As I've mentioned a few times in this thread, I've had ongoing weave issues with Cohen recently. If you'd told me that I'd have any issues with the obstacle a year ago I wouldn't have believed you - Cohen was fast and reliable 100% of the time. We took a break from agility, only doing some performance shows where Cohen needed to weave only 6 poles, and in the middle of a performance you can't really do much about it if your dog flubs part of the course.
Now that I'm taking lessons again, I've been repeatedly seeing Cohen pop out at the 10th pole, especially if there's a jump or tunnel looming ahead. It seems to be a muscle memory thing, tied to high levels of excitement.
Anyways, last night Cohen didn't pop out of the weaves once! And I was really pushing her. I took to rewarding right after the obstacle instead of pushing forward like I normally do. It gives me confidence for the trial I'm signed up for this Sunday.
What doesn't give me confidence is that Cohen is dropping bars constantly. Someone remarked last night that she had a lazy back end and was constantly knocking bars with her rear toes. So we have another project to tackle once we get her weaves reliable again. One thing at a time...
I'm just going to take the courses smoothly and carefully this weekend, and will try to run just for the love of running instead of worrying about Qs and see how we do. It's been a long time since I've trialed.
Now that I'm taking lessons again, I've been repeatedly seeing Cohen pop out at the 10th pole, especially if there's a jump or tunnel looming ahead. It seems to be a muscle memory thing, tied to high levels of excitement.
Anyways, last night Cohen didn't pop out of the weaves once! And I was really pushing her. I took to rewarding right after the obstacle instead of pushing forward like I normally do. It gives me confidence for the trial I'm signed up for this Sunday.
What doesn't give me confidence is that Cohen is dropping bars constantly. Someone remarked last night that she had a lazy back end and was constantly knocking bars with her rear toes. So we have another project to tackle once we get her weaves reliable again. One thing at a time...
I'm just going to take the courses smoothly and carefully this weekend, and will try to run just for the love of running instead of worrying about Qs and see how we do. It's been a long time since I've trialed.