TerraNik

Of course you can mark and reward with compulsion, I was trying to list some alternatives to what at the time sounded like the OP pushing the dog's rear down into a sit. I prefer hands-off methods and have always found them to work for my dogs. I can only speak from my experiences. Now that the OP has expanded on the method they are being taught, I don't have a problem with that method. It wouldn't be my first port of call, but that doesn't mean it's not a useful method. Sorry for the confusion.

I personally don't agree with 'forcing' the dog into a position, by placing them in a sit/drop/stand. I don't like the idea of waiting for the dog to "submit" to the position. Training should be all about fun! Google Clicker Training - it's a positive method that uses either shaping (capturing a behaviour by treating when the dog sits by its own choice) or by luring (as GayleK described). Clicker training tends to result in a dog that is happy to offer behaviours as it's associated with positive things.

I see turkey most regularly in my local Woolies. They have turkey mince, wings and legs pretty much every time I go in there Yup I get mine from woolies, too. Same place as I found GOAT!!!!!!!!!! They dogs loved that!!!

Thanks! I have the same attitude, if we're not ready, we're not ready! It's not like the learning stops if we don't graduate. I was nervous because Jedi decided a few days ago that the dumbbell should not be retrieved on grass, only tiles or concrete!!! He decided tonight that it wasn't so bad after all and managed to do 5 formal retrieves in the park down the road, so I'm feeling much better now!!!!!

Yay Barkly! He looks good in blue! Jedi has his obedience test tomorrow (to go into the advanced class - prep for trailing). I'm nervous!!!!!!

I don't see why it would be a problem. Our dogs (lightest is about 12kg) both eat turkey wings with no problems. I thought about buying them the turkey legs, Huski -- I just laugh every time I see them they are so large!!!!!! I figure it's better value to get the 6 wings for the same price as 2 legs. It would take my two FOREVER to eat the legs and then I wouldn't have to feed them for days! *jokes*

I'm going to take a stab at intussusception of the bowel... I only say that because you describe the stools as "bloody jelly" and at least in humans, 'red currant jelly stools' are the sign of intussusception. I looked it up to see whether it occurs in dogs and it does - and can be intermittent. Just a thought?!??!

17-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM I thought I'd 'get to know it' and it's been about a month of ONLY using that lens. It has it's place but now I want to go back to experimenting with the 50mm!

I'm looking forward to the new challenge Ash! I'm finding it difficult to source subjects for my photos lately with uni being so busy, but I've started taking my camera with me every day (my bag is so heavy!!!!) so hopefully that'll make it easier. I think I'm also getting a bit sick of my lens. Back to the 50mm, I go! It was much more fun! Can't wait for the challenge!

A colleage of mine went to this same seminar and mentioned the same thing. Apparently we Aussies are somewhat "stingy" with our treat giving, compared to others. Could it be that we just don't understand their concept? Could it be that we are still recovering from a bad case of Koehlerism??? I bring about 3 large zip-lock bags full of treats for one night at training!! I'm certainly not stingy!!! Though Ahsoka might like to say that I am - so she gets more food!!! :rolleyes:

My jackpot for Jedi is one treat after the other, otherwise I feel that he would just see it as 'one treat' (if I gave him a pile in my hand). My jackpot for Ahsoka is usually something along the lines of running around doing the happy dance with her LOL! And then a toy or treats being thrown around for her to chase (she loves to chase and she's very food driven). So I guess either way, I am a one-after-the-other jackpotter!

Wow, that is one impressive cake!!!!!!!!!!

Nope! Was essentially straight off the camera (bit of contrast and some vibrance).

Nope - no need! My guys get sardines all the time - they would probably love them more regularly though!!! haha We feed fresh ones from the fish shop - they're just as cheap (if not cheaper!) and the dogs seem to enjoy them much more (Jedi loves eating the head and guts... ewwww!)

Yay! I'm done! You Tell Me X-amination

I love Attila and Fly! The gladiator routine is my favourite.

Kyoote! (I know, doesn't really count, but I'm clutching at straws!)

Congrats!!

I'm Gonna Get You! Jazz Hands!

Charming!!!!! I think YOUR beagle is broken, now!

Oops, just to clarify, my dogs only get the slops I make a few days a week, as well as eating bones for their second meal, again I only do it to feed them their vegies and offal. We do the same... the pups won't touch the veges unless they're mixed in with mince, so I buy minced chicken frames and mix it up with the veges (with offal some days). But that's only a few days a week. The rest of the time they're eating a variety of bones. I had the same problem with Daisy, after two days of forcing herself to eat them she just stopped and refused them... and this was a beagle! Wow, that is saying something!!!!

Opposition Nose Bleeds

Thanks! I know what you mean about not having time. With uni this year I'm really struggling to get the photos off the camera and edit them. I tend to accumulate them for a few days before I have time. But I always make time to take photos, even if I'm not totally happy with them. I have to for my Project 365!

I ran out of appropriate letters, so had to go to a different language!!