1.31.2010
It's our birthday!
Yesterday we had our 5 week birthday! We are having more and more fun with the big black and white puppies that live across the room for us. But sometimes they get a little bit rough... But we're able to get away from them better now that we can run. And we can duck right under their bellies to get away! Mom has put more pictures of us up too. Please go see them and see how big we are getting!
1.29.2010
Panic DW Proofing
Now that Panic is back to RTO DW contacts, I am coming up with a list of things to "proof" her with. When I did them with her previously, she was solid as a rock in class, and rarely performed correctly in competition. But, I didn't proof well enough... and am a weak spined non-enforcer at trials :(
Here's my start, please add on if you think of more scenarios I should hit!
I run by
Me behind
tunnel RIGHT in front of DW to try to tempt her
front cross
rear cross before
blind cross
lateral distance - no layering
lateral distance - layer jump
w/tunnel under downside
into a wall
into a wide open space
Here's my start, please add on if you think of more scenarios I should hit!
I run by
Me behind
tunnel RIGHT in front of DW to try to tempt her
front cross
rear cross before
blind cross
lateral distance - no layering
lateral distance - layer jump
w/tunnel under downside
into a wall
into a wide open space
1.27.2010
new video
Drummer harassing Border Collies
And another one, from last week. Showing Piper and Drummer with a new toy. Amazing how much more confident they have gotten in one
week!
And another one, from last week. Showing Piper and Drummer with a new toy. Amazing how much more confident they have gotten in one
week!
pics and video
More video on You Tube
More pictures on my Picasa site
And, of course, don't forget to check out the Border Collie babies too!
More pictures on my Picasa site
And, of course, don't forget to check out the Border Collie babies too!
1.26.2010
1.24.2010
Spry running DW vid and notes
This video is from our training session last Tues, talked about here
I think she is getting it. It looks to me like she is adjusting her 2nd stride to be shorter than the first, to intentionally land in the yellow. The only miss here was when she approached crooked and couldn't stay on the board. Good girlie :)
I think she is getting it. It looks to me like she is adjusting her 2nd stride to be shorter than the first, to intentionally land in the yellow. The only miss here was when she approached crooked and couldn't stay on the board. Good girlie :)
Getting bigger!
First, yes Stephanie, I DO think they are slimming down a bit. Being mobile will do that for you, apparently.
I am taking photos, just haven't had time to organize and upload, here are a few though.
1.22.2010
Friday morning - Jan 22
Good morning! Will try to get caught up on pics and video this weekend. I AM taking shots, just not getting stuff uploaded. Busy, busy, busy!
Quickly though, Drummer is quite the little personality, but Piper is catching up quickly! These two are still in the middle range of the Border Collie puppies for weight.
1.20.2010
Trianing last night - part frustrating, part good :)
The good - I worked weaves with Dexter, kept it short and happy. Very nice job. His problem lately at practice with poles has been angled approaches when he is on my left and coming with any speed whatsoever. He doesn't make the turn back for pole #2. We worked through that last night and worked on both sides with a variety of mild angles. He was very happy to work. Decent speed on poles too. good boy!
The good, #2 - Spry got to work on DW and recall to heel. Did an excellent job on recall, suspect I need to practice also with someone holding her so I can do a restrained recall to heel instead of just from a wait, because she doesn't ever get up a lot of speed on that to show me she knows how to collect. However we did some out of a tunnel and she did very well. Her DWs were also excellent.
The bad - Panic :( I am getting very frustrated with her running DW. It seems her stride is not natural for it, and I have tried so hard to reinforce for low hits but she doesn't want to adjust her stride. And, I honestly don't have enough time to train her with stride regulators. So back to "feet" we go on the DW!
But, good #3 - Panic remembers feet pretty well and is stopping on the ground which I'm OK with. Her speed on DW is faster too than it used to be before teaching her to run, also her wilingness to work ahead of me on it is better. I think we'll end up ok. I do hope I didn't screw her up too bad, but we'll see!
Spry's DWs - again we did 7 reps, funny how that is what we did last week too. I'm not trying to go for that, it just ends up a natural stopping point for her.
