March Madness: Basketball and Agility

This past weekend marked the 2^nd straight year that the University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball team progressed from a field of 68 NCAA teams to the Final Four.  And to top it off, the UK Wildcats will be playing in-state rival, the University of Louisville Cardinals – coached by ex-UK Coach Rick Pitino.  What a show-down for we Kentuckians!  We love our college hoops almost as much we love our Kentucky bourbon.

What does any of this have to do with dog agility?  Actually, quite a bit.   Both are team sports.  Basketball has five players on the court that have to work together to score points – both offensively and defensively.  The 2012 UK team is an impressive group of freshmen who have learned how to read each other, handle the ball selflessly and mature their play beyond their years.  The same is true in the sport of agility.  The handler and the dog must work together as a team.  The handler has to be able to read the course, read the dog’s body language all while guiding the dog through the course to score their “points” during a run.  Likewise, the dog reads the handler's movement, body language – including eye movement, and verbal cues.  

Besides playing together as a team, both basketball players and dog agility teams have fun and love the sport.  Watch any great basketball game and one can see the love of the sport and the ease at which the teams play.  When Kentucky beat Baylor this past Sunday, the players were making seamless passes and slam dunks look easy.  Man, these boys can play!  And they love it.  Same with watching a master handler like Stuart Mah run his border collie, Ares.  They move together effortlessly as Stuart navigates Ares through threadles, serpentines and independent weave pole entries.  They make it look easy because they are having fun and really love the sport.

Finally, basketball and agility require gumption on the part of the team.  Look at the University of Louisville Cardinals.  They lost the last four of the regular season Big East games; they had multiple players out with injuries and were overlooked by the critics as having a “snow ball’s chance” of winning the Big East Championship, let alone make it to the Final Four.  Rick Pitino did not let that get in his team’s way; rather, he coached his team to work hard, play smart and disregard the criticism.  As a result, the University of Louisville won the Big East Championship and this Saturday’s Elite 8 game coming from a double-digit deficit to beat the Florida Gators to be the first team named to the NCAA Final Four. 

Similarly, dog agility teams have gumption or “stick-to-it-ness” to learn a skill that will result in clean runs.  We handlers work hard on learning new handling techniques and training strategies to help our doggies learn how to better read our directions.  We train running contacts, 2o2o, 2x2’s, weave-o-matics, training wires, Susan Salo jumping, Linda Mecklenburg’s handling, and so many more techniques to help us “play smart” with our teammates.  On any given day or night, the LCDA practice field is populated with dog agility teams who are working hard to train and practice for upcoming events.  

So, basketball and dog agility are more alike than I bet you even had thought.  As we go into the Final Four this weekend and you watch the teams play in the Big Dance, think about how you and your doggie can be the best agility team.  I sure know that I will…

GO BIG BLUE!!

"Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the Me for the We."

-Phil Jackson

Let's Shake on It!

Today’s blog is a hodgepodge of my recent agility revelations.  First of all, I am addicted to using the clicker to train Jefferson.  Training tricks is a blast and Jefferson really enjoys working for me and the “click.”  Recently, I taught him how to “shake” and it took all of 5 minutes.  My boy is such a superstar!  I am excited to build our “trick” repertoire and to continue expanding our working relationship.  He responds so well to the clicker and offers behavior just to hear the "click" and get some cheese.  Clicker training is surely da' bomb diggity!

My next revelation is about making small but powerful handling refinements.  I am currently taking an Intro to Handling 2 class with an extremely observant instructor who has the natural ability to identify my handling errors and advise me on how to better communicate with J-dawg.  Although I have only been in the class two weeks, I have learned many great tips.  For example, whenever I set up Jefferson for a running start, I need to angle him more effectively – pretty much parallel – to the first jump, so that we are running together to turn so he doesn’t pull off the 2^nd obstacle to follow me whenever I have to “run” around the wing.  This was great advice because he had done this at the last trial.  Now that I know how to better set-up our start:  problem solved!   

Also, whenever we are taking a pinwheel set of jumps, Jefferson has been pulling out of the 2^nd jump. 

