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Dec 2016 Training Logs

4K views 70 replies 3 participants last post by  Hombrespop 
#1 ·
Plans, goals, accomplishments, logs and.or challenges as we enter the Holiday season, anyone?
 
#2 ·
My dogs have had a break from training which should have refreshed us all :)

I need to begin building Faelan's rear strength up from the cruciate injury, proof Towhee's understanding of Utility, formulate a plan for Brady's ring stress issues and start proofing Aedan while also teaching Ms Finch her basics -- in obedience and a love of working -- well she does love learning for sure, but I need to train the baseline of all the games I use as my dogs advance through their training and figure which games and activities will best suit her :)

I do have a private lined up for Friday and also talked to several other people (especially men) about privates in the future to help generalize ring procedures for both Brady & Aedan -- Faelan & Towhee have solid understandings already.
 
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#3 ·
Worked articles with both boys 2x each article . Pleased with results only 1 turn in place that Hombre had his butt " out " same with Nugget but Nugget didn't leave " briskly " on first article but a butt slap and a hurry up order fixed the next three. Hombre and I did several " take it " and " OUT" exercises with a glove as he tends to hold it and not release on my " out " command. Mouthing is sometimes also an issue but it's getting better. Trying to decide if I want to enter Hombre in Utility B in early Jan. As there is a three trial event being held only 5 miles away. I don't normally show in Jan - Feb. because of unreliable weather conditions but this is in my back yard .
 
#4 ·
Wow -- geek alert!

Yes, I am a geek :) and now that I know some things about obedience and agility (and even hunt) training, some of the things that I want to know:
> Why?
> How ?
> When ?

For instance:
Why might my dog sit too far away from me (not enough for points off but not like in training)
How can I best assist my dogs? (Fast and accurate with full understanding and joy)
When to push and when to allow for physical/emotional/automatic responses to develop in their own time?

I have read a few of the lectures in a new course that I am taking at FDSA and am left with Wow, already so glad I signed up (bronze/audit level) -- Devil in the Details


 
#5 ·
Had an awesome semi private yesterday with Brady :) We are working with teaching Brady that he CAN handle pressure of varying types and come through with a smile on his face and a prance in his step. A friend joined me and we worked some things together which is why it turned into a semi private.

I also learned I have developed the bad bad habit of not pushing through my left turns - if I lose energy for a nano second Brady will also lose energy - I have had this issue in the past and it does not really show up in video so an OTCh in person instructor is really really important at times for me :)

Then picked Faelan up as I traveled home , thinking Brady would have a treat by riding in my front seat -- nope, he kept going into the back seat!! So Faelan got to ride in the front - although he too tried the back seat LOL

Brady was very upset with the cone and the bandaging and I actually had to manage the two all night -- this morning the bandaging came off plus I removed the cone and Brady got to investigate it (Brady smashes any cone he has to wear with an hour so I know he does not like them), and when they all came back inside from first outing and I put the cone back on Faelan, all seems well -- all 4 dogs are contently lying at my feet. I will need to be alert for the next several days but it feels good to have them all in their happy places again !

I need to check to see if there are drop in classes today - if there are Brady and Aedan will be going,
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
I just set up articles with just the new wooden set for Towhee.

5 articles just with the bells lightly scented from my putting them out and 1 article regularly scented - done twice each dog. I took Faelan's cone off for his turn.

All dogs, even Aedan, did really well!! Well Aedan actually brought back 2 the 2nd time but he included the correct along with the one next to it so I'll count that as a win!! The articles were probably only 3-4 inches apart so too close for a youngster anyhow.

As an interesting side note, Towhee is a dainty looking girl and has small articles in comparison to the boys -- small enough so the article vendors always question their size (they are 3" long with 2 1/2" bells and a small bit diameter) when they hear she is a golden. A full inch shorter than the boys usually use. Well, they appear to be the correct size for Aedan so if his muzzle does not broaden out, I will be buying more appropriate articles for him LOL I cannot see going into the ring with daintily painted Towhee bird designed articles, or pink on pink striped articles with him!
 
#7 ·
Worked both boys on articles 2x each both leather and metal and they did a fine job. After articles moving stand and signals and again a fine job. Because Hombre sometimes doesn't want to give the glove we practiced TAKE- HOLD - OUT several times with a reward given when he didn't resist and its definetly getting better. A little later today we'll do some heeling on the street . Next Thursday is this years last trial but only Nugget is entered so I'm also trying to determine if the trial in Jan.would be worth entering Hombre in utility--can't make up my mind.
 
