Off to the Sheltie Specialty today

Today was another difficult day. I have no idea what is going on. Well, that's not true, I know what kinda happened today. Sigh. At least we learned a lot. Today was a repeat of yesterday in the sense that we got absolutely nothing. I'm surprised. I think this is THE FIRST time I have ever walked away with nothing. Not one Q, not even a placement. Wow!

Anyhow, here's today's JWW: JWW Round 2

It shouldn't have been too hard, however, the 3 sets of pinwheels weren't exactly easy. I would say this is the hardest Open course I've seen so far (that's not saying much). Definitely more challenging. I see where I didn't support the jump long enough. I also watched the video and figured out what was going on with his weaves. It looks like when I started walking fast, versus my funky fast walk, slow jog, I pulled him out. Sigh. Oh well, at least I know now. He was also so focused on me, he was completely missing jumps too, until I pushed him into it. Ugh. Really have no clue what was going on this weekend. There went my hopes for ExB in Dec, but that's okay. I'm starting to see where we need work (for AKC).

I am happy that he stopped on his DW contact. And obviously need to work on his A-frame contacts, sigh. I loved how he decided to just jump off the table (I guess I should've put him in a sit or something), and I just noticed that he jumped off the teeter, dangit. I'll need to use the 4-on for that too. I don't want him to hurt himself.

Overall, a very crappy weekend, but alas, I learned a lot. That means we're still in Open everything, but obviously, we're not ready to move on. Next trial is next weekend, we'll see what happens.

Here's his videos. I'm leaving the Saturday's STD out because that was just embarrassing.

11-14 Open STD
11-13 Open JWW
11-14 Open JWW (course map is link above)

Let's hope for a better weekend next weekend.
 
Cheryl, don't feel too bad. These weekends happen to everyone. Every once in awhile I think we just need a reminder about the things that we need to work on.

I just watched today's JWW run, and it was a trickier course. That being said, I know you've been working on getting to some FCs, and you got a really nice FC in there at the beginning. Couldn't really see where things went wrong in that back corner.

Just watched his A-frame on the Standard run. This may not be the case, but it may be, and it's something that Stuart pointed out to us this weekend about Bentley. On his A-frame, he sometimes loses his focal point. His focal point should be down, driving down. But, sometimes he is looking out. When he looks out, he leaps off instead of running down. It's like he's looking so far at the next thing, he's basically forgetting about what he's doing now. Stuart recommended using a target plate just to remind him where the focus is for a week or two, but fading it out quickly. Just a thought. Video him a couple times and see if you can see where his head is.

As for his weaves, I think you are pulling him out by looking at him. You look at him, he looks at you, oops. Handler focus and out he comes. Try looking at him more peripherally, and avoid contact until you need it--if you're switching to handler focus after he has completed the weaves.

Sorry for the length--and I could be way off. I just feel full of knowledge after our three days with Stuart! (And it's easier to see when other people do it :smile2:)
 
No no, give advice. Especially after the seminar. It's the best time and you're right, I can see where everyone else has issues, but it's hard when you're running. I have watched my videos, but didn't even realize I looked at him. Jeez.

So. I will see if that's it, maybe try it out in class. Don't look at him, look at him. See what happens. I also realized he was reading my speed big time. I barely slowed down and out he came. Yikes! I knew that was me when I watched the video.

Thanks for the info on the A-frame. I would say you're absolutely right, except he's not looking for the next obstacle, he's watching me. If you notice, I bet you every time he blows his A-frame contacts, I'm ahead of him by a foot or more. Just saying I'm not slowing down. Sigh. Need to work on those. I will try a target plate, but honestly, I don't want him to slow down on the A-frame coming down. I'll have to think of something that's like it, but not. Hmmm.....anyone?

Ah yes, my FC. Wasn't it great? There was supposed to be another one in there, but that failed when Koji missed the jump in the prior pinwheel (if you're counting, he misses 7, I was supposed FC btwn 8 and 9). And IMHO, his jumping looked sloppy this afternoon. Oh well. One great thing, we were home by 3:15pm (1.50 hour drive home). Awesome!

Thanks for the feedback. Hopefully I can put him through the weaves and A-frame during training at least once or twice (think I'll tell my trainer I'd like to touch on those things). I am also going to wait for him on the teeter, don't want him jumping off like he did.

Okay, been home for almost 2 hours and all I've done is post here and upload videos and photos. lol. time to clean up and shower. ew!
 
Sorry it was a bad weekend. :( I don't have any suggestions, I'm not experienced enough to give any. If it's any consolation, I'm impressed how fast he is!

I feel your pain in a much smaller way, I took my dog to another show n go yesterday, we did terrible. I convinced my mother to go with me, she said it looks like I need work. He got freaked out by a bus driving by and he never really recovered. I couldn't even get him to go in the tunnel without leading him to it 3 or 4 times (he normally loves the tunnels).

I have a super fluffy dog, I think the less fluffy look like they have softer/silkier hair. There are downsides to the superfluff look, he picks up every burr, dead leaf, etc. within a 50 foot radius.
 
k9kreationz said:
No no, give advice. Especially after the seminar. It's the best time and you're right, I can see where everyone else has issues, but it's hard when you're running. I have watched my videos, but didn't even realize I looked at him. Jeez.

