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I am more interested in agility now but did obedience for a while. I only did it as i thought it was fun and its good for the dogs. And they injoy the interaction with me and others. Have just gone back to obedience training as agility training isn't on anymore. There are a few there who want to trial but most people just enjoy it at a lower level. We are a small club. But it sounds like you are talking less about people who are happy to do it for fun only and more about comps making you nervous so its not as much fun. Poodle fan is right. People who do agility, dog dance etc still get nervous as they too feel they are competing. I was always nervous when I did horse competitions and I'm just the same now I do it with the dogs. I found after heaps of comps with horses that experience helps. With the dogs I just try and make it fun for them as well as take a little step forward each time. When you tackle a new skill or attempt a higher level you are sure to learn something even if its just what to work on for next time. Its natural to get nervous. Makes actually getting there more interesting. If I found it easy it would be less exciting. And if (when)I get nervous I tell myself - that what I'm doing in not such the big deal I make it in my head. Enjoy the moment and my dogs company.

Thanks for your replies. My aunt is in Newcastle area and the lady coming she called Linda. Thats all I know. I can already guess exactly what she will be saying. These dogs are OK but they are living like kings. Mostly it would be plain leadership issues. My aunt is upset as another niece was bad mouthing her dogs because they " mouth" the kids (no pun intended) when her boys pick them up. Mind you they don't do that to me but then I don't annoy them either. When googled Dogtech I found a reference to a forum topic written by somebody who had Dogtech. So funny as this owner maybe has the same issues as my aunt does. So I wil call her and suggest she read this. I can't see her liking any of the Dogtech suggestions! She might have had this lady recommended so it could be OK. I am just worried she is wasting her money because she has to want to change. So I'll give her what I know but I must remember it's her decision.

Just thought I'd ask as my aunt has just booked in for help with her 2 poodles. Particularly that they practice positive training. Surprised me as she never seemed very interested or rather, she was happy with them the way they are. Anyway I was surprised at the cost. A lot more than I paid with the professional ladies who once came to me for a rescue dog that I was worried about. What do dog behaviourists normally cost? Maybe it comes with ongoing help.( As I don't know how trainable she will be ). I like her dogs. Her dogs aren't really a drama, just a little used to the good life. Thanks

I'd just contact the Canine Council. They must have info on all registered clubs for that area. But when you mention sniffing skills I went to the Blacktown Canine Club ground recently ( near my sisters place at Minchinbury ) for an agility competition. Besides they must do obedience they had an earth dog arae set out and herding. Thought they were lovely grounds. I don't know much about earth dogs although there is a thread here on DOL. But it involves following a laid scent. Must be fun for nose dogs and yours will love it I'd say!

So cute! Deltron. He's not alone. My rottie once tried to bail up some ants making a conga line to take his biscuit crumbs! Great topic. I have to move soon and I see a bit of yapping from the little one at first.

I agree with Kelpiechick too! When you start agility there is a lot to learn and with your first dog you are bound to make mistakes and then learn more. ( I did) Why not try Holly first? YOu can learn with her. Does she like food or toys. Or just you. I do agility with 2 dogs and one is a chi-x. She is timid and will ask to be picked up if dogs playing rough or wanting to step on her. If fact at times she will seem VERY timid. But agility isn't a team sport! (Can't see flyball in her future!) She goes to the start and she is off. There are no other dogs near her so she feels safe. Most dogs at agility are all so focused on the jumps etc they don"t really socialise. I'd give her a go first. She might surprise you. And Pug Hugger - I've not had much to do with pugs before but I went to a 2 day agility training camp recently. There was a young girl with a lovely bred black pug. This dog was so cute AND great at the agility. Now I had 2 dogs doing different classes over the weekend. She only had the one and it was doing everything! I think it ran on batteries or something. It could teach my 2 a lot in regards to motivation. Lovely dog!

Orange has obedience on the Sunday at Waratahs sportsground. Do you mean you can take your pup to work? I thought Dennison was at Bathurst?

