Not much to update with training. Long hours of work and consistent rain and drizzle makes for little training. I did get a few sessions in this week and I focused on rear crosses as Shasta missed the rear cue a couple of times this past weekend.
As for last weekend, as the title of this post suggests, lots of things to be happy about but I was a little frustrated, especially with the last run.
The encouraging things include her working with better speed than she had in the past at On The Run. She did still struggle with the exit corner. She went 2 for 6 and I think all four mistakes happened in the exit corner. That said, the drive to the exit was not extreme on any course, which she had been a couple of times in the past. Also encouraging was that the aframe went very well all weekend, no stress and not any big pause at the top of it. So all-in-all, a little faster, a little less distracted at this venue, no residual aframe issue and no new issues.
Still, frustrated for much the same reasons. No issues yet we went 2 for 6. More importantly, I continue to pass on courses with tight measurements, flunk on courses with more points available. I'm already letting it get in my head. It was at it's extreme on Sunday. First was jumpers and after jump two we had another hoarking episode, our first since we started using lunch meat for her pre-run treats. It cost us 6-7 seconds while she ate her treat again (it never hit the floor) and we still Qd for two points. Then, in standard, there were lots of points available. She ran nice, made it through it all and... missed the last jump. I was gassed (having run Sonic 10 dogs earlier didn't help) and I couldn't keep up at the end to insure she didn't miss the jump. Looks like it would have been 16-17 points on that run alone. Ugh.
I know, she is really, really young and early in her career, I shouldn't be worrying at all about her points yet. Yep, that's perfectly logical and correct. But not how my emotions really were. I was really bummed when she missed that jump.
Now it's on to two weekends of outdoor agility. I hate outdoor agility. If hot and/or sunny, I just don't concentrate well. I also don't think Shasta will do well in the rain if it happens to, she is quite a princess about being in the rain at home. It will also be interesting to see if I can keep Shasta off of any dandelions that happen to be in the ring. So, my expectations aren't very high but it's agility, so one never knows.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
The Scare
A scary fall from the a-frame.
Yesterday's standard course started tunnel, jump, jump, a-frame. Shasta paused at the top of the a-frame as she has been doing some in shows. This time she turned to look at me when she paused. In turning, her left rear leg lost contact with the board and she fell from the top of the a-frame. It was a very scary fall. She was holding up her right rear leg momentarily. I picked her up and held her for a bit and set her down gently to see if she could walk it off. From that point forward, by some wonderful stroke of luck, we have not seen any more limping or soreness of any kind. As I set her down, she ran and took a jump on the way out.
A friend was nice enough to give us her appointment with the massage person that was at the show. She found a few slightly tight muscles in Shasta's back but nothing more than she would expect in any agility dog. Last night we iced her a few times because there was no harm in doing so. At one point last night she went a little nuts in the house, "butt-running" around, pouncing at the ball, bouncing off the sofa. I tried to calm her but she got really wound up. Did the massage make her feel "too good"?!
Today, still no signs of any issues so we went ahead and ran her. She ran a great jumpers run to start the day, good speed and no sign of issues. Then came standard and I was, of course, pretty close to terrified to send her over the a-frame. It was early again, the third obstacle, and she did it just fine, didn't even pause at the top today. Whew! Another glowing example of what has so far been a solid and resilient temperament. No hesitation at all after the previous day's fall.
We have an appointment with the chiropractor tomorrow, we are hoping for continued good and very fortunate news.
Still very scared thinking of it. Still extremely thankful that we might have escaped real trouble.
Yesterday's standard course started tunnel, jump, jump, a-frame. Shasta paused at the top of the a-frame as she has been doing some in shows. This time she turned to look at me when she paused. In turning, her left rear leg lost contact with the board and she fell from the top of the a-frame. It was a very scary fall. She was holding up her right rear leg momentarily. I picked her up and held her for a bit and set her down gently to see if she could walk it off. From that point forward, by some wonderful stroke of luck, we have not seen any more limping or soreness of any kind. As I set her down, she ran and took a jump on the way out.
A friend was nice enough to give us her appointment with the massage person that was at the show. She found a few slightly tight muscles in Shasta's back but nothing more than she would expect in any agility dog. Last night we iced her a few times because there was no harm in doing so. At one point last night she went a little nuts in the house, "butt-running" around, pouncing at the ball, bouncing off the sofa. I tried to calm her but she got really wound up. Did the massage make her feel "too good"?!
Today, still no signs of any issues so we went ahead and ran her. She ran a great jumpers run to start the day, good speed and no sign of issues. Then came standard and I was, of course, pretty close to terrified to send her over the a-frame. It was early again, the third obstacle, and she did it just fine, didn't even pause at the top today. Whew! Another glowing example of what has so far been a solid and resilient temperament. No hesitation at all after the previous day's fall.
We have an appointment with the chiropractor tomorrow, we are hoping for continued good and very fortunate news.
Still very scared thinking of it. Still extremely thankful that we might have escaped real trouble.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Flower Child
We had class tonight. Recent wet and warmer weather means that the dandelion population has flourished. Her infatuation with them was not a "puppy only" thing. She managed to munch quite a few of them at class. Most were between runs but some were during runs. We show at our school in three weeks, we have to hope the dandelions are mowed.
We did work through the dandelion fascination some, for the most part after the first run she trying and mostly focused during her runs, although I think she did sneak a dandelion or two in each of them, mostly while on her 2o2o position!
We did work through the dandelion fascination some, for the most part after the first run she trying and mostly focused during her runs, although I think she did sneak a dandelion or two in each of them, mostly while on her 2o2o position!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
The Land of Inconsistencies
Shasta is 17 months old today!
We've shown three weekends since the last post. We have finished our AX and AXJ titles and got our first MACH points in both standard and jumpers. I am really pleased with how Shasta is doing in the ring to this point. Focus, with a few minor exceptions, has been really good. We don't have any obstacle worry issues, which I have found unusual for a young berner. With the exception of the weaves I have been happy with her speed. Overall she is one impressive pup so far.
What has been surprising to me is how each weekend of shows seems to bring a new and different issue for the weekend. We've had weave entry issues for a small stretch. Minor issues with her "hoarking" up her treat on course. Minor issues with her "freezing" on a course near the exit (where I am quite sure she is saying, that's enough, let's go get our treats). A few dropped bars here and there. A couple of courses with lots of speed, a couple of courses where she was slow. We had one course that started with a tunnel she flew out of it, we had another that started with a tunnel where I wasn't sure if she got lost in it.
I do still have a few consistent issues (not every time but enough times) in the shows that we need to work through. I've mentioned the before.
1) Slow weaves.
2) Pausing at the top of the aframe.
3) Freezing/distraction near exit where I believe she wants to go get her treats.
4) Not one I am highly motivated to fix but she does not auto drop on the table in a show.
I wish I had a better plan for speeding up the weaves. I don't right now except to wait it out and hope it increases with confidence. She has done very fast weaves in the show three times I can think of (all three she missed the weave entry first try because she was going so fast). It's not like she is as fast in weaves as I would like in training either. One other handler at the show this weekend suggested I send Shasta into the weaves and then send Sonic in a second or two later. ;-) For now, I am waiting and hoping.
We've shown three weekends since the last post. We have finished our AX and AXJ titles and got our first MACH points in both standard and jumpers. I am really pleased with how Shasta is doing in the ring to this point. Focus, with a few minor exceptions, has been really good. We don't have any obstacle worry issues, which I have found unusual for a young berner. With the exception of the weaves I have been happy with her speed. Overall she is one impressive pup so far.
