I do have to say that even though it was a new location for the girls…I don’t think it was a huge challenge, because the only other person there was a friend of ours. I think for Raven especially I still should try to get to more typical park settings, with new people milling around and kids, etc.

Today was the UKI funmatch. Raven was the only one entered. It was held at a place she’s never been, but again she did well. Her biggest issues where not with the new location, but with the judge moving in closer to be able to see her contacts. Raven came to a near standstill on both the A-frame and the dogwalk. I think it’s just a matter of getting her used to someone else being out on the course with us. Definitely one of the disadvantages to training alone a lot. Other than the space issues with the judge though Raven did a really nice job. I didn’t get any video. Sorry!

We were going to let Dare meet some sheep today, but the person with the sheep was sick. So, that will have to wait for another day. We did have a good lesson with our obedience instructor yesterday though.

There is also progress on the fence project. I’ll try to get some pictures tomorrow.

My cold seems to be giving me a little break during the days now. Just recurring at night to keep me awake coughing, but I’m grateful for the improvement!

In the meantime, I’ve had time to do some thinking. I know that one of the areas my training can use improvement is in taking the dogs to places away from home (other than classes), to help them generalize behaviors. For some of the dogs, it isn’t a huge problem, but for others…I think it has the potential to really make me regret my lack of motivation. So, I’m challenging myself to take the dogs to a different place to train, once a week.

Today we went to a place we’ve never trained before. It was great! I took the weaves and jump for Layla, and my friend brought her ring gates to work obedience. Layla came out and did the weaves like a pro. I put her away and worked with Dare for a bit on some obedience and then got Layla out again. I asked for my friend to stand close to where we were weaving to serve as a distraction. I’m super happy to report that Layla went to visit her quickly right away, but once we started weaving, she stayed focused and did great! So, maybe we’re on to something. It may not be the newest theory on how to treat acne but I think it might be a successful theory on how to improve our training.

On her first run through, Raven apparently thought that my hand signal for the “out jump” looked enough like the obedience hand signal to drop into a down, so instead of going “out”, she went “down”. I had a devil of a time convincing her that we weren’t doing obedience signals. LOL Once she figured out what I was asking for though, she did great.

Zoe on the other hand, is still convinced that she already knows everything. So, I got another earful of her opinionated banter in between each portion of the drill. Amazing to me how quiet my younger girls are when I work with them. Despite her sass though, Zoe is still my favorite dog to run.

Layla did good for such a youngster. I think as she matures more and we run together more she’s really going to be lots of fun! One thing that I do notice in watching Layla’s videos, (not just in this one), is how much I lose her in between training. I could really do a better job of keeping her engaged with me in between going from the finish of one thing to the start of the next. It seems to me that the new book I got, Agility Right From the Start talks about that training issue. I haven’t had much time to read anything lately though. Guess I need to make some time. I’ll let you know if I find anything helpful. At any rate, here is Layla’s video.

With all these videos that I’ve been taking lately, I’ve been thinking that I need to sort through my pictures and videos. They are both really starting to get out of control. Maybe make up some slide show of the pictures, and just get the videos organized into a better filing system. It sure does turn into a daunting task in a short period of time. LOL

First, Layla…

Then Raven…

Then Zoe…

Sorry, if it’s so repetitive. Don’t feel like you have to watch the same drill over and over and over with each of the dogs. I just like being able to see the similarities and differences of each one doing the same drill. The next part of the drills start to incorporate motion on the handlers’ part. Should be fun! I really should spend some time inside cleaning house at some point too, rather than just out playing with the dogs. Next thing you know I’ll need some hospital disinfectant to get things clean around here.

I didn’t do the greatest job of filming today but my options for setting up the tripod and not having it blow over in the aweful wind were a bit limited. Because of this, it may be a bit difficult to see, but the second obstacle is set up closer to you, but beyond the original obstacle. Like several feet out in front of the other obstacle to start with. If the dog is successful at still going “out” to the correct obstacle, you move the other jump closer. If you’re still successful, you can continue to move it until it is line with the original one. Once you can successfully send the dog to the further obstacle, it’s time to test whether they are just getting patterned to take the original obstacle or if they are really following your direction.

To test it, you set the dog up the same as you did on the previous attempt, but instead of giving an “out” command, you
ask them to come in to you and take the closer obstacle. It’s amazing how the dogs get patterned to taking the other jump or obstacle so quickly. I remember Jim saying at the seminar that it was having to “break the spell”. Anyway, once you get the dog to come in to the closer obstacle then you try sending them out again.

