Weasels

Actually I have a question too if I may :) When you get titles in different sports, is there an rule about the order they go in? Chronologically, alphabetically or randomly? Thanks :)

Corvus's suggestion, based on her survey was that sighthounds were "timid". When asked about what breeds were surveyed, the conclusion most got to was that it was greyhounds that were in the majority. You can count the number of non-racing greyhound litters born in this country every year on the fingers of one hand. So most of us were concerned that observations of retired racing greyhound owners (who were asked to assess their dogs with no definition of "timid") were inaccurately skewing the data an leading to an erroneous conclusion. A lot of sensible pet buyers don't want "timid" dogs. I know I wouldn't. So the implication, if the 'science' says that sighthounds are timid is that folk won't consider owning one. It's a common perception based on ignorance and it's wrong. Just like a lot of common misconceptions about breeds that could be explored and exploded with good science. And BSL is a subject begging for such focus. 'K, thanks :) Although part of me wonders whether potential owners who will believe a whole breed group all share one negative personality trait really deserve such beautiful dogs anyway

Thanks :) I was looking at it and thinking if you ever wanted to have a whole lot of title options from just the one sport, herding is up there (along with agility/jumping once you add in gamblers, pairs etc.) :laugh:

That's the exact opposite of how I read it, that providing too much information would have been leading and manipulating people, so she deliberately left it open so people could provide their own POV without being 'lead'? IDK. Sorry if I'm having a bad case of Sunday-brain, but what were the implications/fallout for sighthound breeders and fanciers? It's not a world I know so I'm not putting the pieces together I'm afraid

Agreed! :laugh: They need a lot of work! Teenage kelpies in the suburbs with 2 humans who both work full time - I often try to make things more complicated just to keep them occupied!

they make more sense in context, they are often different cues for each dog and apply to different situations, e.g. "have a rest" means I'm not going to throw the ball again, but "that's all, off you go" means I'm not going to give any more treats so you don't need to keep doing obnoxious heelwork :laugh: The walk/steady commands are specifically for herding - releasing from a down-stay , but don't go charging off right up into a sheep's butt! The "go!" generally means I am about to throw a ball, but I have found it to be a life-saver for getting my smaller dog away from a rude/agressive dog at the park

Definitely! "stop" is the cue I think I use most in herding :) Especially in getting the flanks right. When I'm training it "dry" (without stock) I use a ball because they get into that same 'crazy eyes' mode as when they are herding :D

To be honest it's just been easier for me to learn to give a thumbs up to the trainer instead :laugh: It's most often a problem in herding, when I don't want the dog near me but at a specific spot in relation to the sheep. But adding a body cue could work tho, thanks! :) -- I have a lot of different release cues like MRB - "go sniff", "that's all", "off you go" and "have a rest" are variations on "no more treats/play to be had here, go be a dog". I have variable speed cues too, so "go!" means run like hell, "walk"/"steady" mean release into a stalking-type walk (a different cue for each dog) but "OK" is the all purpose one :) I have different recall-type cues too :) "come away" just means turn away from it, "come on buddy" or a clicking sound just means keep up/change direction with me, "come in" means run all the way to me and touch your nose to my hand and so forth!

I use OK as a release, but if I could go back I'd use something different! Often I have my dogs in a down-stay while I am listening to a trainer, then when they finish talking I say "OK" without thinking and my dog goes zooming off I would recommend usuing something you are less likely to say in everyday conversation :)

Even better - I just got a weekend project! :laugh:

It's awesome though, just keep training and soon you will have her doing basic household chores!

It sounds like she has done amazing in a few days, I'm sure she'll get it! I was going to suggest 'capturing' if you were using a clicker: when she gets up from lying down or a sit naturally, you could click and treat and then add the cue "stand" until she associates "stand" with the behaviour. It can be slower though, I find luring to be much quicker :) On a side note, some people look down on luring because they think it doesn't teach the dog to think as much as shaping but I find, with my kelps, they so desparately want to know what you want and want to do it, the luring is the shortest path to communication :) I'm not a big fan of checks on motivated keen dogs, because: a) kelpies are "soft" dogs, they will quite happily shut down if they think you are being unfair or inconsistent and b) they are such good dogs at working at a distance, training with a check and lead seems so limited! Once you can "down", "walk/steady", "left", "right" etc. your dogs from across a paddock or oval, training with a check collar makes no sense! :) LOVE red and tans! looking forward to more pics :) Edit - sorry I didn't mean to come across as anti-shaping above, I use it a lot! But more for multi-element behaviours like putting away toys or closing the fridge. For the simpler behaviours I'm a luring fan :)

*ahem* also Jozlyn, feel free to add many many pics of your girl to the kelpie thread at any time :D

Can you lure her back up by holding the food by her nose and pulling it diagonally up & back towards you? Are you using a clicker? :)

Each of my kelps fit happily in a 36" crate, one is a little 19kg pocket rocket (looks smaller tho, she's all muscle ) and the other a long-bodied & leggy 23kg boy so the sizing you've chosen sounds good :)

I always figure as long as I'm being accused of bias by people from both sides of an argument equally I'm doing OK.

:laugh: one of our names for Chess is LBD - Little Brown Dog :D To add to Tollersowned's list: Herding Certificates are given as a pass or a fail, and at least HIC and PT must be passed to enter competition: HIC - Herding Instinct Certificate (dog must show sustained interest in stock and do a small recall) HT - Herding Test PT - Pre-trial Test Competition titles always start with "H", then you have the level, then the course layout, then the stock type, so.... Level: S - started I - intermediate X - Advanced Layout: A - A-course (fenced course) B - B-course (unfenced course) C - C-course (over the hills and far away...) Stock: s - sheep d - ducks c - cattle H.CH (Herding Champion) - From DogsNSW - "A Herding Champion is a dog that has its Advanced title on two different types of stock and has earned 15 championship points on each of those stock- with a minimum of a first place in each." E.g. - HIAs is an Intermediate title on A-course sheep :)

Sorry I can't answer your question, but I just had a 'small world' moment :) I was thinking about Dr Mark Reeve's father, Dr Phil Reeve, only yesterday - he kindly cared for my first dog Ziggy for her 13 years through desexing, snakebites, mange and up until the end :) Sorry to OT , I hope the class is good

Be that as it may, there are plenty of people that want dogs in as few public places as possible, and this woman is giving them ammunition IMO Edit: snap twodoggies :)

Not all dog parks are created equal. One near us has a separate section for little dogs and bigger dogs (although I wouldn't take my dogs there in the evenings, apparently it is OK during the day). And areas that aren't fully fenced, like sporting ovals that are turned over to dogs when not in use, have been pretty good in my experience. Even if there is a worrying dog, there is plenty of room to get away.

I think reactivity, fear and agression are a lot more complicated than is being suggested in the OP. Also, there are a whole lot of exercise options between keeping a dog in a backyard and letting them run offleash with unknown dogs. ETA: Incidentally, I had a dog growing up who only ever saw one other dog after she'd left her litter, and that was my grandmother's JRT (who she tolerated fine). Socialisation wasn't important for her because she had acres to run happily in, sheep to get off the fence, mice to chase out of the hay and horses to bring in. I don't think she was missing out on anything :)

Have you considered herding too? :D Also lots of fun!

Sometimes people get fooled by Corgis' small size and fluffiness, but they're cattle herding dogs! Put one up against an angry cow and you can see how tough and scrappy they really are

I was so excited that Zac got his PT and I remembered writing somewhere that a PT was a maybe, and he did it by August. Ducks... I cant wait to try them but it must be so nerve racking they are so fragile! Well done on your PT and HSAs both! very exciting :D The ducks can be a bit worrying but not just from the dogs - I've almost tripped over them a couple of times! Plenty of them give as good as they get though, Weez has been pecked at least twice

Huge congrats Piper, sounds like a great weekend all up :)