Weave Pole Training - Part 1, Sessions 1-7 - Dog Agility Weavepoles

Training Weave Poles - Part 1, Sessions 1 - 7
Over the last 25+ years of doing agility, I have taught weave poles using every method except using V set weaves. For the last 5+ years, I have used 2x2s exclusively to teach, and channels to help those dogs that needed footwork help. While using the 2x2 has been very successful - a lot of dogs struggled mid sessions with the tough concept of wrapping either pole 1 on the offside entry or pole 2 for the onside entry. I ventured to find out if there was an easier way to help dogs understand this critical concept. So with my new dog Eli, I experimented with different way to help him get the concept. Some of my training ideas worked incredibly well. Others, not so much.
Follow me and Eli as I teach him weave poles using a combo of my experiments to achieve an greater understanding of the first pole bends and traditional 2x2 method of training.
0:05 - Directional training, going through uprights, how I think they helped Eli's weave pole understanding.
0:55 - "Get it" - an extremely valuable skill and one used all the time in weave pole training. Get the cheese and return to me for another rep. Very useful training tool.
1:22 - Session 1: First set of 2x2 training. Offering to go through the weave poles uprights. Teaching dog that cookies will fly over their head, stay forward focused - KEY ingredient to help with 12 poles. Don't want the dog looking at you long term.
4:25 - Session 2: New location - establishing direction and 6 o'clock reward line. Sending from clock numbers 8 - 4. Adding in distraction arms, rear cross turns.
9:32 - Session 3: Still working entrance lines. Addition of second set of poles.
13:27 - Session 4: Start out with traditional 2x2 training method. At 14:05 begin to experiment with pole configuration to try and create the bend around the poles that dogs commonly struggle with - onside - between poles 2 & 3. Offside - the bend around pole 1 into 2. Work experimental "L" shape for onside entry. Work offset traditional 2x2 set up for offside entry.
21:21 - Session 5: Onside entry with the introduction third set of poles. Experimenting with different offside set ups.
27:23 - Session 6: 3 pole experiment for offside entry. I quite like this setup and it works well, but it doesn't easily translate to 4 poles.
36:14 - Session 7: More experimenting for offside entry, moderate success.