How bad can it be...really bad
Too harsh you may be thinking. I just learned today that I have been excluded from the fall training class because Simon still has lots of work to do on weaves...meaning he still does not recognize them. For this I take full blame, I haven't worked with him enough. This week and last week we were working on the circle of death. There are about ten jumps placed in a circle with some space between each jump. You start in the center and have your dog jump in and jump out, in, out, in, out. Simon did okish on that. Then you start in the center and jump out, come between the jumps and jump the next one out, come between the weaves running back and forth in the circle never jumping the same jump twice. Simon pretty much sucked on that and kept wondering off(to the tunnel). Then comes the death part...Start on the outside of the circle and do the jumps in order, in, out, in, out. You have to move REALLY FAST and direct the dog at the same time. We both sucked on that. Tomorrow we are starting weave pole boot camp. We are going in the back yard a minimum of three times daily and work on weaves...in addition to other things...gotta make it fun. I am so bummed and (hurt) that we are excluded. I'm hoping that at the end of this seven week class we can get those weaves down pat and maybe get into the fall class. If we can't I have to go somewhere else and I felt that Simon lost some skill at the other class. Pray for us as it really means a lot to me...and Simon. |
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| I don't understand why they would exclude you. Why not just work with you on the issue you and Simon find challenging? Isn't that what class is for? I am offended on your and Simon's behalf!! |
don't feel bad. Bella and I suck at the weave poles too.  They actually have a dedicated weaves and contacts class that starts in a few weeks that I am going to sign us up for. Someone also recommended "12 poles in 12 days" which is supposed to be a really great video to master the weaves. |
Mady wrote: I don't understand why they would exclude you. Why not just work with you on the issue you and Simon find challenging? Isn't that what class is for? I am offended on your and Simon's behalf!! The problem is the fit with the classes. They don't have any more beginner level classes right now. Not that Pam and Simon are true beginners, just that he has this particular gap in his training. Mind you, Simon isn't the only dog this affects - my favorite instructor, the reason I encouraged Pam to train at this place, is the only instructor who teaches June-Sept. She sets her own criteria and is much more flexible. So for this summer Simon is far from the only dog who is still working on weaves, but summer instructor is better able to teach classes where people are at multiple levels and still make it an equal learning experence for all (it's a special skill set not all instructors have) - which is why she very kindly let me bring my rescue dog - who doesn't even do the contacts yet - in Mace's for the last summer session. I was nicely warned not to expect a place for her this fall  Which is fine, I'm just grateful they're holding a place for Mace after her maternity leave. But, yes, as far as Simon is concerned, it's pretty harsh in my mind. Pam - we'll talk privately about weave bootcamp as I've been there, though the real person to talk to is Judi - have you seen Harry's weaves??????? The circle of death, fear not, you couldn't have done worse than Dazz and I. We got through maybe 2 jumps on the outside serpentine before she damn near killed me, cutting me off to dive into a near by tunnel, thank you very much!  Sybil wasn't that much better, truth be told. Well, she was, but I wasn't. Don't feel you're getting judged on that one. It was hard even for people who have agility championships on their dogs. That's why it's called the circle of death  If it was easy, why waste time doing it? Dawn and I are sharing a private with Sue tonight and I fully expect the circle of death still to be part of the set-up. I chose not to mention it to her before she left MN Pam - Sue will set it up now and again. It gets easier with time, honest. But never easy. Kristine |
| Maybe there are a few people who can team up for a few private classes on weaves. It seem sad to miss an entire season. |
| Pam if you can, look at Susan Garrett's 12 poles in 12 days just don't expect to do it in 12 days. I liked the DVD for the info on building value. Tiggy and I are behind on our weave training too and from what I can tell it's what holds a lot of dogs back from advancing to the next level at my agility school. I have been promising myself that I will get serious about weave training but since I started working full time it's just a promise still. Good luck with your weaves. |
| Pam, Heart is having trouble with the weave poles too. (truth be told, so am I!!). I am happy that we have overcome the dreaded teeter and that awful, loud bang after leaving the end. She has fallen off the dog walk 2 times~~  When she falls, she rolls on her back with her legs curled like a rolly-polly bug and slowly moves to her side and gets up, ready to try again.  She has not gotten hurt, but I attribute that to her fluff and her fat acting as 'pillows' protecting her~  In addition, I am working with a very, very slow, methodic dog. She seems to want to think about what she is doing, as opposed to just DOING IT!! I have resigned myself that we will never Q in FAST...But I don't care!!! I commend anyone attempting Agility!! It is so hard~~ I am directionally challenged which make it very hard for me to go left, right, remember to move my body correctly, etc...etc...etc.... I am anxious to read future posts of your progress!!! I hope I can add some of my own victories too!!!!  |
| Our trainer mentioned 12 poles in 12 days as well. I think I will pick that up, as it seems to be getting positive review. I would be happy with 12 poles in 12 months. |
Mady wrote: Our trainer mentioned 12 poles in 12 days as well. I think I will pick that up, as it seems to be getting positive review. I would be happy with 12 poles in 12 months. Hon, we all are...well, us mere mortals anyway KB |
 Pam I feel your frustration because I know you are trying so hard to get into a good class and you finally found one. Keep your head up. A lot of classes around here are based on ability and it is hard to get into the good trainer's classes. Of course the cost is sky high for those trainers. I like to say I have the Most Expensive Agility Dog in the world because of all the money I dump into his training, equipment and trialing him. I also am religious about practing him regularly. Of course Kristine begs to differ about the money I have spent but she probably hasn't a clue about half of it. The sad part is while we have improved it isn't reflective of the money and effort put into the dog. Like you, I started with a crappy foundation and that is forever haunting us ...... well that and his lack of Impulse Control. But I found I have a lot of support around here from all of the trainers because they see how hard I work. In fact, the trainer who has helped me the most said she can tell that I work on stuff when out of class and it shows. She said a lot of people don't do that. The point is - let your disappointment be your motivation. Work Simon hard and teach him the weaves then go back to that instructor and ask to be included in the next session. Be persistant once he can do his weaves. Kristine is wrong about Harry's weaves too. It is a lot of smoke and mirrors creating the appearance of amazing weaves. In reality the dog LOVES them and is shoving his way through them like a line backer - no finesse or skill. Most importantly he does not collect. Until the HOT weather I was practicing him faithfully on what I learned at a Weaves Seminar (cha-ching $$$$$$) on how to help with collection. And it did pay off. Plus we worked on proofing the dogs a lot at class about not popping out. Finally as a handler I need to support those weaves and the minute I disconnect from him it usually goes wrong. I believe your issue is that Simon does not undertand the weaves. Perhaps I can help. Harry was in the same position in 2007 when we attended our first Nationals and I was determined to not be in the same situation in 2008. I taught him a solid weave in just three weeks. My method was channel weaves (cha-ching $$$$$$) and guide wires then a sturdier set for the BEAST (cha-ching $$$$) and much more exensive set of guide wires (cha-ching $$$$$$). And this was my third set because the first ones were not channel weaves. On top of it, the AKC has gone and changed the regulation spacing so now my sturdy expensive weaves are no longer the right size but I can't afford a new set right now. I really did find this method to work quickly if you are dedicated to going out everyday for a few weeks. However, there are a lot of methods and no right one. What method are you using? I really would be glad to help as best I can from a distance so feel free to call me if you want. I can PM you my number if you are interested. Hang in there - the weaves are the hardest obstacle to learn for a dog and the biggest nemisis for many people competing. |
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