The Spotted Devil

This list is from the Dally Nationals - back in late 2012 and not sure which are dog friendly but it might be a start: http://www.dalmatian.asn.au/2012/img/Master_Accommodation_Hume_2011.pdf

Electric bark collars are illegal in NSW. No exceptions. Other training, playing with the dog, giving the dog exercise. Many other options to try first. Or even a non-electric bark collar. For sure.

It's funny how it works for different roles - "sit" is an absolute default for Em - you sit and Mum produces a birdie with the "bang stick." Fetch!

Zig is not allowed on the bed because he's a huge bed hog and really likes his own space. Em can come up if she wants to - she's a "hot bod" so generally just comes up for a few hours when she wants to snuggle. When I'm camping in the middle of Winter she is an absolute Godsend!!!

Heh heh. I was just watching it and had the same thought Vickie. If I didn't have good access to trainers I would consider it though.

Electric bark collars are illegal in NSW. No exceptions.

You will have quite a cheer squad Tassie! I hope I can get down to KCC Park to watch some of the dogs sports. Would be rather fun to enjoy a glass of wine whilst everyone else is doing the hard work for a change!!!

Bugger. Must be full. Will make some space! Sorry!

No!!! Send again!

I think it's important to keep stays light and fun. I practice sit stays much, much more than drop stays. I never use the word "stay". I teach "sit means sit until I say otherwise". I reward in position with food a lot. I play the steady feet game in all positions to ensure understanding. I don't make a big deal if they break - my NRM is to laugh and say "gotcha!" and they love it. Sometimes I reward by sending back to a retrieve or food pot or tug. I ask my dogs to sit in the middle of the oval whist I pack the car or set up training gear and they love it as much as their other training. In competition Em has to stay in the hide (so out of sight) whilst I fire a gun, reload and then call her up. Toughest thing for a Spaniel ever so I've used lots of things to tempt her out of the hide in training - throwing dummies, firing a real or cap gun, Mr TSD calling "hey, hey, hey!" If she holds her position I go back, reward in position, repeat, making it harder and then heel her out so she gets a formal retrieve as a reward. I avoid whistling her out in training as she has more forward momentum than she needs!

It's perfectly forgivable E+H! We all do it, then make different mistakes with our subsequent dogs, poor darlings lol.

What a shame! Hope you find someone.

We used Pedini for the Dalmatian National in 2012 - the DVD I purchased looks fantastic!

I'm so sorry Mooper I'm glad I got to meet the lovely Jack. What a wonderful, special boofer and such a gentle companion for your young 'uns he has been. Take care xxx

Unfortunately the forecast for Sunday has not improved...

Tassie I feel the same - particularly with the amount of time, brain power and commitment that retrieving requires. You'll hate me for this but the only reason I'm giving it a go is because of my access to some great instructors and classes.

Great to hear AD! I start learning SG in March!

Like pie, I would be whipping out a clicker and shaping her to interact with the equipment in a safe space. I find that encourages more joy and excitement.

Working gundog here and chooks. No way does she get to have access to them...fox proof coop and huge yard with 6-7 ft fences. Dogs are mostly inside with me and have a neighbouring yard when outside (chook yard is between coop and dog yard). When in season she uses the chook yard but I supervise to ensure the chooks don't get terrorised. On the odd occasion when she or the Dally have slipped into the chook yard I am thankful for their amazing recalls and/or stop whistles. Oh, and Em has no interest in eating them...she just wants to fetch 'em up and bring them to me. It's what she does.

Which is why I always train behaviours without a lead or collar as much as possible (except long lines for recalls if necessary) - it's a very easy trap to fall in to! If needed (rarely as I don't do Rally) I would add it in later.

Do you have a video of his disc work? If you would like some ideas put one up on here! I do this with lots and lots of puppies so have seen a few stumbling blocks.

Make the tunnels really short and straight, then gradually lengthen them out - then add one jump and you can practice all your front crosses, rear crosses etc at flat out speed. Another tunnel at the other end makes it even more fun and, once you get bends in the tunnel, it's one of the best ways to train I am finding. Em is FAST on the flat and traverses rough ground/prickles/water like a rabbit x mountain goat x fish when retrieving. So I thought it might be that we hadn't done enough practice running flat out in agility and she had just got in the habit of loping - she's also a bit of a "worrier" and this is really helping her stretch out and relax. Also, a lot of our courses lately are control, control, control - my dogs get fed up with that so the 2 tunnels plus a jump is great for counteracting it.

Great to see everyone is having FUN with their agility mates! I have been working on speed and contacts over the break. I'm having so much fun with the speed work although I am doing as much running as the dogs! I was working tunnels with Em and noticed she was loping in and sprinting out so I straightened them out, shortened them up and had Mr TSD help me with restrained recalls. He couldn't even hold her in the end - she'd wriggle so hard and leap over the top of his hands - brilliant! Just need to add bends in carefully as that slows her down. Zig took off courses everywhere at training but I'm delighted as he was running so hard. Contacts are taking longer because I don't have much equipment but I'm really happy with what we've done so far - I'm doing "30 Days to Phenomenal Stopped Contacts". The dogs are loving it and I am finding so many holes in my training.

Competition is what you make of it - I run my dogs in 3 sports (obedience, agility and retrieving) and some people take it way too seriously. I want my dogs to be busting out of their skins to get in the ring. That's it. Everything else is the icing on the cake.

Great to hear. I was going to suggest Aiden also! Look forward to hearing of your progress - it really helps keep things in perspective if you keep a diary or blog do definitely keep this thread updated!