Weaving

On and off for the past while, I've been trying to teach Miska and Diva to weave using Susan Garrett's 2 X 2 method. I say "trying" because the training hasn't been serious. And then, Companion Dog training school, where we training last summer didn't use the 2 X 2 method. They use the channel method so the dogs were switched to that method. So when we came to AZ this winter, I brought 5 stick-in-the-ground, made-at-home weave poles with me to resume teaching them the 2X2 method. It was a challenge setting them into the ground here. Our backyard is xerascaped so we have no grass; it's all granite gravel over soil. Since the ground is rock hard, the poles wouldn't stand straight but it was better than nothing. More successful was going to a local park where there is grass. But when we started classes with the local agility club, I learned that they teach the straight method using guide wires. Yet another method!

To make a long story short, I ordered some new training weave poles and guide wires from the local pet supplier. I set 6 poles up in our bedroom (which is HUGE) to restrict the 'habitat'(one of Susan Garrett's terms). After 1-2 sessions where Miska and Diva went through the poles a couple of times, I set up my video camera to film the results. Miska (at 7.5 yr of age) made more mistakes initially - jumping over the guide wires or going under so I lowered the wires for her. Here are the results after just 2-3 practice sessions lasting 1-2 minutes.

This is Diva (aged 2.5 yr)

This is Miska (aged 7.5 yr)