Our agility dogs: PART 2B - Rear End Awareness

Our agility dogs: PART 2B - Rear End Awareness: Objective Ability to assume the 2O2O position on raised articles on command How? By shaping the ‘Perch’ routine in order to b...

PART 2B - Rear End Awareness

Objective

Ability to assume the 2O2O position on raised articles on command

How?

By shaping the ‘Perch’ routine in order to be comfortable moving left and right. This routine basically involves the dog keeping front legs on a defined platform then being able to swing back legs round (L & R), without moving from platform (the Perch).

Total Time

2 months

Stages

Introducing the equipment

I used a wooden square about the size of a phone book. The initial training started by shaping simple interaction, the criteria was raised to placing a front paw, then 2 front paws onto the square. This took some 2 weeks and was clicker trained. This exercise also lays the ground for future 2O2O position training.

Building the desired behaviour

Now we have 2 front feet on, we want to introduce some rear end movement (without taking front paws off the perch).

With the dog perched on the square, we take a small movement with left leg towards dog. Their natural reaction (responding to pressure) is to move their rear end to their left. Shaping this behaviour so there is a definite shuffle (to their left, front paws in position).

Now we fade the leg movement, substituting for a slight movement of (left) shoulder. The (leg) fading and shoulder movement should be blended so that there is a gradual change (from one of these visual cues to other) over a period of a few weeks.

Once one side is accomplished we repeat with the other side.

Independent rear end movement

So now we have a dog who is able to keep front paws in a designated area and able to move rear end in response to negative (pushing) and positive (pulling) shoulder pressure.

We finalise this into rear end (independent) movement by building into a 180º movement from our left to right (and vice versa). Personally I use a ‘back’ command, which means swing to heel on my left hand size, and ‘side’, which means swing to heel on right hand size.

Practicing and perfecting these exercises helps in the next stage (developing the 2O2O) by:  

·         Introducing shaped behaviour to balance legs on a raised object

·         Awareness of its rear end

·         Developing its hip flexor and core strength muscles.

19th December - Actually finding what's wrong

  I thought after finishing off my last blog waiting for the results of Jaidi's biopsy, that I should go someway to finishing the story (as far as we can at this stage).

 For those who haven't seen the posts since last week on FB, or heard through word of mouth, Jaidi's results where free of cancer. It was more than we could have hoped for, but fortunately true. That week was very difficult as we lived through all the scenario's. We did notice that after a few days of the anti-biotics that the morning limp had stopped, but we didn't want to get our hopes up without those results.

Jackie followed up with Rachel today. The diagnosis is:

  'Periosteal Bone Proliferation with Bone Reabsorption'. As we understand this means that he has either had a fracture or foreign object infiltrating the bone and good healing hasn't taken place naturally.

Jaidi goes back to vets in 10 days time for a re-scan to see how / if the healing is taking place following the course of anti-biotics.

If there is one thing that has come out of this whole worrying episode, that is to not take the worse case scenario as the only one and to seek a second opinion. We were under immense professional pressure to make an immediate decision and have major operation (i.e. amputation). Even now I think how close I was to taking that advice. Its only that we had made a conscious decision not to take Jaidi to the vets for that consultation could we find breathing space to prevent such a quick decision.

If I could offer any advice to anyone who might go through this emotional experience it would be:

1) Talk to people and listen to the advice and feedback. Even the words of support help to take the emotion out of the situation and formulate a plan.

2) Question the advice being given and keep an open mind. Very easy to say and very difficult to do. But remember that (i) you are paying for the advice so why shouldn't you be able to do this (ii) medical prognosis is not an exact science, think of the examples where human diagnosis have not been correct, and we can give very precise feedback about ourselves! 

Keeping an open mind is important otherwise one can enter into discussions like this with a pre-formed view of either trying to prove the professional wrong or only listening to the advice offered.

3) Get a second opinion.

4) Keep invasive surgery as the 'final option'. I learn't this myself some years ago. Although the roles where reversed and the consultant was reluctant to carry out a procedure on the basis that surgery is pretty much irreversible.

