Spearheaded Concentration
Submitted by lindat on Tue, 2008-03-11 16:22.
Olga mentioned in one of my videos that when starting with Ralph, he had "spearheaded concentration". Then we lost it a little into the course. That's what I am finding, that I am losing that beautiful  focus, the spearheaded concentration after the first few obstacles of our start, which is I believe why we slow down. I am always so impressed with people and their dogs when I see that concentration and focus. Is it built into the dog, if you don't have it, can you get it? I watched novice dogs at the DOCNA trial and many of them were just all over the place with their concentration. Ralph does stay tuned into the course, but it is not that really inense focus that he now has right at the start.
--LindaÂ
Re: Spearheaded Concentration
I do believe that some dogs have that from the get go. Duke had it. Too bad I wasn't a better handler at the time. But I also think it can be developed. Especially if you can see it in the beginning. Then it just needs to be extended to the rest of the course. The dog's confidence is a huge issue that I think we overlook. I am learning that with Jaldi. She does not have Duke's focus (at least not in agility). Sometimes we start out shaky and end up with a great run. Other times, we have great runs from the beginning and then there are some just really stinky runs. The really stinky ones are when I am not focused and don't have a good connection with my dog. It is not easy. If I want 100% from Jaldi, I have to give her 110%. With Duke, I could just go out and point him at the first jump and he was pumped and ready to go. So I am finding that it is a lot about me. I have to have the concentration first and then my dog also needs it, but she is not going to have it if I don't.
Does that make any sense?
ValÂ
Re: Spearheaded Concentration
Val,
Yes, that makes a lot of sense. At the last trial, on Sunday, I felt a little tired and had to get Ralph for a run. I immediately told myself I had to get myself more pumped up or I sure couldn't expect Ralph to be focused. It seems that the running start really gets me focused because I am aware of my path for at least the first 3 obstacles. I've planned carefully in the walkthrough what I am going to do. It seems that I have more drive and a "run with intent". Then I think what happens is that I start to think too much, I get nervous about forgetting where I'm going and what I am going to do and then Ralph and I lose it. That's what happened on the weave pole section, I didn't think I could make the cross, lost confidence, and guess who else loses confidence, Ralph! I need to run the rest of the course like I run the first 3 obstacles. Well, at least I'm getting the first 3 obstacles and you have to start somewhere!
 For me, loss of concentration and focus, I think is due to worry about forgetting where I'm going or not having enough confidence that I can correctly execute a section of the course.Â
--LindaÂ
Re: Spearheaded Concentration
All dogs and people are different.. There are dogs that, like Val's Duke, have focus and intent sort of built in. Combined with a handler who is timely with his direction, such dogs are "spearheaded concentration" personified. If the handler is not up to par, those spearheaded doggies may become frustrated maniacs, ;-(..
Most dogs that lack focus on the course, lack it due to low confidence and disconnection with the handler. It's really easy, guys, PAY ATTENTION TO THE DOG AND THE DOG WILL PAY ATTENTION TO YOU. Input equals output, ;-)..
First step for handlers to gain spearheaded concentration is to thoroughly train their dogs and train themselves in all the skills needed to play Agility. The less you and your doggie will have to stress out about how to do things, the more you can concentrate on being spearheaded together, ;-).. Hmm, that makes a "two headed spearhead".. wow, ;-)..
Olga.Â