The Spotted Devil

I found this: That's not bad actually - we worked with the leash looped under the leg initially but once they get the hang of it and walk without leaning into the leash (Zig was one sided even if not pulling) it's easy to switch to the harness. We got more out of the whole process than just not pulling - the balance part was really interesting.

I have a Blackdog one, they're products are typically great so I don't know if I'm not using it correctly. Thanks for the offer, yeah, I think it might be too big, from memory the girth was 41cm and she's around 8 kilos so pretty small at the moment. However thinking about the reason I got it was so new families could use it without having to worry too much about technique...surely it can't be that hard? sas - I've got a Blackdog one as well. I found it to be more about technique than anything (which I still don't have completely right) - I was shown how to manipulate the leads by someone who uses harnesses a lot in t-touch. With the front lead, I was told to bring the lead more upwards than backwards if that makes sense. I was surprised at how very little pressure was required when you do it correctly. Sorry I can't help more.

There will always be trophy hunters ish! I think it depends on the dog and the handler. With dogs that are more difficult to train in obedience (e.g. sighthounds or Dalmatians ) or a young dog that is not quite stable enough for CD or a handler that lacks confidence (no matter how many dogs they've titled) or a handler that is more interested in showing or agility or retrieving, CCD is a great opportunity to trial. With my current pup, I doubt if I'll bother with CCD - she loves training already and I would prefer she did her stays with dogs that are more stable (hopefully!!!) Plus, we'll be busy enough training for retrieving and agility, not to mention training and competing with Zig, without having to find time to enter CCD trials. ETA: For me, having spent many, many years out of the dog sport world CCD was a huge help in improving my confidence, despite the fact that my old dog had her CDX tittle. Standards and training methods change over the years and it was good to catch up with all that.

Hi DalGirl I do agility and obedience with my Dally - however there aren't many of us around! If you are free, come down to Dogs Vic Dogs Day Out at KCC Park this Sunday 12th. The Dally club will have a stand and there will be show, obedience and agility demos. Also, you could join the Yahoo AussieDals Group list. If you become a Dally club member you can also advertise the dog on the website. Feel free to join us in the breed subforum of Dogzonline in the 101 Dalmatian thread. Photos essential

Thanks kelpiechick - good idea about your first point! On your second point, yes I did realise that eventually :D Have sent emails

Yes, good idea! Have emailed K9 to see if they can help as it would save transporting it. Thanks for all the ideas - you can tell I haven't had to do this before :rolleyes:

Thanks JulesP :rolleyes: I will keep you in mind also!

Thanks SnT - will keep you in mind. I don't really know anyone at K9 Agility but that might be worth a shot too. Might try and get in contact with them :rolleyes:

I'm helping with an obedience/agility demo at the Dalmatian club stand for the Dogs VIC Dogs Day Out this Sunday, 12th December, and was hoping to set up some weaving poles. Unfortunately the club doesn't have any and I was wondering whether anyone would be able to lend the club a set for the day. Obviously we would ensure they are picked up, taken care of and dropped off. I'm about to order some for myself but they won't be ready in time for this Sunday. If anyone can help I'd be most grateful.

FHRP - thankyou for your insight. It's a great reminder for me as I spent a lot of time teaching my Dally self control. It worked for him but I don't think that is the best approach for Em

Yes, you would need to. In practice, I don't technically 'charge' the clicker anyway.....just wait for pup to focus on me, click then treat. Within a few attempts they work out what's going on - too smart for me by half!!!

Tell Mr Lablover that I enjoyed his explanation Glad you posted it. Such a great result for Yank and his temp handler. Just played around some more with Em's puppy retrieve - she seems to have the hang of it but I'm sure she'll make a liar out of me as soon as someone is watching

Good on you JulesP And well done, again, to Poppy!

Yay Well done Bronte and Poppy!!! Congratulations on getting Bronte's title SmoothieGirl - great way to round out the year! JulesP - how were the nerves? I was originally intending to spectate at today's obedience trial but I am completely whacked after yesterday. Especially with a head cold in tow!!! Zig is fairly sleepy although Miss Emily is terrorising us all as usual

Zig and I had a fabulous day yesterday at the last agility trial for the year, despite the hot weather which we both dislike I entered multiple runs even though he only needed one pass each for his Novice Agility and Novice Jumping titles. He was keen and focussed all day and also pulled off the run home fast cue that we really only solidified at Monday night's training. Results were as follows although I'm not sure if the JD classes are accurate as the cards were written up incorrectly: Novice Agility A - 1st place and Q Novice Agility B - 1st place and Q Novice Jumping A - 3rd place and Q Novice Jumping B - 3rd place and Q Novice Jumping C - 3rd place and NQ (tired dog and handler in the heat of the afternoon) Open Jumping B - 9th place and Q (couldn't get close to the times of the experience dogs and handlers!!!) Open Jumping A - dog nailed the distance challenge but handler only remembered the beginning and end of the course So, from 7 runs we had 6 results and 5 qualification cards. Completely separate from the results, it was the most fun I've had running him as I'm finding it easier to remember courses (mostly!) and I'm much more conscious about using my body and voice to guide him. There are a couple of things I really would like to work on to cut our times down, such as tighter rear crosses and change of arms, plus the seesaw for next year, but all in all I'm so pleased to finish the year on such a positive note. Yarrowfell High Society CCD JD AD (pending!) - you are one of the great Spotted dogs