DW plank was set up on 16" table with u-shaped tunnel leading into it. For first 2 reps, no tunnel.
1 - 2 strides, 3 paws
2 - 2 strides, 4 paws
added the tunnel to the DW from here on out
3 - 2 strides, 3 paws
4 - flew off side of DW
5 - 2 strides, 4 paws
6 - 2 strides, 4 paws
7 - 2 strides, 4 paws
I am OK with 3 or 4 paws, usually the paw that misses is the non-leading front foot, it reaches to the ground. As long as she is hitting low for now I'm ok. I know her striding will change once we add the up and cross boards. Next week I'm going to do the 24" table and after that I think we'll be ready for a low-ish DW. She just loves to work, what an awesome little girl:)
The good, #2 - Spry got to work on DW and recall to heel. Did an excellent job on recall, suspect I need to practice also with someone holding her so I can do a restrained recall to heel instead of just from a wait, because she doesn't ever get up a lot of speed on that to show me she knows how to collect. However we did some out of a tunnel and she did very well. Her DWs were also excellent.
The bad - Panic :( I am getting very frustrated with her running DW. It seems her stride is not natural for it, and I have tried so hard to reinforce for low hits but she doesn't want to adjust her stride. And, I honestly don't have enough time to train her with stride regulators. So back to "feet" we go on the DW!
But, good #3 - Panic remembers feet pretty well and is stopping on the ground which I'm OK with. Her speed on DW is faster too than it used to be before teaching her to run, also her wilingness to work ahead of me on it is better. I think we'll end up ok. I do hope I didn't screw her up too bad, but we'll see!
Spry's DWs - again we did 7 reps, funny how that is what we did last week too. I'm not trying to go for that, it just ends up a natural stopping point for her.
DW plank was set up on 16" table with u-shaped tunnel leading into it. For first 2 reps, no tunnel.
1 - 2 strides, 3 paws
2 - 2 strides, 4 paws
added the tunnel to the DW from here on out
3 - 2 strides, 3 paws
4 - flew off side of DW
5 - 2 strides, 4 paws
6 - 2 strides, 4 paws
7 - 2 strides, 4 paws
I am OK with 3 or 4 paws, usually the paw that misses is the non-leading front foot, it reaches to the ground. As long as she is hitting low for now I'm ok. I know her striding will change once we add the up and cross boards. Next week I'm going to do the 24" table and after that I think we'll be ready for a low-ish DW. She just loves to work, what an awesome little girl:)
1.19.2010
Tuesday - 1/19
Feeling a little more back to normal today! Trying to get caught up on everything that fell behind last week. I will have more video and pics up on the Picasa site later this evening or tomorrow morning.
Piper and Drummer are becoming much more active and coordinated. I actually gave them a toy today (video on You Tube later), though they still find each other and their mother fascinating. : ) Fada took a dog biscuit into their box this afternoon and let it lay there. Piper was really acting like she thought she should eat it. She was licking, then gumming it. I think I may start them on cereal tomorrow. The Border Collie babies got their first taste of real food this evening.
Need too update BC blog, then clean out pens before bed!
Piper and Drummer are becoming much more active and coordinated. I actually gave them a toy today (video on You Tube later), though they still find each other and their mother fascinating. : ) Fada took a dog biscuit into their box this afternoon and let it lay there. Piper was really acting like she thought she should eat it. She was licking, then gumming it. I think I may start them on cereal tomorrow. The Border Collie babies got their first taste of real food this evening.
Need too update BC blog, then clean out pens before bed!
1.18.2010
Long weekend!
My club's agility trial was this past weekend. It was one of our largest ever, and I am the trial secretary, so last week was really hectic, with two litters of pups getting more and more active and getting all the trial paperwork ready. Saturday I was at the trial about 14 hours, and about 12 Sunday. Having spent so much time away from all of my babies, I couldn't believe the difference in them each evening!
I really need to get video and pics up. Three friends who are getting BC babies came over after the trial on Saturday night to visit with them, and I had thought of getting our 3 weeks "stacked" photos then, but we were all so tired, just playing with puppies was the better option.
