Handler Novice Agility
- Thread starter Toffee's Mom
- Start date
Silaria
Forums Sage
What style are you using the train the Weaves; 2x2, Channel, Weave-o-Matics, Wire guides?
I trained Edan using Channel weaves and it was very successful.
The idea behind Channel weaves is to get the dog to run down a channel between the poles. We slowly brought the poles together (closed the channel) making the dog have to weave between the poles to run channel. This web site, http://www.petbehaviorhelp.com/weave_poles1.htm, gives you a good idea of how Channels work. The biggest key is don't close the channel too fast.
When you start to close them, start at the middle and close the middle two poles about 1/4 inch. Once the dog navigates that successfully, close the next two a 1/4 inch (so now poles 5, 6, 7 & 8 are closed just a little). Continue this until all the poles are closed by that 1/4 inch.
Once all the poles are closed, start in the middle again and close them another 1/4 inch. If the dog pops, open them back up 1/4 inch and run them successfully again then start closing them again. You may need to close them 1/8 inch at a time as you get closer and closer to fully closed.
Each time, the dog has to 'run the channel'. Its amazing to watch the dogs actually start to weave as they attempt to run the channel because that's what gets them treats.
We worked at straight on entranced for probably 6 months before starting to vary the entrance angle.
What helped us was being able to practice at home. We used Instant Agility to build a set of Channel Weaves (http://www.instantagility.com/2008/05/05/adjustable-channel-weave-poles/) but modified their instructions to 12 poles from 6. (We now need to modify them to be 24 inch weaves. Good thing we only glued what we had to glue for easier storage.)
I trained Edan using Channel weaves and it was very successful.
The idea behind Channel weaves is to get the dog to run down a channel between the poles. We slowly brought the poles together (closed the channel) making the dog have to weave between the poles to run channel. This web site, http://www.petbehaviorhelp.com/weave_poles1.htm, gives you a good idea of how Channels work. The biggest key is don't close the channel too fast.
When you start to close them, start at the middle and close the middle two poles about 1/4 inch. Once the dog navigates that successfully, close the next two a 1/4 inch (so now poles 5, 6, 7 & 8 are closed just a little). Continue this until all the poles are closed by that 1/4 inch.
Once all the poles are closed, start in the middle again and close them another 1/4 inch. If the dog pops, open them back up 1/4 inch and run them successfully again then start closing them again. You may need to close them 1/8 inch at a time as you get closer and closer to fully closed.
Each time, the dog has to 'run the channel'. Its amazing to watch the dogs actually start to weave as they attempt to run the channel because that's what gets them treats.
We worked at straight on entranced for probably 6 months before starting to vary the entrance angle.
What helped us was being able to practice at home. We used Instant Agility to build a set of Channel Weaves (http://www.instantagility.com/2008/05/05/adjustable-channel-weave-poles/) but modified their instructions to 12 poles from 6. (We now need to modify them to be 24 inch weaves. Good thing we only glued what we had to glue for easier storage.)
SO what the heck am I doing wrong this week, because I know is not my dogs fault, LOL
How did you guys train for the entrance to the weave?!?
Looks bloody easy enough but somehow I am not very successful at this point so I have not even put a label on it yet... We are very slow at getting the entrance to the weave to show Toffee what I want?
I am with the clock face standing near 12 and heading towards 6 o'clock to send him to it... he walks around it or lays on the other side pawing at it
SO I stepped back again, made the two entry poles more straight instead and not the 1 o'clock and 10 o clock positions... I have had somewhat success with that, and wrapped pink shoe laces around my garden bamboo stakes, lol which are currently used as training tools, to make shre he sees them lol
Any of you done this kind of entry to weaves?
My trainer's suggestion was to let him think it out, use high value treats and it worked a little better... I am worried I didn't throw the treat fast enough in the right direction at the beginning?
SO ANY INSIGHTS?
I use the 2x2 method, which is what you are describing above. I let the dog think it out, just like your trainer said. At the beginning the two poles are at 3 and 9 o'clock. I put a marker at 12, far away from the poles so it does not distract the dog, but marks my place to throw the treat. You have to be quick with the treats and mark the correct behaviour in some way too (with a 'yes' or something like that). Then once the dog is going through that, you move the poles counterclockwise so that they are at 2 and 8 o'clock. etc. I will PM you with more.
Toffee's Mom
Forums Sage
omg
there are other methods than the 2X2 method? LOL
Ok, I am going back to the beginning, going to be better with my line of rewards. I may have moved the poles too quickly
Originally I had thought I want to try the channel method I thought that this was leading towards the channel... lol, shows you what I know!
I thought the channel method gets quicker weaves...?
Thanks for your feedback, keep it coming, and I will keep you guys updated
On a happy note the 2o2o is starting to take shape, I think Toffee is getting the contact idea... OF course we haven't used a real obstacle yet, other than the jump.. as we are just doing foundation stuff...
What's there NOT to love about agility?!?
On another note, I was at my FIRST agility trial this Saturday and it was soooo cool to see, it makes so much more sense when you see other handlers and what it looks like ON the course (eventually, I hope for Toffee some looks like that too). I want all that gear, hahaha, AND I can now understand what Caro's thread was all about with the trial set up.. hahaha you guys do NOT want to see mine?
hahaha
Also Toffee behaved wonderfully and was NOT reactive at all !! I am very proud of my giant...
