The Spotted Devil

Just had the most gorgeous Samoyed come through my puppy class.....3 young daughters and the parents let them name her...... Cupcake

This is me. Names often have a special meaning for me - and I have to live with them not anyone else! Everyone assumes Ziggy is named for Ziggy Stardust. Their eyes start glazing over when I explain that no, it's for Siegfried from Wagner's Ring Cycle. The opera. I can't hep if if Mr TSD is a classical music nerd :laugh: Em's mum is Rosie. Registered name "Cider Wi Rosie", named after a novel. Rosie's puppies are named after characters from novels and follow a theme. Em's litter was the Brontë sisters. Em's registered name is "Cathy Earnshaw" (from Wuthering Heights).....the crazy one I suspect :laugh: I really wanted to call her "Cat" but Mr TSD declared that was too ironic, even for us. In the end, we ended up with Em for Emily Brontë who wrote Wuthering Heights (one of my favourite novels by the way). Oddly enough one of my cats is my darling Miss Brontë so it was a really fun fit for us. I love naming my foster kittens......we had the Jane Austen litter, Seven and her 7 Deadly Sins, The Jazz Quartet (Mum Ella with Billie, Louis, Duke and my very own foster failure, Dizzy) amongst others.

Thanks everyone! Very helpful and I will look into the suggestions. My Dally's nails are very thick so I'm not sure human clippers would do the job but a good idea for the kits in particular. I can't see myself using a Dremel to be honest. Most of my lot love having their nails trimmed and there is always a queue when I pick up the clippers...the cats and Em lie upside down on my lap and it's just another excuse for one on one cuddles :laugh: The cats generally start purring and Em would if she could. Zig doesn't love it but calmly puts up with it, if only for the biscuit he gets at the end. Thanks again :)

Good to hear you've found new grounds RS and RV - very helpful for training! Yes, I am very much enjoying long showers at the moment, especially since we've had some decent rain for the water tanks :D I do have a camp shower but I'm about to upgrade it - in discussions with my Dad at the moment about their camping set up..... Gave Em the day off on Monday (and I went to the MCC to watch the footy!) but had Mr TSD helping us with marking drills yesterday and today. I'm already seeing an improvement in her focus - she's gone from looking flat (just looking where she's going to run for a blind retrieve as one trialler explained to me) to really looking to where the dummy lands. Started on white dummies yesterday and progressed her to a mix of white and black today. First drill: Mr TSD @ 120 metres - one to the left and one to the right. Mr TSD @ 100 metres - one to the left and one to the right. Mr TSD @ 80 metres - one to the left and one to the right. Second drill: X marking drill that I've mentioned previously. Will try and get out this afternoon before I go to work to do some walking singles...long, longer, short is the plan :D

I just bought a new guillotine style nail trimmer to replace my very, very old one and I hate it! Clearly you get what you pay for but it really squashes the nail rather than making a clean cut - particularly on the delicate cat claws (not so delicate when they're sharp!). Unfortunately I threw my old one out so I'm stuck with these. Any suggestions on brand please? Happy to pay extra dollars for something that lasts. I trim claws on 3 cats and 2 dogs every 7-10 days so it would get a fair bit of use.

At the risk of repeating myself Em's marking yesterday was still pretty awful but she handled really well. Work between the pegs was much improved, steady as a (quivering) rock, delivery was perfect and attitude was unreal. Runs had a similar feel to the previous day and she overran the land marks by a country mile - she has completely forgotten how to judge depth and has to be reminded to put her nose down and hunt. Stopped and casted with enthusiasm though and brought a smile to our gun steward's face :D Again, she was the only dog who had to swim to the in water mark and the judge declared she was so cute he felt like carrying her to the mark :laugh: Was a bit unlucky as the wind whipped up causing the game to land only 10 metres from the shore line so very, very cheaty. Thanks Tassie :) All in all I can't be too unhappy. She finished all 3 days and the things I'd trained were really good. I realise my training hasn't been balanced sufficiently between marks and blinds - a trap for young players! But I have had sound advice as to how to bring that back and Mr TSD has offered to throw dummies for us this week I also felt more relaxed, we are starting to work as a team and I think my handling has improved - I've slowed everything down, particularly sending and casting. I tested her deliveries by slowing down the "give" as well. Had a lovely social weekend but it is nice to discover plumbing again with a hot shower and flushing toilet Breakfast in bed is pretty nice too :D