I think if I remember right I tried her in the basket on the bike in the back yard first and she wasn't having a bit of it. So at the dog park after we'd walked a bit first I put her in the basket while I walked beside the bike. I gave her a treat. But I think it was harder to walk beside as the bike was unsteady. So I picked her up, stood over the bike. Put her in the basket ( which had sheepskin in the bottom- very important! ) and clipped her in with her harness. Treats as well if she stayed still. I just pushed off and rolled with the slope. Stopped and treated. Checked she was OK and did this a few times. That was about it. I used the harness at first as sometimes I needed to steer without thinking she will jump out. She never attempted to get out. She loved it. I was intending to be really energetic and ride the bike more. We do enough walking and I would like to ride around the large bike track which is near our dog park. I don't want to do 2 trips to the park ( with dogs and without) so I want to get the other dog to stay on the bike as well. Might be a little harder as I don't have eyes in the back of my head! He'd have to go on the back. This summer I'll have to give it a go.

What you suggest seems good to me. I did pop my dog in one of these pouches my aunt owned. I put my arms around her in the pouch like she was simply being carried. She thought it was pretty good then and I fed her treats for settling down. But the pouch dwarfed her really. Older legs are for walking so it wasn't much use to me. I can see in your case it's practical. I taught my dog to travel in a bike's basket . Similar to how you'd teach your pup to use the pouch? I put her in the basket and I only restrained her for all of a few seconds before she got the idea. Then I'd feed her a treat now and again. I also let her run for a while before I put her in and take her out every now and again to walk a bit. The reason she was in the basket is she was too young and too small to keep up with the other dog that needed more exercise. I did slowly get her used to the fact the bike wobbles and bounces a bit by treating her when purposely jiggling her around. Maybe when your pup is tired put her in the pouch in your lap (treats too ) as walking with it on might move your pup round a far bit. Little waks to start so your pup is gradually used to the feeling. Wonder if its a bit like boat travel? Depends on your dog how long it takes. Hyper pup might not adjust to it. Some dogs love the easy life! Have fun!

I'd go with Patricia McConnell too. Really easy to read. I have Cesar Millans book and he recommends both her and Bruce Fogle. Her book was at my local library.

I'm in Orange and do agility out at Wambool? But there is a dog school at Dennison according to my agility instructors. Can't vouch for if it is good or not but your choice would be limited I'd think. Lucky you getting a lab pup. How lovely!

I'd never heard of it either until recently I was doing a agility thing at Blacktown Canine Centre and I was curious what was over in these paddocks. There were small dens and people with dogs. I asked what it was and was told earthdogs? The lady telling me had border terriers so knew a bit about it. She said unfortunately they don't use "live quarry" and I remember thinking bet the bunnies are glad of that. But somebody explained later that they use scents ( artifical quarry ) because I had visions of a bundle of dead bunny being used! They also had sheep herding which besides the real thing here in the country I'd never seen. Great centre. All very interesting.

I am very impressed with your little guy! I found it really difficult to get my chi x to stay with her bum on the ground for any lenght of time. Took me ages to get her to sit while I just walked around her. (She thinks she's so cute rules don't apply). My girl hates doing things in wet grass let alone rain. At my 2nd agility comp on the weekend it had been wet in Sydney and she was on first. The course ground had longer grass out the back so she was really not at all keen. Lucky it wasn't actually raining as she tends to refuse to get in wet tunnels. The first comp must be so nerve wracking so well done. I supose you are planning for the next time. I love Harveys little harness in the photo posted. Is it a brand available in NSW?

Thanks Anita for your answer about Ibizian Hounds doing agility. When I was researching what dogs to get they were my 1st choice for a dog specially when I found there was a breeder nearby in Dubbo. However the breed characteristics included a jumping ability. Something like can jump metres from a standstill. I was thinking in terms of rented houses and fences so I decided maybe not at the moment. As I have started doing agility I have been watching the different types of dogs. I was wondering how a sighthound like the Ibizian would do. Interesting how each dog is individual and different techniques work with different types.

Thanks for that help feralpup. No one else feeds him except this one bloke. I thought it was stopped. What worked for a while is my dog sat next to a bitch being treat rewarded ( who we don't even know ) and the bitch understandably told him off. So I told my friend my dog would get bitten eventually at training if he did this . Worked for a while. He normally has great focus and has been easy to do agility with. His focus is often commented on so it is really out of character to develope this behaviour. But he knows who's an easy mark. He is also a fussy eater and often goes on strike from eating. He has seperation anxiety and I think he would prefer to be fed all by hand. I don't of course and if he hasn't eaten in 10 mins I put it away until the next day. So I won't let him beg from anyone, even if they will not feed him. And it is OK to drag him away. Mostly I think he will transfer his attention to me. But in the case of this one bloke I might have to physically move him away. Thanks, I just wasn't sure if it was a good idea to reward if I did this.

I've just come home from our dog park and am I bit annoyed! Had a shitty day at work and not in the mood! I'll try to keep it short. Hard for me. We walk in a dogpark daily as a group for 2 years. My dog was rescue and scared of men. So I have always encouraged him to greet an older bloke I walk with. It is good to see him look for this bloke and fly across the park to him. Gradually more and more people carry treats, usually to encourage recalls. So naturally my dog had found begging, pleading, dancing in front of people, pawing and especially joining in a sit with another trained dog to be very sucessfull! Or even start his very own sit in front. So I ask no one feed him. I don't care if they feed theirs or others just not mine. Most people respect this. Now tonite as the old bloke goes to catch his dog mine goes to town. He'd been begging already a bit from him and I'd pointed out this behaviour was not good. So even as I'm standing there pleading "Don't feed him!"he gets a treat. And it's Good'O's that he won't touch at home! Mind you it is a very determined effort on the dogs part. One obvious idea is don't walk with them I know. But I love the company and after moving to a new place I enjoy the friends I have met thru the dogs. And my dog literally ignores me in this state so my calling him is useless. Assume I cannot scold my dog as he is actually very timid and I would rarely if ever raise my voice? As I allowed the behaviour to develope I'm at fault. As this behaviour starts in the last 50 metres I was thinking I could put him on lead before this and don't let him near the friend. This will involve literally dragging him away. Once I am out of his path I would think my dog would switch his focus to me. But should I treat him if he focuses on me? I am hesitant to. I will treat to reward a good job and I don't think this is one? So I'm asking if 1. You wouldn't scold. 2. I do drag him away. 3. Get his focus and reward him still. Shouldn't have been so weak minded in the first place. Just so glad he started trusting people I let it go too far.

Great question! I often wonder if I'm the only nut training! I don't go to obedience if wet ( no drops/sits ) or minus degrees ( Me!!) I went to agility training on Sunday and have to drive 1hr plus. I left in sunshine and arrived in drizzle. We did a little training but I'd left coats behind and while I worked one dog the other looked miserable. I make allowances as they are both beginners and neither will do the tunnels in the wet! Our trainers have theirs out in all the time so water in the tunnel is possible. So I don't ask if it is clear they won't go through. Normally they shoot thru. I asked one on Sunday and she did it but she needed incouragement ( read bribery !). So I thought that it is better not to go there. Mine are little so they are esay to dry off!

I don't know if I should admit this but I've just found out I did something only a real newie to agility could do. What my poor dogs have to deal with! I made a dozen white pole things to learn weave with. I go to a trainer who explained how I could set them up. He goes with the 2 lines of poles. From what I understood I put them roughly 55cm apart with a wide channel to start and as dogs go down channel I gradually narrow the channel till the poles are straighter line. Sounded simple you say! So I go to train the other day and I ask about weaving as at my first comp other competitors suggested I enter in Combined Starters but just miss the weave. I get eliminated but its more experience. I was curious about weaving as I just don't get how dogs learn it. I look at his poles and I suddenly realise there's something wrong. Why are his so far apart????? I'd set up mine with 2 lines to get a channel. Each pole 55cm apart down each side BUT using poles 55cm apart down each side. Hard for anyone to understand what I was thinking but I had used twice as many poles. So there was a pole roughly every 27.5cm down each line. My dogs are chi X's so they were doing this. Straight away we realised I'd stuffed up so went home and changed it to be correct. Each pole counting both sides 55cm apart! And lo and behold they can do this much easier! Now it was so bloody obvious! And I bet it is not the first idiot I'll make of myself as I learn. I went to an intro day to agility in April and met some trainers. I went to my first agility day at the end of July. I enjoyed the comp a lot and I was so impressed with my dogs. It was a small comp and every one was so friendly. Good as I asked a lot of questions. I'm going again next week in Sydney. I learnt about my dogs each time I did a run. And the dogs loved it that they get to spend a weekend all about them.

I did obedience to get my dogs socialised/under control so I could start agility. The teacher was really trying to give advice on trialling. She does say that anyone that gets up early every week ( specially on Sunday ) to train must be keen to trial. I do appreciate how hard she tries to help. However I might drive her to distraction I am not intending to trial. I was in trouble a little as my dogs used to swing their bums out in heel. This is mainly as they are small and they are desperate to look me in the eye. So as they look up, the bum goes out. I could have been more disciplined about heeling. I did work on it but they don't heel as close as some others. But their focus is great and I find them really easy to teach agility. Anyway Reddii Is this like a friend of mine who does natural horsemanship. She has obtained a high level and teaches me with all the patience in the world. And she is so patient and consistant with the horses. But at work she is completely different in the way she relates to some of her co-workers. Hang on! That sounds a bit like me too. I have all the time in the world for my dogs but teaching some staff I have currently has me pulling my hair out. I notice most handlers /dogs pass through but there are always a few who keep coming back. That must be rewarding to see your pupils go on to do well.

Hi Rubens Mum, I have 2 rescue chi x dogs, one with seperation anxiety. I've had them a few years now though. I don't feel experienced enough to really give advice but so far you haven't had much answer to your post. If it is any help one of my dogs had similar behaviour but over time they gradually improve so much. Lucky you that he stops barking when you leave. My first rescue dog was given to me on the condition that I would have 2 dogs. The first morning I went to work he didn't just bark, he made a noise like someone was killing him. All the neighbours turned up to see what was happening! I borrowed the dog next door until I got another friend for him. I'm sure you have read more common advice such as leaving for small ammounts of time etc. to get dog used to it. And when you leave and return that you don't fuss over dog. Such as when you get home do not acknowledge dog until the dog is calm. I must admit I must remind myself to not say hello when I get home until dogs have relaxed. One dog also was scared of men, belts coming off, brooms , papers and any raised voice. But they get more confident over time. I do use food for treats but it works for me. The dog is not really food mad but it must reassure him. I introduced him to male friends who gave him treats so much so that he loves a local guy in the local dog park as much as me! I used to treat or praise when he allows me to rub a belt on him. Also if a newspaper touches him. And he was scared of being picked up also. If I do pick him up I do so slowly and allow him to get ready before I take his weight. So I hold him first and then when he curls up I lift. If he struggles I'd let him go , then try again. So the lift is done in stages. I know you said you don't want food but I was happy to. I went to obedience and with treats taught my dogs to really focus on me. So if they are always watching I could use this in other places where I wanted to get their attention on me and off a fear. So if your dog will heel and knows what it means then maybe you could use this to get him near feet. But with such little dogs I'd be watching those huge feet too! And if they are wary of some one, like you say they may have a reason that makes sense to them. But I made sure my dogs were well socialised and they meet lots of dog friendly people. I got my friends to reward them too. Now my dogs will go to greet humans and dogs they know at the park. Such a change. Hope you get some more advice but sounds like you are giving him a great life! Good on you! And maybe one of my dogs will always be a little timid in some instances ( like the vets ). Considering that when I first got him he once bit me as I looked him too closely in the eye, they improve out of sight!

