Cik & Cap Update

Just wanted to start off by saying thanks to Diana for pointing out that Lexi missed her entries when I wasn't helping her--or shaping them.  She's definitely right!

It worked out well that we worked letter W the other day, because the following night we worked weaves in class, as well.  There was a course set up where the weave entry was exactly the same as the one where Lexi kept missing.  My instructor made a good point (that she has made before).  We need to work skills independently before we add forward motion.  As soon as I add forward motion, it becomes exponentially more difficult for Lexi to collect and do her job.  So, we should teach hard weave entries first, and then add the motion component a little at a time.

Soon I'll take an updated cik/cap video to share, but I've been lazy.  I did get my regular camera out today, though.  I got a few pictures of Lexi wrapping the pole.  She is definitely getting it!  And, it's already making her think a bit differently as she approaches other things.  I decided to teach her a new trick the other day, and she offered a weave around my leg.  So, I went with it and she's learning to weave around my legs.

W is for Weave!

Photo by Mike Lifer Photography

Finally got the chance to get outside and get some video of a training session.  It's nothing crazy--just more Alphabet Drills (have I mentioned how much I love this book?  It's perfect for a small yard and not a lot of equipment!)

Yesterday we worked on letter W, which as it turns out, stood for weaves!

Unfortunately the neighbor's dogs were outside all day, and Bentley didn't get to play at all.  In case I haven't mentioned it before, he is reactive (as are the neighbor's dogs) and I don't want him to get the chance to practice reactivity during agility--which should be fun and stress free for the dogs.

I'll take a moment to talk about Lexi's weaves.  She has always been a low and fast weaver--for which I am grateful.  Those are two things that I don't know how to teach!  Of course, the "fast" part comes with a price.  If she's going too fast, she sometimes doesn't want to slow down to get her entry.  We retrained her this past summer using the beginning stages of 2x2, combined with a lot of rear end awareness exercises and I think that helped.  But, as you'll see in the video, there are still approaches that she hasn't quite figured out.  I'd like to get that independent entry (priceless with a fast dog) but we definitely aren't there yet.

Weaves are one of the things that confuse me because I watch videos of top trainers with their dogs (Susan Garrett recently posted one of her dog Swagger while she used her NRM to let him know to try the entry again) and they have such patient, thoughtful dogs.  I'd love to see a video of someone with a dog who will do it wrong 99 times out of 100.  Does Lexi want to get it right?  Of course--she's a working dog!  But, does she also want to go fast?  You bet!  And those two don't always mix.  If I were to use an NRM over and over as she continued to miss her entry, I think she would give up--and I don't want that.  Of all things, her enthusiasm is what I love best (even if it has its drawbacks).  I say all of that to say that from a certain angle, Lexi will miss her entry 99 times out of 100.  Maybe even 100 times.  So, we decided to bring back the wires and see if that would help.  At certain points they do, and other times they seem to throw her off.

Here's a brief video with some high (and low!) lights.



In the first 4 seconds, I found it odd that she wanted to take that off set jump.  Of course I can see that she was trying to find her line (something we worked on quite a bit) but it really wasn't on the way to me.  She did this twice until I re-angled the jump and made it clearer.

Then you'll see that she blasts past the weaves.  I was able to eventually get her in from this angle, but only with serious deceleration on my part, as well as a bit of babysitting (waiting there with her).  From the other direction, she has less trouble.

One of those moments

Those of you who have dogs will know what I'm talking about when I mention "those little moments".  Doesn't matter if you're into dog sports, or dog companionship.  This is what keeps us coming back despite frustration, setbacks, challenges, and inevitable heartbreak.  A short lifetime of those little moments makes us forget everything else.

I would be remiss if I said that today I experienced one such little moment--and found it to be surprising, or unusual.  Every day I am hit by one of those little moments.  Whether it's Bentley curling up next to me on the couch, or Lexi ramming a toy into my leg--these moments are everywhere, and I love them all!

Perhaps today my mood is what made this "little moment" even more special.  I'm stressed, and to be honest, feeling a bit emotional!

We took the dogs to a park today, and walked them down a long path.  I considered taking my camera, but didn't know if the weather would hold up (it has been very gray all day).  I would guess that we maybe walked a mile or two, and then turned around to come back.  The path was mostly deserted, so I decided to let Lexi off the leash (don't worry, she has an excellent recall and we were in a safe area).  She explored, trotted at my side, sniffed, and checked back in with me like a good girl.  Luckily, this is something that she has always been good at it, and does my heart good to see her able to interact with her surroundings this way (similarly, it makes me sad that we failed at teaching that foundation with Bentley--though I think his character allows him to be perfectly content to walk in step with whomever is holding his leash).

I decided to break into a run--just for fun.  And to my surprise, and joy, Lexi broke into a run, keeping pace with me at my side for almost a minute.  I know that sounds silly...but we were in total sync!  Perhaps I should remind everyone that this is my crazy, boisterous girl that loves to race ahead, jump in front, turn around and bark, and often almost trip me up with her herding instinct (which she seems to think is the best game ever!)  It was odd, but it was incredibly calming.

I love those little moments!

"What now, Mom?"

(Don't worry--I'll be back with your regularly scheduled programming--Agility and Training--soon!)

 

I love my dogs!

I guess I probably don't say this too often...but I really love my dogs.  Dogs are great because they love us unconditionally!

This week has been really stressful.  My boss has been on vacation all week, and I've been in charge...it's been a terrific learning experience, but extremely stressful.  She has a crazy job, and seems to be the key to the entire marketing department!  Anyways, the place hasn't burnt down yet, so I guess I'm doing okay!  I'm also basically doing two jobs at once...but that's not really a fun dog-related story!

Tuesday was particularly stressful.  I had worked 9.5 hours straight, and then immediately went from work to agility.  We worked on serpentine recall to heels (in sequence) and it was just awesome.  The dogs didn't do anything in particular that put me in a good mood...they just were their little selves.  Enthusiastic, willing to work, and of course, cute!  They weren't perfect, but I didn't care.  We were working together as a team and all my worries just faded into the background.  On our way out of class there was a sheltie club meeting and I got to hold 3 little 11 week old sheltie puppies.  Adorable!  I left that night with a HUGE smile on my face.

I love my dogs--and I love this sport and everything that comes with it!

This picture is from 1.5 years ago!

Cik & Cap (good thing my dog is smart)

So because I've been busy (and I wanted to take a short break) we really haven't done a ton of Cik/Cap work.

I'm super swamped at work today, and I'm out of town this weekend (and no, not for something fun like agility-ha!).  But here's a quick video of some of our work yesterday.  I'm trying to keep the sessions short, as you'll see, and Lexi seems to be doing well.  I need to get better about remembering which side is which!



(PS don't mind my obnoxious voice!)

WW: Feels like spring!

A little of this and a little of that

by Mike Lifer Photography

For my birthday my husband bought me a TON of pictures of Lexi.  The photographer (the guy who was the photographer at USDAA Nationals) was going out of business, and had a great sale.  Unfortunately it would have been really expensive to get photos of both dogs, so I chose Lexi because I have purchased other pictures of Bentley before.  Anyways, you'll be seeing a lot of them because I love them all!

This weekend we enjoyed the lovely weather and I decided to see what Lexi would do with a tree outside and her wubba.  She definitely understood going around it (cik & cap)--hooray!  And then last night I had my husband hold a wooden pole in the middle of the room and Lexi ran around it from either side (depending on which side of me she was on).  I'd say it's time to start adding the verbal!


What do you guys think of the new blog?  I really wanted to do a collage (I admit the previous background was poorly executed) but I just can't come up with a good way to do it.