Soooo tired so will catch up properly later..., My dog could not mark to save her life but, boy! Can she run a line and handle :laugh: Such a funny little thing today but all the pros tell me not to worry - she's just finally got the hang of running in a straight line that she needs to go back to easy mark training for a few days. First 2 runs were one after the other at right angles to each other - one long and one short and we got to choose the order. Very wide firing pegs so we had to consider the best place to run from. Like everyone else I chose the long one first - Em saw it, took off like a bullet, ran through cover and swampy water and nearly ended up in the bloody All Age run Stopped. Called her in but not far enough so she turned tail and headed back on the same line. Stopped and called her in further. Got her in the area and told her to fetch it up! She hunted methodically and did just that. Judge said "good handling!" which was nice. Handed over the game and he said "gee she's got some go in her!" Ah yup The second run she did the same damn thing - I called her too far in so stopped and cast right back. I should have sent her left back but she took it so perfectly (nearly back to bloody Melbourne :laugh:) that I couldn't help but be pleased. Third run was in water with a sit stay at the pegs so a nice introduction to Restricted. Nailed that, sighted the mark but tried to cheat ever so slightly. I won't cop that so stop and casted. She took a much better line coming back. I was on the thrower for most of the first two runs and half the third one so was pretty tired by the end. Sent Em for an across water blind that another dog failed to retrieve (mark had floated away) and was happy with that. Was heading to All Age to help out but they were falling like ninepins so headed off to train for a bit. The shortest marks in cover were awful so I stopped helping her and picked up the dummy and called her in. Finally she clicked and started to mark them properly but it's not enough for tomorrow. The club put on a catered dinner so it was nice to have no dishes and just sit around the fire with a glass of red chatting.

Thanks for the good wishes all and yay for FHRP and rubyroo There is quite a NSW invasion here :laugh: A couple from Tassie, SA and WA too. And so good to catch up with everyone!!! So briefly to today's runs.....18 entered in Novice and I was just bloody pleased to finish in the end. It certainly revealed some holes in my training. Only 9 dogs made it to the 3rd run. One thing I concentrated on today was breaking the gun before sending. She was really wired up but steady. Work between the pegs wasn't too bad but very impatient! First run - land mark (right to left) with plenty of sky but a lot of dogs did not see it and Em was one of them. Several factors for us including first comp since July last year, distracted by the dive-bombing swallows and a lack of marking practice. She went out like a bullet and over ran it but then hunted like a mad thing. Lots of distracting scents but I could see she was working hard so left her alone. Finally got the right side of the wind and picked it up. Slight arc running back and I gave her a come in whistle as the wing was covering most of her eyes. Delivered nicely. Second run - across splash water and sticky mud (left to right), landing in clear ground but surrounded by tall, spiky, reed, marsh type stuff. Again she overshot the mark (at least she saw it!) but faced the mud/water/cover without hesitation. Hunted like mad and even came back into sight but did not look for assistance. Ran hard back to me and delivered nicely. Third run - looked like an absolute sitter for Em. However!!!!!!! Mark (backwards to left) into splash. Dogs had to run, cross a narrow channel (swim), run on more clear ground and hit the water. All going great, really nice line to the game, about half way there in the splash water when she really spooked as she headed for the game. 12 months ago this would not have surprised me but not now! She was quite worried and would not pick up the game but I persisted. Handled but then would balk. Finally she took a lovely line back and just kept going. I realised the game had floated so stopped her and cast right. The momentum seemed to help and she finally had the courage to pick it up. Was so thrilled that we pushed through it and grateful that we weren't pulled out. Anyway....I mentioned this to a few people and they all said the same thing - apparently the water is full of carp and dogs have been scared off before! So the poor little devil had no idea what monsters beneath were trying to kill her Drove to AA stake and went on the thrower for the 3rd run. The wind was pretty chilly today but must give an almighty for my muck boots. My feet were toasty wam for a change :D So that's it for tonight....have had my butter chicken with basmati rice, peas and roti on the camp stove (with the odd beer and glass of red). Now it's hot chocolate and into the sleeping bag with my Hot Springer Bottle! It's a bit muddy... Taking care of business...

Yay! Well done RB - you and Milly have a come a long way You just need to keep entering for the sake of experience and when she passes, I expect it will be in style :D I went back and reviewed the land-water-land-water mark as a drill with a pile of dummies in the 2nd pond. Started by sending as a hot blind from the exit point of 1st pond. Set her up about half way between ponds and handled back from exit point of 1st pond. Set her up closer to 2nd pond to increase distance from me and sent her back. Then set her up half way and sent her back from entry point of 1st pond. Then sent her as a blind - a little bird flew right in her face and pulled her off line as she exited 1st pond so I had to stop and send her back anyway. Sent her again as a blind and she got it. Not an easy concept. Did some work with the game and then placed it where the pile was and ran the blind. No whistles and no cheating either even though I walked the edge with her a number of time so a good outcome. Just finishing packing the car with all the camping gear and then I'm setting off for the Easter trial. So excited and I really wish I'd entered Restricted now :laugh: Will try to keep in touch over the weekend - happy trialling to everyone who's getting out there this weekend

Surprisingly, with the Dally I get "don't they look lovely with full tails since docking was banned." WTF????? Never not funny though :)

When my Dally was a similar age I took him to the beach REALLY early in the morning. Less distractions and much easier to train/manage.

