Luke W

Cool - I never liked the taste of dried liver

hehe - what's that food you're spitting? I'm just starting to teach Barkly to catch food! I'm still in the early stages, mine looks much more like this (not me): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_TEwLE6OYg&NR=1

Thanks all - I've got more to think about than I thought!

Here's a video of a flip I found: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD4E1edA36o

One of the advantages of them not being able to generalise very well I guess. Back means one thing when they are in front, versus when they are at the door. The are also masters of body language, so a subtle head tilt might mean 'flip' and a slight shitfing of weight might mean get out of the dorrway. You might not even realise you give off these subtle body language cues. I'm still in the beginning of training with my dog and rely mostly on hand signals.

Ah ok, I never knew it was called the flip... "Back" for me is walk backwards...

FWIW... With the goal of trailing... It's been suggested to me that I teach two methods for heel from a sit in front. One going behind and one a short anticlockwise 'loop' in front to the left. This is to prevent the dog from anticipating a heel from a front and 'chaining' the two together. He has to wait for the heel command, because he doesn't know which one it's going to be.

PS - I'm going to use "behind" because I think I'll use 'heel' for the move to heel without moving behind me.

I just lured him. From in front... Treat in both hands, right hand lure him behind, when he's behind, quickly remove right hand and quickly stick left hand in front of dogs nose (kind of swapping hands) and lure him to the heel position. Fade the lures (left hand first, then right), then fade the left hand part of the hand signal. Then stylise the right hand part of the lure signal. I don't have a word cue yet 'cos I can't make up my mind what it should be!!...I'm thinking it'll be 'behind'.

ps - Canister dryers? Is that a brand or a type? I diudn't find anything on Google.

I suppose you'd say a cocker in a show clip would be a long coat? I'm thinking now that hands free would be better so I could brush the coat at the same time I dry it...Correct?

Which Super Human model? I'm looking at the dryers on CLipperworld here: http://www.clipperworld.com.au/shop/index....Cat&catId=6 Do you know if the SD1000 mentioned can be used hands free?

Why not just use the hair dryer we use on our own hair. I used one for years. Seems to take a long time.

Hi All Any recommendations for a hand held hair dryer to dry my cocker spaniel with? Something that blows out a HUGE amount of air I suppose. Brands models? If you can't recommend a hand held one - what what you recommend (I'm not a groomer, so only need to use it when I bath my dog)? Thanks

Hi All Some photos from the Royal Melbourne Show. If you competed, there's a good chance I managed to get a photo of your dog. If I didn't, sorry about that, hopefully next time! This time, I managed to also get a few shots of dog AND handler, especially around the see-saw. The album is here: http://www.lukewilby.com/gallery/?g2_itemId=11863 If you'd prefer to jump straight into a slideshow: http://www.lukewilby.com/gallery/?g2_view=...g2_itemId=11863 You can set the delay between each photo in the slideshow. Enjoy.

I haven't even finished watching the DVD yet! But I've taken on board some of the early ideas, plus other methods I've read about elsewhere. My pup, also 6mo has a recall similar to yours...it's a reflex action. He simply spins around and bolts in the general direction of the call...it could be 45degrees off track though!!!! Like you, hands up and "barklybarklybarklybarkly' in a high pitched voice to get him to work out where he's supposed to be running to! I put it down to lack of directional hearing attributed to his floppy, furry ears It's quite comical! I also play the hide and seek and click for eye contact games. I recall him alot and send him on his way. "Barkly...Come" treat and off you go. It's quite something to see a conditioned reflex in action. I'm going to finish watching the DVD tonight!

Have a look at this link - explains a few things http://www.biogetica.com/waterhasmemory1.html not convinced If the more dilute the concentration, the more powerful the substance, wouldn't starting with plain tap water and NOT starting with any active ingredient produce a more powerful substance? I'm off to walk the dog.

I need... to get a life

I spent quite a few years making homoeopathics, Luke, so I think it's a bit unfair if I answer that - yes I agree with those scientists. There's even less than that in the most powerful of homoeopathics which is the constitutional remedies. hmmm.... Even less than none?

No it's not, old chap. It's just most unfortunate that there are way too many 5 second experts who crap on with their oogabooga tree hugging hippy shit that homoeopathy 'cures' disease and modern medicine kills people. I'm not sure what cereal box their shingle fell out of. A good homoeopath is worth their weight in arsenic. And Fiona - no it's not semantics at all. It's the cornerstone of Homoeopathy! Totally irrelevant so back to the OP - any update? What do you make of the claim by scientists that there is NO active ingredient in a 30C solution? Do you subscribe the the 'memory' theory? Why not just drink tap water - it's got memory too? From: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/nov/16/sciencenews.g2

Homeopathy = quackery IMO of course.

"Really Reliable Recall" by Leslie Nelson Some things I've done - my 6mo is on his way to having an excellent recall. In no particular order... Set your dog up to succeed. Never call your dog unless you are sure he's going to come If you think he might not come - go and get him Always reward your dog when he does come - even if you didn't call him Play retreive games Get two people with treats - get dog to run from one to the other for a treat - start with small distances and gradually increase Never call your dog for something the slighest bit unpleasant Never call your dog to put on his lead Never call your dog for punishment !!!!! Never call your dog to go back in the car, have a bath, etc, etc, etc Call your dog - then send him off again..."Come Rover....quick treat...Off ya go" - do this lots and lots and lots - it's called the Premack principle. Don't walk toward your dog when calling it...walk away. At the minimum, turn your shoulders away from the dog. Your dog should see coming when called as being the best thing in the world - he comes and gets a treat and then gets sent on his merry way - nothing bad ever happens - it's only a tiny interuption to his fun - but he gets a free treat.

Novice trainer alert (that's me)... Booby trap? Here's one variation... I read about this method - never tried it myself.. Fill a water pistol or spray bottle with a dilute mixture of water and vanilla essence. Without your dog realising it's you, spray it in the face when it does something bad (anything). It should associate the smell of vanilla essence with something unpleasant (getting sprayed in the face). Now spray the couch. The dog won't go on the couch because it will associate it with getting sprayed in the face. Spray the couch daily for a while, then reduce the sprayings to weekly, then monthly... Your mileage may vary. --------------------------- Another option...perhaps easier. Management. Cover the couch when you are not home

One flash can 'trigger' the other. One goes on the camera hotshoe and points up at the ceiling (this one is called Master). One goes on a nearby bench (or stand, or held in your hand, whatever) and is triggered almost immediately when the Master goes off (the second flash is called a Slave). Alternatively, you can buy a ST-E2 transmitter which will trigger both (or more) flashes. That way, you have the ST-E2 transmitter on the camera hotshoe and 2 (or 3 or 4..) flashes 'off camera'. strobist.blogspot.com has lots of info !!

I shoot most of my indoor stuff with a flash (or two) bounced off the ceiling. All the indoor shots (including the 'studio' shots) in Barkly's blog were shot with flash (or two) bounced off the ceiling.