Practice Makes Perfect!

Team J-Dawg made a few improvements and accomplishments during last weekend’s trial.  I was thrilled with our Snooker run on Saturday.  First place AND a Q…46 points!  Yippee!!  This was a major accomplishment because Snooker is our most challenging game since Jefferson is not handler focused but obstacle focused and has trouble running past obstacles without taking them. 

But, after our trial last month in Perry, Georgia I was determined to get a clean Snooker run.  During last month’s trial, he had a beautiful run, up until the closing…he ran smoothly up through #6.  #7 was a weave pole-jump combination, and he blew right past the weave poles (#6 was the A-frame).  Yes, he understands how to perform the weave poles but hates to slow down to collect to enter the weaves.  The training I needed to do was to work on him going top speed and then collecting to take the weave poles.  So, I worked Jefferson running fast from a straight tunnel and collecting into 6 weave poles.  I also worked on Jefferson running fast over his A-frame and collecting into 6 weave poles.  We worked these exercises a couple times a week since the late December trial.  At the first practice session upon the return from the trial, he ran top-speed over the A-frame and also bypassed the 6 weaves just like he did during the trial.  Eureka…this is what I needed to train so I did.  And, it paid off. 

Here’s the map from this weekend’s Snooker course:

My plan was 1-4; 1-6; 1-6; and then the closing.  I planned it so I would have 39 points through #6 so in case we did not get the weaves, we would still have enough points.  Our challenges would be wrapping around the 2^nd #1 but then I would have a straight shot to the #6 tunnel.  Another challenge for us would be after the final #6 in the opening, for me to re-send Jefferson back into the tunnel.  But, I felt confident in our plan and that I had chosen a path with enough running and flow to make it doable for Jefferson.  Of course as luck would have it, I forgot to have our last run recorded.  It is a shame, because this is one of our best runs to date!  Jefferson was fast, did not pause and ran with me the entire time!  And, he hit his weave pole entry beautifully!!!  Yay!  I was so excited that I let out a squeal of joy while he completed the weave poles.  I was actually cheering because I felt like we were never going to have another clean Snooker run again…and we finally did!

We have had quite a bit of struggles during the last year – mostly brought on by my wanting do well but unable to properly handle the courses so Jefferson would gain enough information from me.  The better I wanted to perform at a trial, the worse we would actually do.  Whenever this would happen, Jefferson would stop and stare at me whenever I got flustered and made a mistake.  And, I am not lucky enough to have one of “those” dogs who will follow their handler no matter what the handler does.  Jefferson is not so forgiving of my mistakes but we are working on that and he is getting tons better.  Jefferson is running fast, confidently and with enthusiasm.  As a result, we have made great strides since the October trial.  

Here we are in an "almost" Jumpers run and I got him back running with me after my timing was off in giving him the information for the last turn (we would've Q'd if I got him in the right end of the tunnel!):

Here's our clean Advanced Pairs Run:

We had some moments of greatness this weekend and quite a few moments of “cocker” speed.  He had a great time and loved playing agility.  I now really enjoy running Jumpers and Snooker as much as I do Gamblers.  Who would have thought?!  Our next training sessions will focus on how to make doing a down on a table “fun” after running top-speed through the Standard course.  

"Don't practice until you get it right. Practice until you can't get it wrong."

- Unknown

 

 

 

 

Just Breathe...

Have I shared lately how much FUN I am having participating in agility?  Today was a long and difficult day at school – grading finals, inputting grades, preparing for the new semester, meeting after school for 2 hours (YES…2 hours the day BEFORE we are off school until next week!).  And that is just my school responsibilities.  In addition to all this, I am the trial secretary for the trial this weekend.  It is my first time as trial secretary, so I have been taking care of entries, running orders, gate sheets, scribe sheets, and a whole litany of other dog “sheets” I have never seen before but have learned how to create!  Needless to say, I have been VERY busy.

Despite all these stressors (both good and bad), I am really looking forward to going to agility class tonight to have FUN with Jefferson.   At first I was not going to go, but after such a rough start to the week at school, I want to kick-back, relax and enjoy my dog.  It has taken me a bit of practice and work on my mental game for agility, but now I am at a good place with Team J-Dawg.  I am just amazed at how liberating it is to feel the joy and excitement of agility like I did when I first started training Jefferson.  

How did I change my attitude from dog agility being a stress creator to a stress reliever?  First off, I am focused on the process and not the outcome.  This truly is the key to my change.  Like a Tony Robbins “Breakthrough” moment, I have grown to enjoy the process and actually relish in the fun I am having with Jefferson.   Rather than view a NQ or an off-course as a failure, I have chosen to view these runs as an opportunity to learn how to become a better handler for my teammate.  I have control over my thoughts, so I am choosing to view my runs from a whole new perspective.  So, if I am having FUN, why wouldn’t I want to play the game with my dog?

Also, I have learned to gain a healthy perspective on agility.  Heck, nothing drastic or life-threatening is going to happen to Team J-Dawg if we blow a run.  Nothing.  Absolutely nothing earth shattering occurs!  Does our NQ or missed contact result in the start of an international war?  Increase the national debt?  Raise taxes?  Of course not!  It is merely a sport I enjoy playing with my dog.  Yes, agility is still important to me but it is surely not the end of the world if something goes awry.   Perspective.   I am so lucky to be healthy enough to run with my healthy dog.   He is getting faster so I need to get healthier to keep up with that cocker speed!

