paddles

Is the trial the Doberman Club RT German Breed at KCC Park? If so I am entering Novice.

that's the one... we can cheer each other on... lol

I will be in Novice with a black mini schnauzer. I am going to ask by DH to video me. If my DD's camera has more than one button on it the results may be interesting as he is technically challenged at times. If times work out would you like me to try and video you?

Yes please, I'll bring the video camera...

Is the trial the Doberman Club RT German Breed at KCC Park? If so I am entering Novice.

that's the one... we can cheer each other on... lol

Should you breed & does it change a male dog are two completely separate things!

this is so true. aside of the behavior issues, I'd be , is the bitch on main papers, has she had health tests, is the dog on main papers, has he had tests? WHY are you breeding, what happens to the rest of the pups? responsibility also falls on the fathers shoulders. are you prepared to help rehome the pups if they are returned?

(this is why I won't breed, to much responsibility. my boys "collection rights" belong to his breeder, not me. I trust his breeder.

I find this thread very interesting, although, (and I'll read it again) wonder if being collected at the vet's has less of an effect than a natural serve. My boy is being kept entire, until his breeder assesses him and might collect from him before I castrate him. I must admit, I never considered that it might change his temperament??? would collection effect them? would the castration then "fix" any bad effects?

On a separate note, is the bitch that they have asked your friends dog to cover a gsd,and on full papers????

Thank you both for your suggestions, I will try a "back" command, although, I'll have to think carefully for a word (we already use back) would that count as an extra command tho? I practice my footwork daily without him (or with another dog) and I think I shall manage within reason (hopefully) a question, and I'll try to get a video later, when he is dropping now, he is swinging? so he's on a 45 degree angle to me, he doesn't do it all the time, but it is becoming more frequent. I'm wondering what I'm doing to cause it, he's generally dropped straight in the past.

my goal for this trial is to get through it without total embarrassment, I don't expect to pass, indeed I really just needed to see a trial, however since I have to travel 4+ hrs to get to a trial, it strikes me as stupid not to enter, and treat it as a training exercise.

I would like to thank everyone for their advice, I have read and where applicable I have applied it.

we shall continue to work towards improving our performance, and unless I totally stuff up, or milo has a really off day, we should make a reasonable showing for ourselves. (unless someone chucks a dumbbell while we are doing recall, then I'll prob get a perfect dumbbell retrieve....) I believe that would prob cause us to get a fail mark on the recall....

he's very low drive full stop. I've been training flash, similar (prob not as good) as you. using a tug, and it works well with him. but Milo will ignore any food reward when he's distracted. and it can take handfuls to keep his attention.. I was thinking of contacting you to see if those distance things have been sorted yet? or even working out something short term, I keep getting so frustrated, and of course he picks up on it. I have to stop and walk away. I don't know where I am going wrong. hopefully I can get some help through fb/dogzonline/obedience, and something will click... otherwise this will be our first and last trial.. :-(

It might be something totally different- but I had to train one of my dogs to take treats when he was distracted because previously I had waited for good behaviour (which there wasnt any because he was distracted) so he got used to not wanting the treats I was carrying around. It took a fair amount of work to teach him that the treats were up for grabs!

At first I gave him a heap of treats one after the other regardless of what he was doing until he started to expect/demand the treat- I made sure he was hungry at this stage so there was a little motivation for him to want them- even if he wasnt looking at me and being a bit silly. My criteria was that if he took a treat he got a treat for being a good boy :laugh: . I was then able to start at a greater distance to ask for easy positions and then work up to eye contact and focus because he had finally realised that the treats could still be earnt even if he was distracted. It increased his motivation to the point that I now have quite good focus, and its easy enough to move a meter or two away from any major distraction and get that focus back if he does switch off food.

I havent had to do that with any of my other dogs and because they are much more focused and learn things quicker so I could see it being a disaster for them- but perhaps something similar would work? I also became less frustrated because I was getting excited about him taking a treat and interacting with me on any level, rather than focusing on all the stuff that was just beyond him.

Hi Jumabarr, thank you for posting, we tried a similar method to yours last year, but found it didn't work with him. recently he has been more treat orientated, and I have begun to understand that timing is everything. his focus is improving, and hopefully will get better...

I have a slow-ish dog and generally his performance is fast and reliable only when he's sure of himself. So we do lots of drilling, changing small things here and there, changing sequences, changing contexts. The aim is to get him very sure that when he hears/sees a cue he will know exactly how to respond. He needs a very big reinforcement history to build his confidence. If he is distractible or slow it is nearly always because he is not certain of himself. The environment is different or I'm taking him too close to a stranger and he wants to greet them but doesn't want to break the heel... That kind of thing. He is a very easy going dog, but that doesn't mean he's never disturbed by things. He just shows it very subtly. I usually up the reinforcement rate if he becomes hesitant. If I deal with it straight away it's usually not such a big deal. We still have problems weaving around other dogs in stability exercises at training, though. The trainers don't notice, but I know he's lagging because he's conflicted. He wants to acknowledge the other dogs and heel at the same time, but he has to choose. He chooses heeling, but he slows down and his head goes down. A sure sign that his mind isn't on the task.

