bedazzledx2

Corvus thats just so not true...sorry mate but I couldn't let that one go!! *clunk* That was the sound of my bright, idealistic little face falling, nay, crashing to the ground. I've been lucky on that front so far, then. I had a club a good hour drive away recommended and have found them to be wonderful. I ran into my instructor at the APDT conference last year, and they go to the more specialised, training-centric ones I don't go to. It's been really enjoyable and has restored my faith in training classes.

ooohhh garlic prawns...that might do it!!! RV...hope you're feeling better now....scary experience!!!!

Yeah but Ruby's the naughty one....you know I like the naughty ones!!! Hang on a sec, I thought we were doing a trade? Who u trading?? If its ruby i will take her.... Why is it that nobody wants Millie? She's my good little worker and still noone wants her

Good girl Kenz Onwards and upwards!!!

Corvus thats just so not true...sorry mate but I couldn't let that one go!! It is true that agility has moved on much faster than obedience in the main and that in order to compete in the higher levels, the agility community have embraced better teaching methods. Its a bit hard to train agility on a lead and choke chains are not permitted due to safety concerns. An e collar is certainly not the way to go so people have become better trainers using motivational methods rather than aversives. This is not to say that obedience shouldn't demand the same if not more understanding of learning theory and motivation...it should demand more as obedience is not generally as inherently rewarding to the dog as agility is. in other words agility is an easier gig for the handler to motivate the dog. (Of course there is enormous skill required to train agility well which people have embraced) Learning theory rocks

YOu might just get him wrapped up in a parcel with a red bow!!!! I think his nose may be a bit out of joint with the new puppy!

Make that 3 and we can do a job lot

What methods are you talking about Muddybear? What methods would you prefer to see?

Yep! When the Xmas trees (orange native ?) are flowering watch out for the snakes...also when the kangaroo paws first come out is snake season. We did some indigenous training for work and one of the trainers told us that when the native orange plants are flowering around Perth, the venom is more potent and survival is less (most are out before christmas) - now whenever I see orange native flowers all I think about is poisonous snakes!

Tiger snakes don't hibernate like most other species...they may be a bit quieter in the winter months. I was once told by a vet that anything bitten before Xmas has a much lower chance of survival. Glad your dogs are ok...phew!

I have simular issues with my Kelpie pup and the cats. He is not agressive but he is pushy and it wouldn't take much given we have 3 dogs (all herding types) and 2 cats, for things to get out of hand very quickly. I have taught him a "leave the cat!" command for when I am around to supervise and he now responds very well to this, but I would never allow the whole crew to be unsupervised. When I can't supervise, either the cats or the dogs are separated and yes, they have different sections of the house. Sometimes the crate can be your best friend

Happy Birthday Chloe! Not bad indeed

I don't take chances anymore with crappy collars and leashes especially on untrained dogs. I had a cheap collar on my BC when he was a pup (4 months, as I was going to replace it as he got bigger) but he pulled and the D ring broke!!! This was in a caravan park with a pup with no recall :( Quick thinking and pretend bribery got him back but I learned a lesson that day! Who would have thought the metal would fall apart???? Our leashes get a lot of abuse and I've never had one abruptly fail on me. So there is a point as far as I'm concerned: a cheap leash does the job, and I don't have to worry about whether it's got wet and then dragged through sand, got the clip clogged up, or the handle dunked in seawater. They hold together remarkably well IME. For the harnesses and collars it's more about the dogs' comfort and safety. The more dogs you work with and around, the more chance you will have in witnessing leash (and/or collar) failure. It definitely does happen. I hope you continue to be fortunate enough to never have this occur to you. It's dangerous for the dog and dangerous for the handler.

Careful using glazed bowls not approved for food...the glazes may not be safe and can leach heavy metals into the food or water.

me too!

I do agree with you that dogs are born (and bred) with inherent stable temperaments or not. I don't think anyone here was talking about changing anything by using the bio sensor program...more like enhancing the raw material? Thats my take on it anyway. I have met dogs from litters who have had lots of stim from early, early on and pups from litters who have basically had nothing much...I do think nature takes precedence over nurture but if we can help along the way by good nurture whats the harm?

I sometimes think the dogs put us on a variable reinforcement schedule just short of extinction :) edited for crappy spelling!

Onya Corvus :)

Quite right Erny...you have to be careful of the glazes and some cheap ceramics are not suitable for use with food as they can leach lead and cadmium Bowls sold for dinnerware should be fine. It can be hard to find big enough bowls especially water bowls when you have multiple dogs...I like nice casserole dishes with a wide flat base.

2 of my dogs have had their second home with me and both achieved O Ch. Cody was a lovely BC who sadly died from cancer when he was 6 1/2. I never did any testing other than meeting him and we just meshed. Same with Brookie who was 9 months old. Never did any testing...he got on with everyone and was happy to be with us...good enough for me! If you like him and he likes you and Mason you'll be fine. If he is foody even better for training.

If you set up a video cam on her you will probably find she, like most dogs, sleeps most of the time you're at work. So long as you can give her good interaction with training and or a walk in the mornings and again when you get home she should be fine. If you find she is digging or being destructive out of boredom you could make a digging pit for her and salt it with some toys and food.

Congratulations!! Some of my best highs have been non qualifyers!!! You know that all your training is in place and its just a matter of getting it all together on the day!

How exciting!!! I got Brookie at 9 month of age and it was a wonderful connection right from the start.

A bit like parents of naughty spoilt kids...1,...2,...2 and a half,....2 and three quarters.... Agree with the recall scenario Funny how dogs understand the NOW command!!!! But you are giving him a chance ... RAZZLE ... COME!!! doesnt comply go get him - he was asked to comply, and then he either listened to your command or he didnt. Problem is with counting you then condition the dog to wait until you get to 2. He probably now thinks that you're not really serious about his recall until you reach the 2 command, which can be a disaster later on when you need him to listen and listen now.

Don't you think you can get that by using positive methods? We have some superb trainers in WA who understand that its not all about shoving food in the dogs face and calling it positive training. I am disappointed to hear that you don't think anyone could help you with positive training your puppy. Certainly club training has its limitations but I would have been seeking private lessons from the very skilled people in your own back yard long before the puppy reached 18 months of age. I'm glad you are now seeking help from Steve before it gets too out of hand. Generally I have found that people simply do not understand what positive training is all about and equate it with giving lollies to children. Not so!! It is extremely structured and requires discipline and adherance to the basic rules of learning. I have an extremely high drive kelpie puppy who needs all the skill I can muster and then some! At present my puppy doesn't get any free meals... all food comes from me during positive training sessions. He doesn't come out of his crate until he can sit and wait until I open the door and give a release word, he is on a long line until he can come when called reliably. Will this make him a saint? I don't think so!!! He is still a full on 'naughty' puppy who requires lots and lots of training so he can become sociably acceptable and I don't think he will ever be 'normal' as in your definition, but he will be trained dammit!!!! Someone posted this in a thread (can't remember which one sorry) which is a good read. http://www.clickertraining.com/node/1721?source=fbfp