All this sounds easy in hindsight. I know it wasn't at the time, but every event has some learning and this is what I take away. 

Finally, as we stand today, Jaidi should make a 100% recovery, which is the single most important thing!

 

10th December 2011 - Getting a 2nd opinion

Yesterday we had our second opinion with good friend and vet Rachel. Having a second opinion for such an important matter is of course critical to insure one does the right thing. Having a trusted friend with some of the latest equipment and experience to hand is just fantastic.

This is both rear legs. 

The issue is on the right rear, outside digit above the knuckle joint, before the wrist. 

One can see an area of darkness

In magnification

There is also the inflammation seen as larger white halo

and some halo around the infected area

Here is the outline of that 2nd opinion:

1. It could be cancer, but on the other hand other issues could show the same thing (i.e. infection)
2. In cancer one would look for 'bony growths' which are not immediately evident, but of course may just not be visible
3. Without biopsy test results, wouldn't like to say for sure

Those results are expected around Tuesday, in the mean time one feels so helpless of course.
For the infection, Jaidi is on a major course of antibiotics (for bone infection).

All this sounds so hopeful, and we wish this was now just a case of all clearing up. But we also have to balance that with the biopsy results. Here again there is choices and different opinions.

There is a difference of opinion between toe and full limb removal. However, to bring in other hope, there are such things as 'limb sparing procedures' what ever that means.

To finish off, the support from all has just been amazing. We really feel as though we have a full team with us. Thanks .

Now we are just waiting for those results.

Still in shock

Jaidi had had a slight limp on a couple of mornings. I visit to vet and 'all clear' made us feel OK, but we arranged a physio appointment as I thought that if he had a little niggle I would get it sorted. But the limp continued. X ray of body showed nothing, until yesterday when an X ray of rear back right limb revealed what is suspected bone cancer.

We are in shock.

This photo of JD was taken at the weekend. The day before he had his first place at G5 jumping (2nd) with Jackie. No indication any thing was seriously wrong.

We had a follow up this morning and our vet is adamant that the best option is amputation. It will be of the inside toe. Of course if it is cancer then this is no guarantee of complete cure.

Anyway it seems that many people have been through this and there is some cases of misdiagnosis. We are going for a 2nd opinion tomorrow with a vet we know well. It may be we have to go through surgery but I want that to be the 'must do' option, not the first choice.

This time yesterday I new nothing about cancer and dogs. Now it dominates our waking hours.

I hope I can be back writing tomorrow with a positive action plan. If I don't, well its then that we need to collect our thoughts some more.

Alan, Jackie and Jaidi

PART 2A(ii) - Distance nose touches

Training and using the remote reward system

So now we have a dog which is trained to NT a target with high degree of motivation. Now we are increasing the distance we need to be able to reward at a distance as well. The Remote Reward gives us the ability to do this.

As a start we begin by shaping the use of the reward system. Then we send dog to NT at a distance, rewarding by activating the reward system when the criteria is achieved. When the dog is comfortable NT at the distance with reward, we can begin to fade the remote reward.

Eventually I substituted food for a tuggy. The tuggy being presented after distance NT had been achieved. Now we have a dog NT at distance for reward of toy!

The process is summarised in this video.

PART 2A(i) - Static target to distance nose touches

Finding the target

Now we have a dog who is motivated to NT a target on the floor in a static position. We now need to start building independence. The next stage is designed to start building this by encouraging the dog to start finding the target and NT to receive reward.

 Jaidi showing the long term objective of NT at the end of the contact

Thanks to Marilyn Murphy for giving me the outline and objectives for this part of the training :-)

We begin by gradually moving away from the target, roughly at the rate of 1 pace (distance) a day. This is accomplished by simply dropping the target and letting the dog move quickly to perform the NT.

Rewarding

When performing the NT in a static position rewarding is quite straightforward as the treat can be simply placed on the target. As one moves the target to distance, delivering the reward in a timely fashion at the point of reward (the target) becomes a challenge.

There are 3 methods one can choose (of course not mutually exclusive and can be combined).