While the Border Collies are really becoming little dogs now, the Drummer and Piper have also really changed a lot in the last several days! They are walking much steadier now and are now able to maneuver their little selves around on the newspaper as well. Drummer is definitely going to the papers to pee. Piper is waking up and walking away from where she was napping, but not quite to the paper yet. Poor Fada is so intent on taking care of them that she doesn't like them peeing on their own, apparently. And I have yet to see a poop in their pen, though I WAS away for two days. Hadn't thought to ask my husband (saint that he is, he did the whole weekend of puppy duty for me!) if he saw any over the weekend. And he would probably just look at me like I'm weird anyway, asking about puppy poop.
Drummer and Piper are interacting with one another more, and Piper seems fascinated by Fada's ears. She lays and plays with them. It's really cute, and Fada is SO tolerant! Last week Drummer was up and moviing, but seemed to have a little bit of diconnect between thought and action. At least once I KNOW he was wanting to go towards his sister. He was on his feet, looking at her, head down and wagging his little tail. You knew he intended to go bat at her or something. He starts moving... but it's BACKWARDS. He got so frustrated, trying to get to her and ended up backing himself into a corner. The good news is, he can now walk forwards.
Anyway... catching up on all sorts of stuff, will get new pics and video up soon as I can, promise!
I really need to get video and pics up. Three friends who are getting BC babies came over after the trial on Saturday night to visit with them, and I had thought of getting our 3 weeks "stacked" photos then, but we were all so tired, just playing with puppies was the better option.
While the Border Collies are really becoming little dogs now, the Drummer and Piper have also really changed a lot in the last several days! They are walking much steadier now and are now able to maneuver their little selves around on the newspaper as well. Drummer is definitely going to the papers to pee. Piper is waking up and walking away from where she was napping, but not quite to the paper yet. Poor Fada is so intent on taking care of them that she doesn't like them peeing on their own, apparently.
Drummer and Piper are interacting with one another more, and Piper seems fascinated by Fada's ears. She lays and plays with them. It's really cute, and Fada is SO tolerant! Last week Drummer was up and moviing, but seemed to have a little bit of diconnect between thought and action. At least once I KNOW he was wanting to go towards his sister. He was on his feet, looking at her, head down and wagging his little tail. You knew he intended to go bat at her or something. He starts moving... but it's BACKWARDS. He got so frustrated, trying to get to her and ended up backing himself into a corner. The good news is, he can now walk forwards.
Anyway... catching up on all sorts of stuff, will get new pics and video up soon as I can, promise!
1.15.2010
Piper's progress
Drummer has surprised me all along, being the first mobile Pod baby. (because let's face it, cute as a button but a tad on the Pudgy side! ) His eyes became fully open first and I am fairly certain yesterday he was actually "seeing".
Today though, as the day went on, Piper became more and more active and seems to be seeing and hearing as well. She is now initiating play with Drummer and fighting back when he pins her down. She was even doing little baby growls this evening when Lianne and Andy were here!
I am secretary for my club's agility trial this weekend, so will be leaving VERY early each morning and not home till late evening. I am going to miss all my babies (Mike will be home to pup sit) each day! And given the Podengos stage of development, I am sure by Monday morning I will barely recognize them!
Today though, as the day went on, Piper became more and more active and seems to be seeing and hearing as well. She is now initiating play with Drummer and fighting back when he pins her down. She was even doing little baby growls this evening when Lianne and Andy were here!
I am secretary for my club's agility trial this weekend, so will be leaving VERY early each morning and not home till late evening. I am going to miss all my babies (Mike will be home to pup sit) each day! And given the Podengos stage of development, I am sure by Monday morning I will barely recognize them!
Toe nails
Best puppies: Comet, Dasher, Rudolph, Cupid, Drummer (though Drummer's hairy feet were tough! it's like he's wearing fuzzy slippers!)
Worst puppies: Vixen,Prancer, Dancer (someone count to be sure he even has all his toes still), Blitzen and Piper. Blitzen loudest, yes, even more than Vixen. Piper was as obnoxious, but no screaming!
