Sept 22nd - at home

Tonight we started our 2x2 work. Even though Rip is keeping low and has a nice striding weave pole (as you can see by his video :)), I feel that I rushed his 2x2's and he may not fully understand to get the entry every time. For this reason, I am starting back at the start with him also.



Baxter
I decided to use white milkbone cookies for his treats and break them into 3 small pieces. I took a total of 5 pieces for each working session so that I did not work too long in a session.
Equipment: I used only 1 set of weave poles set at 1&7 staked.

Session 1: Working him on the offside portion of the circle. He had 5 successes in a row on this side. Each time we moved back a foot, his final one was at least 5' back from the weaves, he drove up and around the weave pole staying on the throw line, keeping his head down and tight to the poles. (I must admit, I was super thrilled with this and thought maybe he had got it!! lol)
Session 2: Moved to the onside portion of the circle. He got the entry with a fairly tight turn around pole 2 from 1' and 2' back. Once we got to 3' back he was running straight threw the poles to go the opposite of the reward line. No reward. Tried again, this time same thing but leaping through the poles (so scary), no reward. Moved back to 2' go it again but a bit wide on the turn around pole 2. Kept at 2' for next 2 to reward the tighter turn.
Session 3: Stayed on the onside portion of the circle. Started at 1' and 2' again. Did get one 3' one but he is definitely not turning around pole 2 as we would like. He did 2 times of going out to nearly the poles and then turning back along the reward line without having gone through any poles. Will have to talk to Andrea about idea's at the barn tomorrow. Kept at 2' for last 2 to get tighter turn.
Session 4: Did 3 cookies on off side, again he is much better from this side. 3 cookies onside, still no further back than 2-3'.

In between each session we worked on his bed. He drives to it and will maintain it while I get cookies ready for his next session.

Ripley
I also used white milkbone cookies for his treats. I took a total of 5 pieces for each working session so that I did not work too long in a session.
Equipment: I used only 1 set of weave poles set at fully open 3-9 and not staked.

First I actually worked Ripley on his bed (my neighbour was dogsitting and found one in our back shed! I didn't even know we had one so now Rip has his own already, lol) It only took him one working session to know that the best treats come on the bed. He maintained his stay in between sessions on his bed while I broke up his cookies.

Session 1: I started Rip within the top portion of the circle to ensure he remembered to run straight through and along the line. I did 5 cookies along the circle, he drove straight through the poles expecting his treat on the line and down. He was originally taught with treats as the toy was just too high for him.
Session 2: Working him on the offside portion of the circle. Each time I would move back about 1', holding his collar and reving him up, he had 5 perfect drives up to the poles, wrap around tight and expect the cookie on the line.
Session 3: Moved to the onside portion of the circle. After today I realize that I need to start both these boys onside first?! He got the entry with a fairly tight turn around pole 2 from 1', 2' and even 3' back. Once I moved to 4' he was actually weaving through the other direction but along the weave line and then expecting the treat at the 3 o'clock line?! I allowed him to try again 2 more times but each time he would weave those two poles and run along the 3 o'clock line. Moved back to 3' and he did it 2 more times with rewards.
Session 4: Did 3 cookies on offside and 3 onside at 1' 2' and 3', did great with all 6 holding his collar and reving him up.