Weaves-independent performance

Justicemom

Justicemom

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I am looking for ways to increase independent completion of the weaves. Diva does really well with the entry and up to about the 9 pole but no matter what I seem to try she will pop out if I don't continue to the end of the poles with her. I can get good lateral movement and I can get ahead of her but I can't not be lateral and fall behind or just fall behind by too many poles. It hasn't been a huge issue but there was a combination a couple weeks ago at a trial that was almost impossible to do without weave independence.

I really don't want to reinvent the wheel as far as retraining the whole thing. Diva was orginally trained with channel weaves with weave guides.

Any thoughts?
 
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The way I was always taught was to put something at the end that they can drive to...but can't get to if they fail. Tossing a toy works, but that doesn't really get them to drive to the end. So, you can use things like a manners minder, bait pouch (that you open), etc.

Another way I had heard was teaching with the guides or gates and guides. Gates as in block in those dogs that will jump over the guides. Like x-pen gates. or whatever works. Just something you need to train.

Those are the two ways I know of...without having to reinvent the wheel of course. ;)
BTW, the first way was using channel weaves too.
 
I did the same thing as K9kreationz - I started with the manners minder, but it wasn't creating enough drive and forward motion so I switched to a ball. When he retrieves the ball, he gets a treat.

I also stood at one end of the weaves, with my friend at the other. I would send him to weave and stay where I was (so it was completely independent - he was moving with his back to me). She rewarded him if he did it correctly, and then she sent him to weave, and I rewarded him if he was correct. If he was unsuccessful, after two attempts we would reduce it to 6 weaves (although you could even bring it down to 2 weaves if you wanted).

How about back-chaining as well? I tend to do that whenever it's the end of an obstacle causing issues.

Not sure if this will help, but good luck!
 
I agree that a toy can be really helpful, but one word of caution. Don't throw it too soon or it becomes a lure. Make sure she is already driving ahead and headed towards the end before you throw a toy (or treat). It's better not to lure so she learns to really think about what is getting her the reward.

I also think putting gates/wires back on the end might help temporarily, or opening up the channels and jackpot when she gets it right. The only thing with visible aids is to try to fade them as quickly as you can (a couple sets with them, remove them, etc...)

You can also fade yourself out of the picture. Start by running with her to the end. Then barely slow down right around the last pole. If she fails, make it easier and jackpot for completing them.

I also have always really liked the exercise where you put your dog in a stay at the beginning of the poles and you stand at pole 1 and release and run with the dog. The next time you start at pole 2, and so on. That works mostly entries, it also works independent weaving. Eventually you should be able to get to stand and call her at the last pole and the dog weaves its way to you.
 
I have a similar issue with the lack of independent weave performance. It's perhaps the biggest hole we have in our training. We have good lateral distance but I can't lag behind or turn even the slightest bit too soon or he'll pop. I have a small electronic treat dispenser I can control with a remote. I may pull that out and see what we can work on for the independence. My food motivated dog may "get it" with some more effort. (Winter training project perhaps?)
 
Reading Ashley's post, I was thinking about how we also used to use a target plate. Not sure what Diva's drive is (food, toy, etc), but I do know, on the DW, I can use a target and Koji drives. The minute it's gone, no drive. So, I'm not sure how well it works.

This is something I haven't even worked on. But I have some weave poles and that 2x2 dvd. I should watch it.
 
I would highly suggest keep videotaping your sessions. It should help to identify whether Diva is literally does not see the exit, anticipating it or starts looking for you.
2x2 DVD is great tool but it is pure shaping method. I have found if dog is not operant and does not freely offers behaviors, one need to teach shaping first on something else less important first, otherwise it just does not work.
So you might be left with some targeting. Luring does not work to develop independence, just like GPS does not teach how to navigate. Targeting of some kind to mark the exit? Clicker?
What happens if you eliminate your movement at close? Like sends with you not moving at close for 2 weaves, 4 , 6 etc?
Will she pull out if you separate 2 sets of 6 weaves?
Will she pull out if you stop at the 5th pole at close? What about 4th? etc
 
I agree, I would try backchaining it.
To where she is sucessful independantly with several scenarios... then add two at a time.
The beauty of 2x2 is that it builds the value for each two poles... so even if I put 24 poles I hope T wouldn't pop out... BUT we are still in training mode, of course and he's lacking some of the drive and self confidence in trials yet, but I can stand in wrong directions even and wave and he stays in the weaves... thus far :fl
Course he cannot have a judge too close, LOL... so maybe I shouldn't be giving advice here, lol
 
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