Rules of Play

For every game there are rules for how it is to be played.  That goes for human games as well as for doggie games.  A dog will let another dog know if they are not playing by his rules.  A human can let a dog know that they aren't playing by the rules too (i.e. stopping play when a dog gets nippy).  Some dogs are happy to play their human's way any place any time.  Some, like Gracie, can do that with a bit (or a lot) of work.  Others have their own very precise rules of play and it can be very difficult (though doable) to get them to play any other way.  This last scenario seems to describe Gidget. 

In my attempts to get Gidget more pumped up for agility, I have been learning her rules of play.  Once I have them figured out as best I can, hopefully I can expand on them so that we can play together in many ways.  Here's what I've come up with so far:

- At home just about any type of play goes.  Though Gidget is not big on tugging right now.
- At class touchy play (rubbing, grabbing, pushing) isn't the best though some is ok while waiting for our turn.  Tricks are better, especially while waiting.
- Chasing is the best thing in the world!  Gidget loves to chase her thrown froggie toy and kinda likes being chased by me (which I try to avoid) and chasing me.
- A REALLY good treat can trump a good chase.
- When our turn is up in class (or more so a trial) don't try too hard to initiate play, this is more likely to cause Gidget to shut down.

So with these rules I have a few things to think about:

- Gidget loves to chase so use it!  Let her chase froggie!
- We need to work on trading a treat for a toy, which seems to be very doable.
- Avoid running back to our spot in class to get the toy back.  Rewarding in the ring is preferable to rewarding outside of it at the end of a run.
- Just go!  Don't make a big deal at the start line, just start the game.
- Relax and have fun!  She'll relax too!

Finally, I got a few technical notes from my instructors:

- Throw the toy with my hand opposite of Gidget so that she doesn't start looking for it.
- Always look like you're running, showing forward motion.  Jog in place if necessary!  Anything to help keep her moving.
- You don't always have to send the dog just cuz you can.
- Keep courses short in class, more short courses/turns is preferable to fewer long ones.
- Try not to always start in the same place, this can be demotivating.

I think that covers what I've figured out so far.  Though who knows how that will change over time!  We'll see how class goes tonight and next week.  Then both girls are in a trial next weekend!  Can't wait!  Happy agility!

Gracie at the A-Match

Gracie and I participated in an A-Match this past Fri.  It was at a different venue than Gracie is used to trialing at, which is a big step for both of us.  I was very impressed with Gracie's behavior when getting ready for our runs.  She had no concerns about pottying outside.  There were some tight squeezes to get past other dogs on our way to the ring, but Gracie was very good about keeping her focus on the treats in my hand.  It may be a managed method, but it keeps her happy and works for us in close quarters.  She was happy to lay on her mat and do tricks as we waited ringside for our turn.  I could see her nervousness at the start line, but she sat and did a shake or two so I wasn't overly concerned.  She did seem calmer at the start line for our second run too.

Standard was up first.  I wasn't expecting a perfect run, just wanted to keep her stress low and her focus high which would mean more fun for both of us.  Gracie started off quite well.  She was rather sniffy on the table (Gidget always has been at this venue too).  I need to remember to try to keep myself between Gracie and off course contacts whenever possible, at least in new locations like this.  When I released Gracie from the table, she had to go check out the nearby teeter putting her feet on it for a wrong course.  She came back quickly and weaved nicely for me.  She started to do the dog walk like she was supposed to, but there was something on the wall of the ring that was just more interesting so she hopped off to go check it out.  I would think only food would be more exciting than the dog walk, but I have no idea what was in those baskets.  So an RWF for that.  After that Gracie looked great, and it was most certainly a better performance than her first few trials.  I considered it an overall success!

We didn't have to wait long for jumpers (yay for a small practice trial!)  Unfortunately I don't have video of the full run (run out of memory quick when you forget to put the memory card back in the camera!)  It was great though!  A very fun course!  She stuck with me and looked happy!  I really couldn't have asked for more from my girlie that day.  She was perfect!  Here's the video of the standard run and the few seconds I have of the jumpers run:

Gracie did so well at this new location that I'm fulling diving into her agility career.  I just sent in her paperwork for a full on, two ring, nearly full trial at the end of the month.  The paperwork has to get there by Wed. for us to get in, so not a guarantee yet, but I think we're ready for it.  I've got a plan, so we'll see how it goes.    

