Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Training Tuesday: Adding Sits

Our heeling task this time around was to add sits to the heeling sequence. I thought this would be pretty easy, as Maisy has always had a pretty awesome auto-sit, even when I stop suddenly and without warning. I forgot to take into account that she's used to RUNNING AFTER THE BALL at the end of a heeling sequence. Yeah, all the sits were broken.

I should have broken the criteria down. I should have worked on just getting the sits back, without worrying about if they were close or straight. Instead, I sort of nagged her to do way too much. The end result? Well, we're getting there, but I bet it would have been a lot faster and prettier if I'd worked on one criteria at a time.

See for yourself:



I will say that the pivot into position at 2:28 is gorgeous. I'm really pleased with that! I'm also happy with how animated and happy she looks most of the time, and despite her distraction, she's got some great attention developing. What a great little dog!

20 comments:

Laura and The Corgi, Toller, & Duck said...

You know it might help if your body actually told her you were stopping instead of just jerking to a halt...

:) Heeling is looking great!

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

I know, right, Laura? I was doing it the same way I always do- put weight in my right foot, close with the left. Maisy's always responded well to that, except I think she wasn't cuing off my body language (because, um, there really isn't any!). She must have just figured out she should stop when I do, which would explain why she could it even when I stopped very abruptly.

Next time we get together, you'll have to show me what you do. I should probably also watch some videos of what other people do, practice it, and then video my own footwork to make sure it's, you know, visible.

Laura and The Corgi, Toller, & Duck said...

Oh I didn't say I was a good example! I do the jerking thing all the time! If I am actually thinking I do have a 3 step halt with upper body straightening.

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

Okay, that just made me laugh, Laura. I guess I'll need to do the video-study thing, then.

Ninso said...

I love Training Tuesdays! Fun to see what everyone is working on. Her heeling is coming along great! I am working on Jun's fronts. I feel like we had this skill down long, long ago, but now we don't and I am wandering around in the dark with teaching it. We've done SO much heeling in the past year that she's constantly trying to pivot into heel or side!

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

Oh, fronts. I'm having the same issue. Except our fronts have always been slightly crooked. Okay for rally, but need some fixing for obedience. Considering some platforms or pivot boards IF I can get her on them. She's so funny about objects.

Ninso said...

I think ours used to be pretty straight, but they've always been lured. With an empty hand, but I didn't even realize I was luring until it was pointed out to me--I just thought it was my hand signal, and of course with Jun being deaf I never transitioned to a verbal.

I'm having the same problems fading the lure for the front as I was fading the lure for a finish--I solved that problem but I'm not really sure how I did it! Fairly certain my brilliant dog gets all the credit for that one!

Dawn said...

I always take a short scuffing step with my right foot and then bring the left up to is. The short step and scuff sound advises my dog that the halt is coming-if that makes any sense.

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

Ninso, I agree. My dog gets way more credit for her performance than I do. I'm an average trainer at best- she just makes me look good!

Dawn- I can kind of visualize what you're saying. HOWEVER, I just saw that Nancy Little is doing a PEOPLE ONLY handling class, so I think I'm going to sign up for that. It's two weeks and $35, and probably completely worth it.

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

Okay, watching Youtube videos- even ones specifically about footwork- was frustrating. I'm taking the damn class.

Laura and The Corgi, Toller, & Duck said...

:) I would love to take a class with her!

Joanna said...

Haha, I need that class, too! I keep thinking about what my footwork and hand signals will be, and I need to figure out it ASAP because I'd like to actually work on changing positions in heel, finishes, etc.

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

Minnesota's not that far, Joanna! You could stay with me! It's only a two-week class!

Joanna said...

Haha! Is Dragon invited, too?!

By the way, have you heard of Cyber Rally-O? It's like Virtual Agility - you set up the course yourself and video tape it to submit for Qs. The creator has ordered ribbons and everything. It's just starting up and gaining interest:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/cyberrally-o/

I haven't taken a close look at the signs and rules yet, but the neat thing is that in the higher levels there are a lot of brand new signs and the dogs work both sides.

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

The class is people-only, but yes, Dragon could come too!!

Joanna said...

Hmmm, I'm finding winter flights to and from MSP for only $266...

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

There's a reason for that: Minnesota in winter sort of sucks.

Dawn said...

Nancy is great. I love my lessons with her.

Joanna said...

Well looks like prices stay reasonable through May and then shoot up in June. When does Minnesota stop being a frozen wasteland?

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

June. Sometimes July. Sort of depends on your definition of frozen wasteland. May can be nice if you like temps in the 50s and 60s.