leopuppy04

I guess it's more the challenge, love of training and satisfaction I get out of it ;) We have lazy moments, but it just means when we get back into training, I realise how much I missed it

Not sure how far from Melb - but it's in Gippsland.

Herding Workshop When: Sunday 27th July 2008. You are welcome to come down on the Saturday, as camping is available at the venue. Where: Beloka Working Dog Education, South Gippsland Highway, Welshpool, 3966. http://wkgdog.customer.netspace.net.au/index.html Cost: $50 for first dog $40 for subsequent dogs Lunch, tea & coffee included ($5 each for any additional people) BYO: Drink and appropriate warm clothing Beginner Dogs & Handlers (Little or no exposure to sheep) • Introduction to herding, including explanation of directions, balance and handling tips • Dog exposed to sheep in round yard • Option to progress to small paddock scenario . Novice Dogs & Handlers and above (Are at Pre-Trial or above standard) • Pen, gates & obstacles practice • Trial course set up in large paddock • Option to try cattle/ducks • Have a practice with an experienced dog • Free time to practice on your own It is strongly recommended to concentrate on one dog only in the early stages. To ensure everyone gains the most out of this event, places will be limited. Payment will be required prior to the day to secure your place. For more information or to book a place, please contact Daniel Ball at: [email protected] or Phone: (03) 9737 1662 If this doesn't work - I have also attached the flyer Herding_Workshop.doc

Thanks everyone for their congrats! I still can't believe it... yes - it was a bit greedy, but I'm sure I'll live with myself SW - I'm sure once your dogs get into the groove - you'll leave us all for dead!!! LOL! Helen - will be great to see you around the rings again

Nope - didn't tape it - sorry Jules

Better update your signature Tell that to Ness :D !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVQe1LrHo-U - Leo's run - poor tyke was a little slow... didn't realise he had a split nail till after - Kinta's run... apologies for the person in the middle :D

MAJOR brag from me today. Have 5 runs between 2 dogs at Warringal today. Kinta - 2 x Novice Jumping Leo - 2 x excellent Jumping & Strategic pairs... Walked away with: 3rd Place - Q Novice Jumping (Kinta) 1st Place - Q Novice Jumping (Kinta) *TITLE* NB... she made her Debut trial on MONDAY!!!!!! 4th Place - Q Excellent Jumping (Leo) 3rd Place - Q Excellent Jumping (Leo) 2nd Place - Q SPD (Leo) This was after my complaining that my dogs only ever get one or no passes at a trial :laugh: I'm SO proud of them!!! Poor Leo ran a little slow - he had a split toenail (really bad) that I didn't realise till the end of the day. Poor Tyke - must have hurt, and it just goes to show how willing they are to do what we want Vids will be up later

I don't know how I missed that post!! WTG Minty & Cash!!!!

I had a similar problem when I was looking for a club. They said the clicker would be distracting to the other dogs and if more than one handler was using a clicker the dogs would get confused about which click was for them! ok,no one else i have seen uses a clicker at my club plus a few weeks ago when i spoke to an instructor to get some hints about getting focus she pulled a clicker out and showed how it's used,so i'm guessing that they'll allow it for me 4 paws - it's a common misconception (IMO) that the clicker will be distracting to other dogs or that if there were multiple clickers the dogs will get confused. I've been in classes before where everybody uses a clicker. The dogs may be confused initially (or distracted), but not for very long

OK I have a brag... I think.... It depends on whether the day before counteracts the brag :eek: My little girl Kinta made her Agility Debut today! And in her first ever run, she pulled off a Novice Jumping pass and FIRST PLACE What made it even better was that we had a major blunder just before the end (it was very close to being a refusal too) which caused some major time wasting. Surprisingly, we still managed to finish well under time! The rest of the day were tough luck stories of 'close yet so far' with our runs... particularly Leo! I was very proud of them though (just not of the handler!) Sunday obedience was a bit of a disappointment as my girl failed her obedience coz she conveniently 'forgot' to stand! Apparently I never taught her the word before :o The major disappointment was that I must have passed on my stress to her and the poor mite got a bit worried after he blunders and 'disconnected' from me . It was only her 2nd trial, so once we get into the groove I am sure she'll be back with a vengeance!

