Kavik

Yeah I only want to use it at the start of a heeling pattern. Once we're off I think he might be OK, mostly worried about him being left behind at the start. I won't use it in the recall, because I know my dog recalls to his name.

What does this mean? Does it just mean you can choose whether to do about turn or pivot turn? ********* About Turns: Handlers are to execute about turns, i.e. pivot and or U turns, as they see fit during the heeling routine without penalty. ********** And you can use the dog's name at the start of the exercise to get their attention? So I can try to avoid the dreaded embarrassment if I walk off and the dog stays there :cool:

Cool, thanks. Diesel has allergies and is itchy and scratches a lot (especially when stressed or excited), and has a bald patch on his side where he chews, just checking that it wouldn't cause a problem.

What is involved in vetting?

Yeah I figure the first one is going to be shocking - should just go and get it over with Diesel is one who doesn't work well if I am nervous and acting differently, so I doubt we'll do well, but maybe it'll help me get over my nerves.

Cool thanks My main fear is that when we start off and I say heel that he will just sit there and not move

OK I am thinking of entering Diesel in an obedience trial. So at least I can say we entered one and gave it a go Now he is on associate register. I have not entered anything with DogsNSW before so have no idea where to start! Can I use the show entry forms I got with my membership or do I need another one? Where do I write obedience class entered etc?

I mainly use shaping with props/equipment to get interaction with them, mine don't randomly offer behaviours. For things like spin, crawl and roll over etc I lure.

Very cool!

I taught Diesel the retrieve shaping as well. Got stuck for a bit when he decided to throw the dumbell instead now just need to work on motivation to go out and get it. I used phone books for the rear end awareness with Kaos, stopped though because he generalised it to the plank I was using for contact work. I only lure to begin with occasionally, depends on what I am teaching, and how frustrated I get, and how determined I am to purely shape it

I have done lots of targetting, both nose and paw. I taught Zoe to put an object in a box by shaping and backchaining. I taught Kaos nose touch 2o2o contacts and 3 pole weave entry with shaping. Kaos's seesaw bang game was mostly shaping, little bit of luring at the start. ETA: also shaped Zoe's digging active response for scent detection. She likes to use her paws, and I have to be careful if asking for nose target on something on the ground for her as she will tend to paw at it.

I'm not sure what you can do with unknown dogs off lead - I would leave him at home when you cannot supervise dog to dog interactions, as you also don't know what the other dogs are like and what they will do.

I have done a little tracking and Diesel really likes it - I think because no interference from me

My main rule of thumb is that if I think my dog won't get on with the other dog, we don't meet it. This means knowing your dog and being able to read your dog and others, but is a good way to avoid problems. Your dog does not have to meet every dog it sees. If you want to improve your dog's behaviour towards other dogs, I would seek help from a trainer or behaviourist.

Great shots

I find agility much more fun and the dogs enjoy it more too. I am doing obedience with Diesel and agility with Kaos. I find it easier to focus on one sport for each dog, as the more I get into it, the more involved each sport is, and I don't think I would be able to do as in depth training on both for the one dog. But other people certainly do both.

I dont think its cut and dry. I have 2 entire dogs and yet in 5 years no accident. If there is a reason for entirity then keep it, and that extends further then just breeding. saying that I think with the way the dog behaves towards other dogs losing his testes wouldnt be a bad thing ;) Stupid question, but why do some people keep their dogs entire if they do not intend on breeding them? Working/sporting dogs are often kept entire

Are you sure she isn't sore? ETA: just thought of something else. Have there been any disruptions in the house? Renovations, workmen over, work happening on nearby houses that is loud etc? When I lived at home and my parents were renovating the kitchen, Zoe went really strange and didn't want to leave the house, and she is usually keen to go anywhere!

I agree with poodlefan For what you are after, I would avoid terriers and working dogs (Kelpies etc) who have been bred for high prey drive.

Yeah the others are the Kennel Cough vaccines. I think there are a few combinations they can use.

It is just 2 ways of giving C5. You can have it as injection or the Kennel Cough component as nasal spray.

Looking good

OK let's talk about methods for teaching the dog to find heel position. My problem with Diesel is that he is not interested in working well except at dinner time and sometimes for his toy or treats otherwise. He knows where heel position is as when he is motivated he will heel nicely and find heel position even if I have no rewards on me and I release to the reward. When not interested I can't even get him to pay attention (like today with the humid weather on our walk) Anyway, interested in ways you can teach the dog to find heel position So far I know of * Shaping with the clicker and throw food so they can find it again * Hand touch and they follow the hand * Follow the toy that you hold then fade or put in clothing/pockets * Lure with food * Spit food

Zoe is camera shy (as evidenced by the poor shot in my sig :D ) she will hide if I bring the camera out. Not sure what to suggest sorry, I hope others have some good suggestions!

Our weaves are going well We can do 12 now properly and have done it a couple of times in a trial. Just working on tightening up some entries, after going back to fewer poles so I could do more repetitions, he has only missed one of the left side right angled entries in the last few days, which is the one we have problems with. Interestingly his favourite is right side right angled entries. Will take a video tomorrow (OH has promised :D )