Lablover

Damm, fancy, the yellow labrador not swimming.

Anytime Country Joe. SSSSShhhhhh, Working setters, Friday dining, usually is a roast. Curries are Saturday night.

I understand, completely. Now, no cheating, we want to see the good and the bad LOL. A friend was over this morning and he was taping my dogs. Perfect morning, as it was still raining. Yeah..........do not have to buy water for the tanks, yet. Anyway, called Yank who has a very nice return, slipped on the wet surface, and slammed into my right knee, as I ducked away. Needless to say that part of the tape will be edited LOL, as it hurt and my language!!!!!

Glad the cat is OK. Could you show an example of your dog to us, via video (Utube - or whatever it is called?)

Hi Ms M. Too difficult to describe the US differences regarding their way of trialling, mainly due to terminology. Besides who else but retriever trialling people would be terribly interested. Hells bells, I try to unconfuse myself regarding their requirements and ours especially when training. One thing above all others, is the step by step training from basic obedience to drills to concepts then finally to trials/tests. Also their A graders, are exceptional, as they can see a dog and within a very short amount of time, know what that particular dog is GOING to do. They are excellent dog readers. I felt blessed by their company. Wild horses would not keep me from entering Benalla. Looking forward to catching up with you. Back to filling up training holes I go, LOL. Consistency, consistency, consistency. The steps to heaven. Sorry Country Joe, for hijacking your thread.

Hope your cat is OK. When he does drop around the house, just to lie about, does he look comfortable and relaxed, while doing so? Good luck.

Finally after training today in humid conditions, I have decided to wait until the February trial. No dog was harmed in any way, they could cool off by swimming. Have fun Working Setters. If its a cool weekend, I will not be happy with my decision.

If the vet check up finds nothing wrong,........surely this dog does "something" which he has to earn, to be rewarded. Dropping before entering your house, your car, anything!!!!!!!!!

I have not actually entered this trial due to the heat. To tell you the truth, there are a couple of training exercises I am currently focusing on. Entries close tomorrow, so I might change my mind and drive them out in the morning. Any idea of the long term weather forecast? :p Are you planning on staying for both days?

The degree of difficulty is due to, (sorry, I have no idea how to double quote), the reasons previously mentioned in this thread. As my personal experience has been sending ONE Australian bred labrador to the US and importing ONE US field breed labrador, I cannot fairly answer your question. I enjoy all my dogs. The bottom line I suppose, would be train the dog, to what is expected in the relevant trials.

Tollersowned, Just wanted to add. Good for you, helping rescue dogs.

No one else has added to your thread, I might just add a few comments. As the Iditarod is just a gruelling event, and the dogs, from my simplistic point of view, work solely in pack "drive", are obviously very fit, and their dietary requirements play such a factor, plus the hybrid vigour debate, I find such a sport very interesting.

Working Setters, A friend of mine trained and trialled field springers in the US and the UK. He confused me greatly,( it took me, shall we say more than one day to start to understand LOL ), the differences between the "trial" requirements. Interesting nevertheless from a training point of view. I think I will stick to retrieving trials!!!

Good suggestions. Mrsdog, I think I must be the only person who did not particularly enjoy Marley and me. Marley simply sounded like an untrained labrador, and also near the end of the book, Marley sounded in great pain (generalised arthritis, HD?), and no mention was made of long term veterinary care. It mad me angry. And sad.

Hi Mr W. The most difficult: Retrieving trials as they require not only a dog who can mark, take a good line and handle on blinds, are great in water, have outstanding memories, handle suction of falls etc. I also think Australian retrieving trials are conceptuallly the most difficult in the world, as so many requirements are unnatural to the dog, but I love competing all the same.

I aim for my dogs satisfaction to be achieved through my requirements. But I do understand, one of my youngsters, still, to this day wants to retrieve and carry at all times. He is slowly becoming better, but when he sleeps outside in his pen, and I let him out..............he is in an absolute frenzy.

Hey CTD, Was flicking through the latest VicDog magazine, on this hot day, and saw a photo of you and Moses.

In US field trials, which we call retrieving trials in Australia, that may be the case, after all winning is everything and their numbers certainly have required very high standards in dogs and training. In UK trials, the field trials are in natural conditions and IMHO are easier, than man made trials. Both are great. Regarding US motor homes they are amazing. Their slide outs (in their motorhomes and vans), which I notice have just recently been added to some high models here, what we call caravans in Australia are great also. Wish our petrol/gas was the same price as the US. We could also then drive their huge vehicles.

Pretty basic requirement. Nevertheless.......... As you invited me back here I am Slow down the think of a moment, LIKE WE ALL TRY TO DO. For example, before hopping in your vehicle at home, do you do a little obedience, heeling and so forth, rewarding for excellent responses. His reward thus hopping in your car. Before hopping in the vehicle, ask him to sit and wait, till you allow him to jump into your vehicle. Upon arrival, do you command your dog to sit, before exiting the vehicle, do a short heeling pattern close to the car, so if he does not obey, put him back and start again. Take every opportunity available. etc etc etc etc etc.

Brooke, Take heart, I encourage my youngsters to do what your GSD is doing not only creating good habits (fast recall etc) . The last things I "ask" for is an obedience type sit (in front) and delivery. Break the concepts down and your problem will be fixed. You could try a variety of fun type exercises, running away etc.

Shoemaster, You have scared me off, from adding to your thread. LOL LOL LOL.

Good post Working Setters. Good luck with the Wei BTW.......but as you plan to train and trial in retrieving trials, I have to ask wei LOL, you do not buy a labrador? Working line labrador of course!!!!

Thankyou for your reply Tassie. If I was not so wrapped up in retrieving trials, I would try herding. I remember with great fondness, watching baby pups outside yards. One had sheep another ducks. The pups eyes!!!!!, their natural ability so young. Fantasic. Good grief, edited again. I am having a normal bad brainless typing day. LOL

Ok thanks. My males were distracted today. In the training group, there was a bitch in season. Stamp tired to mount her quick smart naturally, but it was nice to have the opportunity to regain focus. I was happy he obeyed me, as I felt stupid for being distracted while I spoke to friends. Just a reminder to myself, which may help others? ie use every opportunity when distractions present themselves, whether our intention or not, was to test/train for another exercise (or command or concept).

Jeff, I you manage to locate your missing items. Some people are so selfish.