Unfortunatly I don't have the DVD at the moment, it's not that easy to get here and seems to be quite expensive so I will need to save up, but I know you are right SheltieChe about being precise from top obedience trainers. Nothing is done without a reason and they are very aware of how the slightest thing affects the dogs performance....
Great except that I obviously am lacking in some department because as soon as I think about one thing eg where my feet are going then something else goes to pot like body posture. Hence the chances of competing in the Crufts Obedience Championships are remote!! I have tried (with obedience) to make some parts second nature and spent many evenings at work when I was starting out walking along the lines of floor tiles practicing footwork (whn no one was looking) and recently I went out by myself to practice throwing Epic's toy in the right place...more or less! Hey ho!
But I do also agree that there is a lot to watch for in the vidoes and I have watched the same ones on Youtube over and over looking at the handler/dog/toy etc to try and get it 'right'.
I'm delighted to report our lesson on saturday was brilliant!! I had so much fun I was
all the way home and Epic is in his element. He is very fast though and I struggle to keep up so will have to work at running/control/direction over the coming weeks. I didn't know what he would do with the weaves in a strange place but after a couple of errors he was able to show he was capable of doing the four poles as at home (better actually!?) then my instructor made it harder by reducing the angle and he nailed it then she broght them closer still and again, sucess (not without error mainly due to him being over-enthusiastic!). But I was pleased to see he is now focussing on the poles, not the toy as he was at first and running out purposfully for them without looking back. Seeing progress like this is in itself very encouraging (positive reinforcement for me) as I didn't think we would ever get the hang of it to start with.
I had a chat to my instructor about 2x2s because she is currently training her collie this way and interestingly we both found that having the two sets 15ft apart to start with appeared to be harder for the dog to make the connection between them (i.e. to keep on going) and we both found playing/rewarding after the first set initially to be rather counterproductive as then the dogs expects it and gets confused. She has the DVD but I forgot to ask her why Susan Garrett suggests doing this? I like to know the reason for things
I must say too that it's great being able to watch videos of training (I couldn't learn this from a book) but it is really wonderful having the support on here and being able to talk(write) through problems. Dog training can be quite a lonely occupation and it's easy to get discouraged when things go wrong but when you can share it with people who understand and can offer advice it really helps.
Can't wait for our lesson next week but I have another environmental issue with training at home because now my weave poles are frozen into the ground!!
I think it's actually harder having a dog that is so keen because the temptation is to carry on for a little bit longer. I was quick to pick up on Revel getting fed up but Yogi and Epic would go on for ages so I try and do my training when I have limited time (before work or picking up Jessica) then I can't carry on! So much for self discpline!
