RubyStar

:p Thanks, I won't waste my money then ;)

Oooh ok, thanks for the tip!

I'm interested but suppose there isn't any chance you'll make it to Perth on the West Coast?

I just watched a short promo for this DVD, sounds like what I need! Has anyone used it and can vouch for how effective it is to train some good focus? Again, very cha-ching!! But if it's worth it... (if you can't half tell, I'm really interested in getting the focus side of things up to scratch first and foremost! Doesn't take me long to start tearing my hair out when my girl gets bored of looking up at me when heeling )

Thanks guys. And thanks for the link to teaching retrieve with a clicker, I'll give that a good read when I'm not at work I taught Ruby to retrieve with no formality to it, no wonder it took me so long! This time with Millie I wanna get it right, even if she has no interest in picking things up in her mouth, yet

In my particular situation, I'm not that concerned if my girl learns to play tug or not, my issue is that she has no interest in toys so not sure how I am supposed to teach her to retrieve when she has no care factor to pick things up in her mouth or fetch them! Would a tug it starter help with this or am I looking in the wrong direction? Meanwhile, my other girl is a tugging NUT. Can't leave leave her rope toy lying around or she'll rope anyone into playing tug with her!

Thanks once again

I don't know a lot about training in drive, only really heard about it since joining DOL forums (I'm such a noob at training and the more I read the more I realise it!) So, does anyone know if there are any DVD's that teach how to train in prey drive to assist in obedience tasks such as heeling and general focus? Probably a long shot! Or any good links to read? I'm an eager little beaver really wanting to learn all I can!

Thanks dogdude! I've taught Ruby to retrieve already, we just need to tidy it up big time. As for teaching Millie to retrieve, fat chance She's not even interested in toys!

I ordered 2 doggies books from Amazon.com and it took 2 weeks Thanks for the tip on the toys for food motivated dogs, hope it helps!

OMG how cute is your new pup!!!

Cheers Ptolomy! I might scour ebay then as it probably seems my next closest bet Ooh this sounds interesting. I have another who looks at me as if to say "what do you suggest I be doing with this squeaking thing you're flinging in my face and throwing about?" Not gonna be easy to teach this one to retrieve, and my toy crazy one took me a while to teach

These balls sounds great! Can you get them from any shops or only online? My girl loves squeaky toys so might work for her focus

May I brag about something that isn't as significant as trialling but I'm still pleased anyway?! Millie, my 2ish year old rescue girl who I've had for 7 weeks who didn't even have any idea how to drop when I first got her, passed her Advanced Beginners class last night with a score of 92/100 :cool: And Ruby, in her pre-trialling class who I've struggled to get some good focus from and to stay still during her SFE, got top score in our ring last night with a score of 95/100 I'm pretty chuffed

Thanks, guys! Something for me to look for! Prices look a bit from the very quick google search I just did!!

I was wondering if anyone knows of any DVD's out there for obedience but that go beyond the basics? I'm not sure if such things exist, but I always love watching things about obedience and would also love to be able to watch something being taught instead of reading about it, like scent discrimination for example. I know there are a gazillion agility DVD's out there and I can find them with ease, but trying to find the right DVD on obedience, finding it damn near impossible!!! Also, what would be the best DVD for games and exercises for teaching a dog some good focus? Thanks!

My first love will always be the Labrador, but Beagle's certainly are winning my heart over! Would be nice to own a smaller breed again

Such a great shop but so, so broke!! If you can find more things to the value of $70, all I want is a $30 DVD! Hey that goes out there to anyone for me as well, if you can't make it to $100, I'll make up the other $30 if you're interested! Is that allowed?

I hear ya, that is my problem here with one of my labs. Wish I could find a training partner, might give me more motivation and give me an outside POV of what I'm doing wrong

Your Beagle Daisy in your sig pic is adorable!! I'd love a Beagle, but my hands are kinda full with 2 Labradors atm! Definitely will have one in the future, just need more time, larger yard, and do my research!

I think this looks great with all breeds! Not sure how to achieve it though without a tasty piece of chicken in my hand, that is the only way I get undivided attention with happy face and waggy tail gazing up adoringly

Labradors cos well, I just love em! Next choice would be a Beagle, cos I know nothing about them except they're cute so that would be a nice challenge for me Oh who am I kidding, trialling full stop is proving to be a challenge for me! Can't get myself in there due to nerves and a Lab who works wonders one go, then is a total hoolign the next!

I think the running would be the problem here, not the sand?? .. soft sand is actually better than hard sand for joints.. Well yes, the running is the main issue here when done in extended periods for pups. I agree, running on hard surfaces is not good for joints, but I would imagine running through soft sand is not good either as it's hard work! Have you tried running through really soft dry sand opposed to the more solid stuff, it's hard work on those legs! To be safe, I would probably avoid having the pup run on both

I believe swimming is ok, but be careful of taking her to the beach where running through the soft sand is not good for her growing joints. Also avoid river banks that are hilly so she doesn't have to climb up them to get out A bit off topic (but still to do with labs!) my lab at 6 months found the river on her own and jumped in (I took her there to introduce her to it but she jumped right in!) and she did a bit of paddling, came back to shore, paddled again, etc. It was only recently that I decided to see if she'd fetch out in the water (as she doesn't do fetch well on land!) and off she went, swimming and swimming right out, grabbed the item, turned around the swam back. I know it's such a natural thing for them to do but I was well chuffed as I'd only seen her splash about and paddle about a metre from the shore She went out a good 10-15 metres or so this time! Now I've got a rescue lab, I'm yet to see if she loves water as much as the other!

Restrict her from long walks or things like throwing a ball or playing rough tug (as they'll be bouncing off their hips) until 12 months of age. Doesn't mean you can go hooly the day she turns 1, just means you can worry a lot less and gradually build her up to a decent length walk and some fun fetch games! The first year of my lab puppy's life was quite full of worry And now my baby is almost 2, where does time go?