Jackie played in her very first agility trial October 1, 2022 at the North American Dog Agility Council Video Tape Agility Trial at Cowtown Dog Sports!
Pearls:
Trials are a nice litmus test to highlight things that are going well and new information about behaviors that need strengthening
The good include: Jackie's stopped contacts are really solid, as are her startlines
Needs strengthening: my management of Jackie while crating and being in a very stimulating environment; Jackie did well at first but got a little overwhelmed when left alone among other barking dogs. Also we need to work on recalls in a distracting environment
After each run, remember to quickly make my way to a high value primary reinforcer and give lots of prasie. I did this, but I need to be quicker to the cheese!
Ideas include getting Jackie out to new and distracting environments like Home Depot and outdoor pubs so she learns how to be comfortable paying attenting to me in stimulating situations
Remember to keep running forward, smoothly indicating to Jackie her line of travel
Jackie has come so far and taught me so much, and I am that proud of her!
Jackie's first and second run at an agility trial:
