Kavik

Completely agree

That was probably me! My Kelpie X who I got from the pound as a pup is dog aggressive, and one thing I have learned from this experience is that not all dogs enjoy dog parks. From my experience, working in a dog daycare and watching interactions there, and talking to lots of other Kelpie owners, I don't think Kelpies in general are good busy dog park candidates, as they tend to like their space around other dogs.

Here are some videos to demonstrate methods channel method http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyXwInrAjK0 V or slanted poles 3 pole entry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDOtRDG6BLw 2 x 2 method I used a combination of channel, slanted poles and 3 poles. Not sure what I will use with the next dog, I am going to look at the 2 x 2 DVD and see what I think (there are a couple of steps near the beginning I don't understand yet). Otherwise will probably do similar to this time.

If you use barriers you do have to be careful how you fade them as they are a big visual cue for the dog.

I think the weave poles are the most difficult obstacle to teach dogs - not obvious to the dog at all what is required! There are many different ways to teach them. The important components are the entrance and the actual weaving with good speed. I think some methods teach understanding of the weaving process better than others. I think the Clean Run Magazine should give you a good rundown of the different methods. The methods I like the best are: V-weaves/slanted poles channel weaves 2 x 2 3 poles for teaching entrances weaving requires LOTS of repetition and patience! I would do lots of short sessions (only a couple of minutes)

Clubs are taking a break from training over summer, most go back around the start of February. Manly and Districts trains at Allan Border Oval in Mosman on a Tuesday evening or Deep Creek Reserve, Narrabeen on Thursday and Sunday mornings. http://www.northernbeachesdogtraining.com.au/times.htm

This has been a very interesting and useful thread Thank you Aidan and Cosmolo especially. I hadn't heard of this method before. My biggest difficulty when dealing with Zoe who is dog aggressive (and to a lesser degree Kaos who is not keen on bouncy dogs in his face) is to be able to progress and improve their behaviour around bouncy, playful, barking dogs once we have mastered calmer quiet dogs. I wish you guys were closer to me!

There are two main organisations: NDTF - National Dog Trainers Federation http://www.ndtf.net.au/ Delta http://www.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au/ Both I think are based in Melbourne and do run distance courses. Delta courses are positive only, NDTF shows you how to use all methods.

Books: Click to Calm: Healing the Aggressive Dog by Emma Parsons Schutzhund: Theory and Training Methods by Susan Barwig and Stewart Hilliard DVDs: Susan Garrett's Success With One Jump

The position has already been filled. Unfortunately I did not make it I have a feeling it was filled internally.

Here is a good site on Kelpie colours Be patient while the photos load http://www.hnrworkingkelpies.com/Coat_Colors.html

Hi Nathan Yes that is what I was trying to say, sometimes it is hard to be as clear when chasing a toddler

I think Australia goes by FCI as to which breeds can compete? Not sure about Black Russian Terriers, maybe? My list may not be complete, took it from a website. As from what I have heard Dutch Shepherds are now recognised here they may be able to compete too? Maybe best to contact someone from the club.

Schutzhund is trained at a club. It is NOT personal protection training, it is a sport with 3 phases, obedience, tracking, character assessment. You have to pass a basic obedience/temperament test (BH - traffic sure companion test) before you can do the rest. I think it is one of the most complex sports offered in Australia at the moment, as it is pretty much 3 disciplines in one sport! http://www.schutzhundaustralia.com/pdf/whatisschutzhund.pdf Personal protection is different, as you will want to work with defence and not just prey (Schutzhund works in prey drive) and you may not be as interested in the showy type of obedience desired for sport. Both require a lot of dediecation to training.

There are two organisations in Australia http://www.schutzhundaustralia.com/clubs.html http://www.sportdogaustralia.com/clubs/clubs.htm

Yes the dog has to be purebred and only some breeds can participate. Airedale Boxer Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael, Laekenois, Malinois, Tervueren) Dobermann German Shepherd Dog Giant Schnauzer Rottweiler

Here's mine http://www.youtube.com/user/LiaGoldie

The greyhound that trains at my club and trials does the zoomies sometimes Very entertaining to watch but must be frustrating for the owner!

There are several exercises you can do for rear end awareness. I think Terranik has a video up of one of them where you teach them to pivot around a box/phonebooks (elephant trick) Or you can walk them through a ladder, or teach them to walk backwards.

Does she have good hind end awareness? If not, maybe you could look into those exercises first. Maybe she doesn't know how to best use her back legs or that doing stuff with her back legs gets rewarded.

Just to add in the mix: We know that allowing them to chase light is bad - laser pointers, shadows, reflections - as they can get obsessed with them. And they can never catch them so can't get drive satisfaction. So how does that fit in with this chasing/catching argument? Since it seems they get more worked up because they never catch them? I think I'll put chasing birds in this category too - Zoe loves to chase birds. When she was younger I'd take her to a park where there were swallows and it was her favourite pasttime - and she never caught any.

I get nervous too and sometimes it does affect our performance. All I have done so far is enter and while the first couple may be really stressful, I have found I am less nervous now. Still make some silly mistakes due to nerves though

Those last 3 things are in the back of my mind allll the time. Me too - I managed to run into the same jump wing twice at training on Sunday

I am sure this is my problem

I have the same problem. Will tug in the back yard and in the house, am starting to get some tug in the front yard, but he won't even look at it at the park or training.