IAC Title

Jackie earned her very first agility title in intro, her IAC, at the Cowtown Dog Sports NADAC VT trial December 17, 2022. This was only her second trial, and I'm very happy with the progress we have made together.

Jackie's title-winning run:

Jackie with her new title ribbon:

Beginning the year playing weaves and short courses

 Pearls:

• For now, while Jackie is still learning weaves, be sure to line her up going to the weaves so she is prepared to go through pointing at her line. Later we will work on proofing around the clock weave entries but for now get Jackie lined up going into the weaves so she can have success.
• REMEMBER TO CUE EARLY!
• Keep moving to direct Jackie's path of travel. If the handler is stopping, you've gone too far; you need to plan ahead so that you can smoothly guide your dog along her path.

Jackie playing weaves and courses:

Distance with jumps, hoops, tunnels and weaves

 Jackie playing weaves, tunnels, hoops, and jumps with distance:

Jumps and Hoops

 Jackie played jumps and hoops this week in agility class. 

Pearls:

• Keep moving; this makes it easier for Jackie to understand where her line of travel should be as well as encourages confidence by activating her chase behavior.
• When doing 180 degree turns, use "Here!" only once.
• Avoid saying Jackie's name, unless you urgently need her to look at you. Instead, say "Here!" to redirect her to turn toward you.

Jackie playing jumps and hoops:

Teeters and Pinwheels!

 Jackie and I played teeter totters and pinwheels today. 

Pearls:

• Guide the dog's line, by cueing early before an obstacle but not too early when cueing from the "landing" side of the obstacle
• For homework, set up a pinwheel: there are so many things you can play with a pinwheel including rear crosses, "Out!" sends, and building speed and enthusiasm as well as growing value for individual hoops and jumps

Jackie playing teeters and pinwheels:

Rally Heeling

 Gunner playing rally heeling October 27, 2022

Blind Crosses

Playing blind crosses is fun for the dog and handler because it tends to be fast-paced and smooth. 

Pearls:

• Cueing early is A MUST HAVE: send your dog along her line of travel before she is committed to the obstacle ahead of the obstacle you're cueing 
• To indicate a blind cross: bring your new driving hand behind you to pick up the dog by wagging your hand; the wagging movement catches the dog's attention and signals that a cross is happening 
• Hold and throw the reinforcement toy (a lotus ball in our case) with the opposite hand you will be driving with on the last obstacle of the series

 Jackie playing blind crosses:

Cue Earlier

While describing your dog's line of travel on course, remember to cue much sooner than even feels necessary. Earlier and smoother handler cues make it easier and more fun for the dog. 

The take-home pearl for today is CUE SOONER 

Pearls:

• Give your on-course cues much earlier than you think is necessary at this point
• Carry the lotus ball in the opposite hand to what your driving hand will be for the last obstacle
• Homework includes building drive and value for individual jumps, do this by having Jackie drive to a variety of reinforcers such as the lotus ball and manners minder
• It bears repeating: CUE EARLIER 

 Jackie playing serpentines and rear crosses:

Weaves and Fun Courses

 Jackie playing weaves and a fun course October 18, 2022:

Playing Fall 2022

 Clips of Jackie playing hoops, discriminations, rear crosses, and the broad jump: