Two by Two Weave Training for Finn

So we started with Channel Weaves and he got the idea of a dash through the length of the channel very quickly.

However as we started to bring the poles more in line, Finn still just dashed (or bashed) in a straight line down the length of the poles. This led to a couple of problems:

1. If I was using the home poles, which are the stick in the ground variety, they just flew everywhere like so many matchsticks!
2. If we were at club training, using the more solid channel weaves, he bashed through hitting his face and sides, and not really thinking it was much fun.

So either way weave training was not progressing well, and certainly not to the point where he got the idea he should actually weave!

In his mind it was all about running in straight lines.

So I came across the Two by Two idea originally put forward by Susan Garrett of teaching weaves by introducing only two poles first, and then adding more.  The idea is to make the dogs look for each pair of poles.

I started this about 10 days ago.  First by just rewarding him for going between two poles.
Then by adding a second pair off-set as shown in the section labelled 1.

.
Over time the second pair is gradually moved into line with the first pair (2 &3) and then brought closer so that all poles are at the correct distance apart.

At the moment Finn can achieve 4 poles in a straight line at the end of a practice session, however I still usually start with the poles spaced as they are in step 3 when we first go out.  I'm doing about ten repetitions each time, and then doing something else.

My aim this week is to have him reliably running 4 poles from where ever I ask.

Next post on Weaves:  Weaves from a Distance

Last of the Summer Shine Fun Day at Cooperhill

Great Fun Day at Cooperhill today!

Nearly all our agility class were there and testing out new skills.

I was pleased with Finn, as he did nice "waits" at the start of each round, and then willingly ran on for the distant lines I attempted.

Amy took a video:

We still need to refine some of our turn commands, but this was a huge leap forward from the last Fun Day at Cooperhill where he just ran over random obstacles - only sometimes listening to my directions.

Anyway, it was a lovely day and some of the barley had been cut up behind the grounds so we got a wee spin up there too: 

Finn's sister, Pixie, had a really successful day with Amy getting a clear round in the Jumps and Tunnels round, and picking up a Judge's Special Rosette.

Here's a video of her round:

  Wee Patsy was flying today too

And she and Shona won a class...

And were also videoed: 

All in all a great day out:

For me, my friends and my favourite pup!

PS His earlier round at Cooperhill can be seen here: Not a Velcro Dog

Outside the Ring - Gamblers and Addicts!

"Outside the Ring" is the theme for this Dog Agility Blogger Event. Other posts on the same theme can be found here:  http://dogagilityblogevents.wordpress.com/outside-the-ring/

GAMBLERS AND ADDICTS!

As soon as think about my "outside the ring" activities, my brain immediately swings to the reasons I do that stuff, and it is all to do with what goes on "inside the ring"!

Even now, as I think about an agility round, I start to feel that wonderful thrum of excitement in my heart and a slightly wide-eyed, "in the moment" focus.

Every time we enter the ring we hold out hope for that perfect round - one of those moments of understanding between dog and handler that transcends all our real world concerns.

Nothing is guaranteed, of course, and every competition has champions taking falls and novices celebrating surprise wins.  It is all part of what brings us out to compete again and again: the gamble of each and every round.

The "outside the ring" stuff just helps us to load the dice in our favour.

We all have our pet training routines, queuing tips, and health advice for dogs and handlers. And we also have that "other stuff" that goes on outside the ring: perhaps those bills to be paid, work worries, emotional entanglements and so on.

Yet inside the ring, we can leave all that behind, and take another gamble on finding that perfect moment.  It's like a drug, and we keep going back for more.  And so much of what goes on outside the ring is to feed that habit.

So:

"Hello, my name is Sally, and I am addicted to Gambling - Agility Gambling."  

Somehow, I suspect I am not the only Agility Gambling Addict!

Poor Finn!

Well Finn has finally had his wee operation.  I debated for sometime whether to neuter him - there are strong views both for and against.  Finally, went with the vet's recommendation and booked him in.  

He is recovering well but not one bit impressed to have to stay on the lead for all his exercise for a whole week!  Nor by the collar that he must wear  - licking a certain area is just too irresistible!

On a more cheerful note, at our last training session before "that" day, Finn was jumping full height and going really well.

Just watch his tail!  Makes me laugh...

"Mind to Win" Beginners Course

Kathrine McAleese runs an agility fun day each year after her "Mind to Win" training camp.


This year she introduced a course of jumps and tunnels especially for dogs who had not yet competed in KC competitions.

Ronnie McAleese designed a flowing course with just a couple of little challenges:

So Finn and I attempted the course as a training round at medium height.  It didn't go entirely to plan.... the purple arrows show where we messed up.  (And Ronnie, I'm really sorry Finn lifted his leg on your tunnel.)

However despite the bungle in the middle, I was very pleased with Finn this time.  The last sequence felt totally exhilarating!

Thanks for a fun day Kathrine and co.

Video of Training Sequence.

Video taken at training.  We had practiced shorter sequences during the session.  Then put them altogether at the end.

Understandably I was very pleased with how this went - it felt really good that he understood what I was asking and responded with enthusiasm.

Finn's Training: Index of Posts

A couple of people have asked about how I started working Finn from the scooter, and about the work I've done with him to encourage distance handling. So these are links to posts I wrote at the time, with a few comments added from today's perspective.

July 2012
Introducing Finn, My Collie Pup
Finn -Checking out his new world

Sept 2013

Having Fun with Finn 

Throughout his puppyhood, I obviously did a lot of just playing with Finn.  Things like encouraging him to chase a ball, and bring it back.  And to put the ball back in my hand rather than just drop it at my feet.  I also wanted a reliable wait, so started introducing a wait into our play sessions.

December 2013:
Finn's Lessons
Finn Scooter Training
Finn on Video. Wait! Go! & Back!
Some Finn Special?
Starting a few Jumps with Finn
Photo series: Wait and Jump

Really, I was just keeping up with a few short minutes most days.  At this stage Finn still hadn't started formal classes, but I thought that a little bit of work in advance of the class would help us cope, because obviously I'll not be able to run along side him like everyone else.

I didn't keep repeating the same stuff all the time either.  For example although he mastered the tunnel as quite a small puppy, it was put away for sometime while working on other little things.  "Wait" however I kept reinforcing and practicing in new environments.

February 2014:
Patsy and Finn on Video
Finn doing some Distance Work
Just 5 Minutes Most Days

March 2014: 
Now some Channel Weaves for Finn

A Note on Weaves: I thought I'd teach him using the channel weave method.  He learned very quickly to run down the channel.  However, I have currently had to stop, because our weave poles are only stuck into the ground, and trying to bring them into a straighter line has resulted in him ploughing through them.  So although we made this excellent start, I am now only working his weaves on the club training set that cannot be sent flying!!!

April 2014:
First Agility Class for Finn
Pictures from Puppy Agility Class
Contacts? "Touch" or Running?
Thinking about Right and Left commands.
Training Round for Finn

May 2014:
Training Sequence - Feeling Proud!
Why do I use Wheels?

June 2014: 
Finn - Training Update
Not a Velcro Dog!
Finn Learning See-Saw

November 2014
First Competitive Outing for Finn

I'll try to update this sequence periodically to show Finn's progress.