dogdude

I dont think breed has too much to do with the scheme of things, other than some breeds are capable of higher scores due to there physical stature and build. Small dogs are up against it with their leg speed and vision height, some breeds have not got the ability to sit squarely due to their build, the list goes on. I think that if the breed has the ability physically, you just need to find something that gets them interested with something that stimulates a drive mode. Dogs of the same breed can have vastly different interests. I have trained a trial winning Bull Terrier, but I certainly dont consider myself as any guru on BT training. What works for one won't necessarily work for another. I do conceed that training a Staffordshire Bull Terrier a much more pleasant experience though.

Thanks JulesP I will make sure I chop & change the routine. Your right, it should help. I dont tend to tippytoe back, which probably could giving the dog a little confusion by stopping abruptly, especially if he is away with the fairys a little. I dont tend to ask for full focus during the stays, probably part of the problem.

Just as well he did something ok. :D We have been working on the Stand issue with some positives which seem to be helping. It is not a confusion problem from what I can see, just a forgetfull moment of brain fade, like he thinks I am coming to a halt, so he sits!??? Only happens when he loses focus. Bit frustrating, but we are working through it. I am maybe looking at joining Southern so I can train around more dogs on a Wednesday night. Just have to look into travel times.

Well, just got back from KCC park run throughs. Blew stand for exam right on cue too. He sat at heel when I returned. Practiced it a few times today without a hitch, but he done it in the ring. He also broke in the sit stay Now that is a new one. Looks like we have some proofing to do. Not training around other dogs latley is really showing up problem areas. His heelwork was good, so was his recall. Found the set up at KCC under lights was really good. Met a couple of DOL'ers there too! (Arya & Glorybea) both very nice people with nice dogs. :D

I found out on the weekend that we now have an issue with stand for exam as well. Dog has always done it so well that I practically dropped it out of his training. He now has a habit of sitting at heel when I return! Hope it will disappear If I get onto it regulary. Might go to KCC park tonight for a run through the ring. Novice level is full so I will have to go into the CCD ring.

Fully agree that you should proof your dog against a thorough exam. I would protest if a judge was rough though. I have not come accross one that did what I class as a rough examination. In the lower classes it is usually done quite quickly in my experience.

Hi JulesP Try raising his front feet slightly off the ground with a low broad jump or something, (stand him on it). Can sometimes discourage movement. I was a guest handler at another club yesterday (for his trial preperation) and was annoyed by the instructor being unusually firm with my dog during the stand for exam. He used alot of downward pressure while running his hands down my dogs back, and lingered way too long. Luckily, the dog did not have an issue with it, but experiences like that are not positive ones for the dog either. During a trial, the judge will gently and quickly "brush" their shoulders, and it's all over in a flash. Be very carefull of the experiences that you allow your dog to have. At this stage, I would keep them very brief, even with only gestured contact from a distance until the dog gains some confidence. Build it from there. Another thing I wont ever do again after yesterday is doing a side by side recall with another dog in class. I was told to call my dog, when he got half way to me at a good speed, the other handler shouted "NOOOO" at his dog for breaking, which stunned my dog into slowing down. I then had issues with following attempts. If you intend to trial, be very carefull of what you are asked to do in class.

Dog working beautifully in heel position. Can't help being distracted by the handlers movements. Dog has its head in a funny postion too. I would love my dog to have that level of focus, but without the funny head position. It takes some time for a dog to learn how to balance itself while heeling in that position. If that's what your aiming for, many hours of training and patience will get you there. Good luck!

You wouldn't award the Nobel peace prize to johnny for kissing a girl in the schoolyard would you? CCD has its own class win sash & trophy.

The old "Encouragment" class (CCD) was never included in the magor points. The heel patterns are not as long, or offleash, and the reason it used to be called "Encouragment", was for obvious reason. The magor award was called "Best In Trial". Highest scoring club member was often awarded, again, the lower class excluded. It is not unfair, you do not have to enter CCD to compete in Novice. It is up to you. If you want to be competitive, train your dog to a higher level.

People enter trials for a variety of reasons. There is nothing wrong with wanting to win, as long as it is not done so at all costs. There is nothing like winning Best In Trial, even a class win is a blast. As long as you are keeping dogs out of pounds, both of you spending time with each other and having fun, its all a good thing. I would prefer that if I am going to spend so much time, money and effort in trialling, then I would like to have a good chance of winning. Imagine entering CCD class with a utility or open standard dog! There is always the added bonus of not having down time while you train your dog to the next level. WMR is right in highlighting the confidence factor too. I shudder at the sight of some entrants. Having full confidence in your dog will also help your own performance no end.

