I have often thought about writing again, but never really got back to it. Now seems like a good time, I have some things to say. They probably need to be said in several posts, but I will just start with what motivated me this morning.
I was at a UKI cup this weekend with Joe (I have yet to introduce him on the blog). Although he is young, I have a ton of confidence in his skills. So much confidence that I tried to handle the weaves TWICE the same way and failed both times. Basically, it was a jump where I was on the landing side and choose to rear cross him into the weaves. Mostly to control his path, not really to avoid the big fat tunnel entrance that was also there. Needless to say, he didn't collect and shot right into the tunnel BOTH times. So today I am backing up and working the rear cross into the weaves discrimination with the tunnel.
This is the setup that I decided to start with. It is small and everything happens quick. I have to get my verbals out on time and he has to listen. Also, I can deliver a high rate of reward which is always key to anything with a heart beat learning quickly.
To get the accuracy on this setup took a bit with both dogs, Joe and Zing (the other dog I have yet to introduce). We maybe drilled for 10 minutes before each dog had it perfectly.
