Session #20 April 25th

So, I have been absent for a few sessions on the blog only because it has been extremely busy, and we spent quite a bit of time on Step #5. Gilley is doing really well with Step #6 & she has practiced at several different fields now, done the practice jump at a show, our backyard, the playroom at work, and the field at work. Now, we are going to start introducig the Broad Jump, Tire, Double, and Triple. Whew! Jumping just became a full time job! Lovin' it... and so is she. Here we are just having a bit of fun :)

Session #15 & #16 April 6th & 8th

Gilley cracked me up because she got so excited to start jumping this day! (Tuesday, April 6th) Listen to her barking!



So, I do see all that I am doing wrong here, but it was our first crack at Step 5 in DJS (yes, we're still on the foundation jumping skills!) The object is for Gilley to move away from me, over the jump, and circle around for the treat on the side I am closest to and get her treat on the TAKE-OFF side. But my problem then became, how do I set her up to take the jump at an angle most congruent to her circling around to my side, or is this a skill she should already know? RTH? She started doing a figure '8' and also taking the jump towards me - back-jumping in this case. Hmmmm, you can see I don't quite know what to do.



Then FINALLY I came up with an idea. Light dawns on marble head and I put the jump against the wall so I don't have to shape the right direction! Amen, hallelujah, glory be, I finally got it! Then, I just switched sides to work the other direction. I started pulling the jump a foot off the wall in this vid. More on the right track... she is not nearly as excited in the last video, a bit sluggish... so I held this session after a bath when she was rather frisky! Aaaaah, just one step at a time... I think I am finallly figuring this step out for myself, but needs work. For today, am satisfied :) Plus, I got to see my girl really happy retrieving today and running full blast after our session.... makes it all fun and worth it, for her most of all :)

Session #14 March 18th PM

I think this vid is much better - I am trying to toss the cookies a bit further away from the base of the jump than in Session #13. Doesn't seem to have a problem from various takeoff positions and creating proper balance to take off with confidence. Walks up and chooses on her own - no knocked bars last two sessions - no alternate behaviors either :) She is lifting vertically with a "rock back" and able to turn in the air adjusting to her landing position - quite agile. Seems aware of her legs & body in the space - developing this more and more. Seems to be using her rear to "power up" and jump with round form.

Hmmmmm, when are we ready for Step 4?

Session #13 March 18th AM

I corrected what I was doing on Step #3 by going back to kneeling and tossing the treat to vary her takeoff location. I have another vid that will show her next session and I do a bit better job of tossing a little furhter away so she didn't have to wrinkle her bod so much! Her willingness to continue jumping is much improved - it is definitely more of a game to her now ;)

Session #12

Okay, I am back at Step 3 just starting to vary the location of the treat BEFORE progressing to a stand :) Hindsight being 20/20, after getting advice from Renee / Forum, I am now going to be focusing on the following:

*Keeping my hands either down by my side or behind my back so Gilley can't focus on my hands (not really visible in this vid)
*Vary the location of the treat more by rolling or tossing it away from the jump a bit more OR, treat near the base of the jump first, then toss a 2nd treat to create a start to my location for take-off or approach to the jump
*Not freak out if Gilley goes under the bar, just simply let her extinguish this behavior by not treating
*Click on descent so I can make sure she's not touched the bar in any way

We are a work in progress, especially me!

Sessions #10 & 11 March 16th

So, we have had a few days off and just gotten back into the swing of things.... been playing lots, inventing new games, and trying to NOT concentrate everything on jumping. Gilley seemed more motivated :) I think things look good in this vid? No going under the bar, trying to delay my click a bit more, seems happy to jump for me, etc.

A bit later this afternoon, I decided to send her over a few jumps with me standing. I think I need to deliver the treat more quickly (I didn't do many reps on purpose - wanted to see what I need to do better before I practice things incorrectly).

Session #9 March 10th

Okay, so this video is LONG, but I wanted you guys to see I really am trying to get her more motivated! (Not necessary to watch after the few jumps we do - just playing after that and I didn't want to stop to shut off the vid!) We played before and after our session, even after the cameras turned off. I need to find a happy medium between getting her really razzed up and then composing her enough to keep focused. I felt much better about her attitude this session... if she were a Chinese restaurant her name would be "HAPPY NOODLE!" LOL!

BAD dog trainer for treating with the wrong hand (couldn't get coordinated quickly enough when I went to kneel down) and I'm sure my moving release to the tug will get a NO-NO!! reminder, which it should, and no, she has never had a strong retrieve so you'll see us horse around a bit fumbling for the toy, but that's not as important.

This morning, we played around a bit when we woke up, then raced downstairs to the living room where we did 4 quick jumps then played some more. She was *BEAMING* and thought that was BIG FUN with the mama! What a great start to the day! Feel like we are more "on our way..." Thanks for watching!