So. I will see if that's it, maybe try it out in class. Don't look at him, look at him. See what happens. I also realized he was reading my speed big time. I barely slowed down and out he came. Yikes! I knew that was me when I watched the video.

Thanks for the info on the A-frame. I would say you're absolutely right, except he's not looking for the next obstacle, he's watching me. If you notice, I bet you every time he blows his A-frame contacts, I'm ahead of him by a foot or more. Just saying I'm not slowing down. Sigh. Need to work on those. I will try a target plate, but honestly, I don't want him to slow down on the A-frame coming down. I'll have to think of something that's like it, but not. Hmmm.....anyone?

Ah yes, my FC. Wasn't it great? There was supposed to be another one in there, but that failed when Koji missed the jump in the prior pinwheel (if you're counting, he misses 7, I was supposed FC btwn 8 and 9). And IMHO, his jumping looked sloppy this afternoon. Oh well. One great thing, we were home by 3:15pm (1.50 hour drive home). Awesome!

Thanks for the feedback. Hopefully I can put him through the weaves and A-frame during training at least once or twice (think I'll tell my trainer I'd like to touch on those things). I am also going to wait for him on the teeter, don't want him jumping off like he did.

Okay, been home for almost 2 hours and all I've done is post here and upload videos and photos. lol. time to clean up and shower. ew!
Click to expand...

thanks for taking care of us first :winkgrin:
gotta have our fixes :yes:
 
Cheryl, trust me, I feel your pain. Just keep working the basics and don't try any shortcuts. It will come together for you and Koji. Ashley has give you some good advice about the A-frame and I understand your hesitance to reintroduce a target plate. Another thing that might help Koji keep his head down is rolling a ball in the ground in front of him as he's coming down the frame. That would keep his head down and keep him driving ahead.
 
k9kreationz said:
Thanks for the info on the A-frame. I would say you're absolutely right, except he's not looking for the next obstacle, he's watching me. If you notice, I bet you every time he blows his A-frame contacts, I'm ahead of him by a foot or more. Just saying I'm not slowing down. Sigh. Need to work on those. I will try a target plate, but honestly, I don't want him to slow down on the A-frame coming down. I'll have to think of something that's like it, but not. Hmmm.....anyone?
Click to expand...

I was worried about the same thing with Bentley--the target plate slowing him down (trust me, I remember the CREEPING :no:). But, I put it out a bit farther than if I was doing 2o2o. After having it down there twice, he was looking down rather than out (or at me). The recommendation was to just have it out there maybe for a week, and even in that time, sometimes it's there, and sometimes it's not.
 
therwilBbarkng said:
Sorry it was a bad weekend. :( I don't have any suggestions, I'm not experienced enough to give any. If it's any consolation, I'm impressed how fast he is!

I feel your pain in a much smaller way, I took my dog to another show n go yesterday, we did terrible. I convinced my mother to go with me, she said it looks like I need work. He got freaked out by a bus driving by and he never really recovered. I couldn't even get him to go in the tunnel without leading him to it 3 or 4 times (he normally loves the tunnels).

I have a super fluffy dog, I think the less fluffy look like they have softer/silkier hair. There are downsides to the superfluff look, he picks up every burr, dead leaf, etc. within a 50 foot radius.
Click to expand...

I feel your pain. Trust me, I remember those days...the days happen later, but hopefully, in a more spread out time. I think Koji's just to that point where we are learning to do "new" things again. So, I'm having bad runs.

I never thought about the fluffy thing, but you must be right. My dogs don't pick up anything (yay), but I know Sharon7 said her dogs do, and they're fluffy too.

I'll tell Koji he was super fast at least....he'll be proud of that. I was watching my JWW from today, he looked like he was running funny, like he wasn't trying to run nicely. Just a silly looking run. Strange dog.
 
Calliesmom said:
thanks for taking care of us first :winkgrin:
gotta have our fixes :yes:
Click to expand...

I wanted to get it out before you guys went to sleep (since I'm on the west coast and most of you are on EST).

I'm clean now and so are the dogs (wiped down). I'm sure everyone is happy I smell nice now, lol. Aren't you thankful the internet doesn't have smell? LOL
 
corbinam said:
I was worried about the same thing with Bentley--the target plate slowing him down (trust me, I remember the CREEPING :no:). But, I put it out a bit farther than if I was doing 2o2o. After having it down there twice, he was looking down rather than out (or at me). The recommendation was to just have it out there maybe for a week, and even in that time, sometimes it's there, and sometimes it's not.
Click to expand...


Phebe*DD said:
Cheryl, trust me, I feel your pain. Just keep working the basics and don't try any shortcuts. It will come together for you and Koji. Ashley has give you some good advice about the A-frame and I understand your hesitance to reintroduce a target plate. Another thing that might help Koji keep his head down is rolling a ball in the ground in front of him as he's coming down the frame. That would keep his head down and keep him driving ahead.
Click to expand...


Thanks you two. I'll try it with the target plate out further so it's not a 2o2o, but something to keep his head down. We're trying to get him to go forward too, as he tends to jump off the side when I pull away. Sigh. It's great he reads me so well, sucky that he reads me so well. LOL.
 
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