Gidget update: At class this past Thur. we focused on building up our dogs drive through play.  It worked great for Gracie, I brought one of her favorite ropes and she was plenty happy to tug then run!  Food or play can work just fine for that dog.  I had a horrible time getting Gidget to play with me near the start line!  She has one toy she plays with and she'll only play with it if it's thrown and she can chase and run around with it.  I have no idea how to get her to play with it when it's in my hands.  The instructor suggested trying gently shoving her, grabbing her paws, other things dogs might do to get another dog to play, but these things tend to shut her down especially if she's not already in play mode.  So we tried doing a "ready, set, ok!" thing, building her anticipation at the start line.  That seemed to help, but not enough.  So at home now I'm trying to find ways to get her revved up.  Giving her a good high energy rub down and playing with her muzzle seem to work.  So we're adding a jump in with that.  We'll see on Thur. if we can make that work in the ring.  Gotta remember to keep her runs short and fun!  Happy agility!

Frustrating

Gidget and I were in an AKC trial on Sat.  It was a hot day but the AC was working pretty decently, thank goodness!  I've been having issues getting Gidget pumped up for agility lately.  I can't quite figure out her deal.  She has her pokey days now and then, but she's had all pokey classes for about a month now.  It started with our first outdoor class.  Her first turn went well until she knocked a bar (which she never does), then she went into pokey mode.  I got some ideas from the  instructors on how to speed her up, but they weren't seeming to work.  Though she was enjoying running top speed away from the jumps.  I had forgotten about the knocked bar for a couple weeks so it wasn't til this last week or so that I thought I should probably do something about it.  It's very possible she scared herself which made her leary of jumping, hence the pokiness.  So I got out our jump at home and went for some good value building.  We also got out to a big field for Gidget to run like crazy once, would have done it more but the heat got in the way.  At class this past Thur. my plan seemed to be helping.  Gidget didn't show her speedy side as she often does at the start of class, but she wasn't truely pokey either.  I was pleased and took it as a good sign for the trial coming up. 

Exc A Standard was up first.  Not a terribly tricky course, but looked like fun.  Gidget started off quite well.  She took an extra wide turn from the A-frame to the tunnel next to it which slowed her down a bit.  She was good at those contact to tunnel turns at one point, guess we haven't seen those in class much lately.  She took the teeter just fine by Gidget standards, she's still rather hesitant about teeters though.  Then we got to the dog walk, an easy fun obstacle you'd think.  An observer suggested I was a too far ahead of Gidget and she decided to keep up with me instead of taking the obstacle.  In the video it doesn't look like I was more than a step or two ahead.  There was some space between me and the dog walk so I wouldn't trip over the tunnel, but Gidget's seen that plenty before.  I suspect the dog walk looks too much like the teeter and she doesn't want to do the teeter again.  She's refused the dog walk in the past, after she'd seen a teeter in a previous run, but it doesn't always happen that way.  She often does the dog walk just fine after having been on a teeter.  I don't get this girl!  Moving on, Gidget did the chute wonderfully and her weaves looked great!  I did cue late to turn her away from an off course jump near the end, causing a refusal, but I'm fine taking 100% blame for that one.  So there were some good things in this run: teeter, chute, and weaves, but the dog walk has left me with some confusion.  Here's the video:

Exc B JWW was up next and we didn't have a horribly long wait in between.  It was another fun looking course with some nice challenges.  We ran clean but ended up being just over 4 seconds too slow so NQ.  I didn't think Gidget was that pokey for this run, but her nice weave performance didn't show up again.  She really took her time in the weaves, even pausing between the last two poles to stare at either the judge or the camera on the side of the ring.  Other than that, I was fairly happy with this run.  Here's the video:

