a 1/4 turn to give the dog some room to lie down.
Final exercise of the day was Jump,rear cross to A-frame, then flip back to tunnel. Pam notes that we have to be very definite when the dog gets to the bottom of the A-frame, Touch. Then release and big gesture, "Tunnel".
Annie was a really good girl today and did the exercises well!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Class 4
Last night we started with more "take-its" like usual. Annie is resisting this but I think we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Last night she was a little quicker to open her mouth. Gotta get the dumbell ordered....
Next thing for her once she takes it...is to put my hand down lower in front of her...take-it. Then when she does that...sweep my hand from in front of her...around to in front of me...then take-it.
I think we're aways from that lesson yet!
Did downs on mat. Put dog on stay. Walked to behind mat...come, down. Then take-it throw treat to get dog to get up quickly. When doing this well, we will progress to the handler backing away from the mat...and downing the dog on the mat. Remember to throw a treat straight away so the dog knows to get up straight away after the down.
Jumping: Put dog on stay. Walked to other side. Come jump. Also did a send...jump, take-it, jump, front. Annie is liking the jumping. Worked on broad jump, with handler in front and to the side. Annie, over -do not move, do not look back (as shortens dogs jump)...when I didn't move..Annie did it right! Yeah...
More out of sight stays. Dogs are pretty comfortable with this.
Next thing for her once she takes it...is to put my hand down lower in front of her...take-it. Then when she does that...sweep my hand from in front of her...around to in front of me...then take-it.
I think we're aways from that lesson yet!
Did downs on mat. Put dog on stay. Walked to behind mat...come, down. Then take-it throw treat to get dog to get up quickly. When doing this well, we will progress to the handler backing away from the mat...and downing the dog on the mat. Remember to throw a treat straight away so the dog knows to get up straight away after the down.
Jumping: Put dog on stay. Walked to other side. Come jump. Also did a send...jump, take-it, jump, front. Annie is liking the jumping. Worked on broad jump, with handler in front and to the side. Annie, over -do not move, do not look back (as shortens dogs jump)...when I didn't move..Annie did it right! Yeah...
More out of sight stays. Dogs are pretty comfortable with this.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Class 2
Well here's the update:
Class 2: Introduced what I call the "Heimlich Maneuver" for "take-it". Put cloth or leather collar on dog for this one. Say "take it" . If the dog doesn't take it lift the collar to put pressure under throat, keep pulling until dog is forced to open mouth. Then release "good dog"
Played the "down game" - Annie liked this one. Play with the dog, go here go there...and then issue the command "down" (no cheating with hand signals). Fun way to teach dog to down on command.
Jumping: Start idea of take it with the jump. Put dog on stay. Walk to jump..say jump, throw piece of food, take it, and then jump again, repeat several times.
Group Stays: Practiced leaving the room. Started first class with just walking to side of room. Then returning. Teach the dog you will be back! Then moved to leaving the room, and coming right back. Then progressively increase the amount of time out of the room.
Class 2: Introduced what I call the "Heimlich Maneuver" for "take-it". Put cloth or leather collar on dog for this one. Say "take it" . If the dog doesn't take it lift the collar to put pressure under throat, keep pulling until dog is forced to open mouth. Then release "good dog"
Played the "down game" - Annie liked this one. Play with the dog, go here go there...and then issue the command "down" (no cheating with hand signals). Fun way to teach dog to down on command.
Jumping: Start idea of take it with the jump. Put dog on stay. Walk to jump..say jump, throw piece of food, take it, and then jump again, repeat several times.
Group Stays: Practiced leaving the room. Started first class with just walking to side of room. Then returning. Teach the dog you will be back! Then moved to leaving the room, and coming right back. Then progressively increase the amount of time out of the room.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Show N Go
Annie and I went to Flower Mound for a show n go today. It was a small turnout for novice so we didn't have to wait long for our turn. Our on leash heel was pretty good - I didn't have Annie quite warmed up enough so she got a little bit ahead of me on the sits but was nice and perky for the rest (other than being distracted oggling at the audience). Our figure eight she lagged ( judge said "hurry, hury"). Next was our stand for examination. I hurried Annie on this -she was standing so I pulled on her to sit. Judge told me that was a no no. Oops. Then Annie was just a bit restless for some reason, figdeting with her feet. For our recall, I made yet another handler error. I set her on her sit and then walked back with my hands clasped together in front of me. I remembered I need them by my side so when I turned around I moved them, Annie saw that and zoomed over to me. We did a redo, and she did it quite nicely. Then on to our offleash heel. Annie was actually quite good for this (best to date). So all in all...a decent learning experience.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Started Open Obedience: Class 1
Annie and I started our open obedience class ltonight. This class will certainly present some challenges.
Areas covered:
Introduction to Dumbell (well actually a rope to start off). Put in mouth, say "take it" holding their jaw shut with the flap of skin under their jaw. Don't make them hold very long, take it out, and repeat 5 times. Annie was less than enthused about taking a rope in her mouth, but didn't have much say in the matter. Hopefully over time she'll learn that it has its rewards!
Introduction to Jumps: First thing give each jump a name...say "jump" for the vertical, and "over" for the broad jump (or whatever you want to call them). We started the dogs by going over with them (knocked the jump down to a size we could step over), and then recalling them over. Annie with her agility background had no issues with this exercise.
Down: The dogs have to learn the comman "down" without all sorts of posturing. Down means down. So we practices with them in a heel position, "down"...if they failed to down put the leash under your foot and pull them down. Annie just needed a gentle tug to remind her where she was supposed to go.
Next week we get measured for our very own dumbell!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
We Survived our First Trial!
Annie, my aussie pup is now 3 1/2 years old -well due to be out competing. I've been working fervently to gain control of her "wild side" - I think all those exercises and obedience classes are finally paying off.
I took her in her first ASCA agility jumpers class last night in Rendon, TX. She behaved well practicing and soon enough it was our turn to go. I plunked her down behind the start line noting a bit of a wild look developing in her eyes, so without further a do, I released her and we were OFF!
She shot over the first 2 jumps and then took off to the middle of the pen just looking for Jenny (the dog that teasers her at agility lessons). Well, thankfully Jenny was home in her pen, and so seeing no Jenny out there, Annie quickly recalled. She back jumped a jump on the way back so I knew our run was "done" as far as Q's go but we still needed to get over the rest of those jumps. She handled fast and well and completed her run without further bobbles and we "hurrahed" at the finish line. Her posted time about 35 seconds -very respectable especially considering our detour to middle at the beginning of the run.
I'm now looking forward to future runs....
I took her in her first ASCA agility jumpers class last night in Rendon, TX. She behaved well practicing and soon enough it was our turn to go. I plunked her down behind the start line noting a bit of a wild look developing in her eyes, so without further a do, I released her and we were OFF!
She shot over the first 2 jumps and then took off to the middle of the pen just looking for Jenny (the dog that teasers her at agility lessons). Well, thankfully Jenny was home in her pen, and so seeing no Jenny out there, Annie quickly recalled. She back jumped a jump on the way back so I knew our run was "done" as far as Q's go but we still needed to get over the rest of those jumps. She handled fast and well and completed her run without further bobbles and we "hurrahed" at the finish line. Her posted time about 35 seconds -very respectable especially considering our detour to middle at the beginning of the run.
I'm now looking forward to future runs....
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