Cosmolo

I can see how the entry fees add up! Equestrian entry fees are more $$ but usually cover more classes.

Here is the Georgia Porgie

I am also a bit proud of these ones- Cosmo used to hate obedience (completely my fault) and after lots of work and being careful not to train too often, she enjoys it again. Its not pure obedience- there are tricks thrown in too- because she enjoys it more this way. OH is a bit too forceful with the tug at times- hard to adjust sometimes after playing tug with Dexter!

And one each for the crazy boys- they were nuts after being locked up for a few days (our backyard and surrounds were flooded!)

Sorry there are so many videos- we went a bit nuts videoing things yesterday!

How much are the entries? Does obedience and agility cost the same to enter? I have some videos from yesterday that i will post a bit later- one of them in particular i think is lovely- not because the work is that great but because it is our former extremely fearful dog working for my OH. Watching the videos you wouldn't think she used to be so scared of him If he was home, she wouldn't eat for the first 6 months we had her (adopted at 12 months old) and it has been a long and hard road just to get her to cope with every day situations. We have now had her for close to 4 years and although she can't cope with some situations, she is as good as she will ever be. She did some gorgeous happy work yesterday and i was so proud of her.

Nice work Seita!

Awesome results everyone but like Huski- where's the videos!! :(

Congratulations everyone- what a super effort!!

Good luck Ptolomy

No worries TSD- just curious!

TSD- can you post a link to the footage. I cringe when i watch some training videos and others are just a bit funny. I remember when i first started training some scent detection, someone took a video and my timing was so bad- it looks hilarious when you watch it back. No link- was on dvd and i don't have the dvd any more.

Interpretation of methods and instructions is very interesting- we spend so much time thinking about how the dogs brain works and ticks, its hard to spend as much time thinking about the owners thought processes- its amazing how different they can be from your own!!

The reality is though- it almost is 'rocket science'. Not many people can be naturally consistent or well timed with anything that they do- i wish it was an innate skill of humans!

I did some more heel work with Gilbert on the weekend and although i stepped into him once to start with, (when turning left) his heeling was heaps better (didn't feel like he was in front) and we started getting auto sits too- yay!

2 of my clients dogs are named Greg and Steve and i think they are both gorgeous!!

Sarge is a great name for a dog

I believe they don't accept certain breeds, not sure what you have but best to check if they will accept your pup.

Wings- I want to run that dog!!!! What a star. :thumbsup:

There was plenty of awful advice to be had for each and every puppy. Not to mention the stafford puppy that got into a fight at the park. I really hope that ratings were low- the less people that watched that the better.

Chran- an assessment should be made independently of any adopter. When i assess dogs and they have an issue i do not score them any differently depending on home availability. Once the assessment is complete, we then look at what types of adopters would be suitable.

The other issue is that of those adopters willing to take on a problem dog- many are not actually capable, despite thinking that they actually are. I don't mean to be harsh but its true.

Deelee, industry 'best practice' can do funny things. The more rescue orgs we get assessing and training, the more that want to- its a positive cycle. There will always be a few who don't but (in my little dream land..) these orgs should become few and far between.

It is a fine line too- no one should make an adopter feel guilty when a matching error has been made. But i have seen hundreds of situations where the dogs behaviour is a direct result of how they are being dealt with in the new home as well. We need to have skilled people who can determine whats going on so that adopters are not made to feel guilty, bad matches are recognised BUT we also look at factors influencing the dogs behaviour in the adoptive home. Are some of those factors normal and to be found in any home? Or are some more extensive in this particular home and therefore excacerbate the dogs issues. What would the next home need to have to ensure the problem does not repeat itself in the next home?

I agree that more needs to be done to train dogs pre adoption. But try not to be negative about whether that is happening or not- i can tell you from experience that many rescue groups ARE trying to do just this. It is a slow process in many cases but it IS happening with many.

Chran- in my experience abandonment at a pound or a shelter can worsen existing anxiety issues but in the vast majority of cases, does not create them.

ETA- To those reading who have had issues with rescue dogs (that have occurred within the first month-2 months of adoption) that they feel they were not made aware of, write a letter to the head of the rescue organisation explaining your concerns regarding assessment and training of dogs in care. If the issue comes about after the first month or two- still contact the rescue group but recognise that in those cases there are often family dynamics contributing to, or in some cases causing the dogs behaviour. The issue with assessment is that you can take the same dog, place them in 10 different homes and get 10 different sets of behaviour. Thats why assessment is the first step- training AND matching dogs and owners is just as important. There are foundation elements of a dogs behaviour that are compatible with some people and not with others and i think these are often missed.

Is a vet check an option? Its very unusual for their to be a sudden change for the dog to being happy to sit in their own faeces/ urine.

And the award for 'Most dangerous advice given on Dogzonline' goes to...

That is the most outrageous, incorrect and dangerous advice i think i have ever seen.

I have no issue with using corrections when appropriate. But to think that pairing a child with a harsh physical correction is proper training is insane. Going by your original description, the dog will simply learn that children create extremely unpleasant consequences. What do you think will happen later when the child approaches the dog? Would not be a good outcome. :)

She sure did look surprised rubystar! Jules, i will test it out- he has seemed okay at turning left for the most part but we have been taking things slowly.

I thought you did a great job RS- Ruby particularly looked great too! I think when dogs are running well, handing becomes alot easier and it begins to look more effortless (even though we know thats so not true!)

I'd love to see your video's too RS- great to see how different breeds run.

I see what you mean :D Videos are great aren't they- all those things you don't realise you're doing brought forth into the cold light of day.

Straight sits were the last thing i was thinking about today- as my naughty Dexter went flying past me- twice and then took another 2 reps before we got a nice front. :D This is when its great to have multiple dogs- Gilbert's heeling was lovely today although i still think he is a touch in front- i will have to get some video and get everyone else's opinions. So much harder to tell with a little dog!

Beautiful run AD- and i actually thought the handling was lovely and smooth too.

What would you all consider to be a 'hot day'. Or would you never leave the dog in the car ever regardless of weather, completely covered area etc?

Our website is www.underdogtraining.com.au It doesn;t work without the 'au'

Congratulations to all the nominees.