I am rather frustrated with not being able to get Gidget's speed up.  It's enough to cause me to question how much Gidget is really enjoying the game.  I've seen her look truely happy while running, those runs where you feel connected and it couldn't be more perfect run and you're just plain happy when the run is finished.  We usually get those in class.  Maybe trials are just a bit too much stress for her.  I don't know.  We've got another trial at this location at the end of July so we'll see how that goes.  That's a whole month to figure out some ways to really get her pumped up.  As far as stress goes, I do everything I can think of to reduce her stress: covering her kennel, thundershirt, DAP spray, our usual pre-run warm up.  I don't know what else I could do there.  It doesn't help that Gracie's been spoiling me when it comes to trials.  She's constantly improving.  Her stress started high at trials, but I came up with ways to reduce it, namely tricks at the start line among other routines, and she is happy and fast everytime now!  The same things don't work so well for Gidget, she is a different dog you know.  I just don't know what will work for her.  Back to the drawing board.  Happy agility!

Title Number 2!

Gracie competed in another CPE trial yesterday.  We were entered in Level 1 Fullhouse, Level 2 Standard, and Level 1 Snooker.  Fullhouse was first.  My goals were fun, fast, and easy and we succeeded in all 3!  This game is a fairly easy point collecting game.  You need 3 regular jumps (1 point each), 2 circles (tunnels, chute, or tire - 3 points each), and 1 joker (contacts, weaves, double jumps - 5 points each).  Then you keep doing obstacles to get enough points for your level.  The lay out lent to a very Gracie course.  You'll see what I mean.  We got a 1st place Q, second place was a small 1 point behind us.  That Q got Gracie her CL1-F title!  Here's the video:

Next up was Standard, our first try at Level 2.  It's very similar to AKC novice courses so I wasn't too worried.  The only concerning spot was a dog walk/tunnel discrimination, but we managed that just fine!  I even threw in a blind cross after a tunnel - had to try it in a trial at some point, and that seemed like a great spot.  It was a beautiful run, a lot of fun too!  Unfortunately I only have video of the last obstacle and a half, not really worth posting.  Another 1st place Q!

Last was Snooker.  Man can this game be confusing.  My mom took a good shot at it first without much success which of course got me a little concerned.  Her course plan had looked great to me too!  I was pretty happy with my plan, though I had to make a small change when I walked it as the maps and the actual course are never quite the same.  I was amused that everyone tended to take the same easy, boring path (repeating the same "other" 3 times).  My mom and I both avoided that.  Our three red - others went just fine.  I had to have Gracie back jump an obstacle after our last "other" to get the 2 obstacle.  I didn't like doing that but it worked out just fine.  We got through 5 in the closing sequence and then Gracie started to take the A-frame instead of the tunnel under it like she was supposed to.  So we got whistled off.  I had noticed Gracie seemed a tiny bit more stressed when we entered the ring than she had the rest of the day.  I didn't blame her, it was the last run of a long day!  There were 2 games between Standard and Snooker.  She stuck with me very well considering, besides a quick sniff of the table and the draw of the A-frame (she does love her contacts!) so I can't complain.  We did get more than enough points before we were whistled off and got a 2nd place Q.  Here's the video:

I was very proud of Gracie!  She's come such a very long way from her first trial back in January.  She's entered in an AKC A-match in a couple weeks at a new location.  I figure a very small trial (35ish dogs) will be a great way to introduce her to a new location.  I'm looking forward to it!

At the trial yesterday, I got to coach my mom through a rather tricky jumpers course.  It had a back side jump and a serpentine and some just plain tricky spots.  It was fun helping her, and even more fun to see her take advice I gave her in one spot and apply it somewhere else.  She'd be such a fun student to have as she tries hard and is very willing to try new things.  She said she learned more from me in 5 minutes than she's learned in classes all year.  Not saying much for her instructors, but you do what you can in a smaller city.  Says a lot for my instructors that I could help her so much!  Maybe she'll come visit me regularly for lessons! 

