Tiggy

Loose lead walking takes patience and consistency. I always use a flat collar. I don't pull on the lead because the dog will pull back, that's oppostion reflex. It must be taught on a loose lead. My dogs have an 'at my side' or 'go on' command. I noticed when I was training Banjo not to come past my side I was anticipating and moving my hand, so now I stick my thumb in my belt loop to keep my hand still and problem fixed, it was me! So the way I teach it is the lead must stay loose. If the dog pulls we stop or now I just have to slow down for a step or two. I also stop regularly and the dogs should stand at my side.

I'm lucky to have a dog crazy friend at work .

I train Banjo more because I hope to trial with him so we're training for competition obedience and he's such a joy to train because all his training was positive and he was well paid so he loves it and this is a very laid back Stafford who is happy to spend the day on the couch but as soon as I say 'ready to work' he's a different dog. In saying that training is five to ten minutes max for the competition stuff where as every day is an oppotunity to reward all three dogs for great recalls, loose lead walking etc.

I'm either going to get the 'anual' C3 three yearly or not vaccinate after puppy shots and the first booster. Sophie is going on five and she doesn't go to a club or trial and I don't board my dogs so still not sure if I'll have her vaccinated again. I have an old dog going on ten years old and he's not been vaccinated for five years and I won't have him done again.

It does my head in to . It's been three years since Sophie's last vaccination so I'm also deciding what to do.

Some clubs and boarding kennels will accept a titre test.

I only know the Kwinana horse beach. I use to take my dogs there when I had horses.

You're so mean Huski .

I use an actual whistle .

I have my first brag worth posting. I've trained all three dogs the whistle recall. This is the recall I've dreamed about, the dogs turning on the spot and running straight back to me. It was pretty easy with the boys, they like to keep close and check in but Sophie was a different story . :rolleyes:

Anything with Patty Ruzzo . Thanks RubyStar .

Are you taking Millie RubyStar? I'm not doing the classic, we're not ready, I'm in no rush though, the fun is in the training .

I noticed a couple of dogs are taking a break from training. Is this something you do at the end of the season and how long for?

It depends on what you feed. I feed my dogs a raw diet and they get fed once a day. In the Tom Lonsdale and Clare Middle books they recommend feeding adult dogs once a day. If you're feeding dry though definitely twice a day.

Ness was so cute joining in .

I got my order today . The t-shirts look like pretty good quality. The test will be if they shrink in the wash. I didn't like the fit of the hat. It's too flat .

Did the dogs do the modifications to the screen on the gate .

She's cute .

Okay so I just got an email back from the president of the club and he doesn't have a problem with me training outside of class but the trialing class is for CDX, we're training for CCD. I guess once I start going I can sticky beak on the trialing class and maybe worm my way in . The swapping of dogs is a good idea shoemonster but I don't take Sophie to obedience, I'll need another dog .

Sounds good . I'm just nervous about bringing it up to the Instructor. I'm a baby I know .

I was planning on rejoining my local obedience club this year but now I'm getting cold feet . I wanted to go for the distraction training but I couldn't stand doing an hour long class. I'm so happy that Banjo loves our training at home, I don't want to sour that. I really need to ring them and find out if it's okay for me to train there outside of class and also find out if they do ring run throughs but I'm such a chicken I keep putting it off . I feel like I might offend them. We need a DOL training club .

She's doing really well Huski :D .

Banjo is a 'good doer' to . I've been cooking up kangaroo sausages which are really low in fat but stink to cook . I also feed a raw diet so have found it hard to use his daily meal as treats.

Sounds like you were a great support and friend. Please let your friend no we are all thinking of her.