Lablover

Lumping via Bob Bailey??? Love it, are we lumpers or splitters!!!

Interesting she backs into her sits ......naturally. Is this always the case when she sits about the house and yard etc? Do you think she has an injury which makes it difficult for her? I only ask this, as one of my older labs has intermittent back pain due to an old injury, and the first sign of pain is an uneven sit.

Thanks guys. Does anyone know when the next herding test is being held in Victoria? I have checked the latest Dogs Victoria Magazine, and none are listed for January or February.

Unless the dog has received its perceived rewards, under distractions and a certain age........if I was a (much as possible) positive trainer, I would pray a car was not close by.

In very situation? Do you walk (on a loose lead with a confident outline) and spend time alone with her. Excellent name, love it. Punpunya.

Nope, each to their own. Many, actually MOST , truthfully ALL show breeders would think my labs are ugly. My others carry the double coat gene (DNA test now available) but are not affected. Yanka Tanka my import as no show lines for decades in his pedigree. Maybe a little greyhound though LOL. Actually I think he is as plain as many unsaddled race or show horses. Some friends who are successful obedience triallers dislike his activity level. Laffi, really really really study your dog with its preferred items and limit any other rewards perceived by your dog, including free time. You and all of us love our dogs, and I apologise if my comments hurt. Goldens are a breed which naturally look up to their handlers. Edited spelling.

Best of luck. How wonderful you rescuing this little fellow. What length of time has he been with his current foster home? Love a photo BTW.

I am going to get into trouble again!!!! But here I go, due to Golden Retrievers in Australia being predominantly show lines, toy training may not be the best motivator. BTW, do you have a start and finish command.....when you expect focus? Is your dog free to run about before and after training? Just pondering away, on this home alone Friday night. Bliss!!!!

Some pups due to puppy teeth can take a long time to eat dry kibble and they can loose focus. I would try softening the kibble and jackpot from time to time for excellent responses with a favourite food - ie cooked chicken. Mind you with a suitable pup, toy training may be worthwhile. Happy training. I want a puppy!!!!! Not really, but they are so much fun. Their minds are like little sponges.

Do the various Australian herding competitions require dogs to perform sendouts/go aways, when the sheep are not in sight ie hilly paddocks?

With the motivators you have tried, do you create movement with the object. Some start off excessively which I think is OK. Even with food, mince in your case, save it for training. Feed boring and less food at mealtimes. Use whatever works.

Tony, could you please explain your definition of resistance please?? One thing I have learnt is even though we might speak English, interpretations can vary. Mine especially as I talk retrieving training, which is some cases is another dialect. Myszka, ha ha. Thanks I think. I picked up my youngsters this afternoon, after being away with my husband, for a whole week, without the dogs. First time for over a decade, as other holidays may include other dog people. My dogs did not heel for their carer!!!! What a hoot!!!!!!!!!!!

Laffi you cannot import scents whether man or animal made into Australia. Certainly duck scents which I have previously tried to import. Rodents, well...... we have rats and mice in Australia. Nowadays I use a garden hose, as it fits into my pocket or.........LOL, my fly swatter as a motivator.