That's all for this report.  Gidget is in an AKC trial this next weekend.  She's been a little iffy in class lately (to be discussed later) so we'll see how it goes.  Happy agility! 

Look What We Can Do!

I've decided that I need to keep a better video log of my training with the dogs.  I'm not off to a great start so far as I just had the girls do most of what they know and videoed it all in one day.  Hopefully I can get myself to start videoing at least one training session a week for both dogs, then I can actually keep an accurate visual record of their training.

This video starts with a bunch of obedience stuff, sits/downs/stands, heeling, and come.  Nothing fancy, but the girls are very attentive and know their stuff!  Then the tricks!  Gracie knows more tricks than Gidget, because I'm a bad trainer and train the dog that's easier/more fun to do trick training with more than the other.  I'm trying to fix that though.  I did leave a couple things out, namely Gidget fetching, and both of them fetching over a jump.  Left out a lot of basic obedience exercises too.  That's ok, I'll catch them eventually.

Now to the video.  Please note that the boots I throw on for one trick are to protect my toes from Gracie's toe nails.  They are not some special part of the trick, nor a fashion statement (it would be a horrible statement!).  I was just too lazy to put on real shoes.  Here's the video:

The "Cover Up" trick is my new favorite trick with Gracie, it's just too cute!  And she's already starting to generalize that one to other "blankets" as you can see in the blooper.  It took quite awhile to teach that.  She seemed to pick it up better with long breaks (nearly a week!) between sessions of teaching that trick, but she eventually got it!

The next trick on our list is play dead.  So far the hardest part is getting Gracie to have enough self control to stop her roll in the middle.  Gidget's working on recognizing her back feet.  Basically I'm doing 2 on 2 off type stuff (which is what led to Gracie's hand stand) with her just for fun.

I think trick training is important for a lot of reasons.  For Gracie it improves her confidence and her focus, not to mention it's great brain exercise!  For Gidget it's more of a bonding thing, something for just the two of us.  There can also be great physical and proprioception benefits that are great for agility.  Most of all it's just plain fun to show off all the cool tricks your dog can do!  Happy agility!

Two Dogs and an AKC Trial

This past Sat. I competed in an AKC trial with both Gidget and Gracie!  I was worried how Gracie would do at a bigger trial, but the location is so familiar to her now that it was no big deal!  She got a little upset when my mom's dog arrived and got in the kennel next to hers, but she quickly got over that.  She really got upset when my parents' neighbor and her dog came to check out the trial (she'll be learning agility soon too!).  I'm not really sure why as she's fine when other dogs walk by her kennel, I guess this one hung out too close for just too long.  Luckily she recovered quick enough.

First up was Gidget's Exc A standard run.  Those Exc A STD Q's are hard to come by, we only have one so far.  The run was going well up until the weaves.  It was a straight entry, table, wing jump, weaves.  I think I just didn't set myself up to converge as much as I needed to and she ran past the entry.  Then I'm not sure what happened at the jump before the dog walk, but she refused that at first too.  I'm relatively certain she jumped the dog walk contact too, but the judge didn't call it.  She did everything else nicely, though at her own pace.  The teeter bounced when it came down and she looked rather concerned, so we'll have to get some good easy teeter practice in before her next trial so she can forget that event.  Here's the video:

Gracie's first AKC run was up next!  Nov B STD.  We had no issues while waiting our turn and she ran quite well.  I was worried about the off course tunnel straight ahead of the A-frame and a jump, but she turned with me perfectly.  She needed a second attempt at the weaves, but then did them just fine.  I hadn't considered the dog walk as a potential off course choice (duh!) but she did!  The brilliant pup also decided to jump of the top of the up ramp before I could get to her and guide her back down.  Thankfully no harm done.  Then some quick sniffing of some tunnel bags at the side of the ring before the tunnel.  The rest of the course went really well and she got a 1st place Q!  There were a bunch of obstacles she hadn't seen at a trial before: chute, weaves, broad jump, table, and teeter!  She did them all without issue!  Here's the video:

