angelsun

No, won't be much sleep...between you and me chatting and dont forget....gotta get back to the airport for the 11am flight...how far are you from the airport? Lord help both you AND me if I miss that flight!

How many hours have we got in Cairns?

Iusually offer either 8-10 week classes for 45 minutes per class and that does the trick. I can't wait to get to "work" never mind meeting everyone!

do you have the signs and basic instructions for each station? I have done up a document for the novice exercises (will be doing all levels eventually, just need a few more hours in each day!) for someone up north so that they can get a start on learning the basics. I can send it to you email if you like (email: [email protected] ) Best advice is to keep folks focused and remember that rally can be as precise as say 'drill team' work...I prefer good sharp heeling, and tight turns. Doing 270's and 360's tight as can be is awesome to watch...tip of the day....doing a 270 right turn....the handler turns on the size of a dinner plate....to the left...the dog must learn to turn on that same size plate. Think tight and sharp....that keeps the points up high...and remember...NO tight leads in Novice..if you have a tight lead in novice..you will not have the control needed for the next levels.

Dates currently available but under consideration: March 28-29 April 25-26 These are weekend dates, however, should there be interest to hold the same thing through the week....we can certainly work on that. I'm hesitant to work only on the evenings as it really can take a lot longer to do this in 3 hour sessions compared to a full day thing, so not my first choice of things. May 9-10th is up in QLD at this point unless something changes.... Sutherland for the weekend of the 23-24th Once dates fully confirmed, details as to where I stay and locations and other details as to how things need to be done.

Depending on your clicker, you can stuff some cotton in there to soften the sound. I had a terrier that was also scared of the clicker...I ended up using a ball point pen that you can 'click' as the trigger....very quiet sound and worked..doesn't matter what your trigger is...just find something that the dog doesn't jump everytime you are trying to find that special shaping point.

Sutherland pencilled in then for that time....I agree, no need to compete with all the other things going on and the weather should be a bit better then as well. Have to check the Victoria dog show schedule to be sure on that but will get back to you all shortly. Others that have contacted me both here and privately..find dates you think might work and let me know. (post here so everyone has a good idea what's up) and we'll figure out if it'll work. I know I"m booked for a dog show March first and another March 14th and one on the 21st of that month. After that..not sure...so lets start really sorting out things. (working on Vic. to start as I will be more mobile in that area first)

I will be putting together a bunch of dates that are available for seminars for all those that have contacted me. I'm looking at April and May primarily due to the hope that it could be a bit cooler by then in some areas. (Have confirmed second weekend in May for up in QLD) I'm double checking shedules to be sure that when dates are picked, clubs or groups can advertise properly and hopefully will ensure a good turn out. Stay tuned....

It is in fact a submissive posture....and there is nothing wrong with it. It is wrong to stop or interfere with such a natural behaviour simply because either you don't understand it or you might find it 'gross'. These are dogs..not humans in fuzzy suits. They have well programmed instinctual behaviours that are hard wired into them. So what if they do it for a while? Sorry but I find that more of an intriguing question than a natural canine behaviour.

biggest thing is to get in touch with a club and have them contact me so that a group can be gathered...but if you can all gather as group...have at it!!

yes...will be coming...we just need to find a date that works..remember..this is at least a two full day seminar if geared to the trainers or very serious competators... I am tentatively scheduled to be up Brisbane way beginning of May....I'm sure we can work something out....

Perhaps May then for that area...as I"m going to try to get up to QLD around that time too.

Ok....really not a problem....doable...lets see if we can pull something together?

I'm geographically challenged to which I apologize...where is this location in relation to say..Albury? BTW...seminars can be as few as ten persons, so definately going to try to accomodate as many as I can. for outline info and costs, email [email protected] I'll zap you off the document.

Just bumping this up for the new year in case others haven't seen it yet being busy with the holiday season. At this point, first weekend in May is scheduled for a seminar in QLD. Victoria is looking like late March early April but am thinking weather might be too hot? Am waiting to hear back from a few clubs, and more clubs off DOL have been contacted. As mentioned before, an outline can be emailed concering costs and what is covered in the seminar. Putting some final touches on the power point presentation which I think should be a valuable tool for the trainers when turning around and teaching this to potential students. As well, trying to organize a series of Novice classes for those wanting to learn (VIC only...more details later as locations are finalized)

I sent off the outline to you. Will be sort of out of touch for a bit as I head up to some last of the year dog shows. I'm fairly certain that everyone will be able to get a chance at this rally experience.

