Lablover

Sure Sparty!!! Is the flyball competition at Akoonah Park? Hit me with an Email and advise me of a time which suits.

Isn't this a fun way to fill in some time on a Saturday afternoon!!! Currently raining here. BTW, my hint of the week is not to try to remove hard ice while defrosting an upright freezer. Your hand may stick to the ice. Lablover with sore hand/paw.

Oh cautious one :D , the interpretations will come later. Less chance of tweeking the choices.

I should be defrosting one of our freezers, LOL. Stamp: Prey 85% Pack 85% Fight 35% Flight 0% Currently testing myself, he he he.

I thought I may as well add this old link, just in case anyone was interested. Many of the questions are vague, as some behaviours are greatly modified with a little training, maturity etc. http://www.volhard.com/training/cpptest3.htm

LL - :D Erny, When the youngsters ran into the kitchen, I was distracted on the telephone, but as their body language was so "work like" -and "their heads spinning trying to find out where, where, where should we go", it was too funny to ignore. LOL, they say vocal cues are the last part of an exericse/concept a dog learns. That night, I thought to myself - gosh they are getting the message. My husband does hear YES, sometimes. I think!!!!!!! Maybe its more of a yeah, yeah, yeah? Certainly not a hey hey hey!!!, which BTW is used initially by a human thrower who gains the pupppies attention before throwing a bumper in the field etc. oops,edited, I forgot to add, when a training session is completed or interrupted, while other dogs have their turns, a vocal cue and hand cue is given, - all gone.

Hi MJ, Your dog is trying to motivate YOU going into drive. I laugh when I look down at non training times, and one of mine will be at perfect heel, with THAT look (come on, lets train, LOL).

Eagle Pack.

Shoemonster, All the vets I have ever visited will xray straight away, if required. I am confused why a whole day off would be needed for a simple foot xray, only requiring two simple views. Anyway!!!! I have had two labradors who have suffered from fractured sessamoid bones, which in labradors requires a lot of pressure or force. One vet suggested a horse may have stood on the offending foot. At the initial consult where xrays were taken, with a pet owner type vet - (on a Sunday afternoon), advised me that the dog would have to be retired from retrieving trials. As per normal LOL, a second opinion was quickly obtained, from a vet who has a special interest in racing greyhounds. A cortico-steroid injection was given, a soft cast applied for about 5 days. She is nearly 12 years of age and arthritis in the offending foot has never been noted. She has always been a very hard working lab. In my experience with my dogs, if they are showing any signs of pain, there is something to worry about. My suggestion is xraying the foot. Good luck.

I thank you and understand. I still remember teaching blind retrieves, and when the youngsters were focused in the correct direction, I would voice cue YES. Worked very well, until I yelled YES on the telephone one night. They dogs were in the house, as per usual LOL, and came into the room with great expectations. I changed my trigger/cue word very quickly. My husband already knew I do not say YES very often. The dogs learn to read us very well indeed, otherwise they/we would have no rest in achieving their own satisfaction!!! My severely damaged couch may "think" otherwise LOL.

K9, bearing in mind my limited intelligence - I am sure because I focus on the dogs too much LOL, could you translate your comment?

Are we doing to discuss this later? Possibly too difficult to do so, as many of us have different requirements from our dogs? Not to mention different exercises and drills??? Distance and length of (time) focus probably too. I am already getting a headache!!!!!

While I was training this evening, I thought about this thread. Naughty really, as normally I am so focused on the dogs training. I just knew, I was going to present "triggers" incorrectly and by the responses I think I did (cringe). Sorry. I should imagine we should be concentrating on how we initiate, continue and reinstigate drive, using various triggers, at training.

Rather than muddy the waters, and add to an existing thread, it has been suggested, I start another topic on triggers and drive initialisation. Is anticipation relevant as well? From a personal aspect my dogs know it is training time, when I place a whistle around my neck. Confirmation is given when I also place a white long sleeved top on (so the dogs can see me from a distance with if trees are behind me). So, off we go, on the subject of triggers.......................concentrating, I suppose???, when we finally arrive at training or at a trial.

Damm, LOL, I got so excited talking about this subject, I made my computer jam. K9 force, you not going to confuse me again with all the fancy lingo are you? Actually you do not do such things, thank heavens!!! For example, where should I start, my dogs know it is training time when I put my whistle around my neck, or when I put a white jacket on, they are racing to the door. Actually they try to start drive initialisation by prompting me to the door or 4 wheel drive, LOL.

K9: awesome isnt it? lol... Damm right!!!. Lets talk about triggers now, please. Might start a new topic tomorrow.

Jesomil, I have been worried. Nothing new about that, LOL. Do not give up with your Kelpie. They are lovely dogs. We are only gauging our opinions on from what we think is happening. Maybe you should have some private lessons with a highly regarded trainer who has competed successfully at obedience.

Leanne is a cool customer. I will never forget watching her at the Royal in the UD ring. Her handling and her dog, made me cry. I also remember at a retrieving trial, where one of the dogs lost focus before being sent for a hidden bird across a river. I paused and set my brain into overdrive. What can I do, what can I do? I whispered hey hey hey, a known trigger, the dog lined the blind.

Just a thought, does anyone else besides me think a nervous owner can make a nervous dog worse? A tight lead I have found a good example.

I would have the lab's thyroid checked.

Erny, I understand completely. My husband and I do not have children, but friends do. They tell me how a child may have a cold or the like and off to the local doctor they go, with me shaking my head, thinking - gee wizz, it is only a cold. I hang my head in shame, as I am just as bad, with my dogs. The last time I telephoned the emergency centre, with one of my little dramas, I fully expected them to insist on a visit. They did not !!!! and gave me some good advice on signs to look for, with that particular problem. Good luck, again.

Erny, I am worried. In my experience, I have had two labs, who both had instances of insane grass eating (not to be confused with normal grazing) during their most severe illness period. Interestingly neither vomited. I would have the dog sleep with me/us, to keep a constant eye. My dogs are normally with me during the day also, so I am aware of any change, not matter how small or seemingly insignificant. I am too embarassed to begin to tell you, how many after midnight visits I have taken a suspect dog to the emergency vet or centre, with no problems being diagnosed and a wagging tail in the morning!!!! Good luck.

If interested here is the link: http://www.dogstuff.info/modal_theory_part1_macdonald.html

Herding guy: Um, is this a trick question?

Hi Julie, If you are not comfortable with using a bandana for legal reasons, why not try another tool of correction, a heeling stick. Dressage length is thought the best. I am not for one second, suggesting liberal use of the heeling stick. A quick swat/correction with good timing, may help you with Jyra. If you like, come over again, and I will show you it is a good petting and retrieving tool as well.