leopuppy04

I have never heard of it happening, but I have heard of people taking a pup on for a few weeks and then giving it back to breeder saying they didn't think it had the drive to do the competitive sports. I could do that, but I couldn't rehome Leo for example, if he never got his CCD. LOL! I think that it is because people who show usually have a lot more dogs and don't spend as much time with each individual dog as we do in obed. Just think - we need to have a really good bond with our dogs to compete in these sports. not saying that when showing you don't, but usually to train well for the show ring you don't need that kind of bond and they usually have more. JMHO

Just wondering what people do with their dogs in the summer months while most of the training clubs have closed until Feb and their aren't many trials around. Do you have a break and not do anything? Do you still keep up your training? Do you teach things that you usually don't during the year? Me? I pretty much take a break. We do a bit of training and do some tricks and free-shaping.... stuff that takes the back burner during the year. So far - in a few short sessions, i've been teaching Leo how to operate the 'old school' flyball box (where they push down the lever and the ball shoots out.... homemade). We've also been doing some free shaping and teaching the 'out' command for agility.

Yep VERY full on but lots of fun I bet! Thanks Jbbb - Let us know what you think of the course -i'm sure you'll love it and learn heaps!

Woo hoo! You'll love it Jbbb. So does this mean that you now don't have to come down to Melbourne at all??? Do you still need to do 100hrs practical training etc? From a local who did the course the old way, i'm just curious!

Bait bags: I use the black dog treat pouch Treats: depends what i'm doing! High value foods for when we are out and about - 4legs dinners and doggy cool stuff, chicken chunkers, devon & cheese, VIP dog rolls, boiled liver (if I can be bothered) etc, etc. I cut them all up, put them in freezer bags and freeze for when I need them. For around the house I use a mix of dry food, good-o, schmacko's, Jer-high (they LOVE this!), dried liver, doggy chocolate, natures gifr basically anything I can get my hands on. Basically I again chop all these up, put either in freezer bags or the original bags (air squeezed out and elastic around) and then when I need them they are mixed into an airtight container so I can just grab a handful when needed... Variety is the key - I like to have a huge selection so that the dogs never know what is coming. It keeps them interested rather than getting bored with what I always serve. With the 'mixed bag' of treats, I also vary what goes in as I don't throw in my whole selection every time etc. Works a 'treat' for me (sorry, scuse the pun!). Oh and I use pieces big enough that I can throw on the ground and they can find! ETA - yep I often use a toy for training. Kinta needs work on her toy drive so atm it is play, food, play, pats, play food etc. Leo on the other hand is a toy freak so sometimes he will 'heel' for his toy or do a variety of things for the toys.... one of my main motivators. But for teaching something, I always start with food.... once he has mastered it, the toy generally works better!

just letting everyone know (coz I dont' think there is going to be a huge turnout!) that I wont be heading down to LL today due to the weather looking a little seedy . would love to do this another time, but atm don't wanna get stuck in the storm!!! Sorry if anyone has actually left before getting the msg!

Vickie! What an achievement!!!!!! I think you and 'Ness' take out the cake for one of the best achievements on this thread (I am sure there are more, but these were the two that stuck in my head!). I can't wait to get some titles on my boy!

hey guys i've just jumped into this thread. I have a 5mth old dog that is great with other dogs but needs ppl social (little reserved) and a 2.5yr old that is great with other dogs once he settles. Are you only running this Tue (boxing day) or is it an ongoing thing??? I'd love to join in also!

I'm going to be a Lilydale Lake this friday from 5pm but don't know if anyone is coming.... same meeting place as I stated before. Feel free to meet up there with both dogs - I'd really like as many people to come along as possible as I want my new gal to meet LOTS of people etc (she is a little reserved). If you want, PM me and i'll pass you my details. Apparently people are also meeting on Tuesday at KCC park - that thread is in the puppy thread (quiet dog or something!)... hope you can come!