What has been surprising to me is how each weekend of shows seems to bring a new and different issue for the weekend. We've had weave entry issues for a small stretch. Minor issues with her "hoarking" up her treat on course. Minor issues with her "freezing" on a course near the exit (where I am quite sure she is saying, that's enough, let's go get our treats). A few dropped bars here and there. A couple of courses with lots of speed, a couple of courses where she was slow. We had one course that started with a tunnel she flew out of it, we had another that started with a tunnel where I wasn't sure if she got lost in it.
I do still have a few consistent issues (not every time but enough times) in the shows that we need to work through. I've mentioned the before.
1) Slow weaves.
2) Pausing at the top of the aframe.
3) Freezing/distraction near exit where I believe she wants to go get her treats.
4) Not one I am highly motivated to fix but she does not auto drop on the table in a show.
I wish I had a better plan for speeding up the weaves. I don't right now except to wait it out and hope it increases with confidence. She has done very fast weaves in the show three times I can think of (all three she missed the weave entry first try because she was going so fast). It's not like she is as fast in weaves as I would like in training either. One other handler at the show this weekend suggested I send Shasta into the weaves and then send Sonic in a second or two later. ;-) For now, I am waiting and hoping.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
We Got To Train!
We got to train. In our own backyard! The weather finally allowed it (may be short lived with rain in forecast every day this week).
We trained six or seven times over the three days. The one thing that struck me the most was that Shasta's speed in the back yard was very inconsistent. It was consistent within a single session but inconsistent between sessions.
As for the training itself, we did quite a few triples and she approached them all confidently, hopefully that will translate to comfort in a show. We also started proofing weave poles, mostly me getting away from them. She could easily do them with me gently getting more lateral distance and she could handle me veering away with a little abruptness but not extreme veering yet. She also seemed comfortable with me doing early front crosses while she was in the weaves.
Strangely, her weave entries from the wrap side were not as strong as her entries from the entry side. From a harsh wrap she would enter second pole.
We also worked on our turns on the flat (mostly from landing side of a jump). She was initially confused by it but we made great strides, she seems to now understand the cue again.
We trained six or seven times over the three days. The one thing that struck me the most was that Shasta's speed in the back yard was very inconsistent. It was consistent within a single session but inconsistent between sessions.
As for the training itself, we did quite a few triples and she approached them all confidently, hopefully that will translate to comfort in a show. We also started proofing weave poles, mostly me getting away from them. She could easily do them with me gently getting more lateral distance and she could handle me veering away with a little abruptness but not extreme veering yet. She also seemed comfortable with me doing early front crosses while she was in the weaves.
Strangely, her weave entries from the wrap side were not as strong as her entries from the entry side. From a harsh wrap she would enter second pole.
We also worked on our turns on the flat (mostly from landing side of a jump). She was initially confused by it but we made great strides, she seems to now understand the cue again.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Small Disappointment Explained
I mentioned being a little disappointed by Shasta's errors due to missing obstacles on the finishing stretch to get to the exit/treats. I shouldn't be disappointed, I fully expected it to be part of the process. I think there are two reasons I was.
One, there was small disappointment in the fact that we almost qualified multiple times in excellent but didn't. And it wasn't the course challenges that we missed on. I imagine it's a bit like how it feels to NQ because your dog left the ring. It shouldn't feel different than any other mistake but somehow it seems more avoidable.
The second reason is that I don't feel like there is much I can do about it in training or in handling. I'm sure there are many trainers better than me that think it absolutely can be fixed/avoided through training. But I see it more as gaining the necessary ring experience (fun matches and run-throughs are rare around here). To me, it's frustrating if I can't do much about it in training or handling. Again, it shouldn't be, most of our berners have gone through it and I expected it.
I can do something about how I react to it and train in the show and I am not very happy with myself with that part as I missed a couple of opportunities to help Shasta. The first few times I didn't encourage her back to do all the obstacles which gives her reason to be confused. She probably wonders, is it ok to skip those obstacles or not? Hopefully I can be more consistent in future shows, if it happens more like I expect it to.
One, there was small disappointment in the fact that we almost qualified multiple times in excellent but didn't. And it wasn't the course challenges that we missed on. I imagine it's a bit like how it feels to NQ because your dog left the ring. It shouldn't feel different than any other mistake but somehow it seems more avoidable.
The second reason is that I don't feel like there is much I can do about it in training or in handling. I'm sure there are many trainers better than me that think it absolutely can be fixed/avoided through training. But I see it more as gaining the necessary ring experience (fun matches and run-throughs are rare around here). To me, it's frustrating if I can't do much about it in training or handling. Again, it shouldn't be, most of our berners have gone through it and I expected it.
I can do something about how I react to it and train in the show and I am not very happy with myself with that part as I missed a couple of opportunities to help Shasta. The first few times I didn't encourage her back to do all the obstacles which gives her reason to be confused. She probably wonders, is it ok to skip those obstacles or not? Hopefully I can be more consistent in future shows, if it happens more like I expect it to.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Little Picture Disappointment, Big Picture Encouragement
How can dealing with a part of the process that I knew would happen be disappointing? I guess deep down I had hope that Shasta would exceed my already high expectations for her.
Shasta developed the case of "heading home-itis" that all of our berners have gone through. I had hope with her focus ability that maybe we wouldn't have to go through it. But her food drive is insane so I shouldn't be surprised. We went 1 for 5 this weekend and of the four NQs, three were late mistakes that might all be attributable to "heading home-itis". All were late, all in the same area of the ring heading to the exit. That was the little picture disappointment.
The courses were not easy courses this weekend. Not overly tough and certainly not unfair, but tougher than many we will see. And she handled the sequences great including some "in-your-face" wrong course challenges. She also had a great, clean open jumpers run to finish her OAJ title. That was the big picture encouragement.
Her speed was not as good as the previous weekend but wasn't bad. Not sure if it's the location or some other factor. There was also signs of confusion on the 2on2off criteria.
The WORST March/April continues. 8-10 inches of snow last week, maybe 8-10 inches tonight. April 22nd. I feel like life is conspiring against Shasta and I right now, not being able to train.
Things to focus on, if I have get a chance to train, essentially still the same as a week ago:
Shasta developed the case of "heading home-itis" that all of our berners have gone through. I had hope with her focus ability that maybe we wouldn't have to go through it. But her food drive is insane so I shouldn't be surprised. We went 1 for 5 this weekend and of the four NQs, three were late mistakes that might all be attributable to "heading home-itis". All were late, all in the same area of the ring heading to the exit. That was the little picture disappointment.
The courses were not easy courses this weekend. Not overly tough and certainly not unfair, but tougher than many we will see. And she handled the sequences great including some "in-your-face" wrong course challenges. She also had a great, clean open jumpers run to finish her OAJ title. That was the big picture encouragement.
Her speed was not as good as the previous weekend but wasn't bad. Not sure if it's the location or some other factor. There was also signs of confusion on the 2on2off criteria.
The WORST March/April continues. 8-10 inches of snow last week, maybe 8-10 inches tonight. April 22nd. I feel like life is conspiring against Shasta and I right now, not being able to train.
Things to focus on, if I have get a chance to train, essentially still the same as a week ago:
- 2on2off, specifically A-frames.
- Weaves, entries and getting distance.
- Triple and other jumps.
- Getting a non-puppy sit on start line!
