The Spotted Devil

There's some real differences between breeds too (they are cuuuuute!!!) - Springer pups develop a bit more slowly - I couldn't believe what similar aged Border Collies were up to but my babies caught up well and truly. Overtook them even :laugh:

I'm sure they'd give it a try!

Why not think of the trial exercises as tricks too............."For our next trick......the recall!!" Blow everybody else, it's just you against the rule book!!

More than glad to help if I can - one thing that helps that "who cares what others think" is having a supportive and positive group you can talk to and problem solve with. For me that is mostly online courses - an amazing community of people who all want each other to taste success (I think Tassie can attest to this, be it Fenzi or SG) - a little in person but I'm selective who I take advice from. My puppy buyers are amazing people too and I just love working with them - having a puppy from the litter they get to see and laugh at LOTS of our failures :laugh: Surround yourself with people who see you as you would like to see yourself... For the second part, I think Tassie and dragon woman both have valid points of view. Personally I try to look at it as two equal, seamless circles - I usually start with the inside circle but I can't remember why (there definitely was a reason!!) Another great tip is to practice your figure 8 without your dog and get your feet moving almost one directly in front of the other - it's much easier for the dog to pick your line on a small, tight circle. Keep your speed the same but take smaller or bigger steps as necessary so it's smooth for the dog. Those little things made a huge difference to my dog. Also with heel work I do LOTS of circle work - big circles, little circles, dog inside, dog outside, changing speed up and down and building so much duration into the behaviour that a couple of minutes in the ring becomes an absolute breeze for the dog.

Definitely :) I have used this approach with any number of clients. Sometimes I prefer NOT to use the clicker as it's so precise what happens if your timing is out? You might reinforce the behaviour you don't want. They seem to be more forgiving of a less precise marker.

I just bought a bigger lounge...

Also it's critical to remember that failure is an integral part of learning....and success. You must accept your failures to fully enjoy your successes. Easier said than done I know!!! :laugh:

That is a really healthy way to look at it. Perhaps I should try it. Start by turning your training sessions into beautiful moments of focus - give your dog 100%. She needs you. That's how I do it - I've done 2 retrieving, 1 agility and 3 Dalmatian Nationals over the last 6 years and it's getting easier - big stages can be scary but my dogs need me to be present and in the moment for them. Training becomes meditative. It's my escape.

I have a few different sizes but never worried about sectioning off a large crate. Just take them out when they are restless at night and make sure they are tired when they go in :)

If it's any consolation sars, my lack of anxiety and enjoying the moment has been a conscious learning process - it does NOT come naturally but it's much more fun since I set myself that challenge. I'm a bit nervous beforehand but the instant I step to the line or into the ring there is nobody watching. Just me and my dog playing together.

See I love that you recognise that Jules and choose to train and not trial

I'm backing off with Ziggy this year - maximum 2 runs per trial and only Open or games. He's moving beautifully but I want to keep it that way. Em is starting to shine - I am working really hard at transferring the value and getting her warp-like Gundog work speed onto the agility field. She is very careful (my fault) and it's time to step outside my comfort zone. Contact work has gone through the roof since I bought a travel plank. This month we are doing weekly contacts/weaves (sequencing) with Awesome Paws plus workshops on tunnels, the new seesaw and contacts/weaves. Ginny - well she's pretty hilarious - only 9.5 months so LOTS of SG Recallers, Puppy Peaks and agility foundations. Restrained recalls through tunnels, wrapping a cone/wing and travel plank work. She's going to be quick I suspect! Never had a dog that found quite so much joy in running. Me - well I'm 5 months in to whiplash, closely followed by a torn shoulder and now borderline frozen shoulder with VERY limited range in one arm. Frustrating as hell but I'm taking the opportunity to work on my verbal cues. First trial of the year is a twilight this Saturday!

Apparently my dogs do it for the ribbons and the prestige

For the social aspect. To test my training. To have fun with my dogs. To enjoy that awesome energy that comes with both success and failure. To accept that perfection is not necessary. To experience the connection and the joy whether we win, lose or DQ.

I'd also suggest nose work - one of my puppy buyers does it with both her working and show-type Springers and they just love it...young and old.

Agree - good on you for doing your research. My question for you is what are your bitch's faults? In my opinion this defines my breeding goals. I love my dogs so much it hurts and they are PERFECT but when it comes to breeding I need to understand what their faults are. Only then can I make a decision to breed at all. Let alone select a stud dog.

I'm guessing you are talking about the microchip registry. The pedigree will be issued by the state body eg Dogs Vic or Dogs NSW and sent to the breeder once they register the litter. The breeder will then forward it to you. Provided the breeder is ANKC registered of course.

There are some great ways to do this without using long lines. First, super high value rewards around recalls. Then work with your dog on leash and another person. Ask your dog for a behaviour. As a reward tell your dog to "go seep" the other person (who makes a real fuss), then calll once and party and reward like crazy. If your dog doesn't come on the first call, quietly go over and walk them away (your dog needs to think having their collar grabbed is an awesome thing so prime this behaviour before you start). From there you have heaps of variations to work with....maybe other dog is quietly sitting next to owner on leash and so doesn't tempt play before you call back.

And walk backwards, calling your dog to your front and rewarding heavily - much harder for someone to say hi to your dog's tail...changes your dog's focus too.

Commitment is so important. My pup is 9 months old (I bred her) - needs a whack of mental stmulation, training and exercise. In the last 4 months I've had a new job (challenging), severe whiplash after a car accident plus a torn shoulder and now frozen shoulder (migraines all the way through). And yet still I find the time to train my 3 dogs in 2 sports including skills, fitness work and core strength. And support my puppy buyers. That's just the way life goes sometimes!

Pig rails no higher than half the the bitch's rib-rib width lying down if that makes sense. It sounds like they are too high. Take them out once pups look like they will get stuck. Personally I don't use any rugs - I have a real digger and was worried she'd bury them in all her caring. I much prefer marine carpet - great grip for babies, easy to pressure hose and quick to dry.

I always freeze for 48 hours. There's a couple of bacteria or something (sorry vague on the details tonight) that are killed by freezing.

Agree. To be scared for life is an awful thing for a dog. Getting some excellent guidance now CAN help. Your pup is still within the critical period of learning.

Baby gates have worked wonders in our house....until the cats started bringing their toys over the top! Who does that with Spaniels on the other side :laugh:

I pretty much agree with everyone else. I didn't feel 100% comfortable with giving oxy when the time came although I had it on hand. I gave calcium and did all the usual exercise with Em - two big boys born and then she shut up shop. I knew there were only 4 pups and didn't want to risk losing any so decided to take her to the vet. Ultrasound determined that the pups were ok but needed to come out sooner rather than later so it was IV oxy with C-section on standby. They popped out quick smart thankfully and I got my last born girly. In hindsight I'm glad I went the low risk route.