The Spotted Devil

Certainly smarter than I am Tassie

Tassie I have always done round the back LAT and finishes with Ziggy and he never blind crosses me - whilst dogs aren't great at generalising they are amazing at picking context Just want to give a big thumbs up to my agility club's agility module system - I didn't do it with Zig but am doing it with Em, or at least what is physically suitable for a 12 month old dog (so just 2 poles, no weaving etc). Previously Em had completed the "contacts" module (lots of rear end awareness, 2o/2o, balance boards, backing up, walking through ladders etc) and the "TTT" (table, tunnel, tyre) module. Yesterday we did the seesaw module - first did the "bang" game, which she was really keen on because it involved cheese :D Then we had a break whilst others tried the low down see saw. We had missed the previous week's lesson so I was a bit hesitant but Em was straining at her leash to have a turn. I let her loose and she just about FLEW over the seesaw into a divine little drop-2o/2o position at the other end I was so shocked I nearly forgot to reward her Couldn't keep her off it and had the same reaction to the bigger one - yay for foundation work!!!!!

I think that says a lot more about the handler rather than the handling system, if that makes sense. I guess I've never seen a course where I can't solve a problem by using the GD method - admittedly I haven't been trialling with Ziggy all that long though.

amypie - I don't and won't use blind crosses. I've been taught using the GD handling system, which makes really good sense to me, and blind crosses are a real no-no. I know others use them with success but I don't have the time nor inclination to investigate whether they are good or bad so am happy to accept the advice of my instructors. I spend a lot of time pulling apart retrieving and obedience training methods so it's really refreshing to be presented with an agility handling/training system that works really well for me without adjusting anything.

Very fitting and good PR Congratulations to the winner! Just lovely!

I think that's fair. Em would like the box :D

More thanks here - watching the Grand Final at our local and loving the BIS update. In love with the English Setter and the Maltese. Who'd own coated breeds??? Just beautiful though

I give the puppy gear about 5 minutes ;)

So when's pup coming home then :D

My 2 are great mates and I never restrict their interactions when I'm home (unless training). I crate Em when I'm out, but only so she doesn't give Zig the $h!ts all day Depends on the relationship you have with the dogs I guess. Ziggy is always so excited to go training, even when Em was in season. Admittedly he was a little flirty with the girls at training but he was so keen to train. I play a fun game with my dogs - in the middle of them wrestling like mad I call out "sit!" and as soon as they sit they get released to play again. Training multiple dogs can be brilliant for building motivation too. I sometimes train both at the same time for something different - one heeling on the left and one on the right - they completely ignore each other...think I will play with that some more! ETA: From the very beginning I took Zig out alone and left Em home. He had different training and exercise requirements so I didn't have a choice. When I train at the park both dogs come unless I am using the whistle with Em as Zig goes a little troppo. Proper retrieving training/trialling and Zig stays home. Different agility/obedience levels so sometimes one comes or both come. Both go to obedience/agility trials. Both also very bonded to Mr TSD and the cats so happy to relax at home. Also I teach both dogs to concentrate with Mr TSD close by - he does SFE and videos/photographs them - Zig does not even register and Em is nearly there. Great for trials as he can film them up close for me.

I think Vic is similar to NSW in that competitors often steward - have done so when running LL's Yo and will do so again. Sometimes it's hard if you're entered in 2 stakes (e.g. which I did with Yo) or you are running 2 dogs (which I probably will do next season) but I really enjoy it and it's a great way to learn. With our club agility trials I don't steward but I do always help out - food for the stewards/judges lunch and/or help set up/pack down. Before this stormy weather set in over the last few days I was out teaching Em angle backs. Now that she is really comfortable with left/right backs and overs, she thought I was completely bonkers but she did it nonetheless. Some more work to do in order to build on her understanding.

I heard Sylvia Power (Dogs Vic) on radio this morning pointing out that DNA testing is not helpful. A rep from the municipal association that represents local councils has received advice that blood DNA tests may be useful at identifying Amstaffs (rather than salivary DNA tests) and preventing them from being classified as a restricted breed dogs. However, he agreed that it would not help identify Pitbull type dogs. He was waiting on more advice from labs/vets etc.

I'd love to go - it depends a bit on where my study is at. Might be at the pointy end of my thesis Em might even be ready for trialling - would be great to run both dogs and I'm very well set up for camping.

ns_c - just worth noting that your female Dal only has a lower risk of obstruction due to anatomy. However the risk of forming the stones is the same as a male.

Take the plunge but I think we need an on-line diary :D Sounds like a hoot but you're a braver woman than I

Actually had a really nice example of persistence just then - set up Em to find the leather towards the end of our "sing for your supper" session. She raced around sniffing with great determination but forgot to look in the kitchen where it was hidden near the cupboards. She kept trying and trying, looked at me once (which I ignored) and then stopped to have a massive drink (training with dry food makes you thirsty!) - I thought she might lose the plot after that but she picked up right where she left off, scoured the kitchen and found it. It was a really good experience of trust for BOTH of us Ptolomy, I thought Scoota did a lovely job of the wash cloths - so confident, even when he managed to send one flying!

Oh bless him - even when he swung his bum right out he had lovely focus! How old is the big baby?

Depends how "not ready" you are. And if there is anyone else in the household who will be affected by your decision. What factors make you think you're not ready? Work? Study? Relationship? Other pets? Sometimes you're never ready until the pup is home - the responsibility that goes with obtaining a great pup can be paralysing sometimes ;)

Thanks Ptolomy for the reply. I have been playing "find the toy/article" game in the house for ages with Ziggy and have just started with Em. I show it to them and then leave them in a stay and they have to find it amongst everything else on the floor (mostly toys, chew bones etc). They think it is the best game in the world but I'm not sure how much it will help them out - although it certainly has them using their nose and they never give up so seem to understand the game. At least after the SH seminar I'm not so petrified of "breaking" either dog ;)

I imagine sneezing could be a displacement behaviour - maybe a combination of excitement, expectations, reinforcement schedule, frustration??? With Em I had never observed it before I did an extended heel pattern a few weeks back as I have been doing a lot of turns, positions etc in tiny increments.

Absolutely! I was just picturing Trim throwing dark, filthy glares at Vickie - "you call THAT a reward do you???" - I literally laughed out loud I have had a similar response from Em when she retrieved her first birdie (after training on dummies). A look of disgust that clearly said "you can stick your cheese - just throw the damn bird woman!"

Must. Have. Video Trim 4 : Vickie 0 :D

Gee thanks for that poodlefan. Yes, I did enjoy my lunch

Thanks Beth - she is a sweetie to live and train with I only just made the connection with your previous DOL name OT - but are you at JCU or UQ? I was up at JCU last week.

Little bugger The norty bits were my favourite What a character! Thanks for posting - really good to see the whole routine - that is a long time for handler and dog to concentrate and a lot of opportunities to fail!!! General question - many dogs seem to have problems with the seek back (on it's own) or with decoy.....any ideas as to why that is? Obviously Scoota found it but looked a bit uncertain and gave a few heartbeat missing moments!!! Would any of you train your youngsters differently for seek back based on what you've seen going through UD and UDX?