Kathy, i decided to join the class because, although I have all the material you mention plus more, what I am lacking is a game plan for private practice. I set up the sequence for lesson #1 and easly worked both my boys through it. Today I plan to watch the video again taking notes,then go out and run through it again. Olga has a delighful dry sense of humor and made some subtle comments that I found very helpfull. Bad news is my video camera is broken, good news is,, it is covered in a class action suit against Sony and I can send it to be fixed, free. So take the plundge, I think they are offering a one month rate. Cheers, Jean

In watching the teaser, and other videos showing handling of Pickle, it appears that Olga teaches an offside hand type handling. I'm a trickle down student of Susan Garrett, never taken a class with her, but the people I take instruction from are basically her disciples, passing on her winning methods. She doesn't teach an offside hand type handling, except in some circumstances. Maybe this is West Coast Style as Apposed to East Coast. All of the videos of the class winners at the USDAA Nationals are up on the USDAA web site. I'll have to watch those again to see how many use Olga's style, and how many use Susan's, or something different. I imagine people use what works best for them. I think Marcus Topps actually used a blind cross or two on his runs, which most instructors in this region say is a nono. Kathy

I too am a trickle down Susan Garrett student and the first thing that I noticed was the major difference in handling style that Olga uses. I think that you are right when you say that people use what is best for them. The biggest thing is that you try to be as consistent as possible no matter what 'system' you end up using. I was lucky enough to compete at the IFCS World Championships in Holland earlier this year and it was really interesting to see the different handling styles used by the different countries. Some countries seemed to do nothing BUT blind crosses, others actually managed to run the whole course with their dogs on their left side (they were VERY athletic!!), others steered mostly from behind while others favoured the front cross. All the methods worked - maybe not perfectly ;o)!! - but there were representatives of all handling methods on that podium at some point.

The biggest frustration that I have with agility is that we tend to suffer from the flavour of the month - what one instructor taught us a year or two ago is suddenly wrong and that same instructor then tells that you have to try something else. Now perhaps the 'new way' will work better but not always... You really have to pick and choose what works for you and develop your own style which hopefully is somewhat consistent! I am intrigued by this training program but we now have 1 ft of snow out in our yard and limited practice time which is already taken up by other training program exercises. Perhaps in the spring the snow will go (sigh...) and I will give this program a try. Goodness knows that I need all the help I can get with my youngster!! regards

Sue Charlton

 Tess, Piper and Reese Edmonton, AB

Over the past few years I have been very fortunate to be able to work with Greg Derrett on his annual trip to the mountains of NC. Greg advocates "consistant handling" and positional cues. I have found that my dogs understand 'that' system of handling intuitively.

 

I have signed up for and am enjoying Olga online class. I already feel that I have gained 3 new insights which will help me run my dogs. Normally I feel that a seminar is successful if I walk away with 1 new thing. In this area that runs about $150 a day. At $100 for 3 months I am WAY ahead of the game. I hope for Eric and Olga's sake the online class becomes popular, but I know that I will become a better handler and a better trainer because of it!!!

best regards elizabeth and the lakies +1 in NC

Here are some student emails I've recieved:

Hi Eric, just wanted to provide some feedback that your changes are most
helpful in knowing how all this fits together. EXCELLENT.. your comments
before the video really help orient the learner. THANKS FOR LISTENING. I
love what you and Olga are doing... It is so unique to be able to view the
lessons over and over.
CONGRATULATIONS on another "outside the box" learning event and now for agility.

---

Dear Eric,

TNT is wonderful. thank you.

I have a suggestion though. Olga is really great at explaining basic concepts. You guys should consider making a DVD of these basics that people could buy. for example the lateral lead out. Also how Olga teaches 'ready'. I am sure there are more that I cannot think of as I'm on my way to a trial!!

thank you again!

If you signup for Agility Dynamite before Thanksgiving we will throw in access to the first two video lessons for free.

Think of TNT (Training Not Talk) as a weekly seminar for $8.50/week, because that's what it really is. There is a lot of lecturing and demonstration. I take 4+ hours of video every week and distill it down to about 30-60 minutes of pure agility learning. 

In addition to the video lesson, you get feedback from Olga. Ask questions and they are answered. Upload your own video of you working the lessons, for more feedback. Everything will become clear. 

The whole concept is awesome and working wonderfully. Realize your agility potential. 

