Handler's Class - Week 1

So Gus and I started our new class last night. He moved up a level (even though he is not ready) because we need an instructor for the Tuesday night class he usually takes. There were 4 exercises that we did and we did OK. We started at set #3 which was on front crosses (FC) after the weaves. Gussie was too excited to perform the weaves properly so we just worked on his weaving with his leash on (dragging on the ground behind him). For some reason he can focus much better and perform the task with his leash on him. He did OK then. On a couple of his turns he gave me beautiful foot work and completed all 12 poles without popping. On a couple of turns he left the poles after #10.When he was successful with the poles, I let him take the tunnel which was the obstacle right after.

On Set 4 there was the introduction to the V-set. I lined him up straight to the first jump and converged on his path on the approach to the second and then cut to the right dramatically to get his path to change. The timing was off on a number of his turns because he is just so fast. Because I was left cutting right I got wide turns at jump #2 but he did not take the off course chute that was right in front of him.

Next we rotated to set 1 which was a course analysis exercise. Gus and I struggled here. Not so much on the analysis part but the execution of the FC. My timing and motion were totally off almost every time. Gus also missed his A Frame contact a couple of times too. I think part of the reason my timing was off on the cross was because I was worried about his contact performance.

Finally we went to Set 2 and worked on the send and run exercise. Gus was successful at knocking all the bars on every run. Attached is a small video of him taking a single jump in this exercise (sorry for the poor quality - it was my phone). He was really struggling with taking off at the proper point and he is not getting enough lift I think. You may need to watch the video a couple times to get a good handle on the take off point.