BeagleBoys2

A minute of silence was observed at the Allora show this weekend. The announcement was loud and clear and the grounds were amazingly silent. I was toileting a dog at the time and even he didn't fuss at not roming for the minute.

The weekend started out well for my return to the Show Ring for 2010 with both my dogs getting class, Reserve Challenge and Runner Up Best of Breed. Okay...no points for either the Beagle or GSP but it's a nice way to start and it certainly seemed promising. Sunday started out poorly with my Beagle. But then my GSP, in an all bitch line up, got BOB as the only Junior in the line. I was thrilled! I also think I was the only person on the grounds that got sunburned AND I used sunscreen! How rude!! The waterfalls coming through the range along the Cunningham were amazing. I am sure the larger of the two we saw caused some major issues earlier in the day. It would have been nice to see you at the show JSK...happy moving though.

Now THAT is a brag!! Go Nuevo!!!! That's fantastic!!!! I wish I'd been there, you told me it was tomorrow Did you get it on video? 82 out of 100 is a great score! OH! I'm sorry...I also have a Confirmation Show tomorrow. I must have gotten the days confused - please forgive me. I'm pretty thrilled about it and I can't wait to show the Beagle Breeders at the show tomorrow the qualy card. Yes, all things considered 82 out of 100 is fantastic. No video.

Guess what, Bec. Nuevo qualified in his CCD ring tonight! We didn't do as well as I would have liked by 82 out of a 100 is nothing to hang your head about. I am SO thrilled with my little man. :D

That a girl, Daisy!!

I have never had a problem having an obedience dog in the show ring doing a sit. When they were puppies it was a different matter but show puppies sit too. They should know the command stand with or without a hand signal so it's not a problem.

Hey Shelley - how exciting!! Whereabouts is the trial?? I thought I would try home grounds at Metro first. So wish us luck as we are entered in both CCD and Novice Sweepstakes.

I went the other way too...from obedience with Beagles to the show ring. All I can say is that the stand for exam experience gained in the show ring has improved the stability in my current dog in the obedience ring. Well at least it has been for my Beagle. My GSP puppy is currently struggling with the stand for exam in obedience as she is used to my hand under her jaw. So I am changing the word I use in the ring from stand to show. In obedienc,e I find it easier as all you have to worry about is doing it right yourself. As long as your dog is trained well enough it will keep up with the exercises, so you will do well. Generally point deductions are all handler error based anyway. Of course my second Beagle had attitude and if he thought you had treated him unjustly prior to entering the ring he would do something naughty such as running out to the dumbell only to wee on it. My fingers are crossed for Beagle number 3 as he enters the obedience ring for the first time next weekend.

I think what everyone is forgetting is everything we do is a cue of some sort that our dogs pick up on. I've read through all the posts and everyone has indicated something that a dog would pick up as a cue. Whether that be verbal, physical or otherwise. I don't think anyone who is serious about their expectation of their dogs let them get away with anything. There are things that handlers might identify as acceptable and not acceptable behaviour. And people with great dogs don't set them up to fail and are consistant with their demands on the dog. It's the consistancy that cues a dog as to what your expectations are. People new to the training game need to be given every chance they can to get to attain quality work from their dogs. The best way to do that is to take in everything more experienced people have to say and store it away for that rainy day when it happens to be what works for the particular exercise or dog you are working.

I like using different equipment for different activities as well as words to switch 'on' and 'off'. For example, I walk my dogs on a flat collar. I expect them to walk in a civilized manner but they do not need to remain in heel. As they are scent hounds and a gundog they are also allowed to scent on a flat collar during our walks (if they keep moving in my direction). I only do formal training on a check chain. So before I start class/trial I put the check chain on, get them into the heel position and say 'attention'. Friends I train with use 'working'. Once formal training or the trial is over I put the flat collar back on and use their kennel prefix as a release word. I stopped using okay because I used to have an overly keen Beagle that liked to say 'hi' to everyone and it didn't matter who said 'ok' but if someone said it he released himself from the job at hand. We also use different collars and leads for showing and field work. Retailers must love us because we have SO many different leads and collars. Plus you show me a pretty show lead and I'm a sucker for it. Then I also teach 'look' right from day one...plus call their name as a means of getting attention.

I think you should give her a go! Keeping it fun will be enjoyable for you both.

I am sure my friend kelpiesrule will post you some pointers when she is next on DOL.

The first day we got our very first Beagle...I left the front yard gate of his kennel wide open! He was happily sitting in his bed when I realised in horror what I had done. I have never had an escape artist. Then again we do a lot with our dogs which I think helps prevent them getting bored during the day when we are at work. Plus we have three dogs in the yard so they entertain one another. Schedule: Monday - Obedience training Wednesday - Agility or Ring Run Out Thursday - Agility (different grounds) Saturday - Obedience training (different grounds) Training on Saturday may be given a miss if we are showing, lure coursing or off camping and doing field work. It's a dog's life at our place.

Yeah, it's not necessary for them to mark anywhere. On a walk you are on a walk to exercise, enjoy a change of scenery and get out of the yard. My dogs are torrential wee-ers...particularly good as they trial and I know then their bladder is empty. In the backyard I don't police marking as it is their territory but MY den (house) and the whole neighbourhood is not.

Having trained Beagles for trialling I use food rewards. I never weaned them entirely off food rewards during training sessions. However, I only reward for exceptional things once they know an exercise. So I start reducing rewards by giving them at different times as long as the result was what I wanted. Then I start extending the time between treats. Eventually they get a "jackpot" at the end of the training session. So they would get a substantial food reward after doing a ring run out. If the run out goes terribly they don't get the "jackpot". However, I always finish a training session on a positive and do something else to ensure they get the "jackpot". Once my dogs are at the "jackpot" stage I always show them the "jackpot" before training (and then before entering the trial ring) so they know. However, you want to always make sure you get the lead back from the steward as quickly as possible because they are keen to get the "jackpot". Perhpas stand right in front of your dog to do the signal exercises if she is moving. It sounds like she may be using her front legs to change positions. If you can teach her to use her hind legs she should move less.

