TerraNik

Congrats TN!! What does a Flyball Ch title look like? FDCH before her name? Yep, FDCh but it's after her name.... Flyball titles aren't recognised as part of the dual champion, etc scheme. Awesome job, Luke!!!

Ok... I'm too exhausted to remember but Congrats to Ness, xena98, RS, Dova, Bedazzled!!!!! I have a bit of a brag too... Jedi got his first flyball title today! Nothing special, just Flyball Dog.... But Soaks got her Flyball Dog Champion title!

That sounds great as well, I knew you guys were full of good info I have some small containers for jackpots, so will use them and spread them around. That would have been interesting with Jedi! Did you get him back or did he run off going hey mum, where is my treat pot? Thankfully it was CCD so he only managed to get the length of my trialling lead Now he knows that he can't go running for his treat pot until we are leaving the ring in a trial - and then he pulls my arm off trying to get there! Jedi HATES it when I stop to have a chat with the judge -- the desperation on his face is priceless! "But we're FINISHED!!! LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Love the photos... She looks like such a happy girl!

I use food pots... I have a bunch of small containers that I scatter around the field with a treat or two. Initially I only do very small amounts like a few paces of heelwork and then we run over to the food pot. This is gradually increased as the dog gets used to remote rewards. You just have to watch out - Jedi in his first CCD trial thought that when we started fast pace we were running to a food pot :D Fixed that one up quick smart!

Our dogs LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE them!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks JulesP! I now know how newbies feel when they ask a simple question and get inundated with what the posters I'm sure all think is helpful but actually seems quite critical! It just felt like everyone was going "ahh this is food agression rah rah rah" and you need to do five squillion things to stop it IMMEDIATELY or you will die!!! Ok that may have been slightly exaggerated.... To clarify - My dogs all live by the NILIF principles, all do TOT for their food, all will recall away from ANY food, all have never ever shown any sign of food aggression EVER. My puppy was just doing something interesting that I had never seen before and was curious if anyone else had ever experienced it or why he might be doing it. Question has been answer, dog does not have food aggression nor will he ever develop it while he lives with me. Back to usual transmission! What is this?? ;) Thanks NILIF = Nothing In Life Is Free

For me, one of the worst things about him (aside from hat Huski said) is that he is on TV where your average Jo Blow can watch and try to replicate the same methods with their own dog(even if their dog doesn't even have issues). I am not a fan of any TV dog behaviorist though.

Your poll is a bit biased... Where's the 'no' option?

Loving the videos! It's great to hear how things are going with Chloe and Pep!

Gooooo Daisy!!!!!!!

The first photo of them together is just adorable!!!!!! :p

I haven't started formal DOR practice (putting it into an actual recall) because I don't want to interfere with Jedi's current recall speed, etc. I've just been doing lots of running around and getting him to drop on the move (e.g. 2 food game with drops). We'll see how well it has been working for a formal DOR once he's out of novice (which feels like is going to be forever... we are currently going through the manual of 101 ways to fail a trial :p )

Lovely video of Ella!!! Look at all that loot!

No fair. I want a Sydney workshop! I'd love to go but I have no idea if I'll be available (bloody uni schedules!)

Nope, I don't keep a log on paper. It's all in my head. I do have a "currently working on" list on my white board so I can remind myself about what I'm focusing on with each dog, but aside from that nothing.

I don't know how old your current equipment is or if it is Canon or Nikon, but that might be worth thinking about if it's compatible with the new body?

This is devastating... Fingers and paws crossed for them both to be fine. You'll be in our thoughts.

I wouldn't say that they have 'lower drive'... They just have a good off-switch and aren't typically obsessive compulsive like other working breeds. I've met (and live with) Lappies who have drive levels that rival some border collies and kelpies. How much drive a Lappie has depends on the individual dog and is highly influenced by the dog's lines. If you are after a low drive Lappie, it is best to research the lines and of course speak to your breeder about the temperament you prefer.

Hope he's alright... Riddick better be giving you lots of hugs!

Great videos Huski and Ptolomy! Lovely work! It feels almost like a 'rule' here in NSW that you have to have all 3 positions in all 3 paces in a heelwork pattern... I don't think I've ever done a trial that didn't. Quite frankly I would welcome something a little different to the norm! It's almost getting predictable what they are going to call, the patterns are almost identical even with different judges. Our last trial we actually did something a little different than the usual heel - right turn - drop - heel - right about turn - stand - heel - left about turn - left turn - halt (then repeat the same in slow and then do fast pace with a right about turn back down towards the start peg with a stand, drop and halt and then entry into figure 8). The last trial was refreshing and so much more fun!

I teach my dogs tricks (they have a very long list - too long to type here) to stimulate their brain. They absolutely love training and get very excited when I tell them we are starting a session. I also found that trick training (or any training for that matter) helped build the bond I have with my dogs.

Do you have a hand signal for heel? Are you consistently using the same foot when you heel off?

Well done everyone, especially Ptolomy with Cider!

Yaaaaaay Cindy!!!!