We were finally able to make it out to the training field tonight. My plan, since Monster has been performing his 2o2o well with the Manners Minder faded, was to use the Manners Minder a couple of times to remind Monster that, even though this dogwalk is taller and longer, his job is still the same. It was so cool to see him excited to run the dogwalk and run confindently and FAST over the dogwalk! I had originally started training him with the intention to have a running dogwalk but he just never seemed very confident and I didn't have a dogwalk or a way to target with food by myself. I finally purchased a Manners Minder but it was after I changed my mind about his dogwalk performance. Even with the training I had started with his 2o2o I still could tell he wasn't confident or sure of himself with it. And, I was no help because I have never taught a dog a true contact performance end behavior. But, I came up with a plan to just place the MM on either end of the dogwalk (making sure I alternated ends in every training session) until it became muscle memory and he knew what his job was. I had tried to back chain by teaching a 2o2o behavior on other objects and shape it with a clicker but he seemed unsure of himself. That's why I turned to my MM. AND IT WORKED! Tonight Monster was very excited to see the dogwalk and I used the MM for about 4 reps. Then I removed the MM and he still maintaing his incredible speed but had more self control at the end (he was a little wild initially). I am so proud of him. He was very confident on the teeter as well with a great stop at the end until I released him (no "target" position). I simply use his "wait" cue and it does the trick :) I moves pretty quickly to the end (almost a slide). We also made sure to practice a few tires and and chutes with confidence. The only, somewhat, surprising issue we had was his weave performance. He had great success for about 2-3 reps of 12 poles and then he just stopped being able to collect himself to get the first set of 2 poles. I will try to do some short sessions with him in the next 2 days to correct the issue. I certainly don't expect perfection this weekend at the LCDA trial but it would be nice to walk away with a few Q's. I think we deserve it and it sucks when that doesn't show in our trial performances. Not to mention the money I've spent :) Either way we will be sure to have fun together and I will appreciate our small successes.
Shawty didn't do too much new stuff tonight. I know what works with him and I know what skills he has and doesn't have. I also know that the skills we don't have together will take more training than what can be accomplished before this trial so I don't expect much change in those areas. He was fast and lively tonight and I made sure to get him on almost every piece of equipment. No one saw an aframe because the aframe is in the indoor arena. Shawty was his usual reliable self and I love that about him. I know he will push his boundaries and have fun doing it, I know he will run his heart out as long as he thinks it's fun, I know he's the cutest little dog doing agility ever and that is what matters to me. He is my little old man and who knows how much time we have to run together. I noticed some crepitus (sign of arthritis) in his wrists the other day. He hasn't been lame but he has been licking the area lately. It made me realize that this pairs Q is very important. I could throw away all of the Q's we earned previously but I would prefer not to throw those out the window and start over again in PIII. I am trying to get that Q for us in pairs so that we can move to PIII in ALL classes and jump the lowest height possible. That would mean less impact on his joints and more time running together :) X-rays didn't show any major arthritic changes so, until they do, I will not retire him. But, when the time does come, I hope that I will not hesitate recognize it and pull him from agility. At that point, we will stick to swimming and do some hydrotherapy at work.
Punch didn't get to come to class tonight but he has been doing great with our backyard exercises. He loves running so much that he literally foams at the mouth! He has lots of "squirrel!" moments in between training but is slowly getting more focused each time. The key may be to start with super duper short sessions and then gradually increase the time. That can be hard for me to do sometimes when I am on a roll with a session but I have seen the benefits of keeping sessions shorter vs. longer. It will likely be another year before Punch sees a trial ring and that will probably be a jumpers course.
We also got our new luggage sack for the roof of my car so that all 3 dogs can travel in their own crates! Woohoo! Thanks to my aunt we can avoid hotel room costs too! I have great family! I had a bad week financially so I am glad to see some savings some where. This may be our last trial until January but I hope things turn around for us. We will certainly find ways to entertain ourselves if we don't trial. Well, that's all folks. Time for bed. This week is almost over!!!!
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