RubyStar

Another tip is volunteer to steward for a trial, you can learn heaps by being involved and up close! I've only stewarded for agility so far, but will be stewarding for obedience in March (CCD and Novice) and looking forward to it

Cheers Sandi, sounds like a good plan, thanks! She gets excited when I get the articles out which is a plus

Awesome, thanks! Checking ebay and wowser! I spend more on these dogs than myself! No way I can afford to get 2 at those prices Bugger!!

I don't have much experience in the fabric type crates (not even sure on the correct term!) so was wondering if anyone could recommend one to me? I have a standard crate but it's too heavy and inconvenient to lug around to training and trials so I was thinking of switching to a lighter one and re-train the crate (by that I mean, my girl hasn't been in one over a year where she used to sleep in it and she would probably whine in it if I left her in it in public!) I actually wouldn't mind purchasing a second hand one (or two! ) in case it doesn't work out for us, so if anyone knows of a second hand one for sale (in Perth) that'd be great! Edit: would anyone know what size would suit an adult Labrador?

I gave it another go this arvo. First go she grabbed the wrong one when I had a few out there but I sent her back and she got the right one. Did it another couple of times and she got it right the first go but lucky run I think cos she wasn't sniffing them. Chucked the full set out and she started sniffing them and bringing the right one back each time I packed it up rather quickly before she started getting it wrong, probably did it about 8 times in total. I'm wondering when I should give wood a go?

You could have come and walked my two... I'm struggling to keep my eyes open after work and the gym and came home with a pounding headache, so my poor girls missed out on their outing this evening. I feel like a bad mummy

Great tips, I might do this cos I don't want to ruin my sets right away

Way to go! Maybe our girls have been chatting when we weren't looking and swapping tips I'm going to try again tomorrow or maybe eve the next day, just waiting for the metals to air a bit. I have one full set, and another full set plus just a metal set on order Thank goodness for those spares Ptolomy loaned me, I'd be stuck with just 6 metals!!!

You've said you're interested in training for CCD, so I wouldn't imagine you need to be carrying your gun and ammo when training for this?

Oh, I forgot to add, we did this on carpet today. We've been doing a mix of carpet and grass in learning. Not sure if I should try on carpet again or grass Best of luck!! I hope the lightbulb doesn't go out, here Way to go!

Oh well, we got a result FINALLY Next time I'll do as you suggest - I was wondering how I jump into it next time so we don't go backwards! I noticed when things went pear shaped and know her limit better now But we ended on a good note thank goodness! Was so thrilled to see the lightbulb go off!!!

The cans seemed to work for us! Great suggestion, Ptolomy!! I updated my scent help thread with how it went so as not to hijack this one with our progress

Thought I would update this thread with our progress! To anyone reading this, Ptolomy suggested, in another scent help thread, putting some cans out with a single scented article and seeing what happened, so here's what happened I don't know if the cans contributed to the light bulb moment, or she was just long overdue for one, but I think Ruby is finally grasping what she's required to do!! I put 4 cans out and then put my scented article out with them and got her to retrieve it several times. She had no problem understanding that it was the article she needed to get, not the cans, though she did stop and sniff or paw at the cans a couple of times. I then added a second article, and by chance, she brought back the right one maybe 4 times out of 5 (I say by chance cos it was the first one she went to and didn't sniff either of them). I decided to throw in a 3rd anyway and this is where it gets a bit fuzzy in my head as to what happened, but I think she started sniffing them because before I knew it she was bringing me back the right article every time with 2 unscented ones out there with the scented and the 4 cans!! So I threw another out there with the cans, same deal! Blew me away!! So I put the cans away, put 5 unscented articles out with my scented and broke out my camera to film this cos I wasn't quite believing my own eyes! (Wish I had thought to do this when I was doing it with the cans!) She was going out there and sniffing them until she found the right one and picking up the right one go after go! I think we did it a bit much cos she then got distracted and started picking up all of them, cheeky bugger! But we focused again and ended on her getting the right one first go. I'm so chuffed! I just hooooooooooope that she doesn't have a mental lapse and go back 10 steps when we try it again in a couple of days! (I'd do it again tomorrow but all my articles need descenting, we went through them all today ) Once I know she's 100% on metal I will move onto wood, uh oh! Thanks Ptolomy

I have 2 Labradors and a Maltese and they get along great. However, I wouldn't leave a large puppy alone with a SWF again - one of my Labs at a year old was left alone with the maltese for over an hour and she played with the little one so much that she had to be rushed to the vet for emergency treatment. The life had literally almost be shaken out of her. My 1 year old lab thought of her as nothing but a small plaything and used to grab her by the neck and shake her. Now they get along great, the maltese even tries to sleep with the 2 Labbies and loves being near them

Only just saw this, had family round for dinner all night and now it's almost midnight Will definitely give it a go tomorrow then and report back Thank goodness for those extra metal articles cos we went through a few last night

Definitely not - I have a similar thread a few pages back asking for advice and I still haven't been able to crack it (though I've only tried it a max of 2 times a week so I don't push it while she still doesn't understand). I might give the cans idea a go on the weekend, though!

In the ring, you can use your dogs name and talk to it to get its attention before exercises start, but once heeling, the only things you're allowed to say are the commands heel, stand and drop/down. You can pat and praise only after the judge says exercise finished, so you can't do any of that during exercises unfortunately Bugger I say! And no, no food reward is allowed in the ring. Or toys. Only your hands for reward between exercises. You can also say your dog's name in the recall to get it's attention, but there must be a distinct pause between using the dog's name and the come command. That's all right isn't it, Ptolomy?

Yep, everything at the K9 grounds is free to the general public! I'll probably be taking both dogs down with me so Millie gets used to the atmosphere as well.

I think the practice trial is Saturday night, the 31st January. I think it was advertised in the Nov/Dec Canine News so if you've got that handy it should state date/time. I don't think it's in the latest Canine News except for a one liner stating the date. You can bring your dog whether you're entering or not I've gone to a few trials with Ruby just to watch.

Just out of interest, how big is your Beagle x Lab? They are both my favourite breeds so just wondering how big a cross would come out as! He's gorgeous

I'd count that as a good thing My 2 Labs aren't that interested in a ball unless it is another dog's ball and they will chase after it with the other ball crazy dog - maybe rent a dog who is ball crazy for an afternoon to show him the ropes? Recently my 2 started to chase a ball at the park by themselves when I use a squeaky one, so perhaps that's another avenue? One of my labs (a rescue) doesn't really like toys but recently started playing with the squeaky ball on her own and it was a joy to see! I think she missed out on her puppyhood and never got to learn what play was all about (being chained and muzzled in someone's backyard will do that to you )

Someone will correct me here I'm sure but I think jumping is agility without stuff like the A-Frame? I've thought about pursuing other dog sports too but think I'll stick with obedience for a while and see how that pans out. We might totally suck at trialling! Though I did try agility for about 6 months when Ruby was 6 months old (no jumps or anything strenuous or high off the ground, basically jumps on the ground and tunnels), and I'm trying a beginner retrieving class in Feb - I don't have high hopes for that but it would be really great if Ruby does well and we can continue with some retrieving alongside obedience!

Yep, my problem too. Overly friendly Labrador who thinks EVERYONE is their best friend! How can you possibly stand still when your new best friend wants to touch you all over?

I take mine to 2 different classes on the same night, but this year I might take my 2nd dog on another night at another club so they each get a night out by themselves just with me with 100% focus on them

Sorry for hijacking your thread, Lab_Rat!!