leopuppy04

ROFL! Ok - I always seem to go - but is this drug testing for you Ness or the dog ;)

That's crap I tell you - just plain horrible heeling ;) Nah - she looks fantastic Like I said last night - you should be very proud of your little madam (hmph! What limp!?)

Hmm... Ness - don't you have a 'mindless brag' to put on this page ;) Something about a possible 'retiree' doing very well this weekend!! C'mon - spill, spill

glad to hear Brock liked it Jules . Feralpup - they aren't that generous with SCT's in Masters ;) :rofl:

Oh wow - Congrats Ptolomy no wonder you are tickled pink If you want to try your hand at a couple of Aussies - i've got two who will probably love you training them (if it includes food, toys and attention ;)) I mean - everyone is always looking for a new adventure..... right?! Good luck today - let us know how you go

:laugh: She did well - behaved like she is a seasoned 'showie' and not been out of the ring for 2 months . She won her class - which wasn't that big a deal as the other B!tch she was up against was withdrawn (lame).... but I was pleased with her though . Didn't get any further as the competition was very tough (the girl that got BCC is probably the top winning Aussie in Aust!)

Looks awesome - thanks Harminee!!! I didn't think anybody loved me ;)

I really can't say as i've never had to retire a dog.... yet - and both of mine better not be thinking about it any time soon!!!! For me - retirement will loom - not on an age factor but more when it stops being 'fun' for both me and the dog. I have a feeling this will mean that Leo will retire earlier than Kinta and likewise he will retire earlier from agility than obedience. If we haven't achieved our goals (UD, ADM, JDM) that is fine, but I just want us to enjoy our time out there and not worry about what performance my dog is going to give me etc. I know how you feel Ness- Leo sometimes offers that type of behaviour to me. Now - i've set it as a challenge. When I have periods where Leo seems a little 'lack luster' every time i've 'pushed through' and continued to train as per normal, I walk away frustrated and wondering why I do this - if it isn't fun for him, it isn't fun for me. The result was that neither the dog or myself was happy about it. So - my challenge now is 'if' I get the dog that is not interested in training I will do one of two things, dependant on the situation: *Take them out of that run / exercise (which is what you already do) *Heavily reward something basic - so long as it was eager (which I am sure you already do too). I have found this has helped a lot in all aspects of training and the 'ploddy' dog I used to complain about is becoming less and less.... As for her walks - Again, Leo is the same.... sort of. He never refuses a walk - but you pick up the lead etc, he doesn't really revel in it. You let him off at the park and unless you have a toy he'll just amble along with you... thats what he likes doing etc. So - sometimes I think - well he doesn't *really* enjoy his walks does he.... but you just try and leave him behind!!! Have you ever tried (when Ness puts on the breaks when you get ready to go for a walk) simply going 'well if you don't want to come - you don't have to and leave her behind?!!?! I don't think anyone can really say 'when' the right time to retire is. I know this is probably harder for you than it would be for me or most people here (prospect of the 'up and coming dogs'.... for example - when I begin to ponder retirement for Leo - it is likely dog # 3 will be 'in training'.... perhaps even dog #4 ).... Personally - I don't think Ness is ready for retirement yet - she is still giving you those bursts of super eager work and you probably know, deep down that she still loves the work. Maybe what she needs is a break? Less training - only doing those that she REALLY loves? Perhaps go right back and rather than 'train' just do lots of drive/ motivation work - spend some time working on Tugging, drive for food etc... so that when you do reward, those rewards mean so much more (i'm getting Leo to retrieve his food container... just for fun).... I think for us, the hardest thing is keeping training fun. I find with my dogs - it is the unpredictable 'training goodies' that keeps them eager. So I need to be creative with what I pull out of my goodie bag etc.... how I reward them, with what etc. Don't quit yet, she still has some good runs left in her .