I've also been reading a bit about dog training and more so behaviour. I read the book Cesars' Way and I am now reading a book by Jan Fennell. But in Cesars book he refers to a book as furthur recommended reading by a lady Patricia McConnell Ph.D. called The Other End Of The Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs. This book was in my local library and I enjoyed it more than any other. It is detailed but so easy to read and understand. Well worth reading. And I know how frustrating it is when somebody close has a dog whose behaviour drives you crazy. You can see how easy it would be to correct but they say it is too hard. I went to stay with a relative and her poodle barks madly at the beach for a stone to be thrown. I couldn't stand the constant manic barking. I convinced her to use a ball ( teeth please! ) and not to throw unless the dog ceased barking. By only a few walks the dog accepted the ball and seemed to carry it for a while as well. So much more peaceful and the dog might have a tooth left in his head at old age. My friends timing was a bit off but the dog knew in one day that I wouldn't throw unless it stayed quiet. Very clever dog has trained her owner perfectly. But ultimately the owner will be revert back unless they instigated the change. Some people don't want to change or modify behaviour. I guarentee that when I go to visit again that the poodle will be off again. But it is very interesting.

What a lovely colour chihuahua! Love the name! Good luck. I'm taking my 2 chi crosses to their (and mine) first agility comp on this weekend so I hope they will jump something. The girl goes like a pocket rocket. Like yours mine can jump on the bed easy! I had a rottie before but since I got these ( rescue) I love the small package.

The one listed at the adaa site is now at Wambool as they moved. I think they are busy away trialling this weekend ( look at the adaa site ?) and there is no training. I think so as I would have gone as I need to know more! They were nice enough to lend me a tunnel so I supose I will practice at home. Maybe I'll see you soon then.

The club I go to as does somebody else on this forum is at Wambool. Not too far and they are very experienced. They always know what mistake I am making and advise me how to fix it so easily. Really easy going, fun, positive rewards etc. The number is 632 94244. Train on some Sundays at 10am to noon ( not the first Sunday of each month ). Very quiet now as it is a bit out and cold as you know. But there is a competition at Wallerawang? on 28/29 next weekend if weather permits. I hope to be there although I haven't done much agility yet. Have you found another one at Bathurst?

One of mine does the same to dogs who invade his space too much. I just avoid these dogs if I think they are unsocialised and likely to jump all over him. At obedience others think my small dog is a good dog to introduce their young dogs to as he looks calm and is only small. So I just explain he will maybe snap if their dog gets too pushy so maybe he is not a good choice. He loves to say hello but mainly to other calm polite dogs. He just isn't mad on playing and off lead will usually say hello quickly and move on. He'll play chasing if and when he feels the need. Great question though as some owners at off lead park think he is being very rude when he shows his teeth as much as he can and heels off their out of control no recall young big dog. He doesn't want to be knocked over. How about this scenario? At agility recently a young very large friendly dog got loose from owner and charged to my dog. Mine showed his teeth and snapped. This dog ran off and my dog was still calm. The young dog made a bee line for the female chi x I also own in a puppy pen nearby. I was concerned he could knock the pen over but before I can react my boy goes into "knight in shining armour " action. He gets between the pen and the young dog and puts on a very ferocious show. Nothing too scarey as he is a 10 kg kelpie x type. But enough to drive the dog back to his more inviting owner. But nobody there thought it was savage or uncalled for as he was defending his mate and his pen. They actually thought it was very acceptable. I was just glad he didn't get squashed. The other is a ridge back ?x hunting dog type. Thou he may not have been so brave if he decided his hide was in danger. I try to avoid some interactions but I do need to watch and concentrate more on what is going on.