Kavik

I was doing some training with Nitro - drop on a mat and go from the crate to the mat. At the end of the session, he grabbed the mat and did zoomies with it around the yard :laugh: cheeky little bugger!

One thing I found to be a godsend if I got stuck on a walk with another dog coming (with a reactive dog) is pulling into a driveway to give yourself space if you can't cross the road. As others have suggested, I would try LAT as well.

Some breeds are more expensive than others, for sure. I'm looking at a different breed to those I currently have, and puppy price is likely to be double what I paid for Nitro.

* Importing dogs and semen * working or competing in sports (or conformation for those that buy conformation lines) to evaluate their worthiness to breed * choose suitable compatible partners * care and upkeep of the dogs * health testing * stud fees All add up to a lot of money!

I stayed with Zoe, she is the first one I have had to do, my previous dog was the family dog that stayed with my parents when I moved out of home. It was sad and very difficult, but I'm glad I stayed and I plan to be there for the others too when it is their time. But I understand that some can't cope with the process, and I don't judge them.

I have both dogs and kids, they are different :) My dogs and training are my hobby and my passion and my 'me time' away from the kids :D

Yes! Kaos is red, and Nitro is blue. Though I have won a couple of tug leads and now have an extra red set and a green set now too, with martingales to match :laugh:

I go early morning or late evening if it is going to be hot. Those 40 degree days, if it doesn't cool down, may just do inside training instead, depends on how everyone is feeling. The Kelpies are pretty good in the heat, but we don't go too far or fast on those hot days. Diesel doesn't like the heat though, so may stay home on hot days, especially as he is nearing 12 now.

I don't do much with Diesel :laugh: He just mostly potters around and goes for a walk. He is nearly 12 now but he is the lowest drive dog I have owned, even when he was younger he didn't require or want to do the amount of training that the Kelpies do.

But what if they don't have a job to do? I know that an off switch must be trained to some degree in most dogs. Can they be happy without significant mental stimulation or "work"? All dogs needs mental stimulation. It comes down to how intelligent the individual dog is. A smart dog will require more. (Regardless of breed) But there's stimulation, playing a game of hide and seek etc and there are dogs who have centuries of drive to work behind them that need that harnessed in some way. For example mine get mental stimulation from a Kong or a milk carton full of treats in the morning combined with a nice big walk in the afternoon and maybe a swim, they're pretty simple creatures and I'd tick that box and say they get enough stimulation for them each day, whereas if I owned an LGD or a really driven Collie I'd be failing them pretty hard with just that in a lot of cases. I don't have a job for a collie, or right now the time or energy to simulate that work. Long story short I'm thinking mental stimulation and work are two different things. You can fulfill one and fail the other. I think what workcocker means is that the mental stimulation needed depends on the dog - more intelligent and driven dogs will need more. My Kelpies get a couple of short training sessions (tug + relationship building + agility and/or body awareness) as well as a walk a day (which includes another short training session when we get to the park), agility training classes once a week, agility competitions once or twice a month.

Not sure what the outcome is yet, haven't had a chance to talk to many people about it lately, been very wet and training cancelled or not many people there. AGM is coming up in a couple of weeks, and I am sure this will come up then.

They're in kiama. I keep hearing different opinions of the working spaniels! A few have said that ESS are full on, working dogs only. But I've also heard cockers are more busy and less focussed, so it's hard to know! In terms of size and "look" they're spot on. It's just the high drive and no off switch that worries me. I'd actually quite like one for agility but they aren't interested in doing any of that so 80% of the time the dog wouldn't get much "work". I'm also quite tempted for one for agility!

Not sure that the Spaniels count as easy care coat? Though I haven't yet met a working Cocker (would love to! I think they sound awesome!) so I don't know what their coat is like.

These are the sturdiest ones I have used, though a bit heavier than some. Plus the price is awesome! https://www.vebopet.com.au/

If one of these is the novice dog I am thinking of it turned a few heads at he FOA last weekend. Left the ring to rush aggressively at a passing dog, someone on the sideline and also the judge. It didn't return the second day. A muzzle would not help in that situation as the intent is still there and it doesn't address the problem of why the dog is rushing at people and dogs in the first place. The dog needs behaviourist help, not just private agility lessons. Could possibly be the one you are thinking of, the BC, they were at FOA and apparently there was an incident with them while they were there on Saturday (I didn't see it so not sure what happened). They have been referred to Vickie to see if she can help them, I hope they take up the offer :)

Just mine all a bath today - and with Diesel, definitely the hair! OMG! Though I brush him at least once a week I got about a shopping bag full of hair off him after his bath!

My dogs have run off before too :) I think it is only really a massive issue if they are rushing other dogs. It was great to meet you at the Festival too RiverStar-Aura! :) I had one clear round (FCC agility), 3 x 1 fault rounds (so close!) and 2 x DQ due to off course obstacles (those tunnels are just way too tempting sometimes :laugh: )

We are thinking of introducing a test like that for our club as well. I think we need to compile a list of people to send them to, it is not overly helpful to tell them to go away and come back when they have fixed the issues, they probably have no idea of where or how to start. I've raised this point as well. I am not in a position of power at the club, just a volunteer instructor. Having been on the other side, with an aggressive dog at agility training, I understand how the handlers feel, and one is only a teenager. I decided that the club was not the right environment for Zoe, and we stopped going to club training.

One is apparently fine in obedience (on the same grounds even) but is chasing other dogs at agility. So IMO it is a movement/arousal issue. I haven't met that dog yet, they want me to meet it next week if it comes to class. The other one is leaving the equipment to rush other dogs, has rushed my dog twice. This dog is on its last chance. I have recommended it go to someone we know that specialises in the breed and is very knowledgeable for private lessons. It is a very busy club, I think it would be better suited somewhere quieter.

I agree and one has had many chances already, but I'm not the one calling the shots on this one

Probably the barking here too, Kelpies like the sound of their voice :laugh:

My agility club has had a few incidents lately, and instructors are considering asking the problem dogs to wear muzzles to class. I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for a good basket muzzle that would allow the dog to breathe easily and run and take treats through it. One dog is a Staffy and the other is a Border Collie.

The Belgians are one of the few '600 height' breeds I would consider for agility, as I really like them, but wouldn't want anything over 22/23kg max. Looks like the working lines are just too big, and not sure I want showlines.

Yeah there are Kelpies doing IPO in Europe too!

These look like they do OK :) http://highspirited.net/fi/?page_id=340〈=en