I have all my runs at trials video taped. This isn't a plug for Eric's services - but...I do use his video service and I get great footage to analyze once I'm home.
I have learned so much from watching what I do and the way my dog reacts at trials. I have apologized to my dogs many times when I realize that their errors on course were always my fault. We don't realize that our dogs do exactly what we ask them (even when we don't know we're asking!).
I recommend handlers to either bring a video camera and have someone tape them - or utilize the video service at the trial, if available, to understand why the course ran the way it did.
I'll see the great handling moves I want to continue and things I need to fix. If you figure the cost of the trial and all the costs behind getting there, it's a small price to pay to improve your success.
What have you learned from taping your runs? Good? Bad? Funny?
Has taping your runs improved your training? Or, is it too hard to watch when the runs go bad? (I've taken up to two weeks to get the nerve to watch some of MY bad runs.)
Videos
I discovered Erics service as a Novice and worked up the courage to have him film our runs. Yes, they are hard to watch especially the first time around but for some reason even our worse runs are not so bad after watching a few times. The things I have learned are priceless. Just a few ... I noticed early on that Kody was weaving with his head up so was able to adjust my training.I just started trialing with Bailey and the videos show he is much more responsive to my body language then I thought. Most of all, as you said, I can see my boys 99 % of the time are doing what I am asking and deserve an after run party for hanging in there while I learn to dance.
Downside is Eric is not at all our trials and some of our best runs are not on tape : (
Cheers,
Jean
The good the bad and the ugly
We recently started taping our runs at trials as well as some of our practice sessions. It was a real eye opener. It has definitely improved my handling! It is alternately amazing and horrifying, to see how well my dog watches me for cues and does exactly what I ask. Horrifying when my hubby plays my snooker mistake for the whole family in slow motion, pointing out how she did exactly what I asked her to do. EEEK! And who knew I ran like that?
But it is such a great tool to critique your own handling skills. Sometimes you just can't tell a person (you know who you are) that it was their fault the dog didn't take that jump. :)
So Eric, when are you coming to Canada eh?
Canadian Dollars
re: Taping Trial Runs
Reviewing trial runs is a humbling (and sometimes funny) experience. When you're done telling yourself how idiotic you are and and how your dog deserves better (c'mon, I can't be the only one that says that?), make a note of bad "habits" that are appearing in trials so that you can be conscious of avoiding them in the future.
Another reason for taping your runs is to be able to reminisce about the good ol' days.
Raychel & the Eskiebabes
You're not alone!
I've had more of those stupid mommy times than I'd prefer.LOL
There have been times it will take me a few weeks to watch a video of a trial because I can't bear watching what I did. I'll eventually get the nerve up. It's often not as bad as I remembered. I think in part because I've settled down.
I'm the queen of mentally hitting my head against the wall on the drive home.
And you're right. We'll have these videos to look back on. I have gone back to some of my very first runs years ago. Very emotional! Certainly some of my best treasures.
Renee