:) ;) Yup - Kinta thought sit at heel involved a fancy paw wave. Try teaching scent work with clicker training - works a treat - but boy - the initial stages were hilarious - first he nudged every single article till he heard the click, then it was mouth every article until the click! Once he got the scenting part though - the clicker was an excellent tool! The amount of things i've taught 'by accident' with the clicker is funny ;)

I think so, actually I think it's wonderful. And if you make a mistake, there's no harm done and you can just reteach. I think it's the best thing ever invented :) The speed that your dog picks up new things and the confidence that they have is something that you have to experience and see first hand ;) As with most things - used incorrectly you will not reap the results... but I guess the wost is that you end up not using it because it 'doesn't work'. LOL! It is a very precise training tool so... 'be careful what you click' ;)

There is no reason why you can't teach both position and focus at the same time. IMHO - if you teach them separate, it can give you more room for error (and a greater likelihood of your dog to gawk about)... not to mention - it gives you something else you need to fade out (the cue to get the focus). I don't start teaching proper heeling until they are at least 6mths++ as they pick it up really quick and I feel they need a little maturity to learn it and to cope with the duration as well as the build up of muscles etc to maintain the position (it's difficult - you try it! ). Focus should come naturally when teaching heel work in baby steps - don't go off walking and 'hope' that the dog comes into heel position - make sure they know where heel position is before even taking a step off.... won't take long - I promise! Keep the rewards high and coming in often. I like a dog that is able to 'find' the heel position comfortably This is the position and focus I expect before even taking a step off - I don't need to fade out any cheerleading etc. The dog is happy and knows her position well (as you can see - we still need to refine our turns) If you can ignore the annoying music - this is another clip of Miss K

* with a clicker * a very high rate of reinforcment, dog was a food vaccum for the first few paces... * then keeping the reinforcement high and clicking for all four feet on the ground head high and towards me... * gradually fade the rewards so you can heel in anywhere with minimal rewards , and only using rewards now and then to keep dog on its toes and never knowing when a reward is on the way... :rolleyes: Very similar method to this I teach the turns and positions separately. Took them hardly any time to learn the behaviour and where 'heel' was... the main time consuming factor is proofing in all situations :p video's of my guys heeling are on my youtube channel

Pretty much the same for me too Ptolomy! Only Kinta goes completely wired just before and during her seasons ... The 8-9wk hump comes just when you have 'forgotten' about seasons then all of a sudden 'huh' - why is she so 'dull' ;)

Croydon Obedience Dog Club is relatively close - www.cdodc.com.au I agree with Tess .

Definitely hormones. Kinta is never 'uninterested' to train really - but she becomes very sensitive - to training and her environment as well as being sooky and just less.... lively I guess . It can happen just before, just after her season or at 8-9wks post season (when puppies would be due) lasts a few days to a week. I can still work her- but usually if she isn't working up to scratch, I can count back to her last season and know why ;). I've been doing things such as making training really simple and enjoyable during these times which really helps keep her in the frame of mind that training is fun

;) Naughty Kirra stealing food - I thought she was too well behaved for that :p You'll see Kinta run - she's at Morwell this weekend... Warringal the next We are ready to enter the realms of public embarrassment! Although - she did run well last night - just a bit of bad handling by me at a few parts ;) It's just like any other competition - nothing to stress about.... This is the only Novice Agility I have taped - but here is Ex Jumping as well - not too difficult - it's just a matter of what happens on the day and learning how to run as a team I guess (Excellent Jumping)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV5I64OMmT8 (Novice Agility & Excellent Jumping) - Please ignore the weaves - they were disgraceful!

Thanks SW for organising a great event! I really enjoyed myself - what about others?! Kiz looks amazing.... when you guys get it together you'll be incredible. Feralpup - I was absolutely blown away with the teamwork between you and Darcy - You make an excellent team - don't want to come up against you two at a trial .... brilliant trainer you are

Yup I really liked "choose to heel" and the Patty Ruzzo stuff (haven't seen Mary Ray stuff).... also - what about Kay Laurence?!?!

ah - I never knew about that Luckydog!!!

Haha - judging by how well she has been doing lately - I'd say chances are good!!!! She's been looking really good! Well duh.. of course I'm going... Leo's entries are sent off (all of the 6 Agility/ jumping runs!) but I'm holding off on Kinta to see how fine i'm drawing the line between her coming into season, as that will tell me how many runs she will be doing (or that i'll risk having to scratch from!)... annoying girls in season!!!! :D Ptolomy - I'll have to hunt you down at the obedience nationals

WOOT WOOT!!!!!!!! Go Eddie and Shoey!!!!! I knew you guys could do it!!! Now.... is that pretty blue rosette coz he got first place too :laugh:

:laugh: Always the way She's looking good