It really depends on the individual and what you mean by 'independent'. IMHO for a really good training dog you need one that is actually interested in you and working with you. I know of some people who have a super smart dog (very experienced trainer) but the dog will sometimes tell her to bugger off if the reward isn't there or not good enough for her. Now I know that some will tell me that she isn't rewarding the dog enough etc, but it honestly isn't the case... this dog chooses when it works etc... You can usually bring out a pup who has moderate prey drive to have a high prey drive through play, but it is a lot harder to turn an independent dog to one that wants to be around you. Thats MHO anyway!

Hi shoey. the main things I can offer are: People who work less may spend more time with their dogs: result - overtraining or their dog simply gets their 'titles' or achievements faster..... means nothing. IMO - if you make the time, you can get just as far as them, it just may take longer!!! as for training two dogs - i'm a single with *almost* two dogs.... do they get jealous - only if you let them..... mine used to chuck a 'hissy' whenever I went to train another dog but he got NOTHING for it! I just waited it out.... since then he didn't get worked up (once he got the message, not one session) and I actually find it motivates him because your time is split. It's like a spoilt only child - they don't want to / have to work for your attention coz they know that you will eventually give it to them.... add more to the pile, and all of a sudden their attention in split so they decide to make the most of what they get. Kids and dogs are quite similar when you really sit down and look at it :D

Hi Arya! I have the same feelings as you!!! Last I heard for the day - it was going to be 29!!!! Boy was that wrong . I really do feel for everyone who organised the trial! They did so much hard work organising the sashes (which looked fantastic!), prizes, trophies and the rest. IMO - they had outdone themselves, but then i've only been to about 5 trials so don't have much to compare it to! Hopefully they can use it all for their next trial! This really wasn't the year for croydon. First trial cancelled because of ground issues, second coz of the weather!!!!

I had a kelpie as my first dog and have always been attracted to active, good-looking (IMO!) dogs. My 2 favourite breeds were/are Border Collies and Goldens. I didn't like the snappiness of some borders and I wanted something slightly more 'intelligent/ driven' than a Golden. Also, mum wouldn't let me get a Golden coz they are 'too big' (shhh... don't tell her that Leo is as big as a F Goldie!). I wanted a dog with drive enough to compete in obedience & agility but also have an 'off switch'. At the time, I didn't think about showing. I wanted a 'different' looking dog. I needed something that would get along great with other dogs and people - after my experience with my last dog, I didn't want to go through that again!!!! Along came the Aussies. They had the 'beauty' 'brains' 'versatility' and reasonably calm nature (ok, ok so i'm talking them up!). I'd be the first to say that they aren't the smartest breed out there, but they aren't the dumbest either. Leo has fitted me like a glove and though i'd like to still own a border, golden and possibly a poodle down the track, i'd always have an aussie by my side . I got *exactly* what I was after, although Leo isn't quite as 'high drive' as I would like although still 'full on'! Thats my story and i'm stickin to it

Let's hope more southern clubs follow the example Mrs D.. Unfortunately round here I listen to more reasons why night trials won't work than why they might. what are reasons why they won't work????? I always thought they were a good idea

Wow - it is so great to hear how well everyone else is doing with their dogs!!! Big congrats all around

I agree with that also that a blanket rule needs to be in place, but obviously common sense also plays a big role. I don't think the rule is silly at all . I don't think they were waiting for a cool change but rather just following protocol. They couldn't call it off until it reached 35 and then they had to wait the 90mins as stated in the rules. Actually the blanket rule helps a lot as apparently there were a lot of calls put through to see if the trial was still on and rather than saying "i don't know" they could give a definate answer of 'not until it reaches 35 deg'....

Yeah I thought it may be a little close to chrissy. I can make any date between xmas and new year, otherwise just weekends after that.... anyone have dates in mind??? You can read the puppy prospect at my blog (i'm too lazy to type it out again!) My blog just read the last two posts There is a pic of her on there too Cheers!

