FHRP

Yes, but then I found differences between training my two Vizslas! So, it's hard to say if it's breed differences or dog differences. My experience wth the two breeds is very limited. So far for obedience, Polo has been the most willing worker, eager to please and 'easiest' to train (apart from scent work ). He is a more robust dog to train, and can stand reptition more than the Vizslas. However, they are both very trainable breeds. I did however select Polo's breeding for the working ability and drive I saw in the sire, which has most definitely been passed on.

So, have dropped the scent work for a few days, although I did discuss it with a friend tonight and may go her 'peanut butter' method if I can't get through with Polo. I took Polo to agility tonight as I'm repsonsible for the Masters class at the moment and Rogan is still out of action so couldn't run him. Was very pleased that Polo did 12 weave poles a couple of times during course changes and some nice handling when we had a little play around I have had a more positive approach to training again in the past week and it shows in Polo's enjoyment level Not that he's ever not excited....

Thanks kathq, that's exactly the method I've been using

Thanks Ptolomy, I will give it a break for a few days, however what you have described is almost exactly what I did last night. I did do a few further apart to start with though, so I'll go to straight close to each other.

Great news Huski, can't wait to hear your results As I had already guessed, I am struggling with the scent discrim exercise with Polo. He just has not cottoned on to using his nose and is still just grabbing whatever article, regardless of how close another one is or how many are out there (I tried having more options at one stage to see if that would get him thinking). I work through two sets of metal articles in each session. How long do I keep going with this method? Am I teaching him bad habits instead and confusing the exercise? As I previously mentioned, Polo is retrieve mad and has had a lot of training in this area for retrieving trials. He will sit with something in his mouth for a very long time, so I can not just ignore when he retrieves the wrong article. At the moment I am either taking it and saying nothing, or encouraging with movement and voice to go and have another try. At no point is he seeming to use his nose. I know he has a 'good nose', he just hasn't cottoned on to this exercise. Do I persevere with this method longer??

What was the aperture on the lens of your firends camera? Could it have been a wider aperture, meaining that it takes better photos in low light, regardless of the camera it's attached to (as long as it's compatible ). Maybe it's more about getting the lens for the job! I have got some great shots with my Canon 350D in low light with my 1.8 50mm I do avoid going above ISO 400 if I can though...

Fantastic work huski and Daisy! Many people hold their hand on the hip or stomach without issue, although maybe a bit lower than your hands but not anymore natural looking, so can't see why it would be a problem??

And, you have your back to the dog!!! I briefly entertained the idea of doing this exercise with my older Vizsla, after he blew the speak a few times (he was extremely vocal and was either perfect for the exercise, or wouldn't bark even once ) I soon switched to gloves

After having problems with COP we did broad. Then after problems with the broad we went back to COP :rolleyes:

It doesn't take a lot, I lack self control, a bit like my dog!!

Oi you lot! This is supposed to be a training thread, not another thread to feed my dog collar and lead addiction!! :D eta. sounds a bit kinky, my interest is only for the dogs to wear them! Polo does need his own personalised slip lead though... and he does actually tug

Both my Vizslas agility slip leads that I use for trialing have their name on them. Never had a problem and I'm certainly not the only one in ACT/NSW that uses them I think the rule might be a hang over from the show ring, where you're not allowed to identify yoursefl or the dog. Our trialing numbers we wear often have our name and the dogs name on them too, in small print

Well, I think the training Gods are telling me something!! I went to the dog club last night to instruct my class and left all my boys at home, fancying an early night for a change. I usually do some training with Polo after the classes finish and him and Rogan get a run with their doggy friends when we're finished training. I got home nice and early last night to find Rogan lame on his front leg :D He's injured his triceps, probably while jumping up at possums when I was out. So, our big weekend of agility trialing is out I guess I have all weekend to train Polo instead! Or do the house work..... Must admit though, with the predicted weather for the trial (wet & cold), I'm not too broken hearted at staying home... I did some more of the scent training with Polo last night and he's still totally clueless However, there were a couple of times where he actually did kinda think about something... I think... he is a 3 year old gundog boy remember...

