Prydenjoy

I think you'd enjoy a book called "Give Your Dog a Bone" by Dr Ian Billinghurst, alternatively "The BARF Book" (same author) is a much lighter read. Good info Puggy, you'd probably want a big dog to be making up such large portions! Good suggestions for the veggies though. I personally use fish oil rather than flax seed oil, from what I've read not all dogs can break down the EFA's in flax oil so that they are available to them.

Mixing the chicken with mushy kibble sounds like a good idea to me, especially as having it mushy will make it harder for them to pick out.

I always move around the class and check how each person is going, it has the added benefit of helping you pick up on common problems that you can then bring up with the rest of the class. I had a class where the instructor didn't give individual help, she didn't seem to care at all. I didn't respect her ability as an instructor as a result. One on one time I feel is important to having people's individual needs met, and it gives those who wouldn't otherwise ask in class the chance to have their problems resolved, not to mention those who are doing well are not being overlooked as they get their own time (and "verbal rewards") as well.

Rather than kibble they could try pre mixed BARF patties or Vets All Natural with RMB's. Try cooking the meat and serving it warm just a little at first and as they become accustomed to the taste cook less and less until they are eating it raw. Otherwise mix some mince or something with their kibble, Mango has just gone off her kibble but will eat if I mix it with about 50% ratio with her raw meal (means she is having 2 meals a day instead of 3 but the offer is there for kibble at mid day if she is really hungry!)

I cheat because I don't have time to make up and freeze BARF meals anymore, I use Canine Country BARF patties, I rotate all of the variety's so they have plenty of variety, and for even more variety every second or third night I use the VAN with some mince mixed with sardines, eggs, cottage cheese and whatever else I happened to throw in the mix. That is one meal a day, for the other meal they get chicken wings, not much variety in that meal but with such small dogs they can't actually eat many other types of bone! I like it because I have young, active dogs and they have the skin (fat) on them, also because they have a good meat to bone ratio. I give the older dog the more meaty end and the younger pup the tip with more skin/fat and a bit more bone.

It's great to see the amazement in other people isn't it! I have a friend and every time he comes over I say "I bet you I can teach Berri to do ... in less than 5 minutes", every time I win and has to shout me dinner!

Good info but what about the Dogs NSW instructor course? I'm curious as to whether anyone has done that one and if it is any good. Nessie, ontop of doing a course there are a lot of good books out there. Positive Perspectives 2 by Pat Miller is fantastic, as is Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnel. Working my way through the second one now so I can get onto the next book!

Thanks heaps, no idea why I couldn't find them earlier!

I've posted about this before, but didn't really get any answers (I can't find on a search either). What is a good instructor course? Is the Dogs NSW one the best? Or is Delta better? Or is there an even better one??

I agree Aiden, if you raise the criteria too quickly the dog gets confused and loses interest. The lady with the spaniel, I love watching her clips. I think she's a really great trainer!

I love watching a clicker savvy dog at work. I love this one

By rewarding successive approximations. I haven't taught a dog to beg, but Berri does a 360 degree flip that I never would have been able to teach him with any other method of training. It started with a sideways glance, went towards a simple "spin", and now it's a complete leap of the ground, spin right around and lands feet first the way he started, either way depending on which way I ask him to do it. He also walks backwards, speaks, jumps into my arms and even heels sideways, among other things, all as a result of shaping successive approximations.

I bought the Kay Laurence Learning Games book, but my sister took it to Sydney with her before I got a chance to read it! I've read a few of the Karen Pryor books though, and the Click for Joy book (can't remember the authors name) is great, along with it's email list!

Thanks heaps, hope it isn't like my first time back in the show ring... I was standing at the back of the line and heard the steward calling my number and went running through everyone knocking some poor exhibitors sunglasses off her head as I went, gasping "it's our first time" as I entered the ring, only to have little Mango sit down and refuse to budge!! I think that stubborn little puppy made her mark on the judge at least, when she finally did walk for her class and went in for the group the judge shook my hand and said "gone from not walking to a star in one day" as she gave us baby in group, I hope Berri can have the same success! The judge remembered little Mango and asked me each day of the rest of the show "how is little Mango today?", I'm still so proud

Wow, I can't believe that someone in an obedience forum would underestimate the intelligence of a dog so much!! Your comments are incredible Dog's are very smart creatures, they need mental stimulation. A 5 minute shaping session is pretty much the equivalent to a half hour walk, it really gets their brains working and is great for rainy days! I don't think you really understand shaping, I suggest you go and buy a book and work out what it is ACTUALLY about, then have another shot at it with your dog, I don't think it is the dog that isn't understanding, a dogs ability to perform is only as good as its owners ability to teach... How is the dog supposed to know what it is supposed to be doing? Well that is where adding what is called a CUE comes into play, you TELL the dog what to do (just as with any other form of obedience), and the dog resonds. Easy peasy. There are plenty of good clicker training books and websites out there, have a look and see ;)

I believe that Dr B's patties are meant to be fed with about 60% RMB's, it isn't really specific about that on the packet though but in his books he raves that RMB's MUST be fed EVERY day, so it makes sense that they should make a fair part of the diet with his patties too! I feed Canine Country BARF patties, I believe the quality is superior to Dr B's, otherwise it's basically the same idea. It's easy enough to make your own if you have an idea of what you're doing, and the time to puree the veggies and liver etc. I'd recommend his book, Give Your Dog a Bone. CHicken wings are the favorite here. Good luck!

Sorry gundoglover and pip, didn't see your replies when I did that second post. Thanks heaps, I'll check it out tonight!

Hmm... Not sure if that is what the lady is talking about. She said it outlined the ettiquete eg you aren't allowed to touch your dog in the ring, no treats of physical corrections etc.

Thanks, I'll read it now - Hope it runs through what is expected from each level because I have no idea even what he needs to do! He's entered in CCD. ETA Will the rules be the same in NSW?

I just rang a trial secretary for an obedience trial I'm entering Berri in. It will be our first trial and I've no idea of what goes on in a trial etc. The lady said I must read the Dogs NSW Obedience Trial Rules Handbook, is there an online PDF of this or anything?

It certainly gets much faster results. I was purely shaping Berri's behavior for a while, but then when I worked out ways to speed the process up (eg luring) I got hooked on that. The end result is the same, you just don't spend so much time in the initial stages of teaching each "trick" (after all, any obedience is a trick to the dog really). I love watching Kikopup on youtube, she has a way of breaking things down and making things faster and easier. I taught Berri a pivot using her techniques in a day, it would have taken me ages if I'd tried pure shaping! Luring really gives the dog a cue as to what you are asking for next, it reduces frustration between dog and handler and that is a plus in my eyes.

I'm after a size 10 - 12 suit, if anyone has one up for grabs PM me please :D

He's stunning. Congrats on the RCC! :D

Mango came 4th in sweepstakes this morning with 35 entered, I'm a very proud mummy!

It certainly does do wonders for your confidence! Mum got some pretty average pics of me going around the ring, will see if she will send them to me. No luck today, but we still have tomorrow!