Shelley - my very first day ever at Metro I was walking around doing the intro night, watching all the classes. Aldo came along for a chat and I mentioned I had a beagle pup who was an absolute terror. He did a demo with one of your boys (sorry - I can't remember if it was Potter or Bailey) and I had never been so amazed! It was very inspiring. I think my jaw was literally on the ground Thanks for that. We hope that the achievements we get from our Beagles encourage and "inspire" other Beagle owners to take up the challenge. As you know it is SO rewarding. There is nothing like the feeling you get when you have success in training, from trialling to even just having the dog 'get' the new command you have been teaching them I remember back then watching Aldo with one of your boys and thinking 'no way can my dog do that!' but as we have progressed I can actually see it being a reality And how incredibly satisfying is that?! They are proud moments...I remember the first time I felt Bailey brush against my calf in a right-about-turn. My heart sang! I was in the trial ring and really had to focus on continuing because I really just wanted to tell him how wonderful I thought he was. :p

It's good to know it's not just the Beagles. It boggles my mind that one day they can be 190+ and the next NQ!

Shelley - my very first day ever at Metro I was walking around doing the intro night, watching all the classes. Aldo came along for a chat and I mentioned I had a beagle pup who was an absolute terror. He did a demo with one of your boys (sorry - I can't remember if it was Potter or Bailey) and I had never been so amazed! It was very inspiring. I think my jaw was literally on the ground Thanks for that. We hope that the achievements we get from our Beagles encourage and "inspire" other Beagle owners to take up the challenge. As you know it is SO rewarding.

Would you mind if I email you some pic for you to put a signature block with pics of my dogs??

I keep forgetting to put this on my entries!!! Tsk, tsk! Yeah my club tells me off every time too! I will try to remember when I next enter something If you forget to put it on your entry tell the Secretary when you are being vetted.

Not just a pretty face! I was looking to see what other Beagle owners had to say about this merry little hound. Only to find there wasn't much said at all...how said. Well I challenge other Beagle owners to get active and promote the breed...get out there and do stuff. What a Beagle is Capable of... When we first got Bailey (Kislev Fancy Boots), born 9 March 2001, we really had no idea what we were getting into. Mostly he was a quiet, gentle soul without too much to say but when he was nearing the teenage years it was time to get serious about obedience training. When he truned two he had settled down and was really keen to learn. As my husband and I both work, despite the walks and the amount of time we tried to spend with Bailey we realized he needed company during the day. In 2002, we introduced Potter (Kislev Heavenly Star), born 25 July 2002, a boisterous, vocal little hound. Potter sparked Bailey’s interest and they were the best of mates with Bailey becoming such a “mother” as I referred to him. Bailey was actually Potter’s uncle. In 2002, we introduced Bailey to the fun of Agility. Until August 2003, Potter only watched from the sidelines. It wasn’t until Potter was into Obedience Level 3 and my husband took over Potter’s training that both of our dogs participated in Agility. We have also been members of the Queensland Lure Coursing Association Inc (QLCA) and the Warwick Lure Coursing Club Inc (WLCC). When I say I am taking my dogs Lure Coursing only two people to date have known what it is all about. At the end of 2004 Bailey (Kislev Fancy Boots FCH) and Potter (Kislev Heavenly Star FCH) were be presented with the Field Champion Certificates. Also taking first and second in the beagle group for total scores for 2004. For my husband, our two beagles and I it’s a nice Sunday out together but we haven't been so regular lately like we have in the past. When Bailey and Potter would come off the course they most certainly are panting like crazy but predominantly I discovered they could smile. So while I train my dogs in obedience for my benefit and the benefit of the members of society who will come into contact with them; lure coursing is purely for there enjoyment plus it benefits us all. A happy dog is a dog ready and willing to learn. Great reasons to take up Lure Coursing; improve your dog’s physical condition and stamina or just for the sheer enjoyment of watching a dog have fun. Lure coursing is "funnnnn" for the dogs...they do it because they want to run fast and chase an artificial lure...they cannot be forced to chase a lure. However I should add here not all dogs realize what they are there to do but most will get it after a couple of events. Each dog is scored on enthusiasm, follow, agility, speedy and endurance and each dog runs twice - once in the morning and again after a lunch break in the afternoon. Each breed on the day is awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd and the overall winner of the day is awarded the Hound of the Day. And yes points earned go towards the title of Field Champion and Lure Courser of Merit. But like everything points can be taken away too…dogs running loose while not running the course are docked points so be careful out there. But you really must experience it to fully appreciate a fine day out with your dog/s. Check out the details and pictures of the Queensland Lure Coursing Association.

I keep forgetting to put this on my entries!!! Tsk, tsk!

I don't put sardines or mackrel in the pockets of my training pants but almost anything else goes...raw heart, cooked chicken, liver treats, cheese cubes, chunkers. However, my friend's dog has to do a solid ring run out and he gets a whole tin of sardines.

Just be aware that there are a lot of nerves happening at a trial. It may be difficult to identify an appropriate time to ask questions. Take me for example I am more than happy to talk to someone about competition but I don't like being overly chatty when I'm nervous about being judged.

Also by being part of a club and marking your entries POINTS TO... the club gets recognition at the end of the year at the annual presentation here in Qld. The number of no club competitors has been decreasing every year since the first year I went to this event. So that's encouraging.