ness

Well thanks for the thoughts on the issue everybody. Ness is booked in for 10:30 Monday morning. We shall see what comes of it hopefully everything is 100% fine.

Funny you mention that Erny. Hmm part of my skepticism is that when I was about 12 so quite a while ago now mum was seeing a chiro for something and as part of it they had a "family" event. They were trying to say I'd have huge problems by the time I was like 16-17 (now nearly 26 and never suffered anything untoward). Mum figured it was a huge money making scheme for them and they would find a problem just for the sake of it. Not saying the dog world is any different but you can get some of my reluctance over the matter.

Hey guys, Interesting poll - so far all the people who have responded positively about regular visits have posted. Interested in the "other opinions" to. So those that only go for injury and the reason why they don't go more often.

Hey, I found that it helps having the dog learn to back up first. That seems to prevent some of the forward movement. Ness will do foldback drops which also helps as there weight is then in the correct position for them to unfold into a stand without moving.

Thanks poodlefan - interesting. Can you tell I am a bit of skeptic (or overly worried) and didn't want to seem like a complete fool if there was nothing the matter.

Nope Pax not the answer I was hoping for besides hmm your married to a vet so I think that probably skews the answer .

Just curious as to whether people who complete in performance activities of any form (herding/flyball/agility/obedience/tracking/ lure coursing) take their dogs to chiros or similar and under what circumstances. So for example would you take your dog just for a routine check up regardless of any visible injury just to make sure all is ok or only when there is a definite suspicion of injury (dog limping or obviously sore). Would any decision also be age dependant so while you might not frequently take a youngster as the dog was reaching the upper end of competition age - or as our obedience club would consider for there trials veterans (7 years or older) would you consider it of more importance.

Hey Laffi and leopuppy, For what its worth my instructor when I was training at the Rotti club recommended the Idiots Guide to Positive training as well worth getting. She mentioned it on several occasions to me - they were private lessons before classes actually started since I was after some open work rather than the classes which were only structured through to novice. She is one of the tutors on the delta CGC course and even given what she knew of my background in positives she still recommended it. So there you go my opinion for what its worth. I love Morgan Spector :D .

Hey JP just have patience - I should know I needed it .

Hi, My thoughts (not much to add from what Piper has already mentioned). I got a crate when my adult BC was around 4. I just left it open and she eventually took up residence in it along with a few treats. While she isn't great in it she will settle sort of. She now by choice sleeps in it of an evening rather than on the bed where she is more than welcome. She isn't properly crate trained but didn't seel to suffer to many ill effects from our trip to Perth when she flew it in last year. She wasn't to tramatised and happily hoped back into it for the return trip 3 weeks later (and slept in it while we were there). I would recommend a vari kennel (plastic airline crate) over the wire ones as I feel it offers the dogs a better form of protection when flying compared to the wire ones. Not cheap but I found the cheapest place in SA was from the canine shop at SACA park. Certainly for the larger ones they had the best price by obviously you wouldn't need a huge one.

That clip is actually Ness training for UD. Here are a few links for the change of positions exercise from the last 4 trials we have entered. That is an Open change of positions with a drop, sit, come, finish with both verbal and signal. There is another one up there which she goofed because I tried to do it as a signals only version since she had already failed another exercise but she missed the drop.

LOL Harminee - run out of DOL photos to do. Hmm sure I can find some.

Hmm actually i use front on my recalls and in open for a DOR the first command is come the second comand after the drop is front.

DD you should be VERY afraid that you will learning not just something but LOTS of things from Gina that will benefit you in the ring .

Yah nearly got me to Geelong for Gina's seminar but hmm we have other plans for that .

So when are you all going to come visit me .

Tapferhund I had to use a clicker - Ness show zero interest in retrieving anything. Now she will happily retrieve whatever I want and I have without question very good realibility on my retrieves - hmm so it can't be done hey .

Yep no doubt your right Mel sure to be lot of people who have trained it and can help out .

Well tapferhund I refute that your dog will be 100% more reliable than any dog taught using a clicker than using a forced retrieve. I had retrieving issues for a long time (due to the fact I didn't raise my criteria fast enough) having said that though her retrieves in trials have been brilliant and they were all taught using positives with no force. Very good scores and if fact she got a perfect score for her retrieve on the flat at the last trial. Oh and just for the record when we then went to do scent discrimination for UD where the dog has to retrieve metal she had zero problems when I did a "quick and dirty" version of a shaped retrieve. I also had her retrieving staplers when I accidently stuck those out as supposedly unretrievable objects in my scent work. I can shape her to retrieve anything physically possible now in a matter of 30 seconds or so. She will fetch an ackward brass key for me through her dog door even all taught in the course of 1 evening. So positive training does work and can certainly result in a reliable retrieve which is far superior to the forced retrieve cos the dog actually wants to retrieve it. . Sorry Jules P didn't really answer your question I promise to get back to you tomorrow when I have more time and aren't half asleep but couldn't let Tapferhund's comment go uncommented upon.

LOL - yep its all you that needs work . I have a thing about using the outer hand to give the stand signal. I prefer the hand closest to the dog just looks a bit neater. I use the hand furthest for a drop but with a stand all you really need is quite a small signal and by giving it with the hand closest to the dog you aren't having to twist your shoulders or anything. Yep I was going to say turns (but then I know all about needing to work on those) as mine are dreadful. The other thing it looks like on the video is that the dog is forging a bit. While thats great in itself I have been told its possible to get enthusiastic heelwork in the correct position so possibly you need to refine it a fraction to bring the dog further back. The way I do it is to reward down close to your leg in the exact spot you want the dog to be. If they are to far forward they obviously miss there treat and therefore move back to get it. Not sure if that makes sense or not. Overall though I loved the enthusiasm so from that point of view you get full marks from me. Nothing nicer then a dog enjoying there heelwork. Oh one more thing I think you possibly stop to abruptly on your halts. If you slow down just before a halt it gives the dog a much better chance of getting the position (not that the dog is missing any) and a neater peformance.

Very enthusiastic doggy!!! Not sure if you want criticism or not sing out if you do. Not all bad though you have the hard work done the dog seems to enjoy himself immensly.

Hmm wouldn't put it past her clicking mad she is pyscho about food. Having said that your more likely to get her to jump off a cliff into water if you threw a stick .

Well on clicking mad's description Ness would be considered a high drive not a low drive dog . OMG she would do anything for just 1 little bit of food. She would probably jump off a cliff if you asked for it.

ROFL 2tollers pick the odd one out in that mini DOL meet photo .

I guess my answer to that would be if she arrived on the doorstep as an 8 week old puppy what would I be looking for in an 8 week old puppy that would give me some indication of future potential in sports like obedience or agility (as just two examples but they could be replaced by anything one could dream up to do with the dog - herding if you wanted that as your chosen activity). Don't get me wrong I am not being critical of the dog I have just curious for future reference.