- Moving front crosses.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Run Analysis
I can't imagine anyone is finding this blog interesting, it's really for my own note taking. And I really, really can't believe anyone would want to see my analysis of each of Shasta's runs. But I am doing that again for my own note taking, at least for a while, early in her career. I was posting it on this blog but decided it was confusing this blog a bit so I went with a new blog only for run analysis.
shastabernerruns.blogspot.com
shastabernerruns.blogspot.com
Couple Weeks of Shows and Training
In this, the WORST March/April ever, there is still no training in back yard and it doesn't look close. It's driving me crazy mostly because I want to work on things with Shasta.
A week and a half ago were the Cavalier shows at OTR. She was three for three in open jumpers, two for two in open standard and NQd her first excellent standard run when she avoided the aframe.
A great Q rate but there were a number of signs of issues. Most obvious was the aframe. She was getting more confused of her job each run to the point on Saturday of sitting on the apex. So it wasn't shocking when she avoided it all together on Sunday. Two tries and she refused them both and I went on. Speed also wasn't yet what it could be. And she had a few issues of freezing in the run when she was near the entrance/exit side, I think she was stopping to say, "c'mon dad, let's go get our treats".
With Kris' help I addressed the aframe issue as much as I could with no back yard. We set the aframe up in our pole barn and I did them Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights. Did a couple in class on Wednesday. Kris took her to the Inn during the day on Thursday and took her to SPDTC at night to do aframes. I focused on rewarding the release and not the "stick" of her contacts in class but that was all I could address anything else.
This last weekend was SPDTC. Not a good Q rate, 1 for 6, but she actually ran much better. First, addressing the aframe worked great, at least for now. Three great aframes, came down confidently and stuck her 2on-2off. But what was really much better was her speed. Much better! I am convinced the speed cost us most of our NQs as the increased/unexpected speed caused me to make the wrong handling choices and she got a couple of wrong courses. She also knocked a couple of bars that I think was because she wasn't as good at timing jumps at the increased speed. For no training reason, maybe it was just a better location for it, we didn't have any "freezing" or distraction issues.
So, the three issues from the weekend before, with only meaningful training on the aframe, and all three things were not issues this last week. Interesting.
But this week brought it's own issues. One, we were only 2 for 6 on weaves. I still don't believe it's stress and I'm still fairly confident I'm not looking at a long issue, but she did miss three entries and popped once. I need to spend more consistent training time on them again. There were the wrong courses that came when I was trying to move into a front cross. And she is not as comfortable as I would like on the aframe.
When I get a chance to train, I need to focus on:
A week and a half ago were the Cavalier shows at OTR. She was three for three in open jumpers, two for two in open standard and NQd her first excellent standard run when she avoided the aframe.
A great Q rate but there were a number of signs of issues. Most obvious was the aframe. She was getting more confused of her job each run to the point on Saturday of sitting on the apex. So it wasn't shocking when she avoided it all together on Sunday. Two tries and she refused them both and I went on. Speed also wasn't yet what it could be. And she had a few issues of freezing in the run when she was near the entrance/exit side, I think she was stopping to say, "c'mon dad, let's go get our treats".
With Kris' help I addressed the aframe issue as much as I could with no back yard. We set the aframe up in our pole barn and I did them Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights. Did a couple in class on Wednesday. Kris took her to the Inn during the day on Thursday and took her to SPDTC at night to do aframes. I focused on rewarding the release and not the "stick" of her contacts in class but that was all I could address anything else.
This last weekend was SPDTC. Not a good Q rate, 1 for 6, but she actually ran much better. First, addressing the aframe worked great, at least for now. Three great aframes, came down confidently and stuck her 2on-2off. But what was really much better was her speed. Much better! I am convinced the speed cost us most of our NQs as the increased/unexpected speed caused me to make the wrong handling choices and she got a couple of wrong courses. She also knocked a couple of bars that I think was because she wasn't as good at timing jumps at the increased speed. For no training reason, maybe it was just a better location for it, we didn't have any "freezing" or distraction issues.
So, the three issues from the weekend before, with only meaningful training on the aframe, and all three things were not issues this last week. Interesting.
But this week brought it's own issues. One, we were only 2 for 6 on weaves. I still don't believe it's stress and I'm still fairly confident I'm not looking at a long issue, but she did miss three entries and popped once. I need to spend more consistent training time on them again. There were the wrong courses that came when I was trying to move into a front cross. And she is not as comfortable as I would like on the aframe.
When I get a chance to train, I need to focus on:
- Weaves
- Triple
- Moving front crosses
- Aframe
- Speed off start line and contacts
Friday, April 5, 2013
Last Weekend - Our Second Weekend of Shows
Overall I was quite pleased with how our second weekend went as well. Friday was T2B only, Saturday was novice and thanks to Qing both, Sunday was our debut in open for both classes.
I was happy with some lateral and forward distances and how well that went. Her focus was not quite as strong as the first weekend but I was still pleased with it overall. She did have two visits to bar setters in her open standard run on Sunday (we still Qd). It was almost like she finally noticed they were there. I also had a couple of extremely brief moments of disconnect. But that's it, it was all focus otherwise.
There are a few things that I need to focus on if we ever get a chance to train in the yard again (worst early spring EVER in Minnesota). She is confused with her job on the aframe. She came down extremely slow in T2B, has been methodical on the others and has not stuck her "bottom" a few times. Overall, definitely confused on it. We still need to work on more drive from any release although it might have been a touch better than the first weekend.
We did have two more runs where she was kind of re-chewing her treats at the start of her run. I have to mix up the treats, figure out which one is causing the issue.
Focus and willingness to enter and complete the weaves continue to be amazing for a very young dog. Speed on them needs to pick up. But in some ways it's more amazing to not lose focus while weaving when weaving slower.
I was happy with some lateral and forward distances and how well that went. Her focus was not quite as strong as the first weekend but I was still pleased with it overall. She did have two visits to bar setters in her open standard run on Sunday (we still Qd). It was almost like she finally noticed they were there. I also had a couple of extremely brief moments of disconnect. But that's it, it was all focus otherwise.
There are a few things that I need to focus on if we ever get a chance to train in the yard again (worst early spring EVER in Minnesota). She is confused with her job on the aframe. She came down extremely slow in T2B, has been methodical on the others and has not stuck her "bottom" a few times. Overall, definitely confused on it. We still need to work on more drive from any release although it might have been a touch better than the first weekend.
We did have two more runs where she was kind of re-chewing her treats at the start of her run. I have to mix up the treats, figure out which one is causing the issue.
Focus and willingness to enter and complete the weaves continue to be amazing for a very young dog. Speed on them needs to pick up. But in some ways it's more amazing to not lose focus while weaving when weaving slower.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
The Debut - Long Summary
Last weekend was our debut weekend in Fargo. Overall, I was very pleased with how Shasta did. I really couldn't have asked for much better. We had a chance to run eight courses, two Time 2 Beat courses and six novice courses.
Most promising was her focus. I thought it was outstanding. She had a few moments of looking around at the start line when I led out past the first jump. She had one moment of briefly checking out the bar setters when they were actually quite close to a correct tunnel entry. That's all I can think of through all eight courses and three long days at the show.
I have thought all along that her focus and willingness to work for long stretches are her biggest strengths. At the same time, I am fully aware of the "berner grace period" that our berners have nearly always had early in their show career. The grace period before they realize and learn that the treats really aren't coming in the ring. I have great hope that Shasta will have a far smaller period of distraction issues than most berners. I see indicators of that but I still have to be aware that she is currently in the "berner grace period".
