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Weekend Chats: Saturday 9 PM ET Dogs, Dogs, and More Dogs Sunday 10 PM ET The Bull Pen

Posted by Chelle on January 24, 2003 at 07:25:43:

In Reply to: Re: You guys are the best!!! posted by agilebasenji on January 23, 2003 at 22:29:25:

:Okay, I think I sent the clicker weave article to you. Also check out the website I posted in my earlier post - this is really good info on the slant poles.
-Again thank you very much.

:Interesting. The build of the shiba is very similar to my basenjis and size is close too. I've often wondered if this had some bearing on Digital learning to weave. It seems like the weaves are set about a stride and a half for him and this seems awkward. Whereas with BC's or larger dog it is one stride. However, our second competition basenji, Jet, did not seem to have quite as many problems with the weaves as Digital. But then again he had the advantage of being intoduced to slant poles much earlier in his training.
-Yeah, the distance does seem to be a small part of it. The toy poodles and yorkie have absolutely not problem because it's two strides for them and you are right the bigger dogs get one stride in. For my dog it's a stride and some extra, but just a tad over the half. Her ability to concentrate on me goes down when she has to pay that close attention to her own footwork. Yet, being a shiba, keeping her attention is critical. Normal shiba temperments has her a bit distracted by everythign around her- especially other dogs (we are working on it and normally have it under control, yet, she still has her own mind).

:Does she know about target sticks? Now this is a weave method I haven't tried, but could help your shiba. Hmmmm, I'm guessing you can see the possiblities? If not holler.
-Targeting is one of her favorite "games." Also the "learning it backwards" methods tend to work best for us. We taught her the dumbell retrieve backwards with huge success. Definately worth a shot. Focusing more on the actualy behavior of it vs the sequence of it may for her make her more consistent.

:Good, good instructors are especially important with the "unusual" breeds.
-I've been to enough schools to have learned to choose my instructors wisely. Instructors that don't allow me to try a different method have been a problem for us in the past so now I insist on sticking up for what I think is best. If it doesn't work, I ask for help, but if I think a better method will work, I've learned to advocate for my dog's well being.

:I know of dogs that would weave 12 poles, but couldn't weave 6 or 8. When I started training the class used 10 poles. For a long time it was VERY difficult to get my dog to do 12. 10 was his limit. Who says dogs don't count?
-Mine can- only she counts recalls. Don't even bother trying after 3.

:This is much the same with my basenjis. My old female actually learned to do the teeter by watching the other dogs do it. She was a riot.
-It's fun when the "get it" that way. Haven't had the same experience, but much of the equipment has been no problem for us. Again, good instructors really help and keeping everything slow and steady.

Anyway- I'll try some of these methods and let you know. I got an "auto pilot" weave two nights ago. I have the set in my basement and on her way back from being outside, she came bareling in and went through the weave poles (entrance was perfect and fast weaves through 3 poles). Ok, she pulled out, but she certainly did it well. Wish I could have treated her better for that! She got to play with a favorite toy for it, but I probably would have given her anything for that performance. Can't wait for class this weekend! We have so much fun. Thanks again.

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::I'm sure it's my body language "pushing" her out in the channels. When working in a straight line, I have to focus very much on what I do and how I do it.

:You need to focus on the weaves until she's finished. Do NOT glance up to see where the next obstacle is at this point. Pretend there is an extra pole at the begining and an extra one at the end. This will help you get her in the right place for her entry and keep her in until the end.

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:Let us know how this goes.
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