Six New Titles!!!

Gimme has six new titles! They are:
ADP-1(Th), ADP-2(Th), ADP-3(Th), ADP-4(Th), ADP-5(Th), and ADP-CH(Th).  This gives her a total of 81 titles.

All Dogs Parkour created a special event for Themes titles, designed to be completed at home, so people could have something to do with their dogs during the stay-at-home orders. There were five levels. I learned about it late, so Gimme and I had to rush to get them done by the June 30th cutoff date.  Naturally as soon as I was ready to submit them, they extended the cutoff date.

I actually recorded them in reverse order. The higher titles required more unique behaviors, so I wanted to make sure I reserved our more behavior-rich themes for the higher levels. Before I started recording, I went through the entire list of ADP behavior descriptions to make a list of all those Gimme can do with no more than a warm-up. Plus there was the option to make up original behaviors. As it turned out we had twelve unique behaviors from the original list for all five levels.

LEVEL 1 - Pre-Remodel Kitchen video - I saved this for last as I prepared my kitchen for the remodel. There was a lot of clearing out of stuff and cleaning to be done. So knowing I had a deadline kept me working on the not-so-fun deep cleaning. I brought the rug in to give Gimme a safe surface (non-skid) to move around on. This was challenging to video because I had such limited space to work with and kept chopping my head off. Many behaviors were taped multiple times.

LEVEL 2 - Carport Junk video - See, there is a reason to keep junk. Who knew... I positioned my van alongside the driveway and stretched expens across the driveway so we'd have a secure "fenced" area to work where Gimme could be off leash. I used the door mat with the jumps so she could land on something safer and softer than concrete.

LEVEL 3 - Agility EFs video - While we can use agility equipment as Environmental Features (EF) for All Dogs Parkour, we cannot use them the way they'd be used in agility. Fortunately Gimme is both bold and talented, so it was easy to find unique uses. I love the way Gimme's tail wags outside the tunnel when we used it for a Get Inside. For this special event some of the usual behavior requirements were relaxed, which saved me on a couple things. In the Between (Backward), I needed to show Gimme was completely outside the Between EFs at the beginning and the end. I could tell she was, but the judge wasn't sure (you have to look at her left rear foot). Fortunately the relaxed requirements made it a pass anyway, so I didn't have to resubmit it.

LEVEL 4 - Chairs video - This is my favorite one, just because I enjoyed showing off my little Dalmatian chair. I actually used the Dalmatian chair to block Gimme from going under the brown chair when we did the Loops behavior. I didn't think it through and we had just recorded her Go Under with the brown chair and Gimme was just convinced she should be doing Go Under more. Note she also thought she should Go Under the chair when I was asking her to do Get On (4).

LEVEL 5 - Yard and Garden video - This was the most frustrating one to video. Almost all the stuff we used came out of my garden shed and had to be hauled to the front yard to video. Then it had to be put back when I was done, so it wouldn't be stolen. Because the LED screen on my camera is cracked, it was often hard to know what I had in the field of view. So, I had to haul all the heavy and awkward stuff out four times. I hope Gimme appreciates my efforts on her behalf. Normally Get Inside requires the edges to be at least hock height, but we were able to use the garden hose with the relaxed requirements. Note how Gimme leaps out like she has springs for legs. I was so pleased with her willingness to do a Jump (Assisted) using the lawnmower deck. This entry was the first time we ever did the Loops behavior, so I had to train it first (we also used Loops in our Chairs theme).

I hope you enjoy watching these videos; Gimme and I sure enjoyed creating them.

New Parkour Titles

I just got word - Gimme was awarded two new titles today: ADP(GCH)
and ADPL5(2).

She is the newest ADP-Grand Champion and the first Dalmatian in the world to achieve the title. These are her 50th and 51st titles. You can watch her titling runs on youtube...

Game Farm Park video
Virgil S. Clarkson Senior Center video
Priest Point Park video

I always ask Gimme to pose with her
new toy for a picture, before she gets
it dirty. She thinks this is so annoying...

I get letters behind her name and bragging rights. Gimme gets toys... It's our system and it's working for us.

We've had fun doing the Grand Champion track. We'll be taking a break from parkour for a few months and then we will start working on the Premier sequence. Why? Because it's there...

And besides, Gimme needs a new toy

- this one is old already.

