Kavik

I wouldn't feel comfortable sleeping a new baby and dog in the same room especially if dog is on the bed. You have to carefully supervise dog and baby interactions, it is hard to do this in the middle of the night when you do a feed and you are so tired. My dogs sleep in their crates, are allowed in with interaction with toddler under supervision. If not supervised, dogs are in crates or outside.

I am finding that I am using shaping and targetting more and more and luring less. The dogs seem to retain the training better, and offer it quickly and enthusiastically. Some things are easier to lure and as mentioned make a transition to a hand signal very easy (such as spin and drop). I agree with the others, you have to fade the lure (and hand signal if you want voice only) and let them offer the behaviour at some point or they never really learn it.

Lots of talk of 'building value' 'reinforcement line' and 'placement of reinforcement' here from SG

How was being the decoy? Those suits are HEAVY (I have helped people get in and out of them)! I have only worn an arm before.

I agree with ness too. The majority of pet owners would want a dog with a rock solid temperament and social with other dogs etc. For dog sports, considering the breeds/types I like, I would be willing to take a dog that would not like crowded dog parks/dogs in its face, but not one that is going to go off its tree at all other dogs. Since I would want a dog that would suit sports, high drive, biddable, keen etc I could work with the dog not having 'manners'.

Well your dogs are HUGE not sure about the rest :D

Definitely get influenced by others - I get to train and pick the brains of lots of great trainers and handlers Getting to train with Vickie, Casima, Canine Fun Sports among others is great and I get diverse opinions and methods. I have not yet had the pleasure of training with PAX, maybe I should give it a try :D

From what I have heard Kerries are not generally good dog park candidates as they can be fiesty towards other dogs, so if that is a requirement I would go with the Poodle instead. You can clip a Poodle in many different ways and there are many looks you can choose from :D

Let me know if they are on again sometime Sound like perhaps too much dog for me but I would love to see them in action.

Here's an example of flatwork foundation work for rear crosses

Ooh where did you see them MonElite? I haven't met one yet and I would like to Though if bigger than a Malinois probably too big for me, doesn't stop me wanting to see one!

I have been to an IPO club to look around and did a couple of sessions. Very different layout to obedience classes - one dog worked at a time. They are a very nice bunch of people, very helpful and accepting even though my GSD is low drive and non pedigreed I don't go anymore because I have decided not to trial Diesel as he is not interested in competing. I saw one of the members briefly at the agility trial on the weekend, he was walking through on a break from obedience trialling. Lovely guy with great dogs

There is some work you can do on the flat. You can put your dog in a sit and move back so you are behind them and a bit to the side. Then start walking so that you cross their 'line'. When they turn their head around to see you on the other side release and reward. (not sure if I've explained that well. Much easier by demonstration )

I am making a ramp to for contact training. I got a piece of plywood, thickest they have (17mm?) 1200mm long and 600mm wide. Going to get it cut into 300mm width. I also bought a table from IKEA for around $25. I got outdoor low sheen paint and builder's sand/cement sand? Added the sand to the paint. Have painted table and smaller contact board that I found on side of road (corkboard). Now just need to paint bigger board. Then I will rest board on the table so I can practice independent contact position with speed.

Thanks Vickie He was a good boy, just need to work on STS as that seems to have disappeared The RQH run felt a bit out of control - we took at least one extra jump and missed a couple of others :D but I was really happy with his weaves and his finish. The novice run was more focussed and he didn't run off - we managed 5th place. I wish I had seen Trim's run - missed that somehow, not sure how as I only had two runs at the end of the night.

We got our first ANKC Novice Jumping quallie last night too :D Really need to work on our STS, but once we got going it felt really good. Kaos is a good boy! We also entered RQH Jumping as an extra run for practice. I'm sure that one was entertaining to watch for others - he weaved well and ran happy but was a rather interesting run.

Kaos can be a bit strong willed - I remember getting him home and going a few times when he was a puppy and he has given me the finger a couple of times at agility comps (refusing to sit for his sts). But he is SO much fun to train! Very keen, loves to work, good drive for food and toys (he loves his squeaky toy that I throw for him. I can't get him to tug out of the yard, but I think more my problem/my technique than his). And a much more solid temperament than Zoe who I got from the pound.

Yep Inside and outside circles on both right and left side. I find inside circles much more difficult!

I'm also interested in hearing about Koolies However I do happen to own an Avenpart Kelpie as well and he is great and very tempting to get another one

There is a lot you can do at home in preparation for agility There is flatwork with no obstacles: Circle work/shadow handling foundation work for rear crosses send aways (send to toys/food, and then send and throw reward once they are moving) brush up on your shaping - nose touch to hand is very useful Decide on what contact behaviour you would like - you can do the foundation work for that at home. You can teach touching a target (nose or paw) for a static 2on2off behaviour, and then add that to stairs or a small plank One DVD I found very useful is Susan Garrett's Success With One Jump - lot of exercises you can do with one or no jumps. Edit: Also Hind End Awareness exercises - walking through a ladder or the Elephant trick where they pivot on a block.

Mals are on my 'to own one day' list too Looking on Youtube there are several great runs by Malinois on there.

Great run nikivds I think I may have seen you at PICSI? I have the rather large black and tan Kelpie

From what I've seen the DogLogic classes expect the pups to lie quietly on a mat for quite a while.

Run Free Buddy

I am so sorry RIP Buddy