The Spotted Devil

Yes, I've been thinking about Molly too - hope she is on the mend 3 hours of transcribing data (trying to hear over dogs barking on the recordings) is enough for anyone! I'm going training for lunch

Heel work should be trained in short bursts and by making it fun - which also means rewarding every step when you are beginning and breaking everything down to it's parts and practicing them separately....turns, duration, circle work, change of pace etc. Em trains in obedience, retrieving and (soon) agility......for heeling and other obedience drills my body language (mainly) cues her to look up at me as that's how the rewards flow. In retrieving she heels to the starting point, command is 'watch' or 'blind' depending on the retrieve and she looks straight ahead - note that's also where the reward comes from. Zig does obedience and agility.....I worked on the former heavily first so it took some time for him to learn to look forward for agility and use more of his peripheral vision but lots of one jump work helped. I actually heel him to the start line to maintain his focus and he makes the switch well.

Start by removing the cats from the room you are going to enter with your pup - restrict him to that room by using a barrier e.g. baby gate. When the cats feel comfortable they can approach the room at their own pace. Do not allow pup to race up to the cats. Or keep the pup on lead. Of course they will hiss and swipe if confronted - I know I would!!! They are fearful and defensive. Fear is not a pleasant emotion. It's also a very different situation comparing an occasional pup visitor to a permanent resident and the former is much more difficult for the cats to adapt to. If they become stressed by pup's visits they may exhibit unpleasant behaviours such as urinating outside the litter box or redirected aggression.

No way RS!!!!! It was freeeeeeezing here last night but I still went to agility. Zig was MAD and ran like the (Emmy) devil was after him

I actually like it when they 'break' as I think it leads to better long term understanding. Very funny wuffles Zig does "it's wet and I'm a Dalmatian" hover drops.

But have you fixed it again ;)

Oh Jules

Thinking of you Jules x

Thanks that would be great One thing she is excellent at retrieving is shoes When she wants to go for a walk she'll go find and bring my dog walking shoes to me and put them in my lap (who is training who ?) I think I need to work on her focus because now that I think about it she is very good and retrieving at home where there aren't any other interesting smells/dogs/wildlife etc around. Smart dog!!! Are you training for RATG or retrieving trials or obedience? I've just cut and pasted my reply on another thread so just pick out the bits that are relevant...

Zora is seriously cute, RV As I said in the WA thread - enjoy the puppy madness! Think of the gorgeous legs you'll have come Summer FHRP, with all that walking Em keeps me sane. Every PhD student should have one :D @ Scout's owner. That was exactly my thought!!! aussielover: it really does depend on the dog, it's breeding and early training. The retrieve may well come naturally but bringing it back to you may not. Personally I like to shape the present and back chain the retrieve. I wrote a reply to this same question on another list - happy to hunt it up if you're interested.

The LUA Dalmatian project is a great example of how science and dog breeding can come together - however, it was commenced in 1973 and we still can't get registered LUA progeny or semen into Australia. If the AKC supports the very tight vote FOR registering these dogs held by the Dalmatian Club of America recently this could soon change. If not, progeny/semen from LUA Dals registered with UKC will not be available for another 4 years. I don't think that 38 years in the development (thus far) will be seen as particularly forward thinking.

Cross posted with kind permission from the author on the Aussie Dals list - apologies for the formatting but I can't be bothered fixing it:

Welcome Zora The Focussed Puppy is a great little book RV. I hope you enjoy Zora's puppy antics - she is so cute and it's just the most enjoyable process

TN - congratulations on your passes this weekend I have been building confidence for Zig, especially on the see-saw and he is really coming along. Let me know if you would like some ideas. Inevitablue - how wonderful to see such promise in a youngster. You must be delighted!!!

Yes, every Dal has the recessive genes predisposing them to suffer from uric acid stones. I have asked for further info on my Dal list so will see what the understanding is, time frames etc re importing.

It was a reasonably close vote too and a lot of vigorous debate from both sides. I think breed clubs must take the lead on these matters and be proactive.

Whoo hoo! Just heard that Em's half sibling won Novice again today (in NSW) so off with the big kids for Restricted now

I'm delighted Not sure what this means for ANKC but as UK and USA now has registered these dogs I can't see why progeny or semen can't be imported. I'd like my next Dally (not for aaaages!) to be LUA.

Training a solid stay is critical as a they may split a large class into dogs and bitches so there's not much getting away from other males! If you're concerned about the dog/s next to your boy the best thing would be to withdraw. My Dally is entire and won't take nonsense from other males that threaten him (he's a bit of a target too due to his very upright stance and tendency to make eye contact) but is quite different during stays as he has been reinforced so heavily for staying put and is very confident about the exercise.

I've sent Jules a message but don't have a phone number.

How are the pre-puppy excitement nerves RV? Good luck tomorrow :D I've been working on making drills FUN for Miss Em this last few weeks - mainly working up to a single T drill, practicing lots of lefts and rights (and now adding backs) to piles, tossing to piles and sending the opposite direction etc. We're not quite there yet but making good progress. Mr TSD helped me out yesterday so we finished off with some walking singles - I set Em up so the marks were very long and in shade against the forest that borders the oval and she was in the sun.....so a bit of a different 'picture' and the temptation of chasing birdies in the forest on the pick up. She fell for that once but came to her senses as soon as I called and flew straight back to me. With the effect of shade, it was really interesting - she clearly marked the first dummy (white ones of course) but didn't trust her own judgement and veered off course a bit. However, she realised that she WAS right and ran dead straight on the following marks. I really enjoyed watching her nut that out

Jules - I am so dreadfully sorry. I'm not far if you need anything - have messaged you xxx

Good luck to everyone trialling this weekend! I am enjoying having a few days to spare and getting some really good training done with no pressure. This is what we played with tonight...

Ok - thanks for that Gary . As I said it's been a couple of years since I've been in the ring. I worry about groups in the CCD ring due to the level of training of some of the dogs. I've had occasion in the CD ring in groups where a dog stood over my dog (which was on a qually) in a threatening stance. My dog stood but didn't react to the other dog and the judge allowed me to redo the excercise without the other dog in the ring - and he quallied! All of the dogs in CD at that time had to at least pass a Sweepstakes before entering the ring - this won't happen now. To add to that a dog in the CCD ring doesn't require the same level of training ie. all onlead. I know this could have happened in any ring but I've had a number of other triallers warn me against the CCD ring - for the safety of my own dog. I understand where you're coming from, having had 2 experiences just like that with my Dally - one in CCD and one in CD. In the first instance, a GSD stood right over him and Zig leant back further and further until he literally fell over (and onto the neighbouring dog), the judge let us re-do our stays and he won the ring. In Zig's last Novice trial he had a huge male Rotti stand over him (silly goof only wanted to play but it made my heart leap ) but he held his ground, maintained eye contact with me and won the ring. Not something I want to put my youngster through - although it can happen in any ring we'll be skipping CCD. Plus then I'd have to teach her to heel on lead and I can't be bothered Agreed, though, that CCD is a great confidence builder for dog and handler if needed.

No waaaaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!!! Doing ANYthing in the wet and cold and mud is THE bestest fun EVER!!!!!!!!!! Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love Em xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Best bloody idea I've heard since they invented central heating. Where do I paw up? Regards Ziggy.