(Backfilled in October 2009 due to impending closure of Geocities)
Walter got all rangy and hyper at being ignored inside the school (leash tied to a post instead of crated). Tried bringing in the ball but he just wasn't interested in it today so instead I worked on sending him from behind one jump which went well enough. Also tried removing the eavestrough for a couple of turns and he maintained the swimmer's turn (no ball involved). Also Jenn sent him while I boxloaded, which was brand new for him. After mountain-climbing the box a few times he started to get the idea. Maybe next time I will be able to call him to increase his speed to the box.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Saturday August 19th 2006 - team practice (outside)
(Backfilled in October 2009 due to impending closure of Geocities)
(Walter had last week off so that I could take Lucy to watch a flyball tournament after practice.) Today we only did boxwork (one session) since it was hot and humid. Started with some turns, then backed up a bit farther, then brought in the ball. I charged it up, then we put it on the ledge and he did it, yay! The second time he got the ball but then dropped it before reaching me, I think by accident. The third time I charged it up again and he did it well like the first time, so I called it a day to end it on a good note.
(Walter had last week off so that I could take Lucy to watch a flyball tournament after practice.) Today we only did boxwork (one session) since it was hot and humid. Started with some turns, then backed up a bit farther, then brought in the ball. I charged it up, then we put it on the ledge and he did it, yay! The second time he got the ball but then dropped it before reaching me, I think by accident. The third time I charged it up again and he did it well like the first time, so I called it a day to end it on a good note.
Monday, August 7, 2006
Monday August 7th 2006 - team practice (outside at TNT with Pam)
(Backfilled in October 2009 due to impending closure of Geocities)
Walter had an off night. He started with a nice turn, then he was inconsistent (sometimes he'd go towards the box but turn around before hitting it). Pam wants me to really get him excited about the turns, each and every one, and if I run out of "excitement steam" after only three turns, then the boxwork should stop for that session. We didn't bring out the ball because he was not being consistent on the turn. Walter was the last dog up tonight so I blame his inconsistency on the looming darkness since the box is black making it hard to see, plus the fact that we didn't have proper wings which may have thrown him off a bit. (Yes, I know, excuses excuses... :-> )
Walter had an off night. He started with a nice turn, then he was inconsistent (sometimes he'd go towards the box but turn around before hitting it). Pam wants me to really get him excited about the turns, each and every one, and if I run out of "excitement steam" after only three turns, then the boxwork should stop for that session. We didn't bring out the ball because he was not being consistent on the turn. Walter was the last dog up tonight so I blame his inconsistency on the looming darkness since the box is black making it hard to see, plus the fact that we didn't have proper wings which may have thrown him off a bit. (Yes, I know, excuses excuses... :-> )
Sunday, August 6, 2006
Thursday August 3rd 2006 - home and informal team practice (outside)
(Backfilled in October 2009 due to impending closure of Geocities)
Have been practicing about five minutes a day this week since had the box at home, putting a jump 15 feet back. He has no trouble being sent to the box from far back at home, so hopefully if we practice this enough at home he'll be more comfortable doing it at the team practices. Was able to send him multiple times. Here are some more photos:
Also, today some of our team met at an off-leash dog park to get in some more boxwork practice. For the first time ever, he took the ball from the unloaded box (from the hole) while doing the turn, several times (but not consistently yet). However, I had some serious competition in the form of a big puddle in the grass nearby. Walter loves nothing more than a good splash and/or swim so it was hard to get him to come to me after getting the ball since he just wanted to take it and go and splash around. Bringing out the best-o-the-best treats helped somewhat. All I can say is thank goodness they don't put water traps as distraction tests in flyball events!
Have been practicing about five minutes a day this week since had the box at home, putting a jump 15 feet back. He has no trouble being sent to the box from far back at home, so hopefully if we practice this enough at home he'll be more comfortable doing it at the team practices. Was able to send him multiple times. Here are some more photos:
Also, today some of our team met at an off-leash dog park to get in some more boxwork practice. For the first time ever, he took the ball from the unloaded box (from the hole) while doing the turn, several times (but not consistently yet). However, I had some serious competition in the form of a big puddle in the grass nearby. Walter loves nothing more than a good splash and/or swim so it was hard to get him to come to me after getting the ball since he just wanted to take it and go and splash around. Bringing out the best-o-the-best treats helped somewhat. All I can say is thank goodness they don't put water traps as distraction tests in flyball events!
Saturday, August 5, 2006
Saturday August 5th 2006 - team practice (outside)
(Backfilled in October 2009 due to impending closure of Geocities)
Started with boxwork. A few warmup turns, no ball, me sending him. We also worked on someone else sending him and me being closer to the box, and we did some work with the ball with someone holding it for him. We did two-lane passing with Tashtego, no problem there. I noticed today that Walter is soooo much more comfortable now with being held by someone else for the recalls and passing exercises; he used to squirm around and try to get away but now he waits quite patiently.
