This was the last class of this session. :-( We had a ton of fun in class this week. As usual, we were divided into three groups.
Station 1: A-frame and board work. Bailey adores the climbing obstacles, so a-frame is right up his alley. He's really quick, but I really want to do a-frame off leash so that he doesn't get used to seeing my arm go up and down beside him. I just don't trust the other dogs in the class enough yet. There are several dogs who like to lunge at other dogs and I just don't trust that they won't take a chunk out of B. Anyway, we also worked on board work. We have a board at home and already do targetting at the end of it. Now I really need to work on moving around and away from him while he stays in position. He hasn't really learned to stay until released yet. We'll work on it though.
Station 2: Teeter and Dog Walk. Bailey is pretty quick at both of these obstacles too. Advantage to us because we've done both of them plenty of times before. We did lots and lots of teeter and dog walk and I think it may have actually tired Bailey out a little bit. He likes more movement instead of standing around. Keeps his mind and body busy.
Station 3: Jump, Tunnel, Jump sequence. We've also done plenty of short sequence work before, so this wasn't really a big deal. Bailey really enjoyed it and of course, he was fantastic on the sequence. Great at reading my body and I'm so very proud of him.
After we finished the three stations, we still had some time so they put us into our groups again and did three more quick stations. We did tire in one station, a-frame in another, and the sequence in the third. Bailey was a very good boy and really had fun.
Before we left, Claudia did a quick demo of where we are aiming for with our board work. Her dogs are just amazing! I hope I can get Bailey to learn 2O2O as well as she has taught her dogs! I know at least 1 person who is going forward to the next set of classes with us (Gwen and Kali), so it should be fun although tiring. Next session starts in 2 weeks on July 7th!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Introducing Bailey CGC!
Today, my little puppy passed his AKC Canine Good Citizen test! Bailey is now officially Bailey's A Lucky Discovery CGC. Yeah yeah, I know it's not a real title, but I'm so proud of the little stinker! He did a great job and the test was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be. All of our training is finally starting to pay off!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Agility Foundation I - Class 5
Class this week was a lot of fun. It was raining pretty hard outside for most of the afternoon, so the whole class was indoors. The class started with a demo of board work. It's amazing to me how well-trained the instructor's dog is. It just leaves me in awe. Then we were broken into three groups. We were lucky enough to get in a group with most of the DGOTC folks so we had a nice time.
Station One: Table and Chute. We did alternating sits and downs on the table to test the dogs and see how they are doing. All of the dogs did a very good job and have pretty quick downs on the table. I think I've decided that I want to teach Bailey two different words. Table for "get on there and lie down" and Bench for "get on there and sit." I just have to figure out how to get him to differentiate the two. Of course, the chute also went well. We have all done chute before as well, so it went quick.
Station Two: Teeter and Dog Walk. We were really just introducing the dogs to these pieces of equipment, so the ends of the teeter were on tables with no pivot. We also didn't do end behavior on the dog walk because we're really just trying to get the dogs to go with speed over it and feel safe on them. We've also done the teeter and dog walk before, so no big issue for us. Bailey loves the climbing things, so he had a great time. Before we switched to the next group, we put the teeter and dog walk together into a little sequence and did it in both directions. Bailey LOVED that.
Station Three: Jump Work. We worked with the spider on a low jump. At first, Bailey wants to treat it like a spread jump, so we had to stretch it out a bit for him. Once we did that, he did fine and was able to collect to get over the jump. He's also doing a good job with the static retrieve and is starting to develop a bit of toy drive (as long as there is food in the toy).
Finally, we did a round robin to get a bit more practice on the dog walk, get the dogs up on the a-frame, and do the table a bit more. Bailey adores the climbing things, so this was great for him.
Overall, a great class and we really are starting to have a lot of fun.
Station One: Table and Chute. We did alternating sits and downs on the table to test the dogs and see how they are doing. All of the dogs did a very good job and have pretty quick downs on the table. I think I've decided that I want to teach Bailey two different words. Table for "get on there and lie down" and Bench for "get on there and sit." I just have to figure out how to get him to differentiate the two. Of course, the chute also went well. We have all done chute before as well, so it went quick.
Station Two: Teeter and Dog Walk. We were really just introducing the dogs to these pieces of equipment, so the ends of the teeter were on tables with no pivot. We also didn't do end behavior on the dog walk because we're really just trying to get the dogs to go with speed over it and feel safe on them. We've also done the teeter and dog walk before, so no big issue for us. Bailey loves the climbing things, so he had a great time. Before we switched to the next group, we put the teeter and dog walk together into a little sequence and did it in both directions. Bailey LOVED that.
Station Three: Jump Work. We worked with the spider on a low jump. At first, Bailey wants to treat it like a spread jump, so we had to stretch it out a bit for him. Once we did that, he did fine and was able to collect to get over the jump. He's also doing a good job with the static retrieve and is starting to develop a bit of toy drive (as long as there is food in the toy).
