Lablover

Ruffles, I hope you do not mind me having an opinion, bearing in mind my reply is based on information from your post. I have no idea of Loki's history or age and this is over the internet - a suspect way of finding out the full story (which is fine, otherwise we would be reading for ever, LOL). Also I have no idea how to multiple quote, so I will add my reply :LABLOVER.. I'll give you the abridged version of Sunday mornings horrible events. Took Loki to obedience, half an hour before class started so that he could get rid of his beans. LABLOVER: When you arrived you let Loki rid his beans. How? Did you allow him to simple run around out of control? Possibly it would have been better for him to concentrate from the first instance. Maybe even tie him up, to try to gain focus on you? ie I am sure he would prefer to be with you than tied up. Think like a dog LOL. Repeat a few times. Or play with another dog!!! That would get him thinking, LOL. Maybe perform a few simple obedience exercises sit, recalls etc as people arrive and praise for good responses. Class began, tried to attack the one dog he hates (began in the 2nd puppy class we ever had). Thats fine, we just try and join the class in between the other dogs but oh no, we cant do that. LABLOVER: Loki should be around safe trusted dogs. If this is not possible keep him away from suspect dogs at all times. How big is the class. Use the lead to keep him from others dogs. Maybe a shorter lead? Try to all times to keep a "comfortable" distance. He needs to learn you will protect him. Confidence in you will result. I woud suggest a few private lessons with a highly regarded trainer, to give you both confidence. Then return to the club, if you wish, and knock their socks off.

For sure. Bearing in mind, his two years of abuse when young, I think the end result was outstanding. Most experts say early imprinting can never be " changed ". Interesting, very interesting. What a credit to your friend and his dog!!!!

Pax, I pulled my hair out trying to find this example. I reckon, LOL, there are a few handler mistakes. Also, this dog has been correction trained. As mentioned the dog does not seem "happy". Anyone else see it????

Yesterday, I trained at a park, performing a few concept drills. There were about 6 pet dogs interrupting our training. This example, reminds me of my dogs focus. Edited again (gee wizz, I hope I am better training my dogs than on the computer) My dogs were not so close LOL. Actually 250 yards away. And Fred's dog does not seem, somehow, "happy". http://www.fredhassen.com/content/vid26.html

Black labrador, Another thread I have hesitated to, add on!!!. Years ago we used to live in the burbs, but nowadays live in a semi rural locale. As a result, my most recent experience is from living 9 year in such an environment. The main criteria nowadays is I have a - turn on - drive cue, so the dogs learn, in time, that the most important stimulus is going to come from me. For example hey hey is used at the most basic level, when a person is tossing a retrieving article while I sit down with a baby puppy. With distractions, which I am very careful to introduce, when, for example walking past a tennis court or football field, the youngsters become excited (with ball movement), a simple hey hey, will revert their attention to me. Timing is of essence. I always carry a retrieving article in my pocket. I do not allow aggressive dogs around my pups.

Hope you can meet the little "sheeeet" too. He has been 4 years in the making. A thousand grey hairs, a hundred more wrinkles and the rest. I have been working/writing a training program for the 4 years too. I might have to modify my program, LOL. I know he has great drive, the problem is of course he has to have a good memory, excellent water attitude and be biddible. I personally think Australian retrieving trials are conceptually, the most difficult in the world. We need the dogs in control, for example, but they still are required to use their own initiative.

Hi Thrine, From my understanding, countries have different standards. As in any high level endeavour, it normally comes to the dollars$$$$. Normally it is better to start with a youngster, with no issues, solid nerves, clean genetics and from good working lines.

Hi Pampa, What is your dog's recall like? There may be other issues, not simply chewing|?

Hi BaileyKira, Good luck with your dog. Until now I have kept out of this discussion, as a I, like everyone else, I suppose, find it impossible to gauge other dogs over the net. More often than not, what people say is honest and their translation of what is actually happening may be not what is seen by others. Hence having experienced mentors in invaluable. How old is Kira, I am sorry if you have already added this information. I see by a past post she pees and runs away from you. What was her history before being rehomed with you?

Isn't he B E A U T I F U L ????? One thing I am is a realist, and do not wear rose coloured glasses. His looks are not breed standard, by ANY stretch of the imagination, and you know what???-- that is cool!!!. I am not the least bit interested in show lines. He has been imported as a trial prospect not as a stud.