New Parkour Titles

On July 11th we got word Gimme had completed her level 4 titles on the grand champion track.  Yay Gimme!  These were challenging since the sequences had to include 5 behaviors. She got two new titles, bringing her total to 49.

Here are our videos...

Thornbury Park - ADP L4(2GC)a    

Rainier Vista Community Park - ADP L4(2GC)b

Regional athletic complex - ADP L4(2GC)c

While I was waiting for results, I finished preparing the videos for level 5 and they have been submitted. I could hear back any time now or still have to wait a couple weeks. We are promised results in 3 weeks, but they often come much sooner. With luck, Gimme will soon be the first Dalmatian parkour grand champion in the world.

New Titles - 37 & 38

Just got word on our recent parkour submission to All Dogs Parkour. Gimme now has two new titles: ADPL3(2) and ADPL3(GC). This brings the title total to 38. Yayyyyy Gimme.

She has to have 3 qualifying entries at this level. I hope you enjoy watching them as much as we enjoy making them. They are:

Avonlea Park - ADP L3 (2GC) at Avonlea Park.

Wonderwood Park - ADP L3(2GC) at Wonderwood Park.

and William A Bush Parkc ADP L3(2GC) at William A Bush Park.

This weekend we have two days of UKC nosework in Graham. The drive is only 1:15, so we'll be coming home at night. Actually if they run the searches the way I've heard... we'll be coming home mid-afternoon. If Gimme does as well as I expect her to and provided I don't mess up, she could come home with as many as 5 new titles. Cross your fingers for us...

New Titles 31-33

Title 31 is actually a miscalculation on titles before the end of the year.  I was saying we ended the year with 30 titles, when it was actually 31.  Fortunately Gimme won't fire me from my job as her publicist.  Being her gray-haired old Mom has it's perks, job security.

The title I hadn't factored in was the ADPL1(2). 
The video is available at:  Lakepointe Park - ADP L1 (2GC)

Today she was awarded two more titles, the ADPL2(2) and the ADPL2(GC)
The video is available at: Meridian Park - ADP L2(2GC)

This Saturday we are headed to Longview for a weight pull trial.  I have to remember to pick up marshmallows from the store - Gimme's favorite treat for weight pull. 

She only needs 10 points to finish her weight pull championship.  I entered for two pulls on Saturday, but I should only need one to get the UWPCH.  So we'll end up with some extra points toward her next title - whatever it is.  I am taking the rules and regulations with me so I can read up.  There is a lot of time spent waiting around, so I'll have plenty of time to figure out what comes next.

New Titles #28 and 29

I was so busy through much of the summer and didn't spend much time doing dog-stuff. So Gimme and me have been on mad dash to make my goal before we close out 2017. We're almost there.

This weekend we learned we completed the requirements for parkour titles ADPL5 and ADPCH. This required us to qualify on three level five submissions.

Homann Park video - This was easy to video, but I made a mistake and misunderstood the rules. I knew at level 5 we had to have two advanced behaviors, but I had missed the requirement for them to be two different advanced behaviors. So I had to go back to video another advanced behavior and then resubmit. 

Lake Lois Park video - This was a good site, but I kept going back to change things. I review all the individual clips on the camera before I leave, but invariably see something else once I get it home on a larger screen. There was some question on a jump I had Gimme do. Since I let go of the leash it had to be below her elbow. I hadn't understood this particular nuance of the rules, so was lucky to be just within the rules.

Decatur Park video - This was a nice site with great props (environmental features), but it's right in the middle of a housing area and kids are coming and going a lot of the time. It had a nice set of trails attached, so Gimme and I got to take a nice relaxing walk in the middle of one session, waiting for some kids to leave.

The rules don't let us use playgrounds when children are using them. I typically plan what I'm going to do and then take video in whatever order works for the day. Often I have to wait for kids to leave or I have to come back another time.

While I was waiting for the results on ADPL5/CH I've already taken video for the next submission. It'll be my first for the Grand Champion track, so I hope I have it right. I'll be preparing it tonight. I want to get it submitted right away so I have time between rainstorms to get over there and redo a video if I have to change something.

I'm also scouting the area for the right features to use for the International Dog Parkour Association's new titling program - specialty titles. I want to do the Walk-On, Four-On and Below specialties. There is another, Tic-Tac, but we haven't trained the behavior well enough and I'd be concerned about the physical stress unless it was well trained. I haven't actually looked at the requirements, so I may reconsider at some point.

Gimme loves parkour and I love anything Gimme loves.