Her final run, jumpers with weaves, may have been her most impressive. It was late in the afternoon of the third very long day. We are about to enter the ring when the dog before her poops on the course late in their run. We go back out of the ring, find our extra treats we left behind and sat in a chair near the entry gate for 10-15 minutes while they cleaned things up. We entered the ring and she ran a perfect course. Impressive Shasta, impressive (to me).
The biggest issue that the weekend did point out, an issue I knew but she made very clear, was her confusion in breaking from her contacts/start line/table. Most times she paused before breaking and when she did break it was at a slow pace. She clearly seemed to be trying to tell me that I was forgetting the treat for her great contact performance.
Weaves were awesome. Entered and weaved first try all eight courses, including the two T2B courses that were 12 poles of weaves. I even got way in front on one course, got good lateral distance on another. Good girl!
Contacts, aside from the release, were very good. She did run off the very last one, the aframe but clearly knew she was wrong when she saw my "surprise" reaction.
Speed was not great. It wasn't bad either. I am finding myself a little concerned about it. I know and have written in this blog numerous times that she was not going to have great speed until she felt comfortable in the ring. She certainly wasn't stressed in the ring but that's not to say she was comfortable. By comfortable, I mean running without thinking. At this point, she is still being very thoughtful, a good thing in the big picture. Be safe and thoughtful for a while. Still, knowing these facts does not change me having a tiny concern about her eventual speed. She did have a few stretches with some pretty good speed. I knew I would feel this way, I tried warn myself I shouldn't, but it just doesn't work that way, does it?
Fargo was a venue she has never trained in. And it's a venue that our other young dogs have struggled with in the past, both with distraction and obstacle concerns. Shasta had no obstacle concerns at all. She did the teeter very confidently all five times (w/ T2B), did the dogwalk, the spread jumps, the panel, all without hesitation.
Officially she came home with 3 standard "legs" (one judge so no title), 2 jumpers legs and 2 T2B legs. She failed the one jumpers course because of a knocked bar. She had a wrong course in a standard run taking the broad jump off the aframe. She had the one refusal checking out the bar setters. Eight runs, three mistakes. Nice.
Most promising was her focus. I thought it was outstanding. She had a few moments of looking around at the start line when I led out past the first jump. She had one moment of briefly checking out the bar setters when they were actually quite close to a correct tunnel entry. That's all I can think of through all eight courses and three long days at the show.
I have thought all along that her focus and willingness to work for long stretches are her biggest strengths. At the same time, I am fully aware of the "berner grace period" that our berners have nearly always had early in their show career. The grace period before they realize and learn that the treats really aren't coming in the ring. I have great hope that Shasta will have a far smaller period of distraction issues than most berners. I see indicators of that but I still have to be aware that she is currently in the "berner grace period".
Her final run, jumpers with weaves, may have been her most impressive. It was late in the afternoon of the third very long day. We are about to enter the ring when the dog before her poops on the course late in their run. We go back out of the ring, find our extra treats we left behind and sat in a chair near the entry gate for 10-15 minutes while they cleaned things up. We entered the ring and she ran a perfect course. Impressive Shasta, impressive (to me).
The biggest issue that the weekend did point out, an issue I knew but she made very clear, was her confusion in breaking from her contacts/start line/table. Most times she paused before breaking and when she did break it was at a slow pace. She clearly seemed to be trying to tell me that I was forgetting the treat for her great contact performance.
Weaves were awesome. Entered and weaved first try all eight courses, including the two T2B courses that were 12 poles of weaves. I even got way in front on one course, got good lateral distance on another. Good girl!
Contacts, aside from the release, were very good. She did run off the very last one, the aframe but clearly knew she was wrong when she saw my "surprise" reaction.
Speed was not great. It wasn't bad either. I am finding myself a little concerned about it. I know and have written in this blog numerous times that she was not going to have great speed until she felt comfortable in the ring. She certainly wasn't stressed in the ring but that's not to say she was comfortable. By comfortable, I mean running without thinking. At this point, she is still being very thoughtful, a good thing in the big picture. Be safe and thoughtful for a while. Still, knowing these facts does not change me having a tiny concern about her eventual speed. She did have a few stretches with some pretty good speed. I knew I would feel this way, I tried warn myself I shouldn't, but it just doesn't work that way, does it?
Fargo was a venue she has never trained in. And it's a venue that our other young dogs have struggled with in the past, both with distraction and obstacle concerns. Shasta had no obstacle concerns at all. She did the teeter very confidently all five times (w/ T2B), did the dogwalk, the spread jumps, the panel, all without hesitation.
Officially she came home with 3 standard "legs" (one judge so no title), 2 jumpers legs and 2 T2B legs. She failed the one jumpers course because of a knocked bar. She had a wrong course in a standard run taking the broad jump off the aframe. She had the one refusal checking out the bar setters. Eight runs, three mistakes. Nice.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Debut in Two Days
It's now only about 36 hours until Shasta formally enters the agility ring for the first time. We start with T2B on Friday, a nice way to start. But then it's the novice classes later on Friday.
I few weeks ago I was really excited for this weekend. Now I am excited and a bit apprehensive. Nerves? I don't think so but maybe. I think I'm a little apprehensive because of the lack of training. With the AKC nationals and my work schedule around it, I've missed the last three weeks of class. And this is the worst March ever here in 2013 in Minnesota. Temps literally never above 35 and no break in sight. So no outdoor/at home training in sight. Anyway, I would be more comfortable with debut if I had a chance to get to a few classes in lately. But life happens and I didn't.
Kris kept reminding me that I needed to do some sets of six weaves poles, which she hasn't seen since we moved to twelve in training. Finally, tonight, I got down to the pole barn and worked some sets of six weaves. The good news is we did about 6-8 sets of them and they went perfect. On the other hand, I then went to do a few sets of twelve and she did her first two or three but then started "double pole weaving" the last four poles. Oh well, she hasn't done much training on them recently (sense a theme here?), we are going to have get back to them more routinely. (side note, I hate that AKC still has six weaves in Novice, oh I wish they would change that).
So, Fargo here we come!
I few weeks ago I was really excited for this weekend. Now I am excited and a bit apprehensive. Nerves? I don't think so but maybe. I think I'm a little apprehensive because of the lack of training. With the AKC nationals and my work schedule around it, I've missed the last three weeks of class. And this is the worst March ever here in 2013 in Minnesota. Temps literally never above 35 and no break in sight. So no outdoor/at home training in sight. Anyway, I would be more comfortable with debut if I had a chance to get to a few classes in lately. But life happens and I didn't.
Kris kept reminding me that I needed to do some sets of six weaves poles, which she hasn't seen since we moved to twelve in training. Finally, tonight, I got down to the pole barn and worked some sets of six weaves. The good news is we did about 6-8 sets of them and they went perfect. On the other hand, I then went to do a few sets of twelve and she did her first two or three but then started "double pole weaving" the last four poles. Oh well, she hasn't done much training on them recently (sense a theme here?), we are going to have get back to them more routinely. (side note, I hate that AKC still has six weaves in Novice, oh I wish they would change that).
So, Fargo here we come!
Sunday, March 10, 2013
First Time at SPDTC
Yesterday we brought Shasta to SPDTC for some training time. The ring was split in three with a dog running in each section. We got three minutes in each section. No room for crosses or much of anything having to do with flow, but it was perfect for Shasta and I as it allowed us to work every obstacle in a brand new place.