Yes, we must be speshal Can't wait to hear about Coco's first UD trial though If she's half as keen as her mum, she will have a blast

As much as I hate needles, sometimes I think we could all do with an injection of motivation Let us know if we can help Thanks Ptolomy, I missed this post! I do just about anything to avoid needles though

Has he been to the vet since he's started losing weight? Might be worth a trip if he hasn't. However, as it's coinciding with the change to cooler weather, I think the increase in energy just keeping warm has merit. My old boy now wears a coat nearly all the time, even inside (but he has hardly any of his own coat compared to a bc ;)). For the first time since adulthood, he dropped below 20kg, however he's had a lot of muscle loss which has contributed. I put him back on energy food instead of senior, increased the lamb and kept the coat on and he was nearly 21kg yesterday ;)

Thanks JulesP I must admit, with all the training and competitions I do with my boys, my greatest joy is a lovely big walk in the forest/bush/beach and seeing the boys enjoying themselves. Obviously I do enjoy training and competing too ;) I guess I feel a bit guilty at times that my young boys potential is being 'wasted', but then I remind myself that he doesn't know that! He has a great life and doesn't care about titles are competitions. Although he does enjoy working, which is nice ;)

If you've applied for it previously, then nope it stays. I'm pretty sure NSW doesn't drop it either. I don't know how it works with the new QND title, but suspect it's the same, as it's not a title you have to apply for to progress.

ACT drops CCD too. Interestingly they don't drop the lower retrieving titles, which I've been told is for the same reason that QLD keeps the CCD title. You don't have to have applied for the previous title to gain the higher one. So even though Polo gained his CCD title, his pedigree only reads Topnotch Lord CDX NRD RRD.

I've been reading through the thread over the past couple of days in the hope to get inspired from my training slump. I've recently lost motivation for training my young dog in just about everything!! It's worked a bit, as I introduced scent discrim work to Polo last night after reading about it early in this thread ;) He was his usual enthusiastic self and loves to carry metal, so he was fetching up the metal article no worries. It was pretty much luck when there were two out to whether he brought back the correct one, which I suspected. He's a retrieving fool, which I think makes this exercise a little harder at the start! But, we'll keep playing and hopefully get there!! I'm slowly introducing UD work to him, having started with the box at training too and now that I've finally got the Open COP's going, I'm reducing the verbals on those too. Now if I could just get some motivation to train him in agility, which is a sport I love and put a lot of work into my Vizslas early on, but have never had the same desire with Polo. It might be because he's less physically suited for the sport, but boy does he make up for that in enthusiasm ;) Then there's retrieving which is overwhelming me a little bit at the moment with the thought that we have to go and play with the bog boys now in All Age!!! Soooo much work to do before either of us are ready for that. I know he's capable, not so sure about me

I like the "temperament the same, personality different" idea. You would hope that there would be similarities between siblings, even from different litters, but silly to think they be the same in every way! You would also think that if they were more closely bred, line bred, that setting of temperament should be more definite. I often see my young dogs litter mate, and although there are things that set them worlds apart (I have the over the top feral one and the brother is the laid back one), there are still elements that are so very similar, which is also in their father, and one of the big reasons I chose the breeding. Both have friendly, outgoing natures with strong working desire. It's the reason my next GSP will most likely be from the same dog, or his son

Actually, there are studies that show that prostate cancer is more likely in desexed dogs. However, dogs that are desexed do not develop benign prostatic hyperplasia which is a hormone-dependent disorder, relying on testosterone.

I have three entire males who spend the day together while I'm at work None of my male dogs are desexed 'as a matter of course'. If there becomes a need to desex, then it's done, either surgically or chemically. If I had a young male showing undesirable traits that were not responding to reasonable training, then I wouldn't hesitate to desex him if I thought it would help. Thankfully, I've never been in that situation. lovemesideways, from your posts you seem like an informed, responsible dog owner who is committed to training your boy. In that case if asked directly, I would recommend you wait until your dog is physically mature before desexing. If Joe Blogs over the fence who had no idea about dog behaviour and had no desire to train their dog in any way asked my opinion, I'd probably tell them to get their dog done at 6 months. I have a group of dog training friends that I walk my boys with after traiing regularly. Between us it's not uncommen to have 6+ entire males running together. If there's a spat between any of the dogs, 99% of the time it involves desexed bitches only!! I have had people comment that their desexed dog doesn't like entire dogs, but I'm sorry, that's not my fault! It's their training issue. However, as I usually avoid dog parks due to the abundance of idiot owners, it's really not an issue with my dogs anyway

I just had ducted gas heated installed for my oldie :p Of course I don't mind it either :D I have heated dog beds and lots of dog coats. My oldest wears his jammies most of the time now, even in the heated house.

My Vizsla has Bolo pads Interesting that these things attract a name and special attention in some breeds Like "Futaki" horns and the "Esterhazy saddle" both of which can be found on Vizslas, and although their naming is unique to the breed, the physical traits certainly aren't. My young Vizsla has white spots, described as Bolo pads in Labs, on three of his feet/legs. He has no white on his toes (which can occur in the breed and is acceptable if not above the knuckle) and only a very slight roaned white patch on his chest (again acceptable). His pigment and colour is excellent for the breed. Interesting that buyers are baulking at the pup with Bolo pads, often I find people are attracted to the pup which is slightly different to the others! I know I often am