Mrsdog

Aren't we lucky to have so much to choose from? So many things to do, so little time.................. Wish I was twins. Noels.

I'm doing Richard Curtis - Anyone else going? Noels.

Hanrob is good, but a little expensive longterm. Peakhurst or Sutherland are really good for socialisation, and you will get all the basics. Class size is dependent on number of dogs on the day and number of instructors available. $3 per session. Peakhurst is probably easier time-wise as it is Saturday afternoon. Sutherland is 8.30am Sunday morning. Look up the website "Sutherland Shire Dog Training Club", or ask here for more info. Sutherland has Agility Trial on this Saturday, if anyone would like a look. Probably some people from here competing. Noels.

I want all your little dogs for Flyball, so watch out, I maybe lurking.............. Seriously, small dogs are always in demand as height dogs in a flyball team. The height of the jumps is set on the smallest dog in the team. At the end of the day when all the dogs are tired they will have been very appreciative to jump the lower jumps because they are lucky enough to have a small dog in the team. Bring on the small dogs........ Noels.

My dogs have the yearly heartworm injection, but I don't have it done same time as yearly vax. Have never had any reaction and just find it more convenient. Noels.

As an owner of a MWF (medium white fluffy) I do understand where you are coming from. My nickname at our OB club is "Bo Peep and the Sheep". If one more Border Collie owner tells their dog to "round mine up" ............. Never mind, down-sizing is a trend of the future - smaller cars, smaller homes and yes, smaller dogs. So it is only a matter of time and the swf will be the majority and you will be setting the benchmark. You will always get the person who has a problem with getting their brain and mouth to work together (that is if the brain is there!) but then there are the really good ones who more than make up. I'll look forward to hearing about your successes in the future. Noels.

Some very good advice here. My immediate thought was "don't let him near the table". But then of course that isn't teaching him anything. BUT you really should always be there when he has access to the table. It really is the old prevention is better than cure. (Did like that chilli on the plate advice. ) NILIF is good training. This dog is obviously a very good jumper so Agility has to be on the horizon? Or Flyball? He is going to be such a good dog with a little more training and once he gets past the teenage stage!! I always try to turn every negative into a positive, but must admit I'm having trouble with this one. In the meantime I would make sure that there is absolutely nothing on the table to reward him for getting up there. No reward = not worth the effort. Then if he does sneak past when you are not looking he won't gain anything. Know this is a bit of a pain and more work for you but if you can't watch all the time then it is the only answer. Please let me know how you get on as I am finding this really interesting. BTW dogs are very forgiving and once he realises he has the real you back things will be back to normal again. Noels.

St. George is going - not me unfortunately - but I'm sure one of us would be able to help you out. We are REALLY nice people and always willing to help. If Tigerjackpolly doesn't see this I'll mention it at training. Who is going to Kioloa? See you there. Noels.

Thanks to Clover I looked up the Flyball Points and guess what? Kiss has FDX. Considering that we only started Flyball late last year and the Sydney Easter Royal was her first official comp. I am sooo happy and surprised. Guess there will be a lot of postings when people look up their points. Flyball is so exciting and the people are such fun. Noels.

I like this one. Will give it a try. Thanks. Noels.

That is just wonderful. Thanks for showing us the video. I haven't been doing flyball for long and am really hooked, so this would be an extension - the sky's the limit eh? Will look out for more videos when you have time. Once again, thanks a lot. Noels.

Wags if you want to do flyball best go to St. George Flyball club at Mortdale. They will take you through from beginners and teach you properly. There is a lot more to it than you would realise just watching. Sutherland is only just starting to teach flyball this year and we are waiting for new equipment. Some of the Sutho dogs do flyball, but they did their training mostly with St. George. Tigerjack here on DOL will give you more details or you can phone Sandra Hindmarsh on 9534.2645. Training is Thursday evening 6.30pm in the schoolgrounds - Mortdale Primary/Carinya School I think it is called. Better check this. The St. George crowd would be one of the friendliest I have ever come across. So helpful and supportive of new people. If you have a reasonable level of obedience and recalls then you have a good start. Guarantee you and your dog will just love it. Noels.

Hi Myszka. We'll have to catch up some day. I have two Lagotti - one brown roan boy and a white girl. Mostly do Agility on Monday and Wednesdays and show training on Friday. Then there is flyball on Thursday nights. Oh, well, it keeps me off the streets. :rolleyes: Perhaps we can meet up at one of the get-togethers for DOL? Noels.