New Title #26

Here is another post out of order, because I can't resist sharing good news.

Right before going to bed last night I checked my email and learned Gimme's parkour submission had been evaluated and she now holds the ADPL4 title for two titles in one day.  So tomorrow we start taping for level 5 in between the rain showers.

Here are links to the three submissions:

McAllister Park video

Long Lake Park video 

Huntamer Park video 

The results are online for yesterday's nosework title. Gimme is the first dog listed for a title, but the order is based on handler's first name, so no special significance. Fifteen dogs titled and Gimme was 14th in order by points. Accounting by time alone she would be 7th. 0:15.66

Vehicle 1 search - There was 1 hide in the Museum on an antique milk truck, with 1:00 allotted. Despite the distraction, Gimme completed this search in 15.66 seconds!

Vehicle 2 search - In the 4H Area search there was 1 hide on 2 vehicles with 2:00. This is the one where I called a false alert, so we got maximum time.

Vehicle 3 search - The Warming Hut search contained two vehicles, a car and a small chariot, with 2 hides and 1:30 for the search. Gimme finished this search in 28.57 seconds.

Vehicle 4 search - At the Sheriff's Office, there were 2 vehicles, 3 hides and just 2:30 to find them. The two vehicles consisted of a big pickup towing a flat bed trailer with handling obstacle. Gimme completed this search in 45.84, which should have put her in second place, but she was assessed a fault. I have no clue what the fault was since we don't get score sheets in element trials. Too too strange.

BTW we also got the certificate today from AKC for Gimme's Trick Dog Novice title. So we are just awash in success...

Parkour (7/4)

NOTE: I actually prepared this blog entry a couple months ago, but it seems I forgot to "publish" it.  Just noticed it and published it today.  Our Wednesday night parkour class resumes on the 18th.  Gimme will be very happy, as will I.

Sadly we've just learned our Parkour class is cancelled for the time being - since I'm the only person who wanted to continue.  I was going to have to skip a session after the one that would have started tonight, because of how busy I'll get for Christmas, so its okay.  Hopefully classes will start up again after the first of the year. Do picture Gimme pouting...

"Thru" practice video - Gimme really did fine with this.  She likes active stuff.  As we went through in reverse direction, her leash caught on the framework, so I had her do it again. 

"Thru-out-thru" video - This was just the same thing, go "thru", then "out" around the cone and back "thru" again.  Easy peasy.

"Thru" video - Another "thru" obstacle.  Gimme enjoys this sort of stuff.

"Below" bench video - This one presented a little challenge for us.  I should say it presented a challenge for ME.  I was so slow on my cue timing, so Gimme wasn't getting the information in time to respond.  When I got it right, magically, so did she.

"Walkies-flip-walkies" video -  This is the first time Jo added the barrel to the board walk.  I'm not sure Gimme even noticed.

Sequence 1 video - This first sequence basically puts together all the things we'd already done.  Gimme loves it when we get to the sequences because they are more active.

Sequence 2 video - This is the same sequence, but trying to do it more controlled.  It improved mostly right after the first "thru" where I had to take her over to the board walk.

Creative sequence video - We were given the task of using a chair, a box and a cone and creating our own flowing sequence of 5 behaviors.  We did "out" (around the cone), "box", "below" and "table" (with the chair), and "hands" on the cone.  Gimme had already done "hands" correctly several times on the cone.  Naturally, being Gimme, she thought a little embellishment was in order, so she turned and did "bacon" (back-on).  Since it was technically two paws on, I chose to accept her variation.  After all, I surely don't want to suppress her creative endeavors.

Positions on board walk video - This is kinda hard.  The dogs have to organize their feet up under them, so its not something they'd choose to do.  Gimme did it, but was a little uncomfortable with it, so I chose to put a lot of money in the down-on-board-walk bank account.  The second time was on the narrower board, but she was still much quicker about it.  She got paid well.

Sequence 3 video - Here we put the positions on the board walk into the same sequence we'd been doing before.  Gimme did very well.

Sequence 4 video - This is the same sequence with just 3 changes.  1) as we get on the little table before the board walk, Gimme is supposed to do a 10 second "sit-wait", 2) the box is moved beside the second part of the board walk requiring a dismount, "box" and then get back on the board walk, and 3) at the end, instead of "table" she is supposed to do "hands" on the can, with a "pivot".  Gimme did really well at all of it, but couldn't remember what to do with the "pivot" cue.  I reminded her by making the can the pivot point for a center-front-pivot and then let her finish it on her own.

