Lance- Hit the Ground Running!
I mentioned a few months ago that Lance had been invited to be a part of a test study for dogs with jumping issues. Devorah Spencer had an "ah ha" moment when she realized her dogs seemed to have preferred landing spots too close to the jumps, regardless of their take off point. She developed a new jumping program designed to encourage dogs to choose better landing spots on jumps. She named it Hit the Ground Running as it's philosophy aims to increase dog's confidence and speed with less emphasis on perfect jumping style and teamed up with UK agility handler Dawn Weaver.
The small group is now 2/3rds of the way through the program and the difference has been remarkable. Some of the dogs stuttered badly, some took off very early, and all dogs lacked the confidence to run full out. Lance wasn't the worse in the bunch. There were a few dogs who stuttered and took ghost jumps even when running through empty pairs of wings in the beginning! But I think you can see the difference in Lance has been remarkable.
This is one of Lance's latest practice sessions. Lance could always do bounce grids before the program, but having to do more than 1 stride in between jumps was always rough!
We still have a long ways to go in the program but Lance is having a blast learning. Just before we started the program Lance dropped down to 4in. I don't know if we'll be moving back up to 8in this next year or not, but I'm in no rush if it will even ever happen.
Lance looks so improved!! I remember seeing a few of his runs and his hesitation -- you must feel so accomplished now that he's got a bit more confidence about the jumps. Look at him go! What a little rocket! I can't wait to see what they look like finished. So impressed.
What a difference! Much less vertical over the jumps (although I kind of like his old floaty style even though I know it slows him down).
Mango Momma
Very cool I had looked at the program and wondered how well it works but looks like it has helped and sounds like you had fun??????
Kathy, I do like the program and the unique way of addressing jumping issues.
I've done some Susan Salo stuff with him, and while I can't say I stuck with it for as long to tell it it would have helped, I don't think it was specifically addressing Lance's issues. Lance was actually able to do a lot of the typical bounce jump grids just fine. His issues involve speed and distance before jumps.