Finnegan - 2x2 weave practice

[AllieMackie]

So, I finally built Finn a set of 2x2 weave poles and a bar jump (though that's not quite finished, need to finish the jump cups) so we could practice what we've learned in agility.

Got some pics and video of him and I working on it today. Mind my terrible attire and the loooong grass. Today was the first rainless day in a long time and I've been so busy that I couldn't be arsed to mow today.

Jess, play weaves wif me?

He gets the concept really well.

"Go!"

Getting tired...

My face in this one is so dorky. And I threw the tug sideways instead of overhead. Ah well.

"YAY!"

NOMF.

Taking the weave with GUSTO!

Quite proud of himself.

Jess is posting videos next!

 

[JessLough]

Here is Finn doing his weaves
YouTube - Finn Weaves

 

[Izzy's Valkyrie]

Aww, Go Finnamin! I wish Izzy had that sort of focus lol

 

[CharlieDog]

Awesome! I think that that is how the trainer I am going to teaches agility. I may have to build my own in my backyard, lol

 

[Toller_08]

He looks like so much fun! I loved the video (and the pictures, as always!). I haven't decorated my weaves or jump yet... they're just plain white right now. Yours make me want to go out and do that this weekend -- they look so much better with a little colour.

 

[JessLough]

yay finn agility pictures!
I am pretty sure the best thing is, he will do it all for me too

 

[~Jessie~]

Good job, Finn!

Rory always shoves his toys at us as well. Haha.

 

[AllieMackie]

He looks like so much fun! I loved the video (and the pictures, as always!). I haven't decorated my weaves or jump yet... they're just plain white right now. Yours make me want to go out and do that this weekend -- they look so much better with a little colour.

I've heard that the colour can help the dog identify the obstacles quicker while running, too - something about the stripe contrasts? Regardless - a pack of five colours of electrical tape was on sale at Rona for $2.50, so I took that opportunity. I used the white to cover the ends of PVC and saved money on end caps.

 

[AllieMackie]

Awesome! I think that that is how the trainer I am going to teaches agility. I may have to build my own in my backyard, lol

I've had a bunch of people ask me about measurements and stuff, so if you're interested, I think I'll make a blog post about how I made them, measurements and all. I took my instructions from a hodgepodge of sources, so it might be nice to correlate mine. XD

 

[CharlieDog]

I've had a bunch of people ask me about measurements and stuff, so if you're interested, I think I'll make a blog post about how I made them, measurements and all. I took my instructions from a hodgepodge of sources, so it might be nice to correlate mine. XD

That'd be brilliant. I know theres a crapload of PVC laying around at my moms house.

 

[elegy]

thumbs up!

steve learned with 2x2s and i really liked the process.

 

[AllieMackie]

thumbs up!

steve learned with 2x2s and i really liked the process.

I've heard tons of good stuff and I've been speaking with a number of agility trainers who highly recommend the process for Finn since he's so handler-focused. I'm REALLY liking it so far. He's mastered entering the 2x2s from almost every direction, so I need to add the third and fourth poles soon!

 

[Lizmo]

Good boy! What are you tell him to make him go through the poles? I tried turning up the volume, but couldn't make it out. lol

I'll have to look more into this - it looks pretty simple!

 

[Laurelin]

His enthusiasm is just so cute!

 

[AllieMackie]

Good boy! What are you tell him to make him go through the poles? I tried turning up the volume, but couldn't make it out. lol

I'll have to look more into this - it looks pretty simple!

I started with a basic "GO". It's been suggested to me that I don't start using the "WEAVE" command until he's actually weaving through 2-3 poles. I've been using it here and there... it's mostly my hand gestures he follows anyway. Any thoughts or suggestions on that are appreciated.

 

[JessLough]

Good boy! What are you tell him to make him go through the poles? I tried turning up the volume, but couldn't make it out. lol

I'll have to look more into this - it looks pretty simple!

Right now we are just using "GO!", but have been throwing in some "weave" to get him used to that

 

[Dekka]

If you do make a blog post with dimensions make sure you tell your target audience if they have competition goals to see what venue they'd like to play later and what spacing they mandate. The AAC is 21" spacing.. till September then it is 24 only. Other venues are making the change, and some have a whole range they allow. Even 21-24 i a big jump if you have to make changes later.

Go is traditionally used to mean run straight away from me like over a line of jumps. So if people are already using it they will need to find another word later on if they have competition goals. Or use the Susan Garret method no words no body language. Part of the point of 2x2s is to free think and figure out what is wanted on their own.

 

[AllieMackie]

Good point on mentioning the spacing. Finn's currently running 24" so he's used to it.

I'm using the Susan Garrett method, where the voice cue isn't really used. The biggest thing I'm getting him used to is focusing on me to be rewarded with the tug.

 

[Dekka]

I watched your vid (he is so cute) and I thought you must be doing a slightly different version as he went through a couple of times great on his own and you didnt' reward. And every time you did reward you used a body cue.

 

[AllieMackie]

I watched your vid (he is so cute) and I thought you must be doing a slightly different version as he went through a couple of times great on his own and you didnt' reward. And every time you did reward you used a body cue.

The video was not primarily to show off our skills with 2x2s. It was to show myself the mistakes I make when I train. I've been chatting back and forth with a few agility trainers since I cannot take classes right now (the only car that can get us there is wrecked) and also been following some 2x2 videos on Youtube. I need to reinforce when he goes of his own accord, which I did not do in the video.