I too must be very lucky at my club (although not as lucky to have the WA guru's around!!!). I have always been encouraged since day dot (first time trialler mind you) to keep going and keep ahead of where I was trialling. For example - whilst doing CCD - I was encouraged to be 'training' for Novice - while training in Novice - I was encouraged to do some Open stuff at home. Usually it is me that is the limiting factor as i'm too nervous to start on the new stuff. Now - I am again encouraged to start teaching UD stuff already - but again, I'm not so sure as I don't want to do it wrong! Having said that - again I am given a lot of advice and guidance from those at club. Once I get better and know what is expected of each level, I guess dog # 3 would be taught scent work from day dot. One thing I changed with Dog # 2 is introducing the d/b much earlier.... Like Ptolomy said - the young dogs seem to thrive on learning new things!

Yeah you do have to do the modules - but they used to run these on the Tuesday nights too I'm just taking K to Action Dogs for the moment and later will join at Croydon when I have a chance

Gamby - are you taking Gambit? Must come and say hi - i'll be there too!!! AS for fig 8 training - pretty much everything has been said already - use your shoulders and initially reward the dog in position. Then I found to get them to 'drive' around (esp on the outside) throwing a bit of food as you are coming out of the 8 helps also. I go to the park sometimes and practice around a footy post to get my movements right. You might also like to practice some inside/ outside heeling... this is where rather than doing block heeling, you heel in a circle so there are no turns etc. With the dog on the inside, it teaches the dog to 'collect' themselves to keep position with you (useful for fig 8) and the outside circle helps teach the dog to 'drive' to keep position with you.

Ask about Tuesday nights coz i'm in the same boat with Miss K and they don't have enough people for Tuesday nights!!! Failing that - K9 at KCC offer agility training Thur nights - but there is a long waiting list Action Dogs Vic have training at Doveton Wed nights, but as you get higher in the classes - there are some starting at 7pm - don't know if you will be able to get there in time from work! Ummm..... They are the only ones I know of

Hmm... I think you can but also - you may fall into the rut of being a "Jack of all trades and master of none" if you know what I mean I concentrate on showing, obedience and agility. BUT I would also like to do herding, flyball, disc, doggy dancing.... the list goes on. If you have the right type of dog, I strongly believe that you CAN do it so long as you plan correctly (unlikely to happen with your first dog). For example - teaching too much obedience first off - may hinder your herding (not me speaking here. Not enough herding practice to form an opinion).... not to say they can't do both, but perhaps you give the dog a chance to work stock first BEFORE doing too much obedience..... just a thought.... The only reason I think this may ring true is because with a sport such as herding, you aren't *teaching* your dog anything new, but rather chanelling their instincts to do what you want them to. In a way - you need them to 'think' for themselves.... whereas a good obedience dog will be waiting on you for the next direction..... of course I may be completely wrong - so keep in mind I did say I have no herding experience To me - most dogs are only limited by their handlers - meaning that they will be able to do as much as the handler can bestow upon them..... given that the handler is a GOOD handler and is able to let the dog understand/ discriminate between disciplines. Time is another thing. If you want to be GOOD at a sport (and lets face it, who doesn't!?) you need the time to train and practice appropriately. For me, this means that I can't really expand past what I already do. Sure - I can dabble in flyball, herding etc.... but I couldn't take those seriously. I want to do well in obedience and agility (and showing of course) so I need to train for those appropriately etc. Having said that - if I do retire a dog (or rather when) it may mean then that I might take up something else to do instead. I think you can do as many sports as you wish - but I also think you should have time to enjoy your dog, let your dog BE a dog and just 'chill' with them sometimes.... ETA: speaking from the sports I do - no - I don't think doing obedience/agility/showing together confuse the dog any and yes, I think you can do all 3 simultaneously. Your body language, posture and everything else is different for each discipline. Having said that - while I do train for each throughout the year, I may concentrate a little more on one at any given time. eg: When I was going after Leo's CD - that was more important than agility. Now, going after his AD - that is more important than Obedience.... but that is mainly in terms of what trials I enter. Next year - his CDX will be more important..... hope that makes sense

Anyone want to try a hand at 'spiffing' up these photos? They were from the Melbourne Royal on Sunday

