leopuppy04

Ruby - I am very much a newbie too as Leo is only my first dog. Oh if only I knew then what I know now That's what I love about training - it teaches us to not get frustrated at the dog, try and find a better way to make them suceed first Kavik - if he is stressed by those situations how about asking for something really easy instead of heeling - how about some hand touches, a game of tug, or performing some tricks?! I wouldn't do any heelwork unless you can see he's pretty relaxed as we don't want him worrying about his environment while heeling. One thing that I have found really works as well is doing some 'control unleashed' "Look at that" games... it allows the dog to take in the environment and actually builds up their focus on you as we are not asking them to 'block' everything out. I do plenty of work (can you tell I've had similar problems ) with walking along and heeling and jackpotting whenever we hit a spot that my distract her a little - ie: barking dogs/ dogs walking past etc

Never fail Ruby - When Leo was 2-ish I re-taught his heelwork... I don't think I missed a trial by doing so (back then I wasn't trialling that much)... but it really is very quick to teach and wasn't hard to fade at all. I have never looked back since then and my friend who taught me everything (darn her for moving OS!)

Join the club Luke W! It can be done ... though I quit after OC... UDX is too much work for me The dogs can differentiate between our body language as well as the sports.... one things for sure... heeling has helped with shadow handling

Luke W - if you ever need assistance - hunt me down at Croydon... most people now know the crazy lady with the Aussies... PM me if you want to organise a meeting Ruby – it’s all about making the heeling ‘spot’ THE most rewarding place to be. I cannot stress that enough. When I was working with Laffi – we practiced heeling over two days (among plenty of other things ) and we never took a step off. We want to teach dogs the position first which includes head position as well. If the dog totally understands this and it completely confident with it (as well as it becoming the BEST place to be because of the rewards) then you will ‘naturally’ get that focus. I spend ages teaching a dog where ‘heel’ is and how good it is to be there, before I even add in anything else. Mind you – just like teaching a 2x2 weaving method for agility… it sounds like a LOT of work, but it certainly doesn’t take long at all to teach . Use the food to your advantage. I recently took my friends staffy x to show her how to do some loose lead walking (for her test) and with a high rate of reinforcement and a bit of KISS (keep it simple stupid ) he gave me beautiful focus. Now this dog is one of THE most distracted dogs If you use the food smartly, fading it away shouldn’t be a problem. You are not taking the reward away, you are merely changing how the reward is delivered. Ness - don't know if that is the same clip. KL trains both BC's and Gordon Setters (not renowned for their motivation and drive) and has excellent results ... I don't think she ever mentioned the focus etc... but I could be wrong ;) Ruby to give you an idea - this is my girlie at 18mths old doing her heelwork... http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=CuNDsJcejj8 I do have more recent vids, but I don't think she is working as well - the whole thing of stressors and bad handling in trials... but it gives you an idea

LOL Ness - that would be most of your working dogs I say get it

http://www.learningaboutdogs.co.nz/html/special_deals.html The clicker world obedience book and the clicker clips (obedience) DVD They compliment each other really nice. I have used this method and instructed others to use it - hasn't let me down yet. It's simple, common sense and really reaps the results. The only reason you should have problems is if you don't put in the effort and proof the behaviour enough (raises hand).

Ruby - can't recommend enough Kay Laurence for teaching good focus and good heeling IMO. Never had a problem with focus myself (other than what is purely my fault and lack of training, not the method)

ooh - I think mine was shipped around the same day... might be here soon *gets twitchy and can't wait for home time*!