Finally, we did a round robin to get a bit more practice on the dog walk, get the dogs up on the a-frame, and do the table a bit more. Bailey adores the climbing things, so this was great for him.
Overall, a great class and we really are starting to have a lot of fun.
Friday, June 13, 2008
CGC Obedience: Classes 7 and 8
So, I've neglected to post about the classes for the last couple weeks. Nothing overly exciting has happened. We've just been reviewing the CGC test items each week to prepare for the test. The instructor is going to do the CGC Evaluation next Thursday (June 19th) for the people who have taken the class. We signed up and I hope Bailey passes it!
We've also been doing Novice A run-throughs after each CGC class, and each week Bailey has lost a bit more of his brain. He was doing great the first week we did it. The week after that, he did ok but broke from the long down about 2.5 minutes into it. Last week, his brain was just not there and he spent the entire time sniffing and rolling in the grass. Totall forgot that he was supposed to be doing obedience. Oh well. We clearly just need more practice. And more exercise before class.
We've also been doing Novice A run-throughs after each CGC class, and each week Bailey has lost a bit more of his brain. He was doing great the first week we did it. The week after that, he did ok but broke from the long down about 2.5 minutes into it. Last week, his brain was just not there and he spent the entire time sniffing and rolling in the grass. Totall forgot that he was supposed to be doing obedience. Oh well. We clearly just need more practice. And more exercise before class.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Agility Foundation I - Class 4
Class this week was fun. We started with a review of targetting, where Bailey impressed because he could do it on the floor with no problems. He's really good at targetting because I made it fun for him pretty early on. He didn't get it for a long time, but once it clicked (no pun intended!) he got the game and loves to see his little circle come out. As usual, we were broken into three groups.
Station One: Tire and Tunnel. Most of our group had done both of these obstacles before. Bailey does have tunnel suck, so I had to work really hard to keep him out of it. He did a pretty good job of it, but does adore him some tunnel. One of the other dogs in the class kept peeing in the tunnel every time he went in it. It was pretty annoying, but I guess it happens. When we put the tire and tunnel together into a little sequence, Bailey was in heaven! He loves to do more than one thing at a time. The drills are boring for him most of the time.
Station Two: Jump Grid. We have done jump grids before with real jumps. Today they just put little speed bumps between the standards so the dogs could get the idea. We started the dogs in the middle of the grid so they only had to do one "jump." Then we went to doing two "jumps." Finally, on to all three or four "jumps" (can't remember if there were 3 or 4). Bailey has no issue with the jump grid and did a great job driving to his toy and the treat on top of it.
Station Three: Jump Work. In this station, we worked on shaping a jump - really making it fun for the dog and encouraging the dog to drive to a jump. Bailey likes jumping too, so he had no problem going over the jump. The one problem that Claudia pointed out is that he tends to look up at me while he jumps, which hollows his back and puts more strain on his body. We've got to work on getting him to focus down and forward when he's jumping because it'll be better for his body long-run. Finally, we did some basics on starting crosses and tight, collected work. We directed the dog over the jump, then made them turn 180 degrees to end on the same side of the handler, but facing the opposite direction. Bailey got it pretty well, but really likes to be on my left. He's getting better at working on the right as well.
Overall, I think this was really the first class where we learned a new skill, so I'm definitely looking forward to more of this in the future!
Station One: Tire and Tunnel. Most of our group had done both of these obstacles before. Bailey does have tunnel suck, so I had to work really hard to keep him out of it. He did a pretty good job of it, but does adore him some tunnel. One of the other dogs in the class kept peeing in the tunnel every time he went in it. It was pretty annoying, but I guess it happens. When we put the tire and tunnel together into a little sequence, Bailey was in heaven! He loves to do more than one thing at a time. The drills are boring for him most of the time.
Station Two: Jump Grid. We have done jump grids before with real jumps. Today they just put little speed bumps between the standards so the dogs could get the idea. We started the dogs in the middle of the grid so they only had to do one "jump." Then we went to doing two "jumps." Finally, on to all three or four "jumps" (can't remember if there were 3 or 4). Bailey has no issue with the jump grid and did a great job driving to his toy and the treat on top of it.
Station Three: Jump Work. In this station, we worked on shaping a jump - really making it fun for the dog and encouraging the dog to drive to a jump. Bailey likes jumping too, so he had no problem going over the jump. The one problem that Claudia pointed out is that he tends to look up at me while he jumps, which hollows his back and puts more strain on his body. We've got to work on getting him to focus down and forward when he's jumping because it'll be better for his body long-run. Finally, we did some basics on starting crosses and tight, collected work. We directed the dog over the jump, then made them turn 180 degrees to end on the same side of the handler, but facing the opposite direction. Bailey got it pretty well, but really likes to be on my left. He's getting better at working on the right as well.