Sequence 5 video -This is a repeat, to smooth out the lumps.  Gimme completely remembered her "pivot".  Really its kinda neat that she was able to do it, since she learned it on a much smaller prop we call the brick, so transferring it to this much higher can is really smart of her.

"Box-out-box" training video - At the time I had the hardest time grasping why this was difficult for her.  Thank God for video, since I can now see the relative location of me to the cone made my hand signal look exactly like a lure for the "spin", which is exactly what she was giving me in the "box".  I was also using the wrong cue, "around" instead of "out".  Naturally a hand signal takes precedent over a verbal, so she was trying so hard to do what she thought I wanted - I was the one who wasn't getting it.  Then I got started using the wrong hand to motion with and other training errors on my part.

There is a reason dog trainers often say "dogs learn in spite of us, not because of us."  Fortunately I am blessed with a brilliant dog who never gives up and is willing to do what it takes to figure out what I want even if it doesn't coincide with what I ask for.

Number 22!

Today we got the notice - Gimme met the requirements for her All Dogs Parkour Level 3 title. We are both having so much fun with this.  I love the creativity aspect of finding ways to use a single location in twelve different ways.  So fun.  Of course Gimme loves just getting out and do, do, doing.

For Level 3 we had to do three qualifying entries:

Chehalis Trail - ADP-L3(a) - We did this video on the Chehalis Trail between Pacific and 14th Avenue.  Gimme and I walk there 2 or 3 times a week.

Little Baseball Park - ADP-L3(b) - This video was created in the upper ballpark area of Little Baseball Association park.  There is another section of the park for playground and picnic use and we will do another video submission there someday.

Our Yard - ADP-L3(c) - Our third video for this title was done entirely in my yard.  I had to submit a revised video because I made a mistake, so I was lucky it was this one.  It only took a few minutes to go outside and shoot another video and I had it turned around (and title confirmation) in about two hours.

We will definitely be going on with this, but probably not until after the first of the year.  And come Spring I'll get back to training toward our Intermediate IDPKA title.  Some of those behaviors are a bit trickier, so I want to make sure the equipment we train on isn't slippery due to rain or ice.

Also, I will start teaching Parkour at Pawsabilities in late January.
I'm looking forward to it.

New Title - #19

Yesterday I got the email confirming Gimme has earned her ADP-L2.  This is title #19 for her.  You can see the video at Van Contents - ADP L-2.  I was surprised to see it already has 106 views, since I haven't shared the link with anyone until just now.

It was a lot of fun doing this.  ADP encourages us to get creative with our selection of and use of a location.  So I decided to use my van's contents as one location.  Given all the stuff living in my van for our dog sport training - it was easy to come up with 12 behaviors.  I hope you enjoy watching it.

A One-and-One-Half Title Day

On Sunday we left early in the day for Portland and a level 2 Nosework element trial on vehicles.  It was supposed to top out at 84º, but when we were leaving (minutes after our last search), it was 87º.  Fortunately I'd gotten all the aluminet screens after the NW3 trial which got up to 103º, so Gimme and I stayed pretty comfortable.  The trial was held at the Alpenrose Dairy, which is also a dairy museum and kind of a dairy theme park.  Part of the property has been turned into a sports facility for the local community.

We had 4 searches, in two sets of two.  Gimme was the third dog on the list, so we got things out of the way quickly.

Museum Search - This was a search of just one vehicle inside, 1 hide, 1:00.  It was a finished garage, with other non-vehicle, but large, dairy related pieces.  The vehicle was a large cream-colored old-fashioned milk truck.  There was only about 3' between the truck and the other stuff, so Gimme was attracted to the other things, but I just encouraged her to come back toward the vehicle.  We entered the search from the rear of the vehicle, passed up the right side and around the front, down the driver's side.  It had big sliding doors and Gimme found the hide in the bottom part of the sliding door "hinge".  She did the search in 35 seconds (11th place).  In rewarding her I managed to drop several treats and I was sure the judge saw it, but the trial results don't show any faults.

