PAX

DD, that's true, but thanks to people like Gina O many clubs do not do that anymore and focus on ways to train that are motivating for the dog. Are you actively doing anything to change the way people train their dogs at a club level? Sorry to go Off topic but you what dog people are like.

Can I add to the order? I off to check out what an I squeak is.

I have no real clue but I call one of my dogs 'fear aggressive', she will lunge at unknown dogs that eye ball her or even want to be friendly, she is just so frightened of other dogs she acts tough to deter (I beleive) them. I know if let loose with them she only would air snap and then if confronted would roll on her her back and pee. It makes no difference to me, her behaviour is not acceptable and something I have to fix so I don't think it matters what it's called. Sorry not much help for your question.

Thanks for the tip, she is getting there slowly.

I would not do the stays if I failed.......reason is 'why bother'.

Ness, I'm getting narky here, my real working BC always drops as that is what good sheep dogs do.

The only thing I'm saying is I hate Sit Stays, always have and always will. Its a stay so as long as the dog holds ground it shoud not have to do them in a sit. When I watch my own dogs at home, if they are focused on something (like they focus on us in a sit stay) they always drop to get comfy for the viewing, they certainly never stare at things in a sit. I think sit stays should be outlawed.

Maybe true but if you look nice and tidy you're dogs will work that way too. I hate it when people go into the Obedience ring looking like they are dressed to go training, I know it really doesn't matter but I still feel it's wrong.

I see a lot of dogs fall apart on the figure of 8 so when I train it, I pull it apart and jackpot after the figure of 8 with a game of tug or what ever the dog loves. Now between exercises I'm still undecided, I want the dog to know it is still working so it doesn't feel ripped off by no reward but I want it to have fun. I will most likely do fun things like hand touches and spins to get to the next set up. If I can ever train my dog to do a SFE I could trial her and let you know.

I agree, as long as the dog has no medical reason why she is fussy and she is of a good weight, it's tough love. I would be even tougher and only give her ten minutes to eat. Also getting lots of exercise builds a healthy appetitie. ETA I can't type or spell.

I agree, I watched a Youtube clip of Ptolomy (maybe at the Western Classic) and she wore nice black or navy trousers with a nice blouse, It made such a nice picture, she was dressed to win. All of the Judges I have seen make an effort to look nice to judge us so I think it is a matter of respect to be well presented. This could be a flow over from my days of competing in Dressage.

First time Puppy, That is just awful that your poor dog has had so many hot spots in such a short time. You have most likely tried these things anyway. Have you tried getting him on a low protein food or getting him off commercial food. Keep him nice and trim. Don't use any additives to his food eg vitamins and the like. Try elimination diets, no red meat, no pet quality meat that contain preservatives. I hope you can get on top of them.

I thought of another, a bit obvious but not for some people. Turn your mobile phone off or better still leave it in your car.

I say stay or wait as a back up but I don't use a hand signal.

The judge.

... and the more you oblige him, the worse he will get Sorry. I don't think it's a matter of obliging them, if you saw a dog with this skin condition you would understand how sensitive and inflamed the skin gets, I will try and get a photo of my dogs feet to show you, it is quite common for dogs with white feet. We should send our dogs to live with you, your dry weather would help fix their feet. You quoted my typo.

But he would need gumboots as he has sensitive feet and doesn't like to get his feet wet.

Isn't SFE on-lead in CCD? Or did you mean get from the start peg to the start of the recall off-lead? The end of SFE, sometimes the judge will get you to remove your lead and walk towards the end of the ring to take up position for the recall.

Thought of two more that I noticed a lot of people had trouble with at the last trial. Don't remove your lead until the Judge tells you to. Make sure you can get from exercise finished after stand for exam to the start of the recall exercise off lead in CCD.

The pred tabs will make him drink more and pee more, the poor dog. My dog gets the same problem with her feet. Why don't you crate him inside at night? Do a search for crate training. At least then he will be inside but confined so can't pee in the wrong place.

Could it be that the dog hasn't learnt to work away from the reward? I think the dog is slow to respond becuase of the excitement of the toy/food reward (no hand to decide for it, it has to think about it), if more distraction training was done the dog would know how to earn the reward and not have to think so hard, just my thoughts.

I have a few. Pack your lunch and food/drinks for your dog, bring a chair. Buy and read the rule book (as someone already mentioned). Go and watch a trial, the level you're thinking about entering, even better if you can steward the ring. Make sure you're confident that your dog knows all the exercises well, don't enter on a wing and a prayer, you will be nervous and it could get ugly so you need to be confident with your training and your dog. Most important, when the Judge asks if you're ready, she/he genuinely wants to know, look at your dog and decide if you're ready, if not say NO and reset your dog. Remember, Judges want us to pass, they are on our side, make sure you have trained the work. Don't enter the dog and then train for the trial (I here that so often). And as often said, you get to take home the best dog at the trail so be happy and have a great day with your best mate and some great friends.

I asked my dog to finish around and she flip fininshed in Open and never got pinged, I don't think it matters as long as the signal is not extended. If the siganl is short, how would the Judge know what my signal was anyway?

Have the second vaccination at 12 weeks not 10, then your puppy will need another vaccine twelve months from the date of the 12 week injection.