September 7, 2007 Jump Circles are used to help build obstacle focus and distance. Running through the jump standards is first shaped with a clicker. This started with 3 jumps fairly close together. As she got more confident, I enlarged the circle and added a jump. This video shows her first attempt at a 20 foot radius circle with 4 jumps. Ann Braue taught me this technique, and I will admit we are still working on proper application!
Other, older training videos can be seen here
September 7, 2007 I am planning on AJ having a two on/two off behavior at the end of her contacts. In this video, I am trying to get her to “pounce” into end position. She loves doing it for a toy, food would be easier to prevent the “curl” toward me - but she “pounces” better for the toy. So, this is very much a work in progress. I am also working on reinforcing staying on the end until released. She does seem to understand that fairly well. Again, Ann Braue taught me this, and I will admit again we are still working on proper application!
September 7, 2007 AJ is working on speed over the dogwalk. Prior to getting to this stage, I worked with her on being comfortable on a board elevated just 4 inches off the ground. She had to be able to turn around, run across it, sit, lay down, etc on the board before I progressed to this stage (laying down on the board is more difficult than you would think!). She also had to be comfortable running across the board at a fairly good speed. This “baby” dogwalk is 16 inches off the ground. The hoops prevent her from jumping off and make her run to the bottom. Hopefully this will build speed and muscle memory for her dogwalk behavior. Someday we will combine the two-on/two-off behavior with the full dog walk, but since she is only 8 months old we hopefully have lots of time to get the foundation right!
