Agility 2 Week 4

Cue discrimination in agility is used to clearly indicate to the dog which obstacle to run when there is more than one obstacle in their line of travel. Today we played a mini-course with a series of obstacle discriminations. 

It is important when directing the dog to turn off her forward path toward the handler to use "Here!" very clearly and obviously, even a repetition of the verbal cue "Here! Here! Here!" if needed to make it obvious to the dog where you mean, as well as directing their line with where your body, feet, eyes, and locked-elbow arm are pointing. 

Pearls:

• Think of using a laser pointer out in front of the dog's path of travel to indicate the dog's line
• Keep your elbow locked and arm up while directing the dog's line of travel; use your entire body to support where you are pointing your dog to travel
• Indicate early where I want Jackie to travel, as in "Go tunnel! tunnel!"
• Exciting engaging exercises at the start of a run help Jackie stay enthusiastic and energetic
• Repeat "Here!" only once for the first turn, not at every obstacle around a curved line of travel; Jackie will use physical cues to continue along the curved line 

Obstacle discrimination and speed circles:

Agility 2 Week 3

We used "Out!" as a directional cue for the first time today. "Out!" on an agility course means "work away from me at a distance" used to send your dog out and away from you to work obstacles at a distance. It is a different cue from "Go!" which means to keep running straight ahead. 

Pearls:

• When directing turns, and especially in sharp turns for the dog, be sure to turn your body definitively so it is obvious to Jackie which way she should travel
• "Out!" is a directional cue that allows you to send your dog out and away from you to play obstacles at a distance
• Be decisive and obvious when giving cues and directions; point your feet, shoulders, and body in the direction the dog is to travel

Jackie playing a mini course, and using "Out!" for the first time:

Agility 2 Week 2

A high rate of reward is helpful to keep Jackie engaged, and allows Jackie to gain confidence for running courses so she can incrementally build to running the full course while she is still learning.

Pearls:

• Rewarding Jackie more frequently for individual obstacles gives her confidence 
• Believing in Jackie and running with her keeps it fun and engaging for her

Agility 2 Week 1- New Beginnings

Continuing our agility learning odyssey, Jackie and I have started agility level 2 classes, as well as beginning a supplemental semi-private lesson bi-weekly at Cowtown Dog Sports. The supplemental lessons allow us to submerge in the theory of learning, practicing what we've learned and drilling down on skills and proofing behaviors such as start lines, jumping, or increasing enthusiasm for speed.  

Pearls:

• The more enthusiastic and playful I am, the more excited Jackie is to run
• Timing is important while cueing your dog's line-- eventually each team gets into their own special rhythm 
• Video recording training sessions is helpful as we learn timing together
• When the dog pauses to look back at you, it means they are asking a question, and need clearer direction where their line is to follow 
• Keep your arm up indicating where you want your dog to go, keeping your arm up keeps the dog moving forward, if you drop your arm or slow down your dog might pause to look at you or slow down; keep your arm up and keep running past the last jump
• Keep moving forward at the same speed indicating Jackie’s line to her
• Maintain forward momentum and believe Jackie will run, and she will

Rear crosses, building enthusiasm, practicing cue timing, and rewarding following the directed line: