As pictures tell more than a million words…
As there was some talk on what to do with the see-saw I thought to publish those photos of Bi (by Andraz Cerar) from a recent competition - this is how 2on2off should look like on a see-saw, 2off already in the air:). If the dog first stops on a see-saw and then only goes into the position after see-saw is on the ground, then I would prefer 4on. It's faster and the dog doesn't need to move on a still bouncy see-saw, it's just not very comfortable. For "direct 2on2off" you of course need the dog who is completely comfortable with the see-saw, so don't forget the preparation work! I think every agility dog should know how to skate-board first!
As the pictures tell more than a million words, let me also publish this one, again from a recent competition, again by Andraz, with not such a perfect contact on a dog-walk, but again - not too bad either:). The reason why this is not too bad is because hind feet are that well separated. She is obviously NOT jumping, she is just a puppy, learning what to do with that looong stride of hers in order to come to the very end of all the possible dog-walks. Not an easy job!
This is something you will see here and there with a young dog, but this is nothing to worry about, Bu went through the same process, it goes away with more experience. This is just to explain why I always ask if hind feet were separated or not when people report the dog is missing them. If your dog misses the contact, it should at least be done with a style!:) Bi sure has plenty of that one!:)
out of the context, but anyway… you just have to love Bi’s style! her style of see-saw, her style of contacts, her style of running, her style of jumping… it’s just craziliy awsome! 🙂
She is hilarious yes. Sometimes hilariously chaotic, but always lots of fun!:)
Wow, beautiful teeter!! Couldn’t be better.
Hi Silvia,
the pictures are great and make me question how you exactly train this style at the see-saw? My dog doesn’t like the see-saw at all and I don’t like his way of doing it (he runs up to the beginning of the contact in the end and stops there). We always trained by lifting the end, playing or feeding him at the top and then putting it down. I think you know this way of training.
Do you do it in a different way?
Greetings, Toni
Most importantly, I do TONS of “pushing things with front feet is FUN” games. They need to think that making things move and make as much noise as possible is a really cool game (and that they’re in a complete control of it!). Bu is afraid of almost everything, but because of those games, she absolutely LOVES the see-saw.
Ok, I got that point. 🙂
And after teaching that how do you start working at the see-saw?
Maybe there’s a video? 😉
I think I’m going to start some tricks like that. Thanks for your great ideas all the time!!
My two can skateboard, lol. Sleet did go over a couple of see saws previously but spooked at our recent agility training when other dogs went over it and it banged onto the ground…then she decided she did NOT want to go near or over it.
fortunately, she is familiar with and responds well to classical counter conditioning so, at the end of the class, I worked with her alone with clicker and treats and got her over it three times offlead and with no physical contact but I have to lower it very slowly at the moment. I also did some counter conditioning regarding the bang it makes when it hits the ground or when returning back to it’s usual position. Not had chance to work on it since as our instructor hasn’t had it out in most recent lessons but it’s just a case of getting her used to the movement gradually getting quicker and then having her learn to control it herself.
Hello,
I’ve got videos of you from Maribor:
Bu’s agility run:
http://gallery.site.hu/u/2Bo/agility/maribor/buagi.wmv.html
Bi’s agility run:
http://gallery.site.hu/u/2Bo/agility/maribor/biagi.wmv.html
They are amazing, I love them:)