I don't even want to know how many actual toe nails that was...
1.14.2010
last photo op in the whelping box
Thanks again to Jim Dwertman for loaning us the wonderful little dog whelping box!
Latent Learning
Ok so apparently Spry is a latent learner!!!
Last Weds I used her for demo to show how we teach jumping, and it was her first time seeing a jump. Well, being asked to do anything with it. There has often been jumps at 8 or 12 at the building that she could have easily hopped over, but she's never even considered going between teh uprights before. And last week she sure didn't seem to get what I was asking what with all the attempts at 1RTO!
Well Tues when I was practicing, I let her out of her crate, she runs out onto the floor, jumps a 12" jump perfectly, and turns to look at me like "Hey mom, I thought about it, and I'm pretty sure this is what you wanted last time!!! How bout it?" She is really, just too adorable for words sometimes.
Last Weds I used her for demo to show how we teach jumping, and it was her first time seeing a jump. Well, being asked to do anything with it. There has often been jumps at 8 or 12 at the building that she could have easily hopped over, but she's never even considered going between teh uprights before. And last week she sure didn't seem to get what I was asking what with all the attempts at 1RTO!
Well Tues when I was practicing, I let her out of her crate, she runs out onto the floor, jumps a 12" jump perfectly, and turns to look at me like "Hey mom, I thought about it, and I'm pretty sure this is what you wanted last time!!! How bout it?" She is really, just too adorable for words sometimes.
1.13.2010
Spry's running contacts - good practice last night!
I had a small amount of time to practice contacts before and after a lesson I was giving last night.
I worked with Spry on the 16" table. At first, just the DW board, but at the end I did a few reps with the tunnel leading into the table. I will post vids later but for my reference, here's a rundown of how it went. Not too many reps - but keeping it short is very good for her.
1 - hit box w/3 paws
2 - hit box w/3 paws but had a HUGE leap into the box that I didn't like, didn't reward
3 - 3 paws, 1 rear paw tried to hit but fell off side so almost 4 paws
4 - 1 paw, no reward
5 - 3 paws
6 - tunnel to DW - miss, but i rewarded (oops)
7 - tunnel to DW - 1 or 2 paws. i think I rewarded this one too - oops :(
Unfortunately had to stop there bc of someone coming in the building, which distracted her. so we clearly need to work on coming from the tunnel! She is so fast, and I'm having a blast working this.
Did a few AFs for kicks. This is the 2nd time she's ever been on the frame, the first time was just to familiarize her with the obstacle and how to get herself over it.
AF set at 4'6"
1 - 4 paws but slow (thinking about it)
2 - 4 paws, good
3 - 4 paws, GREAT striding over apex and on downside
4 - 4 paws but slower/many strides
5 - 2 or 3 paws, good striding but hit too low.
Again had to quit there bc someone came in. I am very happy with her progres so far on the contacts. Can't wait to train again!
I worked with Spry on the 16" table. At first, just the DW board, but at the end I did a few reps with the tunnel leading into the table. I will post vids later but for my reference, here's a rundown of how it went. Not too many reps - but keeping it short is very good for her.
1 - hit box w/3 paws
2 - hit box w/3 paws but had a HUGE leap into the box that I didn't like, didn't reward
3 - 3 paws, 1 rear paw tried to hit but fell off side so almost 4 paws
4 - 1 paw, no reward
5 - 3 paws
6 - tunnel to DW - miss, but i rewarded (oops)
7 - tunnel to DW - 1 or 2 paws. i think I rewarded this one too - oops :(
Unfortunately had to stop there bc of someone coming in the building, which distracted her. so we clearly need to work on coming from the tunnel! She is so fast, and I'm having a blast working this.
Did a few AFs for kicks. This is the 2nd time she's ever been on the frame, the first time was just to familiarize her with the obstacle and how to get herself over it.
AF set at 4'6"
1 - 4 paws but slow (thinking about it)
2 - 4 paws, good
3 - 4 paws, GREAT striding over apex and on downside
4 - 4 paws but slower/many strides
5 - 2 or 3 paws, good striding but hit too low.