1. Follow dog and place reward at a close distance
2. Throw the reward
3. Use remote reward equipment

The first is easy to administer, but has the disadvantage of not keeping distance between you and the dog. The second keeps distance but relies on a good aim and also means that distance is dictated by accuracy rather than a desired (distance) objective. The third is the most expensive and means training the dog to ‘use’ the equipment, but has the advantage of delivering a reward at distance and at the discretion of the trainer (i.e. when the criteria has been met).

I chose the later and used the ‘Remote treat reward system’. In the next session I will cover the training using this.

PART 2A - From hand to static target nose touches

Nose touches

Objective

Actively seek a target on command, perform 8 NTs in less the 20 seconds

How?

By moving through stages starting at simple shaped hand touch, transferring to target, sending dog to target then requiring dog to find and touch the target.

For all our shaping I use the 8/10 rule. Which basically means don’t move on until dog is able to consistently perform 8 out of 10 defined criteria in your prescribed time. Additionally the 8/10 is not 8 straight touches, but can be divided in variable amounts such as 1, 3, 2, 3, 1 (variable reinforcement).

Total Time

4 months (from start to achieving desired consistency in this exercise)

Stages

The hand touch

After conditioning the dog to the clicker, we move to rewarding for NT an outstretched hand. Dogs are naturally inquisitive so this outstretched hand is an invitation and therefore easy to click & treat (CT). We raise the criteria to earn reward by gradually moving the hand to either side of dogs head, they now learn to move head to locate hand and touch.

Moving to a target

Once the dog is consistently performing a HT either side of eye line, we place a target in our hand, so now dog is NT the target.

Now we encourage dog to NT below (dogs) head height by gradually lowering target onto floor. As we gradually lower we still keep our 8/10 objective, and within a defined time limit. Again this keeps not only consistency but speed (motivation), so only reward those that meet both objectives.

We are now ready to let the dog find target while still keeping high drive and motivation to NT.

Our agility dogs: Part 2 – The STOP

Our agility dogs: Part 2 – The STOP: This is the major differentiator between other methods and the hardest / longest to train. I had decided that I wanted a completely ‘hands...

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Part 2 – The STOP

This is the major differentiator between other methods and the hardest / longest to train. I had decided that I wanted a completely ‘hands free’ method (both to encourage independence and avoid shoulder pressure), so everything would be shaped.

The Stop broke down into 7 distinct exercises:

1. Nose touches (NT)
2. Rear end awareness
3. 2O2O as a discrete exercise (away from contacts)
4. The Happy zone
5. Fading a NT
6. Looking ahead / next obstacle

vii.  Fading reward / varying reinforcement

I will cover each of these in more depth over the next few weeks

Training a ‘2 on 2 off’ (2O2O) contact for speed and accuracy

Part 1 – Overview, Introduction and Methodology

Overview

Training a quick and consistent contact is the goal of most agility handlers. Today the strategies employed can be summed up as 2O2O, 4 on the floor or running. Each strategy has its advantages and disadvantages. This series of articles describe and summarise my method for training the former while critiquing the method and comparing against the latter.

Introduction

Agility training methods are constantly evolving. As more scientific methods (based on understanding of dog behaviours) are introduced, contacts have become quicker and more consistent.

Like most people starting with a new dog, my objective was to study the latest methods and work with a strategy which would offer highest consistency and speed, coupled with resources available. The latter was an important part of decision making. Factors such as equipment time, weather, time to train and ground conditions through the year, all play a part in what can be achieved.

Taking all the above in consideration I decided on a shaped 2O2O method with an objective of a <1.8 second (independent) dog walk. To achieve this I also set myself a goal of 16 months from beginning to 1^st competition, coupled with that it would need constant refinement.

Methodology

From now on I will use the Dog Walk (DW) as the example, although AF & SS remain relatively similar with minor adjustments.

There were 4 basic parts to training the DW:

1. Entry
2. Running the planks to 90% completion
3. The stop (or contact)
4. Alighting

The next articles will describe the sequential steps in #3 as this was taught at a foundation level. #2 was introduced at 8 months, #1 at 9 months and #4 at 14 months.

