Phoenix, lesson 18, exercise 4
This is Phoenix doing exercise 4. I thought she did really well although I felt my course was a little condensed compared to Olga's. Not sure if it just feels that way because its inside or what??? I don't have video of our first run through but she ran into my leg before the push through. Seemed to be a good learning experience for her, lol! she never did it again. I'm pleased with how she is collecting, however, as you can see, we are still getting some knocked bars. I'm torn between stopping and resetting the bars and, as I do in the video, just continuing. I really don't consider her to be a "bar-knocker". As she has progressed and learned, fewer and fewer bars are coming down and really it is not an issue at trials so I'm thinking I should not overthink it and basically its probably some late information I gave her anyway... Olga what are your thoughts?
Really fun course though.
Wendy
Re: Phoenix, lesson 17, exercise 4
Re: Phoenix, lesson 17, exercise 4/approaches to contacts
Re: Phoenix, lesson 17, exercise 4
it is rare to see anything but a breakaway tire. The one above does not automatically go back together if knocked so the rule is you can only do it once if you knock it then if it is in the course twice or is in gamblers, etc, it is faulted the 2nd time. We also have one splits at the bottom and automatically goes back together. It is great as the judge doesn't need to worry about a noncompletion the 2nd time round. I'm confused why they are not using them in the states....I've yet to see a dog hurt themselves on it.
Re: Phoenix, lesson 18, exercise 4
Hi Wendy,
It is a really fun exercise, isn't it? I am glad you and Phoenix had fun, ;-)..
Your course setup looks about right.. did you have problems fitting it into your training area size?
And how is your leg after Miss Phoenix ran into you on the push-through? GGG.. Jokes aside, be careful, guys, especially those of you with bigger dogs.. try the push-through from a stand still a couple of times first.
Exercise 4 and pretty much the whole Lesson 18 is very high power and high difficulty. It makes me happy to see you and Phoenix ace this course so nicely, showing great speed, conviction, teamwork and technical proficiency. Wide turns are the thing of the past, ah?
I wouldn't worry about bars. Like you say, Phoenix is not a bar knocker. However, when you and the dog are excelling to a new level of difficulty and running without reserve, bars will come down.. Once you "own" the exercise and/or all the technical skills involved, bars will stay up.
I do not punish for bars, nor do I stop to bring the dog's attention to a dropped bar. I may stop if the course is going back over the knocked bar, because I don't won't the dog to confuse his stride running through uprights. Plus sometimes a bar on the ground can be dangerous if the dog happens to step on it.
I do not believe dogs benefit from being reprimanded/stopped for dropped bars. Most dogs don't get the point, as they can't relate to this "lesson" once they are running.. Dogs that DO get it are even worse off, as they now are conscientious of the bars and either slow down or start mucking up their take off points.. Unfortunately, telling the dog he shouldn't drop bars doesn't teach him jumping.
I prefer a thrilling run when my dog and I feel as one.. bars and contacts be damned! If we make it through clean we have a good shot at winning, if we get a fault.. we still had a ton of fun running.
To afford running this way, I train skills to a high level, both dog's skills and mine, and practice teamwork. And though my middle name is known to be "Consistent", I would not sacrifice speed for running clean. That's boring to me.
P.S.: It's a sad fact that the majority of Agility competitors live, train and run in fear of the bars.. Don't do it, Wendy.. Stay free.
Olga.
Re: Phoenix, lesson 18, exercise 4
Thanks Olga! This has always been my preferred running style but I want it both ways ;)!
Obviously bars are not a major problem - last weekend phoenix got 3 jumpers Q's in a row! Not a single bar down all weekend! She also got 3 1st's! I thought it would be years getting my jumpers now I just need one more team for our ATChC! We went for it on the sunday but I messed up :(.
Wendy
Re: Phoenix, lesson 18, exercise 4
Wendy,
You are very welcome, ;-).. I am delighted to hear that Phoenix got 3 jumpers legs in a row! And 3 wins! Way to go!
First comes the hard work and the learning curve.. success follows..
Olga.