I hope the video is helpful, I just gave a quick overview of the drill. Layla had done this before we got the camera out, and because of the wind I didn’t want to mess around much. Sorry. At the end of the video you’ll see the wind catch the jackpot bag when I toss it and throw it back to the take off side of the jump. I decided that was enough. LOL

I’m really pleased with how well Layla’s doing though. If she keeps this up, I might need to start looking for gifts for her. Just like with the first drill, I need to do this with other obstacles. I also need to start increasing the distance laterally away from the “out” for the dog and then for where I am. Anyway, here’s today’s video.

When Zoe and I first got involved in Agility we competed in NADAC/ASCA. It was a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and we had enough trials within driving distance to make it possible to title and progress. Then those two venues split. In Utah it seemed that most of the clubs decided to still offer ASCA, not NADAC. That was fine with me. However, by that time, I’d ILP’d Zoe and had started competing in AKC. Although AKC intimidated me initially, I found that it actually was a great fit for us. There is more of it offered in Utah than anything else, (in fact more than I can afford to do now). So we switched our focus to AKC, and it’s been a good decision for us. We’ve had a lot of fun and success in AKC.

When I got involved with Obedience, I stuck with AKC. I did try other venues, but I didn’t really pursue it. I’ve tried to figure out why, but I don’t really know. It’s certainly not that I don’t like them. I like the variety of exercises in UKC and I like the fact that in ASCA obedience the stays are first, rather than last. But in the end, I’ve stuck with AKC.

In agility, we have AKC, USDAA, ASCA, DOCNA, and now there is another new agility venue attempting to start up here, UKI. I am going to take Layla to their funmatch in June, but I honestly I’m doing it more for the experience of getting Layla to a funmatch than to really get involved in another venue. Maybe if I saved a ton of money on whole life insurance quotes I’d have enough money to branch out into more venues again. LOL

Sadly, though I don’t expect any miracles and I don’t think I’m alone in my lack of extra finances or time right now. I love the options of all the venues and I don’t want to see any of them disappear, but I don’t realistically think that I will be doing much to support them. This year I am doing all three of the local ASCA agility trials with Zoe, and I did the DOCNA agility trial to qualify for Championships, but that’s going to be the extent of my entries into other venues I’m afraid. Anyway, those are my rambling thoughts for this morning. Back to training this afternooon…

Anyway, back to the drill. It just involves setting the dog almost in line with the obstacle, with enough space left between for you to set yourself up in what forms almost a triangle with the dog and the obstacle. You are a little ways out to the side of where the dog is positioned. I don’t know if that makes sense or not now that I’m typing it. Once you’re in position you take a step in the direction of the obstacle and the dog, hold your arm out and tell the dog “out over”. As soon as they’ve committed to the obstacle you toss a reward in front of it.

Gradually you increase the distance to the side of the obstacle where the dog is and also where you are, so that they have to actually seek out the obstacle. Still with me? I’m not the best at explaining this. Anyway, I took Layla, Zoe, and Raven out and did this drill. They were all doing really well. Raven especially. Here’s the video…

First Layla…

Then Zoe…

Then Raven…

I have Dare to thank for all the obnoxious barking commentary in the background of the videos. She wasn’t happy in the least that she was inside while they were playing. I don’t think any eczema treatment will help with barking, or maybe I’d be looking into buying some.

I need to look at my notes, but I think all the girls are ready to move on to the next distance drill. If I remember right, they got much more difficult pretty quickly. Stay tuned…

I thought I’d set up the first drill today from the beginner’s day of that Jim Basic distance seminar that we audited last year. For sure I’ll work it with Layla, and I might even see what Zoe thinks of it too. We’ll see how it goes. I have every intention of my younger dogs having better distance training than Zoe got in the beginning. I’ll try to set up the camera and post something later on this evening.

Here’s one of the Standard runs from Saturday.

And here is one of her Jumpers runs from Saturday.

In other news…my husband went into the cabinet shop the other day to pick up something, and he got some really sad news. I guess they are finishing up a couple final jobs, and then they are closing their doors permanently. I’m so relieved that my husband was able to find a job when he did. At the same time, it’s just heartbreaking to think of the situation that his old boss is in now. He and his family are absolutely wonderful people. I really, really hope that something works out for them soon!

It’s always fun to catch with everyone and hear all the new dog news. A friend of ours is expecting puppies. That’s always exciting news, but at the same time, I’m glad it’s not me having to worry about prenatal vitamins and all that kind of stuff. I just like getting to play with the puppies that someone has to do all the work and worry about.

Zoe q’d in 5 of the 6 classes we ran today, one of them even being a Gamblers class. That’s the hardest one for us. I was really happy about that run. I did get some video of a few of the classes, but I haven’t had a chance to upload what we got yet. Maybe tomorrow after I get home, I’ll get the runs up for the weekend.

After the trial I took the dogs on a walk, thought I’d give Dare a chance to burn off some energy since she didn’t get to do much while Zoe was running at the trial. I got some fun pictures of Zoe along the way. I think she had a pretty good day.