Rom

:D Weekend of Nov 1st has been confirmed by CampTailwaggers

Having those guidelines publicised on the research needed to help find the best trainer for their situation will help those with no networks or recommendations to choose one though?

Rom makes mental note to self to seek advice from Assistance Dogs Australia on Position Statements that may affect them should discussions/enough interest be generated to follow through with this idea. Thanks for that Squeak

Hi Jey Most dog organisations have lists of trainers or behaviourists that they recommend. But just because an organisation recommends a trainer will not mean by itself that that trainer will follow or agree with the method that will best suit you, your dog and your circumstances. You will still have to do some homework to ensure that you get what you want in the time frame that you want it within realistic bounds. Some guidelines to follow when you are undertaking research into finding a trainer that suits you: IACP The thing about DOL is though that many here that make recommendations have had personal experiences with the trainers that they suggest and that is a good starting point, however, to ensure that you get what you want or as close to it as possible, I'd still suggest that you take a look at the above BTW, would you be interested in joining an association such as IACP as an associate member if it existed in Australia?

If discussions were to be opened up on this subject with the IACP in regards to having an Australian chapter, does anyone have any issues that they'd like to have addressed?

You're pretty popular K9. Lots of people would like a date with you.....male and female

Just bumping this thread again because a thought occurred to me. Perhaps we are only getting the view points of trainers, either pro or otherwise, because the documents in the links seem only to apply to them. The IACP does have provision for associate memberships that allow for the general pet owner or anyone involved with dogs in any way to be a part of the organisation, and I would envisage that a similar organisation here in Australia would make provision for associate memberships..... .....so I welcome the views of all doggy people on this subject....

I think that perhaps LL is referring to the front page of the website where some of the participants of the last IACP conference are featured? LL: I think that the point is though, and as Erny alluded to, that the future of dog training may come under some threat under those influences that seek to ban some methods or tools that 'work, work, work' and we may not be able to legally use them for the best benefit or welfare of dogs.

I'm wondering what sort of following an organisation like this could attract in Australia? Code of Conduct Mission Statement Position Statements I think Australia needs an organisation such as this.....thoughts?

When I was in Canada I a family that I stayed with used cedar shavings as dogs bedding in outdoor kennels....Fleas don't like cedar. If you can find a joinery that makes cedar windows and doors, they usually have a hopper full of shavings that they give away.....Back here in Aus we used to do a trip about twice a year and fill the ute with stock feed bags full of it.

Hi Willlow The 'zap' from finding the working level isn't as bad as some would have you believe.... Finding the working level on a JRT Take the e-collar out of the equation in the above video, and you may have had a similar reaction in the dog if a flying insect had crashed into it. The dog may have done nothing wrong if a flying insect had crashed into it, but it wouldn't have been proposed that the dog would be at risk of developing behavioural problems. If we could train flying insects to crash into dogs on cue then we could use flying insects to train dogs

Midol & TB, our whole group (bar 2) stayed at a caravan park while we were down on our last trip, and this park had cabins that could sleep more than two people....we all agreed to book a few cabins and share so that we could cut costs....it worked out to be a lot of fun all staying together The caravan park that we stayed at was one suggested in the NDTF materials....can't for the life of me remember it now. You will need to take your own sleeping bag and towel though.

Ok, it seems that most are happy with doing something at Southbank.....Kitkat, after reading the thread again, I'm sorry that I missed your post and didn't include you in the round of PM's Feel free to B1tch slap me for that if we get to meet you Three suggestions for places there are Decks, Amici's and Viet de Lite. Check them out here: http://www.yourrestaurants.com.au/qld/brisbane/south-bank I'm on a tight budget and personally would like to rule out Decks for that reason, however will stretch if thats the place that people are happiest with I will need to make bookings for Friday, 6.30pm soon as I'm leaving here early Wednesday morning to drive to Bris and will need feed back before then. If you're not sure, and I haven't already given it to you, PM me for my mobile so that you can call if you want an update or want to be included in the booking. Looking forward to meeting you all :p

Hi Squeak, I used to instruct at a club. Though I wouldn't do it again, I did gain some positive things out of the experience. The reasons why I wouldn't do it again: I personally feel that I'm better suited to one on one. If there was somebody in the class that was really struggling with their dog I felt that I wanted to spend time just with them. Having had difficulties in the early stages with my own dog, I was sensitive to the frustration that I could see in those people who were struggling. I found myself either trying to adapt the whole class to suit the one with problems (which made the boring for some at times), or totally ignoring the rest of the class in order to give direct assistance to the one with problems. The politics definately played a role.....the old hands didn't like you trying something different even if it did work for the dog/handler combination....lots of resistance to change which I found frustrating. I totally recognise that the class environment is just too distracting for some dogs to learn. The class environment can also be a difficult environment for shy people because their major concern is about embarassing themselves. I can't adjust myself to be the best for 10 people at the same time.....but I can adjust myself to be the best for one :rolleyes: The positive things I gained: By asking myself why a particular method was working for some dogs in the class and not others, I gained a deeper understanding of how different temperaments can affect the learning process....how different relationships between dogs and handlers can affect the learning process. I can now watch a new beginners class walk in and predict with reasonable accuracy which dog/handler teams will not see out their second month at the club.....although some surprise me....through sheer persisitance. I got to test theories out when I saw problems. I learned that people don't always get the point of what you're asking them to do and that sometimes you have to be creative in delivering the same information in different ways until you see the light bulb flash I learned that even when people seem to understand, they sometimes have problem pulling the information together with what they are doing in practice and they need constant encouragement and guidance until their practical handling of the dog becomes habit. I do recognise however, that some can pull off instructing a class much better than I can....I think my abilities just serve better one on one. But overall, I'm glad that I did instruct because of the things I learned by doing it.

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. Through my writing and your replies I've been able to release a lot of old emotions, and I hope that heeling can start now. I just wanted to add, that though my parents didn't handle the situation very well, I believe that they did the best that they knew how at the time with the resources that they had. My mum had a lot to contend with Dad being alcoholic who could sometimes be violent......as an adult, I can see that. But I still had to acknowledge how it was for the little six year old girl who is at the foundation of who I am, and see it through her eyes again and allow myself to feel it from her point of view, and let her off the hook for failing a friend, so that I could move on. In writing the OP, it was the first time that I've really cried about Tina, and I've cried again with each of your replies...it has been a truly healing experience Thanks again.