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11/29/25 - Woods bounce-offs and parallels

After her strong interest to go into vs away from woods last class day, I asked Mary Ann to lay a track that parallels woods and does bounce-offs from woods. Mary Ann nailed the assignment (and shout out to Kelley who co-laid and was MVP for double lineups!). We ran the track at 1hr 15min old. Notes - what went well: Great start and 1st turn on the rails! Her article indications were really nice today.  I think our slowed down routine at articles is slowing her down and keeping energy / excitement from running wild. She feels more measured at restarts now. Turns - She was really clear to read on all with the exception of the last turn. In reviewing video, she gave a head turn at the final turn before going forward a little and then looking at woods.  Line work was good today - getting back up the line quickly + a behind the back line work on the final turn - felt like I supported her well when she committed.  She drank well before start and at articles Notes - To work on:...
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02/09/2025 - VST Practice

It's been a hot minute since we worked non-veg so I decided to throw in a VST track after Evie finished her Starts practice today.

I double-walked a U in the parking lot (water spray 1st walk, food drops every 5 on 2nd walk) with start and end articles. The U went over a mulched curb as well. We ran it fresh and I had no clue how it'd go since the last time we did non-veg it was hot + she was tired and distracted which turned into a hot mess.

Track 1 = Pink



  • STRONG start and she had nose down w/ pulling
  • I kept leash very short
  • Turns confused her a little but she was able to work it with short radius. I added a few extra cheese pieces as a jackpot after the turn
  • Given her nose down pulling and forward momentum, I thought the food drop could be spaced more.
Track 1 was a lot better than I expected and she clearly had fun so I laid a 2nd track with food drops every 8 steps.

Track 2 = Yellow



  • Added an open angle turn and went up on sidewalk. 
  • Approached start at an angle. She pulled to start article, enjoyed her reward, and then shot down Leg 1!
  • Clear change in behavior when the mulched island on her left ended on Leg 1. She looked around, did a shake-off, and then went back down Leg 1
  • The 90* R 1st turn was a bit more challenging to her. She overran the turn and showed LOS but then didn't immediately start searching for a turn. She got a little frustrated but I helped her through. When she made the turn, she got a Good Girl from me and quickly found the next jackpot.
  • She paralleled the spray ~12-18" to the left for a little bit - ?
  • LOS at Leg 2 w some initial confusion but then she searched and found Leg 3! The searching happened quicker and with less frustration on this 2nd turn.
  • At end article, I had put chicken ON the article so she helped herself before downing. (Will keep chicken to my hand next time)
  • Food drop every 8 also seemed easy for her so will start spacing this out a little more with the double walking/hydration.
Overall very tickled with what she showed today given she's not really done much VST.




Comments

  1. JudiFebruary 11, 2025 at 8:08 PM

    Woohoo! I’m training both too….we should meet, now that your teaching activities are less!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jack's JourneyFebruary 11, 2025 at 8:20 PM

    Nice Jen!!! She looks great.

    ReplyDelete

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