Hemi-isms 101

Start... Simple:

I have been reflecting on the last year with Hemi, while I see some improvement I struggle with not seeing enough. I am looking at the 100 things we need to improve on, instead of focusing on the 1 or 2 things we did improve on. It has been a real roller coaster ride for me. I see improvement in class -excited, I go to a trial - and I come back with the 100 things again.  This roller coaster ride started to put me in analysis paralysis - I froze - like a fear of going on a roller coaster - I froze and tended to shy away from trialing...feeling so bogged down, that I had lost enthusiasm in training.  So, I am going to Start Simple. Go back to the basics, work on basic understanding and foundation skills, build some new confidence in both of us - as a team.  Learn what she needs from me - learn what skills need sharpening. But let's revisit the subject of confidence...

Confidence and Con-FIDO-ence

I had posted a blog last year with the title above, and had to go back and reread it. At that time I was thinking of confidence in Hemi was just her over all demeanor - with new environments and new people.  During many of her lessons on my on-line class [Handling 360] - Susan Garret talks about building the dog's confidence, using building blocks, start with flat-work, train it, practice it, proof it, but most of all the dog should be so enthusiastic, that they approach it at 'squirrel speed'.  It is all just trick training... it is all about reinforcing what you want - and you don't move on until they are confident in the flat-work, confident in what their job is... then you stack on the next building block. This approach has done amazing things for me and Hemi in the last couple of months. Going back to the basics, back to 101 - restarting some of the flat-work has brought back some of the excitement of training, like having a new puppy. She is such a willing partner - I am learning to laugh at mistakes again, but most of all this has brought back the troubleshooter, the trainer in me.  I am enjoying the thought processes - of how to get that---"I want it"---enthusiasm from Hemi, enjoying watching the wheels turn in Hemi's brain, and that ah-ha moment when she gets it - and even more so, enjoying the light-bulb moments for me when I finally figure out how to shape and reinforce what I wanted from her!


Confidence? - Yes - I would say we are BOTH gaining it.  
Every day, I can honestly say - I am thankful for this journey - and everyday I am amazed that I am more thankful today than I was yesterday for this incredible journey. 

Yesterday is past, tomorrow is not yet here, so today I am thankful for friends and family who support me, three loving dogs and for today's journey.  

Holes In Training Revisited -

It has been awhile since I have blogged on Hemi-isms, so I thought I would revisit the H.I.T list that I posted. (Holes In Training List)

After reviewing I feel like I have made progress, slowly - but surely... but what was my "goal"?

I have recently been reminded, that there will always be HITs, that is what makes this such a wonderful journey. I was thankful someone pointed that out to me, because I think I have been focusing to much on what the perfect picture is going to look like. I backed off of trialing, focusing on trying to achieve perfection before heading back to competition - - imagine what a unattainable goal to challenge myself with - much less the pressure I put on both myself and Hemi!

What I can achieve, is my personal best. Not compare to anyone else's training, not to compare Hemi to other dogs, and certainly not to compare my success to others in the agility trial ring. We all have our own set of circumstances and environmental differences that absolutely impact the rate at which we improve.  I can only do the best I can, at this moment, with that I have.

So, I asked myself today, Did I do my best  to improve on my personal best? Did I give it my all? Did I do the best to prepare Hemi for the circumstances that I put her in? 

But most of all - Did I have fun? Did Hemi have fun?

It boils down to "It's all trick training"... I can have fun teaching her how to "Say her prayers" and I can have fun teaching her how to wrap tight around a jump. To her -  there is no difference, it is just a trick to earn reinforcement! So when I teach her to "Whisper" and I have fun and laugh with it, why should I get all serious about teaching her to wrap a jump? 
I shouldn't, and I won't. 
I still believe you should have a plan - and set goals - but have fun with it!

Today my H.I.T list is:

• Smile more
• Laugh more
• Have more fun
• Do my personal best
• Remember: It's all trick training
• There will always be more to add to this list!

How about you??  How is your H.I.T.  list coming? 

Confidence & Con"Fido"ence

Confidence & Con"Fido"ence
                            
One thing I have been hearing over the course of this last agility year is  "Confidence"
"Be confident"; "Show confidence" Along with "Be convincing"; "Run with intent" & "Drive the line, with confidence!"
While I know at times I get to the start line and I might or might not feel confident about my walk-through, I never thought about how this bleeds over to Hemi.
It seems like it is obvious, but being confident and portraying confidence is two entirely different things. I can be confident in my mind, but that doesn't necessarily mean that  it is in my body language.  Our dogs draw so much from us, fear;  anger; worry; why wouldn't they also draw confidence?  This connection they have to us is what makes us true partners & teammates.

And speaking of  Con"Fido"ence ? what about your Fido's confidence? Are they confident in all situations? Are they confident in start line stays, as you enter a new ring and walk away from them? How do you know? Are you reading their true body language?

Although I feel Hemi is a fairly confident dog, I know there are things that can worry her. For example, at the seminar last week, there was a  cutout of a horse's head that just scared her to death. Once I went back to our puppy game of "What is it?" she went from worried to a game of touch with her nose. There was an immediate change in her posture - She was much more confident.
Someone mentioned that maybe she did have some confidence issues, and this was why we had so much barking at the start line. Is she lacking confidence at the start line? Well obviously she can't answer that, (wouldn't our lives be so different if they could talk to us?) but it did make me think.

So, one of my goals in the next few weeks is to build confidence in Hemi. How? Well...I haven't quite got my plan completely worked out yet, but I think it will simply consist of exposing her to new and different things, people and places and making it as highly rewarding as possible.

