Archive for Obstacles in Agility

2on-2off Contact Training Challenge – 2012

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Sunday, January 8th, 2012

Contact+Blooper+PictureIf you’ve been reading my blog over the last several years, you’ll know I LOVE give-a-ways, freebies and just about anything that resembles Christmas Day!


So I am excited to announce a 2on-2off Dog Agility Contact Training Challenge! This challenge is designed to help novice and experienced dogs that need refreshed or retrained contact behavior kick off the New Year with fun, accurate, reliable and amazing contact behaviors, that will last throughout their career.


Now doesn’t that sound like a great way to start off the new year?!

 


This Challenge is for EVERYONE – Beginner or experienced dog agility handlers are encouraged to enter (Click HERE) the 2on-2off Dog Agility Contact Training Challenge from January 9-16, 2012. Instructions for participating in the Challenge can be found on this page (Click HERE).


 

To join in on the fun, Challenge participants will upload their favorite challenging contact behavior ‘blooper’ to YouTube.com and then post it on the Spot On Agility Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/SpotOnAgility) for voting from January 17-23, 2012. The YouTube video with the most comments and likes will be the winner. It’s that easy!


 

Prizes – Now here’s the really fun part…the winner of the 2on-2off Dog Agility Contact Training Challenge will receive over $350 worth of prizes, that include the following:


  • a copy of Spot On Agility’s 2on-2off Dog Agility Contact Training DVD (don’t worry, if you already have the DVD, you’ll receive a special alternate gift),
  • entry into our upcoming 2on-2off Dog Agility Contact Training Webinar set to begin February 1, 2012,
  • a private remote contact training session with me (founder of Spot On Agility and creator of the 2on-2off Dog Agility Contact Training DVD),
  • and most importantly, a tug toy and treats for your dog!

 


Each Challenge participant will receive private access with Lisa Selthofer to provide a detailed and customized answer to a question to help them improve their contacts, as well as a sheet of contact training tips created by Selthofer.

 


Here’s all you have to do:


 

  1. Upload your contact behavior ‘blooper’ video to YouTube.
  2. Post the link of your YouTube video on the Spot on Agility Facebook page (Spot On Agility’s Facebook page)
  3. Enter the 2on2off Dog Agility Contact Training Challenge HERE.
  4. Receive your free link (via email) to private access with Lisa Selthofer. This is your opportunity to ask one question of Lisa to help improve your contacts, additionally, you will receive a sheet of contact training tips created by Selthofer.
  5. Tell your friends and family to comment and like your video on the Spot On Agility’s Facebook page. The video with the most comments and likes will be designated the winner. Voting begins January 17-23, and the winner will be announced on our FB page on January 24th.
  6. Have fun!

 


For a complete list of details, including how to enter, click HERE.

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Categories : Agility Skills, Dog Articles, Handler Articles, Obstacles in Agility, The Press
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As a Special “Thank You!”…

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

 It’s that time of year…time for giving thanks!

As a special thank you to all our Spot on Agility clients, followers, subscribers, and fellow agility competitors worldwide, we are offering 25% off our popular re-released Spot on Agility 2on2off Dog Agility Contact Training DVD from November 24-29, 2011!

Regularly $29.99, for a limited time you can purchase our 2on2off  Dog Agility Contract Training DVD that’s praised by dog agility trainers all over the world for only $22.50!

Spot On Agility’s 2on2off  Dog Agility Contract Training DVD provides easy to follow contact training behavior that’s fun and entertaining for dogs. It provides unprecedented ease in training 2on2off contact behavior for novice dogs or experienced dogs that need refreshed or retrained contact behavior. The lessons and exercises included in the DVD are easy to follow and make it efficient and fun for both dog and dog trainer.

Stacy Peardot-Goudy, world renowned dog agility trainer, owner of C Spot Win Agility in LaPorte, Colorado and recent 2011 USDAA Steeplechase Champion with her dog Wally recently reviewed Spot On Agility’s 2on2off dog agility contact training DVD. “It’s so easy training dogs with Spot On Agility’s Contact Training DVD that anyone can have successful results, whether they be novice or masters level dog agility trainers,” shared Goudy. “I love how the dogs instantly understand the criteria and drive to the 2on2off position you are asking of them, making contact training very enjoyable.”

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. Spot On Agility’s 2on2off  Dog Agility Contract Training DVD can help you and your dog have the successful and fun contact behavior you’ve been looking for; and it makes a great gift for agility friends and students! Click here to purchase and enter code ‘HOL2011’ at checkout to receive 25% off.

Happy Holidays!