Beautiful pics FHRP TO - my pup is a similar age and I have been working on lots of focus, recalls, sit, drop, hand touches and shaping. Also started shaping a formal retrieve this week. Next week Lablover is going to show me a few things and I will share them here. RS - will reply to your PM in a day or two. Exhausted after a day of agility trialling. Photos? Well, they call this 'working lines' but I don't know ;)

Hi TSD, could you explain the 2 food game for me? Sounds interesting. I'm all inspired, might take the old boy out for a few sessions in between semesters. He was looking pretty good last summer, then we did nothing during winter and now he is running in. Hi Aiden Basically it's an exercise I nicked from the obedience people :D Use food or toys - but the food can't crumble or be hard to see. With the dog next to you, toss the food a short distance (I say go!) When the dog turns towards you (you may need to call their name initially) toss the food in the opposite direction. Repeat. You can ask the dog to run faster and further. Great for building motivation in my Dalmatian and is good to get the dog running away from and towards you - drop on recall practice, speedy sits etc. Hope that makes sense as I'm at an agility trial! Current progress with Emily is one very tired puppy asleep in her crate. So much for working lines

I've been playing the 2 food game with Em to practice sits - she faces me by default. She isn't working far away from me yet but you can see the little cogs turning

RS - I think (happy to be corrected) that most of the retrieving books focus on 'forced retrieves' etc which is the common method of training in the USA. I recently purchased a book called "Positive Methods for Gundogs" from Dogwise, which applies clicker training and positive reinforcement principles to tried and true drills and steps for retrieving dogs. I'm really enjoying it but I don't think it's necessarily a step-by-step guide as the authors admit to not having tried all the techniques. However, it does teach you the basics of retrieving and then gets you thinking outside the square. It's a book that requires you to be very proactive rather than just blindly apply the methods if that makes sense. I'm sure Lablover, FHRP et al. could recommend some books/DVDs. Will mention it to LL if she doesn't come back to this thread. ETA: If you would like, RS, I will post my training progress with Miss E. If there isn't a retrieving thread, we'll start one.

Any chance such a training program is written down somewhere for newbies like myself to work on? If I'm going to get anywhere, I need to figure out how to do it on my own as I can't be relying on others all the time RS - there are heaps of good books/DVDs out there too. As a complete novice I have only touched on a very few (and will be raiding Lablover's library) - Dogwise has a lot of retrieving books if that's any help.

It was posted to the OzObedience list a little while ago: Should you be interested, or know of someone who might like to find out more about RATG and Retrieving come along to KCC Park on 12th December '10 for " Big Day Out for Dogs". Melway 128 J12 There will be expert tuition for you & your dog on Retrieving, plus 'fun' displays of RATG and Retrieving demonstrations by experienced Gundogs. So perhaps it's not a "training day" as such.... but it's a step in the right direction Yes! Come along for sure - there will be demos and an opportunity to chat with retrieving people. Emily's breeder will be there (along with her sire who is on holidays with her) so I'll be getting some father-daughter pics. I'll be there with Ziggy doing an obedience demo on the Dally stand as well.

You will do fine. You love camping and travelling also. Travelling and travelling and travelling!!! That said all, you will be surprised how much can be done at a quiet park and with a training program in short amounts of time. SD, starting walking singles next week with Em! (Gaining confidence/success at a young age is very important) Howdy stranger I'm so excited - feel like a kid at Christmas I like the sound of taking the next step - will chat soon. Her general confidence has gone through the roof the last week or two which is great. She ADORES training too.

Agreed! I was thrown in the deep end with Lablover's help and, whilst I was nervous, am now hooked Started shaping a formal retrieve this week with Miss E. Whether I can pull off the training is another question but I'll give it a shot!

The best training aid I ever bought was another puppy I had so many comments at agility training with Zig in the first week after Miss Emily arrived. I am yet to train purposefully to up his motivation but will certainly try it.

Just poured with rain here - about 20 mm in a few hours - took pup out during a break in the weather and she bolted out, skidded to a halt just before the wet area and toileted on the deck under cover. I didn't pay any attention to her (I always make SUCH a fuss when she toilets properly) but grabbed a bowl of water and washed it away. Within a few minutes she went out on the dirt and did the tiniest wee you've ever seen.....decided she wanted those biscuits and cuddles after all!