Mrsdog

Surely do need a Dalmatian - why don't you move? We'd welcome you with open arms. So don't you think that any breed can do Flyball? The dogs learn so quickly because it is self-rewarding and it is great for the handler since the doggies do all the work. Also less stressful than Agility for instance, as I can still manage to stuff my dog up on an agility course! Noels.

Just writing up a new book and trying to get organised for 2008 and thought you might be interested in how many different breeds we have in our Flyball group. Just started competing last year and how amazing that so many different dogs can get on so well. Here they are: Tenterfield Terrier, Border Collie, Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Staffordshire Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Great Dane, Pharaoh Hound, Australian Bulldog, Whippet, Standard Poodle, Bearded Collie, Lagotto Romagnolo and many cross breeds. Don't you think it is incredible that so many very different breeds can all participate in flyball and have such a good time? Of course we, the owners, do enjoy ourselves as well. Come along and check us out - we'll be at the Sydney Royal, Canberra Royal, Crookwell Show. Happy New Year to you all - I just know it is going to be a BIG one. Noels.

7.30pm but try to get there around 7 to settle him a bit first. Good to do the walks and wees first before class! Did you really think everyone could stay away from training? LOL Noels.

Squeak, there will be training on Wednesday night and probably not too many people there. Maybe this would be a good opportunity if you are not doing anything. Noels.

Squeak, there's some very good advice here, but no-one seems to want to come in on the licking problem. In my experience licky dogs are usually submissive dogs, and the frequency of licking is probably because dog is still settling in and he is saying to you "look how hard I am trying to be everything you want, just let me know your desires and I will try really hard". Have you never seen puppies doing the licky thing to older dogs? I would never be too harsh with a submissive dog as this is how fear agression can start. BUT you don't want this licking behaviour to continue so you mustn't encourage it. Dog is desperate for attention and we understand this, but attention comes when we decide, not when dog decides. This has all been said previously, so won't elaborate. In multiple dog families I am still all for the "Belle of the Ball" as outlined by Terry Ryan. Each dog needs to have your undivided attention for short periods. Place the other dog behind a barrier or in a crate while you play/pet/train one dog. Then swap them over. Once again you are deciding who gets the attention. Dogs will accept the rules that you put down. They are adaptable and love to know exactly what is expected of them. Eventually you will be able to call dog by name and say "your turn" and other dog will accept it without having to be locked away. All good things come from you, and when you decide. Oh dear, I know what I am trying to say, but I hope I have explained it here. And before anyone blows me away, yes I am a softie, and I still believe that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Noels.

Each weekend I get a few problems to solve and this same old one comes up with great regularity: "My dog is weeing in the same spot inside". So I pretty well have this down pat, even for the people who are convinced to treat their dog like a child, and off I go into a few questions and answers BUT this one came up with a twist. As we got a little further along it appears that the dog is always peeing at the door. I know what immediately comes to your mind, just wait on...... Anyway, have only had the dog for 3 weeks, is a rehomed older dog and doesn't have any accidents during the day, only at night and then does it at the door. Hmmmm.... and they have a doggie door, which the dog uses....plot thickens......Ahaa, they lock the doggie door at night! Small dog, small door, have to be a small burglar. Oh yes, they do take doggie out before bedtime but she won't go then. Gave them strategies to try to encourage toileting before bedtime, remembering that she is still settling in and not sure yet what is expected of her (thus my question "do we expect too much") and gave them a choice of either getting up in the middle of night and letting her out or leaving the doggie door open for a few nights. Once she is settled she probably won't have to go wee till morning. I also pointed out that they were very lucky to have such a good older dog, already reasonably trained - sits, walks on lead without pulling, etc. and I'm sure this little problem will sort itself out very quickly. BTW lady just adores this dog already, is taking it to OB classes and like all good stories they are going to live happily ever after. Noels.

