Sunday, December 12, 2010

Gris vs Threadles

Gris' second session with threadles. The first session was quite bad; I did not break the exercise down into enough parts and her success rate was very low. She was very strong on the first arm (which holds the toy) but kept missing the second arm cue (since she was still fixated at the toy). After viewing in slow motion, I think it's mostly the toy at fault here, but she is definitely improving.

There's a lot of bar knocking and I think it's a combination of the new jump height of 26", new handling cues from a new handler, and the toy actively moving in plain sight. I feel self-imposed pressure to advance Gris quickly, but I think Sarah is right, and I should lower the heights for introductions to new maneuvers, and move the toy to an assistant. I've never had a dog work so hard and progress so quickly though, even the BC.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Gris vs Serpentines

The first minute or two shows Gris working the opening of the 2010 AKC Invitational Finals, which includes a 270 challenge. After just 3 reps, Gris had the idea. She is a VERY quick learner. However, I don't recommend introducing the average dog to the 270 in this fashion, or at 26" either.

The serpentine introduction took place at home, in the backyard. I also incorporated start line stay work and "outing" the high value toy between sequences. Not my best training, but a great dog with extreme drive let's the trainer get away with some mistakes. The session was too long, and I should have started with lower jumps. Gris was clearly tired, contributing to some bar knocking. I also carried her highest value toy in plain sight, which increases the difficulty for the dog. However, I am committed to holding her to a very high standard of performance. Her learning curve is amazing; watch her last serpentine in slow motion.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Gris' First Course Work

Grand Prix course. Jumps 26" well. Great aframe 1.9 seconds which will be 1.5 seconds with quick release. Great seesaw of 1.1 seconds. Slow dogwalk at 2.8 seconds--a good 2o2o is in the 1.8-2.0 second range while dogs with true running contacts put in 1.4 second dogwalks. Great weaves. Does not respond to arm/shoulder changes very well, if at all. This does not bode well for threadles and serpentines. Highly verbal, drives forward very well. Turned the wrong way once (flick away). Has already incorporated the decel stop into her handling skill set after a single session--this bodes well for learning threadles and serpentines.