Kavik

I personally dislike circle work in obedience classes I understand (having been an instructor myself) that it is easier to see what everyone is doing if they are in a circle, but I don't like working with both being restricted by the speed of the dog in front and potentially having another dog up my dog's bum. Plus, you need to do straight lines for competition, not circles. I do agree that you did too much work with your dog before class, and so by the time class came around, your dog was tired. If you still think the classes are too long for your dog, maybe you can see if you can do only part of the class - the first half or second half? Or have a break for a while in the middle?

What training have you done to ensure she doesn't self reward without the release? Could this be making her hesitate? (That's the bit I have problems with with Kaos the self rewarding bit)

This is Diesel's finish

Is there anything in the rules saying what signals you have to use? If not, then it should not matter what signal you use, if the dog does the exercise. Why do you get pinged if the dog jumps in the flip/military finish? ETA: so this person would get pinged hey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW-HXi-0a_U

Sorry about your pup - Diesel also got spiral fracture in his hind leg when a pup running and playing with Zoe. But he needed an external fixatur Can't help with the diet sorry - but can give healing vibes

If it's only been a couple of nights, are you sure he didn't have to go to the toilet or something? My guys are really good in their crates, I generally ignore unusual behaviour at my peril - usually means they have an upset tummy and if I don't realise and let them out - a lovely mess to clean in the morning!

I just usually turn aside so the dog has to get down and ignore the jumping up, especially if it is someone else's dog and I am just pet sitting.

I've only been able to get the flip finish and the U turn left about with Diesel, when doing obedience with Zoe, I found the round the back finish and the pivot turn easier. Probably because I have a better idea of how to teach it now, and they are very different dogs.

OK here are a few This demonstrates left about turn This one shows the pivot turn http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENPtWy1oVMc OK it really is coincidence that both videos show Malinois, honestly I plugged in left about turn and this is what I got I know you don't believe me

It is normally the left about turn where you have a choice of turns, I am pretty sure right about turn (since you are turning away from the dog) the dog turns with you on the outside. I think in left about turns you can either do the pivot turn (where you turn into the dog, and the dog goes around you to end up in heel position) or the dog turns on the inside of you (dog pivots I guess) as you turn. I'll try to find some videos to explain if that doesn't make sense

If he likes pats and praise you could use that. If guiding him and then pats and praise for compliance works for him and food doesn't, I would guide and use pats and praise. Or does he like toys? Balls, squeakies, tugs etc? I am having some success with Diesel with getting focus and then verbal marker, release, pat/get really excited and send to a reward (and run with dog to reward). I am using a squeaky toy and at times treats (I am using cheese). He is actually getting excited now and giving good focus and running to the reward I have started adding a few steps at heel too.

That was great!

Great clips Some nice Kelpies there too

I think they want to use targetting to get their dog to heel?

I feed kibble and chicken frames. I tried BARF with Diesel and I couldn't keep weight on him. Plus I found it expensive and time consuming. We are using Advance at the moment, doing well. My old girl who died in 2007 was on dry food only (Eukanuba) her whole life, was very healthy and lived to be 17.

Does your OH and son like to razz up and roughhouse with the pup? That could be part of the problem if they do. What happens if they ignore the pup when he is being crazy? Does the pup know some commands like sit? or can you send the pup to a mat or crate etc? I am not sure I would do the scruffing that Cockerlover has suggested - if the pup is very razzed up he may bite you for doing this.

Completely agree :rolleyes:

That was an interesting article I like Mech's work, the little I have read and seen. I think that the way we bring dogs together is different to the way wolves are brought together, and that our selection for particular traits in different breeds of dogs also influences the way they act towards each other. Selecting for certain prey drive attributes (or not selecting for them), 'gameness' in some breeds, and some breeds requiring more personal space than others all makes how they relate to other dogs different to wolves. We also require that dogs be able to be in close vicinity to each other with no problems (not necessarily friendly or even paying attention or say hi, but not aggressive) that wolves would not do. Unlikely that wolves would go about business with another wolf in the vicinity without checking it out? Like we expect of our dogs in competition? Dog parks for example are more like the way he describes the captive wolf packs where wolves from different areas are thrown in together, where alpha terminology is said to be correct. The family theory certainly makes sense. The question is how does this help us with dogs? Edit for grammar

I also know how to do the 'guide, show, place' method, from when I did the NDTF course, though it is not my preferred method for my own dogs.

I can't see how it is being picky? I don't see how sharp about turns can be classified positive only?

I agree with Haven You have included options like sharp about turns which are not positive only.

That's how I would have trained it too huski

Surely there are other clubs in your area other than the one you attended?

People may well get bitten by their own dogs too if they do this - especially if dog is hyped up.

NO! Very dangerous IMO. Should NOT EVER be taught in a group obedience class setting!