Nik

Well done to everyone today! I have my first brag to enter here- we obtained our last two passes today to get our CCD. I'm over the moon. My girl worked her butt off today (silly errors from me- duh, need to re-learn left from right! ) and ended up with two nice scores- both 90.

Thanks!! I'll go in with a big grin imagining you all in your undies I was ok last time, but I wasn't expecting to pass- I was doing it to get a feel of the trial environment. This time we're much better though, so I have higher hopes.

How does everyone else calm their nerves before a trial? We've got our 2nd trial tomorrow, and I tend to get a little flustered at the start. Any tips?

Like I said, the Lab we have who is on a major diet is only being fed about max 1 cup a day, split over two meals. He is looking fantastic- his coat is so shiny and he finally has a waist. Wish I'd taken before photos... all the ones I have are of his face. I give him bones that have all fat trimmed from them- usually lamb ribs or 1/3 of a lamb neck, sometimes two chicken wings for dinner and a carrot and that is all. He eats the carrot like a bone

I agree. She's lost her waist. Halve her food. Seriously. I am successfully helping a very overweight labrador lose weight on blackhawk. He gets about 1/2 a cup in the mornings, and either a lamb flap or 2/3 cup in the evenings. He's now 35kg, down from 54!!

Quick question to the gurus out there.... Today we had a members comp, and although we did very well, there are a few things I'd like to fix (apart from my dodgy footwork- seems I found all the holes in the ground today!). During change of position, I had my hands in the same position as for recall, so that when I moved my hand to give the drop signal, Annie for a split second thought we were doing recall, then quickly dropped when she realised it wasn't. Came forward perhaps 1/4 body length. So I guess I'm asking how others differentiate between recall and COP. Would it be as simple as keeping my hand by my sides as opposed to clasping them in front of me? Arrgh, more things to think of!!! I was already a bit stuffed up as my instructor told me I was taking too many steps after commands to carry out what was asked. Thanks

Small brag from me- but I'm still at the stage where a small brag is a huge thing!!! We had a members comp at my club today, and came first in Novice with 183. We were marked quite hard (a fellow class member lost 10 points on her recall for a slight lag at the start) Gives me great confidence for my next trial (in CCD)

Annie fidgets a bit in stays too- but not to the same extent you are saying Ava does. She also constantly looks around her at what is going on. We're told in class not to "eyeball" our dog, but if I watch her she's much calmer than if I look over her head (for example). It's only the down stays that she's like this. In the sit stays she's sitting up to attention so straight. Maybe the excessive vigilance is an Aussie thing? Admittedly though, she's fidgeting less and less now that she's finally maturing

I have a fat lab in my care at the moment. Two years ago he was 54kg!!! We've been doing weekly weigh-ins at the vet since March and today he was 36kg . My original goal for him was 35kg, but now I'm thinking maybe 30. At least he has a slight waist now I don't think Jack will ever look as slim as your girl (she looks fabulous to me) but at least I can improve his quality of life.

A fellow trialler had this on their FB earlier on, saying that they cancelled after they'd set up and checked in. Apparently the grounds were fine at 5 pm Saturday. I feel for anyone who's travelled from any distance only to find a trial cancelled on such late notice. Yeah, we were all checked in, vet checked etc, then the judges had a meeting and called it off. I think they were trying to work out whether to hold it in the fenced parts which weren't as soggy.

We're you at Berwick too? I was rather disappointed as I'd driven almost 1.5 hours to get to the trial only to have it called off. Ankle deep water in some spots was not nice. Well done on your sit stay

I'm only new to trialling, but I have a pair of black skate shoes that I wear. Not as "sneakerish" as runners, and as they're black you notice them less. My OH just bought a pair of RM Williams that look great with jeans- maybe a pair of them? He says they're super comfy. With the rain that's been falling here today, I think I'll be packing my gumboots for Sunday's trial, especially if Berwick's grounds have the reputation of staying soggy Edited for spelling

We're entering our 2nd trial this weekend. Fingers crossed it all goes to plan At our dog club the other week, a fellow Doler was taking photos. Just thought I'd share a few of Annie as they show the joy on her face whilst she's working. Admittedly a few milliseconds after this photo was taken she became cheeky and did not finish the exercise properly (victory lap with the dumbell ) but at least she's enjoying herself.

Hi I have an interview for this program in Victoria on 25/5. Just wondering if anyone can tell me what is involved in the dog temp testing please. She's fab around kids, but just want to make sure that we don't get something she's never experienced before! Nik

I've been wading through all the amazing YouTube vids posted on here- so much to learn from all the experienced triallers! We've finally entered our 2nd trial, and I hope we improve on our last result (we passed, but with an 86) One thing I'd like to work on (before our trial which is on the 15th) is the sit at the end of the recall- it's gone crooked. Any tips for straightening us out? I can't tell until right at the end when Annie swivels her butt sideways as she sits.

Well I've finally bought myself a new bike so can begin training in earnest. I regularly go for 5-10km walks with my girl, so now we'll be upping the distance . I don't think she'll have any trouble, it's just me!

What about Yarra Bend Park? http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_0501.pdf Something for everyone!

A family friend of ours was attacked by dingoes on Fraser Island about 25 yeras ago- they broke her arm. Again they were waiting for the barge. Kids being kids she was playing in the sand about 5 metres from their car when the dingoes attacked. Parents were right there as were her two other sisters. She was about 8 years old too! Don't remember if they caught the dingoes, but we were super careful when going to Fraser Is after that! I agree it should be treated like a wildlife reserve in Africa.

A little OT, but a huge billboard near me was spruiking the virtues of a local gym. In huge writing at the top is written "You're Local Gym just around the Corner" The same gym sent flyers to my letterbox asking me if I needed to "Loose Weight"

Are you "cueing" her to halt or slamming on the brakes???? I don't slam on the brakes. When the instructor says halt I try to wait until she's in the right position before I stop. Not sure how I'm meant to cue her though??? I'm still such a newbie. :p

Hi all, I've got a slight problem with my girl- she sometimes gets about a 1/2 pace in front of me- only when we're asked to halt. I've tried using the clicker to re-inforce the heel position, but sometimes it all just flies out the window. Does anyone have any suggestion for ways for us to fix this? There's plenty more to fix, but this one is my main focus at the moment .

I'd love another Aussie terrier one day... when I have acreage maybe! When I see one in the street I always have to stop and chat to the owner When I met my husband he had a border collie x kelpie and I fell in love with the herding breeds. I wanted a dog for obedience and possibly agility, and also one that didn't nick off when the gate was opened like our last Aussie terrier Lucy used to! And no dog could ever be like my old Kelly-boy. He was 17 when he crossed the bridge. Photo with my eldest son (now a 10yo!) And yes, both our dogs had the same name!

I had an Aussie terrier growing up and I called him Ned Kelly, but he mostly got Kelly.

Nope, it doesn't work!

My old Aussie terrier was like that. I had to go away for school for a whole term, and when I got back, I was completely ignored. I swear it took him over a week to even acknowledge my presence! Our other Aussie was all over me but not my boy.