Flyball Practice And Other Antics

Spring fever is in the air and the dogs are particular victims. Saturday's practice was a bit bizarre because all the dogs are excited and not really doing their jobs. Their minds are elsewhere I think.

During the first recall, Jasmine cheats and runs beside the jumps. (Gasp!) The second recall is done perfectly (Phew!).

Box work: Jasmine isn't up to par as she was previously the last two weeks. I test my training method and I omit starting the box work with a tugging session. Consequentely, Jasmine is very slow and unable to focus. We also activated the box mecanism so she can get used to the noise. Mmm. We wonder if that's the reason she started to cheat again by getting the ball with her paw as well as hesitating before hitting the box for her swimmer's turn. Another factor may be the presence of strange dogs in the other lane. She keeps looking over to watch what's going on. Yes, she's the curious one. We'll see how it goes next week.

To be continued.

Who says dogs are not intelligent? I was at CM's place Saturday morning when Jasmine was standing at the patio door and, the screendoor wasn't locked. Oh dear. She didn't even ask to go outside but simply pushed the screen sideways and out she goes! Good thing the backyard is fenced. My apologies to CM because Tucker was closely watching Jasmine's antics. This is the same dog who learned how to open crate doors and steal socks from Jasmine.

Later on in the afternoon, I was doing some housework when I noticed that Jasmine was very quiet. A clear sign that she's up to something. Well, she was lying down on the gym bag (you know, the onefull of treats and toys which I bring to the weekly practices) and had figured out how to open the zipper with her nose and paw. Her head was IN the bag and she was indeed digging in.

Yes, she's a very, very bad influence.

Finally some progress in flyball

I thought this moment would never happen. I was so sure that Jasmine wouldn't repeat her performance, that I hadn't written anything about it in the blog. Well, the moment has finally arrived and no, it's not a fluke. Jasmine can now do her swimmer's turn on the box, pick up the ball and land on her feet.

She doesn't cheat. She doesn't try to pick up the ball with her paw.

Can you believe it? I've been waiting for this moment for at least twelve months. After two weeks, I can say with certainty that Jasmine understands what to do. I'm hoping that I'll have the time to film her at next week's practice. This way, I'll be able to upload the video on Youtube.

Next step: Trigger the box in one of the opposite holes so she'll get used to the noise.

Let's cross our fingers and think positive thoughts .... : )

Time for a picture break

LR asked me to include pictures of Jasmine as a puppy. I then decided to add picture of the lastest bathtime.

The bathtime pictures are proff why long haired dogs have long hair.

Puppy Jasmine

Bathtime

Enjoy!

Eventually, I'll understand

180 degres, Threadle, Argh!

Woohoo! For the last several weeks, we've graduated to working with TWO jumps. I admit the weather hasn't permitted me to practice Susan Garrett's exercices from the "Success With One Jump" DVD, but I promise to be a better student.

The 180 degree turn doesn't cause us any problems, exept for the focus forward.

The threadle is another story. We've been working on it for the three weeks and I couldn't figure how to make Jasmine understand to join me between the two jumps. Nope, she would take the jump, hesitate, and retake the same jump. At our lesson with CB last Monday, Jasmine accomplished a good threadle so mission accomplished. I have to be careful though. CB suggested that I stay beside Jasmine and not in front of the jump as I was doing before.

Other detail: Put up my hand to get Jasmine's attention before starting an exercice.
Most important detail: Criteria, criteria, criteria. I'm not constant with my praises, commands and you name it.

What to remember:

Don't overdo it with the praising. Basically, if she does a good deed, praise. A better deed, praise a wee bit more. A greater than life deed, praise like she just learned how to read and write.

Don't let her reinforce herself. Sniffing instead of listening to my commands, make mini-zoomies at the end of her leash when she realises I'm going behind the house to play or train with her, not give her repeated commands which she ignores, etc etc,.

It won't be easy.

March 5th, 2009

Nose touch : This exercise is to improve a dog’s contacts. At the moment, Jasmine nose touches my hand but licks it as well to make sure I get the hint. “Yo Lyne!” I’m touching your hand. Gimme a treat already!” Of course, I wait for her to really nose touch but I get only licks. CB recommends not reinforce the touches that are licks. Focus on getting good touches.

February 21, 2009

I tried a teeter exercise during a practice session at BF. Jasmine has improved her teeter in 2008, but there’s no dashing at all. This could mean the difference between a Q or nothing in the future. Therefore, I’m using a method taught by CB which is to put a plank on two blocs and make the dog run from one extremity to another. Looking good. Speedwise, it's all trotting, not her blasting full speed. I was running beside her, getting her all riled up..... and she trotted ........ FASTER.

Practiced the 180. No problem on both sides. The threadle is another story. My cue is still too late. Have to work on that.

Started to practice her nose touch on the plexi again. Working fine.

When I sit on the floor, she starts to back up automatically. Yea!

Tunnel: she seems scared to go in when there is no "light at the end of the tunnel". Barrels in only when she's decided it's safe enough.