Kavik

I am still battling nerves to handle my dog well It is a distracting environment for the handlers too!

An obedience or agility competition is a highly distracting environment that is very different to that of a training ground. LOTS more people and dogs, food, smells, PA systems, plus it is all day and during the day (and a lot of training is done in the evening). Though some trials are bigger/smaller than others. So I think a dog that gets stressed or very distracted in a busy environment is going to find it more difficult to work well in a competition environment. And dogs with aggression issues will be difficult to compete with due to the number of people. Plus handler nerves and stress effect dogs as well. So no I don't think all dogs will enjoy competing. Some dogs are very placid and laid back and not interested in the precision and/or speed required for competition, while others don't have a stable enough temperament/good enough nerves to deal with the crowds and distractions, or may be aggressive towards dogs or people. That does not mean those dogs are bad, just that they are not ideal for competition.

I tend to jinx myself when I video it, so haven't videod my runs in a while

Thanks guys It was a big trial and very distracting atmosphere, so I am glad we had a good AD run. By JDO I think neither of us was really paying as much attention as we should have Well done Agility Dogs with Xena's mojo! And TerraNik on the Ets

We got our first ANKC Novice Agility qually today and 3rd place in quite a busy trial so we went well. Unfortunately Kaos got distracted in Novice Jumping (decided to visit some little kids that were next to the ring and give kisses ) and didn't quite snap out of it properly for Open Jumping.

Which way do you have the crate facing? I had mine in the direction door - door. Crate is the easiest way if they are panicking about the harness. Kaos used to panic in the harness (didn't bite though) and the crate was easier but he got used to it after short trips and necessity after my son was born (crate and carseat don't both fit!).

Pushy behaviour towards me is barking (Zoe and Kaos) - if they think I am taking too long to do something with them or when waiting in line at agility Sometimes Kaos will jump on me as pushy behaviour too. I just ignore it - they are still quieter than a lot of dogs at agility and nowhere near the levels you see in flyball Diesel can be pushy about coming in the door to the house. If he tries to barge in when I don't want him to, I just close the door in his face and make him wait til he is polite about it.

PAX on this forum I am picky about where I send my dogs as one is dog aggro, one has allergies and I compete with one - and PAX is great

It can take some time to get them used to the idea of fetch. I wouldn't rule it out just yet Try to make the ball exciting when you play with it, you can bounce it and move like you are pretending to play basketball with it. To get her to bring it back, you can attach a lead to her and encourage her in and reward with a treat like when teaching a recall.

I've taught all of mine to get off furniture by using treats and haven't encountered them getting on it on purpose to get told to get off You could start by teaching the off command on something less valuable at first if you want (off a step outside or something) to give them the idea but I've never had a problem.

Unfortunately I am pretty sure that it is chewing himself bald on his flank that has worn my GSD's teeth down Not anything as exciting as bricks!

As wuffles suggested, make sure there is an alternative bed for her to lie on. Have you tried luring off the couch with a treat in conjunction with your command OFF? And then reward for being on her own bed. Often helps to teach going to their own bed on command as well. This can be done a number of ways, you can lure and treat when on her own bed or clicker train it. Beagles are normally quite food motivated. ETA: my parents had a rescue Beagle for a while who was very naughty. If you tried to physically take him off the couch he would bite you! If you think she may do this (even if only because she is sore from desexing) I would avoid physically taking her off the couch and either lure with food or attach a lead so you can get her off from a distance.

I would say that Lab puppies and a landscaped garden is pretty incompatible Is there an area you can fence off for Lucy to be in during the day that you don't mind having her landscape herself?

As he is a rescue, you will never really know what his parents were like. In the end, it doesn't really matter - what matters is the dog in front of you He sounds like he has landed on his feet - I am sure he will enjoy the walks, games and training Any pics of the lucky boy?