#8 ·
Today was out & abouts with Aedan while Towhee & Brady went hiking. Faelan is still a cone head so he got to stay home.

The plan was simple acclimation - how long before he starts checking in and how long before he starts demanding work. It is a cold day so although I stopped at a few parks I ended up at a school since there was not a whole lot of activity anywhere - at least at the school there were no doubt plenty of good smells :)

 
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#9 · (Edited)
Penny stopped sneezing Wednesday but I kept her home from class to be safe. We went to the trial today and I can say Penny wins the award for most fun + greeting people. Zeros Q's - that's fine by me. Penny had fun and I did too. =)

I was told by a volunteer to remove her flea collar and regular collar since it's a buckle collar. They leant me a slip lead since I didn't know she'd be running "naked."

Time to Beat Penny snagged the leash and took off in zoomie fashion. Finally got her to take the teeter and a couple jumps and I lost her again, then we had to leave since we were over time.

Jumpers with weaves - would have qualified with first place if she didn't drop a bar. She wanted to see the judge but came back and focused on me. It wasn't smooth - I don't care, I was just happy that she was able to focus on me. =)

The results posted said I Q'd, but then I learned those are preliminary results and we didn't Q. I wish they didn't post results until they're finalized so I can learn what results in an NQ better.

Standard This was shaky because Penny kept greeting people. We were one jump from finishing. I told the leash person to hold the leash and not set it down, but she put it at the exit, so Penny grabbed it.

So, the positives: very solid weave entries, NAILED the tire when she hadn't even seen one in four months. Good contacts, wasn't bothered by dogs walking past her crate all day. Two dogs got in a spat right behind her when we were walking today and she didn't even flinch.

The negatives: people greeting, leash grabbing. If I put her in a sit stay for a lead out I can see her head swiveling around for things to pick up/people to see.

What to do before we go to another trial:

>lots of people distraction training
>find run-throughs at unfamiliar training buildings
>focus training
>find books/online classes to help

This is the video from today's trial, it might still be processing:
 
#10 ·
I have used rolled leather collars on my dogs in AKC agility as needed -- I go into the ring with a slip lead but they might well have an additional collar on; was this an AKC trial?
 
#14 ·
Nugget had his last training before Thurs.trial and he wasn't too shabby today doing a very clean open run thru and not too bad in utility either, pretty pleased with some things could have been done a little brisker but he worked at Nuggets normal pace . Hombre only did open exercises fronts fronts fronts I just hate the constant repetition doing these till my dogs learn to front straight. He is a work in progress and I do see improvements slow but sure. I've decided to enter Hombre in the 3 trials being held at SCKC in Jan. just too close to not go with my youngster Nugget is already entered.
 
#15 ·
Almost got my butt rolling in time for a good training session :) not quite since my workout was a longer one (50 minutes)

But we did do pivot work

Faelan loved coming out of the cone and did really well.

Towhee either forgot pivot work or was in an un-uh mood...I figure she honestly forgot since it has been awhile..back to kindergarten for her.

Brady did great.

Aedan did great

:)
 
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#17 · (Edited)
Consistent speed in Penny's weaves this morning, very lovely.

My classmates are helping me in class by standing in the ring when I run Penny. She ran up to them every sequence. I need to be patient with her and keep working on the visiting issue. I know I can get her to stop if we keep practicing.


I have my eye on a couple training opportunities.

January 15th - CPE practice trial - bar setters and a judge will be in the ring, treats and toys allowed in the ring. Five different classes total for a true mock trial. Perfect for Penny. This only costs $40.

January 27th - a "B" Match at an AKC trial before the real trial - I think this is a fancy word for a mock trial. Only toys allowed in the ring.

Outside of this, an agility club a half-hour away from me holds run-throughs every Tuesday and Thursday. $10 for the run-throughs - not bad. If I like this place, I'll join as a member since it's $65 to join and then run-throughs are free...really good deal.
 
#18 ·
Thud morning was fronts on the platform & heeling with Bozo, both as the inside post and the outside post.

Towhee has come into season, so I will be heading up to Sunfire after work, if would have been more convenient to bring her up at lunch (40 miles closer) but it is chilly today so she is better off at home in her crate...good news is she should be my Christmas present when she us ready to come home :)

Bad news is Brady will again miss his class, agility tonight.