So, next time you step into the ring Be Confident, Be convincing and Drive that line, so your Fido will follow your lead and run with con"fido"ence !

But remember, no matter how confident you drive, always drive safely.
And yes, I got a Hemi! Vroom Vroom!                            

H. I. T. List in dog training.

Does your dog break their start line stay only at trials? Is it because they are geeked up, ring wise, can't help themselves? Stubborn?
Does your dog miss their contacts - they don't want to stop, too excited, they know better?
Does your dog tunnel suck, bark at you, spin, ignore you? Is it because they are too excited? Just don't want to? They always do that?Are those excuses or Holes In Training?
 
Hemi-ism - No more excuses!
There have been multiple things that I have had my eye on that I need to fix with Hemi and my performance! I am calling this my H.I.T. List - Holes In Training List ....

As you have seen in my blogging and video's - Hemi is a "sasser" - "Typical of an Aussie", so I have been told many times - but is it because they 'like' to sass and bark, or because of their inherent nature to herd?  Therefore because of their instinct they aren't getting enough information quick enough, they have to get in front of you, stop you -HERD?  While it may sound the same, I tend to think it is the latter.

Here is my current H.I.T List:

1. Hemi is sassing me. Could be at a jump, contact or weaves.  H.I.T - the hole here is that I have not taught her to drive forward until she see's my body say otherwise - so by instinct she is always driving into me, trying to herd me and with that comes the sassing.
2. Hemi almost always sasses me at the weave poles. Someone commented that I am crowding her at the entries. I went back and reviewed my videos - the runs I am back further, she is taking the weaves, those that I am close to her and close to the entry, she is turning and sassing. H.I.T - She should understand the entry of weaves no matter where I am.  Back to working 2x2's entries.
3. In the trial ring, Hemi occasionally doesn't do her 2on2off. (and she is usually sassing) H.I.T - I clearly need to proof her 2on2off  better. As well as if I am going to do quick releases, go back and do 10 X 2on2off's with a pause. I want the 2on2off to be higher value.
4. Start line routine - goes well in class when it is low keyed and food in my hand. Get to the start line in a trial and it is a whole different ball game. Knock on wood, Hemi doesn't break, but where I want her to be sitting and where she ends up are usually two different things entirely. H.I.T - I clearly have used to much food in training.  My hole here is that I need to work the start line stay routine in may different environments, with and without food and with getting her excitement level way up. 

That is my H.I.T. List

What is yours? 

Ask yourself this: Have you been making excuses about your dog's performance - or do you have a need for your own H.I.T. List?

Just sayin'...

 

Real People, Real Fun, True Sport!

The trip to the Cynosport USDAA Nationals was amazing. 
I learned so much while there, got to watch some amazing handlers, amazing dogs - from all over the world. Russia, Japan, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Alaska, Canada.. the list goes on. I saw amazing team support, family support - cheering - flag flying... it was a great time all around.
I saw different handling styles, what worked, what didn't - lot's of running contacts...  but overall a lot of people having a great time.
As the sign says: Real People, Real Fun, True Sport!

But now what?

A new set of Hemi-ism's to be told.

Stay tuned for the new adventures of  Hemi - with time and experience,  I know we are going to be a great team - with lots of fun in our future!

 2013 - Here we come!

Confessions of an Agility-aholic

I can't believe it, Nationals is just around the corner! Where has time gone? 30 days has now turned into 7 days in just a blink of an eye. I have some confessions about the journey to here.

Confessions of an Agility-aholic:

1. I decided in June of 2011, when Hemi was a mere 14 months old that I wanted to try to get to Nationals in 2012.
2. I created my own logo, and not only artistically drew it on my white board at work, but made it my background on my computer.(see above)
3. Although, I believed at the time this was an unreachable dream, I set forth, made my goals, small and acheiveable and started working through them.
4. About half way through, I gave up - and decided it was ridiculous and we would never make it.
5. Shortly after, I got a glimpse of hope from my girl when she had an awesome Steeple Chase run and won 1st Place. (by the way...this is what makes agility addicting)
6. Since we qualified, I still  had doubts that we should be going.
7. I have learned so much from this journey:
• There is more that meets the eye when trying to achieve a dream. It has become so much more than just going to Nationals.
• I am stronger than I imagined. Hemi is quite fast, and I felt out of shape, so I hired a personal trainer and have been working my heart out! I can't believe how much more endurance and how much stronger I am!
• That I have gotten encouragement and support from unlikely sources. They were pleasant surprises. 
• That everyone has opinions, but that doesn't mean they are right.
• That learning comes from all different sources.
• That even though there have been bumps in the road, and losses,  that I can endure and I can persevere. 
• I am thankful for so many people on this journey. My instructor, my classmates, my best friend, my sisters & brothers, my roommate and so many more. The support I have received is overwhelming.

The goal was to Qualify for Nationals - and we did it. The hard part is done and next week I am just going to have fun, love on Hemi and enjoy the experience. Wish us luck... and a safe journey.
Signed,
   Agility-aholic,
            Anne and Hemi

The countdown begins .. 30 days till Nationals!!

USDAA Dog Agility NATIONALS in Commerce City Colorado!

I am beyond excited... totally psych'd is more like it.

I have a million things running through my head that I need to accomplish in the next 30 days!

• Training with Hemi
• Workout at gym
• Eat Healthy
•  Get the car checked out - maintenance
• Make new platform in car for crates?...

OK, you get the point...
My mind is racing - but all I really need to remember I have already accomplished what  I set out to do

Qualify to go to Nationals!

I am going to the USDAA Dog Agility NATIONALS in Commerce City Colorado!

September 25th ... the countdown begins!

Did I mention I was excited?