Weave pole blues

[Ayoka]

Okay Okay it's not that bad

BUT yesterday at our agility class we got to try luring the dogs through 12 poles. Previously we had the dogs run through 2 sets of poles and placed the poles closer and closer each tim to get the dogs used to the feel of the poles on their bodies. we also got to try luring them through 6 poles which bear wasn't great at but I figured he was tired as it was closer to the end of class.

Bear, who is doing GREAT on everything else just doesn't seem to "get the weave poles. When I try to lure him through wwith "dog crack" (freeze dried liver) he will either slide out of the weaves or stop in the middle of them and give me the most pathetic look ever (the same one I get when I ggave him a bath last spring). It's really strange because as a rule he will barrel through anything (ANYTHING) if he thinks he might get some treats out of it.

What I did last night was break the weave up and tried 6 poles instead of 12 and, as always, using our marker word "yes" as he came around each pole and trying to treat every 2nd third pole..this worked a little but I'm wondering if it's the right approach? Are the weave poles generally something that takes dogs longer to learn? Any ideas on how I can make this more fun or different weave games we can try?

[BostonRott]

Weave poles are highly unnatural for a dog. If you search, I've posted a few things on training weave poles. Personally, I stick with the channel method poles (2 sets that come together).

[flyballmom]

The channel method is what worked best for us too. I know some people have had good luck with click/treating, but I found it way too cumbersome for not very coordinated me, and too distracting for the dog. Blitz wasn't too keen on weaving at first, now she's nutty about it!

Gretchen's posted some great training stuff here, and I think I still have an email she sent me. Will try to find it......

[BostonRott]

I personally don't believe in breaking up a performance like the weave poles by the click/treat method, NOR do I want my dogs to learn to do them slowly. I want speed from the beginning......speed comes from confidence and confidence is built through consistant training.

[Ayoka]

Well it sure looks unnatural when Bear does it...LOL!

After last night I could see how treating along the way was NOT a god longerm plan...and I wanted to change what I am doing before I did something that could be difficult to UNDO!

Tonight we tried some luring and he got thrugh the weaves but I know he still doesn't "get" it. I just got home and read this and looked up the Channel method online and it really makes sense to me...training the dog the basic idea and then tightening the poles up.

I think I can set up the 2 sets of poles so they are offset and we'll work on that next time we're out.

I'm also going to see a CKC agility match this weekend...Should be fun to watch agility "full speed"!

Thanks for the ideas ladies...flyballmom, if you find the e-mail I'd love to read it!

[targonrotts]

how about a favorite toy?
i use a ball for weaves.
channel weaves are the best.
i agree with bostonrotts, speed is more important than slowing them down to train.
we have someone at first hold the dog while we call them with their most favorite item on the other side. after a few good runs, we place the item right past the last pole and we send them thru. bring in the weaves tighter as they get better and we start introducing coming in at angles, etc.
one of my classes decided to teach weaves on a different night of the week, and only do weaves and jumps that one night. the instructor just won the incredible dog challenge with his malinois, queenie.(60 pole challenge)

[Ayoka]

[quote=targonrotts]how about a favorite toy?
i use a ball for weaves.
QUOTE]

Great idea! We actually used a ball when Bear got too comfortable in the tunnell and decided to hang out there for a while one night once I rolled the ball in front of the tunnell as he started to come out, we didn't have to worry!

Sometimes I find he'll do anything for food and others he could care less..I'll bringboth liver AND a ball next time.

[targonrotts]

oh, bear sounds like gala!
when she had enough of class, she goes in the tunnel and takes all the balls she rounds up with her!
and if the tunnel is not near by, she gets on the table like the princess that she is!
but, yes, try the ball. remember, fun and fast!

[fbkeays]

Cipher is a tennis ball addict. She will do anything for a tennis ball. When she was very little I did put wires on a home-made set of weaves. I did some luring. She did alright. Then other things came into the picture and the weaves got put away.
When she was about a year brought out the weaves again and did some luring, followed by food at the end. Again, not bad. Was introduced to the channel method. Cipher got lots of speed. That was when my husband took over and started to use the tennis ball 100% as reward. It didn't take long for her to figure out that she had to do the all of the weaves to get the ball to be thrown for her. She will do anything for a tennis ball. The great thing about the tennis ball is that it keeps the speed and momentum of the dog, whereas food treats stop the dog.