Sunday, January 24, 2010
New Brace Stuff
I have never heard of anyone doing brace rally or brace open obedience. Needless to say, that has not stopped me from trying it. I have seen Patriot improve his open obedience drop on recall if he does it with Wyatt so I am trying some brace rally and brace dumbbell retrieves. The retrieve did not work if I threw them both far because Wyatt would get them both before Patriot knew what was going on but if I throw closer and to the side for Patriot, it works well! I am hoping it will increase Patriot's drive and performance.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Long Trip To PA
It was a long trip to PA for a NADAC trial and an even longer trip home through some bad weather. It was a fun trial though. Very nice Penn State facility. It was good to stay in practice I think more than anything. I did feel rusty the first few runs. We have not trialed since November and have not practiced either. Wyatt and I only entered Touch and Go and Regular Saturday. We need one TNG Q for our Elite Versatility award. It has been elusive and continued to be. We had some really nice, fast runs but and off course in each. Wyatt's contacts were perfect though and continued to be all weekend. Great runs in regular too but a few knocked bars ruled out any Qs. I was worried about his jumping but it seemed OK Sunday. He may not be getting as much traction on the soft surface. Patriot ran well and had two Qs and first in regular and TNG.
Patriot had more trouble Sunday with no Qs but some fun runs. I just try and keep it positive and fun with Patriot. Wyatt was entered in tunnelers (2), chances (2), and regular (2). Wyatt did not knock any bars Sunday so I was less worried about his jumping. Again, some greats runs. The Chances courses were hard and we did many of the hardest parts of them. I ran out of room in the Chances 1 and stopped him. We did the hardest part of Chances 2 and I stopped moving or otherwise through him off. I was very encouraged that he did an A Frame at a distance and did not get "stuck" on top as usually happens. We got one regular Q that we needed and one tunnelers Q. Had a rare off course in Tunnelers 2 when I lost contact for a microsecond.
Wyatt now needs 7 regular and 10 chances for his NATCH. Next trial is at the end of February in Rhode Island.
Patriot had more trouble Sunday with no Qs but some fun runs. I just try and keep it positive and fun with Patriot. Wyatt was entered in tunnelers (2), chances (2), and regular (2). Wyatt did not knock any bars Sunday so I was less worried about his jumping. Again, some greats runs. The Chances courses were hard and we did many of the hardest parts of them. I ran out of room in the Chances 1 and stopped him. We did the hardest part of Chances 2 and I stopped moving or otherwise through him off. I was very encouraged that he did an A Frame at a distance and did not get "stuck" on top as usually happens. We got one regular Q that we needed and one tunnelers Q. Had a rare off course in Tunnelers 2 when I lost contact for a microsecond.
Wyatt now needs 7 regular and 10 chances for his NATCH. Next trial is at the end of February in Rhode Island.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
NADAC PA
I am planning on going to State College, PA on MLK weekend for a NADAC trial. It's a long drive but I can only go on one trial a month so I am hoping to get a NATCH on Wyatt while he can. He will be turning 8 this month. Wyatt has his jumpers legs, and now needs 8 regular and 10 chances. I have been resting him quite a bit as his back and hips tend to get sore by the end of the nice weather and the agility season.
Monday, January 04, 2010
More on the Match
Wyatt did well in Novice B but failed to come on the novice recall. I clapped loudly and he came. I do not want to get in the habit of issuing a second command. My volume was loud but not overly so. He did both stays so that was great. His heeling was OK but not his best.
I did not expect anything going into Open. I thought I would go noncompetative. Why not. That's why you see me correcting his first automatic sit. I guess the judge just marked us down for a double command. I was very happy when he did his drop on recall! I did use a very loud voice. I think it scares him a bit but it does seem (tentatively) that I have to use this very loud command to get him off his spot and to also put my body into it. I was very happy with both retrieves and the broad jump too. He somehow made it through both sits and downs. I wonder if it helped that the judge was correcting dogs.
Patriot had some hard spots. His heeling was great! But I needed to go out with him and/or issue multiple commands on both retrieves. I also needed to jump with him on the broad jump and he did not drop on the drop on recall.
Anyway, a fun day and the 191.5 and first really was a thrill. Gives me hope for a CDX though it take a while.
I did not expect anything going into Open. I thought I would go noncompetative. Why not. That's why you see me correcting his first automatic sit. I guess the judge just marked us down for a double command. I was very happy when he did his drop on recall! I did use a very loud voice. I think it scares him a bit but it does seem (tentatively) that I have to use this very loud command to get him off his spot and to also put my body into it. I was very happy with both retrieves and the broad jump too. He somehow made it through both sits and downs. I wonder if it helped that the judge was correcting dogs.
Patriot had some hard spots. His heeling was great! But I needed to go out with him and/or issue multiple commands on both retrieves. I also needed to jump with him on the broad jump and he did not drop on the drop on recall.
