Cleo's Corgwyn

I recently got a collar and lead for each of mine from doglite.com.au - they're super bright and come in an awesome range of colours.

I use all three; clicker, verbal marker, and mouth click, and my dogs don't seem to have any issues identifying all as markers! I use a clicker when teaching a new behaviour, or refining detail in a behaviour. I use a verbal ('nice') when training with a broader brush, and for things like behaviour sequences, and I use a mouth click to mark things like good heeling or focus. But I will use them interchangeably as well!

Funnily enough, we were discussing this last week. Some felt that you risked some judges docking you 1 of your costume points, even though the rules don't actually state the dog has to wear anything. I guess if your dog stresses about things around it's neck, you are better off taking the chance on one point, than risking more on a distracted dog. ACT are holding our second DWD comp next Friday, a small outside, evening trial, with our 5 new judges officiating. We're thrilled with the support we have gotten again, with several interstate entries, and over a dozen different entries so far!

Zimri (CH Llandwyn Crescent Moon (AI) CD JD RE HTMS FSS) CDX (Open) - I think this is entirely achievable, as he has most of the exercises. We're going to try and them all together at a trial in a few weeks. Then aiming to at least have UD ready to go by the end of the year. He will be my first dog at UD, so new for us both! RAE then Master, and maybe Rally CH under the new rules - we have all the behaviours for new signs, so should be able to manage it. For me, finishing creating a Rally O app for mobiles! JDX and AD and SPD in agility. Need to get some distance on my Obedience dog, but won't risk our Obedience teamwork for it! Both Novice DWD titles, if we find time, plus some judging appointments for me. Inari (CH Sarasota Vanilla Cola) Starting competition - RN and maybe RA in Rally, and at least her DWD Starters Freestyle title, maybe DWD heelwork if it comes together OK. Then aim for CCD. We're working on her running tunnels, so she can play in Jumping at agility trials. She thinks most equipment is evil, so I don't think she'll ever manage agility runs, but has a lovely jumping style. On the side, we're going to try some herding, just for fun, and a bit more noseworks. I *think* that is enough!

A month isn't enough from scratch, but you already have nice focus, and a good relationship, and rally allows you to use both of those.

Grab me at agility, and I'll give you some pointers, or we have Obedience Triallers class at BDOC on Tuesday nights. A couple of us did an intro to heeling workshop for the club's new Rally folk recently, and I can send you a copy of the document I put together for that, if you like. The Fenzi Academy have some great online courses - the Precision Heeling course started today, and is still open for enrollment; My link

Lovely work, Denali and Huski! Denali, a good training session like that is so good for your confidence, and your dogs! And Huski, welcome to the world of Rally enthusiasts!It's such a lovely, fun sport, which fosters teamwork, I think. Zimri and I have had two awesome weekends in a row. Last weekend was a double Obedience and double Rally trial, meaning Zim had six runs across the day, two in Novice Obedience, and 4 in RAE. In the morning, he got a clean sweep of first places, and in the afternoon, he managed all three passes again, with two seconds and a third. This finished his CD title, and got his first two RAE passes! This weekend was the ACT state Agility titles, and he managed third place, for his first JDX pass (only three out of 20+ dogs ran clear!) and he and his partner managed first place and a qualie in Novice Strategic Pairs. Agility is still fairly new for us, and he loves it so much :)

Kay Hargreaves could be another option; she's a very experienced trainer with some great problem solving skills. I've done some workshops with her. I think her school is Waggin' School for Dogs, or similar?

Mine luuurve their Pod - I frequently find multiple dogs and cats curled up together on it. This is Inari the Cardi and Fintan the Siamese on their pod; If you pass through Canberra, let me know!

I'm actually quite excited about the new Rally signs and titles! Spins, distance control and recall to heel all sound like fun.

Disclaimer: Obviously this isn't going to a be a popular statement in amongst all this vitriol, but I have met Dave a few times at APDTA conferences, and have always found him pretty knowledgeable about dogs and dog training. While I would never board my own dogs in that sort of set up, because I've seen too many problems erupt in large groups of dogs, there is obviously a demand for that sort of care, fueled by the public perception that dog playtime is necessary for all dogs. I do think the training facilities he offers (dock dogs, herding schools, etc) are pretty unique, and I had aspirations to do some training there. I just hope the facility isn't forced to close entirely over this incident. I fully agree that Wags sad death has been handled badly by Dave and/or his staff, but I'd like to remind everyone we are still very much hearing one side of the story, and a media beat up.

My parents have Boxers, in Central Queensland and they are very athletic. Other, more unusual Gun dog breeds to check out include the Pointer (one of the lesser known gems) and Lagottos (curly coated, medium sized, happy go lucky). We now have a few Lagotti at Dog club, and coincidentally, a couple live with serious runners, and love it. My big advice would to do your research, come up with a short list of breeds you like, and then go out and meet those breeds, at shows, or at breeders. Look over the dogs you meet with a critical eye, and see what suits you. You may find your final choice is not what you expected!

Hi Pockets, I'm pretty sure Delta accredited trainers are a different part of Delta to the Therapy dogs. Most of the behaviours required for the test are pretty basic obedience related behaviours, and any decent positive trainer should be able to help you prepare for the test. Good Luck!

I think Lisa at Polite Paws is in that area - you could try the APDT Website for other positive trainers

I make the salmon or tuna fudge, and I use ground oats, rice flour or coconut flour easily. I also find a little bit of parmesan cheese and fresh parsley works really well. I also recently discovered the Nature's Gift Tuna and Cheese cat treats - they're really tiny, and make great, easy training treats!

Great work, Rubystar! It's an amazing feeling when it all comes together like that.

Thanks everyone. He's a really fun dog to work with, and does everything with vim and enthusiasm. Aside from occasionally offering sit pretty at the end of a recall (which isn't 'technically' illegal, but very funny, according to the judges he's offered it under), he's never had an issue with multiple dog sports.

I went looking for this years' brag thread, and there wasn't one! Well my awesome little monkey boy, Zimri, finally got his third CCD pass today, earning his first obedience title and his third title (each in different dog sports) this week. He earnt his Dances with Dogs freestyle Starters last weekend and his Rally Excellent title last night. Pending confirmation for all three, he will now be known as Ch Llandwyn Crescent Moon (AI) CCD RE HTMS FSS. Onto the NSW Corgi specialty show tomorrow, and the versatile corgi event, and agility next weekend!

Groaning indeed! There is some Cambrian in his line as well. My little girl Cardi, Inari, is from Sarasota in Tasmania. My Cardis certainly prove they can do anything; Zim currently has titles or qualies in Obedience, Rally, DWD and agility. In fact, we're aiming for 3 or 4 titles inside a fortnight (1st was his freestyle, and there's the potential for a few more this month, all in different sports). My first Cardi, Shandy, was the first Cardi to title in DWD and Rally.

Thank you everyone! biker girl, he'll now be (pending confirmation) CH Llandwyn Crescent Moon (AI) RA HTMS FSS - he's from Dorothy Hartcher's last litter, out of multiple generations of her breeding in his dam's side, and his sire was a NZ Rodwell dog, out of Jan West's Oliver (since I can see the resemblance to Oliver in this picture, and you might have encountered one of his Llandaff rellies)

Canberra's first competition was a big success for us, with 55 entries across the two competitions, and around 40 routines judged on the day. We had lots of Victorian and NSW competitors join us on the day, and we loved seeing the huge variety of routines, costumes and dogs. It was a really positive atmosphere, and we enjoyed all the great feedback we got from visitors. The morning photographer has started putting pictures up on her facebook page, if anyone wants to check some out; My link My little monkey-boy, Zim the Cardigan Corgi, managed to finish his routine with only a moderate dose of feralness, after being crated all morning, for third place and his Freestyle Starters title in the afternoon.

I don't claim to be an expert in Pembrokes, but I'd start with Messaging Aziah on DOL. She's in NSW, but would be my starting point if I wanted a Pem. Otherwise I've heard good things about Dygae and Purdella kennels. You could also join the Aussie Corgi page on facebook.

Thanks Tassie, we have 55 entries across the two comps, so it is going to be a very long day! But we're excited to be welcoming so many competitors from NSW and Victoria.

Great results, Biker Girl and sheppies! I like both those choices - one of my students did a lovely starters routine to Singing in the rain, using an umbrella as a prop. Only 5 more sleeps until the Canberra competition. Our gorgeous rainbow ribbons and rosettes arrived today, which put a smile on our faces in the midst of frantic preparations. It's going to be a great comp, and a VERY long day.

More lovely results for BC4Me and Styler! I am thinking about coming up for the Nationals - but we'll be doing a few sports.