Guess i'll answer my own question now! what is it that you have achieved the most with your dog/s this year??? The biggest and best thing that I have achieved with Leo is the huge step forward we have achieved in our team work together. He and I really seem to have bonded this year, which sounds weird as he has always been solely my dog, but our understanding and ability to work well together. He has matured a lot this year and I have learnt a lot. I don't know how to explain it but i'm just really pleased with how we work together now (not that it was terrible before!). We have also achieved 2 legs toward our CCD which is great considering how stressed I get! What are your aims for next year????? To get started in our agility and gain our CCD & CD... I have 7 titles I hope to get, but won't be dissapointed if we don't get there! I also hope to get my 'puppy' ready for showing and well on the way for obedience and agility..... hopefully the one I am bringing home is right for me as she is not from the litter I initially was looking at and slightly older!

I was wondering - what is it that you have achieved the most with your dog/s this year??? What are your aims for next year????? What are you most proud of your teamwork with your dog this year?

I think I saw you around Staffy - was your dog wearing a bright yellow cool coat??? If so, your dog seemed like it was coping fine . There were a LOT of scratchings so the rings would have gone through quickly, IMO. It really is up to the individual to decide whether or not to enter. I think the reason for multiple rules is that there are different sections that take care of each sport. OTEC take care of obedience and don't interfere with the agility/conformation rules etc. I think it should be a blanketed rule though.... especially with agility. But then all of their trials are finished now and the Feb trials are twilight. Poodlefan - we were talking about twilight trials yesterday wondering why they weren't done..... even then, starting a trial at 8am would have resulted in the trial being pretty much finished by 10:15 and at 8am the heat was quite bearable. I think the right decision was made also! To my knowledge - no refund. As for the tents - i'm interested in getting one but i'm too worried i'd have no idea how to put it up (VERY dumb person here!!!!). LOL!

I was wondering - who was planning on coming to this, just so I know! Circumstances have changed with me and the pup I was looking at is not available so am now looking at a 5mth old from same breeder and seems perfect..... gotta have a 'test run' first though! If people are still interested i'd love to bring her along to see how they go... just let me know! thanks!

I was at the trial also and had picked up my tickets and everything but I doubt I would have put my dog in the ring had it not been cancelled. I went because it was my home club, i've paid my money anyway so pass or fail i'm still loosing out ont he $10 entry (if you want to look at it that way). Walking around at 10:15am I doubt I would have put my boy through this, but for all of those that think it is 'cruel'... maybe it is, but 99% of owners were very concious of their dogs in the heat and had cool coats on them (where do you get these?!) and we constantly putting them in the wading pools to cool them off. Infact, after we had finished packing up and everything at about 2pm, us club members all let our dogs off to stretch their legs and although they only ran around for 10 mins they were still happy to zoom around despite the heat. In answer to your question though - I think it is fair for an obedience trial to be called off because despite what some people think, it is HARD work for your dog to concentrate for that long in that type of heat. Do YOU feel like working on such a hot day??? When we enter an obedience trial, we are asking a LOT out of our dogs. There is no motivation until you are out of the ring and they have to concentrate for at least 10 mins with little indication from the handler that they have done the right thing. Sooo many dogs were lagging in their heeling (due to the heat), why put all of your hard work under that stress. The 90 min rule is I guess, to make sure that the temp doesn't drop again.... but as you may have noticed... many people have left before that. Conformation requires a lot less concentration from the dog, not to mention, you can reward the dog and 'rest' it while in the ring (big class, the ones at the end can relax their dogs etc). It is not half as strenuous as an obed trail IMO.... but I believe that there will be a lot fewer showies during the summer than in the cooler months! I believe this doesn't stand true for agility either, they don't have heat rules, but it is MO, that this should also be the case because it is too hot to be doing all of that running around. The only way I would have entered my dog would have been to dunk him in the pool, soak him and then take him in.... but I doubt I would have done that anyway!

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys! This is exactly what I was after! Luckily Leo is fantastic at 'free time' when an object is presented (we decided 'touching' the cat was worth a treat yesterday), but when it comes to free shaping with himself, that is where I get stuck! Love to hear more ideas!

Thanx dogdude. I then do not understand why the FR is then looked at in such a negative light if what I have done is indeed 'forced'...... I have seen no i'll effects on him and I certianly didn't turn myself into the evil witch of a dog trainer to get him to retrieve. If this didn't work, we wouldn't be continuing with obedience... but it did, my dog has never slinked away, shown that he doesnt like it or anything like that.