Anyway, a fun day and the 191.5 and first really was a thrill. Gives me hope for a CDX though it take a while.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Match Sunday
We have a obedience match Sunday. I entered Wyatt in Open A and Novice B and Patriot in Open A. Still working on Patriot's Drop on Recall. I have been doing it as a brace and it seems to help Patriot drop faster when Wyatt is there as a role model. Not something I expected.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Long Sit
Wyatt has gone down on his long sit at home a few times when I have gone outside so it's good, in a way. At least I can reproduce the problem and correct him at home. I go outside at night so I can see him and he can't see me. If he goes down, I go in right away, say, "Oops", and put hime back in a sit. I need to remember to mix in some downs too or he will start coming up on the downs, especially in the winter. I use a blanket when is is really cold.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Class Last Night
I took both dogs to obedience class last night. There were some very specific things I wanted to work on:
1) Patriot's drop on recall (DOR) -the dropping part,
2) Wyatt's drop on recall - the recall part,
3) Wyatt's long sit
I got to work on all 3. I had 2 different people hover over Wyatt with arm raised to try and help with the freezing problem on the recall. He did not freeze but I did see signs of stress especially when a tall man raised him arm over. He did the long sit fine. which was good. I also got to work on Patriot's DOR. We worked on the rock back down and 2 different methods for teaching the drop. I was using both methods but did get some good tips on the "board" method.
1) Patriot's drop on recall (DOR) -the dropping part,
2) Wyatt's drop on recall - the recall part,
3) Wyatt's long sit
I got to work on all 3. I had 2 different people hover over Wyatt with arm raised to try and help with the freezing problem on the recall. He did not freeze but I did see signs of stress especially when a tall man raised him arm over. He did the long sit fine. which was good. I also got to work on Patriot's DOR. We worked on the rock back down and 2 different methods for teaching the drop. I was using both methods but did get some good tips on the "board" method.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Ware Obedience Results
I had a fun time yesterday in Gilbertville, MA doing AKC obedience. It was a bit hectic working out of the car in Novice B with Wyatt and Patriot. The place was nice but tiny. There was no real room to crate or warm up so I worked out of the car. The novice entry was small so I had to hurry to switch dogs and warm up. I had to find an extra handler for Patriot for Novice sits and downs too. They both dig well for the regular exercises though Wyatt's healing has been better. He froze on the recall though, a first for novice. I have 3 theories about thing freezing issue.
1) He is confused about what to do because of the jumps he may be confusing open and utility and not be sure about to do. This was most likely ruled out yesterday since there was nothing in the ring for novice.
2) The judge standing behind him with an arm raised makes him nervous. This seems more likely because he did fine in open with a judge who is a former teacher of ours. Though I have tried in class before to crowd him and put pressure on, I need to have everyone in class, especially tall people, stand close to him with their arm raised.
3) General stress that is just going to take time. I did make sure I was loud and clear in open. I don't want to scare him or be different but it did seem to work being very loud and clear. It's hard to do while still sounding positive, in my experience.
I was thrilled that he came. I did not think he would since he did not come in novice. I also did not issue a second command in novice. He always comes on the second command but I don't want to inadvertantly train a second command.
Wyatt went down on the long sit about 30 seconds through so we did not get our first leg but I was happy overall. It was our closest to a Q in quite a while.
Patriot did really well in novice. I am working on his drop on recall so I can enter him in open too. He is not as smart or good when things go well, but he is much more confident and predicable once he gets it. He ended up first with a 190.5, even winning the runoff for first.
1) He is confused about what to do because of the jumps he may be confusing open and utility and not be sure about to do. This was most likely ruled out yesterday since there was nothing in the ring for novice.
2) The judge standing behind him with an arm raised makes him nervous. This seems more likely because he did fine in open with a judge who is a former teacher of ours. Though I have tried in class before to crowd him and put pressure on, I need to have everyone in class, especially tall people, stand close to him with their arm raised.
3) General stress that is just going to take time. I did make sure I was loud and clear in open. I don't want to scare him or be different but it did seem to work being very loud and clear. It's hard to do while still sounding positive, in my experience.
I was thrilled that he came. I did not think he would since he did not come in novice. I also did not issue a second command in novice. He always comes on the second command but I don't want to inadvertantly train a second command.
Wyatt went down on the long sit about 30 seconds through so we did not get our first leg but I was happy overall. It was our closest to a Q in quite a while.
Patriot did really well in novice. I am working on his drop on recall so I can enter him in open too. He is not as smart or good when things go well, but he is much more confident and predicable once he gets it. He ended up first with a 190.5, even winning the runoff for first.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Wyatt Update
Wyatt seems to be OK with his toe injury and his back/hips seem better too. He tends to start having back/hips problems towards the end of the agility season. His gait was fine early this week but it took a while for the swelling to do down. I gave both dogs baths last weekend in the upstairs bathrub. The baby gate was closed to the downstairs. I heard Patriot jump the gate. Why, I have no idea! Wyatt may have tried the same thing, I'm not sure.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Wyatt Ouch
Wyatt came up lame Monday during his dog walk. The dog walker did not take him back right way because she thought it might be due to cold. He does lift a paw or walk on 3 legs sometimes when it is cold. Unfortunatelt, the other dog walker did not read the journal we both write in and took him for a walk yesterday. He was really lame when I got home. They are usually very good so I am not meaning to be critical. Stuff happens.