Hey, hey, what a keen little vegemite. Good for you. I also think it is good to expose your dog to many experiences. Yes, come tomorrow. Try to get there about 7.45 as you have a simple form to fill in. Receipt is probably OK as they usually say what it was for. You will be given a booklet for new people and also "The Wag", which is the club magazine. Bring some treats for your dog. Wet treats are better than hard treats as easier and quicker to swallow (Cabanossi, sausage, chicken, cheese). The Club President takes newbies on their first day and will tell you about the Club and show you around. Then you will do some training. Training is for one hour but of course you are not training all that time. If at any time you feel that your dog needs a break just take it aside and let it rest in the shade for a short while. However you will find that the hour goes really fast and will be over before you realise. Whoops, nearly forgot to answer your question: New dogs are mostly puppies and young dogs. Occasionally get an older dog in the group. About the breakfast question - up to you. Personally I think young dogs need their breakfast, but some people prefer to feed their dog when they get home. Since you won't be training intensive on this day why don't you feed him first and decide about that next time? Do you know where the Swimming Pool/Leisure Centre is at Sutherland? Old Princes Highway? Well, going towards Engadine just past the swimming pool there is a running track and football fields - that is where we are - you will see all the dogs. Go to the clubhouse, which is the road side of the football field. Good luck, have fun. Noels.

I imagine that Sutherland and Peakhurst are similar and Hanrob being private and costing more would have smaller classes. How about I give you a thumbnail view of Sutherland? First off dogs must be at least four months old and have their 4-month vaccination, please bring current vaccination certificate with you. It is $20 to join and $3 each time you attend. Time is 8am on Sunday morning. We also train Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights, but beginners must start on Sunday. Class size is dependent on number of volunteer instructors and dogs attending on the day. We try to keep class sizes as small as possible and give individual help where needed. As well as obedience classes Sutherland also offers courses in clicker training, agility, flyball, Canine Mans Best Friend certificate course, and we have a group of Caring Canines who visit the local nursing homes. Our demonstration team performs at Fetes and for charities whenever we are asked. Hope this is sufficient info for you, but please ask if I have left anything out (sure I have...). We have lots of Staffies at Sutherland. One of the instructors said SDTC stands for Staffy Dog Training Club. :rolleyes: Why don't you come one Sunday morning and check us out? Noels.

Sorry Noisymina, that Mrsgestapo was a joke. Anyone who knows me will tell you this is so. I believe in LOTS of socialisation - happy dogs and happy people. We are all working, but we are having fun too. Will try to keep my sense of humour in check in future. ;) Look around in your area and I am sure you will find somewhere to train where you and your dog will enjoy every moment. :D

Good. At the end of class I want all my dogs and handlers to be tired. This means you have done a lot, thought a lot, and enjoyed yourselves. :D Not only that, but I give you homework as well. ;) (Changing my name to Mrsgestapo)

Busters Mum: Yes, you will be in Class 1, Week 1 next time you go. Doesn't matter if you miss a week or two here and there. Just go to where you are up to next time. Grading is done every week in Class 1, so you could be graded out at any time. All that is necessary for this grading is that you and your dog have a reasonable idea of the basics. Sometimes a dog has a problem with socialisation, perhaps is a little timid, and in that case it can be a good idea to keep him in 1 for a little longer. It is always better to go at your own pace. Any questions, please ask, I'll try to answer.

Sorry Busters Mum, I only just saw this. Were you part of the 32 dogs who joined up yesterday? What a lot of puppies. You can try out both Obedience Clubs and see which one suits you best. Hope you enjoyed yourself.

Good on you both. :D Just remember: It doesn't happen overnight, but it DOES happen. Sometimes I despair at ever getting it right and then the penny drops and it is sooo good. And at the end of the day we always go home with the BEST dog.

Communication skills are sometimes overlooked. Just because you can train your own dog doesn't make you a good instructor. You must be able to help the individual to train their own dog and explain things so that they can be understood. Alternatives must also be part of your training skills. What works for one dog may not work for another. Keep it fun and interesting. Boring leads to lack of motivation and eventual drop out. Just a few thoughts. Noels.

That is awesome. I'm just about to start trialling again so you are an inspiration. Congratulations.

Poodlefan, wish I could train with you!

WHY CAN'T OBEDIENCE BE FUN? If I (and my dog) am not having a good time then I don't want to be there! Find the right place to train and then make sure you enjoy yourself. Girls just wanta have fuuuun. Oh Poodlefan you are the most sensible of us all with the best advice and I do take notice of it. However......life is short and who knows what is happening next so don't waste a minute. Try everything, never say no, and always be ready to laugh. And that's enough of me being serious. I'm outta here. Love, Noels.

I do both - no problems so far. I'm told that if you have a dog that is hard to control around the course (e.g. kelpie with spins between jumps) then the flyball hypes him up too much and he is inclined to take the jumps too fast, perhaps knocking the bar. I am only repeating what one person told me, so wait for more feedback. If problems develop then I will reassess. In the meantime we are having an absolute ball and enjoying both.