Utility signals

One option would be to look for show and gos and do weird things when he looks away (jump up and down, run to another location, treat another dog)  things to break up the pattern and make it a bit more unpredicatable. 

Another option, at the show and gos, vary the distance between the dog and the judge and maybe even ask the judge to treat prior to or at the end of the signal sequence, if there is a chance the dog is worried about the distance from you and proximity of the judge.

 Ask some folks to observe the next signals excercise (or video it) so you can take the sequence apart.

good ideas, thanks.

I'll have an opportunity to try it, found two show and go's (one Saturday, one Sunday) and both are fairly close to home.

I don't think I'll send in another entry till we can qualify 3 different times, 3 different locations at match/ or show and go's.

I tried some run aways, then mixed the order of signals and threw the ball for him when he was right.

I will be curious to know if the trend continues at the next show and go.  These partners can be such puzzles, especially when it seems so clear to us in practice.

We finally on our 5th attempt - survived the signal exercise for the 1st time. Then we nq'd with the first article. Frankly, he never even searched the right side of the pile. He got glove #2 with a nice pivot and retrieve.

We are going to make our 6th attempt for a 1st UA leg on Sunday. If we can't pull it off, then I'm we will not enter for awhile, and continue to get to every wild card, every match, every show and go we can. I'll also start paying people to play judge if that's what it takes!

Well good luck... i have an idea for you.... every day take a few minutes and visualize a perfect performance.  Treat it almost like an agility walk through.  Go through the paces without your dog.... Get a pattern of movement that it is smooth and free flowing.  Just might make a difference

Thanks mrv, the visualization helped me. We busted yesterday on the metal article. 2nd trial in a row that has happened. The signal exercise heeling wasn't pretty, but passable.

We're 6-0.

We CAN do this, I know it!

Sure you can,,,, you are well under the average failure before passing.....  BTW if you near west central ohio, we have a wonderful show in June (around Father's Day weekend)  We take wonderful care of our obedience competitors (seperate building, pools for cooling, coffee and donunts, catalogs in the building and we work our tail off to help with anything and everything).  You might want to consider us.

 Echo Hills Kennel Club

I'll seriously look into that. A bit of a drive from Atlanta, but the trial sounds nice and exhibitor friendly.

Went to Chattanooga TN yesterday, had better heeling but failed on the sit signal. The dog was looking right at me, um... helloooo ..

And of course, that was the only not qualifying exercise. Geesh...

7 and 0 but I can just feel that first Q coming!

I must be an optimist. I entered another couple of trials.... still looking for a first leg!

I will take 10 minutes a day and visualize the performance we want, and of course, see the judge handing us the qualifying ribbon. 

I cut out all the yucky parts but think I've got all the principal parts. If only the judge hadn't stepped toward him between giving me the order for a sit signal and come signal. Argh.

http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa222/joand07/?action=view¤t=oct1307.flv

Finally! We got one! A Utility A leg in ASCA, under Judge Marlene Burford. 183 was good enough for 1st place!  We did a better job on Sunday, until the last go-out which nq'd us

 1st UD leg, feels AWESOME!!!