We haven't gotten to work too much in the last few weeks. It was rainy last week and then we went to CPE nationals to vend, so I took about a wk and half off. On Tuesday, I got to do 2x2s again. She is now doing all 6 at 22"! Good girlie! Still nailing her entrances.
At the building last night, worked on a few things.
1) On the way down, decided to do 2rto on the AFrame intsead of running. She's got such a long stride and I'm worried about consistence on the Frame in competition. She also *really* gets that 2rto really means the feet are barely on, and so it shouldn't be too hard on her back. She has done full height a-frames before to get her used to going over them. So, I took her to the bottom and said "feet", and she assumed the position very nicely. Did that a few times and then just did the whole thing, she stopped beautifully! Did a few more reps with great success :) Looks like all my work on the DW has paid off!
2) Jump work. I've slacked a LOT on this because I got excited about WPs. Went back to standing next to the upright. Really worked to get her head DOWN as she lands. Did *excellent*!
3) Weave poles. She's never done them anywhere else other than the backyard, or with bases. She did SO well!! The bases threw her a bit and a few times she did weave a phantom pole before the 1st one, but she seemed to figure it out. Entries not as good (I think to be expected bc of the base sticking out). I only have access to 20" metal based poles at home so I might seek out some 22" or 24" to borrow.
Annnnd... I entered her first trial! Flashpoint USDAA in July. I entered her in Standard one day and Gamblers the next. I think a whole course of jumps could be a total mess :) But she's awesome on contacts and I think will be on WPs too. The trial closes June 23 so I can always change what she's entered in up until then. Can't wait to see how she does!
5.28.2010
5.15.2010
Max, day 4
He has settled in nicely. Really a very calm, relaxed little guy. Kind of nice. ; > We train with 1 or 2 meals/day. He seems to be getting his name, we've added "Come" now, so he's getting a "Max, come!" for the kibbles. I am using a command only because I am 99% sure of getting the behavior, when he is sitting right in front of me and knows his food bowl is behind me.
I have also introduced the clicker to him yesterday. He is learning a sit. We also do this during meals. So, if I don't call him to me, he is learning to sit, by default. I have no used a command with it yet. He is getting that click means treat though.
He hasn't had an accident while lose in the house yet. I've been pretty good about keeping an eye on him, when he is not crated or tethered to me. (right now I am sitting at the desk and he came over and hopped in my lap for a nap, WHAT a cuddler!) This means, of course, that I will start to get over confident and lazy, and he will, sooner or later have a housebreaking lapse. : ) NOT that I am calling him housebroken, by any means. At this stage, I am good at getting him out at the right times. He's not yet figured out to indicate he needs out, I expect that will come soon.
I have also introduced the clicker to him yesterday. He is learning a sit. We also do this during meals. So, if I don't call him to me, he is learning to sit, by default. I have no used a command with it yet. He is getting that click means treat though.
He hasn't had an accident while lose in the house yet. I've been pretty good about keeping an eye on him, when he is not crated or tethered to me. (right now I am sitting at the desk and he came over and hopped in my lap for a nap, WHAT a cuddler!) This means, of course, that I will start to get over confident and lazy, and he will, sooner or later have a housebreaking lapse. : ) NOT that I am calling him housebroken, by any means. At this stage, I am good at getting him out at the right times. He's not yet figured out to indicate he needs out, I expect that will come soon.
5.13.2010
Max! (AKA, the PPod puppy formerly known as "Drummer")
He's baaack! Yesterday I met Carol and picked up Drummer. He's a wonderful little pup, who will be going to the Chicago area in a few weeks to be a loved pet to the mother of a friend. In the meantime, he's here to hang out withe the gang and me for awhile. We're hoping to have the housebreaking thing n hand before he leaves and teaching him his new name. Maybe a few fun things along the way as well!
I didn't get home till evening with him yesterday, had to potty, feed and then be gone for several hours. So not much happening, but I did snap some pics. He was pretty good in his crate last night. I spent the night on the sofa, to be next to his crate. I don't like totally isolating new babies at night. He fussed for awhile, then settled down.
This morning we had our first "Your name is 'Max' now " lesson. I fed him his breakfast kibble by kibble, while using his new name, pretty much the Deb Jones "In your face recall" game. "Max", pop a kibble to him, "Max", pop a kibble to him, all while sitting right in front of him) I'm fairly certain he didn't quite get it yet, but it will come. : ) We will add asking for polite behaviors "sit" and "down" to get his food in the coming days.
