Luke W

I found that targetting was a great one to start with. It's easy to maintain a high rate of reinforcement. Click the dog for a look in the direction of the target, movement toward the target, sniff of the target, touch of the target, etc, etc. Or "101 games with a box" - http://www.clickertraining.com/node/167

Dunbar says you gradually reduce the acceptable threshhold to teach a 'soft mouth' This means - discouraging the puppy from nipping hard at first, then reducing the level which the dog is allowed to bite. Eventually, the dog will just 'mouth' and not bite or nip. By the way - a 'correction' should only be a 'yelp' from you or disengaging from the pup. No loud, harsh words and certainly no physical admonishment. IMO. Before and After You Get Your Puppy: http://www.siriuspup.com/pdfs/BEFOREphotos.pdf http://www.dogstardaily.com/files/AFTER%20...our%20Puppy.pdf

Yes, you can use 3rd party papers. What printer do you have? I have an Epson printer (an R2400) and use either Epson or Ilford papers. The Ilford Gallerie range is pretty good. What sort of paper do you want to use? Matte or Gloss?

The image is overexposed. The camera has tried to draw out some detail in the blacks (it wants to make the whole image 'middle grey') and so the image has become over exposed. In photoshop - you'd use masked curves to tone down the highlights and bring a little more contrast into the blacks. Here's a real quick and dirty example:

*Runs to my bookshelf*

Thanks Jess.

Hi All I'm looking for come good diagrams (or even better video/DVD) of heeling footwork (for the handler). Anyone know of any good explanations on any DVDs? Failing that, some diagrams? Cheers

*victory dance*

So many achievements.Congrats everyone! I hope I can add some trialling achievements soon. In the meantime... Barkly passed his first two equipment modules (Contacts A and Tunnel) with flying colours at Croydon on Sunday. and My first appearance in the practice obedience ring at Croydon - apparently, I'm 'probably the worst at walking in a straight line they've ever seen'. How's that for an achievement! I was sooo nervous. (Note to self - stop looking at dog while heeling, and practice walking straight lines).

And when you're done with that, get After You Get your Puppy - http://www.dogstardaily.com/files/AFTER%20...our%20Puppy.pdf Can't recommend these highly enough.

You know me - complete novice! Susan Garrett suggests that Crate Games can help to build drive moving away from the handler. Also - I've heard that placing rewards (food, toy) away from the handler beyond a jump or two can also help. Rev the dog up, put the dog in a wait, place the food ahead beyond a jump, return to the dog....give the release and 'go' cue to allow the dog to drive to the food (or toy).

Back from a checkup at my local vet. The inflammation causing the slight rolling in of the eyelid - all cleared up Fur - significant regrowth. All good. Vet has been on 1 prednisalone every 2 days for 1 more week.

This is a grrreat thread everyone - love seeing happy people with their dogs! BIG-DOG-LOVER - your lap dog shot is a crack up!

Thanks Luke, I have it on the front page and it looks wonderful Looks great! I'm famous!

You too! and a million thanks. I'm sure I'll be meeting you soon!

The one with 8 of me? No problem. I didn't shoot this so can you include a small credit to the original photographer: John Warkentin - yourdigitaleye.com Did he take the beach shot as well? I like that one the best, though would love to use them all at some stage if you are OK with that. Full credits of course to dog, owner and photographer Beach shots taken by another photographer friend: Antony Hands - www.northcoastphotography.com.au

That is COOL! What program are you using? I didn't shoot or assemble these particular images - they were done by a friend of mine. I'm just the model But they are stitched and projected using a program called PTGui. These sort of images are commonly called "Little Planet" images. There are some great examples on the net.

The one with 8 of me? No problem. I didn't shoot this so can you include a small credit to the original photographer: John Warkentin - yourdigitaleye.com

A different projection:

I know a good one if you need it! And Ellz: do you want a job?! I think his name was Robin something or other.

FWIW - you are rewarding him for scratching at the door. He might very well be cold.

This one I didn't shoot. A friend of mine did it. But it is pretty cool isn't it!

My vet is pretty good with eyes - she's worked with eye specialists before. Just got back. She did the staining - no scratches. Tear production is fine too. Tear ducts are clear and draining down his nose - left tear duct is a tiny bit slower than the right - but OK. No eyelashes on inside of eyelid. Left eye is more ectropion than right. More pronounced eyelid fold. Some minor inflammation of left eyelid causing it to roll in a bit. Plan: Course of antibiotics and cortisone cream and tablets to get the inflammation down. Revisit in 7 days to check. Revisit in 14 days. Once the inflammation is under control - off to the eye specialist to discuss corrective surgery on the eyelid (an eyelift). Can choose to have it done by the specialist or by my regular vet (who is very confident, but happy for me to have it done by the specialist if I'd prefer). She mentioned a name of the specialist but I've forgotten. No risk of corneal damage at the moment which was good news.

Couldn't get an appointment for this afternoon - got one for 9.30am tomorrow.