One of his left front toes is swollen. I believe it is a trauma injury that will pass quickly. I have seen these before, often after coursing or racing. Will definately rest him this week. He needed the rest anyway due to his hips and back tightening up. I have seen signs like running around jumps that are typically for this time of year for him. It means that rest is needed from agility and even dog walks.
One of his left front toes is swollen. I believe it is a trauma injury that will pass quickly. I have seen these before, often after coursing or racing. Will definately rest him this week. He needed the rest anyway due to his hips and back tightening up. I have seen signs like running around jumps that are typically for this time of year for him. It means that rest is needed from agility and even dog walks.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Latest Obedience
I am resting Wyatt from agility. His back and/or hip seems to be starting to bother. This is typical for this time of year. He is starting to run around the occasional jump. He also feels tight in his back and rear quads.
I've been thinking about next steps for his "freezing" issue at the start of Drop on Recall. Watching the video, he did seem to be looking at me. Previously, I did see him looking around at that time. He always comes on the second command to "come", which makes me wonder if I have inadvertently taught him to move on the second command when we are in the Open ring. He came fine in novice. That makes me wonder if I need to practice in a ring setup for open. Maybe he is not sure what to do since it looks a little like directed jumping in utility. There is a match coming up in early January. Of course, it could also just be stress when trialing or an umfamiliar person standing next to him or some combination of the above.
I am thinking of starting to trial Patriot in open. He is pretty good except Drop on Recall, which needs work. Even though he is not as driven and fast learning as Wyatt, his confidence is better, which usually means he is slower, but more dependable once he does learn the routine.
I've been thinking about next steps for his "freezing" issue at the start of Drop on Recall. Watching the video, he did seem to be looking at me. Previously, I did see him looking around at that time. He always comes on the second command to "come", which makes me wonder if I have inadvertently taught him to move on the second command when we are in the Open ring. He came fine in novice. That makes me wonder if I need to practice in a ring setup for open. Maybe he is not sure what to do since it looks a little like directed jumping in utility. There is a match coming up in early January. Of course, it could also just be stress when trialing or an umfamiliar person standing next to him or some combination of the above.
I am thinking of starting to trial Patriot in open. He is pretty good except Drop on Recall, which needs work. Even though he is not as driven and fast learning as Wyatt, his confidence is better, which usually means he is slower, but more dependable once he does learn the routine.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Ribbons From a Recent Agility Trial
This photo is of the loot we got a few weeks ago at a NADAC agility trial. It was Wyatt's best Q rate ever. He went 5 of 6 Sunday (top row). He got 5 firsts, 1 second, and 1 Chances Q. Chances does not have placements. Patriot (bottom row) got 4 firsts, one fourth, and 1 Chances Q. 13 Qs for the weekend!
Quick Report
Quick obedience report. 3 super performances, 1 qualifying. Patriot got a 187.5 in Novice B. Wyatt would have had the same score but went down on the sit. Wyatt had lots of good parts in Open too but needed a double command on the drop on recall and sat on the long down. It was fun to catch up with friends at the Big E too.
Obedience Today
We are trialing in obedience this morning after a long break. Patriot and Wyatt are both in Novice B first, and Wyatt is in Open A later. It will be interesting to see how we do after a long break in trialing. A lot seems to depend on where the ring is, in my experience. Hopefully, we will get a nice corner ring and not one on the aisles. I think I will be a lot more relaxed since I am not as focused on qualifying. Though it is still a goal and very nice when it happens, I try to focus on what I need to do as a handler, staying connected with my dog, and having fun when I am in the ring.
NADAC Saturday
We had a fun time at NADAC agility in CT yesterday. Dawn, Aidan, and I all went for the first 4 runs. It was ideal for me since I "needed" all 4 classes for various titles including the precious NATCH championship legs. Aidan found another 3 year to play with and Dawn got to run Patriot. It was a also a nice relaxed trial with lots of room for the courses and a nice soft surface.
Wyatt and I got 2 regular (standard) legs for our NATCH. We missed Chances, which we also need, due to a distant contact, which is still hard at trials for some reason. Wyatt tends to stop at the top when I am far away and I can't coax him down without his releasing from high up. We also missed Touch and Go by .28 seconds! We only need one more TNG leg to finish all our elite titles and get the Elite Versatility Award. It was a really nice run though and I held the contacts to make sure they were solid.
Wyatt and I got 2 regular (standard) legs for our NATCH. We missed Chances, which we also need, due to a distant contact, which is still hard at trials for some reason. Wyatt tends to stop at the top when I am far away and I can't coax him down without his releasing from high up. We also missed Touch and Go by .28 seconds! We only need one more TNG leg to finish all our elite titles and get the Elite Versatility Award. It was a really nice run though and I held the contacts to make sure they were solid.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
NADAC Trial This Weekend
I have a NADAC agility trial with Wyatt and Patriot this weekend. It's a local trial so I can commute. There is only one regular class a day but it would be nice if we could pick up some NATCH legs. Of course, my focus will be on my handling and having fun! This is probably our last trial for the season. Trying obedience and rally next weekend after a long break from trialling.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)