The instructor suggested that I square my shoulders to the 2^nd jump and not rotate as quickly to get him around the sequence.  Eureka!  This worked.  Yet another handling error solved from our last trial.  These subtle, simple corrections in my handling communicate clearly to Jefferson about what he is supposed to do. I am so energized to learn how to be a proactive handler rather than a reactive one.  I have built my confidence in handling Jefferson and us working together as a team.  

My final agility revelation for the week is to celebrate how far we have come since our very first trial.  I was nervous and Jefferson was thrilled to be off leash and run crazily around the ring!  He was also very hungry and happy to leave the ring to try to grab a burger from a spectator who was sitting a little too close to comfort by the fence.   Also, my dad was my first agility videographer and had no clue how to operate the camera.  His skills add to the whole "agility debut" effect.  This video is priceless and still my favorite.  Enjoy!!

Happy training everyone!!



"It's all to do with the training: you can do a lot if you're properly trained."
- Elizabeth II


 

Mission Impossible: What a Difference a Week Makes!

DEFINITION:  The phrase "when pigs fly" is a way of saying that something will never happen or is impossible.  The phrase often is used for a humorous effect, to scoff at over-ambition.  There are numerous variations on the theme; when an individual with a reputation for failure finally succeeds, onlookers may sarcastically claim to see a flying pig.

This weekend Jane Killion put on a weekend seminar about training “impossible” dogs (i.e. dogs that are not typical agility dogs like Border Collies or Shelties).  She has written a book and developed a whole philosophy of training called, “When Pigs Fly.”  In preparation for her seminar, I have been reading her book and implementing her free shaping and clicker exercises with great success.  For example, after Jefferson ran from his agility leash during the January trial, I have free shaped him to go pick up his leash and bring it to me.  Success!  Already, I was excited to learn more about “operant conditioning” and how to transfer the clicker to the agility field.

First off, Jane exposed the dogs to free shaping by using the clicker.  Handlers and their doggies (we audited this part since I was already free shaping Jefferson’s behavior at home) had the opportunity to work her dogs.  By the way, they were the “Spuds” MacKenzie dogs of the 80’s – Bull Terriers – "impossible" breeds that do NOT want to work for their handlers but drink Bud Light.  All the participants successfully free shaped her dogs to get on the teeter, take jumps, go in a crate, walk around cones, etc.  – all by clicking the dog to encourage this behavior.  Amazing…next, the handlers brought their own dogs and shaped their behaviors such as stepping in a box, going into a crate, etc.  All the dogs and handlers were very successful in shaping their dogs behaviors.  Excellent!!

The next three sessions involved all the handlers running their dogs in an agility course with close to 19 obstacles.  I was excited to see how Jefferson would handle the course, let alone the pressure to perform!  I was nervous, much like at a trial, because everyone was watching us AND we were being professionally recorded by Jane's husband Mark, who wore a video camera apparatus, while Jane stood on the field to diagnose our run.  Well, our run was a complete disaster…Jefferson shut down, ran off, sniffed the ground, ran over to check-out the camera man, and the crème de’ la’ crème…..pooped on the field!  Yippee!!!  Every “bad” thing that happens in a trial happened during this one run; I was sure to get my monies worth out of this seminar!   No place to go but up! up! up!

Jane helped break down the behavior and the next time we ran the course, we took one obstacle at a time and then clicked and treated.  Jefferson loved this since it involved the clicker and cheese;-)  He was pretty fast and wanted to run more than one obstacle at a time, but I was diligent about clicking after every single obstacle. Since he was familiar with the clicker, he already associated the clicker with good times and “playing the game” of working for me.  The next time we ran, we “thinned the ratio” meaning not clicking after every obstacle, but randomly clicking on average of every 3^rd or 4^th obstacle.  This worked great!  Jefferson really understood the clicking and once again was very successful.  Jane said that some dogs were more “operant” than others so it would depend on your own dog as to how fast you “thin the ration” before running a course without clicking.  Another important tip she shared was that it is important to stop and click when the dog does something “right” rather than “wrong.”  We, as handlers, do not want to stop when the going is good, but it helps to stop and click during the “good” stuff!  

