Piper's mom
Moderator
The last weekend was a total bust lol. We NQ'd all 3 trials! Piper didn't find the correct article in the first trial (my fault for not scenting it enough)...he also didn't do the down in signals (my back was to the main aisle...I think I was a blur amongst the people). Second trial signals again, again I was along the main aisle (you'd think the judge would position you against a wall!
Last day again picked wrong article (my fault again I didn't scent it enough, plus judges were putting articles much closer than I'd trained him on), didn't do the come on articles (my signal was too fast!) and he didn't take the jump with the bar jump. Walked up to it and peered over it lol. He was anxious on the last day, lots of paw prints on the matting (3 hours in the car every day I'm sure he didn't like).
Looking back many of his errors were my fault...I didn't scent the articles enough (I think in training I would scent them too much so in the trial it was different...I'm scenting much less in training now, make him work to find right one),and my come in signals was too fast and not enough oomph (he started to come but then sat back down).
On the plus side I FINALLY figured out the heeling! Piper doesn't watch me all the time so I'd take the left turn and he'd bump me (crowding deduction grrr) but I realized that if I slow down before the turn it cues him that a change is coming and it all came together beautifully (at least I did that right lol).
Of course Piper got many compliments on how well he works in the ring (his head was swelling lol).
Our next trial is in 6 weeks and local (10 minutes away) plus I'll be able to get mat time (wasn't able to this time). I'm training now with articles close and further apart and less scent and working on his jumps (he cut the jump one day).
Utility is freaking hard!!!
Training and matches don't compare to being in the ring...I'm not disappointed though, I gained so so much experience by being in the ring and that will help us next time.
Last day again picked wrong article (my fault again I didn't scent it enough, plus judges were putting articles much closer than I'd trained him on), didn't do the come on articles (my signal was too fast!) and he didn't take the jump with the bar jump. Walked up to it and peered over it lol. He was anxious on the last day, lots of paw prints on the matting (3 hours in the car every day I'm sure he didn't like).
Looking back many of his errors were my fault...I didn't scent the articles enough (I think in training I would scent them too much so in the trial it was different...I'm scenting much less in training now, make him work to find right one),and my come in signals was too fast and not enough oomph (he started to come but then sat back down).
On the plus side I FINALLY figured out the heeling! Piper doesn't watch me all the time so I'd take the left turn and he'd bump me (crowding deduction grrr) but I realized that if I slow down before the turn it cues him that a change is coming and it all came together beautifully (at least I did that right lol).
Of course Piper got many compliments on how well he works in the ring (his head was swelling lol).
Our next trial is in 6 weeks and local (10 minutes away) plus I'll be able to get mat time (wasn't able to this time). I'm training now with articles close and further apart and less scent and working on his jumps (he cut the jump one day).
Utility is freaking hard!!!
Training and matches don't compare to being in the ring...I'm not disappointed though, I gained so so much experience by being in the ring and that will help us next time.
)..