Quick update. I have put together the outline of the seminar, pricing etc for anyone interested taking this to their clubs or to arrange to hold one of these seminars. Please email your interest so that I can send you the word document: [email protected] I"m on the road shortly and may not be able to access email for a bit, but will be back before the new year and take care of all enquiries. Please be sure to indicate your location as I will have to figure out things like travel.

Well no promises there but I will do my best...many plans are flying around at the moment and I'm trying to sort them all out. Everyone please be patient as it's going to be a big trip with a lot of happenings. My big thing now is waiting for the visa to come through....

Me too...and this trip is going to be extended based on this response....

Will do my best to hit as many locations as can. This is going to be SO much fun!!! I think we need to wear nametags with our DOL names on them, cause that is all I will know folks by!!

Well its official folks..flight is booked....but it's going to take me three days (sort of but that date line thing messes with my mind!) to get there. I'm thinking that no one is going to want to talk/see or deal with me for about a week after that!!! I"m doing some more digging on who's wanting what and will keep everyone posted.... One rule...no laughing at my accent....eh?

Quick update as I am actually off to judge a rally match (well, two actually, gonna be a busy day!) I am tentatively due to arrive late February in Vic and will be able to connect with a few folks once I am over jet lag and at the convience of the driver! (I don't think I"ll be tackling the other side of the road stuff for a while, if ever! hehe) There are a few dog shows up coming on the list in March, although I'm not sure where they are exactly but assuming Vic or ACT, but will find out. I"m sure that we could arrange to put together something to tie into a weekend were the doggie folks are out and about anyway! I have PM'd Helen with some of the details on the seminars I offer, so if she wants to post that, or PM anyone I'm sure she will. I'm not sure I saved that PM...keep forgetting to tick that little box. My visit is looking to extend longer than originally thought so I am pretty positive that I should be able to get to some other locations. I'll certainly give it a go! I am, as mentioned, thrilled with the response about this and very excited to see it happen. I truly hope that many attend and that you enjoy this new sport even half as much as I do, because it just totally rocks my world!

Vic is a go...and yes....I'm coming..no plane booked yet, but I'm a week or so from that chore. Would love to basically try to train the trainers as well...Rally is the up and coming....if there was a small way during this trip, I could help get this going....I'd be thrilled. I'm so pleased to see that there would be response....

Rally Obedience uses a series of signs for exercises for each trial. There are three levels of competition, requiring passing scores of three legs to aquire a title. The course is laid out and the handlers walk the course much like agility. The dogs do not have any access to the course until they actually are required to do it, same as agility. You are timed, however it only comes into play when a tie score is acheived as each station/sign is marked on how it is completed. Rally is designed to bridge gaps in traditional obedience, give both dogs and handlers ring time in a more positive experience as you can praise, talk and encourage your dog throughout each trial. Rally encourages tight heeling patterns, and most of all, making the dog think as opposed to pattern trained dogs that simply go through the routine of obedience in a set way. Fifty stations make up the set of exercises with only proportionatly difficult ones being used in the higher levels, which after novice, are off lead. There are no sits/down stays in Rally, and only the 'honour' exercise which happens in Excellant level, however it is on lead with the handler in the ring with the dog. Glad to see some possible interest with this....I have a friend in QLD that would shoot me if I didn't go visit, so yes, I would strongly suspect that I will be making a trip there.

Everything is loose planned at this point as you can imagine but am really trying to get something done here. I have an airline credit burning a hole in my pocket, that will get me there for the most part....am hoping that I can mooch accomodations off a few once plans are set down, but not really worried about that either to be honest. Yes Victoria would be one area I could be around, again, depends on how things all come together. Time line for this would be late march to early June sometime....depends on things here and a litter of pups that hasn't been conceived yet (if that makes sense) Just so people know...I'm currently going for my judging license and have put dogs through to the top levels of this sport, as well as having taught it before it was recognized by CKC or AKC, so been doing this a while and feel quite qualified. I also beleive in a very fun, positive way of teaching...some call me hyper when I teach...hehe..I like teaching!!