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Ahead of plan

The last month has been very relaxed Agility wise. After the busy month of August, Jude's injury in the GB team qualifiers meant no training prep work for the FCI agility WC this weekend (good luck to all my team mates).

We spent a fantastic week in Jersey having a holiday and doing some judging. Thanks to everyone in Jersey for making our stay so welcome, we didn't want to come home!

So after an easy month, we ventured 'up north' last weekend to do the shows in Middlesborough. The Saturday was an absolute scorcher, a beautiful day to start JD's G4 career.

My plan for 2011 had been to win out of G3 by end of August (achieved) and then work through G4, concentrating on Jumping ready for show season next year. Well plan didn't quite work and we won our first G4 Agility. Now I am very pleased and proud with this, the course was not simple (see above) and our contacts and FX's were spot on, but it does change our winter plan.

Theoretically it changes nothing with JD (he can't age faster and there is no shop to 'buy' experience) but competition wise, there is going to be more pressure as the courses will be harder. We struggled at the weekend in the combined 4 - 7 and at G5 we will have more combined courses with the upper levels. To compete in G5+ we need to have better turns in tighter (jump) configurations.

So my winter training plan just incorporated a few more things!

Bank holiday washout!

What promised to be a long weekend of Agility with lots of runs turned into zero!

We quit this (Sunday) morning and went home, defeated by the weather and poor drainage of venue. Feel so sorry for Wyre club, they worked so hard to put on and run the Champ W/E.

But we felt that the conditions were not fair to our dogs, both being muddy all day and slippy ground conditions. 

Jude returns to competition, 100% weaves, Jaidi consistency and our G3 Agility win!

August is arguably the busiest show month in the UK with extended events such as KC Festival and DIN. Our month started at Scunthorpe weekend, always a relaxed show in a nice showground.

Jaidi

Based on previous week (see earlier post) we had high confidence of a CR with Jaidi (at Scunthorpe show). Although this didn’t happen, we had ~75% success with weaves, so had a real confidence that we had overcome our primary training issue.

Therefore I used the training time between that show and the 10 day marathon of competition that is International Agility Festival and DIN to start Grid program using method proposed by Mecklenburg. Our goal was to reduce ‘poles down’ when jumping in extension, the objective of the training was that Jaidi makes ‘better’ jumping decisions actually on the course.

As I had done so much extension work at foundation level, I knew I would have to return to more ‘collection’ work after first season of competition, but after just one week I was pleasantly surprised at the results.

We had our first CR at Festival, then after a run of 6 consecutive Agility rounds with 1 pole down, 2 further rounds with no poles down (other ‘novice’ type faults) we won G3 Agility. What a great way to finish 10 days Agility, particularly 1 month ago I wasn’t sure if we would ever get the weaves correct in the ring!

Now we have a ‘free’ month before he can compete in G4, so time to build for 2012 as I will have some time off competition in winter months (I don’t like the early starts and cold days).

Jude

Additionally I was able to run Jude at Scunthorpe and she had a nice clear and won the jumping. First rounds at Festival were not great as our timing was out leading to eliminations. However over the weekend we found our competition feet and won a class.

At DIN Jude was a star again, finishing 2^nd in the Classic qualifiers (behind World Champ Dizzy Wise) so a very creditable performance over 4 rounds. In the Champ qualifers we went one better and finished 1^st overall (for the 3^rd time this year in Champ). Unfortunately 5F meant no place (in the final). However it was won by Denise Wilkinson and Jexie for the 3^rd time making her an Agility Champion, which is a great story for all that know them.

Measurable progress

After a week of training weaves without a toy, this week we had success at Derby show of 5 / 6 weaves. Additionally the success was in both 6 & 12 poles (as indicated a couple weeks ago, 6 was a real issue). Talking to a few people whose dogs are at a similar stage it appears they experience a similar issue with dogs not recognising 6 pole weave configuration.

During the week I had done some training at our local park, where I had never done any training before. So in essence, like a show, it was a neutral venue. Jaidi’s weaves were just like competition, skipping #2. So we worked through and had a couple of successful attempts (too hot to do any more). Then at training the following night, had +50% success rate in the course.