But Tassie, how good for the horse riding bit - you know, the one that Mary really likes!!!!! There is another Dancing with Dogs day at Erskine Park on 9th December. Loretta of course has coerced me into going - don't see why you can't be there too, just a hop, skip and a jump (maybe a swim too). This weekend is games agility on Saturday evening and Flyball on Sunday and forecast is still for rain. My doggy is not so attractive when wet, come to think of it - neither am I. Thanks Vicki for your kind words. I expected to cop some flak about the "belly button training" but I find people really relate to silly titles for their training and it helps them to remember. Most people just switch off if there is too much technicality to training. Of course I say this because I am mostly training pet dogs and only a few of them go on to the OB ring. Oh, I do so love them all. Noels.

Training Sunday morning in the class was a Bernese Mountain Dog. Guy told me his wife sent him along because she just couldn't walk him anymore. Even the guy was having trouble holding him back. Well, tried the old belly button training (you know, where you hold food in your right hand with the hand placed on your navel) and instant success. This wonderful dog was walking along with his head glued to my hip, eyes looking upward, perfect heeling. Could have gone in an OB trial. Perfect sits when you stop, oh it was just soooo wonderful. WHY don't people use food to train their dogs? This was a big, strong dog who obviously wasn't responding to the old check chain choke, but food rewards worked so well. Dogs owner was grinning from ear to ear. He couldn't wait to get home and show his wife. Yes, I did stress that we still had a way to go, doesn't happen overnight but does happen, etc. Such a beautiful dog and so intelligent - wonder if I can steal him? Mmmmm, considering his size that might be a litte difficult. Noels.

My strengths are in problem solving and I try very hard to make sure that people find this a positive experience. So very often as trainers we concentrate on solving the problem and forget about the owner's feelings. First time dog owners particularly can find the dog training experience a little daunting to say the least and when problems develop often feel inadequate. I always try to remember that this is a dog/owner partnership, unique in itself, and that we are not just solving the dog's problems but also giving the owner the confidence they need. Just another perspective for you to think about. Noels.

Tassie I miss you - come back soon. And all the rest of you - such a great lot of people - but then us doggy people are, aren't we? Noels.

Now this is a secret (wink, wink, nod,nod) but the Windmill Motel in Coffs keeps two rooms for people with dogs. It is not out of the way being on the way through and set well back from the road so no noise. Dogs are allowed inside and they also have a restaurant. How's that for a good find? We plan on driving right through on the way back, but thought it would be a good stopover on way up. You do realise that I wouldn't share this secret with just anybody, don't you? Noels.

Loretta and I will be going - sharing a cabin - two toy poodles and 1 lagotto - you should be able to pick us out! LOL We are having a stopover in Coffs Saturday night so that we can get there a little earlier on Sunday. PLEASE remember to say hello. Seems I always get back and then find out that all these dolers were there. Hey Mrs. D, you know we can't be in the same place at the same time, everyone thinks we are the same person. Looks like we will blow our disguise. Oh well, can't win 'em all. So you think just the frontline won't be enough? Should go Proban tabs as well? Lagotto coat is so dense it would be easy to miss a tick. Haven't been to anything all year, thought I would blow all the dosh on this one. Sooooo looking forward to it. Noels.

Anyone in Sydney needs a strategic pairs partner (Novice) then Kiss is up for grabs. She is a 400 dog but could jump 500 OK. Anyone desperate? Noels.

We have a Pharoah Hound (Cleo of course) in our Flyball group. You can see pictures of her on the Pinnicle website. Look under Southerly Muster, which is the name of our comp. Don't be put off by people telling you what your dog can and can't do. Give it a go and if you both enjoy it, go for it! Of course not everything is for every dog, but you would be surprised how many things you CAN do. Don't forget to give Canine Freestyle(doggy dancing) a try. Noels.

Can't wait to meet you when your puppy is four months old and can come to dog training. Don't worry, you seem to be doing all the right things and they all learn everything eventually. Come spy on us anytime - you are very welcome. Noels.

