Tassie

Yikes! That's double what you'd pay for a Whippet! ;) OMG pf - you have soooo opened yourself up to some smart Dobe owner replying - yeah - but you get twice the dog ;) P.S. Sorry OP - you'll get used to this

Welcome mcsenna! It's probably the wrong time of year for it, but a good way to start finding the right pup for you is to go to some dog shows and/or obedience trials and have a look at the Dobermans there - and when people aren't busy, get chaatting to them. This will give you an idea about different lines. And of course, do your research on the breed, so that you will know some of the right questions to ask - particularly about health testing and so on. You can find out when shows and trials are on by going to the Dogs SA website.

Ptolomy and JulesP - long may it continue!!

Happy birthday Lara - and may you have many more. Someone has to keep Ptolomy and the red kids in order .

pf - remember at the Suzanne Clothier seminar when we were watching the vid of the off lead dogs interacting, and Suzanne pointed out Kirra - Sister Margazret Mary on playground duty at the convent school. And that's a lovely mental image of Ted telling Polo off I sure do. ;) I remember Armahani's Kulta as the coolest dude in the playground also. ;) Ooooh yeah - and he's got even more cool and handsome :p

pf - remember at the Suzanne Clothier seminar when we were watching the vid of the off lead dogs interacting, and Suzanne pointed out Kirra - Sister Margazret Mary on playground duty at the convent school. And that's a lovely mental image of Ted telling Polo off

Can Bear please teach Ruby to leave poo? :rolleyes: It's a delicacy as far as she's concerned ;) Horse poop is actually not too bad but cat poo bedazzledx2 - will you please stop channelling to my Kirra - who I caught this morning hanging round waiting for the cat to finish her toilet stop, then cleaning up after her. And then they want to give you kisses

Only just realised she is doing it. I've only had 3 training sessions were I've been not freaked out enough to think what is going on. The day I realised we tried verbal encouragement, tapping leg and luring. That didn't work. Then I played with marking the very first step and that worked well. Then marking the third step etc. That worked well. Maybe that will work and it just wasn't enough time before the trial to change the behavior. She 'likes' the post as when heeling near the post will veer towards it. Something else to work on. I am happy that I am know ok enough in the ring to work on things ;) :rolleyes: JUles - sounds like you are really coming on - that's great. And what you are doing is what I was thinking of as a possible solution - big party - lots of excitement for her making correct choices - even if it is just one step. Probably do that outside the ring - then take it in the ring - not even necessarily doing a whole routine at that stage.

Gotta love vets like that! My main vet is like that - works with the dog in front of him as far as possible.

on both counts! What a relief for you, Kelly_Louise - and no wonder you're proud of Sasha - what a good girl! And knowing that she could put up with that without making a big fuss, must be a real comfort too. Although hopefully she won't need to be practising her good vet manners for a long time now.

@ Ptolomy. Interesting question, ish - I'm a bit the same as bedazzledx2. In the puppy classes I teach at dog club, I mention the clicker, but get them to use 'Yes' (excited) as a marker - we start with eye contact/focus exercise, so they're getting a high rate of mark/reward anyway in that first exercise. (The pups tend to 'get it' faster than the handlers .)

huski - just scribing in the games ring - talk about jumping in at the deep end - one of the hardest jobs of all

:D Wow - it's been raining titles and Qs all over the place. Well done all - a lovely way to end the year. ;)

yep i think it will be useful, a lot you probably already know, but there are some things that may be new and some that will remind you of other things, i like how it is set out, so you can see mistakes the new handlers make when training.. helps you learn )) am also reading the book... The focused puppy.. so far so good, not a bad read and another good investment i think, i love dog training cause there is always something new to learn ... ain't that the truth! Totally agree.

Sad for you zigito - but as noisymina says - the best thing for your poor little man. Sounds like he had a lovely life with you - and a peaceful end. Zig - your family will treasure the happy memories of you.

Still waiting for my 6 dvd set - I think it was mailed 23rd, so hopefully might arrive next week. Sounds like it will b e useful - I got it mainly to get some more ideas for taking my puppy class at dog club.

It's good that you're doing what you can to deal with this issue before it escalates. A few thoughts - - loving kids is one thing - kids being able to earn a dog's respect is something quite different. My guess is that at present he sees them as litter-mates - which is good in some ways, not in others; - be careful that you don't do anything which takes the growl away - one famous trainer has a phrase something like "Treasure the growl" - it's the dog's non-harmful way of letting people (and other dogs) know he's not happy with something; - if you're working with K9Pro already, then take that advice.

Happy Gotcha Day, lovely Honey. Goodness, has it been a year. What a wonderful day that was for you and your family, deelee - and for Honey. Many happy returns ;)

That reminds me of when Jedi and I first went to agility... He could not be convinced to be on my right side!! So I had to teach him to heel on the right and he's been fine ever since. Meanwhile, I started 2x2 with both Jedi and Soaks 4 days ago.... I am amazed at how fast they are learning weavers!!!! Jedi is weaving 4 almost straight poles already (Soaks isn't too far behind)! ;) I am thrilled with this method! It's amazing, isn't it. And no problems with working the dog on the right ;)

Me too! For Rally (and will be useful for DWD if I ever get going properly on that) - and obviously I've done my Derrett/Garrett no blind cross too effectively . Think I'm getting the right finish - now have to comvert it into the rouind-the-back LAT - also for Rally. Hope the lil big man can sort out the difference. ;)

:D Wow, JulesP - I thought I got nervous - (yes, still, after 20 years ) - but that is really extreme - though glad the famous "Rubystar Rescue Remedy"TM helped you through. Obviously telling yourself it's only a game you play with your dog isn't going to cut it. Maybe try asking your GP, or a naturopath, if there's something settling you can take ...?

Congrats! What's it for? A bit like mine? Well done Banjo!! My mini brag is Ruby weaved 36 weave poles in a row tonight at the agility windup! OK, so twice she skipped a single pole, so make that 34 weave poles in a row! But then she was all weaved out and wouldn't do it properly again Its for the dog and handler that work as the best team at club Was not expecting an award at all - it was such a surprise! Our name is on a huge trophy which the club keeps but we got a small one to take home as a keepsake :D @Mason - lovely award to win - I was just saying to my puppy class people on Sunday (as I do most Sundays), that having a great relationship with your dog is the key to successful dog training! @RS - what fun - we haven't done that for ages - must get the poles out on sunday at club asnd see how we go - though we might only have 24.

Hey leopuppy - shouldn't you be in here????

:D - works for me Jules

She's just lulling you into a false sense of security - it'll break when you really need it - no, just kidding. Good job.