Are you saying 'heel' is a voice cue for loose walking ;) Not in our training regime it's not. Heel means my dog must walk directly beside my left leg. Loose walking means my dog is allowed the full length of the lead providing she does not pull. I use the word 'easy' for loose leash walking when releasing her from heel. Sorry I don't agree with your training methods at all. I would not resort to hitting my dog with a fly swatter or anything else. Hitting dogs plays no part in obedience training IMO. My dog trusts me not to intentionally hurt her and I don't betray her trust. I suggest you give yourself a good whack with that fly swatter and see how it stings. My Rottweiler was a dedicated puller. If she is overly excited and starts pulling as soon as we get out the door a simple Ah Ah will stop her followed by a few snappy obedience commands in the driveway to remind her of who is in charge. We then continue our walk without her pulling. See, I just knew I should have kept my mouth shut or rather my fingers off the keyboard. Frankly basic obedience is not a concern of mine as I have other fish to fry. I am thought as a very humane and considerate dog owner. That being said, if I am convinced one of my dogs knows a command, and if corrections can be given within an acceptable time frame, I will do so. Never in anger. The required response is achieved with no fallout from myself or the dog. I think I have excellent timing. I must be doing something right, and this sounds terrible, but when I train in public areas (rarely), there has never been another joe blow, who has not asked for advice. I would much rather train with a flat collar, and a fly swatter (used rarely), than a chain collar. Do you think a dog should feel corrections came from a blade of grass, the tree nearby?? What am I missing? I do not care a hoot which vocal cue to used, heel, close, coke, whatever - has been taught. What I do know, is dogs learn to ignore their handlers fast!!!!!!!! Heeling can be difficult to train, as I have noted at many obedience clubs. I do not wish for a dog to be injured by a fly swatter, rushing onto a road, dragging their owners or children. I do wish I had not entered this thread, nevertheless feel free to debate. I am old enough to take it!!!!

And the physical signs, shown by the dog. Saliva dripping from mouth, body quivering in anticipation, pupils!!!! Such excitement. Love it. The dogs focus on handlers......amazing!!!!!!!!! Dogs asking what what what can I do.....pleaase please ask me.....to do anything and eventually for very very very long periods of time.

Why would I wish to dissassociate myself from the correction?

When do you suggest dropping rate of reward? Is the timing of such, difficult for a novice owner?

Wow, 40% of success. Are you referring to, eventual high level police dogs, customs dogs? So many people have the wrong idea, in training using drive. Heck a good friend of mine, said that it caused his dog to be crazy in chasing kangaroos. Brother LOL.

I should probably not reply to this thread, but cannot seem to help myself. If your dogs KNOWS the command heel, and due to past wins/ignoring you, I would buy myself a fly swatter and shorter lead, or if on long lead, tape the fly swatter to a suitable length flexible pole. When walking starting with low level distractions, concentrate on your dog. At the first sign of pulling, command heel ( or whatever voice cue you use for loose walking), and within a very short time frame - BUT AFTER THE CUE/COMMAND, if your dog does not respond, correct with fly swatter. You only know your dog..........so the correction, has to fit the crime. Praise instantly for good responses. Do not nag (or gently swat) the dog, and if a good response occurs, remember to praise. Timing is critical, remember short time frame, half a second, one second. quick, but after the cue!!!!

Wondering, how many dogs have enough drive? I tested so many initially and even youngsters who had not been though any other training, were below par.

O, they do??????? I dislike shopping, but might pop in.......eventually one day. Actually I went to Rays Tent City before Christmas, but did not notice a large sized EZ tent, which so soooooo easy to pop up and put away.

Great pressy, LL. I can just see you lolling back on your lounge chair, with esky near by, and your dogs running off at your bidding to fetch/retrieve your sunscreen; magazines; more wine .......... LOL Not likely, after a days training or trialling, I am normally exhausted. It is be lovely to be able to sit in a shaded fly/mosquito free area.......sipping a coldie though!!! I have been nagging husband for a caravan with a shower and toilet for years. Now that I have my two sized EZ tents I nag no more!!!!! Easier to tow my little van also.

BTW, if anyone knows of a similar product in Australia, could you please post, email or PM. I just ordered two from Cabela's. The postage charged,US $39.99, seems a little soft/cheap. I will not be surprised if they contact me, before shipping.

A friend sent me this EZ pop up shade tent for Christmas. As I camp in paddocks alot, I recently purchased an EZ pop tent for the portaloo and shower. So easy to um......lol pop up and put away. Stores flat. This larger style will come in handy on hot days at training and trials. Flies drive me batty!!! http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/template...z&noImage=0

Not to worry Tony. I am probably blinkered by the fact by observing some damm harsh methods in the US. AND as retrieving dogs, my dogs are constantly being rewarded. I have no doubt many dogs have as you stated - no limits, no guidelines, no boundaries and no leadership.