He is already going UP my open backed basement stairs on his own! Not quite brave enough to come down more than a step or two, and I'm okay with that for now actually!
Right now I need to get to work though, so he's eaten, been outside to potty, played, and is now tethered to me at my desk with an ample supply of toys. He was NOT very happy about it at first, but after a little rodeo bucking, realized it was no use.
He is currently taking the leg off of a stuffed squirrel, that was already pretty beaten up. It is actually a toy that I got when Havoc was a pup, over 9 years ago. It has been suitable only for babies for a very long time, since it WAS already raggedy.
Well, need to take advantage of puppy quiet play time to work, then back outside with him, play, then pop him in his kennel for a nap.
I didn't get home till evening with him yesterday, had to potty, feed and then be gone for several hours. So not much happening, but I did snap some pics. He was pretty good in his crate last night. I spent the night on the sofa, to be next to his crate. I don't like totally isolating new babies at night. He fussed for awhile, then settled down.
This morning we had our first "Your name is 'Max' now " lesson. I fed him his breakfast kibble by kibble, while using his new name, pretty much the Deb Jones "In your face recall" game. "Max", pop a kibble to him, "Max", pop a kibble to him, all while sitting right in front of him) I'm fairly certain he didn't quite get it yet, but it will come. : ) We will add asking for polite behaviors "sit" and "down" to get his food in the coming days.
He is already going UP my open backed basement stairs on his own! Not quite brave enough to come down more than a step or two, and I'm okay with that for now actually!
Right now I need to get to work though, so he's eaten, been outside to potty, played, and is now tethered to me at my desk with an ample supply of toys. He was NOT very happy about it at first, but after a little rodeo bucking, realized it was no use.
He is currently taking the leg off of a stuffed squirrel, that was already pretty beaten up. It is actually a toy that I got when Havoc was a pup, over 9 years ago. It has been suitable only for babies for a very long time, since it WAS already raggedy.
Well, need to take advantage of puppy quiet play time to work, then back outside with him, play, then pop him in his kennel for a nap.
2x2s day 6 and 7
Tuesday, I was able to move the 2 sets 22" apart from one another so she was doing all four poles inline, spaced correctly. She had no problem with me moving them in actually quite a bit at one point (I get impatient)
Yesterday, practiced that a bit more and she was doing great, so went ahead and added the 2 poles 4' in front of the four. It did take her a few reps to understand to do all 6, but she got it! Actually got several pretty fast reps too. I expect to see her doing them pretty awesomely when I get to practice after work today - it always sinks in overnight for her :)
Yesterday, practiced that a bit more and she was doing great, so went ahead and added the 2 poles 4' in front of the four. It did take her a few reps to understand to do all 6, but she got it! Actually got several pretty fast reps too. I expect to see her doing them pretty awesomely when I get to practice after work today - it always sinks in overnight for her :)
5.11.2010
Warm & Fuzzies
I can't stop thinking about how much fun I had this past weekend at CCDAC's trial. Partially, I am sure this is due to success with Panic & Dexter. Seeing them have so much fun and be so happy makes me just *so* thrilled inside. But mostly, a lot of people I like were there, and very supportive of one another, and the comraderie was just such a great feeling. The weather was miserable for most of Saturday, and bars were falling all over the place due to wind, and they were short on workers and loooong on course changes. But during team gamblers, hearing everyone cheer for teams to "go go go go!" as they attempted the time gamble and genuinely being happy when someone made it, or the groan of defeat when someone just barely missed it, was very refreshing. I think it maybe has something to do with it being outdoors vs indoors? I find at indoor trials I am much more likely to sit in a chair by my crate with a book or take a nap between runs or something - outdoors it's nice to sit by the rings and watch your friends and competitors enjoy their runs.
Today, I am very grateful that I decided to get back into agility after my college hiatus.
I started competing in agility when I was 9 with my Border Terrier, Peanut. I don't think I really realized how "dorky" being in dogs was until I was in 6th or 7th grade, but after that, even though I loved doing it, I was kind of ashamed. I always wished I was in a more cool activity or sport. So as much as I loved it, I never totally embraced it insofar that I wouldn't talk about it much at school, and just didn't feel comfortable with it when I wasn't with "dog people". I did become a judge summer of '00 when I was 15, just about to turn 16. I loved doing that too. I always felt accepted at the dog shows - even when I was younger and kids were not always a favorite of my fellow competitors. It was a better feeling than I sometimes had at school where I sometimes felt out of place.