Just another point of interest.., whilst Em doesn't show any obvious phantom pregnancy signs she loses ALL concept of a recall a month before coming in. She is bred to quarter and hunt but is unstoppable during that time unless she is actively "working". ESS tend to work close to their handlers but not for that month - and yes, I did learn that the hard way. She also lost all confidence before her first season but just blossomed during and after (and maintained it). She doesn't lose confidence anymore but her working ability goes through the roof during and after each season.

Congratulations to writer/director/producer Nick Barber on having Charlie (The Film) selected to screen at Houston Worldfest. It will be screening in the animated shorts session and family session in April I read on the festival website that there were 4,500 entries in all categories and only 104 are selected for screening!

That's wonderful Tassie - so glad Kirra is enjoying agility in her twilight years Think I've been doing too much "go" work with the dogs.....was running with them last night at training and they just could not cope with a rear cross on a straight line of jumps into a tunnel. They both looked at me like I was insane! Both did very well on the course, though....looking forward to our first trial for the year in a few weeks time :)

Makes you feel sort of tingly doesn't it ? Now you know how some of us who have been around for awhile feel sometimes. I'm sure some people think that it takes only a couple of days to teach the concepts to our gundogs, and not the hours, weeks, months, years, that actually go into it, but still I know what you mean RS. After a really hot summer, and no training for months, my training partner/s and I got our butts into gear and actually did some regular sessions. Still difficult to get motivated, but we began achieving some results (bad and good), from our dogs. With the first All Age trials this weekend, I am hoping it has been enough, and that my three put in a good solid performance. Fingers xx. Not much water around again, and cover is even less so. Ho hum. I suspect it might be the same for our Easter Trial, fetchin'. I'm so looking forward to 3 days of trialling, camping and chatting! Looks like there are very good numbers for all stakes I went back to "my hill" and, would you believe it, there was a couple canoodling as the sun went down so I was a somewhat limited in what I could train. I know it's a beautiful tourist destination AND it was a stunning evening AND it was a weekend but geez!!!!! :laugh: Did a few handling drills and did some hot blinds for lining through cover. Also met up with a friend for water training......very happy with the water marks through thick reeds and a luke-warm across water blind (with game). Set up a rather difficult water-land-water mark with the bumper boy. Called Em through the first dam to show her the line as it was super cheaty. She did really well on that coming and going on every mark. The hardest bit was hitting the land and going straight back into the water which was over the other side of a rise. Surprisingly tough concept - ran it a couple of times and she took a handle into the water but a lot of work to do there as she was a bit confused....will try to get back to the water tomorrow to tidy it up.

Have you had a look at it yet Sheena - what did you think? I've been looking at that one myself. What do you think of the contacts one TSD? I haven't had a chance to work through it yet as I've got a couple of other things on the go but I like the look of it - especially the way it breaks everything down in terms of getting on the contact, driving hard into position - 2O/2O of 4 on the floor. Really looking forward to getting stuck in after Easter...will let you know :)

I've already downloaded Phenomenal Stopped Contacts on my iPad

My Springer plays soft and submissive with all dogs - it's her natural playing style. But with my Dally she is quite feral! Bites his legs, bares her teeth, wrestles on her hind legs, springs off his shoulders and barks and growls like a thing possessed :laugh: The Dally modifies his playing style also - lots of wrestling on his back legs with Dal bitches but more play bows and a softer side with the Springer. He is just fantastic with puppies - just lies on his side whilst they jump on his head :)

I hate it too. I've had to block an off leash dog from harassing mine - young male GSP who was just about to make the biggest mistake of his young life and take on my mature entire male Dalmatian - and then had the dog's pathetic excuse for an owner abuse the sh!t out of me, accuse me of kicking the dog and threaten to hit me had I been a man. Twice in two weeks. Two different idiots. It was very upsetting.

I feed frozen frames - both dogs get 2 each as a meal 2/3 times per week.

That's great to hear RS! And quite a weekend I worked today so took Em training close to home in the late afternoon. A steep hill provided lots of training opportunities with the bumper boy - fortunately council has cut the very heavy grass cover down but I can use fallen trees at the edge of the forrest as necessary. Worked on memory marks across the face of the hill - lines and memory were good. Walked a hot blind out from some logs at quite an angle downhill until she was working at a good distance. Ran the same double mark but from further uphill, the short mark was the memory. All good. Turned the BB around so the long mark down the hill fired first (I have 2 launchers facing in opposite direction). Send for the blind. Send for the long memory mark. Fire off a two bird. Send. All good! Lots of wins :) I think the tourists at the top of The Lookout enjoyed it as well! It was surprisingly muggy and she was having too much fun to rest or drink so we called it a day. I have more I want to do with that hill so perhaps we will go back tomorrow.

