Lablover

:D In my experience the best trainers, including those from overseas, are the ones who ask quiet indepth questions. These trainers normally train quietly as well!!! No one can diagnose over the telephone. Most owners wear rose coloured glasses regarding their dogs.

Training is training. Generally I look at reasons for the errors, (a) dog not being educated enough, which includes proofing with various distractions including new environments. Breaking down exercises is very important. (b) lack of effort on the dog's part. More often than not, from a retrieving trial point of view, retrieving out of order, thus receiving reward, has the capability of becoming trial smart very quickly. It is very rare in the higher stakes not to have a mistake/slipped command occur, due to the extreme diversions, cover and tests.

Love your comment. It will replace one of my other favourites though..........never expect a dog to do what it has not been trained and proofed to do.

Teaching quiet has worked with me and leaving my husband with a water squirt bottle. After a couple of WELL timed water corrections, they learn. When I train others, that is another story. A few intermittent extra water squirts are required!!!!

Just found this thread. Congratulations!!!!!!!!! From memory, via Youtube, he looked really good, so not surprised.

Tangwyn, He has redeemed himself at training since the weekend mini disaster. Maybe I have finally gotten over his high naughty behaviour LOL. Nevertheless no further trials for him until I have total control. Gee.........total control..........that might mean no more trials ever. BTW, our mutual friend thinks he is drop dead gorgeous.....or rather drop dead ugly. Threatened to take him to the Victorian Labrador show. Now that would have been funny!!!!!!!!

Not specifically related to HIS video. After having seen quite a few overseas professional trainers, I agree. The best videos show how trainers solve the problems. Perfect or near perfect dog work - educates the viewer, very little. Nothing like having a great trainer observing us. Problem is, from a personal point of view, they (the pros and excellent A grade amateurs) sit on my shoulders every training session.

Added: Take a slow dog fast, a fast dog slow, type of thing. Not only regarding heeling.

As they say our timing, due to dog's reading body language as well as they do, is the secret. I was being a little um.....over the top regarding the one step comment. Two steps, three steps. Whatever helps, also regarding our speed and size of dog for instance. Just simply I found it so silly in obedience classes for all THAT heeling with poor results, due to horrid timing and the others (like poor focus and control). Too tight leads blah blah blah. I am rambling, sorry, tired.

As this topic refers to heeling. Who else is as anal as me LOL, in creating good habits and only rewarding for perfect position, as in one step at a time. I feel many reward for poor positioning thus confusing the dog.

Isn't Schutzhund trialling a set obedience test, as in the same exercises every time?

As a die hard working line person, I enjoyed the link. Thankyou. Mind you I am in a bad mood. A highly regarded successful trainer and trialer suggested one of my labs, was too much dog for me at the last trial. Grrrrrrrrrr.........they are fighting words (but the advice has urged me to prove him wrong).

Sorry to go off topic, but yes Erny.....home today, Canberra tomorrow. My poor husband home alone once again. Damm dogs ;)

JulesP, I think the meaning of distraction training varies. Same as sensitive or soft descriptions. I do think, from time to time, people do not proof their dogs (not meaning you but adding for conversation). One step at a time. I do agree some people mummy their dogs and compound situations. It irked me in the past, when dogs, normally at obedience stays in the ring, where in the past they have shown soft nerves, that the handler placed the dog, regardless of poor experiences, close to other dogs. I think a good idea, after a solid stay is achieved at home and at various other safe locations, to have the dog initially away from the "stay obedience pack. Mind you, higher basic standards will be expected, if you and your dog are to proceed. Dogs read our body language and stress levels WELL.

This is a horrible thread.......disclosing OUR (mere human) mistakes. I am a firm believer, with a good dog, it is more often than not, our training mistakes. Teach teach teach teach!!!!!! All the same, one of my long lasting memories was my first dedicated retriever "game" labradors. Cracker, now 13 years of age.........where did all the years go???????? There was a blind (hidden retrieve) across a vast water channel. As the normal sequence goes...we leave the dog at a designated spot (at a stay or wait or sit, whatever cue has been taught). The handler proceeds to the starting pegs, fires a blank, and when steadiness is shown, calls the dog to heel. Cracker races to my side, glances up to the direction I am facing, and takes off swimming without a direction. Goodness she was a great trialling dog. Never got full control of that one. LOL.

I agree. One of the youngsters I placed in another home, was trained without a lead or collar, all positive. She would have breezed through obedience trials. She simply did not have enough crazy desire when the going got tough, long retrieves on rocky ground being one example. Just as a highly motivated/driven dog can be motivated to a high degree. A moderately motivated/driven dog can be motived to a moderate degree. I also prefer dogs who are not on the go for 24 hours a day, like some poor keplies or border collies from working lines, in suburban homes which may be suit. Having on off switch is important. Thats why I like high end dogs. Easy to motivate, easy to train. Easy to drive. Well, off I go for a week of training away from home. See you next week.

Good question!!!! No physical corrections.

There you go. Working breeds (added: and the correct dog)rock!!!!

I have not been involved in obedience trialling for many years. But.........lately have been thinking I might start again. Probably change my mind tomorrow!!! LOL. Are the modern methods......regarding mat, still first introduced with smearing a suitable food on the (correct) article/s?. Are tie downs still the usual method? Or double tied downs for incorrect articles.

Good for you Ness. You must have a lovely dog with excellent motivation. Obedience can be a bit of drag for a dog. Your timing and consistency must also be grand.

Try to remember the first time this particular man delivered? What were you doing? What was the dog doing? What did you do when your dog displayed aggression?. Just interested.

Hey Shoemonster, How is the garden hose going? A good retrieve helps first. One step at a time, to build a staircase.

I agree. No bashers please.

The only people I know who have successful highly trained, purely positive dogs is SARDA. The only other person,.......mind you it was via a book (of all things) is Susan Garrett with Buzz in Shaping for Success. But frankly, from what I have read and been told, she did not allow Buzz much freedom until he was 2 years of age. Could those who train pure accepted positive methods, name the titles they have achieved? As I type it seems so distasteful to ask for titles, but I feel it is necessary to gauge the level obtained. Thankyou.