MrsD

Varicool, yep, must be mad huh? :thumbsup: Candice, the rules say that the dog must have had some training & exposure to livestock before being allowed to compete in a HIC . Actually I was thinking about this again & the rules actually say that the dog must have had training & exposure to livestock before it being entered in any tests & trials. HIC is a certificate rather than a test, I wonder if it applies to it or only from HT upwards? Tracey will probably be able tell us.

Candice, the rules say that the dog must have had some training & exposure to livestock before being allowed to compete in a HIC . Tracey, Id be interested in coming along (as you know, I'll take just about any chance I can get ). I can fit in with other people, so I'll talk to you about it next time I see you (Im off camping tomorrow for a week, I'll see you when I get back ).

Yep as far as I know it's every Tues night Ane - if you want to check just send Eric an email or give him a quick call .

Yep, you beat me, that's exactly what I was trying to say .

I got Jarrah when he was just about a year old & I have found that I loved being able to assess Jarah's temperament & his drives as an adult & not having to guess what he was going to turn into. To be honest in his case it really wouldnt have mattered if he was older because as a performance dog he had absolutely everything that I wanted + a temperament that suits me & my personality. I've only ever had puppies before & for my next one will probably get another pup (only because I couldnt afford a dog that is already started in herding ) but I would most definitely consider an adult dog again if one came along.

Thanx Scarlet, you beat me, apparently you go around to the left past the dog agility section & its just on the other side of it. The only other thing I know is that it's run under the PADS club, so I think you have to become a member to be able to be involved (Im not definite on that, but that's what I was told, you'd best check with Eric).

Does anyone have any more details (location, website, cost, etc) for the one in Eaton's Hill? Cheers, Ane I'll find out for you tonight Ane (if no-one else posts before hand). The guy that runs it is supposed to be very good. Audrey - how's he going? Still being good?

Easiest way to teach the paw command is to put a treat in your hand & hold it in front of the dog letting them know it's there. After they have done the usual licking & biting to try to get it they will eventually paw at your hand & when they touch your hand with their paw you can click & treat (or your equivilent if you dont use a clicker). Congrats to everyone who's managed to teach their dog something .

Our club (& the club I was at before) starts puppies from 4 months old in beginner class. Puppy preschool is completely different & is usually for little puppies & mainly socialisation. Class 1or Beginners class is usually just very basic work on getting the dog to focus on you, walk along nicely next to you, sit & drop taught with some food. That's usually all they tend to do. Other clubs may do it differently of course :p . Are there actually clubs that wont do anything with the dogs until they are 6 months old? Or have I misunderstood? I dont see the point in leaving a puppy until 6 months to start to train it, think of how big some puppies are by 6 months & how silly, distracted & playful they can be, it makes the work alot harder! (that's not directed at you shelley) Anyway the club you are going to should be able to help you out & let you know which class he belongs in .

Eddie will be happy to hear that & is very keen to come too .

You're welcome Hesa, if you are planning on charging people to come & use your "training facility" then of course I'm sure you'd want people to get the right info . Audrey, is your kelpie puppy from working lines or show lines? Either way we insist on some pics .

Awwwww poor little Harvey, ye of little faith - in both Harvey & the other dogs as well .

Im in!!!!! Can't wait!!!! :laugh: If Ebony is up to scratch by then & there is a spot, Im sure Eddie would be keen as well, but it I guess it depends on how well she progresses between now & then?

Bear, thought it must have been you, too much co-incidence for 2 afghans to be doing obedience in Canberra . I can see what you are saying with the right vs left signals, if it pushes him back that's a bad thing, my only suggestion would be that if you did use your right hand to use a food treat in it & try to lure him up with it. Otherwise just stick with the left hand, but it just looked like he may have missed the signal the 1st time & perhaps that's why he missed that 1st drop . Let us know when he gets his title, that's got to be worth a even if only a virtual one for us . ETA - Sue make sure you tell us when your first trial is, the boys & I want to come along & be Harvey's cheer squad .

Thanx Tracey, that's what I thought, don't want to give people the wrong information .

Awwwww it's lovely to see an afghan in the ring, well done for giving it ago. Did you trial at the Canberra Royal by any chance? I thought I remembered an afghan trialling there when we were down. Can I give some constructive criticism? When you give the command "heel" try to make it sound the same everytime you say it, at least in that video it sounded different almost every time :D . Also, is there a reason that you use your left hand to drop the dog? Most people find it easier (& it tends to look neater for the ring & the dog is less likely to miss the signal) if you use your right hand held flat & moved perpendicular to the ground (I hope you now what Im saying, Im not sure if I have even described it right ). He did the stand for exam very well & a lovely recall . Anyway once again, well done for giving it a go & good luck with him in his future trials .

Thanx Risyntira & noneybur , I knew his name was Eric, but couldnt remember his surname .

Ummmmmm as far as I know there are no rules about training, you can commence training at any age - but your dog has to be 6 months old to start actual trialling & do it's HIC. Many working dog people put their puppies on sheep at about 3 or 4 months just to give them a taste & fire their instinct & interest & then let them mature a bit before they start proper training. There is also herding training held at Eaton's Hill every week run by an experienced working dog guy, not sure what night but can find out if you are interested.

Love the heelwork & the recall - it's nice to see great handling too .

Give it to rescue or the local pound .

KK I just re-ead the thread & Im confused - are you saying that there is somewhere out at Goodna that already stocks it, or is that where you have been trying to get up brought up to?

Im teaching it for doggy dancing - so I want to be able to stand in front of his & get him to lift one paw or the other - either in sequence (like he's marching) or while he's walking along (walking on 3 legs) or while Im beside him when I lift the same leg or touch my feet or knees if I offer them - but basically no hand signals cos the signals are supposed to be invisible (or incorporated into the dance), so Im proofing everything to verbal commands only :D . But I want to be able to use both paws independently - I dont ask much do I? :D ETA - With the feet & knees, the knee or foot you offer would no doubt become the signal but I am still working out if I need 2 (or more) commands for the other things.

OK - but here's one to confuse you - what about if you want it with different paws?

Now you've gone past my field of expertise what is a paw target? LOL - getting the dog to touch a target with his paw - like a nose touch. I usually use a 'tin food lid' and get them to 'hit' that.... you can get them to move their paw anywhere (well... thats physically possible) by asking them to 'paw' the target .... it's fun! now - if only I knew how to do this "peter rabbit" thing I saw a fellow trainer do with her dog...... Ahh ok, so just like a touch target (with the nose) but with the paw. This is where I get confused. I have just taught Jarrah to lift his paws when I give him a trigger word - different word for each paw because otherwise I found he was simply using the same paw all the time. I can get him to either touch my hands, or my feet if I offer them & even my knees if I stick them out. He will also simply "lift" his paw on cue (doesnt have to touch anything, that is what I taught him with the stickytape yesterday). But all using the 2 commands (1 for each foot). I havent taught him to target with his nose yet, but here is my question - do you use different commands for touch with the nose & the paws? & if so, do you use different commands for him to touch different things or just for touching stuff or just lifting his paw. For example, if you ask him to paw target your knee should that be 1 command, paw target an icecream lid on the ground another command & just lift his paw on cue another command? Or are they all the same cue? or same cue for toucning, but different cue for lifting? OK I've confused myself now - I think I have to go lie down in a darkened room til my headaches worn off ;)

Now you've gone past my field of expertise what is a paw target?