When I went off to college, I just didn't have a lot of time anymore for agility or judging. I was at school 2 hrs from home and my dogs, so no practicing. I did a few shows a year but pretty much went on hiatus from dogs during that time. I got to experience a lot and am thrilled I took advantage of the opportunities college presented me with instead of staying at home and continuing to focus on the dogs. I know it was the right decision. When I was graduating, I was planning on continuing my non-doggie life and career. When Andy wanted to get a dog, we looked on petfinder and saw "Zum Zum". This goofy little yellow dog, sitting looking up at the camera, with big old ears standing up and a big smile on her face. She was immediately very interesting to me. I convinced Andy to go look at her with me, and we did. Remember, this was going to be Andy's dog, and we were still just dating for 4 or so months at the time. Well, she was a NUT. But after we visited I couldn't stop thinking about her and begged Andy to get her. Long story short, she became "Panic" and really, how could one *not* do agility with her? Started her jumping and weaving within days of adopting her and the rest is history. She was brilliant - seriously brilliant. She has by far been the easiest dog I've had to train for those things, and she was just so eager to do ANYTHING after being shut in one of those small dog kennels on the wall at the shelter. Panic seems to have come into my life for a reason. Without her I'm not sure I would have gotten back into it. And I'm so glad I did.
It is so nice to now be friends, as an adult, with people I have known and competed with for the last 16 years. I know they are always there for me if I need them, and it's just great to hang out with them on the weekend. The relationship that agility has given me with my dogs has been fantastic. It keeps me at least somewhat active compared to sitting at my desk all day and has given me life-long friends :)
Four years ago when I graduated, I would never have guessed how involved I'd be yet again in agility or that agility would indeed become part of my career and livelihood! Thanks to all my agility friends for making this such an enjoyable hobby :)
Today, I am very grateful that I decided to get back into agility after my college hiatus.
I started competing in agility when I was 9 with my Border Terrier, Peanut. I don't think I really realized how "dorky" being in dogs was until I was in 6th or 7th grade, but after that, even though I loved doing it, I was kind of ashamed. I always wished I was in a more cool activity or sport. So as much as I loved it, I never totally embraced it insofar that I wouldn't talk about it much at school, and just didn't feel comfortable with it when I wasn't with "dog people". I did become a judge summer of '00 when I was 15, just about to turn 16. I loved doing that too. I always felt accepted at the dog shows - even when I was younger and kids were not always a favorite of my fellow competitors. It was a better feeling than I sometimes had at school where I sometimes felt out of place.
When I went off to college, I just didn't have a lot of time anymore for agility or judging. I was at school 2 hrs from home and my dogs, so no practicing. I did a few shows a year but pretty much went on hiatus from dogs during that time. I got to experience a lot and am thrilled I took advantage of the opportunities college presented me with instead of staying at home and continuing to focus on the dogs. I know it was the right decision. When I was graduating, I was planning on continuing my non-doggie life and career. When Andy wanted to get a dog, we looked on petfinder and saw "Zum Zum". This goofy little yellow dog, sitting looking up at the camera, with big old ears standing up and a big smile on her face. She was immediately very interesting to me. I convinced Andy to go look at her with me, and we did. Remember, this was going to be Andy's dog, and we were still just dating for 4 or so months at the time. Well, she was a NUT. But after we visited I couldn't stop thinking about her and begged Andy to get her. Long story short, she became "Panic" and really, how could one *not* do agility with her? Started her jumping and weaving within days of adopting her and the rest is history. She was brilliant - seriously brilliant. She has by far been the easiest dog I've had to train for those things, and she was just so eager to do ANYTHING after being shut in one of those small dog kennels on the wall at the shelter. Panic seems to have come into my life for a reason. Without her I'm not sure I would have gotten back into it. And I'm so glad I did.
It is so nice to now be friends, as an adult, with people I have known and competed with for the last 16 years. I know they are always there for me if I need them, and it's just great to hang out with them on the weekend. The relationship that agility has given me with my dogs has been fantastic. It keeps me at least somewhat active compared to sitting at my desk all day and has given me life-long friends :)
Four years ago when I graduated, I would never have guessed how involved I'd be yet again in agility or that agility would indeed become part of my career and livelihood! Thanks to all my agility friends for making this such an enjoyable hobby :)
Spry 2x2s day 5
Practiced briefly last night. I moved the 2nd set in two times, I would guess about 30" apart now. She is doing great! Hitting entrances about 95% of the time from any angle and speeding up. I think if I can work her tonight (it's super rainy right now) I might be able to get them spaced at 22" or very close at least, so that would be 4 poles spaced correctly, and ready to add 2 more in front :)
I am very pleased with the choices I've made for her training - 2rto was definitely the right choice vs running for the DW and the 2x2 has been a lot of fun to train :)
I am very pleased with the choices I've made for her training - 2rto was definitely the right choice vs running for the DW and the 2x2 has been a lot of fun to train :)
5.10.2010
Very successful weekend!