Use it and find it very effective - though it does have limitations. I use it for a variety of things such as sit/drop/stand etc. The aim for me is to initially 'show' the dog to an extent what you want it to do, but to get the food out of your hand (and reward from the pouch/ external source) as quickly as possible. I firmly believe that if you keep the food in your hand for too many repetitions, the dog begins to see this as a cue (you going to pouch, pulling food out, THEN asking for something, THEN rewarding). On the flip side - I do find that luring has it's limitations. For example - I find that sometimes (particularly with very food obsessed dogs) the dog will simply 'follow' the treat and not 'think' about what it is doing. This can 'lengthen' the process a little

The culture clash - Jean donaldson The other end of the leash - Patricia Macconell How dogs learn - Bailey and Burch Don't shoot the dog - Karen Pryor (yet to read)

OMG! Congratulations!!! Was that Novice? Coz he has his CCD doesn't he?!?! Did you have to qualify to enter?!?! WELL DONE!!! I can't handle the stress of the royal (plus my dogs aren't ready yet!)..... So what's next - do you have to go back in at all?!?! I'm so excited for you!!!!!

Do you differtiante between Nutrience and Nutrience Holistic and where does it sit in your rankings list? Nope haven't tried the Nutrience Holistic yet - it's next on my list :rofl:

I have this battle too. But - due to the high levels of protein and fat in the power pack - I don't use it unless my dogs need a bit more 'conditioin' or say - if I were breeding.... I think the Hollistic are fine for the 'average' dog. The power pack for both Nutrience and EP were designed for 'sled dogs' or dogs that work all day - Although mine exercise for around 1-3+ hrs a day, I only feed it in small amounts ie: I buy the smaller pack and supplement it in with the normal 'adult' food if that makes sense. Seems to work great for me

And like I said - it wasn't anything 'big' was it :rofl: Well he is 3 now, so we still have a bit to go :p. Ooh I would love that 190 in obedience. I came close in Novice.... but not quite :p.... Why is it always so much harder in a trial!? As for Open - hmm.... don't get me started - i'm too nervous to enter a trial :rofl: ROFL - Like you can talk - I got 'told off' at training on Sunday for giving Kinta the wrong signals :rofl: I walk too fast, don't give her enough indication of halting and I need to watch my shoulders - the slightest twitch and she will turn or whatever :p. I also was told off for my signals I gave Leo.... In a nutshell - their critique was "GREAT dog - shame about the handler" :eek: As for setting the bar high - I see it as 'high' as I want the 'top' classes of each discipline.... but I don't see it as unachievable ;) :D

Georgie Porgie pudding and Pie? Oh wait - that is too long :rofl: :rofl: Umm.... Good luck Kowai! Dont ask what my ambitions are for my guys!!!! LOL -Ness and I have 'set the bar' high for our dogs ..... Have you got his CCD yet?

Bridgie cat - just covered everything I was about to say

Hmm.... Leo - Ellagant Full O Mischief CD JD (1/3 AD)..... Kinta - Ellagant Full of Antics (work in progress) And NO it was *pure* coincidence that they are both "full of".... Kinta was from a "full of" litter and Leo a "Mischief" litter I think a rightful theme if I ever breed with Kinta should be "Wicked" - the little devil of a thing!!!! ETA: we do have an associate agility dog here called "Holly Golightly" Which I thought was cute - a very fast dog that is 'light on it's feet'..... Was watching one of my fave shows on the weekend "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and it was only then that it dawned on me.... Audrey Hepburn's character is "Holly Golightly" :rofl:

I have only tried Eagle pack hollistic and am most impressed with it. Especially since you can also get other flavours other than chicken!!! I haven't tried any of the other EP formula's. I think the EP hollistic is superior to Nutrience, but I still feed both as a variety. In terms of the normal EP and Nutrience - I would say they were pretty much on par ;)

Nope not sore - must have been the 3.5hrs in the car Can Blush jump 600 though?!?!? The dogs weren't tired either - spent ALL day in the city yesterday!!!