leopuppy04

any classes on 'how to plan dog training 101"?!?!?1

WOW!!! I still don't know how you fit all of that in!!! But as for OC - I like your analogy

I guess the training isn't really a challenge - as I think it's Ptolomy who says she has 5 dogs in the car - does 5mins of obedience each and then heads home!!!! I am having more difficulty because it's my first time through each of these classes - and fixing up mistakes that I made initially and proofing the exercises takes up time... and I like to just relax as well . I think it could be done.... but not for me.... yet (I can just see myself re-reading this in 5 years time!!)

I think i'll only have 2 actively competing! More than that I feel it just gets too busy! Keeping 2 trained to the level I like (constantly re-visiting areas) and in 2 sports (obedience & Agility) as well as having 'fun' with them too and just relaxing.... if I was training more, I'd be too stressed out I think I could live with 4ish dogs - but I'd probably have 2 older dogs who were nearing the end of their career/ semi retired while the others were starting to compete etc Who knows - I don't know if I could say no to a dog from lines I like though!!!!

OMG Superminty - have you been watching me train?!?!??!! This is pretty much exactly what I do . DD - in terms of setting up for work in the ring -I do what Superminty says... at training I'll say to the dog "Ready" before we start.... then get into our work. At a trial - for most exercises... when the judge says "are you ready"... I don't reply with "Yes" (usually) I will reply with "Ready".... I personally think it can grab the dogs attention into work mode! Likewise - always carrying a clicker around - well I don't! You don't need it for each and every exercise, so unless I'm going to be specifically training something that requires a clicker, I don't need it. The precision and speed that I find a dog picks up things with the clicker as opposed to the 'yes' really surprised me as I initially thought it wouldn't make an ounce of difference. I guess the other advantage is that if you have a slightly fussy dog, 'charging' the clicker can certainly make food more exciting and worthwhile for the dog. Again - I was surprised to see this, but it certainly does. For more complex behaviours, I find the clicker invaluable... for simple behaviours, trading between both clicker and 'yes' wouldn't make an ounce of difference.

Hey Ptolomy - I hear ya! Have you ever played the game "Genabacab"?! It's much the same thing, but boy - you can get really frustrated because sometimes you have NO idea what on EARTH they want us to do! Our poor dogs! CS - I too think that a 5-10min session is too long... not only for a pup, but also for a dog who is *experienced* with clicker training and you are 'shaping' a brand spanking new exercises. It takes a lot of concentration and energy for them to work out what we want them to do, so we must keep it short, sweet and the rewards flowing often. You don't need to charge the clicker anymore - she would know what it means. I also agree that you don't need the 'yes' and the click... although I tend to chatter away when the dog does something really good, you do need to (especially when shaping) tape your mouth shut (very hard for me!). Have you thought of using a NRM (no reward marker) to tell the dog that what they are doing (eg: dropping, or in Leo's case, backing up and waving his paw madly in the air) is NOT going to get them a treat this time! Sometimes it is so hard to not reward but you must keep your eyes on what you are trying to achieve (eg: when teaching leo to weave by the 2x2 method, he did go through the poles backwards!!).... Keep in mind also that you can clicker train without shaping - for example cueing or luring a behaviour and clicking the moment the dog gets it right. Both training techniques are independent of each other :rolleyes: Lastly.... have you tried shaping games: eg: 101 things to do with a cardboard box?!?!

Reddii - if your dogs are able to stay on lead etc nice and calmly - they shouldn't cause an issue. If you are thinking of trialling in obedience, it is also a good way to get your dogs used to the environment (very different to agility where everyone is much more relaxed... I know I am!). I find *personally* I am more stressed at an obedience trial simply because hey - you might perfect your first 10min stint in the ring, but you still have stays to go!!!! :D. I have brought Kinta along to a lot of trials so that she can get used to the setup and the 'new and improved' mum that is walking around, stressing out etc . I also do a bit of work with her outside the rings (close, but not too close) etc. On the other hand - what DD says is true - if you are going simply to have a watch and learn (and not for doggy exposure), then I'd go without my dogs. It means that you can concentrate on what is going on in each of the rings, chat to others and also see the variation between the classes. Usually, when I watch a ring, you can see a 'trend' of where people are having difficulties (heeling, SFE, recalls etc)... note this and take care to train each of those adequately :D Most triallers will be happy to talk you through the events of each class... unless of course they are just about to go in the ring and holding back their breakfast from making a second appearance :D