We were at an outdoor show this weekend - the first of the year, and Dexter's first ever. Saturday was rough - cold, rainy, and winds up to 40 mph. We had STD first, Dex was not too pleased with the scoring tent's walls flapping very loudly by the start line, or the tent man with the huge hammer/mallet fixing the tent posts, so I opted to do only three jumps and leave the ring. He did them and I was thrilled. Later we ran jumpers, and he did much better! Overall very fast but got weirded out by a few jumps so was overtime.
Sunday was much better weather! We started out with standard again. HE WAS AWESOME!!!! Ran so fast and happy :) did have to visit one bar setter and look around on the table before laying down, but nailed everything including his biggest stress points - weaves and the teeter. His first starters standard leg. So proud of my boy! In jumpers today the course was a little tough and he visited the judge along with a few other bobbles, plus he was tired at the end of a long weekend, but he did well. Just a few secs overtime again. I am a little bummed/disappointed we have not been able to get a jumpers leg - I know we haven't yet had a "perfect" run - but it's starters for goodness sake. Seems like a dog should be able to hesitate at a jump or 2 and still Q? Oh well - his improvement is really, really monumental.
I kept thinking outdoors would be better than indoors. And, as I learned on Saturday, there are a whole new set of stressors to worry about - but my BIGGEST lesson is just not to worry about them at all :) I can't control our environment at a trial, and it's silly to worry about it. He is SO sensitive to my emotions so if I just chill the f out, he pretty much does too. I honestly could watch the video of his standard Q over and over again :) So nice to see him be fast and happy out there!
Panic ran in the DAM tournament on Saturday with teamies Malibu/Aida Peterson and Maple/Blanche Cooper. Panic kicked butt all day :) We started out w/team snooker, and she won the 22" class! She also got a 3rd in standard and a 4th in jumpers. Ran an awesome gamblers opening but missed (like many) on the time gamble so no bonus points and no placement.
She ran so FAST! I am not worried about her jumping/speed anymore. I am convinced it's a confidence thing on matting and other certain surfaces - but she in general is fast on sprinturf, dirt, and outdoors. Slower on matting and some astroturf. She has common sense and if she doesn't feel OK extending or pushing herself too much on those surfaces, that's alright. I don't want her to get hurt. She ran SO much more ahead of me this weekend than I was used to! It was great to see her just get out there and have a blast.
Sunday we did not get our sought after gamble for our ADCH - or our GP leg - unfortunately. GREAT opening again in gamblers. I'm so good at planning these openings, wish I could stop losing my mind when the buzzer goes off!! In GP - I made the mistake of not doing a DW in gamblers, and so our first DW of the day was GP and she missed it by a mile. Also went off course later on, I'm pretty sure due to running faster/wider than I was used to. Ended up w/Q #6, 2nd place in M Relay w/Malibu, Q #22, 2nd place in Jumpers, and Q#21/SQ #10, 1st place in Snooker. Along with our #2 DAM tourney Q, which gets our Tournament Master title as well as another coveted qualification for nationals! All we need now is that one last GP.
Can't wait for the rest of this summer's trials :)
Sunday was much better weather! We started out with standard again. HE WAS AWESOME!!!! Ran so fast and happy :) did have to visit one bar setter and look around on the table before laying down, but nailed everything including his biggest stress points - weaves and the teeter. His first starters standard leg. So proud of my boy! In jumpers today the course was a little tough and he visited the judge along with a few other bobbles, plus he was tired at the end of a long weekend, but he did well. Just a few secs overtime again. I am a little bummed/disappointed we have not been able to get a jumpers leg - I know we haven't yet had a "perfect" run - but it's starters for goodness sake. Seems like a dog should be able to hesitate at a jump or 2 and still Q? Oh well - his improvement is really, really monumental.
I kept thinking outdoors would be better than indoors. And, as I learned on Saturday, there are a whole new set of stressors to worry about - but my BIGGEST lesson is just not to worry about them at all :) I can't control our environment at a trial, and it's silly to worry about it. He is SO sensitive to my emotions so if I just chill the f out, he pretty much does too. I honestly could watch the video of his standard Q over and over again :) So nice to see him be fast and happy out there!