Overall, I think this was really the first class where we learned a new skill, so I'm definitely looking forward to more of this in the future!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Next Classes
I mailed off the registration forms for the next set of classes. Here is what we are taking:
Rally-O with DGOTC - Instructor Penny Geddes
Foundation Agility II with ACA - Instructor Claudia Bates
Foundation Agility III with ACA - Instructor Claudia Bates
I might also sign up for the Novice Obedience Class with DGOTC to get more practice before we start trialling. We'll see how I feel. 4+ hours of dog classes every week is a lot!
Rally-O with DGOTC - Instructor Penny Geddes
Foundation Agility II with ACA - Instructor Claudia Bates
Foundation Agility III with ACA - Instructor Claudia Bates
I might also sign up for the Novice Obedience Class with DGOTC to get more practice before we start trialling. We'll see how I feel. 4+ hours of dog classes every week is a lot!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
CGC Obedience - Class 6
This week's class was pretty good. I arrived a bit early, so had some time to hang out before class. Seemed like the group is getting smaller. We started out with practicing finish. From our Novice classes, Bailey already knew that so it was really just fun for us to get in the mood. We finished left and right. Bailey actually prefers the finish left, even though most big dogs don't. I also get a more square sit out of him when we finish left. Next, we did the choose to heel exercise again where we all had spoons of peanut butter. Not sure how effective that is long term, unless you walk around always carrying a big kitchen spoon. :-P
After that, we split into a few groups and practiced figure 8. Bailey also already knows this exercise, but we had the added distraction of the instructor doing the "sit for petting" exercise on the post dogs. Again, no problem for stinky face.
Next was recall. We did about 40 feet and I did it completely off leash. Bailey did great and did a nice front. I was proud of him. He does a lot better than most of the other dogs in the class, probably due to all of the training we've done.
I think we also practiced the stand for exam, which Bailey does just fine courtesy of Novice Obedience. In this exercise was also the greeting a friendly stranger exercise. I also practiced the exercise where we approach a friendly dog/handler pair and greet them without the dogs acknowledging each other. He's getting a lot better at this as well.
After class was over, I decided to have Bailey practice his 1 minute sit stay and 3 minute down stay. The 8 pm class was arriving and our class was leaving, so there was a lot of commotion and people milling around. He did great and held position the entire time.
Then Erich came over and asked if I wanted a Novice run-through. I agreed, so we went over to another area to do that. The heel on leash was fine, although I find myself anticipating the "judge's" commands. We did figure 8 with two cones and Bailey only lagged a bit when he was on the outside of the turn. Stand for exam went fine as well, even though we left his leash on (I didn't hold it). We did the heel free next, although I didn't let him off leash. I just draped his leash over my shoulder, since the main road is pretty close. The heel free is probably our biggest challenge. I'm so afraid that he'll just wander off. I guess we can only give it a try and see how we do. We did recall next and again Bailey did great. I think it was probably close to 40 feet and we did it completely off leash. He also did a nice finish. Finally, we did the long sit and long down. Surprisingly, he stayed the entire time for both the sit and the down. I was really proud of him because he has a habit of popping up about 2.5 minutes into the 3 minute down. At the end of it all, Erich said we shouldn't have a problem getting our CD, so I think we might start trialling pretty soon!
After that, we split into a few groups and practiced figure 8. Bailey also already knows this exercise, but we had the added distraction of the instructor doing the "sit for petting" exercise on the post dogs. Again, no problem for stinky face.
Next was recall. We did about 40 feet and I did it completely off leash. Bailey did great and did a nice front. I was proud of him. He does a lot better than most of the other dogs in the class, probably due to all of the training we've done.
I think we also practiced the stand for exam, which Bailey does just fine courtesy of Novice Obedience. In this exercise was also the greeting a friendly stranger exercise. I also practiced the exercise where we approach a friendly dog/handler pair and greet them without the dogs acknowledging each other. He's getting a lot better at this as well.
After class was over, I decided to have Bailey practice his 1 minute sit stay and 3 minute down stay. The 8 pm class was arriving and our class was leaving, so there was a lot of commotion and people milling around. He did great and held position the entire time.
Then Erich came over and asked if I wanted a Novice run-through. I agreed, so we went over to another area to do that. The heel on leash was fine, although I find myself anticipating the "judge's" commands. We did figure 8 with two cones and Bailey only lagged a bit when he was on the outside of the turn. Stand for exam went fine as well, even though we left his leash on (I didn't hold it). We did the heel free next, although I didn't let him off leash. I just draped his leash over my shoulder, since the main road is pretty close. The heel free is probably our biggest challenge. I'm so afraid that he'll just wander off. I guess we can only give it a try and see how we do. We did recall next and again Bailey did great. I think it was probably close to 40 feet and we did it completely off leash. He also did a nice finish. Finally, we did the long sit and long down. Surprisingly, he stayed the entire time for both the sit and the down. I was really proud of him because he has a habit of popping up about 2.5 minutes into the 3 minute down. At the end of it all, Erich said we shouldn't have a problem getting our CD, so I think we might start trialling pretty soon!
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