Some competitve handlers in the U.S train their dogs right through to UD before setting foot in the ring. That way they have more chance of dominating the competition, especially in the lower classes. Its like Ness said, plan what you want to work on. Set up a situation that teaches the dog what you are trying to acheive. Use proofing tecniques to keep it a challenge. A heel pattern wont teach him anything if he has already been successfull at it before. That type of training will allow him to become lazy and bored.

There is nothing wrong with teaching DOR if you have the dog at a stage where he fully understands it. They can slow down a little in the learning stages in anticipation of the drop. Not good if they are in that cloudy stage when you step into the novice ring. Simply my opinion for what its worth.

I am thinking of at least waiting for the cooler weather. Should be enough time to get us polished up. You can still introduce your dog to some open work while you are working on the basics to avoid boring your dog. Of course I would not teach drop on recall or anything, but broad jump and retreive are fine. No point wasting time.

Thanks CTD Have now fixed the link. I love the focus on your dog in your Sunbury trial clip. I am thinking of joining that club because they train on Saturdays.

Yeah, have to agree I learn more looking at myself with the video, than what I get picked up on at club. One of the downfalls of being an instructor. Trained down along a stone wall beside the lake today for some tight, straight heel work. There were hoards of ducks walking around everywhere which I thought may have been a good distraction for him, but he totally ignored them. Kept it short and sweet cause it was stink'n hot again. Starting to drive me troppo!

Best of luck Prodigybxr!!! What club do you belong to?

Thanks Arya Will try to make a couple. I need to wait till wife is on an early shift as we share one car.

Just a couple of quick clips from training last night and this morning. Broad jump clip was dogs second session of the learning phase. Retreive on flat is understood by the dog although because of the heat he was less enthusiastic as he would normally be. Oscar learning broad jump 20 Feb 2007 Oscar retreive on flat

Hi JulesP No, I dont do any heelwork along fence lines, but I will do some fence work during his next heeling workout. Here is a couple more quick clips taken last night and this morning. Learnt alot from watching once again. On Broad jump I was shocked to hear myself merge his name with a command, No idea why I done it! This is the dogs second session learning broad jump. During retrieve I gave a strange flashy hand signal and moved my other hand too. Dog was less enthusiastic than normal this morning cause it was so muggy. We spent all of 2 or 3 minutes training this morning. Oscar learning broad jump 20 Feb 2007 Oscar retreive on flat 21 Feb 2007

Much more enthusiastic looking dog

Appreciate your comments JulesP Yes, he did bounce off me at one point in the Figure 8, not an ongoing problem though, just got "caught with his pants down" He adjusted pretty quickly. His general heelwork is done at a good distance from me, but seems to sit and drop a little wide sometimes. I did take a risk by filming his first workout after the break, but it was the first time in ages that we were "kidless" so I had a camera person. Dont have a tripod. I will try to post a longer pattern next week so we can make some comparisons. Hopefully we should see a differnt dog with any luck. I managed to borrow the clubs broad jump last night. He had his first intro to it this morning with good success. I may post a clip of him learning that, and maybe doing a retreive on flat if circumstances permit tonight. Will take me a day or two knowning my crappy ADSL. Thanks!

Can anybody tell me what time the runthroughs at KCC start and finish? How much longer will they run for? Will take me an hour or so to get over there.

Shoey Did you end up borrowing Diane Baumans book from the VCA library? Has great footwork pics, step by step. Where has your mentor got too? I have not noticed any posts from her for ages, she ok?

Thanks for your comments again MrsD. The problem with the figure 8 I think is partly due to the transition from human to skinny little post. It is hard to get your bearings when going from one to the other because of the difference in widths of the posts. Neither of these problems should persist very long as I have just resumed his training after a long break, and even after todays training he is looking better already. Another reason that I thought of, (slightly wide heel position) is maybe my dogs best vantage for focus? (due to the stumpy nature of the Stafford). I have taught him focus towards my midriff to chest area, IMO best area that signals change of pace. My previous trialling dogs have been taller, with no width evident in their heelwork. I bought another dumbell yesterday as I had lost it since late November. I was suprised to find his first session with it this morning was faultless. Shoey: I will endeavor to post some more clips soon to be scrutinised by those in the know! I love to get opinion from outside the ranks because it is unbiased. You cant get reliable feedback under competitive conditions other than a few quick comments from a judge. Only thing that pisses me is the time that takes to upload them. I have ADSL that loves to drop out with a few minutes to go while uploading. Took me nearly two days of trying to get this one up!