Started with boxwork. A few warmup turns, no ball, me sending him. We also worked on someone else sending him and me being closer to the box, and we did some work with the ball with someone holding it for him. We did two-lane passing with Tashtego, no problem there. I noticed today that Walter is soooo much more comfortable now with being held by someone else for the recalls and passing exercises; he used to squirm around and try to get away but now he waits quite patiently.
Saturday August 5th 2006 - team practice (outside)
(Backfilled in October 2009 due to impending closure of Geocities)
Started with boxwork. A few warmup turns, no ball, me sending him. We also worked on someone else sending him and me being closer to the box, and we did some work with the ball with someone holding it for him. We did two-lane passing with Tashtego, no problem there. I noticed today that Walter is soooo much more comfortable now with being held by someone else for the recalls and passing exercises; he used to squirm around and try to get away but now he waits quite patiently.
Started with boxwork. A few warmup turns, no ball, me sending him. We also worked on someone else sending him and me being closer to the box, and we did some work with the ball with someone holding it for him. We did two-lane passing with Tashtego, no problem there. I noticed today that Walter is soooo much more comfortable now with being held by someone else for the recalls and passing exercises; he used to squirm around and try to get away but now he waits quite patiently.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Saturday July 29th 2006 - team practice (outside)
(Backfilled in October 2009 due to impending closure of Geocities)
Started with two recalls, now over three jumps, success. Then did a couple of turns, no jump, no ball. Then we introduced the ball for the first time! We tried it two ways: with the ball on the ledge and with someone holding the ball. He did best with someone holding it for him since he didn't quite figure out how to coordinate being on the box and grabbing the ball from the ledge at the same time, so he tended to do the turn and not try to take the ball. However, he did two or three successful turns while taking the ball from a hand! This was a very nice first practice with the ball. Then we did two-lane passing with Sammy, the two lanes being about 3 or 4 feet apart, and we released the dogs such that there was some actual passing action happening. They both did great with that. Finished off with a few more box turns, but left the ball out of it since by now he was pretty hot and getting tired. Sent him from right behind the first jump and he was a bit hesitant but did it eventually.
Started with two recalls, now over three jumps, success. Then did a couple of turns, no jump, no ball. Then we introduced the ball for the first time! We tried it two ways: with the ball on the ledge and with someone holding the ball. He did best with someone holding it for him since he didn't quite figure out how to coordinate being on the box and grabbing the ball from the ledge at the same time, so he tended to do the turn and not try to take the ball. However, he did two or three successful turns while taking the ball from a hand! This was a very nice first practice with the ball. Then we did two-lane passing with Sammy, the two lanes being about 3 or 4 feet apart, and we released the dogs such that there was some actual passing action happening. They both did great with that. Finished off with a few more box turns, but left the ball out of it since by now he was pretty hot and getting tired. Sent him from right behind the first jump and he was a bit hesitant but did it eventually.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Saturday July 22nd 2006 - team practice (outside)
(Backfilled in October 2009 due to impending closure of Geocities)
For boxwork, someone held him behind the first jump and I stood between them and the box, then ran with him back over two jumps. It was the first time that he was sent to the box by someone other than me and he wasn't overly enthusiastic, but he did it nonetheless. Recalls were over two jumps, and he didn't deek out around them. Passing with Tashtego wasn't a problem.
For boxwork, someone held him behind the first jump and I stood between them and the box, then ran with him back over two jumps. It was the first time that he was sent to the box by someone other than me and he wasn't overly enthusiastic, but he did it nonetheless. Recalls were over two jumps, and he didn't deek out around them. Passing with Tashtego wasn't a problem.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Saturday July 15th 2006 - team practice (outside)
(Backfilled in October 2009 due to impending closure of Geocities)
I gave Walter a few weeks off so I could better focus myself with Lucy and make sure she's comfortable doing flyball outside. So his turn was understandably a bit rusty at first, but he did a couple of good ones. Managed to get one jump in too. For the recall, to ensure success we only did it with two jumps, and he did great and got in some good tugging action. Passing with Abby went fine.
I gave Walter a few weeks off so I could better focus myself with Lucy and make sure she's comfortable doing flyball outside. So his turn was understandably a bit rusty at first, but he did a couple of good ones. Managed to get one jump in too. For the recall, to ensure success we only did it with two jumps, and he did great and got in some good tugging action. Passing with Abby went fine.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Saturday June 24th 2006 - team practice (outside)
(Backfilled in October 2009 due to impending closure of Geocities)
Walter seemed unfocused and kept running around the last jump on the recalls. On the bright side, he seemed even more comfortable at being held by someone else for the exercises.
Walter seemed unfocused and kept running around the last jump on the recalls. On the bright side, he seemed even more comfortable at being held by someone else for the exercises.
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