Some handlers sure aren't all that nice to their dogs?!? Most, however were wonderful, and praised their dog at the end even if they were maniacs on the field... so nice to see them bouncing and hopping off the field into the handlers arms, etc
there are other methods than the 2X2 method? LOL
Ok, I am going back to the beginning, going to be better with my line of rewards. I may have moved the poles too quickly
Originally I had thought I want to try the channel method I thought that this was leading towards the channel... lol, shows you what I know!
I thought the channel method gets quicker weaves...?
Thanks for your feedback, keep it coming, and I will keep you guys updated
On a happy note the 2o2o is starting to take shape, I think Toffee is getting the contact idea... OF course we haven't used a real obstacle yet, other than the jump.. as we are just doing foundation stuff...
What's there NOT to love about agility?!?
On another note, I was at my FIRST agility trial this Saturday and it was soooo cool to see, it makes so much more sense when you see other handlers and what it looks like ON the course (eventually, I hope for Toffee some looks like that too). I want all that gear, hahaha, AND I can now understand what Caro's thread was all about with the trial set up.. hahaha you guys do NOT want to see mine?
hahaha
Also Toffee behaved wonderfully and was NOT reactive at all !! I am very proud of my giant...
Some handlers sure aren't all that nice to their dogs?!? Most, however were wonderful, and praised their dog at the end even if they were maniacs on the field... so nice to see them bouncing and hopping off the field into the handlers arms, etc
Toffee's Mom
Forums Sage
Ok, so still working on entry with the 2X2 weave method
It is SLOWLY taking shape... I had to control it more, I would get him all revved up, and I think I may have asked too much of him?
Another question.. if not here I wouldn't be able to ask it anywhere else
HOW DO YOU HANDLE IT WHEN HE STANDS THERE AND BARKS AT YOU?
LOL
I was training the down on the 'box' ok, I am using his mat for now... but omg the bugger didn't like that I withheld the tug toy until he placed ALL of his body on it and a fast down, LOL
SO he goes and stands in front of mat, barking at me, wagging his tail, of course.. hahaha
It is SLOWLY taking shape... I had to control it more, I would get him all revved up, and I think I may have asked too much of him?
Another question.. if not here I wouldn't be able to ask it anywhere else
HOW DO YOU HANDLE IT WHEN HE STANDS THERE AND BARKS AT YOU?
LOL
I was training the down on the 'box' ok, I am using his mat for now... but omg the bugger didn't like that I withheld the tug toy until he placed ALL of his body on it and a fast down, LOL
SO he goes and stands in front of mat, barking at me, wagging his tail, of course.. hahaha
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
From what I was told. Ignore him. Walk away, turn your back, etc. Until he stops. Well, that's what my trainer told me and I do it in class, but seriously, I just don't have the heart to do it at a trial (mostly because $10 for 10 second training is expensive). lol. But once he disconnects, I put him in a sit and then walk off. Have had to do that a few times in the past few months.
Toffee's Mom
Forums Sage
I am thinking either I get him TOO revved up, OR I don't give him enough to do fast enough that he has to think more, lol
Trying to ignore him is pretty darn hard, he is soooo funny, *snort* but that is what I will do then
Toffee's Mom
Forums Sage
YAYYY... We GRADUATED Agility Foundation level 1
We graduated
with a perfect front cross might I add...
We hadn't really worked on that per-se all week he hasn't seen a jump... we go in, she gets me to line him up (circle work really DOES come in handy, there) and voila he had a great stay at the start line, redirected like a pro on my queue and jumped without any prompt over second hurdle, too... Trainer said: "This is why people have Shelties, even without doing their homework they are amazing little dogs and can do it anyhow, just like that"
I can see why you guys have all talked about how important it is what dogs do in between the obstacles, I just had to get into my thick skull, but the more I see it and the more I do, I see why it all makes sense in the end!
PS: I am still a sorry noob, lol
We graduated
with a perfect front cross might I add...
We hadn't really worked on that per-se all week he hasn't seen a jump... we go in, she gets me to line him up (circle work really DOES come in handy, there) and voila he had a great stay at the start line, redirected like a pro on my queue and jumped without any prompt over second hurdle, too... Trainer said: "This is why people have Shelties, even without doing their homework they are amazing little dogs and can do it anyhow, just like that"I can see why you guys have all talked about how important it is what dogs do in between the obstacles, I just had to get into my thick skull, but the more I see it and the more I do, I see why it all makes sense in the end!
PS: I am still a sorry noob, lol
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
We graduated
with a perfect front cross might I add...
I can see why you guys have all talked about how important it is what dogs do in between the obstacles, I just had to get into my thick skull, but the more I see it and the more I do, I see why it all makes sense in the end!
PS: I am still a sorry noob, lol
Don't worry, even after almost 2 years of training, I still feel like a sorry noob. LOL. Especially when you see the elite dogs running. LOL. Congrats on graduating to the next class. I'm assuming you'll be continuing, mostly because it is addicting, and times like what you wrote above, is what keeps us motivated to keep going.
Toffee's Mom
Forums Sage
Don't worry, even after almost 2 years of training, I still feel like a sorry noob. LOL. Especially when you see the elite dogs running. LOL. Congrats on graduating to the next class. I'm assuming you'll be continuing, mostly because it is addicting, and times like what you wrote above, is what keeps us motivated to keep going.
I keep seeing all the things I need to learn in all of your videos, LOL like how the hell do you direct your dog on which obstacles to take, hahahaha
I know I am uncoordinated... lol... can't wait to show everyone else how much, once I finish foundation class 2, lol