Fundamentals

Tonights class was back to the basics time for the dogs and their handlers...we spent most of the class working on individual pieces of equipment giving all the dogs review time..and for some a chance to really get them down pat.  Some dogs need to relearn pieces--like Ellee on the teeter--she was doing it fine and then one day she just refused to go over and started jumping off. One dog in the class hates the dog walk, another the hoop--he goes under!  Some are having trouble with weaves--Ellee almost has them down pat--almost!  We use the slant style, but some owners prefer either the channel or 2pole setup--I really think the trick is how often you practice and the quality of the treat that gets the training finished.  We finished the class by doing two competition style runs that were FUN  Ellee did really well. 
While Marcie worries that her students will get bored by doing the basics over and over, I love it--we need to keep reviewing to get faster, feel more secure and find our connection/timing.
Ellee flies over the dog walk, the A-frame, thru tunnels, an seems to be starting to pick up speed and have fun!    I hope we have more basics classes.