On the second day of the seminar, we once again ran 2 courses - one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  I “thinned” the ratio out pretty far for Jefferson and he ran the entire course for me without stopping or shutting down.  Even when he stopped on top of the A-frame, I got him back on track!  Yay!    Jefferson ran the straight-line of jumps into the tunnel beautifully.  Although she encouraged a front or rear cross to get most dogs to take the tunnel, I was successful in handling Jefferson to run ahead and take the tunnel at speed.  Distance work is our strength so I try to handle accordingly in most situations.  

Later in running the course, he did miss a weave pole entrance due to my awkward rear cross of the jump so I elected to work on the weave poles with Jane.  At first, I was a bit skeptical of Jane’s weave pole training methodology because she wanted me to click the entrance and then click after each pole.  I was afraid this would slow down his weave pole performance so I was reluctant to train this way.  But, after I understood what she was encouraging…for Jefferson to go fast during all 12 and not to slow down in the middle…I was ready to try clicking him for getting the entrance and speed during the middle.  Later, I could phase out the clicker once he was performing all weaves up to speed.  

During the afternoon session, we discussed agility courses and analyzed course maps to determine where the lead changes occur for the dogs.  This was new to me because I had never considered the dog having to change leads (or sides) to take the obstacles.  It did make sense because the dog typically leans toward the handler’s lead hand and then takes the obstacles.  Here's the course we analyzed and ran:

According to Jane’s handling by body movement alone, whenever the dog’s lead changes, the handler should perform either a front or rear cross.  While I do agree with some of this information, I found myself not handling the course quite the same as suggested since Jefferson responds to directionals quite well.  For example, on the final course of the day, I chose to rear cross (on the flat) prior to Jump #4.   This worked really well for us and I am happy that I handled the course in this manner.  Jane even commented on how beautiful it was but she would not recommend that to all handlers.  However, I chose to front cross a tunnel and then rear cross the A-Frame.  The rear cross after the A-frame resulted in Jefferson’s stopping on the top so I tried a more effective handling method the second time we ran the course.  I sent him to the tunnel and front crossed him after he exited the tunnel and took a jump.  This was more efficient in that Jefferson was on my left when he took the A-frame which alleviated the rear cross at the A-frame. Yay!  Oh, and his weave poles were fast and b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!!
Such a good boy!
 

Overall, the “When Pigs Fly” seminar was a great training tool for me to add to my so-called "bag of tricks."  I learned how to use the clicker on the agility field which gets Jefferson into “work” mode.  He loves the clicker because I have been training with the clicker at home every day so he will learn to “work” for me and “play” the game even without the cheese.  He’s becoming a much more “operant” dog and teammate.  What seemed nearly "impossible" last week is surely possible now...what a difference a week makes!!!

A great group of doggies & handlers!  Thanks, Jane!

"We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible."
-Vince Lombardi 

Stand! Darn that R.E.M. Song Anyways...

Last weekend we entered a three day trial.  Since I am still trying to establish a routine and determine what works best for us, I entered 4 events on day one; one event on day two; and 4 events on day three.  My thought was that we would both use the day off -in the middle to re-group and rest.  This proved to make no difference whatsoever because our best run was the last one of the weekend!

During our first run, Gamblers, (yeah...the event we have been trying to get a 3^rd “Q” in for about a year now…) Jefferson took a few obstacles but shut down on the field and stood there looking at me (this seems to be the theme of the weekend!) when I failed to give him clear direction.  Unlike other times, I decided to go for the gamble – 4 jumps – and Jefferson got it!  It was a beautiful gamble by the way ;-)  We earned a 2^nd place - only because we got the gamble but not enough points in the opening.   Darn, that R.E.M. song anyways…

The rest of our runs resulted in “E”limination…Pairs, Standard and Jumpers.  For some reason, he wanted NOTHING to do with going into a tunnel.  And weave poles…fuggedaboutit…Ugh.

