Lablover

Not wrong there.....but sometimes...............? They can display unwanted behaviour? Lucky working labradors can be kept in the burbs. Some working bred kelpie's become terribly frustrated in such an environment. My sister in law has such a kelpie, and I feel sorry for the animal. It is walked twice a day, but unfortunately bad habits have been allowed to develop.

Where are your dogs through the day? If loose do other neighbours complain of excessive barking, which you are not at home. What am I missing here? I would not allow my dogs to bark at the fence, if I was in attendance.

As I personally need to drop a pound or ten, I cringe replying to your question Wendy. We are what we eat!!!!. Exercise plays a large part too. There is a saying that labradors need to be dead for at least a fortnight, before they realise they cannot eat.

Everyone who knows me, realises I am photoholic. Thanks for posting yours. A picture says a million words, as they used to say in the olden days. What do they say about video clips now LOL?

Here is a photo I just took. Naughty boy. He had been chasing a fly this morning, which he caught after jumping up on the dining room table. Obviously he thinks this is a great spot to have a rest. Good boy "staying" while I ran for camera.

Intelligence or compliance. I have heard this subject on multiple occasions from experts (or so called experts!!!) I do not agree with. All the same I listen with interest as another "gem" of an idea, may result. Training plays such a large part and having a dog which you can channel to your requirements. The more desire the better. both dog and trainer. Another point is I would not train my labradors to be herders. They are simply not genetically bred for such work. I do wish my dogs would drive me to training. Unfortunately they are not that smart. They sure can find a retrieve though, in high thick cover, I can have problems with and they do worry about swimming any time of year.

Wow, that month went fast - must type faster :D:) Thanks so much for Yank's welcome HG. I did observe other dogs in quarantine. I felt so sorry for some nervous types. It is a lot of fun, to train a dog who loves to work.

Sorry about being tardy with the photos. The evening before Yanks release from quarantine, my mother had a further health crisis. She has been in intensive care until today. She currently is in coronary care. I will take photos tomorrow. Hopefully showing something exciting. I did take photos last week, but due to his activity I caught for example, a small portion of his body. I am sure you would not be impresed with a close up of a back leg, or end of his tail. BTW, anyone know how to download "the fancy" you tubes????which may show him better.

Annie, Now lets see...........he does look a little like a whippet, except bigger. He has exceptional movement.........actually like a whippet come to think about it. He sure is active and always ready to work. Regarding tail wagging with Clancy. No problem. Yank has a...........um..........err "unique" tail. LOL.

Thanks Julie. He has settled in rather well, I must say!!! Spinning like a champion. He continues to delight me in all my little "tests". If he can mark, like he has passed my other assessments, I think I will keep him, he he he.

Wooooooo hoooooooo. One more sleep to go, one more sleep to go, one more sleep to go. One more sleep to go................before the "work" starts, LOL.

Maybe I should start a training diary on DOL. Titled something like "Day to day training of Yank" by BORING Lablover, or "Day to day training of Yuck (when he is naughty), LOL. Mind you, that way, we could all have input in his training and it may interest some???? I have no problem detailing my mistakes.

Well, he worried me. LOL LOL. But then again, his problem opened my eyes to different thought processes, so, it was a good thing. Helped me to think more like a dog, and certainly helped me clarify, why dogs DO what they do. It always makes me wonder where dog training will be, when we are all gone. Now I am giving myself another headache, wondering!!!! Thanks again.

PLEASE do not mention those words - KILL SHAKE!!!!!!!!!! Stamps mouth remains beautiful. No movement at all. Man, what a worry that dog was.

I would be driving your super high drive pup nuts with very few captures... I would do this & this alone for no less than 2 weeks.... Then start focus work.. Thanks, Steve. OK. 2 weeks!!!. I do feel the ball on the string is better for this dog. Apparently Rotties and Dobs are most suited for the tug?

Myszka, Thanks. I have never previously used these two steps. Mind you I have trained baby pups using prey drive, who since have gone to other homes, and they, still one year later, have great obedience (with a few tune ups, LOL). Unfortunately the pup coming from lock up is a lot older than I have ever started.

PS. I even bought a harness, LOL.

Can I sneak in a question here please Steve - K9 force. I have been diligently working on my training program (for the dog who finally arrives home this Friday). I plan to start him off using the NILIF. Naturally, I am keen to continue my obedience using prey drive. Should there be a time break between the two? I was going to send you an email but thought this may interest others. As you know he is 10 months and the RAW material.

Erny, We will see what a good trainer I am, when Yank is released from quarantine. Heck, I have been advised an excellent trainer can take an average prospect from a rescue /pound situation and have them in competitive agility in six weeks. As they were focused on agility, I wonder if I could do the same with a dog in novice retrieving. I might go for the simpler obtain CD obedience, LOL. No way, I will be spending my time spinning and giving myself headaches!!!

This question is too difficult to answer. What someone may consider a correction with one dog is not with another. I have seen poor timing, with corrections and poor timing with praise. I have seen nagging (which I dislike intensely), when a well timed correction, would have been much easier for the dog to understand its failure to perform A KNOWN COMMAND. KNOWN BEING the important word here. I make damm sure my dogs know what they are been corrected for. Keeping a diary is a great help. I try desperately to think like a dog and keep an open mind. I am happy to be alive at this time as so many new and proved training techniques are being developed, hopefully all good, so we can train our dogs fairly and using their great strengths.

Bloss344, In my experience there is a huge difference between bribing and rewarding a dog for requested behaviours/responses. One of the best focus exercise I personally use, is to place a known pile of retrieving articles (which the dog sees me place). Depending on the dog they are released to retrieve (by vocal cue - OK) as they perform a series of obedience drills. I find this way they are not focused on a retrieving ball (or whatever) on my person (hidden or otherwise which I feel may have the dog thinking they are being tricked - which in my opinion is not fair), and they are not looking up and down trying to work out where the reward is coming from. With food, well........... LOL, it might be another story. Place it close by and separately. Might be messy!!!!!! Start short!!|! An excellent recall would be important too!!! Edited: As per usual my spelling and typing sucks LOL

Due to his age and relative simple requirements, I would concentrate on getting his focus slowly working up to complete concentration. If you do go back to obedience class make sure you are aware of your surroundings ie other dogs. From my experience the class stops frequently as questions are asked. During these times play with Loki, teach him a time out of work, word "cue". When training again starts have a work "cue". Make it fun for him and yourself. Both of your attitudes and confidence need work. I still reckon, LOL, a person with good experience may help. Some time with someone who can "see" the problems, will have you on the road of enlightment, quick smart. Your timing may need work. I always blame myself for my dogs mistakes first!!!

Ruffles, I wrongly assumed Loki was older. Six months!!!!! I would consider him still a baby. Lots of time to have him, star!!!! BTW, have you booked into the May seminar?

I was concerned also, LOL, about the dog being commanded to drop, on a road. I had images of a car running him over.

Annie, If you do IT, I might too. I want to learn to talk the lingo, instead of just being on an old boring "hands on" type person, LOL. I did wonder about this course late last year. I became distracted from it, when I heard of overseas courses. Poor husband, would much rather me spend money here, instead of travelling again in my quest of being a better trainer to my dogs.