Main Street Search - Here we had two vehicles, 3 hides and 2:00.  From the start line Gimme went up the right side of the near vehicle, then up the right side of the other vehicle.  As she got to the front she indicated on the license plate holder.  Then she started down the left side of that vehicle, taking a diagonal to the hide at the wheel.  From there I took her around the vehicles again and then between them.  I told her "check-it" pointing to the bumper of the nearest vehicle and that was when she found the third hide.  She did the search in 1:31 (11th place).  I again dropped treats, but the trial results don't show any faults.  Oddly they also didn't give us maximum time for my failure to say "finish" at the end of our search.

The whole treat dropping is because I was nervous and my hands were shaky.  Normally I use peanut butter in the go-toob, but haven't been using it in class because the co-instructor gets so impatient having to wait for Gimme to cleanse her palate.  I went back to the PB toob for the rest of the trial.

Circus Wagon Search - This search was three vehicles, 2 hides and 1:30.  The vehicles were three little mock circus wagons lined up askew in a row. Gimme went from the start line up the right side and found the first hide at the corner of the last wagon.  From there we went down the other side and she quickly alerted on the rear wheel of the vehicle closest to the start.   Gimme did this in 1:02 (19th place).

Hollywood Lights Search - This search was two vehicles, 1 hide and 1:30.  There was two vehicles lined up straight.  Gimme went up the right side, around the end and then came down the side to the first car's front tire and did a lot of sniffing.  She was pretty intent, but hadn't sourced it or alerted.  When they called "30 seconds" I walked her around to the other side and she paid a lot of attention to the other front tire.  I knew we were almost out of time and called "alert", about a tenth of a second after the timer called "time".  As it turned out, the hide was inaccessible and it was behind the first tire she showed interest in. We were assessed maximum time.

Gimme did a good job, she just ran out of time.  She didn't hesitate to come with me when I moved her away from where the hide was, so she clearly wasn't convinced it was there.  She's normally very good at inaccessible hides, but I think it was hot and it was also the last search, so she could have been a little tired.  The vehicles were standing out in the sun - all the "ring crew" were sitting in shade nearby. 

There were only 7 dogs who titled, out of 25 entered.  Gimme's total time was 4:39 (11th place).  Her placement should have been much lower, but the judge must've been half asleep and missed my two treat dropping faults.  Placement is based on faults, then time.  We had 85% which was well over the 75% needed to get a leg toward a title.  So now I have to find another L2V trial in the area.  Although I was disappointed to miss the title, I wasn't unhappy with Gimme's performance.  She tried hard, as always.

When we got home I found a notice in our email inbox notifying me Gimme had completed the requirements for her Level 1 title with All Dogs Parkour. So she now gets to add ADP-L1 to her long list of titles - this is title number 18.  East Bay Public Plaza - ADP L1

Gimme is still humble, but I'm not.  Just sayin...

Parkour (6/4)

Gimme and I continue to enjoy the parkour class.

Send away obstacle video - This obstacle is a large "c" shape of dividers and inside are little obstacles to step on and over.  Its a send away, because the handler can't go in it, though I suppose I could have run around the outside of it.  Gimme figured it out really quickly. 

Board walk video - A quick down and back, with the pool noodles to step over and then the sway bridge.  She's never really been concerned about either.

Hoop/barrel sequence 1 video - Gimme took a little short cut when I fell behind her.  I'm sure she doesn't "see" the channel made by the hoops in the same way we humans do.  She very quickly figured out what I wanted there.  As always.

Hoop/barrel sequence 2 video - The second time around we had a different objective and like most dogs, Gimme made an assumption about what we were doing.  Jo thinks this is often because I'm not fast enough giving her information; I think she's right.  Its not Gimme's natural inclination to take direction, certainly not to wait for it, so I really do need to be more timely - which isn't easy with such a speedy girl. The second time through we did better, but I was still late, so you'll see Gimme has to jump the cone instead of the jump bar.  The third time she did very well and was completely unconcerned when the jump got knocked over by the dragging leash.

Sequence 3 video - This time we put all three parts together.  Jo pointed out how Gimme spun as she got on the board walk, because she was trying to do the right thing and wait for information.  Again its a timing thing.  So Jo had me repeat the first two parts of the sequence with focus on my timing. 

Sequence 4 video - The time before as we were walking back to our setup, Gimme noticed a big fat bird outside the gate on the big door.  She remained alert to the bird possibility for the rest of class.  In hindsight, I probably should have taken a moment to address it with "whazzat" - bad me.  Once she returned her focus to me, she did well. 