She did great. Took all the "unusual" obstacles first and every try: panel, triple, broad jump, double, weaves. The best part was that she did the teeter multiple times no hesitation. Not that she has a teeter issue but she hasn't done many inside on cement/mats and the SPDTC teeter tends to be loud. It was a relief to see her take it aggressively multiple times.
She was intrigued by the border collie running a few feet away from her on the other side of the baby gates. I lost her to watching the border collie once for a few seconds and then got her working again. I'm just saying, I have this hunch she would be a dynamite herding berner.
We are now 12 days away from our debut. I am really looking forward to it. Hopefully I can keep my expectations reasonable. I try to remind myself all the time that berners new to the agility ring take some time to learn the game and not have some distraction issues. Still, it's not wrong to HOPE we are an exception, is it? I would love for the debut to be at a time of year when I could be training her in our yard but in the winter/spring of 2013 that looks to be a long ways away.
She did great. Took all the "unusual" obstacles first and every try: panel, triple, broad jump, double, weaves. The best part was that she did the teeter multiple times no hesitation. Not that she has a teeter issue but she hasn't done many inside on cement/mats and the SPDTC teeter tends to be loud. It was a relief to see her take it aggressively multiple times.
She was intrigued by the border collie running a few feet away from her on the other side of the baby gates. I lost her to watching the border collie once for a few seconds and then got her working again. I'm just saying, I have this hunch she would be a dynamite herding berner.
We are now 12 days away from our debut. I am really looking forward to it. Hopefully I can keep my expectations reasonable. I try to remind myself all the time that berners new to the agility ring take some time to learn the game and not have some distraction issues. Still, it's not wrong to HOPE we are an exception, is it? I would love for the debut to be at a time of year when I could be training her in our yard but in the winter/spring of 2013 that looks to be a long ways away.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Unremarkable
No, that's not a comment on Shasta. Just on this stretch of training. The winter blahs.
Class last week went fine. There was no triple there. Everything else went fine. She even allowed me to do a rear cross on weaves when the sequence started jump-weaves. In other words, with very little momentum.
We went to TCOTC for some free ring time. She missed on the first attempt at the panel, triple and broad jump. Avoided the panel, went around the triple (at 20 inch) and stepped on the broad jump. Did them all perfect every time after that. Hopefully it's not an ongoing "first time she sees them" issue. I'd be surprised if it is but time will tell. It could be during our very limited winter training.
We went to the Inn on Saturday and set up a figure 8 of jumps that included the panel, the triple, the double and the broad jump. Four of the seven jumps in the figure 8. She did them all really well, even first time with each of them. She kept good motivation considering it was nothing but jumps. We did quite a few of them too.
Class last week went fine. There was no triple there. Everything else went fine. She even allowed me to do a rear cross on weaves when the sequence started jump-weaves. In other words, with very little momentum.
We went to TCOTC for some free ring time. She missed on the first attempt at the panel, triple and broad jump. Avoided the panel, went around the triple (at 20 inch) and stepped on the broad jump. Did them all perfect every time after that. Hopefully it's not an ongoing "first time she sees them" issue. I'd be surprised if it is but time will tell. It could be during our very limited winter training.
We went to the Inn on Saturday and set up a figure 8 of jumps that included the panel, the triple, the double and the broad jump. Four of the seven jumps in the figure 8. She did them all really well, even first time with each of them. She kept good motivation considering it was nothing but jumps. We did quite a few of them too.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Triple Trouble
No, I don't mean that there is three times the trouble. This week in class we had a tiny bit of trouble. With the triple.
As I recall it, her first approach she almost stopped at the triple, then went for it with little momentum, and cleared it. Next sequence we tried again and she did stop at it, then tried to clear it, then dropped the last bar. Now, understandably she was worried. I should have dropped the height and done it again, but no, I decided she just needed momentum without the stop. Which she did do the next time with my encouragement, not well but managed. At this minor success, since it was class, we stopped and went to the other half of class, the jumpers side. We started the first run on that side and she started going around the single jumps.
It was at that point that I realized that she may have never done a triple before and, therefore, never at anything less than 24 inches. Idiot trainer! Dumb. But, can't undo it. With a little encouragement we started doing the single jumps again and by the second run on the jumpers side she was back to taking them all normal.
That's where we last left things. It will be interesting to see how she does at class next week. And you can be sure I will remember to drop the height of the triple if it's there.
As I recall it, her first approach she almost stopped at the triple, then went for it with little momentum, and cleared it. Next sequence we tried again and she did stop at it, then tried to clear it, then dropped the last bar. Now, understandably she was worried. I should have dropped the height and done it again, but no, I decided she just needed momentum without the stop. Which she did do the next time with my encouragement, not well but managed. At this minor success, since it was class, we stopped and went to the other half of class, the jumpers side. We started the first run on that side and she started going around the single jumps.
It was at that point that I realized that she may have never done a triple before and, therefore, never at anything less than 24 inches. Idiot trainer! Dumb. But, can't undo it. With a little encouragement we started doing the single jumps again and by the second run on the jumpers side she was back to taking them all normal.
That's where we last left things. It will be interesting to see how she does at class next week. And you can be sure I will remember to drop the height of the triple if it's there.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Where's The Fire?
I just realized, literally as I was typing it, that the phrase "where's the fire" can have two different, opposite meanings. It's probably most typically used when someone is going really, really fast. As in, "whoa, where's the fire"? But I typed the subject line because I thought Shasta was a little flat last night in class and wondered "where's the fire"?
OK, here are the excuses. It was her first time jumping 24-inch in every sequence in class. Our winter venue is an arena with slightly loose dirt. Logical or not, I've always thought a dog was probably having to give the effort of jumping 25 inches to clear 24 in the dirt. It was day one of a cold for me so I didn't have any fire myself. All excuses though.
She did a lot of good things in class. Mostly, she did everything without hesitation. Weaves, teeter, dogwalk. Even her first triple. But it was, in my opinion, methodical. Not a big deal at this point, just an observation. It might signify that I've added too much stuff too quickly of late. It's something for me to keep my eye on and be ready to adjust if I need to.
OK, here are the excuses. It was her first time jumping 24-inch in every sequence in class. Our winter venue is an arena with slightly loose dirt. Logical or not, I've always thought a dog was probably having to give the effort of jumping 25 inches to clear 24 in the dirt. It was day one of a cold for me so I didn't have any fire myself. All excuses though.
She did a lot of good things in class. Mostly, she did everything without hesitation. Weaves, teeter, dogwalk. Even her first triple. But it was, in my opinion, methodical. Not a big deal at this point, just an observation. It might signify that I've added too much stuff too quickly of late. It's something for me to keep my eye on and be ready to adjust if I need to.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Those Other Obstacles
For a long lunch yesterday I met Kris up at On The Run for some open ring time. The focus was to see how she did her obstacles in another new place. I was especially curious about the teeter since it's again inside on mats.
Dogwalk, teeter, aframe and weaves all were just fine. Weave poles were even quite fast her first attempt at them then slowed down on subsequent weaves. She is also still being careful on the dogwalk but that doesn't bother me at all at this point.