Incidentally, instructors at my training club regularly decide dogs are ready for things that they are actually not ready for, and as a result, the dogs fail, handlers get upset and frustrated, and the dogs practice blowing off their handlers. Drives me crazy.

Hi Corvus, thank you for posting. I do lots of drilling (very short sessions) and he knows the moves, he just tends to get distracted at times, since I posted my first post here, I've gone back to using treats, and am learning/using new footwork. it is showing some improvement. Milo is great at many things, his stays tend to be solid, and he "ignores" other dogs when he should (will say hello if allowed quite happily too.) The trainers at Bendigo are very good, and don't push too much, we had discussions today, and she thinks I have a fair chance of making a credible pass (if I fail, it'll be my fault, not the dogs, I'm prone to double signaling/commanding.

I will be concentrating this week on our sits/stands, and also on left turns...

a short video of me working with milo

My immediate reaction is you are not moving briskly with purpose. Dogs like to "join in". If you are tentative they will not be inspired. Tone of voice is flat too. You have to pretend work is the best thing ever. One thing you always have with you (apart from your body language) and can use is your voice tone, you can let your dog know it is on the right track through a heeling pattern. I don't mean squealing around the ring either, but women are great when it comes to using good voice tone. And if a wheel falls off, it is only points off, deep breath, start again as if nothing has happened and you can still pass and end up with a happy dog. And if your heel command has become a switch off with bad connotations, change it!! Good luck, he is a lovely dog!!

Hi Dragonwoman, thank you for posting, It is a major failing of mine, that I dawdle when walking... I try to walk briskly, sometimes I manage, often I trip over my feet lol.. trying to think of what foot should be where for good footwork... it can be funny when I end up tripping over milo... There is nothing I can do about my voice, I'm lucky to have any. I've had several lots of throat surgery. I try my best, but it's hard to "carry" emotion in my voice, and quite painfull. my instructor and I are working on my body language being more expressive? for milo, to make up for lack of vocal expression. He's generally good at heeling (except for left turns.) we have a game we play, where I run around and he tries to stay in heel... he gets quite excited at it. Today at training we discussed milo's slow responses, and the feeling is that he should improve with time. but will never be a "fast sitter"

Thank you both, Yes, Falcon Range, I didn't know about the footwork thing, but another friend had a talk with me last night, and I will practice it from now on, the crowding my knee, is actually a problem, he's always done it, and can actually shove you over, trying to crowd you. but we will work on it... Ruby Star, I have been practicing the drops and sits away from the heel work, but you bring up something I didn't know, that I shall try using, chucking the food a short distance to speed him up.. I get what you are saying, will have a go...

I know what you are saying about the turns... I keep telling myself to slow down..

a short video of me working with milo

I had shelties when my kids were young, brilliant breed. go to a good breeder etc (you know all that) mine did agility and obedience. were great with the kids, and if they didn't get out the yard for a week or so didn't get destructive

I know what you mean Huski, about setting myself up to fail, and I don't expect to pass. (if I do whoo hoo) when you say, back end awareness? you mean he stands on the "block" and swings his back end around? so he comes into heel? yes we've done heaps and he comes into heel, fairly well from behind/beside (provided he's not "in front of me" we're still working on that one. we're not ready for the trial, I'm aware of that, but due to various things, I wanted/needed the boost that going to a trial will give me. our issues are going to come out, because they are there. I have to say tho, that the issues are more mine? than milo's, when any "dog experienced" person takes milo, he works extremely well. (almost different dog) the idea is that getting to a trial (and I'm not driving 4 hrs plus to a trial, and not entering) will give me the confidence in milo's ability to learn. when I got milo, he had NO training at all. so he is trainable, and I am capable of training him (or so I'm told) but my lack of confidence effects his behaviour. (you know it, I know it, I am having problems fixing it) the other theory is that by putting me under pressure, I'm realising that milo is improving. our walk through the shops this morning proved that, 6 mths ago, if I'd tried to calmly walk him around that many people he would have gone nuts on the lead. I am concerned about the "slowness" of his sits, and his left turns, but hopefully with help, I can fix this.

concerning heel position, in my opinion he's too far forward, but all my other dogs have walked, head beside my leg, milo likes shoulder (at least) beside my leg... I'll find a link for you

the gsp...

I like the idea of a vest... friend suggested getting one and wearing it while trialing, she tucks her thumbs in the pockets to prevent "unnecessary signalling" of her dog...