Well done to the Wylie crew! LOL - so my 'rare' name is picking up in the popularity stakes :p Haha - sounds like the litter is going to be quite a versatile bunch for you

Haha it's kind of not! Under the pressure of Ness, I started training after we got our 2 passes at the end of last year, then thought it might be jinxing our last pass so stopped ;) ;) Basically he is just starting to understand the sendaway to the box (very enthusiastically I might add)..... some baby seekbacks and some gloves. His distance control in Open has been going very well (again, Ness brought out the stick and told me to stop doing the BJ.... wonder where she got that from! ) so hopefully that will carry over as well.... As for the scent work... now that's just plain scary ;) Luckily an instructor/ friend of mine has given me some tips, but refuses to teach him for me! Thank you everyone for your congrats - I'm really touched

Are you going to keep him Helen?! Is this the boy that you originally wanted to keep?!?! Well done Ptolomy! 22 runs ;)!

He couldn't have stuffed up every exercise with a score of 168!!! What did he do wrong?!?!

Jules - must apologise for being so anti-chatty before we went in... My heart was in my mouth for the stays!!! I just love when we walked out - Leo knew he had done good. Once he had his 'jackpot' - he went around to everyone, jumping on them as if to say "hey - apparently I did good... congratulate me"!!!!! ROFL! He tried to jump on Arya, but Tess didn't think that a good idea (quite likely because Leo may have landed on top of her!) Such a silly boy :laugh:

yep i would run very fast if i was you Oi Wags - how did you go yesterday?

I know! How norty of us! I'll have words with the boy - always letting down everyones' expectations!!! :hug:

I think the things that you employed a great first off Arya. The biggest thing to remember is of course not to make a big deal if your dog breaks a stay (as I know that you know) Go back and reward often Have the reward behind her - remember that the dog will move toward the reinforcement, so if the reward is behind her - she will be more 'settled' when you leave (theoretically) I don't know whether this would be any good or not (I may be waaay off!)... but perhaps, knowing how drivey Tess is - maybe we should add a play game/ retrieve in there - if she holds a stay - she gets toys/tug etc. Of course she may need settling later, but this may help her 'enjoy' staying/ regain her confidence at first. I know a friend of mine tried this with her dog (similar reasons to you) and it REALLY helped him

Hehe - Thanks everyone!!! I am so glad that we *finally* got there. He has had soo many close shaves lately Leo ended up with a score of 184 - not the best work, he was a bit messy in areas - crooked sits, wide turns and one missed stand. But on the whole, considering he wasn't even picking up his d/b for the past few days (races out, looks at it and says "This is PLASTIC... I don't do PLASTIC!") I am thrilled to bits he put it all together for me I hope everyone there had an enjoyable day . Arya - from what I saw (I missed the heeling) Tess was looking lovely - much more animated than she has ever been in Novice!!!! Off to play with the big kids now.... well not really since it's time for Kinta to come out and play *vbg*

Agility is the best!!! I love obedience but I really hang out for Agility! Jules - we all understand Well... all except the BLACK TRI aussie that lives here.... she still isn't talking to you :rolleyes:

Hi LP.. Yes I should be there on Sunday as long as I remember to pack a dog... and the right equipment ( I can't remember what class I entered Tux in) as I am staying at a friends house and have to work out how to get there from Brighton as well as how long the trip would take. Well done on the entry numbers. C U there Kallistar You entered both Kallistar See you there

LOL DD - I'm very nervous about the trial - but not really for Leo - to make sure it all runs smoothly!!! ROFL! We ended up with about 110 entries, so classes will be big I think BC - Definitely WONT be the only Choc BC as we have several at CDODC that do agility (as Jules said).... at least 3 off the top of my head will be in CCD/Novice Leo at the moment can go anywhere (as in pass/ fail) so we'll see how we go

Does picking up the target and handing it to you count as more creative?!?! ETA - ok - HATE people that WORK from home.... huh TSD.... shouldn't you have uni work to do!?!?! I remember *back in the day* that MY course certainly left me NO time to lax off.....

Same here TSD - I'm going to try tonight too!!!! Gosh - that video camera is getting a work out tonight!!!!

Hmm... you coming to training tonight?!?!?! I've got some revenge up my sleeve for THAT comment ;)

Ohhhh - so YOU'RE jinxing me then!?!?!? How could you!!!!!

Nah - then i'll just look like a commoner!!!! With my Aussies I'm speshul..... I think..... Hmm.... time to get a PyrShep I think!!