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.
She did amazing, but I agree that you probably need to break it up a bit. I understand you want to not reward the knocked bars, but in the process you also didn't reward a ton of nice threadles that she otherwise executed flawlessly. I think introducing it at 20 where she's comfortable, and once you know she understands the handling, then raising the bar is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteI did notice more coming down at the end of the session, and post-puppy fitness could be contributing there as well.
She looks great though--stays looked good (and quiet), and she really picked up quickly on what for most of us is an undertaught (if it's taught at all), skill. She's such a nice dog--do you have Lexi taking notes?
Everything Brittany said is correct. But you knew that.
ReplyDeleteMake sure and hold your criteria on the stays for yourself, too. You're moving your hand on a lot of the releases, I think this is the last dog on earth you want to start guessing halfway to the jump, she'll be at the finish before you look up with that speed.
Agree with Sarah and Brittany about starting a new handling maneuver at 20" then raising when she understands. I didn't even think about the lack of barking until B mentioned it- she's really progressing there.
ReplyDeleteWow she is a hard worker.
Wow. Just wow. You'd think I'd be used to seeing Gris' intensity, how she stays totally focused and gives it 100% for as long as you keep going, and also how she has zero resentment but just tries again when she isn't rewarded, but --- woof. Watching her with you is either exhilarating or exhausting, I can't decide which. Y'all look great together.
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