Kaos likes ones with real fur the best :D 2 handled woolly tug from Clean Run is his favourite http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...mp;ParentCat=29 He also likes the raccoon tail and plaited fleece tugs, have yet to try out the tiger tail tug but I think he will like it as well. I also have some Skineez and he likes those - I am keeping those and the raccoon tail for tugging in new locations as they are exciting and new for him

Just wondering if any of the trainers you are refering to actually own a koolie or koolie x...... Koolies are one person/family dogs and won't 'work' for just anyone.. they if being nagged will not 'work' and if the point is pushed too hard then yes they will SEEM timid.... I had a trainer ask to use one of my koolies to demonstrate something... I did say to her that she would not listen but said its fine she will, she handed her back to me saying why would you buy a stupid dog like that,funny thing was as soon as she gave her back I did the demonstraion for the trainer with her. I also disagree with a koolie being too much for a child to handle,once taught to walk nicely on a lead thats what they do... my 4yr old daughter walks one of my koolies everyday on the way to preschool by herself while I take the other 3 dogs.I obviously would not let her walk the dogs by herself,I assume the kids will have an adult with them when walking the dog. here is a quote to show you what I mean. "There are times when an uninitiated dog owner or a new enthusiast mistakes the Koolie as a shy, reserved or even a timid animal. The Koolies temperament needs to be understood in proper context when one seeks an optimal match of skills and demeanor. The Koolies are intelligent animals and most experienced handlers know well that they need guidance instead of merely being pushed and given praise instead of assigning blame. A steady and supportive approach will be productive, proving the Koolies adaptability in diverse situations when given time." QUOTE is from here. Actually, all the people I talked to own Koolies, that is why I was talking to them about Koolies I actually really like them which is why I was doing so much research on them. I have seen some fantastic ones, but the people I talked to said that there is not a lot of consistency in temperament within the breed.

The people who I have talked to about Koolies are very good trainers, and do compete with their dogs. I was looking into Koolies as a potential next agility dog. Genetics has a lot to do with drive/nerves/timidity etc. While training and socialisation can do some, it still cannot alter the genetic tendency of the animal. I also think Koolies may be too much for a child to handle. They are a herding breed as are Kelpies and Border Collies, and while they can be great family dogs, I think they are too much dog for a child to handle. If the children are going to be actually walking the dog, then I would go a smaller breed that is more easily handled. Maybe a terrier?

I think something like a Cocker Spaniel might suit if they like hair or maybe a Staffy? if they prefer short hair. Some of the terriers might also suit. From what I've seen of Koolies (and talked to lots of people that have them at agility) they seem to be quite variable in temperament and timidity/poor nerves can be an issue.

These ones are long and woolly http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...;Product_ID=291 http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...;Product_ID=640

They like furry or fluffy ones Have you looked at Cleanrun? Sooo many cool ones to choose from I have several http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...;category_ID=29

Had good tugging sessions today. This morning he was keen and tugged in front yard and near front gate. This afternoon, tugged in backyard. Something in the backyard is distracting the dogs and making them bark (not sure what) - Kaos got distracted from tug, but after a few minutes I was able to get him tugging again! Most of the time, once I lose his attention, I can't get him tugging again. So this was a good step I used a short tug on a string this afternoon and whizzed it around.

Thanks for the tip Vickie, might give it a go

Have you done any focus work to get his attention on you? I find clicker training very useful in this situation. I found the book Click To Calm: Healing the Aggressive Dog very useful, even if your dog is not aggressive, it works just as well for excitement. If you click/treat for attention on you, and once this is established at home, take it on the road. Maybe start with the other dogs a distance away (across the road maybe) so you don't have to worry about what the other dog is doing and can concentrate on yours. Then let the dog look at the other dog and wait it out and when he looks at you click/treat. Gradually you can do this with the dogs closer (maybe pull into a driveway or go to the edge of the footpath at first when on your side of the road). You should find that after some practice he should look at another dog then look back at you quickly for his click/treat and you now have his attention around other dogs

I think it is a combination of nerve thing (not comfortable enough to express it in new location) and that I'm not good at tugging and my nervousness rubs off on him.

He actually does really enjoy tugging, when we are both comfortable and happy about it It is great to watch his excitement and keenness for it, and he is quick too and will get it sometimes when I try to take it if I am not quick enough. At the moment he works the best when out for a thrown squeaky toy (Ruffians) Tugging would be really useful as a reward because: 1) I could reward close work with a toy/game instead of only food (more options) 2) I could reward with a toy/game right away after a run in agility. At the moment, he gets a treat and then we go off and find a spot where I can throw his toy. 3) I could make use of ADAAs not for competition runs where you have standard course time and you can reward in the ring. You can only reward with a tug (no food in the ring and the toy can't leave your hand). 4) as I am reasonably sure it is a confidence/stress/self conscious issue on both our parts rather than a drive issue (I am confident he has plenty of prey drive) if I could get him tugging it would show that I am feeling more confident and comfortable and that our relationship/trust is better