leopuppy04

ditto to what Laffi said. I like to give the dog I'm training 100% attention, so the other dog is either in a stay or crated

I think that's a little unfair. As you said it was only ONE instructor and not the whole lot. These guys are still volunteers who are offering their time to others to learn about a sport they love. I don't think it's fair to make it sound like instructors will only help those that interest them. While it's unfortunate what happened to you, it may be a variety of reasons - was it a first offence, or had it occured before. Perhaps the instructor could see some body language or behaviours from your dog that suggested that an altercation could occur again. There are so many things that are relevant here I don't train there anymore, but that's for different reasons Missy moo - I would call them again and see in regards to the waiting list. I just re-looked at when you said you put your name down. One of my dogs was on the list in 2006 and by the end of 06 we were in training.... though shortly after we joined classes with her, the lists closed... so I am not sure I'd call them

Usually that is because it is what most people connect with (as the majority of dogs *are* food motivated) and it is what is easiest to explain . Trainers at volunteer clubs also haven't really explored into anything past 'what works for their dog' Just some thoughts

KC - is that t shirt along with the CR addicts or agility addict t shirts we were talking about previously

Hey Tassie - yup I'm going to the Vic one I can't wait - though will be absolutely exhausted by the end of it!

oi - Jules! She is a TRI colour! How can you miss her disgusting beer goggles Don't tempt me Ness.... Just let me wait and see how Kenzie turns out first.... she might go missing in the middle of the night !

how very dare you Ness :

Yeah - I don't stay silent when I train - I like to talk to my dogs even though I use the clicker Not to mention sometimes I still am a little slow with the clicks (esp with the door closing) so I sometimes just use my 'yes' rather than having a late click Thanks for your comments

I was tempted but thought I might pull out the bag of tricks again

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=7ycjt9qzW_M A short vid of what we get up to when there is no obedience or agility We had a bit of trouble shooting with the cupboard door closing as while waiting for a burst of frustration from Miss K (and hopefully a nice strong nose touch) she instead decided to bite the target, pull it off and run away with it

I think it depends what you are training for and what you want. If you want a dog to *offer* behaviours - then the click shouldn't mean 'hang around'. The click in theory is not that different to the 'yes'.... a bridge is a bridge is a bridge... it is just more precise and consistent If you want the dog to stay in position - eg: if I am clicking a stay - well then their will be C&T's in quick sucession so the dog understands 'you stay....more food may come'. If I am working on something like heeling initially- I might throw the food away from me to teach the dog to come back into the right position. Depends what you are training for and what you want. A good rule of thumb for some is "click for behaviour - reward for position".... not a hard and fast rule for me though (again, it depends what I'm teaching and at what stage of the teaching i'm at). I don't like a dog that constantly offerst behaviours (personally) so I have put a command on when we start free shaping.... again - that's personal preference I do however want a dog that once they've heard the click - won't go off and sniff a tree but will hang around and see what we are doing next... they just don't have to hold position. If my dog was going off to sniff a tree (for example) every time after I'd C&T I would wonder if what we were doing had much value to the dog.... I want the dogs to be looking at me for more... the 'what next, what next' look ;) So yes, I click... and I use a release word.... but I'm not as hard and fast on the release word like some might be. ETA - just saw what Kelpie - i wrote.... I totally agree

Missy Moo - takes a while as the clubs are in demand My thoughts - great club - really focusses on improving handling and handler awareness... don't go if you aren't willing to put your homework in as you won't move up the classes. Your dog should be completely comfortable in an enclosed area with a large number of dogs - no the classes aren't packed, but being in a horse arena with barking dogs, or when you move up to the higher classes, being in close proximity with other dogs while one is working a course, your dog should be comfortable with this. Make sure you can get there on time to help set up and put everything away The instructors are great, but like with anything, they *are* volunteers, giving up their time and expertise, so naturally, some will suit your training style more than others - but that's like any club IMO ;)

hehe well leo pretty much got there with a few exceptions being that we never entered a snooker or gamblers ring didn't get that 190 score though (well we did... just he never got the 'pass'... Kinta - well she didn't exactly go to plan. We got our JD, but obedience was just absolutely frustrating this year... on to 2009!

Dear Santa, I think I have been very good this year. Can I please have some consistency - a dog that won't make a tiny mistake each trial PLEASE! Love Leopuppy

to follow in line with the theme of the thread and because of Ptolomy's 2009 'wish list' thread... I thought we should sum up the year in here too.... see how well we've done. Rather than writing it all out again.... here is my brag list for the year: http://aussienut.blogspot.com/2008/12/year...t-was-2008.html Looking forward to hearing yours too!

Now - where did you get this idea from Ptolomy :D Here's mine: LEO: Obedience - begin trialling in UD, have fun and *maybe* one pass (a nice one please)! Agility - ADX, JDO and maybe a pass or 3 in JDM Depending on whether we do games or not, some games titles will be nice :p KINTA: Produce me some beautiful show quality, drivey puppies that are exactly what I'm looking for... and some nice homes for them too (rubs genie lamp) Obedience - stop making silly mistakes and get her CD title Agility - AD and some passes towards her JDX would be nice Conformation - No expectations as who knows what puppies will do to her coat. If we make it back in the ring.... a continuing climb towards her title please, maybe with another 'in group'

LOL - she is an awesome dog! Wanna swap I do however think you handle her very nicely - you can have an awesome dog that will look terrible with the wrong handler... so :D to you guys! A great team Now... when can I farm off one of mine for you to train

I store mine in a willow garbage bin, in the garage. Have for years and never had it go off

WOO HOO!!! Go Darcy! Yeah - you would have copped it eh?! Ah well - would have been worth it . Great dog, great handler

I loved opening my stuff and the dogs adored everything! I really recommend that tuggy humane slip lead You can't choke the dog and it's a good length to tug on too They just loooove all of their toys, and went mad on the sheepy tail tug and the stuffing free 'roadkill'!!!! Now... just to wait for my other package which should be arriving soon... hopefully before Friday

Sent you a PM 4 paws - let me know if you didn't receive it as my PM thingy likes to play funny sometimes

It's weird - I bought 2 preventic collars, but decided not to use them as I was told not to use in conjunction with Advantix, and it would not be safe to use them with 2 dogs (chewing on necks etc).... If anybody wants them - contact me

Just got a phone call from home - my package has arrived (well one of them, but I'm pretty sure it's CR!!!) :) Bring on home time

I agree BC4me. they should have put priority on our packages - don't they know Aussies are an impatient lot! Plus - my friends xmas present is in there and we are having present swapping on sunday ... now she'll have to wait till it comes in the mail

Ruby - yes, KL will definitely cover this Kavik - work with whatever brings him back down to his comfort zone and work on really simple stuff until then. I found something as simple as having miss K in a c-crate as opposed to a soft crate (so that she can see the world) helped he calm immensely as she was able to absorb the environment totally before even entering the ring. Definitely do things like walking around the area and rewarding for anything... I'd definitely recommend reading control unleashed too. I know *exactly* how you feel... many people have heard me whine about my girl not putting it together in the ring... but her main issue is the stressed handler :cool: I can vouche for Laffi and the wonderful work she has done with Laffi (the dog)! As for the dog finding obedience boring... I don't buy it Laffi... she loooooved it :p. But yes, she likely would find the duration hard.... hehe - ooh, maybe I could use a stick on you to get you back in line