Agility with Harry: 2010 milestones & 2011 resolutions
After our disasterous first trial of the year in February we went back to the drawing board for Harry to learn some Impulse Control on the course and me to get the foundation I never got with my handling skills. Harry also needed to learn the proper way to jump. The extra work on handling skills and jumping paid off in the form of two hard earned, embarrassingly-long-in-coming, but incredibly satisfying Novice Titles. Harry's Impulse Control issues are taking a little longer to master. Particularly in the Standard ring where the sight of the contact obstacles worked him into a frenzy. I decided to use my trials as training for these issues and I started with his inability to calm down and wait at the start line. To be honest I always felt pressured to get moving when entering the ring. I know how long the trial goes and they want you in and ready to go before the dog before you is done running. But I decided that I DID PAY and if I wanted to use all of my time at the start line then so be it. My decision to be firm about the start line began in October and except for one time we have succeeded in all of our efforts - about 15-18 times. The proof is in the following photos - I bought these non-action shots because I was so proud of him. A very stern "wait":  followed by a successful start line stay - as he waits for me to say his release word:  Below is a pictorial of his first leg in Open JWW - you can see his improved jumping. One of the first jumps:  and the approach and execution of the final jump - a triple:      Unfortunately it took the whole year for the realization that Harry was not the only team member with Impulse Control issues.  Yes, I confess I was also a problem in that area because I was letting go of my CRITERIA at the trials.  I realized I was letting him get away with sloppy contacts (and it was costing us Qs) because 1) we had been waiting so long I wanted to run 2) I wanted to try our newly acquired handling skills 3) I didn't want to waste entry fees by leaving the course over lax contacts 4) we often still had an opportunity to Q and who knew when that might happen again  Unfortunately this thought came to me on the last day of the second to last trial of the year. But I thought to myself "I can't ask this dog to control himself if I can't control myself and just keep running". And I also decided that in fairness to him I had been so lax in insisting on my criteria at these trials that he really didn't understand that it mattered. In other words he didn't know the "rules of the game" at the trial. So right then and there I decided to exhibit some control. If he did not give me his "pause/paws" on the first contact the GAME would end immediately. And that is what I did. I was so proud of myself. Instead of focusing on the course all I focused on was the first contact and if he made it then he needed to get the second contact and so on. We didn't make it past the first BUT he learned the criteria for play to continue. Two weeks later we were able to test it out at a one day trial. Again, I focused less on handling the course and more wrapped my head around exhibiting enough impulse control to insist on each contact or the game would stop. I decided to use our newly acquired start line stay to my advantage to get in front of him and wait for him at the dog walk. The result....... a beautiful run with one dropped bar BUT three contacts AND a sit on the table.  I bought these silly pictures too but I have to laugh at how stern my face is when I am telling him to "pause/paws" at the contacts.           I know it will never come easy for either of us but I also know now that we CAN do it. So my resolutions for 2011: 1) Get into an indoor class for the months of January through March so that he doesn't lose all the progress we have made and I can continue to reinforce those criteria at class. 2) Insist on above criteria at the trials or stop the game. Keep your fingers crossed for us. Our first trial for this year is the third weekend in February. |
|
|
 Yes, sometime the leader needs to relearn how to lead. Good luck to you both.  |
| Great stuff Judi! That's the biggest thing I learnt from the Susan Garrett weekend that I attended, decide on my criteria and then stick to them, NO more near enough is good enough EVER. I haven't had an opportunity to try it at agility yet but it's made a big difference to obedience at home. Best of luck for 2011!   |
| Wonderful progress in 2010 for BOTH of you!!! I told you a very long time ago...that it would click!! And Harry would shine!!! (((Knew you would figure it out!! YOU are a very smart BLOND!!!!!!!  )Can't wait to hear the successes (and see more great pics) in 2011!!!!!! |
| Good job Judi!! |
| I have looked at these pictures too many times-he looks so good, like he is really in his element. |
| Good job Judi!! and Harry!! I have to say I just love the pictures of Harry jumping. Airborne sheepies are the coolest. |
| what great pics of you and harry good luck this year |
| If I fly you up here, room and board...could you teach Simon? Good job. |
Simon's Mom wrote: If I fly you up here, room and board...could you teach Simon? Ha ha Pam! I think screwing up one agility Sheepdog is enough for now. Thanks for the offer though. Just keep plugging away. The progress will come .... and go. But somehow it is all worth it when it does work.I bought myself a bracelet at a trial as a treat for actually getting to do a lead out at the start line. It says "agility is a journey" and I try to remind myself that amongst our pile of failures. |
| After going to our weenie agility class, that makes me really appreciate how great you guys are doing! |
| Wonderful photos. Really makes me want to look at agility with Mady. |
Mady wrote: I have looked at these pictures too many times-he looks so good, like he is really in his element. He really does have a perma-smile on his face! Harry is so darn cute! Good job and good luck Judi on your milestones and resolutions. You guys are doing great! I look forward to seeing your progress in the new year! |
| Good going Judi! |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|