Cleo2014
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Thanks for all the advice! I think I am definitely going to build a teeter for my back yard. Won't be until next weekend or so though.
Cleo's agility class
- Thread starter Cleo2014
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Cleo2014
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Despite everything that happened yesterday (explained in another thread) Cleo did very well in class. She led the entire group through everything and was the perfect example for everything we did. When we moved from one area to another area to practice on the A frame, the sequence was a double jump, A frame, Wing Jump, and weaves (optional for those confident enough). I was first to run it all and did the weaves because Cleo does fairly well with them. I turned around to one of the trainers doing a praising motion and stating she was sending all of her dogs to me for training! 
I honestly didn't think it was that great, but I guess with only three classes practicing weaves, she though it was pretty good. And of course Cleo is a sheltie and made for this! Also having your own weaves at home helps just a little bit. 
The teeter was one I was worried about. We did the bang game at first and then worked on the wobble board. Then after trying teeter again, I started to see her confidence grow. She is still somewhat cautious while on it but no longer freezes or tries to jump off half way over. So I have seen improvement and I am very excided on that part. So over all it was a very good session at class yesterday.
I honestly didn't think it was that great, but I guess with only three classes practicing weaves, she though it was pretty good. And of course Cleo is a sheltie and made for this! Also having your own weaves at home helps just a little bit. The teeter was one I was worried about. We did the bang game at first and then worked on the wobble board. Then after trying teeter again, I started to see her confidence grow. She is still somewhat cautious while on it but no longer freezes or tries to jump off half way over. So I have seen improvement and I am very excided on that part. So over all it was a very good session at class yesterday.
Cleo2014
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Cleo practicing her weave polls at home. She is at the point that she will do them as long as I am walking next to her. But no more weaving my hands with her. She is finally understanding! I am so proud of her she is catching on this fast. 
Cara Sandler
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That's awesome!Cleo practicing her weave polls at home. She is at the point that she will do them as long as I am walking next to her. But no more weaving my hands with her. She is finally understanding! I am so proud of her she is catching on this fast.
As far as rewarding for the weaves - I would get a treat ball or even use a food dish, but try to reward her after she finishes the weaves and is still moving forward. When you reward from your hand off to the side the way you did, you tend to wind up with a dog who pops out of the weaves early because she is turning to look at you for her cookie. If you get a treat ball, you can throw it forward as she completes the weaves, and she will understand that she's supposed to keep moving forward.
Cleo2014
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Nice! I didn't think of that and we really haven't got that far in class. Cleo is a little more advance than the rest of the class because I work with her all of the time. I will put a few treats in a food dish on the other end of the polls at a distance. Thanks!
Cara Sandler
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You're welcome! I would actually put the dish down but not put the treat in until she completes the weaves. That way she won't get rewarded if she decides it's easier to just head straight for the treats without weaving
Cleo2014
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Ahahaha! I just read this this morning. I did put the treat in the bowl and she started sneaking the treats out...You're welcome! I would actually put the dish down but not put the treat in until she completes the weaves. That way she won't get rewarded if she decides it's easier to just head straight for the treats without weaving
After that I started holding onto the treats and then put them in the bowl. That little stinker. Wish I would have read this last night. 
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Cara Sandler
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LOL, those shelties are VERY cleverAhahaha! I just read this this morning. I did put the treat in the bowl and she started sneaking the treats out...
Cleo is soooo pretty and I loved watching your videos. She really is taking to agility very well by the looks of things. With the see saw you have been given great advice there. I taught both boys the 'bang the door shut game', as well as wobble boards and also the bang game with the see saw. Another thing I did was to have them stand on the end (once they were comfortable with motion through those games) and just lifted the end of the seesaw up and down, only literally an inch to begin with then a little more while hand feeding. Raising and controlled lowering (not dropping it) seemed to help, you don't have to lift it far, just helps to get them used to the sensation of the plank moving. I also put padding under the end to absorb some of the impact so it's not so jarring. I bought a relatively cheap seesaw for the garden (it's my only piece of contact equipment) and it really has been a good investment, so useful. In fact it was the first piece of proper agility equipment I taught Angus because I specifically wanted him to be aware of the seesaw before doing dog walks and risking a fly off. High value food, take the training at the dog's pace and be prepared to go back several stages if necessary. Like many things, confidence will grow with time and practice as you are already seeing. I shall enjoy following your agility journey 
Cleo2014
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Tonight went great! Cleo's class got to do a small sequence in a small fenced off area off leash. It was three different jumps then a tunnel then another jump and then finished with weaves. The first time she went through there was a lot of redirecting around the tunnel. She just didn't understand the course. The second time she wanted to race through the course and couldn't stop herself in enough time for the tunnel or the weaves. However, she was basically redirecting herself without me telling her which I found great. The last time she went through it she did everything perfect! I was so excited.
Now the teeter. She is doing amazing on it. She is building much more confidence and doesn't even seem afraid of it anymore. However, we are still using the table to so it is not doing the full motion. But I am just excited she is willing and no longer seems afraid. That may change though but I will take this small amount of progress.
Now the teeter. She is doing amazing on it. She is building much more confidence and doesn't even seem afraid of it anymore. However, we are still using the table to so it is not doing the full motion. But I am just excited she is willing and no longer seems afraid. That may change though but I will take this small amount of progress.