BTW the spot where she keeps making a loop out of the turn after the jump (after the hoops) is where the young black dog sits near there.  She finds him very distracting mostly because he always wants to get to her, to play.  She pays almost no attention to the female border collie who pays no attention to her.

Sequence 5 video - Close to the beginning I had Gimme do the part between the send obstacle and the board walk over, because I knew I wasn't positioned right.  It was better, but only a little bit.  Its kind of hard because I have an idea in my head of how I'll handle something, but I don't get to walk it without Gimme so I don't really have a feel for how to actually do it with her.  Its also a challenge because there are times I need to move quite a bit faster, but at the same time, I don't want to speed her up.

Sequence 6 video - This was virtually the same except the direction on the send.  I was trying to use the time while she was in the send to position myself better and she still got ahead of me.  To her credit, when I said "wait" (our stay cue) she interpreted it correctly and stopped.  Good girl Gimme.   You might notice our chuckle (me and Jo) on this and the last sequence when Gimme got in the box - you can't see it, but she was being dramatically funny about how she was getting in and plopping all four feet inside.

Learning "perch" video - We again built value and then started the pivot.  Note she has better focus with the door shut.  I started trying to have her offer the pivot.  Jo thinks I should focus on the physical strength/control aspect - though she said I could teach it both ways, as physical conditioning and as a trick.  I intend to get an oil pan (and similar props), so I can work on this at home.

Learning "perch" 2 video - In watching this clip it occurs to me I need to start doing the other direction as well.  All these practices have been counter-clockwise, we need to practice clockwise.

Creative sequence video - The final exercise was to plan our own creative sequence with flow, using the props on the floor.  We could move them in minor ways.  I liked the sequence I came up with, which ended with one of her great behaviors - a forehand pivot on a low prop.  Unfortunately I didn't get the camera aimed just right, so you really only get to see her fanny swing by - really fast.

As she always does, Miss Gimme snoozed almost all the way home.  She loves our Parkour classes, but they do tire her out.

Parkour (5/4)

We've just learned about another dog parkour organization, All Dogs Parkour.  Its similar to International Dog Parkour Association in some ways and different in others.  We are already busy preparing our first entry.

Class continues to be a lot of fun, with lots of new challenges.

Board work video - I'm so glad I taught Gimme to "flip" on cue, it really simplifies things.  She's rarely bothered by things underfoot.

Learning "perch" 1 video - We worked quite a bit on teaching the dogs to back onto something, stopping with just the two rear feet on.  Gimme and I have worked quite a bit on backing all feet on, so it took some time convince her to only put on two rear feet.  Part of the solution was to start putting it on a separate cue, "perch"; while "bacon" is to back all four feet on.  On this first video I put most of the time into building value for being still with just the back feet on. 

Sequence 1 video - Gimme always loves sequence work - she just likes to be moving and doing.  She was a little disconcerted when the bone-shaped fitness ball flipped on its side.  She was hesitant to step on it again, which made me wonder if she hurt her foot as it bumped the table when she slid off.

Sequence 2 video - The fiddling at the end of this was to get her to step on the bone-shaped fitness ball again.  Partly she doesn't see the point when its so easy to step over, and then it DID flip on its side the time before.

Sequence 3 video - Part of the challenge on this sequence was to send the dog out around the cone from the other side of the boardwalk.  Gimme has had difficulty with this ever since her seizure in March, when the "cane" and "orbit" behaviors were lost.  We've struggled to get them back since then, with minimal success.  So my solution here was to toss a treat for Gimme and then use my body movement (mostly not needed) to get her to come around the cone before returning to me - kinda pulling a fast one.  ☺ 

Learning distance "out" video - I wasn't happy with how this worked out.  We were supposed to be introducing the dog to doing the go-around-something behavior from the platform.  Gimme's platform wasn't stable and while it normally doesn't bother her, this night it was bothering her.  I didn't like the creepy association she was getting for her "cane" and "orbit" behaviors, which are already a trouble spot.

One other problem I see in hindsight was having her work facing the open door, where she sometimes sees the students with their dogs waiting for the next class.  In fact later in this class, someone came with their dog right up to the door.  Since then I've taken to closing the door partway through class.  I always set up our place in this spot because its gives us a private space away from the other class dogs.

As it turns out, over the weekend while I was teaching her to weave non-weave-pole prop sequences for ADP parkour (called Hardscape Weaves), I fell onto using the words "out" and "in" and she picked it up in mere minutes.  Of course it doesn't resolve her "cane" and "orbit" issue, where those behaviors are more of a loop (CCW and CW).  If anyone has a solution for getting those behaviors back - do let me know.  But at least we have something working for class. 