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Categories : Dog Training, Foundation, Obstacles in Agility
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Equipment Make-Over

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Now that Spot On Agility is moving into a brand new building with super-duper brand new mats, it’s time to give our well-made agility equipment a make-over!

This is also a great time to think outside of the box and work to make some of the equipment a bit more user friendly.

My first mission was the broad jump.

  • I began with strips that line up so newbies would know exactly how to place the boards.
  • Next, I added board numbers so it is easy to know exactly which board goes where.
  • My next goal will be to make a small laminated cheat sheet that will be permanently fixed to board #1. This cheat sheet will tell exactly how many boards, as well as the spacing of the boards for each jump heights.
  • As with most broad jumps in competition, I also plan to make a marker string that is pre-marked for each jump height.

Here are some of our jumps drying out in the Seattle sun after a lite beautification. Once we add the colored bars, they’ll look elegant, but super-spiffy too!

While not pictured, our tire is in the midst of a complete overhaul as well. The lovely, slimming frame received a purely cosmetic make-over while the tire was stripped of the old colored tape (thanks Jill!), went in for a ‘spray tan’ (black for tires of course) and is awaiting the new colored tape wardrobe that should be arriving on Monday.

The panels (for the panel jump) also received a bit of a bowtox-like treatment and are ready for a surprise touch that we’re hoping arrives next week.

We’re still in the midst of picking out the lucky colored tunnels that will be joining us at the new facility, so weigh in if you have a preferred color choice.

Last, but certainly not least are the contact obstacles. Not surprisingly, they too are getting a bit of a touch up…as well as a little surprise in the style department.

Pictured here are the dog walk supports. Those of you who attended classes at our outdoor location may remember that they used to be a brushed aluminum look. Now they’re a sporty, sleeker black!

The teeter base received it’s touch-up a few days ago and the sides of each of the contact boards (teeter board, the dog walk ramps, etc.) received a new overlay coat more suited for the fall fashions.

Oh, and see the weave base in the background? Although these poles are just a few months old, we pulled out all the stops to give these guys a ‘facial’ as well.

Stay tuned for pictures as the revamped equipment moves indoors next week!

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Categories : Obstacles in Agility
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Test Drive the Dogs!

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (2)
Friday, September 24th, 2010

When I was younger and well before driving age, my parents would let me go out and start the car so it could warm up before they headed off to work. Even though it was 10 below zero, I loved that moment behind the wheel. It was a thrill, a job I had proven I was capable of handling and for just that one moment, a glimpse into my future.

Later, my role evolved and I was allowed to back the car down the driveway and not long after that, my Dad let me drive his truck around the property. All of these skills prepared me for real driving on real roads.

Training a dog in agility is much the same thing. We start our puppies/dogs off by instilling the safety rules of agility skills. Next we let them sit behind the wheel by sharing the keys of handling and soon they’re backing down the driveway of sequencing. Before we know it, they’re driving courses in the safety of our property…all in preparation for real driving on real agility courses.
This analogy came to mind when I recently took Zulu out for a little test drive in agility class. I have to say, it was a thrill! First, his contacts were amazing. As I pushed, he gave me 2on-2off contacts that were fast, confident and accurate. The timing couldn’t have been better as my 2on2off DVD will be available via download next week and soon available for shipping. It was a nice reminder that the training is GREAT and dogs just love it!

 

But back to my Zulu test drive…next, he sequenced with relish and was clearly enjoying himself while working with gusto. I couldn’t help but be proud of his skills and I have to say, it was fun to get a glimpse of our agility future together.
You may remember when a few months ago I took Rouge out for a few test drives on the open road at an agility trial and again at the Stacy Peardot-Goudy seminar. Those times gave me confidence that her visitation days were behind us.

 

It also means that it’s really time to start driving her like the little race car she is and to see exactly what’s under that sporty hood of hers. So I grabbed my best treats and off we went to race around the agility training course. To my surprise, she was just as hyped about the experience as I was. It seems the more I pushed, the more she gave. Pretty soon I was giggling, she had a smile on her face and we both learned how to burn a little rubber!

 

The lesson I’m reminded is that there reaches a point in each dog’s training where it’s time to buckle up, hit the road and see what’s under the hood ’cause it’s time for a real test drive. Relish that moment. You’re sure to have some great moments and if you’re lucky, you’ll walk away with a few specific items to work on.
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Categories : Dog Training, Lessons Learned, Obstacles in Agility
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2on-2off DVD – Where are we at?

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (2)
Thursday, September 16th, 2010

My last several weeks have been devoted to my 2on-2off DVD, which has definitely been a labor of love.

