Kavik

Yep spent many mornings and evenings including in the rain with Kaos on a lead toilet training him the last few months! He has been very easy to toilet train and reliably goes on his toilet command.

From a crossover person I would say it is at least as much of a problem for the handler I am not doing as much 'obedience' with Kaos as I have done with my others - mainly just recall.

I've done the NDTF course - am I 'qualified' in this case or do you need something else for qualification for ecollars?

I have to admit that teaching retrieving with a clicker is one of those times you need a few extra hands To focus on the bit you only reinforce grabbing for the bit, not the bell, you may want to hold the dumbell with only the bit exposed if this is really a problem (how many hands do you have? )

Mornir Did you read the article I posted? If you are clicker training this you want to go fairly slowly. If it your first time using the dumbell, all you are doing is trying to get the dog interested in the dumbell (that it is a GOOD OBJECT) - if you are past this, then get the dog to focus on the bit while the dumbell is in your hand. It is quite a while before you put it on the ground.

I have to admit I didn't follow the process totally I skipped a few steps once Diesel understood to hold, take object at different angles and heights, and from the ground.

How did you teach scent descrimination first? All the books/articles I have read on scent descrimination for obedience assumes your dog already retrieves. While teaching 'hold' I also used a metal article to get Diesel used to holding that as well.

I just have the standard white plastic one with square bells. You can get ones with round bells or wooden ones as well. I'm not sure it matters which one you have as long as it is the right size?

Does your dog like to hold/carry objects in general? If so, you could hold the dumbell, move it around so it looks interesting, and see if your dog will come over and hold it on its own. Otherwise you can do what I did and clicker train it. Here is the site I used to clicker train the retrieve: http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/retrieve.html The key to this is PATIENCE! It can take a while, and I had a few plateaus and problem areas, but Diesel now enjoys retrieving! I still need to speed it up a bit, and introduce the stay beforehand. As soon as Diesel sees the dumbell he gets excited and tries to grab it when he can!

Yep it is that time of the year Even though Diesel has a very short coat for a GSD, this morning I got a good bag of hair off him! I use a slicker brush, I also have a rake but don't use it often.

I switched from BARF back to dry food for Diesel my GSD. Mainly because we moved further away and it was becoming time consuming (OK a bit of laziness :rolleyes: ). I haven't had any problems. Diesel has a contact allergy, but it has been the same whether he is on dry or BARF. He still gets chicken frames or wings, and an ege once a week, and the occasional serve of fish, as well as fish oil. (as do the other dogs). I just found doing the veges too time consuming.

I didn't mean changing his food, I mean the handling of his food, hand feeding, taking away, moving around etc Didn't mean to offend ETA: The only time I have had problems with Diesel is when he had a piece of towel stuck to his chicken frame and I had to get it off him to prevent him from eating the towel.

I think all your fiddling with his food hasn't helped.

It comes with time Except for those days when I get up really early (4:45 *shudder*) Kaos wakes up around 6:30 and whinges to get up, including weekends. The only time he sleeps later is if we all go to bed really late. The other dogs will stay quietly in their crate until I let them up regardless of time. So I guess it comes with age and time.

caninecoach - re small breeds - I would get a Jack Russell for drive work

If I am taking Diesel out for the day (training or visiting family or picnic etc) then he doesn't ge breakfast.

Train both the people and the dog Try to tone down the cuddles and teach the dog that there is nothing threatening about them (which will require toning down the cuddles anyway). Zoe now comes for a tummy rub and a pat, but prefers not to be on laps.

Double post

Some dogs like their personal space. Zoe does not like to be cuddled, if you try she will look like you are molesting her and does not relax. She has improved and now tolerates it but does not like it. Probably has to do with feeling confined and unable to get away I would work with it slowly, maybe use some food.

What I thought was odd was while at the GSDL open day mock ob trial, they had a person helping out who seemed to be scared of GSDs . She gave me the long line for the recall (OK, so Diesel is not totally reliable yet and I didn't need him running off in such a big event ) and when Diesel who is super friendly went up to her as she approached, she backed away and was obviously scared. Whey would you help out at such an event if you were scared of the dogs?

Apart from Diesel mine have had Kelpie in them so its a big NO WAY from me! Diesel comes the closest to your criteria - doesn't bark much, easy to train, housetraining was easy, only destroyed a hose, doesn't dig the Kelpie and kelpie crosses - bark YEP! easy to train YEP, Kaos was very easy to housetrain (helps that by now I know how to do it pretty well too ), destructive YEP!, dig YEP! But you gotta love em! edited for repetition

I did the course a while ago and I know the format has changed. Anyway . . . Fav topics - Psychology and behaviour because it is fascinating! And so many important factors - thresholds, motivation matrix, inherited and learned behaviour, classical and operant conditioning. The class instruction module I found very helpful, the practical experience helped me to get over my nerves. When I first started instructing I was like :D but now I am confident and it has spilled over into my public speaking in general. Fav instructors Boyd - his enthusiasm and love for the subject shows! Steve Austin - Loved scent work! I got so much out of this course! Techniques, terminology, a network of people, a chance to do other courses, confidence building (for me too! )

Diesel is also on a course of cortisone, and is doing more than appearing hungry! I think he loses weight when he goes on cortisone (reoccuring allergies) - I have been feeding him more but he still looks thinner than usual?

I know Lisa and I was there when the police were selecting dogs from her to train. I also remember seeing her later and her commenting on how one was returned and was not in the same condition as she sent it. I don't think she would exaggerate this. Her dogs are not soft . . .

Yep - you use a long tracking lead.