Learning "perch" 2 video - You can see her really getting the idea of what behavior I want here.  I need to get some similar props to practice this on.  She was getting the idea of turning with me and keeping her back feet on.  Then Jo had us do the same thing with another prop and Gimme had no issue with the change.  My attempt to lure the turning was completely unsuccessful. 

Jo thinks Gimme needs more rear end muscles.  I had a really hard time wrapping my mind around the idea, since rear end muscles is one thing Gimme has in abundance.  In thinking about it since then, I think Jo is looking for a different "type" of muscle (for lack of a better word).  Dalmatians are bred to run with a coach all day - essentially they are built like human runners.  They won't naturally build bulkier muscles, like a weight trainer.  This isn't to say they couldn't build them, rather its something we'd have to work toward specifically.

Learning "perch" 3 -  After our discussion, during which Gimme got paid for "chillax", we did another short session right before class ended.  We also did a couple "take-a" bows.

Gimme continues to love these classes.  And I like how Parkour encourages me to interact more with her during our walks.

Parkour (4/4)

This is our class from Sep 7th.  Gimme was just getting out of her false pregnancy and back to normal.

Pool noodle obstacle 1 & 2 video -  Gimme seemed to start class in the do-do-do mode, all doing and no listening.  This video is two short sessions, she was more able to listen and control herself toward the end.  It helped a lot when I dropped the leash so I was able to get in a better position to show her what I wanted.

Sequence 1 video - She often steps on everything the first time and then skips some things the second time or on the way back.  There's nothing unsafe about what she does, its just the whole idea is to learn and demonstrate confidence doing stuff in a particular way.

Sequence 2 video - I didn't have the best position in the class to catch the whole course on video, so I've cut out the part where we are off camera.  Gimme did really good, except for jumping ahead on walking over the various obstacles, which is where I made her come back and do it right.  She again stepped over the one item, which mostly has to do with stride length.  I am thinking maybe I need to stop her on each one and pay for each of them, to give her a reason to step on each one. 

Sequence 3 video - This is just the very end of the next sequence, which is the part you missed in the prior sequence.  The first time she decided to do the jump-jump-jump-jump on her own, so I cued it this time.  I thought it was a cute solution - very Gimme.

Scaffold 1 video - Given how hard she rocked the scaffold the first time she jumped on, I thought she might hesitate or refuse the next time.  Note how I use her harness to keep her from landing hard on her front as she dismounts.  The second time she seemed to control her landing better, so it didn't rock so hard.  She likes jumping on the scaffold.

Scaffold 2 video - The cross plank was small, so she kinda looked it over before deciding to do it.  Its about the same size as the one we've been working on at home, but ours is only milk crate height.

Sequence 4 video - She started out well, but then was suddenly distracted by something on the floor.  I really think the issue was the load commanding and barking from the agility arena, which is on the other side of the pink wall.  She was trying to work, but after doing so well for much of class, she was suddenly out of listening mode.  She jumped on the barrel (slick surface) when I cued "hands", so she had to do it again.  You'll see she isn't really paying attention and then gets needy for face time before we start the pool noodle obstacle.  When I did get her to do the pool noodles, she just flung herself into/through them - so I took her back and made her slow down for it.

"Box" with big bucket video - The first time I asked her to do it, she checked it briefly and then jumped right in.  Then afterward, I had quite a time getting her to do it again.  After watching the video, I realize she was really just done, her brain was used up.  I think if we'd done this at the start of class, there would have been no issue.  I did finally get her to do it again and then paid her verrrry well (with peanut butter).  And we did it once more before quitting.  In hindsight I wish I'd realized where she was at mentally and then could have paid the heck out of the first time and ended on a high note.  I'm sure there was no harm, since she's amazingly resilient, but I'd prefer not to have to rely on her resilience to cover less effective training.

Gimme "likes" the border collie classmate, because for the most part it pays no attention to her.  Its owner is experienced and I know I don't have to watch them.  Gimme doesn't care for the young black dog because he's always 90% out of control and would be all over her (wanting play) in a nanosecond.  His owners are pet people and have all they can do between the two of them to control him.  I'm always watching them because I think some day there will be a lapse of control and I want to be ready for it.

Overall I thought she did very well.