Now I can start looking at trials for her Utility debut :)
 
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#19 ·
Nugget earned another UDX leg with a 193 and a fourth place go outs again cost 4 points arcing to the left on each the rest was nice. Open he got a 195 and third place . I didn't like his first two fronts and one finish so I did a little ring training cause I didn't care about the points as I figured we were already out of contention for OTCH points. The judge was generous giving us the 195 because I would have scored us with a 192. Anyway 21 OM points were garnished and another UDX leg. Yesterday I sent entry in for HOMBRE IN UTILITY these shows will,be his first showing in utility but all 3 trials are on one weekend in my neighborhood only 41/2 miles from home in early Jan.
 
#21 ·
Started our day with a very chilly 2 mile jog at an almost deserted hiking trail.

Sent to crate for a distance today. Didn't ask for any behavior other than saying "crate". Offered a down immediately each time and rewarded.

Took her to Lowe's and worked in the deserted garden center first and then moved to the aisles indoors. She got a little overexcited a couple times but settled quickly. I'm trying to focus on more subtle signs that she's thinking about people, like when an ear flicks back towards the checkout counters or slight head turns.

I did recalls inside the house past a leash and she didn't care at all. Even when I piled multiple leashes and all her toys between us she ignored them. Tomorrow I'll move to the backyard and see. If she still ignores it, I think a tennis court is our next step. I'm pretty sure her continual desire to snag the leash is related to excitement since she wants to grab things first thing in the morning/when let out of the crate/after a walk/when people come home.
 
#22 ·
Weatherman is promising 5-9 inches of wet heavy snow so outside training is going to be kaput . Articles - signals - MSFE - f+f will be practiced inside today and maybe some heeling on the street before the snow comes. all three still clean and smelling good this is the longest a spa day has lasted. Christmas party at club Mon.but the weather will determine if the boys go with or stay home SAFE!
 
#23 ·
Limited training but I did manage heeling and fig.8 with both boys and both did great . Both are really "up "with the cold weather. Articles done by both but Hombre who was successful on first metal and leather had Sadie stand in his way and I hollered at her to move and Hombre thought he made a mistake and dropped the correct article and needed to be told to " find it " again which after searching picked the correct one and needed me to tell him YES then he brought it to me. Signals and MSFE well done. Nuggets only mistake in articles signals or MSFE was he anticipated coming to heel on MSFE but that was as much my fault as his because I jackpot the dogs when we are finished and I said " jackpot " instead of my order of "swing" . If only my dogs had a " GOOD " handler trainer.
 
#24 ·
Today at Lowe's was busy. It was pictures with Santa day and I didn't know. A little girl pet her and she sat nicely, only licked her cheek a little bit once. There was a Goldendoodle there that she didn't like. She barked a dog for the first time in months. She's never seen a dog in there before so I think it could have stressed her out. We got our picture with Santa while we were there since it was free. =)

We worked on leash/toy distractions in the backyard. The yard will be our starting point for this since she grabbed her harness once, and thought about grabbing leashes a couple times. She went for her toy twice. Treats and fetch for her purple ball were the reward.
 
#25 ·
Excellent sessions today at drop ins!

Aedan had rally and for whatever reason his sits were off (why is this excellent? Shows some type of a hole in my training that needs revisiting so excellent feedback Aedan!) Motion exercises were nice as was his run thru. His downs out of motion are coming along and his pop up stands are as well. Lots of distractions and he coped & focused very well.

Brady had heeling/open/utility work with additional pressure being applied. His first set of signals was awful but helping him verbally resulted in a beautiful second set - instructor was applying pressure and signaling behind him so it was excellent! His heeling other than 1 start was really really nice -- one girl actually had her mouth open as she watched he was that handsome :) Fronts were really nice, 1 halt was wide, however I accepted it since he was again being pressured but he was doing it (Figure 8)!! - would have been 1/2 point but not my current focus; if he cannot break through to the other side of the pressure he feels, his excellence at heeling will not show through anyhow. Yep, when he is relaxed he is that excellent, which is why I can sweetly demand excellence when he is comfortable but need to assist him in seeing he CAN DO IT under all circumstances but then my criteria for precision has to be allowed to slip some.

So overall I am really happy with the class results - good of Aedan to show a weakness in training under distraction and good that Brady is starting to be animated & precise under pressure :) :) :)
 
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#26 ·
Last night we worked some heeling and signals (and recalls w/ fronts) in the backyard while the snow was falling :)

I was also wearing a headlamp from exercising them (catches their eyes so I can see exactly where they are in the dark woods).

Faelan actually had the most frequent errors - once I turned the lamp off he was fine though.
Brady & Aedan did well :)

Aedan had drops and stands in place of signals.

My concentration was powering through left & right turns -- me, not my dogs. If I do it right, so do they :)
 
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