Agility class on Tuesday night was Blake's monthly course night. We walked the course and then ran the whole thing (20 obstacles). It was a standard course with some direction changes but was not so hard that anyone got frustrated. After we all ran it once, we began working on the first 7 obstacles which were 3 jumps in an arc, 180 degree turn tunnel, and 3 more jumps (180 degree turn then a 90 degree turn). Blake wanted us all working ahead of our dogs and showed us his preferred handling technique for the sequence ... since we were handling ahead there were no rear crosses so Bern did good with me using Blake's handling sequence. However, it was hot and Bern started pooping out on me. Lots of water, praise, and then a fresh dog.
As the rest of the class moved to the 2nd half of the course, Grace and I used Blake's in front handling sequence and worked her on the opening 7 obstacles. After a couple of miscues she was doing great. She is understanding that she needs to let me direct traffic instead of her trying to herd me. We are finally gelling as a team. Wednesday I took a sick day and we stayed home to rest.
For Thursday evening obedience class Bern did his long sits and downs while I hid behind cars. He stayed in his sit position but was fresh and not hot or tired yet. Next Tracey and I worked Bern on other open exercises. After much frustration, Bern walked two steps towards us with the dumbbell before spitting it out. He earned 1/2 a chicken strip from Chick-Fil-A each of the 2 times he did this. Tracey says he looks like Nikita did... Nikita's dumbbell retrieve training process took 8 to 9 months and then another 3 or 4 to get the retrieve over the jump going after the retrieve on flat was functioning. Patience is going to be a virtue on this drill. However the drop on recall and the broad jump are coming along better.
Grace worked on her Rally Advanced exercises. Tracey and I think the hardest new exercise for her will be the offset figure 8 where there are toys as distractions offset to the heeling pattern.
Offset Figure 8 - This exercise requires two pylons, posts or people (the Ps in the above figure) placed about 8 - 10 feet apart, around which the team will perform a complete Figure 8. Two distractions will be arranged to the sides of the Figure 8 about 5 - 6 feet apart. Entry may be between the pylons, posts or people and the distraction on either side. The distractions will consist of two loosely covered, but secure, containers with tempting dog treats; however, dog toys may replace one or both containers, or may be placed next to the containers. Exercise sign may be placed on or near the cone where entry is made into the Offset Figure 8.
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Grace did nicely on her other exercises. We walked over and let her practice the broad jump, retrieve on flat, and retrieve over the high bar. She needs more work on the retrieve over the jump but everything else is coming along nicely. Now, if we can just get past the stand for exam exercise in the novice obedience ring.
Tracey brought Sparkle and Kazee along as they now need to finish learning the Open exercises since they both completed their Novice titles at the LCCOC trial. Both the dogs retrieve the dumbbell over the flat and the high bar and both have a broad jump most of the time. The drop on recalls are not quite ready for the ring yet. Kazee shows great promise and Sparkle can likely learn to perform the last few exercises. Tracey has done such a great job of getting the foundation skills in both these dogs. She is off to Lake Charles this weekend to do Confirmation with Kazee... they are still chasing Kazee's first placement in the confirmation ring.