Panic ran in the DAM tournament on Saturday with teamies Malibu/Aida Peterson and Maple/Blanche Cooper. Panic kicked butt all day :) We started out w/team snooker, and she won the 22" class! She also got a 3rd in standard and a 4th in jumpers. Ran an awesome gamblers opening but missed (like many) on the time gamble so no bonus points and no placement.
She ran so FAST! I am not worried about her jumping/speed anymore. I am convinced it's a confidence thing on matting and other certain surfaces - but she in general is fast on sprinturf, dirt, and outdoors. Slower on matting and some astroturf. She has common sense and if she doesn't feel OK extending or pushing herself too much on those surfaces, that's alright. I don't want her to get hurt. She ran SO much more ahead of me this weekend than I was used to! It was great to see her just get out there and have a blast.
Sunday we did not get our sought after gamble for our ADCH - or our GP leg - unfortunately. GREAT opening again in gamblers. I'm so good at planning these openings, wish I could stop losing my mind when the buzzer goes off!! In GP - I made the mistake of not doing a DW in gamblers, and so our first DW of the day was GP and she missed it by a mile. Also went off course later on, I'm pretty sure due to running faster/wider than I was used to. Ended up w/Q #6, 2nd place in M Relay w/Malibu, Q #22, 2nd place in Jumpers, and Q#21/SQ #10, 1st place in Snooker. Along with our #2 DAM tourney Q, which gets our Tournament Master title as well as another coveted qualification for nationals! All we need now is that one last GP.
Can't wait for the rest of this summer's trials :)
5.07.2010
Dexter at class last night
We ran a full course - very starters level. BEST DOGGIE EVER!!! We made sure my mom was being "judge" so that he would have to deal with the distraction of her. It was no problem!!
He ran fast, happy, and excellent in general!! He got the DW on a tunnel/DW discrim - which is usually a HUGE pitfall for us - he always chooses the tunnel bc of contact confidence issues. So big success here :) Did the teeter fast and happy, and had killer poles!! He was fast and hopping, and even slipped and knocked his head on a pole and kept going. I'm so proud :)
We're off this weekend to Rochester Hills, MI for CCDAC's trial. Dexter's 1st outdoor trial, hope it goes well! Panic has a chance to finish up her nationals Qs with DAM & GP, along with her ADCH on a gamble on Sunday... crossing my fingers!
He ran fast, happy, and excellent in general!! He got the DW on a tunnel/DW discrim - which is usually a HUGE pitfall for us - he always chooses the tunnel bc of contact confidence issues. So big success here :) Did the teeter fast and happy, and had killer poles!! He was fast and hopping, and even slipped and knocked his head on a pole and kept going. I'm so proud :)
We're off this weekend to Rochester Hills, MI for CCDAC's trial. Dexter's 1st outdoor trial, hope it goes well! Panic has a chance to finish up her nationals Qs with DAM & GP, along with her ADCH on a gamble on Sunday... crossing my fingers!
Spry training - DW, WP, Teeter
Ok I did get a chance to work on 2x2s yesterday before heading to the building. I measured and they are now 40" apart. She is doing pretty well, I'm pleased with the progress. Should be able to move closer again next session... Monday.
Worked on DW at the building, was able to move the height up several links - I think we're pretty close to competition height. Still running fast, still stopping well. Also there was a tunnel entrance aimed right at one end, and seeing that enticing tunnel did NOT cause her to mess up. GOOOD lady :) Also did some tunnel -> DW which she handled nicely. She did have her first spectacular fall off of the DW. Considering her recklessness I'm surprised it hadn't happened yet. She fell off the middle of the top board onto her side - she seemed OK and we got a few reps in again to make sure she wasn't spooked. She was reasonably cautious the first time back on, but was then back up to speed :)
Teeter - have done tippy board before but yesterday was the 1st time on a full teeter that moves. We started with it going from 24"->24" table so it didn't tilt, then did 24"->16", 24"->12", and got down all the way to 24"->ground. She did awesome, wasn't nervous, and I saw no reason to spend extra time on the various heights. She was going quickly with no fear. As soon as the board was on the ground she began offering 2rto. I love this dog!