That's cute :D

Well! THAT was a much better training session :D I was in a hell of a bad mood.....(long story)......in the past that would mean NO training but now, as soon as I start training, I go to my happy place so that's my drug of choice Started with a single T over the creek she can run through - so, so, so much better! Em must have dreamt about that exercise the last few nights. She was running straight past big white dummies that had floated in to get to the back pile. Stopped and cast really well. Sits are still not straight in water so I always ask her to fix it. Nice young lad was watching and asked me me a million questions. Turns out he has a Pointer he takes hunting and wanted to know how to train her. I gave him a few tips but suggested he get in contact with the clubs and pick up a few books etc. He just about flipped out when I told him that Em is only a young Novice dog and the All Age dogs were 100 x better :laugh: Moved the dogs over to the large body of water and ran the same single T again. She has trouble treading water for long but took the casts really well and I was completely chuffed. I think the penny has dropped but, of course, so much more to do. Tossed a couple of water marks and noticed that she really doesn't mark well when I throw the dummies - too busy watching me and just bluffs the retrieve. Smart @r$e! I wanted to finish off with one more......it involved a fair bit of walking to get around the water but I set up a very luke warm across water blind. A decent swim for Em and she nailed it without a whistle. Her line was just about spot on - slightly skew whiff at the start but I think she quartered as she entered the water (tends to be a sign of confusion with her, reverting back to her Spaniel ways) but then she realised what game we were playing and powered straight through. Lots of distracting water birds teasing her but she just ignored them. I was breathalysed on the way home so training was an excellent drug choice. The copper thought the dogs were tops :)

Sounds like this may have been a bit much for her TSD. Always remember (and this isn't just for you but for all of us), that you are training, and you can simplify, walk in to help your dog making the distance between you and her/him, shorter, or abandon completely if it doesn't work. You are making very good progress with her though, and if you look back to a year ago you will agree with that. It is great that she has so much enthusiasm, but I know from experience that this can be regretted sometimes. But, I'd rather have enthusiasm than the other way, wouldn't you ? I am planning on coming to Vic for the Nationals in September, so hope that we are able to meet up again, and this time, I can see the legendary "EM". Thanks fetchin' - it was ABSOLUTELY too much for her but I had wanted it to be a much shorter mark. Unfortunately the wind picked up all of a sudden and I was an idiot not to realise that might happen. Plus where it floated to meant that I was either closer and couldn't see her or further away but in a better position to help. And the more dummies I threw the more she had to go back and get! Very poor planning. Live and learn I guess. Yes, she's come an awfully long way - so many triallers can't believe she's the same dog. I wouldn't swap her enthusiasm for anything....fortunately I've done an awful lot of self control exercises so she is great in that regard (famous last words :laugh: ). Very much looking forward to catching up during the Nationals - it will be a great lead up with all those trials Patience RS - those dogs will teach you more than you realise (Ziggy is proof of that!!!)

The more I train the more I realise how much we have to train!!! The Little Monster was just about beside herself yesterday....certainly no lack of enthusiasm and she just wanted to keep going and going and going...was very unimpressed when it wasn't her turn Started on a T-drill across a small body of water - it's not quite deep enough for swimming so actually quite useful as a warm up. Just worked on sending to pile and stopping/casting right. One thing at a time. Apart from my throwing skills it went fairly well but much more work needed. Moved the T-drill to a larger body of water and did the same thing - saw some improvement but needs more work. Did some backs/lefts/rights through cover into water with distracting bumpers thrown on land as well. Em was all over it so it's clearly the stopping and casting IN water that we need to concentrate on. Making sure she understands physical and verbal cues separately. I wanted to do a relatively easy water mark as an introduction to a channel swim so set her up, walked out, threw the dummy and sent her from afar. The wind whipped up the water and the dummy floated into a really bad position behind heavy reeds and much, much further away than I'd intended. She was having trouble finding it as she got very distracted by me walking back to the send point. Of course I could see her better then but I was much further away than I would have liked so it was not easy to handle her to it - waaaaay too much for her but I really wanted that dummy back! Threw a few dummies to get her in the area but then I had several more that floated away that she had to pick up - a bit of a mess really but we got through it, I kept her in the water (cheaty coming back) and she delivered the final one with just as much enthusiasm as the first one. Great attitude to some sh!t training. She was desperate to go again so I gave her a rest before doing a few simpler water retrieves plus a two bird. Phew!