Spring Classes Start

We've been into spring classes for 4 nights so far. Things are going pretty well, but we are having a problem with Mocca's motivation. I am going to try a few new things - one the trainer thought I should try is using toy motivation instead of treats. Last week I spent half the night hollaring at Mocca to get back over to me as she was off sniffing far corners of the field! It was terribly frustrating. The last course we ran I tried using a toy - I showed her the toy before we started, and then put it away in my pouch. Then we ran the course, and after she completed it successfully, she got the toy. It seemed to work well, but it was just the first time, and the last run of the evening - and she always pays more attention the last run! I also think if I have a better treat she will work better, so we are going to try to get something really yummy for next week.

3 weeks ago I purchased a set of 12 weave poles from Drs. Foster & Smith Pet Supplies. We practice them every night - We just run them once each way because I dont want to overdo it at all. We struggled for awhile trying to figure the best way to practice the weaves at home, and seem to have settled for showing her the toy, putting it up where she cant get it, and then show her I have a treat. I put the treat away, and we run the weaves and then at the last pole I toss the treat out so she gains more speed & is excited to have completed the weaves. Then we get the toy & give it a few tosses. This seems to be working well because this week at class we completed a full set of weave poles THREE times without a problem! She still relies on me heavily being right next to her & doing a push-pull with my hand, but we will try to move away from this slowly. I tried earlier to quickly, and it didnt go well so we have to go slow. I would rather her do the poles perfectly with me right next to her than not do them.

I'll post about Gamblers & Snookers from last week next.