Kavik

It says the video is no longer available when I try to watch

The pouncing sounds funny - have you got a video of it?

I have gotten Kaos to do nose touches for contact behavour and found multiple touches (which results in bobbing) to be easier, if I up criteria, Kaos will touch it again. I have not been able to build duration as easily.

I'll give a plug for Andrew Marchevsky who is at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital He was great when Diesel broke his leg, very good surgeon and a great guy as well, very personable. http://sashvets-px.rtrk.com.au/

Where did you get Halle? You can PM me if you don't want it on the forum.

I think most clubs start back in February. The last time I went to Castle Hill it was rather busy. If your dog is social and doesn't mind lots of other dogs around and has a good recall you could give it a go. You can always go once without the dog to watch first. I am going to watch another club in Feb to see if I want to try it out. There is also: Paws 4 Fun - Eric Mobbs Reserve, Excelsior Rd, Castle Hill - Sunday afternoons http://www.paws4fun.org.au/ Parramatta International Canine Sports Inc. - Dan Mahoney Oval, Gladstone St, North Parramatta - Friday Evening http://www.picsi.org.au/ Canine Fun Sports - St Ives Showground - Tuesday and Friday mornings http://www.caninefunsports.com.au/Canine%20Fun%20Sports.htm

I only really play ball type games when we are training, and use it as reward (I use a squeaky with Kaos instead of a ball). I don't go out and just throw it around for him to chase, and I don't leave it around either for him to chew on or to bring up to me to throw. So he is not chasing it for that long during any one day.

Feed them in separate places ;) Mine get fed in their crates but you can do one inside/one outside, one in laundry with door shut/one in kitchen etc whatever separate areas you have.

What a cutie! ;)

I agree and have been guilty of this myself with Diesel One of the things I have been doing lately with Diesel is simplifying things and doing more fun stuff (and trying to get him more interested in toys). Pretty much just working on drive work, sending to a toy, sending to a food bag, fun and simple exercises like come fores and find heel position and finishes which he really enjoys. Sounds like a lot but really isn't He is having more fun and so am I. Removing some of the expectations and stress.

That's OK, don't have the money atm anyway May this year bring in some more money so I can afford to go to seminars next year!

When and where is this on? Any in sydney?

If you want them to drop on a voice command (I assume that is what you are asking?), it is pretty much the same as adding a hand signal as explained by The Spotted Devil. You can give the command, then tap the ground -> your pup drops -> reward. They will then learn that command = tap on ground and will anticipate the tap and you can fade the tap as they will drop on command.

There will be differences in training for obedience and field or retrieving trials I am sure. Some things that are useful for obedience: * Teach attention/eye contact * Teach the dog to find heel position from anywhere * Teach the 'front' position for the recall (sitting in front of you) * Teaching your choice of finish (return to heel position) - either going around the handlers or flipping/swinging around. Here are some sites I just found * Attention - there are several ways to teach this, this is one site I found (with a clicker ) - http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2001/attention.htm Will look for more

The i-click is much quieter and worth a try. Or maybe even one of those pens with the clicking lid. Or certainly a verbal marker works well too I use both a clicker and a verbal marker. Generally I use the clicker to teach a new behaviour, and use the verbal marker once it is well established.

Working at the dog daycare was like that too - and yep, the most 'difficult' dogs were often the gundogs - I think most staff developed an issue with Labs - they tended to bulldoze other dogs, trash the place and put their head through the walls :D Many holes in the wall were due to Labs! Very trainable and keen and fun and enthusiastic, but in a limited space with lots of other dogs and running around - a bit of a nightmare! BTW Midol I think Sibes are one of the most beautiful breeds, but I don't think I would own one. There are one or two gundogs I would consider owning. Most of the breeds I like are in the herding group though :D

You are getting a Japanese Spitz right? They are only small dogs, and the crate they need will only be little. The wire crates, because they are see through, in my opinion give the appearance of taking up less space. (I have both types, but now prefer the wire ones).

They are not necessary but are very handy. Having them crate trained means that I can take the dogs easily with me on holidays, even to relative's houses who don't like dogs (given permission of course) as they can be contained somewhere out of the way when not being exercised. Also having a breed that is prone to be noisy at night due to wildlife and other noises, crating them in the house means that everyone is able to have a peaceful night. Among the other things mentioned such as getting them used to vets, groomers, kennels, dog daycares, for shows and trials. Plus the dogs like them, I sometimes come out to find Diesel curled up in one of the Kelpie's crates!

Nathan is not all about 'strong' methods. He was helpful with Diesel and Diesel is not a 'strong' or driven dog. Good to know what the problem is and how they would prefer to deal with it. Delta is fine for some stuff but not so helpful with others. Depends on the dog and owner.

Even though they got the same socialisation (are they brother and sister?) it looks like they have different temperaments/nerves. The same experiences does not mean that the dogs will behave the same way, as they are individuals.

I agree with Monelite. If you want to help her get more comfortable around other dogs, maybe a behaviourist can help devise a program for you including some quiet placid dogs. If you continue to put her in a situation where she is that uncomfortable, she may turn aggressive towards other dogs. These things are best dealt with gently and not with a lot of boisterous dogs getting in her face.

I am pretty sure they don't use all manner of training methods, having talked to them several times Being Delta, they use Delta methods (pretty sure they have to?). Not saying they are bad, just what approach they will take. Up to the individual what they want to use. They are not knowledgeable on using drive. Nathan is great

Where can you get it?

DogLogic are Delta trained, so it depends on what type of methods they would like to use I am in the area, but not sure what behaviourists are around here.

I would just check that the class you are going to won't mind if you do something a bit different to the others. If they allow it, you may get a couple of funny looks (I got plenty when I started spitting food ). The main thing is that obedience classes are very long! I know my dogs could not concentrate in drive for that long. Any drive sessions with my dogs are only a couple of minutes long. So maybe see if you can do parts of the class and then have a break so your dog does not get too tired or bored.