This week's training Tuesday is a bit different. Instead of heeling, we have jumping!
I am actually pretty amused with how much Maisy seems to enjoy jumping. When I first got out the jump set, she was just as likely to go around it as she was to go over it. That's all changed, though, because these days she'll often try to jump it while I'm still setting up. Silly dog.
You'll also notice that at one point, I make her heel past the jump (and that she struggled to do so). This is important because she will need to be able to control herself when there's a jump in the ring. I never thought I'd need to worry about that, but it's kind of a nice problem to have! I love that she's so enthusiastic about the whole thing.
11 comments:
Awww, what a good girl!! Glad she is loving the jump now.
I notice she's looking back when she's jumping and about to land since she's looking for her reward. I don't recall the exact exercise in OB, but if eventually she needs to jump straight out and not do an instant U-turn you could try tossing the ball as soon as she commits to the jump. This is different for all dogs. For some it might be right after take off, some it could be 5 feet away. But this way the reward is in place right when and where you need it and she maintains a straight body and moves forward off the jump to collect the ball. I hope I am making sense.
In her 2x2 DVD, Susan Garrett recommends tossing the reward while the dog is still in motion through the poles so you don't get that head turn back towards you but the dog learns to drive forward. The reward is expected to be out there at the end.
Trust me, I TRY to get the ball going after she's committed... but I'm not very athletic, lol.
The jumps in obedience vary by venue, but generally, you have:
* Recall over jump (dog comes towards you)
* Retrieve over jump (dog goes over jump, gets dumbbell, comes back over jump- HOPEFULLY she wouldn't try to turn back before she's got the dumbbell)
* Directed jumping (dog goes out away from you, between two jumps, then takes the one you indicate, coming towards you)
* Broad jump (you stand beside jump, dog goes over jump, then turns towards you. Turning back would be great unless she began cutting the corner)
I'm really not too worried about it, though. Obedience is, for us, about fun. If we can have high scores, great, but what I'm really after is the experience. Right now, we are having a blast. And when your goal is fun, you really can't make mistakes. ;)
lol, our dogs do so well despite our shortcomings.
From those descriptions it doesn't seem like it would be an issue anyhow. The only one she needs to keep going for is the retrieve but having the dumbbell out there she will have a focus point anyhow.
My only concern (and the reason I'm trying to get it right) is that she might hurt herself somehow by twisting around in the air like that.
I am continually amazed and how well Maisy does despite my shortcomings as a trainer. If she can do all this, imagine how much more she could do in the hands of a GOOD trainer!
Underhand is much faster for this kind of work so maybe that will help?
I wonder if your praise is turning her head. It's hard to tell in the video but I think she's turning before you say anything. It looks like when she launches she's already planting her lead leg in such a way that mean she's going to turn. I could be way off since I'm just learning about those mechanics. And actually the second send out she definitely turns before you praise.
What is impressive is she's very steady until you release her. WTG!
Yeah, I think it's expected reward placement vs. praise. She's really all about the tennis ball.
I have totally taken that "wait" for granted. I guess it is kind of impressive, but I never even thought twice about it.
Maisy is SUCH a good girl.
Nice send-outs! I remember when you had to run right by the jump with her in APDT rally.
I won't have to take that 3 point deduction next time!!
What fun!!! Since she'll never have to keep going for obedience I wouldn't worry about the head check. But if you were planning on doing agility (!!!) then really you're lack of motion forward is a cue that she SHOULD be turning back to you. If you wanted her to keep going you would need to at least walk forward and have something else for her to drive towards as in another jump, a target, or her ball thrown earlier.
Oh and I wouldn't worry about twisting in the air as she should be full capable of planning where to jump and land so she can turn back to you safely! The only jump I worry about that with the low riders is the broad jump which is meant to be taken in full extension but then in obedience we mess with it and ask for a tight turn...
But by throwing the ball forward after she is already planning a collected jump based on your location and lack of movement you're having that turn towards you and then a turn back out. Still minimal though :)
Laura, I'm glad to hear you're not worried about the physical impacts. I will quit worrying, as well. :)
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