We decided since we were there and things were going well we should introduce the jumps she hasn't yet seen. Out came the double jump and the panel. I tried them both at full height first. She came to a dead stop at both of them on first approach. We brought the panel down to 16 and she did it fine, brought it to 20 and did it fine, then brought it to 24 and did it fine going forward. On the double we brought it down to 20. She still balked at it first time, we approached it again with a little more momentum and she took it. A few more at 20 went fine. We went up to 24 and she was willing and cleared it but it was a little "spikey". So we have some work to do there.
Then out came the broad jump. This time we tried it first at about 16 (32) inches and she, not surprisingly had no clue. She walked over the boards. A few more tries and no success. We put up a wingless single jump in the middle of the broad jump and she cleared it. Did a few of those and it she was jumping it. Took the jump out and she went back to walking on the boards. Next we set the bar on the boards without the uprights and she jumped it a few times. We left it there so, again, we have some work to do.
Again she showed what I think is unbelievable "focus stamina" by working this entire time. Probably about 25 minutes when all was said and done. It might be her trait that I am most impressed with so far.
With Kris' help at least we thought to work on the "other" jumps. It's so easy to forget all about them, especially the broad jump.
Dogwalk, teeter, aframe and weaves all were just fine. Weave poles were even quite fast her first attempt at them then slowed down on subsequent weaves. She is also still being careful on the dogwalk but that doesn't bother me at all at this point.
We decided since we were there and things were going well we should introduce the jumps she hasn't yet seen. Out came the double jump and the panel. I tried them both at full height first. She came to a dead stop at both of them on first approach. We brought the panel down to 16 and she did it fine, brought it to 20 and did it fine, then brought it to 24 and did it fine going forward. On the double we brought it down to 20. She still balked at it first time, we approached it again with a little more momentum and she took it. A few more at 20 went fine. We went up to 24 and she was willing and cleared it but it was a little "spikey". So we have some work to do there.
Then out came the broad jump. This time we tried it first at about 16 (32) inches and she, not surprisingly had no clue. She walked over the boards. A few more tries and no success. We put up a wingless single jump in the middle of the broad jump and she cleared it. Did a few of those and it she was jumping it. Took the jump out and she went back to walking on the boards. Next we set the bar on the boards without the uprights and she jumped it a few times. We left it there so, again, we have some work to do.
Again she showed what I think is unbelievable "focus stamina" by working this entire time. Probably about 25 minutes when all was said and done. It might be her trait that I am most impressed with so far.
With Kris' help at least we thought to work on the "other" jumps. It's so easy to forget all about them, especially the broad jump.
Weaves, Jumps, Teeters and Class
From where I left off the last post (I decided to break it up because the one post was getting way too long). We did class on more time and the weaves went great in that she did them from tough entries and did all 12 every time. Methodically. I swear I can watch her think. I know it will speed up, how much remains to be seen.
I continued to jump her in the dirt at 20 inch although twice the jumps were already at 24 and I did a sequence at it each time. She did them very well including a couple where I assumed it too much, she almost went past them to come to me and jumped them at the last second when I pushed into her. I've also done 24 inch a tiny bit at home in the pole barn.
We realized that Shasta has never done a teeter on mats/concrete where the teeter can be loud and vibrate even more. Kris and I went up to the Inn this last Saturday specifically to address it. On to the teeter we went, first time with no hesitation of course. I thought I did see her ears flick on the bang. Second time she did it a little slower and definitely flicked her ears a bit. One or two more times she seemed a little worried about it but did them solidly. After that she seemed comfortable again for a few more.
We also did weaves and a few 24 inch jumps. The weaves went great. Again, a new place. Quiet, just us. Still she did them first time and every time. Any angle, me ahead, me behind, me front crossing. The jumps went quite well although she froze two times at a wingless jump. Same jump both times. She did the same jump fine other times. Not sure what that was about. Hopefully I can figure out what if it happens again.
I continued to jump her in the dirt at 20 inch although twice the jumps were already at 24 and I did a sequence at it each time. She did them very well including a couple where I assumed it too much, she almost went past them to come to me and jumped them at the last second when I pushed into her. I've also done 24 inch a tiny bit at home in the pole barn.
We realized that Shasta has never done a teeter on mats/concrete where the teeter can be loud and vibrate even more. Kris and I went up to the Inn this last Saturday specifically to address it. On to the teeter we went, first time with no hesitation of course. I thought I did see her ears flick on the bang. Second time she did it a little slower and definitely flicked her ears a bit. One or two more times she seemed a little worried about it but did them solidly. After that she seemed comfortable again for a few more.
We also did weaves and a few 24 inch jumps. The weaves went great. Again, a new place. Quiet, just us. Still she did them first time and every time. Any angle, me ahead, me behind, me front crossing. The jumps went quite well although she froze two times at a wingless jump. Same jump both times. She did the same jump fine other times. Not sure what that was about. Hopefully I can figure out what if it happens again.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Weave Update
I am upset. Really quite upset. With training? No. With the blog. The idea of this blog was that I wanted my training steps documented for future dogs. And more than anything, the steps in teaching weaves. I used the "channel 4" method with Roxy and Sonic and they both have what I consider awesome weaves. But it's all off of memory. So what did I do? Trained Shasta's weaves and I didn't keep up with the blog. Ugh! I know I don't remember all the steps as well as I would have hoped.
Here are Shasta's weaves from last Sunday, 15 days after we started training weaves:
That's the bad news. The good news? The weaves are going great. We did, however, have some "bumps" along the way. In retrospect very minor although I wasn't sure at the time.
Here are Shasta's weaves from last Sunday, 15 days after we started training weaves:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaWyFjoQH-w
Here is what I do recall. It looks like my last blog was when I first went to 8 poles and struggled a bit. I did the weaves at 8 with a tiny gap for part of a session and they went well. I decided to go to 12 poles with the slight gap rather than try to go to 8 straight up. That transition from 8 to 12 went fairly well.
Next session we worked our way up to 12 poles straight up. Well, as straight as the adjustable weaves get. Again, she made the step fine but was being very, very methodical.
With success at 12 poles "adjustable" straight up, I went to 6 weave poles, truly straight up on the non-adjustable set. As I write this, I'm not sure why I felt the need to move through the steps as quickly as I did given her speed. I guess my thought was the speed will pick up as soon as she gets confident and she might as well get to 12 straight up fairly quickly so she can gain confidence at it.
Next we went to 12 non-adjusted straight up. She made each of these last three or four transitions with very little trouble. A few pops of the weaves here and there. For the most part, very solid. Sure enough, on the next night, she attacked the weaves, all 12 straight up, with quite a bit of speed. Look at her go! And...... she slips at about pole 8, hits pole 9 on the shoulder and pops out. Now to her credit, she didn't choose to avoid the weaves but she went back, understandably, to very thoughtful on them.
The next night was class. I had no intention of even trying the weaves but when I tried to call her off of them she entered and as I changed and went with her, she did all 12!! First time, in a place she hadn't done weaves before. I couldn't believe she generalized them that well. I tried two more time in that class and she popped at 10 both times but I was still impressed by the one good set.
Since then we've been working on speed and continuing the tougher weaves. Her speed is increasing and really is not bad at this point (per the youtube video). Kris says I don't know what berner speed weaves are any more after training and showing Sonic!
Here is what I do recall. It looks like my last blog was when I first went to 8 poles and struggled a bit. I did the weaves at 8 with a tiny gap for part of a session and they went well. I decided to go to 12 poles with the slight gap rather than try to go to 8 straight up. That transition from 8 to 12 went fairly well.
Next session we worked our way up to 12 poles straight up. Well, as straight as the adjustable weaves get. Again, she made the step fine but was being very, very methodical.
