Typical Rush poses!   (click photos to enlarge)

You may have noticed that I have not posted about my weave work in a while.  I was getting a little frustrated with the 2×2 method for Rush.  She was having a really hard time progressing through the stages and for me it just became not worth it anymore.  Before her surgery we had worked on channels with guides and she really took to it.  I decided to go back to the channels.

Yesterday I put her on full open channels (no guides) and she loved it.  She was really driving out to them and through them.  Today I added two guides to the off-side and one guide to the on-side to help her with the entries.  I dont want to teach her just to take them only when I line her up, I want her to find them.  The first session was great.  I have not worked a second session yet today.

I am very pleased and I feel that our progress will be much better.  I know there are alot of dogs out there that are loving the 2×2 method, but I think you have to go with what you are comfortable with as well as the dog.  So, here we are!

Before Rush had her surgery we had started working weaves through the channel method with some guides.  We were having good success, although we did not have too many sessions under our belt.  Rush does not seem to get the 2×2 method - we spend too much time going back, we are stuck I think.  So I believe we are going to go back to our channel work, she seemed to get that.  Ice was taught on this method and his entry and weave work is wonderful.

Okay, I didnt play with her before the lesson but it didnt really help.  In her defense I can see it the way she sees it - she keeps missing the first 2 and goes beautifully into the second every time.  However, the exercise does consist of the 2 2×2s, not 1.  She does beautifully if I am anywhere on the offside, but I can guarantee a miss on the onside.  She was a little distracted again this morning but she was alot more excited last night seeing me in classd and when I got back in the house.  I am starting to see more and more of the “wild” girl.

Lesson learned…. do not take the “friends” out with Rush and play BEFORE you have done your lesson for the morning!!!!  So said “what weaves?”, “what poles?”, “Are you sure we have done these before because I just cant place it”.    UUUUGGGHHH … thats what I get for 3 great training days in a row.

So back to 8/2 - 2  2×2s 6′ apart.

This morning we moved the weaves from 2/8 to 1/7* - 6′ apart.  We worked the arc for a tug toy then switched to a ball for higher drive.  I will always start with the tug because this allows me to interact with her - tug a little play a little then work a little.  With the ball it brings out more drive in her but does not allow me the interaction time that I feel is so important with Rush.  She is still coming into her personality now that she does not hurt so I want to be a big part of what/who she thinks is important.

She was about 80% out of the gate with the new set up - she catches on really quickly.  If she misses the first set or misses the second set I say “yes” but there is no release of the toy.  She immediately comes back to me and we try again - second time she gets it - mark and throw.

* Meaning 2/8= 2 oclock/8 oclock, 1/7= 1 oclock/7 oclock

We set the weaves straight up and ran through… with 100% success.  I then twisted them slightly and worked again- working the arc left and right - we were at 99%.  The only one she missed was the one where her mom set her on the wrong side and gave her an extremely advanced move.  :)  I quickly fixed that of course and tried again.  I plan to video tomorrows work out and maybe try two sets. ???

I have decided to start Rush on the two-by-two method.  We are just running through the weaves and rewarding.  She is at 100% inside with one set