The Struggle Is Real

Jackie has had a recent step change in her understanding of weaves. Putting weaves and teeters as obstacles on the course is a big deal, and Jackie is doing great. We are at that point in learning any new behavior where there is a bit of struggle to transfer a newly learned behavior into a new environment. 

Jackie has been doing 12 weaves for two days now and is already putting them together on a course. She has done a full height teeter only a handful of times and is doing a great job figuring it out on the field. Everything is challenging just now-- it is a different surface (grass), it is in a sequence instead of a single obstacle, and it is a different physical obstacle outside than inside (different surface, color, and materials) so it is asking a lot to put it all together. 

We are pushing Jackie just enough so that it is challenging but still attainable. Jackie is doing a great job figuring it all out, and she really loves the teeter and is gaining understanding day by day with the weaves.

Jackie figuring out weaves and teeters:

12 Weaves First Time!

Jackie did 12 weaves today for the first time ever! Then we went outside to do 12 weaves on the course, and Jackie did a teeter on the course for the first time ever as well! It was a red letter day!

Jackie playing weaves and teeters:

Independent Weaves

Jackie's independent weaves are stronger than her running alongside weaves. We are training toward strong weaves running with the handler. I am happy with her solid independent weaves.

Jackie weaving alongside and indepent:

Achieving New Heights!

Today we raised the teeter height a few inches and Jackie loved it! We also played a fun course of hoops and jumps.

Pearls:

• Go slowly whenever you're introducing something new, or changing an element such as adding height to the teeter, this helps Jackie gain confidence in each new version of the obstacle
• Especially when playing with distance, be sure to get your verbal cues out early, well ahead of each obstacle
• Keep moving forward, even when playing with distance

Jackie nailing the new teeter height and playing fun courses with the beginning of distance handling:

Independent and Alongside Weaves

Jackie is continuing to do a great job learning weaves. We played both independent and running alongside weaves today, with great success.

Jackie playing weaves today:

A Better Way to Train 2o2o Contacts

 Pearls:

• A better way to train two-on-two-off (2o2o) contact behavior is to set a plank, cue "Feet!" and then play with moving while Jackie waits in 2o2o to be released
• Always reinforce Jackie at a variable rate of reward so that she stays fresh and energetic for the play
• After each repetition, throw a reset cookie for Jackie to go and find well behind the contact plank, this way Jackie becomes more independent in getting into 2o2o position
• To cue a turn out of a tunnel, give the directional cue "Here!" before Jackie enters a "dog cannon" (a straight tunnel that dogs run through at top speed) 

Jackie playing teeters, turns out of a tunnel, and 2o2o:

Gunner Advanced Rally

 Gunner is doing a great job continuing to play advanced Rally. 

Pearls:

• Reinforce remaining in good heel position while standing
• When making a turn, be sure to keep walking forward through the turn rather than pivoting in place
• For sit/pivot/sit, be sure to remain in place and pivot on one spot

Gunner and me having fun tonight playing Rally:

Running Alongside Jackie Weaves

Today we played running alongside Jackie while she weaves again, and we introduced the verbal cue "Weave!"

Jackie is definitely understanding the assignment!

Here we start with independent weaves and work up to running alongside as Jackie weaves:

Agility Class

 Today we played weaves, wraps, and post turns over a jump.

Pearls:

• Start putting the verbal cue "Weave!" with the weaves obstacle
• Start running, slowly, alongside Jackie as she goes through the weaves
• Practice running alongside Jackie through the weaves with her on both the right and left sides
• "Round round round!" means Jackie collects to make a tight turn to go through (or past if it's a barrel) the obstacle and turn tightly toward me 
• "Loop loop loop" means Jackie collects to make a tight turn to go through (or past for a barrel) the obstacle and turn tightly away from me

Jackie is boogie-ing right along!

Robot Weaves Continue

Jackie playing weaves again today, being reinforced with the treat-and-train robot: