Tassie

I've also seen you make a quantum leap in ability in the space of a two day seminar Barb. Sometimes all you need to do such leaps is the right instruction from the right person who can demystify things for you. Same goes for course walking. It's an art. It can be learned and then practiced to see great improvements in both handling strategy and execution. Thanks poodlefan - that JW seminar is still burnt into my brain Agree about the course walking being an art to be learned and practised. Personally I've found trying to adopt one consistent handling system has helped - particularly in considering the dog's ideal line, and then thinking about the possible handling. There are some articles on planning in CR at the moment - 3 different handlers looking at the same course. As far as walking courses you're not entered in - I believe you're supposed to ask the judge's permission - most have no problem with it. And obviously you have to be aware of giving priority to those actually competing in the class. Personally I'd sugggest not walking courses too far above your present level - it can be a bit too confusing and over-facing.

Ooooh BB - does Kepala have hydrobaths too? I was so busy enjoying myself with the dogs that day I was there that I didn't get a chance to check out what they had And the mobile one is an idea too - thanks.

Great topic, Vickie. Hey Amerykus - you said .... Been there, done that, got the T shirt - and you know what - if you can find some good mentors, you will learn to be able to handle masters courses (well, most of them ;) ), and as long as you're still having fun with your dog, you will get better all the time. Poodlefan can tell you what a clumsy handler I can be - well, Vickie can tell you as well - but I'm still improving - and I'm a senior handler - you can teach old dogs new tricks - but we collect a few Qs and occasionally we have a gun run. And then of course there are the days when I leave out a loop of a course - but luckily, Kirra doesn't usually know that. Poodlefan said That is sooooo true. Kirra's lovely breeder said that to me years ago when I was apologising to her for not being able to do justice to the lovely dog she had placed with me - her take was that Kirra didn't care about cards or titles - she just wanted to have fun doing stuff with me. It's a great thing to keep in mind.

Don't book the red kid's plane ticket just yet - don't know that about 2 metres away from the poles counts as extreme - and that's as far as we've got yet. (Mind you, having said that, I did use 4 poles to train difficult independent entries with Kirra (who was initially trained on V weaves.) Kirra did a few tonight when Rory was finished -she'd been shut inside, having extreme tantrums, so she was really fired up when she got to work . Any entries from the left hand side of the arc would be fine with me. Excluding: missing the first two poles but then weaving perfectly OR running alongside the poles really close then looking back expectantly for the reward. :p I got the this morning when I put a jump ahead of the poles LOL. Took a few goes for Rory to figure out how the new game worked ;) - but he got it. That was with a nearly straight on left hand entry. Thanks for that heads up, Jules - will be sure to work that :D . Oh, yes RS - been there, wished that.

As long as he's used to working with you enthusiastically with the clicker, he shouldn't get confused - or not more than once or twice. Having said that, I don't use clicker a lot of the time, cos I'm a bit klutzy - so I tend to use (and teach my puppy class to use) an excited "Yes" as the marker. Easy to remember, quick to say, exciting sounds ..... I tell my puppy people it's the kind of "Yes" you would use if your footy team just won a really close game.

Thanks for the suggestions folks - keep them coming. We're talking Border Collies, so drying is an issue LOL.

Don't book the red kid's plane ticket just yet - don't know that about 2 metres away from the poles counts as extreme - and that's as far as we've got yet. (Mind you, having said that, I did use 4 poles to train difficult independent entries with Kirra (who was initially trained on V weaves.) Kirra did a few tonight when Rory was finished -she'd been shut inside, having extreme tantrums, so she was really fired up when she got to work .

Wahoooo! Go the gorgeous Roger - and the photos are super - especially the last one .

Question on behalf of a friend who'll be travelling to Melbourne Royal. Does anyone know of any (good) DIY dog wash/facilities west of Melbourne - near Werribee, and/or in the showgrounds area. I know a good one, but it's way over the other side of Melbourne, so no use at all .

I've got to have a little brag. I started 2x2 weaves with Rory a couple of weeks ago during the school holidays. Yesterday evening in the dim twilight, he was really getting the weaving action on 4 (makeshift) poles straight. (I was using the uprights I made from the dowel according to ness's pattern - thanks ness). Anyway, this afternoon I did the 4 makeshift again, then decided to see what he'd do with 4 official weavers. After having a problem at first, I realised I was trying to work him into the fading light, so I turned them around, and had him come in from the lighter end - and wahoooo - we have weaving! Both left and right entries . Now to see if he can still do it tomorrow. Loving the 2x2

Good to hear that Morrison is feeling better this morning. You'll be feeling better too, I'd reckon.

I have to say a puppy isn't high on my want list right at this moment but sometimes things happen for a reason and you have to take opportunities that present themselves with both hands even if the timing stinks. Its been a BIG week, a new puppy and a new house. Think I should stop spending money now..... Why stop now, Ptolomy - you're just warming up Exciting news about your new little man - he looks seriously cute. And yes, I'm a great believer in 'meant to be' - trust the Universe - she knows what she's doing.

LOL about the freezing - yep, Wang can be pretty darn cold as well. No dramas about a check chain on a 12 month old Rotti. It's only in the puppy classes (up to 6 months) that we have a no check chain policy. You can also use food in classes. -3 at Latrobe :rolleyes: - Hobart was a balmy 5 or so this morning early - and a beautiful day.

Hi Allerzeit Bring your thermals - it's cold down here at the moment - and the central highlands - BRRRRRRRR. I'm a member of both the Hobart clubs - train Rory at Eastern Shore in the morning cos I instruct and do agility at Hobart in the afternoon. Both are primarily positive reinforcement clubs, but with some flexibility. Hobart also has flyball and Rally O, and competition agility training as well as foundation. AFAIK only the German Shepherd club trains at New Norfolk. Look forward to seeing you down here. Feel free to PM me if you need more info.

Happy birthday Ollie - hope you and and your mum are having great celebrations - you're both an inspiration.

Confused is right - just don't ever take the red tribe herding ptolomy - you'll have real trouble with sides then ETfix typo

They use gloves for the directed retrieve... the seek back article can't be any bigger than a scent discrimination article and (I think) it can't be white Thanks! I'm a bit nervous but I need to practice with being told what to do etc so I don't stuff it in the ring when I'm in there for real! Just remember not to speak during the signal exercise - or if you're going to (and I think everyone does it at least once ) do it in a run out, rather than a trial. Good luck.

Beautiful! Just love interactions like that. I needed a camera this morning when my big "Border Collie" cat was sitting in a doorway in the sun, and 'talking' to one of the BCs as he was coming through the door. She talked him into playing head-butts with her, and exchanging licks. Other times I've seen her holding his head in her paws while she licks him, and then turning her head to get him to lick just the spot she wants. Tell Phoeve she's a super good girl - and thanks for sharing.

Oh that's very disappointing, guys. And you were both looking forward to it. Kynan, I think going along anyway is a great idea, as long as it's OK with the club conducting the ET. I know the time we did it, the club did have to make use of a spare handler when one was incapacitated, and I had had to borrow a bike for a period while the dirt was being dug out of the brakes of my bike after Fergus had a huge shake in the sleet and wind, and I had to dump the bike and me on the side in the clay-ey gravel to avoid falling on him - I was really very grateful there was a spare bike handy.

Gotta love that, Vickie. Well done Miss Trim.

OMG bedazzled - poor you and poor Brookie - thank goodness the lunch shop was there for you to escape through. Hope the liquor did the trick - have some more tonight if you need it.

When I'm giving my big boy a chicken wing, I actually hold it while he chews it, so that he doesn't try to gulp it all at once. It's actually been really good - makes the wing last longer, and makes him very careful about where he puts his teeth near my hand.

Hi Tiggy - they are called multipliers. So to get Open Jumping Dog JDO in the first place, you need 5 Qs under at least 2 different judges. Then if you get another 5, you can apply for JDO2 - another 5 - JDO3 and so on. For Masters it's 7 Qs each time. You only get the multipliers in Masters and Open. It's not compulsory to apply for them, and some people don't bother, cos it costs money - but personally I like to - Kirra and I have worked for them .

Way to go Rivsky - excellent way to finish off CDX. Good weekend for us too - today Kirra and I finished off our JDO4 and SPDX. (I knew a Q today would get SPDX, but didn't realise till I got home that oru nice 2nd place run in Open Jumping was also a title.) Good little girl. And yesterday little big man Rory got his first grown up award - Runner Up Best in Group (and Intermediate in Group 5) following a nice 13 point BOB - thanks to his lovely and talented Junior Handler. ETA - thanks Nanna winpara!