Pugsley1

"I find it a bit disappointing that Rising Star results with less than 250 dogs entered will be halved. This means every show in the NT. Just because the numbers don't turn up, doesn't mean the quality isn't there and any less worthy of reward." I must say that I agree with Paptacular... in the NT ALL our shows are under 250exhibits, so that means that all our wins will be halved!! Don't see how that is really fair just because we don't have numbers up here Love the other changes though... just think that we up here in NT(and other smaller areas around the country) seem to be penalised for not living in the 'Big Smoke' Sorry for the whinge Troy I think you have done a great job with the Pointscore and understand you can’t please all, but for us up here it is a huge blow... we already struggle to keep up with the rest because of our numbers... Thanks

Hi Guys Looking to buy some Cindra Product but so far can only find some in the US.... does anyone know if there is any in Australia??? Thanks

I am about to try and teach weavers as well.... so thanks for the training ideas. What do you guys use as weavers in your back yards??? is there something that is easy to put up/put down???Is there such thing as home made weavers?? Thanks any one..... (brand new agility person if you can't tell :D)

There are many ways to teach weaving that are successful. One that is growing in popularity and being talked about here a lot is Susan Garrett's 2 x 2 method. To do this one, your dog needs plenty of drive (preferably for toys and tug in particular) and a good history of shaping. As a handler you need to be proficient in shaping to get the most out of this method. She has a great DVD out which outlines the steps to train this method, which I suggest you watch if you plan on training this method as it can be a bit confusing otherwise. Some other methods include: Slanted pole/V-weaves - slanting the poles at an angle to make it easier and you slowly straighten them up as the dog gets the idea and learns the weaving motion Channel method - offset the poles so that they create a channel for the dog to run through the middle of, slowly close the channel as the dog gets the idea and learns the weaving motion Use of guides/physical barriers 3 poles to teach entries Thanks Kavik and to Agility Dogs for your help. I must admit I have been trying the 'Barrier' way and she was doing it so quick and easy...but the minute I moved the barrier the slightest bit, it was confussion all round - She seems to notice the slightest changes I will maybe try the V-Weaves :D and see how that goes. Yes Agility Dogs your right about the clicker thing - thats what I was thinking - if one click is one reward how do you use this for weaving??? You can't! How long roughly would you say it takes to learn weavers? (I do understand each dog is deffierent - just after a ball park figure to aim for - mainly to know if I am rushing her or not) Thanks guys.

Hi I am a first time Agility person with a Kelpie. Starting to do Clicker Training with my girl.... and also am trying to teach weavers. I see a RubyStar has had luck :D with wavers - Well Done!! Can you all let me know what method is best to teach weavers???? and how long should I expect it to take???? Also if I am going to use a clicker, I am assuming that I don't click each pole... so is it worth using the clicker?? or just use my voice for the correct poles whilst learning, then use the clicker when she's got the idea?? Interested in your opinions. Thanks

Hi Kelpie People Some assistance if you can???? I have a Black and Tan Kelpie bitch that I got a month ago from the RSPCA as I wanted an agility dog.... this is the first Kelpie i have had. I have show dogs as well - Pugs and Saluki. Question for you all, if you are able to assist me would be great. Sam (Kelpie) is already very possessive of me... so she follows me everywhere - great dog, but the problem I am having at the moment is that she will block (by standing between) me and the other dogs, and she seems to be worse with my boy Pug (I am sure she knows that he is the one that has always been "Mummy's Boy" ) She is best buddy’s with my girl Pug who is around the same age as Sam (1yr) which is great... but she seems to think that when the other dogs are playing (without her), that there is a problem and she will go in and stop the fun. (i think she thinks they are fighting???) Has anyone got any ideas on how to teach her that she is just as important as the others (she is inside just as much as anyone else) but they can get attention without her being involved sometimes?? and that the others can play together, it is alright?? Sam was a scared, skinny little thing when I bought her home from the RSPCA , but she has come so far in only a month…it is great… even her coat is better already (after it fell out everywhere - Vac got good use during that time). I can only assume that her digging issues is was why someone dumped her, as she is a great dog – love her to bits - Just need to try and understand her better. Thanks guys

Hi Was just wondering if anyone could help me.... I haven't used Photoshop before (just dabbled trying to work it out) What is the easiest way to cut out a dog with a garden in the background (dog is a Pug so dark and light colours) and then I want to put the dog in a different background.... is this possible and has anyone got any docs/manual... or anything that I can follow as that may help me?? I have used the magic wand but it doesn't pick up everything as he is all different colours (dark/light) and I have tried the green line thing, but it keeps fading his outline too much??? :D I am sure it is just me.... as everyone else seems to know what they are doing Many thanks to anyone that can help

Hi Thanks for all your help and suggestions so far.... I tried a tug last night with Sam and she looks like she would like to learn how to play tug so we will keep working on this, as she prefers to play than eat.... we may be able to use that as a reward in the future??? Last night I gave her heaps of room and she did a wonderful job at jumps and weavers I was also throwing her treat at her to catch and she seemed to enjoy that reward better than me feeding her by hand, hence I was thinking......should I maybe start clicker training her so that it is instant approval of action but I can reward later by throwing food, toy etc??? what do you guys think???? I am reasonably new to clicker training, but have heard good things.... do any of you guys use this method and if so what are your tips.... Thanks again

Thanks guys, i will try some different foods and her squeaky ball. I have tried Smackoos and diferent meats.... but she isn't a guts, so makes it a bit hard. She doesn't play Tug as she lets go of what ever she has as soon as i touch it. (she has a very soft mouth when it comes to toys etc.) Is it ok to throw a ball at the end of an exercise?? or is that teaching her to break from consentration?? have used food treats for tricks like Shake/ High 5/ Stick 'em up etc but see that is in front of me so it is when i need her to the side of me when we have an issue......mmmmmm.... I will go and have a look at that other tread that was recomended. Thanks heaps P.S. - what method do you guys use for Weavers???

Hi guys I am new to all this Agility stuff, so hopefully you can help a bit?? I have just adopted (4 weeks ago) a black and tan Kelpie bitch from the RSPCA and she is about 1year old. She is learning all tricks and comands very quick and very well , although...... I have just started jumps and weavers with her.... but she seems to be not to impressed with food rewards (she wants it but would really take it of leave it) so i am interested in what some other people find good to use as a reward? The other issue i have which i think is probably a Kelpie thing...... is that she likes to work at a distance of about 1 - 2 mtrs away from me.... which is making it hard to get her to learn how to jump jumps, as if i get to close, she gos wide and misses the second jump??? She is a sweet little thing that likes her cuddles, but when playing or working she likes her distance. (even returning a fetched ball, she will drop it for me about 1mtr in front of me and wait for me to throw it again) Any suggestions would be greatly appriciated. Thanks