leopuppy04

Yup - I knew there was a secret admiration for the breed hidden in there somewhere Well my first choice would be Aussies of course, because they ARE the best. I guess my next would be a BC, Toller or Golden, but that's only because they are my next favourite breeds. Nothing beats a happy working Goldie - they have such a charm about them. To be honest, whatever breed happened to land on my doorstep, I would LOVE to trial as I think you learn from any experience no matter how good or bad they are...... Ptolomy - I have had the pleasure of working a few friends dogs... real eye openers... I would say that the best dogs i've worked though are Aussies I dunno... I love working the two I have in my own yard...... (even the one that is destined to never get a pass)

I hate you sway :rolleyes:

Note taken Helen. That's what a lot of people have told me. Luckily you are unlikley to have too much rain at warringal so I might even fore-go the tent at those trials

Thanks for your help! the Oztrail compact will be the size to fit in the car as with everything else, I wouldn't be able to fit any of the others in Thanks

FHRP - which is the colaroo?

I'm worried if I get a gazebo that it will fly away though - what do you do to prevent this - esp if you are in the ring when the wind hits?!

Collapsible trolley PF?! I'm intrigued.... where would you get one etc?!

Ok well after getting drenched at the last show I went to (would have if we didn't have friends there!) I am now looking for a tent/ gazebo to take to shows/ trials to provide me with protection. What do you use? Tent or Gazebo? I want something versatile for dog shows/ trials and also to hold C-crate, Trolley and myself in there!! LOL! Is there a particular reason to use one over the other? It is usually just me going to shows/ trials, so the thought of lugging a gazebo (when I don't take my trolley) and making 10 trips to the car, makes the whole ordeal frightening! However, it does seem much more user friendly compared to the tent.... tent: http://www.spinifexcamping.com/Product.asp?p=41 or this gazebo: http://www.oztrail.com.au/gazebos-and-shad...s/MPG-G24-A.php Any thoughts?!

That's fantastic 4paws! Like Laffi said - once you get the interest in tugs - I would alternate to the jackpot tugs (the links I sent earlier) then a plaited tug. The jackpot tug because there is still food in there (just not squeezing out) and then the plaited tug coz you can insert small pieces of food in there too I think it's awesome she was tugging so well. I will give mine a try at the cathy slot seminar and let you know how it goes.

haha - was just about to ask that!

There sure are other ways to reward other than tugging . Certainly not the be all and end all. There are a gazillion tools to use such as food rewards, toys of all kinds and yes, even physical praise (though I do think this CAN be limited in agility... distance work for example)... dependant on the dog, you will use your rewards acordingly in order to get the best results.

I discovered the site yesterday!!!! Lame excuse :p

stoopid gremlins

Hey 4 paws - if you have weird dogs like mine (both very food motivated) they sniff it and then start tugging on the handle :p Those sorts of chunks should work really well Whcih reminds me - I should pull it out again :p Laffi - you never told me about that site

Hey 4 paws - if you have weird dogs like mine (both very food motivated) they sniff it and then start tugging on the handle :p Those sorts of chunks should work really well Whcih reminds me - I should pull it out again :p Laffi - you never told me about that site

Yup - I've used it. Works quite well - but you need things such as chicken necks etc otherwise the dogs (well... Laffi and I found) lick it rather than tug it. mine have been tugging for quite a while before introducing this too. I haven't used this one much (present from Laffi :D ) But I do really like: http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...mp;ParentCat=29 http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...mp;ParentCat=29

Thanks guys :-) No big changes like 2006 then

OK - well obviously I've been living under a rock What's changed with the rules? Obedience/ agility mainly?!

You're referring to the scent training you witnessed? I wasn't there, but did the dog finish on a 'win' and did the dog receive his/her reward/s for that? Usually that is a game of tug or a 'jackpot' of food reward, depending on what the dog prefers. Yeah thats what I was refering too.(how did you know?) He didnt get anything that I saw. Maybe a single treat, but no jackpot, no big fuss or game. Just a put away. It was the very first time, and he did it perfectly so they put him away straight away. This is where I got the idea of a dog connecting this more with punishment than reward. I don't really know what the exact circumstance that you are talking about, but once a dog knows the behaviour pretty well - our body language and even that pat on the head is reward enough for the dog to know it's done a good job For me - if my dog ends on a win - my body language is completely different to that of when I want to disconnect from them :cool:

Wish I lived closer

Airmax double K dryer... I love it!

Thats so exciting! *sigh* Yet another sport to add to my list (obedience, agility, frisbee, tracking, showing, herding.... you get the picture)

I don't have any advice, but just wanted to say congrats on such a huge achievement. Like N - mine run all day, twice a day over long distances, but I'm not training for anything, and if I was I wouldn't do more than 6kms every few days (constant running like that is different to hooning around etc). I'm still stuck at the can't run more than 400m stage

Wow congrats FHRP what fantastic scores!!!!! BTW - I can't imagine Polo being a 'big kid' now - he still seems like he should be this little teeny puppy that used to be on your siggy ;) WTG shoey!

From a sit - as per Luke W/ Ian Dunbar's video From a stand - I will actually lure the food backwards a little to between the elbows and HOLD it there - seldom do I need to use my hand to get the dog to down, but i may need to reward in increments. I will only EVER teach a down from a STAND if doing obedience - gives you a lovely fast down. Teaching a drop from a sit as per Mr Leo - the drops can be muuuuch slower at times . JMHO and you do see it a lot in the general way people have taught them .