Teaching The Weaves 2-3-4 method Part 1

[@ackdogs]

what a wonderful fun method. I started teaching weaves to my 18 month old dog using channels and wanted to incorporate 2 x 2's for entrances. now instead I will use this much more FUN method and get going with her to make her entrances better. she has beautiful footwork in the channels, but misses entrances if she's going too fast. this will be a HUGE help. thank you!

[@pokeypig22]

ackdogs awesome! Yes, it should help her realize quickly the she has to collect and get that entry on her own. Let me know how it goes and if you have any questions.

[@SassyWinterFox]

oh my gosh that dog is beautiful! i adore merles!

[@mariaii2917]

Love this method! I started teaching my dog the 2 x 2 method, but it's too confusing for me. This method looks much better, and I think it would be more fun for my dog as well! It also seems easier to help your dog understand it in the start by the luring, which my dog needs a bit of. Looking forward to see how it goes

[@pokeypig22]

Thirteen years ago, I started one of my dogs with the 2x2 method as well and found it confusing and frustrating. So this developed and I’ve used it ever since and helped trained hundreds of dogs on it. Good luck!

[@emmasmullen1127]

when would you recommend to start teaching your dog/puppy agility, such as going through the tunnel ect.

[@ruffhousedogtraining]

Starting at the 3 and 9 hours is that to teach the collection piece right away?

[@pokeypig22]

Yes. Focuses more on the idea of wrapping the poles, bending … instead of plowing through them.

[@tacotac10]

Ooo I didn't know about the whole entering different way based on what foot you leave on.

[@pokeypig22]

tacotac10 I’m not sure I completely understand. The dog always enters the same way, the first pole on their left shoulder. I was just leading with the inside foot to help them find the entry better at the beginning. Hope this helps!

[@AlmondaleWhippets]

Thanks for this video - I think this method would suit my Whippets who have a slightly different learning style to most herding breeds. Was just wondering whether you have changed anything since you posted this in 2015?

[@pokeypig22]

Almondale Whippets great question! And not really. Some dogs I lure more, some I shape more. But the concept is still the same. Lots of enthusiasm and stressing fun and letting them figure it out. Don’t be afraid of them making mistakes and just enjoy it. It’s fun!

[@AlmondaleWhippets]

@@pokeypig22 Thank you!

[@cindyjohnson6656]

This is my goal? And then add other set

[@spottedhorses4323]

So, my dog hates the weave poles, he’s a toy Aussie and he loves jumping, and everything else except the weave poles. Any suggestions?

[@pokeypig22]

Spotted Horses how did you train them? When you say “hate”... does he avoid? Stress? Go slow? I do have an online weave class starting in a week if you want more help.

[@spottedhorses4323]

pokeypig22 i probably haven’t worked on it enough. So I’ll just work on it more, I haven’t tried you technique out so I’ll try it

[@itholdm7]

Amber hold old do you start training the weaves?

[@pokeypig22]

I usually start the two and three poles when they are about ten months old. That's probably sooner than some would recommend, I just get anxious. ;) You should start when you are comfortable with it, when they are physically and mentally old enough. When my dog is a year, I usually take a break from weaves, start jump training or contacts and then in a couple months, finish the weaves. With this method, it is super easy to get to 6 and 12 weaves, like two sessions. But look for the next video that has a couple month exercise with four poles. Your dog will have incredible and independent entries.

[@daisysmith904]

do you do 1-2-1 training?

[@Karueglazki]

Do you have a online training course of agility?

[@Karueglazki]

pokeypig22 I meant to ask, if you have an agility course in general, for all other obstacles, not just weaves. I like you teaching style and would be interested in taking your agility course.

[@pokeypig22]

Oleksandra Lytvynenko no sorry. That is the only course I teach online right now

[@denicesawatzky3471]

I love this method of teaching weaves. thanks.

[@cassidymeyer6661]

I know this video is old but I have found it SOO useful! Thank you !! May I ask... My young dog can sometimes get "bored" with training this, or become slow and overwhelmed when making too many mistakes. I try keep things upbeat and happy. I never scold her either. What can I do? All these dogs looks super drivey and enthusiastic.

[@pokeypig22]

@@cassidymeyer6661 it is an oldie, but still a good one. I still use this method and teach all my students it. Make sure your success rate is high and your repetitions are low. End on the dog wanting to come back. Even if it’s a two minutes break doing tricks or throwing a ball, do something else after mate 2-3 repetitions. And help the dog if they don’t have at least a 75% success rate. Have fun! I also have this method as a virtual class if you want more specific videos on each step.

[@cassidymeyer6661]

@@pokeypig22 Thank you so much for replying!! I did some weave training today, and she was much better... Id be interested in that virtual class actually :D

[@pokeypig22]

leapsnbounds.teachable.com/p/on-demand-weaves-2-3-4-from-the-beginning

[@virginiahoffman3093]

Started my last dog like this but went to 4 poles. Maybe teaching 2-3 first cements the concept better and could be why I had to deal with pop-outs?

[@Khaleesiification]

Can i use this method with poles on the ground? If yes, should i put tape to mimic the base of the weaves? Mostly for me i sometimes need a visual cue. And BTW i LOVE your training i just started in person clases and my teacher is impressed with our foundation i mainly used YOUR foundation videos :)

[@pokeypig22]

Awww love this. You mean stick in the ground? Ones without a base? Yes, you can use those. Some dogs have no problem transferring to ones with a base, some do. So you might just have to have a little patience when you try a different set of poles. Have fun!

[@BennyAndTheJetAndLouLouToo]

I love this method! I tried everything with 7 dogs over the years and this works best. Two questions: Where do you buy 3 weave poles? Or did you make those?

[@pokeypig22]

We have a local welder that does them for us.

[@giddy307]

Do you have any tips on how to do this with an older dog that is food obsessed? Always watching you, your hand and not focusing on the exercise itself?

[@pokeypig22]

giddy307 feed less from your hand. You can try putting the treat in a food ball that holds the treat. Or you can use a Manners Minder, then you only have the remote in your hand. I would I also train shaping tricks more to where your dog learns they have to offer behaviors to get the treats.

[@catlothian4713]

Hello, a bit of advice needed - we are working with two poles at the moment and my dog is getting it with my arm guiding (not luring, just gesturing towards the entrance). As soon as I start to make my gesture smaller she's missing the entrance. Is there anything I can do to help to make this clearer for her without gesturing?

[@pokeypig22]

Yes and great question! This is a great goal to really get those independent entries and to make sure she is understanding what you are asking. I would go a lot closer, even inches and use no arm signal. Get her to think/offer and shape the entry, rewarding when she chooses correctly.

[@catlothian4713]

@@pokeypig22 we'll try that, that's really useful. Thank you for taking the time to reply!