Comments on: 2x2s and the Experienced Dog

By: Andrea

Andrea — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:37:00 +0000

Just to thank you, I am having tons of fun with my 13 month old pup. This method really rocks!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/smartmovesCR#p/a/u/0/HEftGTMQCK4

By: Maria

Maria — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:04:42 +0000

Thank you very much for answer on my question!
Unfortunately I can’t check now how it works, because there is too much snow outside…

By: Dogworks

Dogworks — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:28:07 +0000

I had this same issue with a retrain dog and it seemed to be the biggest problem during the entire retraining process (this happened when I added the second set of 2 X 2″s). I had a strong feeling that it had to do with reward line, so I just tried to reinforce that many more times than I had previously done with one set. Yes there were several days when *I* had smoke coming out of my ears (I usually try not to get too much into the head of my BC’s) and absolutely could not figure out what was going on, but as with most things, it did pass I am happy to say that today was day 21 for this dog, 38 sessions, and approx. 1 1/2hrs of total training time, and he is doing 12 weaves fast, consistently, with drive, and making some of the most difficult entries I have ever challenged a dog with. Thank you, Susan! My only other comment is that it is too bad that you can’t just “rent” the 2 X 2′s, since you use them for such a short time

By: Andrea

Andrea — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:23:17 +0000

Thanks for another great workshop! We had a lot of fun and I’m thrilled to have identified a major hole in my weave pole training and to be well on my way to fixing it. Tons and tons of great information and exercises to keep us busy while you’re away in Florida, can’t wait to show off when you get back

By: Jodi Altman

Jodi Altman — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:20:37 +0000

There is a clever way in which some hunters catch monkeys in India. They cut a hole in a coconut just big enough for a monkey to put its hand through. They will drill 2 smaller holes in the other end, pass a wire through and secure it to the base of a tree. Then they put a banana inside the coconut and hide. The monkey comes down, puts his hand in and takes hold of the banana. The hole is crafted so that the open hand can go in but the clenched fist cannot get out. All the monkey has to do to be free is let go of the banana, but most don’t.
Susan was in top form as an educator in the last 2 days at her Contact & Weave camp. We were profoundly enlightened to let go of the banana. Thank you Susan Garrett, I believe my grip has slackened.

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:17:58 +0000

Excellent idea Marco, I like the way you think!

By: Marco

Marco — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:54:59 +0000

If the dog understands our handling system thru shadow handling this wouldn’t be a problem right ? So why not just stopping 2×2 training for a short period of time while training proper shadow handling then go back to the 2×2 training ? I’ve helped a couple of teams to retrain a 2×2 weave pole performance but before starting I’ve always had them to do some shaping as well as some circle work. I don’t know which was the most helpful but until now I’ve not encountered this problem.

By: Jean Emery

Jean Emery — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:09:51 +0000

I definitely had this problem trying to improve my experienced dog’s entries from extreme angles. I almost gave up because it really seemed to mess with my dog’s head (which is usually on carnival midway mode anyway). My solution was to do what you suggested–spend a few reps at the beginning of each session starting from an “easy” approach, but I also jumped ahead a couple of steps and added in a second set of 2x2s–Stage 5 I think it is in the DVD. This really seemed to help break through the confusion and yet was still basic enough to improve understanding by working through the training progressions.

By: Brenda McKague

Brenda McKague — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:56:20 +0000

I started my young dog weaving using 2 x 2s, and she has not exhibited the problem you mention in today’s posting (yet ).

However, the problem she does have occurs when we are trying tougher entries with the weave entry on our left hand side. Then she often “wraps” around the first pole to enter with the first pole on her right shoulder – I’m guessing what she’s thinking is that she always needs to “wrap” that first pole; she’s not thinking that the first pole must always be on her left side when she enters the weaves. Is this a common problem with 2 x 2 trained dogs? Other than continually not rewarding/marking the incorrect entry, are there any other suggestions to fix this?