(1) did you train your dog for these challenges or were you doing what your instructor led a class through?
We trained for them...since the beginning (well, as soon as they were far enough along for them). The same as you would train for serps.
You're correct, it is rare if ever that a domestic (non-ISC) AKC course contains these challenges. Well some are tighter than others & you should have seen 180s, and even some 270s - they do appear in CA.
Nope, never seen a 180, much less a 270.
(2) I don't say AKC is easy, but I have said previously that AKC courses do tend to follow a predictable formula. In other parts of the country I have heard opinions that that is not the case there, but I have also heard it from other handlers from other various parts of the country. Perhaps it is the lack of creativity and variety that has you bored with AKC?
It could be. Like I said, it is the same thing every time I trial. Go up out and around, switch back, come in and round, one more switch back to the end. That's the course. Very flowy (which is nice), but yeah that's about it.
(3) Your dog is not slow, but as a team you do show the inconsistency of a beginner team (regardless of what level you are competing at). Your course runs don't always flow cleanly, your cues are often unclear or late, and I see a lack of consistency in handling that if improved might allow Koji to run with more confidence and speed than he does.
I'm not offended by what you wrote and I'm assuming you're pointing this out because I feel AKC is easy, but yet, I'm not a good handler. I would agree on both counts. So there you go. If I can half-you-know-what a course as a beginner handler, with late cues, no trust in my dog, no consistency, etc and Q away to Excellent B.....are these courses really testing my "abilities"? I feel they aren't. If I was so novice then I shouldn't Q at all. Lastly, ITA that I'm a "beginner". This is my first dog, I don't train as much as most of the people on this board, nor people I see at trials. Am I inconsistent, yes. Does Koji save my butt half the time? Yes. And I'm grateful and know exactly when he does.
(4) I also suggest figuring out course strategies that will work better than they appear to be for you at this point, but more so being able to adjust more readily when things dont go the way you thought they would.
And this is when I contradict everything you said up top. A lot of my runs are planned wonderfully, even including alternatives if needed due to Koji. However, many times, I trust he'll take this, or that (he may not due to me, but still), and I have to adjust my plan. In one of my more recent JWW runs, I did a RC on the flat and I was laughing a I was going around the jump instead of going in front of it. I knew I made an error and Koji went wide, but whatevers, I knew my mistake but we did what I wanted anyways.
Let's put it this way. A woman once told me that she loves watching me run Koji. NOT because we're awesome, but because she seems me laughing and talking to him during the run. She knows I'm laughing because I screwed something up, she knows I'm talking to him, because I could simply be running to the end and saying "thank you for listening". Is it stupid and could cause issues, yes. Are we having fun, you betcha! And that's why I don't stress over my bad handling mistakes. Yes, I try to fix them, yes I work on them. I will never be a top handler and don't strive to be (unless I win the lottery). But for now, I am extremely happy with our connection when we run and how far we have come since I started trialing back in Nov 2009.
It isn't clear what your handling system is if you follow one, but I'd guess you've been exposed more to a Greg Derret set of rules than anything else.
I started with Derret, but have since decided my system is what works for Koji. Derret's system works for dogs that are like Derrets. Even top handlers don't follow one specific handling system.
If NADAC was your first venue then that experience may also be a contributory factor.
Not sure how that makes a difference.
You mentioned Daisy, but the description of how you'd think you'd handle the invitational standard course suggests you haven't applied much thought to how an APHS team would cue obstacles, or for that matter what direction to run.
She recently introduced me to the APHS system. I was very intrigued and liked a lot about it. I don't know jack about it though. But have recently bought the Linda M. DVD set and hope to learn more. Since I'm not in "beginner agility" classes, they don't focus on handling systems anymore.
At the very least try to handle more consistently regardless of your preferred handling style so you and Koji can become a better *team*.
I feel I handle as consistently as I can during the run. Again, if things go awry, I have to think on my feet. That doesn't always mean I can do a correct "style" at that point. Many times it's do what I can to get back on track. I'll be honest, there's no way I can fully do Derret or APHS. I don't agree with everything both sides talk about. I also cannot physically do what both sides discuss (although, Daisy pushed me to the limit). So again, my consistency comes from what works for me and Koji. I know what he excels at and where he'll falls apart at. And I handle accordingly and push him on his bad end side, ditto for me.
[\quote]This observers perspective is given with good intentions - I know how important it can be to feel successful, so I won't rehash any of the training discussions because I see you are taking steps to improve there.[/QUOTE]
NP. ITA with just about all of it. We ARE a beginner team. We need more consistency and training. But again, my whole point is.....if we're not that good, why are we in ExB? Has it truly been "all luck"?
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It's also why I haven't responded. Actually, I think my computer may have died at home. Ugh!