Enjoy a little R.E.M. (It's the End of the World As We Know It...And I Feel Fine..)

 

Lastly, as Oprah would say …”Breathe”….

"Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one."
Hans Selye

My Cocker Spaniel is Smarter Than Your 8th Grader!

This week has flown by and I am getting excited about next weekend’s trial.   We have not practiced too much this week, but I am ever amazed with Jefferson’s antics.  When I took Jefferson for a walk today after work, he was heeling really nice next to me and was focused.   A neighborhood boy was skate boarding on the sidewalk and commented to me, “He is very smart.”  So, I channeled my best Victoria Stillwell (Animal Planet’s “It’s Me or the Dog” trainer) skills and commanded Jefferson to perform his tricks for the 8 year old.  Then the boy grinned and exclaimed, “Wow!  You REALLY are a dog trainer!”  And I was beaming with pride and replied, “Thank you…I am.”

After I continued my walk, I thought about what the boy had said.  I have never considered myself a “dog trainer” but I am one.  From the moment I brought Jefferson home as a 14 week old puppy, I have continually taught him.  We have taken a few puppy classes and obedience classes; he even earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen before he was two years old.  For example, I have him wait patiently before he eats.  He expects this and never “dives right in" to his dinner. This is great impulse control and transfers into the agility ring for a start line stay or a down on a table.  I have taught him to “leave it” so he will not eat a jelly fish at the beach nor chase his kitty sister Madison around the house.  A few more fun parlor tricks include “high five” and spin “left or right.”   He can even fetch his toys by name – tug, ball, and squeaky.  So, I am confident that he is one smart dog.  As long as I take the time to continue to train him, he will continue to learn.

As far as agility goes, we have taken TONS of classes and seminars from local handlers to world team members.  With my instructors help and guidance, I have trained Jefferson to confidently perform the obstacles.  More importantly, I have trained him to trust that my handling is going to give him accurate communication about where to go on course.  We have worked hard to grow together as a team, and our success depends on my ability to be a good dog trainer:  to be consistent and open to try new ways of handling.  So, thank you, neighborhood boy for reminding me that I REALLY am a dog trainer.  

"Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend." - Corey Ford

 

Never Give Up! (Looking Forward to 2013)

Happy New Year!  I am so looking forward to a great 2013 and accomplishing my goals, both in and outside the agility ring.  As I reflect upon 2012, I realize just how far we have come as a team.  We started out January 2012 with my first ever blog entry – January 2012 when Team J-Dawg earned our Starters Relay title.  Now, as we ended 2012, we earned our Starters Jumpers title and I am so proud of our progress.

We attended the SIRIUS trial in Perry, GA on Thursday, December 28^th and Friday, December 29^th.  This was our first away trial since July which occurred smack-dab in the middle of our meltdown mode.  We had been struggling to stay together without Jefferson shutting down whenever I did not give him clear information.  But, this time our road trip felt different.  First off, we have been practicing on working through any potential meltdowns by my perfecting front crosses, lateral distance and giving clearer information during our runs.  Secondly, I have been working on my mental game by focusing on the “here and now” and not comparing Team J-Dawg to any of the other teams.  This has really helped me to stay in the moment, focusing on the process and NOT the outcome.   My goals have remained simple:  start together and finish together. 

We had five runs each day and the days were sure L-O-N-G!!  Our first run both days was before 9:30 a.m. and our last run around 6 p.m.  Part of being successful during a large trial, is by learning how to “stay fresh” for your last run as you were for your first.  This is not easy to accomplish.  As Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers bemoaned:  “The waiting is the hardest part.”   Both days, Jefferson was on fire during Gamblers, running fast to accumulate opening points but missed the gamble by one obstacle (due to my unclear handling of course!)  I was so proud of his speed and beautiful running contacts. 

Both days, Jumpers was our last run.  Jumpers has been a problem for us, getting many, MANY Eliminations due to my not giving clear handling cues resulting in a Jefferson meltdown and him just standing there looking at me.   However, during Jumpers, I was confident in my crosses and ready to run clean and fast.  Here is our Jumpers title run.  We came in 12 seconds (27.92) under SCT- 39 seconds(Yay!):

The last day, we had a beautiful Snooker run, accumulating 33 points and only missing a "Q" because Jefferson did not want to slow down to take the six weave poles in the 7 point weave-jump combination.  It was a great run and he stayed with me and made some very tight wraps around the jumps.  Finally, we made our debut in Advanced Jumpers with a first place and another “Q.”  Wow!  That makes three Jumpers Q’s in a row.   I better not jinx it – but we are competing like a different team and really running in synch.  Unfortunately, my camera’s battery was not working so I failed to capture our final last two runs on tape.  I was especially proud to have finished the away trial with two nice runs considering that we had an almost 6 hour wait before running Snooker and Advanced Jumpers.  And that Jefferson had diarrhea all morning – even going to potty right before our Gamblers run.  Poor boy!  It was a long…LONG…day and we came back strong. 

I could not be more proud of our accomplishments during 2012.  We started out well – had quite a few training set-backs in the middle – but finished the year stronger than it had begun. It is with renewed confidence and energy that I look forward to achieving many more clean runs during 2013!  The lesson I have learned:  never give up!

“Never, never, never give up.” 

~Winston Chuchill