More progress!

Ever since Walter finally went back to his smooth, flowing turn (to which I totally credit the music stand knee and subsequent hiatus from boxwork), he has been making a lot of progress in the flyball department. Ok, still baby steps, but I'll take it! Today I could send him all the way from three jumps back, woohoo! Maybe with his smoother turn now, he knows that it will take him less time to get the ball and come back so maybe that makes him less reluctant to go all the way there? Granted, he's a heck of a lot slower on the sendout than the return, but just the fact that he's willing to go all the way out by his lonesome into the Mysterious Danger Zone is great for him.

Also, today for the first time in a long time we put the ball in the unsprung hole instead of on the ledge. Good news, he maintained the flowing turn!

Working with little B. in the other lane up close to their box was a tough distraction for him, but he worked through it, good boy. Oh and same thing with the boxloader holding the lever back - he was confused by that at first but got over it.

No problems with balldropping today except for one time.

Today's reward was his deflated soccer ball which he loves.

Practice - more progress

The lanes were set up only a couple of feet apart. Walter did head to head recalls against Z. and did just great. Then he did head to head boxwork, with Z. again. Only did one jump this time. I think he did better than last time in that he kind of looked like he was getting used to the concept of there being a dog running right next to him.

Practice

Now that his turn is nice and smooth again and he's consistently picking up and bringing the ball, today we went back to the tug instead of food reward. Of note, he brought the ball back all the way every time today with the tug whereas before with the food he was more likely to drop it early.

He did head to head for the first time, against Z., lanes pretty close and no gates. With only one or two jumps he did ok, definitely aware of Z. but he still went to his box. But then with three jumps, well that was just too scary so he turned around early and came back without going to the box. Still I was pleased with how he did today, good boy!

Ok this has nothing to do with flyball, but here's Walter relaxing after a productive evening: