For probably the first time ever, we went to the field twice today. Once at 7:00am, once at 4:00pm. The first time we went, Mika and Wall-e worked on the A-frame, on-side weave entries, and dog walk/tunnel discrimination (all stuff that Wall-e needs for his class).
But it was our afternoon session that completely amazed me.
Mika trained first this time. I ran her over the DW a couple times first. (Well, she ran over it by herself the first time!) Then it was on to the AF. The first rep wasn't a true running AF, so I rewarded her quickly and then went back to do it again. I held her by her stifles (back knees) to rev her up like I often do, saying my usual "Reeaadyy...settt...GO!!" She took off like a bullet. And WOW. WOW. Can I say it again? WOW. She zoooomed over to the AF, strided up, and FLEW down. FLEW. What I remember most is her back legs straight out behind her as she soared through the air. And then I remember seeing her back paws hit the yellow at the top slat of the contact zone. Mika. did. a. flying. A-frame.
We must have looked like crazy people to the cars passing by. I screamed out, "GOOD GIRL, GOOD GIRL!!" to a hyperactive Mika who soaked up my approval eagerly, but who really just wanted me to throw that darn food tube. Which I did. I threw it and threw it and rewarded her until it was empty.
A one-hit AF probably isn't a performance that'd be safe long-term, but I'm sure that Mika won't be doing it again. I'm perfectly happy with a 2-hit running AF with a nice jump over the apex (not a ginormous, soaring Superman impersonation like she did today). I'm just so thrilled (and shocked!) that she did it today because I've been wanting a jump over the apex for years, and what did she do? She exceeded my expectations, as she's done countless time. Ohhh yes, she gave me a jump, but she gave me a BIG jump!
(Mika, by the way, is only 12.75" tall. I swear to God. Can you say -gasp-?)
Nat, you must be so proud!! Well done to Mika!
ReplyDeleteI think all that hard work of yours pays off so well, you keep getting surprises from your dogs!
What a character, was she wearing her superman cape today? LOL
ReplyDeleteWow - that is totally amazing!!!! Mika flying over the apex and halfway down the other side! I know if I did that, Mom would still be jumping up and down and clapping and yelling good boy! Training is so much fun, isn't it?
ReplyDeletewow, what a flight! Diana
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about your question as to how I taught Ricky to "hold it". It was very difficult. I started out sort of like you did and tried to force him to hold a dumbbell. That was no good. Then for months I just tried different things. But backchaining seemed to finally work the best - this post kind of explained it - http://rickyitsadogslife.blogspot.com/2010/03/tricky-t-day_25.html
ReplyDeleteHe got the pick up the ball out of the container and hold onto it part. The only thing now is that somehow he equates "hold it" with back up. So I am having a terrible time getting him to bring stuff to me. He always wants to drop it first.
With the next dog, I will try to shape the concept I guess. I just didn't know anything when I got Ricky and we have been learning as we go along.
Chris
Making me smile and I don't even know Mika! :)
ReplyDelete