TerraNik

Domino isn't a colour, it's a marking. Like merle is in Border Collies and Aussie Shepherds. You can have domino markings over the top of any colour - black, blue, brown, etc... It's a recessive gene which basically causes the pups to be born with crisp facial markings (a non-domino puppy will be born with muddy markings that clear up as they mature) and they have different colour banding on their strands of fur, unlike their solid colour counterparts. This is what it looks like: 3.5 week old domino 8 week old domino Domino adult: http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/profile.asp?dog=39169 Domino adult http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolving_dragon/4814187448/ Vs. Non-domino Black and tans 6 week old puppy (notice the muddy markings) Same dog as an adult More black/tan/whites (non-domino)

When I'm training the non-working dog (which is how I look at it!), all I am doing with the other dog is old tricks and basic behaviours (e.g. sit, drop, spin, beg, etc). So I'm not actually having to concentrate on the dog that's learning (they are really just pretending to have a session ) It would be WAY too stressful to try and do this while teaching the working dog something new! It is only once the non-working dog understands what is expected of them that I start doing proper sessions with the working dog.

Essentially I put the non-working dog in a drop or sit. Every time the working dog gets rewarded, the dog lying down gets a reward one-for-one. Soon enough they realise that lying down watching is pretty rewarding. Then I move to treating the non-working dog every 2nd treat, every 3rd, etc. Ahsoka has been doing this for almost 2 years and she just chills out (she doesn't get rewarded anymore - except for her crumb collecting haha).

Yes (case in point - - the other girls were in the room. You see them at the end of the video). My two older dogs (the young one isn't clicker trained) know when I am working with them or not. They know this because of a few things. Firstly I always say "Jedi's turn" at which point Ahsoka goes to lie down or do her own thing (and vice versa). They also know that I'm working with them because I am looking at them and interacting with them. Ahsoka and Jedi have been trained to rest while I'm training the other. I have not found it to be a problem in terms of click = reward.

Toby (RIP buddy!) came to me to start off my dog journey and experience living with an atopic dog. Jedi came to me to introduce me to the world of dog sports and positive methods of dog training. He also taught me to laugh when things aren't going so well and not ever take anything for granted. (Oh and he continues my develop my experience with atopic dogs! I'm cursed!) Ahsoka came to me to teach me patience and to teach me to be flexible with my training methods. She also taught me to find joy in everything I do. I love that girl! Fable came to me... Why? Well, we'll see.

What a funny couple! Love the photos!

Sounds like a very good idea!! Otherwise I'm sure some of us could set you some 'homework'! You just need to start putting some videos up!

Awww bugger! I keep Soaks isolated for 3 weeks and am very careful in the 4th week (no off-lead) just to be sure. You can still do stuff at home in your backyard or inside... There's lots of things you can practice like stays, fronts, change of position, scent work etc that don't require much room.

Mischa is a cream Finnish Lapphund

6 months of age (though this doesn't mean that every 6 month old OB trained puppy is ready). Absolutely you can have a highly trained dog who lives inside the house, plays, etc. Our dogs are pets first, then obedience (or other sports) dogs.

Nope - there's no set signal for anything, but there certainly are common signals. With turns the dog knows how to maintain heel position based on your body language and footwork. The only cues you can use in heelwork is "heel" (when stepping off from a stationery position only), "down/drop" and "stand". Everything else is automatic and you can't talk to your dog aside from those cues.

Mmm foot tastes gooooood! Bottles are fun! MY ball!

A couple of videos of the girls...

Hmm, not sure. We entered the Dalmatian club's trial, but it said that it was for all non-sporting dogs.

You can use whatever hand you feel comfortable with, Fran... Don't let the trainer dictate what your cues are going to be. You need to be happy with them. I think most people use their left hand for stand (including myself).

Yeah I think he'd win on cuteness

Yay Ness!!!!

Yeah he's doing much better. His fur is growing back and his quality of life has improved out of sight. Unfortunately his immunotherapy isn't working as well as it should and he keeps getting a recurrent staph infected folliculitis. So now he's on antibiotics, potentially for life. But whatever helps him!

What is it in particular that you are having difficulties with? Using the controls or something else?

That depends who you talk to. Lately it has been common for people to describe aggressive dogs specifically as reactive, while others use it to describe any dog who barks, lunges and generally gets highly aroused by a certain stimuli, whether it be out of aggression or not.

I assume you're talking about Colour Dilution Alopecia? I imagine it's possible considering it can happen in many breeds with dilute colours, however I have not personally heard of any cases in Lappies. Someone might know if there have been any cases overseas?

http://www.danceswithdogsaustralia.com/

Brisbane Royal

Love the 2nd one!!!

I hope they work for her... Unfortunately they didn't for Jedi, but others have had a lot of success with them.