I must admit I was surprised just how quick the turnaround had come, considering a week ago we had to avoid the weaves in the course!

This means I can now work on some other training aspects, with priority being grid work.

So we left the show this weekend looking forward to next weekend.

Our agility dogs: 24th July, Jude injury and Jaidi weaves update

Our agility dogs: 24th July, Jude injury and Jaidi weaves update: "Jude – Injury update Jude is doing her re-hab, working on her proprioception (always easier to write than say) exercises. I also noticed th..."

24th July, Jude injury and Jaidi weaves update

Jude – Injury update

Jude is doing her re-hab, working on her proprioception (always easier to write than say) exercises. I also noticed that over the last few days she has been more willing to play ‘give paw’ games using both legs. This indicates to me more strength back in her right leg (where the tricep injury is), although the muscle here still feels softer than on left. My goal is to be competing again at Festival in a few weeks, but this will depend on the muscle tone over the next few weeks.

Jaidi – Still working on our weaves in the ring!

We have completed a couple of shows since I outlined our primary competition issue, coming out of the weaves. I had identified the symptoms of what was happening, but needed to really understand the ‘why’?

I was convinced this is not a ‘weave’ issue for a few reasons:

·         At training they are very good

·         Jaidi can find and complete the weaves on a simple ‘weave’ command

·         He enters from any angle and any side

·         In first shows he weaved as natural as doing any other obstacle

So what was the difference?

We always trained / train weaves with a toy. It was used to shape entries and provide the drive for completing 12 poles. It appeared that by not having the toy he ‘couldn’t’ weave, almost like a comfort blanket!

To prove my theory I went into a round with a toy in my pocket. As soon as Jaidi missed a weave pole, I showed him the toy and he executed with a simple command. The next round we achieved good weaves.

At next training I did not use a toy and his weaves were like competition (missing 2 and 3rd)! So we have a basis to work with. This is going to take a few sessions before we ascertain if this theory proved correct and to see if we can transfer (the fading) to the ring.

On a positive note!

Over time I had dogs like Jude, Joe and Robbie who didn't have a ‘major’ ring issue. But I’ve also had some dogs (Matty, just nervous of agility) and Jamie (spent best part of a year running under every jump) who tested my training plan resolve. In both cases, time, using the feedback to adjust training sessions and keeping fixed on the desired goal overcame the problems (Jamie was a very good Advanced dog and Matty exceeded expectations by being competitive in grade 6). So with this experience, coupled with help from friends, we are working through this issue.

Plus that Jaidi is such a happy dog :-)

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July 11th

Jude – Injury update

Jude has had 2 weeks off any agility now. She is fine in herself, but was confirmed with a small muscle tear in right tricep last week. Next week she will see physio. This will confirm the state / extent of her injury, work out the rehab plan and when she can start working again.

Jaidi – One month into show season

So we have a few shows under our belt now and can really understand what is going well and, not so well. The 3 main areas for improvement are:

1. Weave poles, skipping between 2 & 3
2. See saw, particularly when dog is on left
3. Knocking a pole following a turn

I have to balance these with 2 conflicting requirements (i) the need to allow Jaidi to drive forward and work independently (ii) to gain experience and clear rounds as part of self confidence building. The reason why there is a conflict is that reducing drive would probably improve the issues (short term) above but at the long term detriment of natural speed. Therefore the strategy is to train within the natural drive and motivation (which he has in abundance), by breaking the issues into component parts.

I also have to look at the positive points. When striving for long term goals it is easy to get caught up in the short term issues. But these are the things going well (at the moment)!

1. Waits – 100% now for 3 consecutive shows
2. RX – Jaidi response on RX is excellent, allowing me to work behind
3. DW & AF – Covering obstacle at speed, really stopping well at bottom and forward focusing
4. FX – Jaidi doing well, but sometimes I lack conviction in my visual signals
5. Flick flack and pull throughs – part of FX work, Jaidi really watches my arm signals to cue collection and turn

Weaves – Jaidi has excellent weaves in training (as individual and part of a course), but is having problems in competition. His weaves were built in a combination of 2 x 2 and channels. All the training was shaped, to which he readily responds if presented with weaves and no command / his ‘weave’ command.