With success at 12 poles "adjustable" straight up, I went to 6 weave poles, truly straight up on the non-adjustable set. As I write this, I'm not sure why I felt the need to move through the steps as quickly as I did given her speed. I guess my thought was the speed will pick up as soon as she gets confident and she might as well get to 12 straight up fairly quickly so she can gain confidence at it.
Next we went to 12 non-adjusted straight up. She made each of these last three or four transitions with very little trouble. A few pops of the weaves here and there. For the most part, very solid. Sure enough, on the next night, she attacked the weaves, all 12 straight up, with quite a bit of speed. Look at her go! And...... she slips at about pole 8, hits pole 9 on the shoulder and pops out. Now to her credit, she didn't choose to avoid the weaves but she went back, understandably, to very thoughtful on them.
The next night was class. I had no intention of even trying the weaves but when I tried to call her off of them she entered and as I changed and went with her, she did all 12!! First time, in a place she hadn't done weaves before. I couldn't believe she generalized them that well. I tried two more time in that class and she popped at 10 both times but I was still impressed by the one good set.
Since then we've been working on speed and continuing the tougher weaves. Her speed is increasing and really is not bad at this point (per the youtube video). Kris says I don't know what berner speed weaves are any more after training and showing Sonic!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Class and our First Weave Bump
Last night was class again, first time since before the trip. Shasta did lots of good stuff. Again, stayed focused. Did all her obstacles without issue including the dog walk (still slow and methodical but she is doing it) and the teeter (it's the aluminum one that worries many dogs). Good bottoms on all of them. She also did well at doing a down stay while I walked parts of the sequences.
I jumped her at 20 inch in class. She was going fine until she really crashed about the 8th jump. Classmate said she was looking at me, saw jump at last instant and tried to take it but barely lifted off the ground when she crashed the bar with her chest. Poor girl. It was going to happen but I would have liked it to be after more success. She recovered quite well from it except for that specific jump she wouldn't do. Interesting reaction.
Tonight it was back home and training weaves. We hit our first "bump". Which is actually probably too strong a word. Today was the first time, with weaves, that I increased the criteria and she struggled. First, she was doing the four poles straight up (again, as straight as these adjustable weaves get which isn't completely straight) with confidence and from any entry angle. Even a few shallow angles of both wraps and non-wrap. She missed a few on the extreme angles but none of the other angles and distances.
Next step was to add four more poles. That is where she struggled. She did more like 1,2,3,4,7,8. She got it right a couple of times but never twice in a row. OK, time to step back. I decided to move the adjustable poles slightly. It was still hit and miss. I added a little more gap, back to the poles being a sliver of a "channel". At that point we got back to pretty good success but she had lost confidence so they were methodical. This is where I will start the next chance I get, it will be interesting to see how it goes.
The great news? I had suddenly realized we had been at it for 30 minutes. 30 minutes of just basically weaves (with a tunnel or jump thrown in periodically). She is barely a year old and she was willing to try for 30 minutes on something as boring as weaves! Never lost interest, never went to sniff around. She got confused and lost confidence but she wanted to be right and she was willing to try and try again. Impressive.
I jumped her at 20 inch in class. She was going fine until she really crashed about the 8th jump. Classmate said she was looking at me, saw jump at last instant and tried to take it but barely lifted off the ground when she crashed the bar with her chest. Poor girl. It was going to happen but I would have liked it to be after more success. She recovered quite well from it except for that specific jump she wouldn't do. Interesting reaction.
Tonight it was back home and training weaves. We hit our first "bump". Which is actually probably too strong a word. Today was the first time, with weaves, that I increased the criteria and she struggled. First, she was doing the four poles straight up (again, as straight as these adjustable weaves get which isn't completely straight) with confidence and from any entry angle. Even a few shallow angles of both wraps and non-wrap. She missed a few on the extreme angles but none of the other angles and distances.
Next step was to add four more poles. That is where she struggled. She did more like 1,2,3,4,7,8. She got it right a couple of times but never twice in a row. OK, time to step back. I decided to move the adjustable poles slightly. It was still hit and miss. I added a little more gap, back to the poles being a sliver of a "channel". At that point we got back to pretty good success but she had lost confidence so they were methodical. This is where I will start the next chance I get, it will be interesting to see how it goes.
The great news? I had suddenly realized we had been at it for 30 minutes. 30 minutes of just basically weaves (with a tunnel or jump thrown in periodically). She is barely a year old and she was willing to try for 30 minutes on something as boring as weaves! Never lost interest, never went to sniff around. She got confused and lost confidence but she wanted to be right and she was willing to try and try again. Impressive.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The "Come and See This" Phenomenon
Maybe it's just us or maybe it's the way of training dogs. But it's always been true when Kris or I approach the other one excited about what our dog has learned and proclaim "you should come see this", we go and see.... absolutely nothing new. Every time.
Shasta's weaves continue to progress fabulously in my opinion. I kept the weaves at the space they were at thinking I would be at it for a while and by the end of one session she was nailing the entry from anywhere but the most extreme angles. I moved the poles so they were now just barely apart. Essentially the side of one pole was lining up with the opposite side of the next pole. So no "channel" at all any more but not completely together. She went through the more narrow spacing with a straight entry first time, no problem. I started moving the angles of the entries and she continued to enter and do the four poles great. I am as far as 10-12 feet from her on most of these entries and she is seeking them, determining where to enter and doing all four. I was very impressed.
I was so impressed, I felt confident we could overcome the "Kris, come and see this" phenomenon. Later last night down to the pole barn came Kris and I sent Shasta to a nice, straight, easy entry. And she ran right by them. No problem, she just needs a reminder. We did straight again and... she ran right by them. One more try and she finally did them. I started adding angles and she was doing some, missing many others, hitting the entries maybe 30% of the time. Amazing.
Amazing. But not at all demoralizing or disappointing. It's just the way that has always worked for us and she was still doing great. Back we went to it tonight and she was back to being great. Again, all but the most extreme entries, from as much distance as I can get in the pole barn. From a tunnel, from a jump, from my side.
I did move the poles even closer at the end. They are now basically together but because they are adjustable, there is a bit of leaning to the poles. It's actually a nice training step to be able to do in training weaves. Together but not completely together near the top of the poles. She did those right away too. We did just a few with easy entries and called it a night.
Shasta's weaves continue to progress fabulously in my opinion. I kept the weaves at the space they were at thinking I would be at it for a while and by the end of one session she was nailing the entry from anywhere but the most extreme angles. I moved the poles so they were now just barely apart. Essentially the side of one pole was lining up with the opposite side of the next pole. So no "channel" at all any more but not completely together. She went through the more narrow spacing with a straight entry first time, no problem. I started moving the angles of the entries and she continued to enter and do the four poles great. I am as far as 10-12 feet from her on most of these entries and she is seeking them, determining where to enter and doing all four. I was very impressed.
I was so impressed, I felt confident we could overcome the "Kris, come and see this" phenomenon. Later last night down to the pole barn came Kris and I sent Shasta to a nice, straight, easy entry. And she ran right by them. No problem, she just needs a reminder. We did straight again and... she ran right by them. One more try and she finally did them. I started adding angles and she was doing some, missing many others, hitting the entries maybe 30% of the time. Amazing.
Amazing. But not at all demoralizing or disappointing. It's just the way that has always worked for us and she was still doing great. Back we went to it tonight and she was back to being great. Again, all but the most extreme entries, from as much distance as I can get in the pole barn. From a tunnel, from a jump, from my side.
