Agility 1 Week 2

When I say "Break!" to start the run I need to move, and Jackie will move with me.  A benefit of watching video of our training sessions is I can see that I need to stand up taller, point straight at the path I want Jackie to take, and move in a smooth motion rather than slowing and speeding. Instead I should direct her clearly along the path I want her to run and maintain my own forward momentum with smooth body movement.

Our coach suggested that I work on mini-courses with turns toward me "Here!" without Jackie, like one does when walking the course at an agility trial.  The path and the handler's motion will become second nature; eventually you get to a point where you don't have to stop and think, but that you know each target on the agility course so well it becomes one smooth continuum of movement. 

We are continuing to reinforce "Feet!" two-on-two-off contact behavior.  We will begin to fade the nose target, as well as add distance, as well as drive from behind or eventually run past the dog while she goes into 2o2o position on the plank. For now we are continuing to use a nose target at the end of the plank to reinforce Jackie's focus being straight and low, which will help her balance and proprioception once she is on the elevated dog walk and other contact obstacles.

I need to continue to build value for going over an individual jump.  This week in class we raised Jackie's bar height from 8 inches to 12 inches, with much success.  Jackie is doing a good job with starting to run at a faster pace.

Jackie jumping 12 inches today for the first time

Video clips of Jackie playing a mini-course of turns toward the handler "Here!" and a straight line of jumps into a tunnel "Go! Go go!"

Pearls:

• Maintain tall forward momentum and smooth movement
• At startlines say "Break!" and then move, and Jackie will move with me
• Practice turns and straight lines without your dog, as you would when walking a course at a trial
• Homework includes continuing reinforcing contact behavior, practicing startlines, running mini courses without Jackie, and building value for going over jumps