Of course it couldn't last...

So, after our great successes last week, this week has been a bit more of a challenge...

Firstly contacts, as i suspected switching to a longer plank was a problem with D, he stuck to his two strides criteria and ended up leaping off the plank at the end. I experimented with different heights for the plank and different distances and finally started to get some good ones with him restrained bout 15- 20ft away and a very slightly raised plank. See vid below. I am worrying about them a bit though as he has had TONS of failiures and therefore a lot of non rewards (negative punishment). I feel frustrated as I cant break down the performance into smaller chunks and make it easier for him, have given myself two more training sessions on the low plank, if he still has such a high failure rate I think I might turn back to two on two off, it simply isnt fair for him otherwise.

His weaves are going well, we continue to proof them in different enviroments. However he is still double footing the poles. I have opened the 2x2s up at home now and he still opts to double step the poles... hmmm all I can do is keep trying and hope he finds single pacing and picks this for more comfort, also a bit of proprioception work will help.

However, his jumping is looking good, he is starting to extend and stride out now and creates some lovely shapes over jumps. He still jumps badly at times but I am trying to revisit grids more often and it is showing great improvents in D. He is also really seeing the fun in it all now... the odd woof escapes from his mouth when he is watching a really fun dog work...

I must say though, sometimes i think blogs get misinterpruted. Please dont for a minute think that I am in any way disapointed in D or any of our training, he is the loveliest dog I have trained, he throws me challenges, but every dog does. I absolutely adore him, his sweetness and desire to please really are a joy. Besides which... he gives great cuddles :)