Same thing happened to me my first agility trial - pouring rain, shocker of a day. Phoned friend and said surely you are not going? Was told that it is considered "bad form" to pull out of agility trial just because it is raining. So went back and told husband to get out of bed, we are going after all. Not too impressed but hi ho off we go. Windscreen wipers going, fog in one part so bad that we had to creep along, husband says "You've gotta be joking". When we get there they are still making decision whether on or off, decide to go ahead. Dogs staying in tunnel, won't come out into the rain, handlers trying to coax dog out and getting soaked in the process. Some people running barefoot, squishing through the mud. Oh, it was a fun day!! More fun than jelly wrestling. Well, I'm still married and still going to agility trials - must be lacking in the brain department, probably has something to do with my hair colour? Noels.

OK, I'm back at training on Sunday so come see me after your class. I will be taking the Canine Mans Best Friend class in front of where you take your dog for vetting. Remember, all dogs know how to sit, stand, drop - they just have to learn to do it when you tell them! Noels.

Steve used to be Chief Instructor at Sutherland Shire Dog Training Club and has come back on numerous occasions and given us wonderful advice and help. Has brought along his own videos to show us. He is very approachable and always willing to offer help. Just don't mess up his hair (hates that). Noels.

Cazzaritch, come see me on Sunday after your class. I am presently instructing the Canine Mans Best Friend class and this week is all about focus. So much easier to train your dog if you have his attention. I can give you a few simple things to go on with that will help you so much. Life WAS meant to be easy. You will find me on the oval just in front of the vetting table. Also don't forget to come along on Saturday and see our first Flyball competition held at Waratah Park. Australia's fastest team of flyball dogs has entered, so it will be really exciting. Racing will be happening all day, so if you have time pop along. Noels.

Our club trains Sunday mornings, and if you are getting up and taking your dog to training on a cold Sunday morning, 8.30am, then I think you are wonderful and am certainly going to do my best to make your training session worthwhile to you and your dog. We are a large all breeds dog training club with a diversity of abilities - both dog and handler. The majority of people just want a well behaved dog that they can take anywhere and be proud of it. The ones who find they can do a little more and have a responsive dog are the ones who might end up in the OB ring trialling their dogs. Sometimes you start out as just wanting a few manners for your dog and somewhere along the way you get hooked and before you know it you are OB training, getting interested in dog sports such as Flyball and Agility, and (don't laugh please) even doing some doggy dancing. Of course obedience training is the basis for all these other things but it is usually worthwhile to let people know that these are all available. If we keep people interested then they will keep training their dogs and everyone benefits. There is just so much fun you can have with your dog, and so much to learn, I do hope I live to be a hundred. Noels.

I like that idea of red ribbons tied on collar. Thanks, might use that one. Noels.

Our club allows muzzles and in some cases will ask for a dog to be muzzled. It allows the owner to relax and concentrate on training the dog. I have been told time and again how much better they feel when their dog is muzzled. Mind you, it is not solving the problem, it is only making problem solving possible. If people are making the effort to train their dog they deserve all the help they can get. If placing a muzzle on your dog means you can attend dog training and work on socialising your dog, then why wouldn't you do it? Ours is a large dog training school and you will often see one or two dogs wearing a muzzle. Sure it sends out a signal to be careful around this dog, but isn't that also a good thing? So RottnBullies go for the muzzle. If you feel better and more relaxed then so too will your dog. We have a German Shepherd atm wearing a muzzle and he has improved sooooo much. Not quite ready to take the muzzle off but definitely getting there. This dog would jump and snap at people and dogs. His owner has done a wonderful job with him - big Shepherd, small female owner. Like they say "doesn't happen overnight but it WILL happen". Good luck, be strong. Noels.

Just bumping this up for anyone who might have missed it. Loretta is back so you can email her now. Noels.

If you haven't already looked at Flyball TV you are in for a treat. Go to the links - the bloopers one is soooo funny. This is only new so not a lot to look at, but they have put up some overseas links, which are interesting, and there is an interview with a lady in Tasmania. Flyball.TV will find it for you. Noels.

Loretta is away this week, back Sunday, so you will hear from her early next week. The big surprise with doggy dancing is that it improves other aspects of your dog training. I guess it is because we are more relaxed and having a good time. After all, our stuff-ups are just something to laugh about. It is amazing how fast the dogs catch on. Always did think my dog was smarter than me! Noels.