Bindibu

Yes the Springer work great. Has a safety device so that if something happens the clip breaks - made of plastic. A supply of for clips supplied with the Springer. Good Idea as I was worried if something happened, like I fell off , could the dog get away from the bike unhurt etc.

I picked one up on EBay $60.00 - call a Dog Springer. Using it to train for Endurance - wonderful attachment.

Well said Anita I agree 100% with your post. We should all learn something new everyday and we do up until the day we die so in a way we are all newbies to dog training etc. I have never met an expert/professional in dog training (I have over 30 years involvement in dogs,showing, breeding and in my new field - obedience ) who know ALL there is to know about dogs. I have met many people who have a great understanding of dogs and train to a very high standard and are willing to share this knowledge with anyone who is interested. What I am trying to saying is that we are all different and have different ideas BUT we can learn from everyone if we keep an open mind and not knock people who are doing what they love with their dogs either it be obedience, herding, tracking etc.

Too hot for me in September. But will come up when it cools off a bit. Sorry I missed you last time. Indi has not done anything since September.

Sorry about the above had a small power surge and away went my reply. Electric barking collar cannot be purchased in NSW -as it is illegal. But you can purchase one outside the state and use it but be careful where. The RSPCA are very tough on them if used without a Vet Certificate.

Ahhhh I didnt know that electric collars were banned down there (when are they EVER going to make uniform rules about stuff like that?), my advice is pretty well worthless then, sorry .

Your situation is a two way matter. First, If the club was aware of the danger that dogs off lead could cause injury to another dog competing, and this was made clear to the Club orginisation, than the Club is liable as they are required to exercise a "duty of Care" to all competers. (Some Clubs are requiring competitors to sighn a waver of responsibility, these waivers are not worth the paper they are witten on). Two if the owner was in neglect than you can claim medical expenses via Civil Action throught the Local Courts Civil Claims jurisdiction. We are in the age of beware because you can be sued for lack of duty of care. It is becoming more common for people to not be responsible for their actions etc.

Okay guys here is one for you! The Club I train with has an instructor (instructed for a number years with this particualar Dog Club) whom has never entered a dog in a Trial/Show, own dogs not even trained to CCD Level . My question is how on earth could this person pass on knowledge about training dogs to beginners in the field of dog obedience? Learning something from a book is no qualification to call oneself an Instructor it should come down to ability and proven ability. Thats what I think .

Well done all! HT NEXT. I didnt get to met you all whilst in Qld. I enjoyed Steven and Renees Clinics very much (but the Qld weather could have been a little kinder, rained Thursday and Thursday night it rained so hard that Friday was a wash out). Saturday and Sunday were great, Indi turned on, made me out to be a big fibber. I told about how she was turned off ,t a previous Clinic and hid amount the sheep. Well Sunday it was full on. I would like to do another Clinic soon but the heat (34) really effect us both (still -3 to 10 down here).

Someone suggested getting a private trainer - "you only get what you have paid for". Live in the country where there are no professional trainers only your local dog training club you would soon find it impossible to obtain private training. The nearest professional trainer would be about 4 hours travelling<one way> with an overnight stay. If there are any professional obedience dog trainers willing to give private lesson (or a weekend school ) please email me and I will arrange a Clinic. Big town people ar sooooooo lucky.

Sorry for misleading you but I will be there on the 1st and 2nd September - would love to enter the Trial but a little late. Love to meet you all - just look for an elder person (grey hair, large dog).

I have a better story - 12 months ago I entered the beginners class obedience, having never done dog obedience in my life. The instructor I had refused to teach anyone with a check chain or martingale collar - said I dont know how to teach people who have that kind of gear on their dogs. Guess what I had , yes a martingale collar - so for the next 8 weeks I was ignored, not actually thrown out of the class but ignored So I trained at home with the help of a good friend. Graduation Day came and my dog worked the best in the group, but guess what happened, yes the so called instructor refused me a pass ( I now hold the record of the only person in the Club haveing not Graduated from Beginners.. But sanity prevailed and the then President of the Club awarded me a pass (after eveyone else had left) as she was ashamed of what had happened. I competed in my first trial three weeks ago , after only 12 months obedience experience, - but unfortunatley my dog sat in the long waits - gone, done and out. Last week I attended the Clubs training day and guess who was a member of the beginners class - yes the so called instructor I had 12 months previously . Still in beginners and has never trialed - Guess who had a huge smile on their face - yes me.

I am coming up to Qld for two days training with Steven Rowell - 1st time out of NSW (Friday and Saturday morning). Will any of you be there as I would like to meet other DOLS. Please email me or post reply on this thread.

My dog will not play with anything (I have a dog toy shop at home you name it I have it). It has taken me two months to get her to hold the dumb bell - No dinner until you take hold give and she does that in about 1 second. (every seen a dog spit a dump bell). So I am very open to suggestions or do I keep going the way I am. We are about to do our CCD . First time in obedience ring heaven help us.

Mooper, the GSDs are doing great in herding - Judy Attwater's Registered GSD was one of the first GSD in NSW to obtain a Herding Title, and four other registered GSDs in the New England Area have their HIC's. Have a look in the Victorian Herding Assoc. website as all results are placed on that Web. it is very interesting.