Olga is an great presenter, with her dry humor and wit. In previous lives she worked for MTV Russia, and has done other radio and television shows. 

Click here to get started with Agility Dynamite. 

In response the earlier comments in this thread, and to a similar discussion on Agility Dynamite, Olga had this to say:

Here is more positive feedback about Agility Dynamite

Bailey and I crashed and burned through the jumping sequence yesterday, I couldn't believe he took the tunnel, just like the dog in the video. I came home and watched the lesson again and realized I need to go outside the box. The exercises sure brought out our weaknesses. I am getting a lot more out of TNT then I expected. More more opportunity to think and work things out then we have in our "normal" training classes.

What is the Claw Move? Can you refer to one of the video's available on this site, or explain it. Never heard of a Claw Move before.  Is it using the offside hand to direct the dog, which Alicia used with Pickle so much of the time in the videos?

Kathy 

I can't say whether this is the case, but remember that Pickle is blind in one eye and Alicia may be turning into Pickle (with the opposite arm) to maintain a connection with the dog because of the lack of sight in one eye, more than someone might have to with a fully sighted dog.

 

/amy 

I think I have watched just about every clip of Alicia and Pickle that I could find on this site - they are a great team to watch!

 I found myself wondering a few days ago whether Alicia's style of handling was specific to Pickle only having one eye?  Having been to schools with Greg Derrett and Susan Garrett, it was an obvious contrast, but it obviously works for Alicia and Pickles, because they do such a great job!

 angela

If you watch the most recent TNT teaser "You may need Agility Dynamite", you will see another handler using the off side arm most of the time. Is it another one eyed dog?  Susan's methods draws dog in when using offside arm.  Onside arm pushs out or draws the line.  So for Olga, drawing the line, is the offside arm up and across the body?...turn in to me is....two arms up??? Olga mentioned Claw Move...I havne't seen an explanation of what the Claw Move is.   I suppose if I want to learn more about her methods I should sign up for the virtual class.  But today, my lab and I are taking a Lead Outs and Openings Clinic with Tracy Sklenar.

Kathy

There is an good description and demonstration of using an 'off' (or opposite) arm in Susan Garrett's success with 1 jump video (signalling a change of direction). I personally do not find the use of the off arm I have been exposed to with Olgo to be inconsistant with Greg Derretts 'system'. The signal may be held a little longer than I would be used to but that may be what that dog requires at this point in training. I think it is a matter of degree!

Best regards Elizabeth and the Lakies +1

Beth wrote:  There is an good description and demonstration of using an 'off' (or opposite) arm in Susan Garrett's success with 1 jump video (signalling a change of direction). I personally do not find the use of the off arm I have been exposed to with Olgo to be inconsistant with Greg Derretts 'system'.

my understanding of GD/SG ... raising opposite arm = dog comes now ... a "now" cue ... dog should respond by immediately coming off the obstacle it is headed for ... in her one jump dvd, SG stresses wanting the dog to "turn when i turn" ... and for SG, it seems that raising the opposite arm is linked with the beginning of "when i turn" ... therefore, raising the opposite arm and/or rotating is not used as a "pre" cue ... other cues (position, lateral motion, verbal) are used to attempt to "pre" cue where the course goes next ...

in contrast ... what i see in Olga and Alicia's clips ... using the "claw" or the "vanna arm" ... extending opposite arm = dog takes jump turning toward handler ... changing hands, in itself, is not linked as tightly with the beginning of "when i turn" ... the handler would have to do more to get the dog to turn immediately ...

I have worked through the exercises and the "supportive" videos and I think they are great!

TNT is great!

You really have to think outside the box. And you know what? Olgas training lessons work!

I have said at the first sight of a lesson, "wait a minute is that this or that?" but you know what when you work thought the exercises, you really are amazed at what you can do with your dog and how easy it is. AND how easy it is for the dog to recognize what you are asking of them.

I have really enjoyed Olgas style of coaching and can't wait for the next class to begin. There is work and videos with green dogs and green handlers and experienced dog and handlers, and with each one of them there is something to learn.

Olga just supports where you are at and what you want to become and it comes across clearly in the lessons. You can tell that she cares.

On side arm - off side arm - think outside the box and you might be amazed at what you find out about yourself and your dog. you may find yourself running much calmer (which feels slower) and your dog is faster and smoother..