Again had to quit there bc someone came in. I am very happy with her progres so far on the contacts. Can't wait to train again!
1.11.2010
week 3 progress
We are 2 1/2 weeks old now. Our eyes are opening, though we don't really see yet, and we can't hear. It makes our lives more peaceful. We think we just *might* have noisy neighbors. : ) We do have a visitor come to eat with us once in awhile. He's just a little pushy though. And sometimes we end up in a bigger "house" with LOTS of puppies crawling all over us!
We are starting to toddle around our own box and yell for Mom when we are hungry and can't find her. Gramma Lisa is going to have to start thinking about making our little home bigger as we figure out how these legs work and need more room!
But for now, we're a little sleepy, it must be nap time!
We are starting to toddle around our own box and yell for Mom when we are hungry and can't find her. Gramma Lisa is going to have to start thinking about making our little home bigger as we figure out how these legs work and need more room!
But for now, we're a little sleepy, it must be nap time!
1.10.2010
1.08.2010
Friday
We are two weeks old now!
Though she has had a little eye glimmer for a coupe of days, now more progress on eyes opening on Piper.
Drummer "sat up" today and waved at Piper.
They are both getting more active each day. No,not like the Border Collies, but more than they were.
Though she has had a little eye glimmer for a coupe of days, now more progress on eyes opening on Piper.
Drummer "sat up" today and waved at Piper.
They are both getting more active each day. No,not like the Border Collies, but more than they were.
1.07.2010
Eyes!
Piper has a little shiny glimmer in her right eye! Two of hte BC do as well.
This is the beginning of becoming real dogs!
This is the beginning of becoming real dogs!
Funny Spry
So last night we had night 2 of instructor training for BRAG instructors. I was explaining and demo-ing how we teach jumping to our beginner students. I decided to use Spry to demo, thinking she'd be perfect because she has not started jump training yet, so it would be realistic and we'd see some of the problems students encounter when they start jumping.
So, I'm sitting next to the jump with Spry, and she quickly gets that she's supposed to go back and forth over the low bar. She is knocking it a lot though - she's like slowly stepping over the bar and it *looks* like she's trying to gingerly put her rear foot over the bar but just hitting it instead. And it hits me. No, my dog is trying to do 1RTO on the JUMP BAR. She was putting 3 feet on the landing side and very carefully trying to put the 4th foot on the jump bar. And of course it then fell. Haha silly girl!! I'm not really planning on training her to jump for a few months, but we may have to work past this issue when we do!! I imagine though that when she is older and I'm more comfortable with her actually jumping, raising the bar will get us the "jump" I need and she won't be so tempted to try 1RTO.
So, I'm sitting next to the jump with Spry, and she quickly gets that she's supposed to go back and forth over the low bar. She is knocking it a lot though - she's like slowly stepping over the bar and it *looks* like she's trying to gingerly put her rear foot over the bar but just hitting it instead. And it hits me. No, my dog is trying to do 1RTO on the JUMP BAR. She was putting 3 feet on the landing side and very carefully trying to put the 4th foot on the jump bar. And of course it then fell. Haha silly girl!! I'm not really planning on training her to jump for a few months, but we may have to work past this issue when we do!! I imagine though that when she is older and I'm more comfortable with her actually jumping, raising the bar will get us the "jump" I need and she won't be so tempted to try 1RTO.
1.06.2010
Spry's running contacts
Got a chance to work Spry last night between the 3 lessons I was giving. It went really well! It was nice to have several short sessions. I moved her up to running a full length board from a 12" table. I can send her, be ahead of her, and be running. Almost 100% success. She did one goofy run where she bounced (think like tigger) down the board, I think always either having all 4 feet on the board or all 4 in the air, and she leapt over it. Other than that though, if she was on the board, she ran through the box beautifully. She did sometimes choose not to run the board but instead run fast on the ground next to it, which was not exactly what I wanted. But the instances of this happening are decreasing a lot! She is getting now to look for what I want her to do instead of just run haphazardly and seeminly thinking that she happens to be on the board cool, if not that's ok too. I think she is ready to move up to the 16" table!
1.05.2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)