As I’m quickly figuring out, the challenge with a DVD is that it lacks the instant feedback a personal lesson has to offer. But at the same time, it’s imparting a huge piece of informative knowledge on the overall direction.

The 2on-2off concept is simple and straight forward, but it does require an eye for understanding what is happening and the direction the training should be heading toward.

While trying to share all of this factual and intuitive knowledge, my concern is that the video will appear too detailed or worse yet, not detailed enough. Trying to decide where to start and stop the knowledge has been a challenge and I’m going to have to come to terms with the fact that some subjects (i.e. training a release) really need to be left as a topic all of their own to be discussed on another day.

At any rate, the DVD is coming along great and I’m very proud of the product so far. Just 2 more chapters to go and it will be available for download as well as being sent off to have professional DVDs made.

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Categories : Obstacles in Agility
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Spot-On 2o2o Contact Training

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (2)
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Well, today I officially jumped off the deep end and committed to making a DVD on how I train my 2-on-2-off contacts. Nope, my methods haven’t been featured in Clean Run Magazine, I’ve never seen them in print and each time I tell someone about them (and how flipping easy it is), I always get a wild-eyed look of amazement. Oh, and the light bulb goes off for the handlers too.

Now that I’ve made the commitment, there are so many details to attend to. Some things are factual in nature and some things are a bit softer and not so obvious. Specifically, I didn’t come into almost 15 years of training experience by living in a bubble. There are so many people who have shared tid-bits of information with me over the years. Those tid-bits add up and here I am leaping off of a cliff to pursue a new adventure in my professional dog training career.

This personal project of mine has been developing in my head for the last few years. But specifically over the last year I’ve felt a directed pull (or should I say push) to move forward. A few things fell into place for me and my comfort level and tested practical experience are exactly where I need them to be.

But what really became the final ‘test’ or catapult was when I happened upon someone (half-way across the country) who was at their wits end when it came to contacts. After asking if she was open to an idea, I showed her the base of my training during the 20 minutes we spent together. I left her with easy, but specific homework and I guided her through the remaining steps in just a few e-mails. I did get weekly updates via Facebook that she was double-queing, but it wasn’t until she sent me a video of their training results that it hit me. Her contacts were beautiful, spectacular, a work of art, amazing and well, perfect!

I don’t want to take away any of the credit from the handler because believe me, she did her homework and worked it, but I can’t help but know that I had at least a little bit of a hand in the transformation. It really makes me feel all warm-hearted!

So, that was the final push, that little thing that said “Get off your butt, put away your fears and JUST DO IT!” So here I am, planning to either share my knowledge with the world or I may fall face first into a mud puddle. Either way, I’m going to enjoy the journey and hope all those details I mentioned above work themselves out in a smooth manner.

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Categories : Obstacles in Agility
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Weaves, Weaves and More Weaves

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Dan and I have been diligently working with Ru, Burton and Zulu on weaves, weaves and more weaves. Rylee is still on break since she came into season this past weekend.

Yes, that’s a picture of weave poles in our hallway. It’s been raining here in Seattle for weeks now and so we’ve adapted and our dogs get to earn their dinner.

So here’s how it works. I sit at one end of the hall and Dan sits at the other. We split each pups food and work to call them back and forth, feeding when the dog correctly works their way down the middle of the weaves.

It’s really a lot of fun to work together (Dan and I) and the dogs love the simple “game”. We work to rev ‘em up and it gives us a chance to really enjoy their success, praise and reward them.

Each dog is at a different phase in their weave pole training. Burton is by far the more advanced of the three dogs. His nutty drive and absolute LOVE for treats keeps him in high gear. But just like my white colored chicken at Chicken Camp, the fast-paced offering of behaviors isn’t always the most accurate. So with Burton, we’ll be focusing on accuracy on the FIRST attempt before we move forward and close the poles further.

Rouge is much more methodical. I originally attempted to train her using the 2×2 weave method and although I really wanted to move forward with that training technique, I quickly learned that it wasn’t a good fit for her. So I’ve moved back to the channel method because it encourages speed and creates a straight line for her to move toward. So far this has been a great fit for her.

We started Zulu on the channel method this evening. While I wouldn’t mind trying the 2×2 method with him, I really wanted to engage him in an easy physical activity. A straight line between poles seemed to be the perfect thing a week after his neutering surgery since mentally he had to engage, but physically it required no effort, twisting or bending. He thought it was pretty fun too!