Worked on DW at the building, was able to move the height up several links - I think we're pretty close to competition height. Still running fast, still stopping well. Also there was a tunnel entrance aimed right at one end, and seeing that enticing tunnel did NOT cause her to mess up. GOOOD lady :) Also did some tunnel -> DW which she handled nicely. She did have her first spectacular fall off of the DW. Considering her recklessness I'm surprised it hadn't happened yet. She fell off the middle of the top board onto her side - she seemed OK and we got a few reps in again to make sure she wasn't spooked. She was reasonably cautious the first time back on, but was then back up to speed :)
Teeter - have done tippy board before but yesterday was the 1st time on a full teeter that moves. We started with it going from 24"->24" table so it didn't tilt, then did 24"->16", 24"->12", and got down all the way to 24"->ground. She did awesome, wasn't nervous, and I saw no reason to spend extra time on the various heights. She was going quickly with no fear. As soon as the board was on the ground she began offering 2rto. I love this dog!
5.06.2010
Spry's 2x2s day #3, considering entering her at a trial...
Working 2 sets of 2, got them moved a little closer together. Probably 44" or so now instead of 48". Figured out why she was skipping the first set and moving onto the second, I'm being quiet until the does the 2nd set and then tell her good girl, so she thinks the 2nd set is what she's getting rewarded for, so why do the 1st at all? If I tell her good girl the whole time it doesn't stop her, or I can just say "go go go" and it encourages her to keep working. So now she knows to do both. Also got her speed up a little more.
I don't know if I should be encouraging her to speed up at this step? Or just waiting until she's got the concept down more... but it seems to me she needs the speed with the two sets spaced further apart so she can learn to keep up that speed and control her body as they get closer together. If I wait until the two sets are right next to eachother and then ask her to explode with speed I'm afraid she'll just bust right outta the poles. Probably won't get to work poles tonight, and I won't get to tomorrow, Sat, or Sun. Hopefully we don't lose ground between now and Monday.
So the early bird for Flashpoint is June 1st. That means I have to decide soon whether or not to enter Spry!! I think she'll def be ready for jumpers, her DW is coming along so well I think she'll be able to do that, haven't really even started training her AF so who knows, and her teeter I'm going to start with the whole plank tonight, so we'll see. I'm thinking I'll probably enter in jumpers and maybe gamblers or snooker. Good news is I can pull her entry up til June 23 so that's a lot longer to figure out what she can do :)
I don't know if I should be encouraging her to speed up at this step? Or just waiting until she's got the concept down more... but it seems to me she needs the speed with the two sets spaced further apart so she can learn to keep up that speed and control her body as they get closer together. If I wait until the two sets are right next to eachother and then ask her to explode with speed I'm afraid she'll just bust right outta the poles. Probably won't get to work poles tonight, and I won't get to tomorrow, Sat, or Sun. Hopefully we don't lose ground between now and Monday.
So the early bird for Flashpoint is June 1st. That means I have to decide soon whether or not to enter Spry!! I think she'll def be ready for jumpers, her DW is coming along so well I think she'll be able to do that, haven't really even started training her AF so who knows, and her teeter I'm going to start with the whole plank tonight, so we'll see. I'm thinking I'll probably enter in jumpers and maybe gamblers or snooker. Good news is I can pull her entry up til June 23 so that's a lot longer to figure out what she can do :)
5.05.2010
Spry's weave poles
I've decided to switch over to 2x2s. I'll be using the method as described by Mary Ellen Barry in her April '09 Clean Run article. I had been kind of doing the Joe Canova thing, but Spry was having a hard time because she could go slowly OK but the second she tried to speed up, she can't control her body and she can't stay in the channel. She doesn't really have a "medium" speed - just slow, and long strided and fast! So, my thought was giving the 4' distance between the 2 sets of 2 poles and decreasing that distance will help her learn how to control and bend her body better for weaving. Might help some with body bending for jumping too, we'll see!
So far it's going well - she can get the entrance from anywhere on the clock with 2 poles. I added the 2nd set and the first session she did very well - got her offering going straight through the 1st and 2nd sets, but then the next session she acted like it was weird, and would skip the first set and go on to the second. Got her successful though and I'm hoping some latent learning occurred overnight :) Find out this afternoon!
I haven't been doing much jumping - need to get back on that. I got excited by weave poles :) FOCUS!
So far it's going well - she can get the entrance from anywhere on the clock with 2 poles. I added the 2nd set and the first session she did very well - got her offering going straight through the 1st and 2nd sets, but then the next session she acted like it was weird, and would skip the first set and go on to the second. Got her successful though and I'm hoping some latent learning occurred overnight :) Find out this afternoon!
I haven't been doing much jumping - need to get back on that. I got excited by weave poles :) FOCUS!
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