Next was Gidget's first Exc B JWW run.  Not much to say about it besides it was a lovely run.  Still need to work on speed but otherwise it couldn't have gone better.  No placement ribbon, but a Q and 3 whole MACH points!  Gotta start somewhere!  Here's the video:

Last was Gracie's Nov B JWW run.  She went around the first jump for some reason.  I guess a bit of a "C" set is better for her for now, that or I needed to be ahead of the wing jump before releasing her.  We fixed that glitch and the rest of the course was perfect!  She even got her weaves on the first attempt!  She got a 2nd place Q!  Here's the video:

I'm very proud of my girlies.  Gracie's stress is decreasing with every trial.  There's an A match in the area in July that I think I might try Gracie in.  It will be smaller so it'll be a good chance to see how Gracie will do in a new location.  I don't know if I'll ever completely figure out Gidget, mostly when it comes to speed.  As long as she seems happy to run with me I'll be happy with her!  Happy agility!

Grace O'Malley CL1-R

Gracie and I competed in another CPE trial on Sat.  Gracie was awesome!  Adding tricks while waiting and at the start line changed her start line attitude completely!  She sat, watched me, and was ready to go.  The stress she used to display at the start line at trials (and sometimes at class) was almost all gone!  Wildcard was up first.  I didn't get a course map until after I walked it so I was rather confused about what was A and what was B.  At least I knew we needed two A's and a B.  The first choice was the dog walk (B) or a tunnel and a tire (A).  It was a contact/tunnel discrimination and I wasn't sure if Gracie would do it, but she did!  She followed me perfectly to the tunnel.  The next choice was a double jump that was nicely lined up in the curve of jumps (B) or a single jump that would have involved a front cross or pull to get to (A).  I had Gracie do the B jump thinking it was an A (you would think the easier path would be an A right? nope).  Actually all the A's were more difficult than the B's, that doesn't make sense to me.  Anyways, after that choice Gracie went around a jump to go take the A-frame which was the B option of the last choice (A was a tunnel parallel to the A-frame).  I called her back to do the jump she missed and continued over the A-frame and over the last couple jumps.  She ran wonderfully and would have Q'd had I gotten another A obstacle in there, even with the wrong course.  I was still really happy with her run!  My videographer (my mom) was having an early morning brain fart and couldn't remember how to work my camera, so no video of that run, oh well.

Next up was standard.  Once again nice happy behavior at the start line!  This run was pretty much perfect!  I almost sent her around a jump again, but stopped my motion just enough that she went "Oh, I should take that jump!"  We ended up with a 1st place (she was the only 20" level 1 dog but that doesn't matter) Q and Gracie's very first title!  Here's the video:

Last was jumpers.  Last time we tried jumpers Gracie got the zoomies and that was that.  Gracie stayed right with me this time, for most of it anyways.  She took a wide turn at a pinwheel and hit the standard of a jump, knocking the bar.  She totally had this "Oh crap!" look in her eyes as she was going over that jump.  We pulled it back together for a minute, but a bar setter was sitting right in line with the tunnel so Gracie had to go say hi.  She quickly came back to me to finish the course for another 1st place Q!  Video:

I was worried that our weekend wouldn't go very well since our weekend started with a very close call.  I got to my parents' house where Gidget is allowed to be off leash pretty much all the time.  I put Gracie on our Flexi leash so she'd have some room to run and go potty.  That's when the neighbor dog made an appearance.  She was in her own yard focused on playing with her owner, but Gidget considered both dog and owner friends and wanted to go say hi.  Gracie got worked up and felt she needed to follow.  She ran around a tree and the Flexi snapped!  I don't know why she did it, but I'm very grateful that she didn't go straight towards the other dog.  She turned between the cars and the neighbor was able to put his foot on what was left of the Flexi.  I caught up, apologized (he was very understanding), took the leash and headed inside.  Gracie calmed down enough that the next day went well.  After the trial (and a nap) Gracie even went on a walk with me, my mom, Gidget, and one of my parents' dogs.  That went well and the dogs all had a good time.  Just have to keep an eye out for those close calls and do my best to prevent them.  Happy agility!