A side note on where we’ll be going with our weave pole training. Since Dan and I are currently at each end of the poles and we’re indoors in a sterile environment, we’ll need a plan to transition the (soon to be) learned weave pole skill into the agility arena, with distractions and with just one person rewarding. I mention this because often time handlers or trainers don’t take transition time into account. I firmly believe this is a part of training and is a part of the proofing processes and should be considered a normal part of training.

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Categories : Obstacles in Agility
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Weaves 2×2 – outdoors

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Friday, January 30th, 2009

Today I took my 2×2 weave pole training outside with Ru. Since I’m moving from my confined & sterile living room to the spacious outdoor pasture, I wisely chose to start my weave work from the beginning.

Ru tends to get VERY excited when we go out to the pasture because that’s our “play land”. The agility equipment is out there, we throw balls/Frisbee’s/bumpers and whatever other toy we have and encourage our dogs to stretch their legs and have fun.

Ru and I started tugging on our toy and when she just about ripped my arm off, I knew she was hyped (and I’ve never felt that much power from her before!). For the first 3 attempts, Ru passed by the weave entry with her eyes glazed over by enchantment for the rustling leaves, the coastal breeze and anything else that caught her attention. I have to laugh, I’ve never really seen her that hyped before!

The fourth time was a charm, she made the “entry” (going through the gate perpendicular) and off she went with her toy. It took a few minutes for her to burn a bit more energy off and bring the toy back. The next attempt, it was clear to me that she IS pausing at the entrance of the weaves (this is when I start to toss the toy). To get her to move her entire body through, I began tossing the toy only when her back legs were beyond the base. We did a few more reps (working both sides) and that seemed to do the trick.

Tomorrow we’ll go back to the same place and do it again. My ultimate goal is to have Ru taking the “entry” from any side, any angle, driving through them and with any distractions.

I should probably note that Ru’s training would more than likely move along much faster if I trained several times a day for about 3 minutes. I have to be honest, I’m not interested in moving it along that fast with her and prefer to work my 3 minute sessions on other base work. Burton, our other dog who is about 6 months older than Ru is a perfect candidate for the extended weave training.

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Categories : Obstacles in Agility

Weave 2×2 – Chapter 2 on DVD

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Thursday, January 29th, 2009

So my goals for today’s mini weave pole session was

  1. to have faith in the toy that I throw, so I’ve changed over to a braided material that is light (i.e. can’t break vases or a window), is long enough for Ru and I to tug on and I can confidently throw
  2. To observe how willing Ru is to go to and interact with the poles
  3. To observe the number of repetitions and count how many are successful/not
  4. Start with Perpendicular poles and move to the poles in the 8 & 2 o’clock position, keeping the success
  5. As always, have fun!
  6. Keep it short, to 1-2 minutes tops

I’m still in my living room and using 2 poles. I’m starting with the 2 poles perpendicular to me and we work only in 1 direction.

Just as I was pulling out the poles, I stepped away to move an unrelated object in the room and saw Ru dart between the poles. Yeah! That tells me she’s recognizing them and knows the first action. We did the poles 3 more times (with me moving so the dog is on my right and on my left sides at different times). Ru was successful each time and without hesitation. I played with her after each rep as a reward and to get her nice and excited for the task at hand.

I then moved the poles to the 8 & 2 position. Ru easily continued the game and we did 5 more reps – all with success & play between reps.

In keeping with my goal of a short training session, we stopped there and continued our play. Ru is quite happy with the toy and gets very excited to be working.

Now that I’m confident with our living room training, tomorrow I’ll move our session outdoors. Since I’ll be in a new environment, I’ll start our training from scratch (straight poles) and add a bit of distance. I want Ru to really drive to the poles – getting the correct “entry” of course!

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Categories : Obstacles in Agility
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Weave Training – Kind of….

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Thursday, January 29th, 2009

Well, I had planned to do some weave training with Ru this evening, but after feeling not so well today, watching a puppy, teaching a few classes – I’ll admit, the thought of coming home and just cuddling up with the dogs won out over training.

I have however, dug up a soft tug toy that I’m comfortable throwing (i.e. won’t break a window if I’m indoors) and yet I can still tug with my girl.

I also started my beginner dogs on the basic “going through the gate” on weave work and I have to admit, I’m jealous. Dan and Burton did GREAT and Burton is far more driven than Ru is…I’ll need to figure out – is it me not quite working enough drive with Ru, or is is Burton outdoors just thrilled with going after treats?

Tomorrow I’ll do a test on both, indoors, and let you know! Then I’ll move the experiment outdoors and…let you know!

In the meantime, sleep well and I’m off to care for my stuffy nose.

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