On the 2^nd day, we only entered Gamblers so I had high hopes for nailing that 3^rd “Q.”  Guess the agility gods would not have it – because we once again did not earn enough points in the opening due to my not giving Jefferson an early cue while on the A-Frame to take the jump to his right.  So, at the bottom of the A-frame he stood and looked at me yet again.  Poor pup – he looked at me with those big brown eyes that say, “What in the heck do you want me to do now!?”  Once I got him going, I decided to try the gamble - tunnel, jump, jump and jump…and my boy had a beautiful gamble!  We earned first place but no “Q!”  Obviously, the gamble is not our problem; rather, it’s my giving clear cues to Jefferson so he won’t get “offended” by my handling and keep on moving!   Darn, that R.E.M. song anyways….

So, on our 3^rd day of the trial, we had entered 4 events – Jumpers, Snooker, Standard and Pairs.  Due to a deluge of rainfall on the previous day, the start of the trial was delayed until 10:30 a.m. (that is really late in dog agility time!) so the last classes from Saturday could run followed by Sunday’s events.  Because of this, we had quite a bit of down time – Jefferson didn’t run Jumpers until around 1 pm. He was fast on the first 3 jumps but when I did not cue him properly to take the 4^th jump and he skipped right to the 5^th jump, once again, he was “offended” by my handling and stood and looked at me.  Wow…runs like this make me almost long for the “zoomies” – well, almost….Darn, that R.E.M. song anyways…

I had what I thought was a great plan for Snooker…6’s and 7’s in the opening…we actually got our the first 1-6 combo…but when I cued him to take different direction then he expected, once again…he was standing and looking quizzically at me…FINALLY, got him moving and we took the 1-7 combo before the buzzer went off.  Amazingly, we got 1^st place but I was left distraught over Jefferson’s shutting down.  Darn, that R.E.M. song anyways…

Our Standard run was pretty much the same when I miscued him at the beginning so he missed the 3^rd obstacle – teeter – I tried to get him back, but he shut down.  However, I did get him to run fast over the A-Frame to the table for a down (he loves the table now because he gets treats!)  So, I made up my own exit strategy – tunnel to dogwalk and man oh man, did he pick up steam!  Yes, another “E” but at least he had beautiful running contacts all weekend.

Finally, Advanced Pairs would be our last event of the weekend.  Thank goodness because I was getting tired from all of this “standing” around!  We ran the 2^nd half of the pairs course – jumps 1 and 2 to an awkward entrance to the weave poles but I thought that looked like a great side for Jefferson.  While our partner was running the 1^st half, Jefferson was chomping at the bit to take off.  In fact, during the baton exchange, I could barely hold him back from running the course!!  He wasn’t set-up correctly at the start, but it did not matter because he took those first 2 jumps like a madman and I knew we would have a great run!  He nailed his weave pole entrance, but somehow missed a pole around 3 or so but I did not want to squash his excitement to go back and make the correction.  He was excited to run and so was I!  No turning back for Team J-Dawg.  We finished beautifully and it was the BEST run of the weekend!  Who knew I would be so thrilled with an “E?!!”

I learned a lot about myself from this weekend’s trial.  First, I need to not be so consumed with earning a “Q” in our runs.  Running a course is NOT about the “Q” but about the connection you make with your doggie partner.  Jefferson and I connected and ran like crazy on our last run in Advanced Pairs!  We both had a blast and came together as a team.   We earned an “E” but had the best time of the weekend!!  Secondly, I need to “run my own race” and quit comparing myself and Jefferson to all the other doggies and handlers.   Whenever I start to compare myself to others and start to feel inadequate, I get more nervous and then run the course with less confidence.  Jefferson senses this (even through my minty fresh breath!) and stresses-down during the run.  We will get there, but this is our journey alone and we must take it together.  Lastly, I need to work on my self-confidence in handling Jefferson and not expect perfection.  Yes, I am going to make mistakes but that is how I will learn to be a better handler and partner to my teammate.  My partner is depending on me to not get caught up in the “Q’s” and the “E’s” and all other human agility drama.  Jefferson just wants to have fun running agility with his momma!!

So, in the immortal words of my favorite, dearly-departed Monkee Davy Jones…"I’m a Believer" that with a little patience, determination and training, Team J-Dawg  continues to persevere! 

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."  - John Quincy Adams