I can break the issue down further (note as we are in grade 3, they are typically straight entries):

·         Left hand side: Skipping between poles 2 & 3

·         Right hand side: not picking up poles 2 & 3

So each requires different method. For the former I will work with toy out of hand, for the latter with toy on floor (see it and drive). I am not generally seeing the issue in training as we have always used toys. This is the route of the problem, in that no toy in ring leads to a lack of focus from Jaidi, (coupled with the show excitement).

To compliment the above, I will vary the reward intervals and only use 6 weaves as Jaidi does not recognise 6 weaves in a course at all!

See saw – Massive improvement! With Jaidi on right it is executed brilliantly, quick and stop. On the left however he feels compelled to take me out by doubling back. This is part of no toy in the ring. So our training plan here is to have toy out of hand (RHS) and toy on floor (LHS). I also need to be cognisant of varying reward (see above).

This leads to another interesting point about Jaidi. He is very right side orientated, compared to every other dog I’ve had which are LH orientated. In lead training and walking I have done little different. I shall have to test Jaidi, Jude and Matty for L or R handedness!

Jump down – Any dog at any time can knock a jump down. So one has to balance an attitude to ‘we had a jump down’ with ‘why’. For me the answer is to keep a record, look for a pattern and then synthesise the why. I have always done this since I had Robbie (Midnight Chocolate Robin 1988 – 2002) and possibly explains my high level of competitiveness in jumping classes for over 20 years?

For Jaidi there appears a pattern at this early stage, even though he is pretty good at this time. If he is having a jump is usually after a turn and then the next jump. This says to me that:

a)      He is turning in collection

b)      He is extending out of turn and powering on in forward motion

The (b) is a good thing, I want my dogs in extension in forward motion, but Jaidi is not pacing himself and working out distance (he tends to hit front on, not rear as in turning jump down).

So the most obvious work here seems to be grid work out of a turn and working out a realistic and consistent cue until Jaidi’s experience takes over. However being in front of dog and permanently cueing collection is not a universal option, as Jaidi is quicker then me!

June 28th, Disappointment at Team GB World qualifier and Jaidi starts his agility career

This week (27/06) was the GB team world championship selection day. I would love to say that we had a great day's competition and Jude is off to France for the World Championships again. But the day unfolded in a much different way.

In the first round of the day, at jump number 2 Jude took off too early and landed on the pole. At this stage I don't know the medium term extent of the injury. It is to the tricep / shoulder area and is inflammed. Could be bruising or possibly a tear of the muscle. For sure she is out for a couple of weeks.

I am disappointed of course, but this is sport and injuries happen. The most important thing is that she makes a good recovery. We experienced injury last year and appears to have a made a full recovery.

On the positive side Racheal Mowbray and Maria Johnson were on hand as team vet / physio to offer an immediate diagnosis, treatment and beginning of a rehab plan. So as a sport we are becoming more professional about this enevitable part of top level competition.



Jaidi is now officially an 'adult' dog after completing his first two KC shows at Newton Heath and Lansdown in June 2011. I suppose I could summarise by saying he did well. Some good things and some things to work on.

I have decided to keep track on 3 things that went well and 3 things that need further work to achieve our first goal of a clear round. its easy to look at negatives (i.e. jump down, broke wait) but this is an outcome and without putting back into a feedback loop for action, stays negative rather than 'what can we do'?

So here is my work for the coming weeks:

1) Improve waits at start as JD is releasing early, this has resulted in first fence knockdown or elimination due to having to do it twice!
2) Weaves - quite suprised that JD came out of 3rd weave a few times, concentrate on straight entry this week. If he is experiencing the same problem at training, then I will re-introduce guides to help reinforce stride pattern.
3) See saw, trying to adopt the 2O2O position - Momentum is carrying him through and have to put his back legs (back) on.

On the positive side our GO command really works in competition, rear crosses felt brilliant and all practice this week on flick flack with same side turn at completion paid off.