Building the drive will be easy, channelling it, will be the fun part. As he only has 16 more nights in lock up, in reality I will wait, until he is home. Nowadays when I take him to the airing yards, a simply take off his lead and collar, sit in a chair, and watch him for half an hour, do flat up zoomies around the yard. After he was calmed down, we do obedience training using drive. We have a few rests between and continue again. Everything is fun. On an interesting note, his ceasless teeth chattering (reminding me of another dog, LOL-what I call payback), has lessened as we progress.

Hi Gillian, It is all in the timing. You mention your dog's age as being 8 months of age. Have you had this dog since it was 8 weeks of age? If so, a few basic obedience steps may have been missed. It sure would not be fun, being towed about by a dog of this size. Remember also a dog does not stop hearing (unless it has a hearing disorder). They just stop listening.

I sure am. I realise now, his puppy raiser took me literally, when I asked them not to "train" him much as I would prefer to work with raw material. Interesting nevertheless what some may consider is basic obedience.

Hey Steve, Cannot wait till you meet my Yank. Some days when I visit him in quarantine I absolutely love everything I see in him. Some days................ he worries me, no end, LOL. He confuses me. I am sure/hope/pray he will be OK when released from lock up.

Good job everyone!!!!. Sounds as though everyone had a great time. River, son of Stamp, too funny. I have to agree, Julie and Andrew (and Steve), are awesome. SARDOG gives so much and asks for so little. The two most generous people I have ever had the pleasure to call friends. I bow before them.

Thanks all. But............... he is a monster. His activity level is awesome. I certainly have my work cut out for me.

Hope all is going well at the seminar. Look forward to hearing all about it.

Erny, You are more than welcome to visit him with me. Your eyes will pop outa your head. Man what a beast. Beautiful drive.

He is here alright!!!! Damm!!!! What have I got myself into????. He is a rather manic labrador. Just what I wanted. I hope I have not bitten off more than I can chew. LOL. His nerves are solid. No fear. Due to Australian quarantine requirements the time delay has been great. He is 9 months old. On a good note, I had the time to test his hips, elbows, eyes x 2, PRA and CNM which he all passed. When he is released from lock up, I will start him as I would a baby puppy. I started him on prey drive exercises today. He certainly has the desire to work. He needs more focus on the job at hand, but being a very busy type dog, patience will be required. His basic obedience is a little rusty. He gave me a blister from rope burn today. LOL. He has not lost any weight in quarantine, which pleases me no end. The staff are enjoying his zest for life!!!!

Good job!!!! Did you break into song?. When the light bulb comes on, to us, it feels better than chocolate!!!!

Wooo hooo, another one of my favourite topics. Repeating an exercise. Repeating a concept (or chaining). More often than not repeating a concept and having success makes us as trainers feel better, but does not in reality teach the dog anything new. It is best to know why the dogs failed/or did not perform the function required and instantly, break down the concept, to exercise form. With high level requirements there is no shame in simplifing. For example in retrieving, when a dog cheats the water. Does not stop on the whistle. Is focused on a mark/sighted retrieve and will not change their focus to a hidden retrieve. Sad, Lablover. Its raining. No training tonight. Gosh,my reply has nothing to do with the topic. Sorry. I used to use treats, now I use retrieving rewards.

Periau, Just a thought. As your dogs have kennel cough, keep an eye on them while training new concepts. Just like us mere humans, when not well. Some bitches in season can also act differently and high standards are not possible.

Hi MJ, I am not sure if these are the answers you are looking for. Stamp is always looking for work. A glance at him, while I am sitting down, may mean to him something is going to happen or should happen. Ever hopeful LOL. His stress/excitement I feel does affect his working ability, especially with memory. For this reason I try to return to his crate, or tie up area, at least 20 minutes before running in a competition. If possible I try to run him on a few simple retrieves also. He will heel beside me at every opportunity, again ever hopeful. I am sure he will eventually settle down. Now I am being "hopeful".

OK. When I see signs of manic drive, can I keep interrupting or delaying in sending Stamp, by stroking him and soothing him?. This seems to have him less stressed and keeps him sitting straight, instead of all tensed up, chest close to the ground and ready to fly.

PLEASE explain the other signs.