Hey KC - last time I checked all the Agility support groups have not been helpful to me as they all say .... "oooh new DVD coming out, who wants fun?!" they also tend to say "Oh this xxxx will be excellent for Fido... think of how you can use it to teach x,y,z"... I think I'm president of this club Welcome to the club Levi - there is no turning back now I can't believe how expensive SG and GD DVDs are .... better start saving! ETA: Lucky Ptolomy! Now which tug was this?! The bunny fur one?! Hehe - naughty Blaize PS - I am jealous as neither of my US packages have arrived yet.... my guess is if they arrive today.. might be a wee bit late to dinner tonight

I use it, they seem to like it and I don't seem to get too many grains out the rear end I don't feed as much as it says on the back of the packet though - just a little bit mixed in (so there is way more mince and other stuff than the VAN)

gee Ptolomy - I'm really glad I didn't speak to you before I put my order in

That's what I thought Wonder if there is any way to get formal confirmation of that - might warrant an email to the drug company. Just spoke to the vet and they assure me it's not a triple whammy. I think some vets say that because they *want* you to come in every year etc I will have to see which one they offer - whether it is the Nobivac one or protech. Either way - I still think it a better option than the once yearly, and I can't find anywhere that will titre test for me

Hiya, ok- my vet offers the 3 yearly vaccine... now when I was reading up on this a while ago it was said that the vacc was the same as the 12mth vaccine just re-labelled. Is anyone able to help me find some more information about this... I'm not comfortable giving them a triple dose of a vacc if this is the case, but would like to use it if it is the same vial as the 12mth one

Ruby81 - I could quite possibly help.... it really depends on the dog. I have found it to be great as my dogs would usually finish a series of jumps then run back to me... even if there is a tug on the ground (and yes they tug!) With this sort of thing, or that training tube, I have been able to get them to run TO the toy rather than coming straight back to me. I prefer doing this rather than an open target plate with food on there, because I usually am not quick enough to prevent them from getting the food For me, these toys have worked really well.... especially in very distracting/ stressful situations.

OMG that DVD looks awesome!

Sounds good KC! Now - what is the new Greg Derrett DVD?!

Me too - how long does the shipping take from the US?!!?!?! I can't take the waiting anymore Add to that I'm also expecting a package from another US company too! I need to stop spending money on the dogs!!!!!

Good choices! I got the sheepy tail tug too, I have the tug-it and they LOVE it (I think Brock would love it too ) and Shaping Success is a god-send! *I am not a CR addict, I am not a CR addict....*

Oooh Tassie - I like what you bought even better than what I got from CR! How adorable! Ptolomy, I'm glad I didn't speak to you BEFORE I put my order in I'm pretty sure Mega Pet Warehouse near me sells the iSqueak balls, but not sure if they sell the small ones though Ruby81 - I highly recommend the 'tug it', feeding tube, or 'jackpot toys' in order to get a foodie more interested in toys Have worked a treat with 90% of dogs i've tried it with

C'mon Jules - we need more details than that!!!

Hmmm.... might have to give it a try, although I am a little concerned I won't be able to hear myself think over the grunting, whining, sneezing, and barking that may ensue with Mr Leo. With Kinta I'll get the barking, nipping, jumping up and anything to get the balls out of my pocket..... I like the idea!!! I've done the same with the cuz toys and gee it's a fun game... never tried it with leaving it on the ground though and then pulling another one out of my pocket ... that could be interesting... I have a feeling Kinta will pick it up and then prance back into heel with a look on her face to say "Hey mum - Look what I found!!!".... Not sure what Leo would do...

Mine love the Cool Kong too! And the hide a bee - well that's fun until Leo drives me mad with the squeaking Kinta - well she shakes all the bees out... Leo fanatically takes them all out then trots around the house going "squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak"... until you get soo annoyed it has to be taken away :cool: I do like that both kids bring the empty hive to me for 're-stuffing' though Laffi - ME.... bad to shop with?!?!!? I plead not guilty!!!!!!

What's the secret about them Ptolomy?! Are they like the Cuz toys? Mine go crazy over the cuz toys! My warning is NEVER shop on CR with Ness... she will *always* find something you skimmed past and you just have to add it to your list Laffi - my list is far to embarassing to post up here :cool:

Aussie 3 - it could be, not enough info to say for sure - but you can never do any harm with practicing some resource guarding training PM me if you like

Darn - I was getting excited thinking I might be able to keep Kenzie-girl!!!! NC - yup - they do like to play with our heads dont' they