I did move the poles even closer at the end. They are now basically together but because they are adjustable, there is a bit of leaning to the poles. It's actually a nice training step to be able to do in training weaves. Together but not completely together near the top of the poles. She did those right away too. We did just a few with easy entries and called it a night.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Shasta's A Big Dog (Walk)
Today we went to train at the arena with Jess, Toni and Kris. It was our chance to introduce the full-size dogwalk. Last summer, each time I raised the height of the dogwalk, Shasta would run by it a time or two. I expected quite a bit of concern by Shasta. But that was not the case. First approach, she put her head down and did it slow but steady. Second time the same. A number more times the same, with a tiny increase in speed. About the sixth one or so, she did fall/jump off from the top, shortly after being on the top board. She landed pretty softly. Perhaps our early training where I tried to show her jumping off was ok to do paid off. Now, what would be her reaction? Seemingly no reaction, right back to the dogwalk, same methodical approach and across a few times. We not only introduced the full-size dogwalk but also introduced our first fall/jump with no negative reaction (at least not today). All good!
We also had two more sessions with the weave poles. They also went really well. First session she was better than yesterday right from the start. By the end she was really good at three of the four approaches. In the second session, awesome at those three approaches and very good with the fourth approach. It's going perfectly at this point.
I wrote yesterday that I was going to keep at this spacing until I have all of our entries from all angles but I have now decided to adjust that some. Looking at the poles, I think they are a little too far apart, that the entry look is not going to be enough like the final product to drill the entries. Shoot, I was I had notes on my training of either Roxy or Sonic so I knew what I did with them. I love the complete independence in weaves (entries and weaving) that I had with both of them. Anyway, next time with Shasta we will do a few more where it is and if she continues to be good from all four entries I will attempt to bring the poles in closer.
We also had two more sessions with the weave poles. They also went really well. First session she was better than yesterday right from the start. By the end she was really good at three of the four approaches. In the second session, awesome at those three approaches and very good with the fourth approach. It's going perfectly at this point.
I wrote yesterday that I was going to keep at this spacing until I have all of our entries from all angles but I have now decided to adjust that some. Looking at the poles, I think they are a little too far apart, that the entry look is not going to be enough like the final product to drill the entries. Shoot, I was I had notes on my training of either Roxy or Sonic so I knew what I did with them. I love the complete independence in weaves (entries and weaving) that I had with both of them. Anyway, next time with Shasta we will do a few more where it is and if she continues to be good from all four entries I will attempt to bring the poles in closer.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Weaves: Day 1
I am very pleased with how day 1 went. First, she was happy to be in our pole barn. Sounds simple but she hasn't been in there much and Roxy didn't love the building and I think it was Shimmer that really didn't. Or maybe Tori. Whatever, Shasta was happy in there.
As I have with Roxy and Sonic, I am using my own weave system. I use a set of four channel weaves and teach pretty much everything on that before going to 8 and 12 weaves. I set the four out with the poles spread about 10-12 inches, where Shasta could easily go down the middle without them hitting her. She went straight down the middle first try, no guiding. Good deal.
I then brought the weaves in some, still going down channel easy, no guiding. I brought it in to the point where the width of the channel was about the same as Shasta. She didn't need to weave any but did need to have poles touch her some. Still, no issue. Alright, this is cool.
I brought them in a tiny bit more so she actually had to weave a little. First time, did it perfect. Really? What a dog. But then she ran by the next few times. OK, that makes more sense. So we tried some more with hit and miss success, I guided a couple of times. When I was done with session 1 she was doing it really well with some distance on my left side, struggling with the "wrap" entry.
Oops, that's not right
Went down for session 2 in the late afternoon. She did at least as well if not a little better. I brought the weaves in a tiny bit more, maybe down to a 4-5" gap and she took a tiny step back. Again, tried with hit and miss success. Guided a few times. I guided to get some success back when she knew she was confused and decided easiest was to run by. Never guided more than once in a row.
By the end of session two, she was awesome with one of the four entries. When she was on my left going from the door side to the other side of barn, she was awesome entering from any distance and somewhat tough angles. Left sided toward the door I needed to set her up straight. Right sided either way she didn't understand how to enter.
I think this is the spacing of the weaves I want to work with. I think we can improve without bringing them farther apart. And I think it's at this spacing that I will wait until I have all four entries from any distance and almost any angle.
I am very happy with day one.
As I have with Roxy and Sonic, I am using my own weave system. I use a set of four channel weaves and teach pretty much everything on that before going to 8 and 12 weaves. I set the four out with the poles spread about 10-12 inches, where Shasta could easily go down the middle without them hitting her. She went straight down the middle first try, no guiding. Good deal.
I then brought the weaves in some, still going down channel easy, no guiding. I brought it in to the point where the width of the channel was about the same as Shasta. She didn't need to weave any but did need to have poles touch her some. Still, no issue. Alright, this is cool.
I brought them in a tiny bit more so she actually had to weave a little. First time, did it perfect. Really? What a dog. But then she ran by the next few times. OK, that makes more sense. So we tried some more with hit and miss success, I guided a couple of times. When I was done with session 1 she was doing it really well with some distance on my left side, struggling with the "wrap" entry.
Oops, that's not right
Went down for session 2 in the late afternoon. She did at least as well if not a little better. I brought the weaves in a tiny bit more, maybe down to a 4-5" gap and she took a tiny step back. Again, tried with hit and miss success. Guided a few times. I guided to get some success back when she knew she was confused and decided easiest was to run by. Never guided more than once in a row.
By the end of session two, she was awesome with one of the four entries. When she was on my left going from the door side to the other side of barn, she was awesome entering from any distance and somewhat tough angles. Left sided toward the door I needed to set her up straight. Right sided either way she didn't understand how to enter.
It's right but take it easy girl
One thing I really like seeing was when she didn't know what to do to be right, she would run by rather than enter but then would go stand in the poles. Showing me that she was comfortable in the poles and wanted to be right, just didn't know how.
There we go!
I am very happy with day one.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Coming Saturday: Weaves!
Shasta has done really well with her spay. Kris put a t-shirt on Shasta while she had stitches You can see photos of it at http://shastaaday.blogspot.com/. Whether it was the shirt, the fact that she was unsupervised only a few hours or just Shasta's personality, she never bothered or tried to bother her stitches. I felt guilty doing so little with her yet she seemed to handle that well too. She did a five minute "butt run" in the house her first day without stitches but that's about it for a release. We did play some ball outside with Sonic and Zenna on Tuesday.
Two more days and it's full steam ahead in training weaves. We are going to give it a few more days before I start with jumping.
I did do a tiny bit of.... obedience tonight. That's three times in three months. It may not be our strong suit at that rate. She does very well with attention. Really, really well. But I am having troubles keeping her from flaring out to look at me from in front. And I've tried all three nights to shape her into getting into heel position all on her own with very little progress. But, oh well. If I work on obedience, she is showing positive signs there too.
Two more days and it's full steam ahead in training weaves. We are going to give it a few more days before I start with jumping.
I did do a tiny bit of.... obedience tonight. That's three times in three months. It may not be our strong suit at that rate. She does very well with attention. Really, really well. But I am having troubles keeping her from flaring out to look at me from in front. And I've tried all three nights to shape her into getting into heel position all on her own with very little progress. But, oh well. If I work on obedience, she is showing positive signs there too.
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