Thank you Sue and Waldo, I imagine I'll be in a similar state! Ness, I took Milo up the shops today, plenty of treats, and walked up and down, with some sit's drops, and a stay (he broke, but it was my fault) we worked on our turns and figure 8 a little...

which leads me to my next question.... we are fairly poor at left turns, milo tends to be "forward" of me, and my knee usually ends up banging into his shoulder, I was told in the past to "force" the turn by turning into him and kneeing? him out of the way... 8 mths on, and it's still not working, so obviously have to do something else... I did a little "food" luring the turn this morning, but wondered if that is a good idea? I would assume that even a movement from my left hand would be interpreted as a signal to the dog... (which it would be)

suggestions Please????

Thank you again ness, you hit it on the head, I am stressing (my nature, unfortunately) now that I am less stressed (had a drink) and some treats, milo is doing everything asked. (don't know how that's going to go in a trial) I hadn't thought of doing it up the shops, what a good idea! I will try that. I am trying to tell myself that I should treat this as a training exercise. I get very frustrated at times, Milo was a rehome, and sometimes can be difficult to decipher. I need weekly training with a trainer, and have had issues this last mth or so, because of Christmas break. I feel his sit (and his drop) have never been brilliant (certainly not what they should be) I would like to work on one thing at a time, so thus, atm, his sits. I will also minorly work on his recall etc. once I've fixed his sit, I'll work on his drop. we also have issues with my left turns...

Hi Ness, we've been doing obedience for a while, and the general thought is that I'm ready to trial (if I can get my act together.) the instructor feels he is nearly ready. we were working in the back yard tonight, and had a woeful session, but yes, we have been slowly building up distractions, as much as I can living in the country. he works... ok... in obedience classes.

I understand what you are saying, and agree, but thought, well, if I treat it as a training exercise (if I fluke and pass, well and good,) it will be a big thing for us, a trip to the big smoke (melb) and lots of funny things.

Milo is well socialised and used to travel etc.

he's very low drive full stop. I've been training flash, similar (prob not as good) as you. using a tug, and it works well with him. but Milo will ignore any food reward when he's distracted. and it can take handfuls to keep his attention.. I was thinking of contacting you to see if those distance things have been sorted yet? or even working out something short term, I keep getting so frustrated, and of course he picks up on it. I have to stop and walk away. I don't know where I am going wrong. hopefully I can get some help through fb/dogzonline/obedience, and something will click... otherwise this will be our first and last trial.. :-(

I agree with the above statements, but just don't know how to do this.. Huski, we've had discussions about "sled dog racing milo" and his lack of drive. I feel so disheartened. I virtually stopped "correcting" for so long but he just hasn't improved. he does as asked, but so slowly and reluctantly. I've tried the tug/whip thingy, and he just doesn't understand playing unless flash is there too. I tried a straight tug as a reward.. and had minimal result. very little focus. was wondering about trying a ball thing like you use, but was waiting... but then got encouraged to enter this trial (it's breed restricted, so not too big) I'll step back a step, and go back to food rewards.. only rewarding fastish sits???

Hi, for some insane reason, I have entered my 2 1/2 yr old gsp in an obedience trial (2nd march) so, I have a little time to deal with some of our training issues. my first issue that I would like advice with, is his "automatic sit" when I stop, he stops, considers, then slowly sits. a "pop" on the lead, gets a slightly faster sit, but only slightly. I can see that his attention is elsewhere. at home, his sits are better, but I think I need a "new" approach. I do use food rewards, but, not every time, and recently, only when he does a reasonable sit.

thank you for your ideas.

I am going to go for a search and read atm, so if you can even direct me to a similar thread, would be much appreciated.

Hi, does anybody know of any dog trainers in echuca, and can recommend them? thank you

If I recall him too much on a walk, he starts to ignore them. I ALWAYs give a treat when they come to me, either recalled or not

do you think maybe shorter walks off lead, 10 min? rewarding him staying close? he generaly stays reasonably close for the first ??? minutes

Hi all, I have a gsp, who when let loose, tends to roam too far from me for my comfort. he recalls fairly well, and he will periodically come to me to check which way we are walking. this issue started while I was hospitalised for a bit, and my husbands idea of walking the dogs, was to go down the bush, let them loose, and sit on the river bank fishing for half/hr or so, letting the dogs roam, prior to this, my dogs were pretty much trained to stay within a 50mtr radius of me. I am uncertain how to retrain them to stay closer. I recall them, however of course he just runs off again. I was wondering if keeping him on the flexi lead would work? or it it's too late? suggestions? Keeping him on lead, will be difficult, as he is a nightmare to walk most of the time

thank you

doubt I'll get bitten too badly, just looking for something to do in the off season.

Hi all, I was wondering if someone can give me a link or something about obediance trials, what happens, what is required in the test etc?

thank you

Hi, I live in Echuca Victoria, and I am looking for someone to do tracking practice with (ie, I lay your trail, you lay mine) I am a beginner with this sport.

Thank you :D