julesluvscavs Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 (edited) OK.. So I used to be heavily involved in the world of dog obedience and trialing years ago. I stopped because of various reasons eg bad back, working shift work/moving/getting married etc etc (as it happens) I did try to get back into it when Joey was much younger, but didn't end up continuing. The club instructors remembered me from years ago, and I must admit I felt really good at the time about getting back into it. Anyway recently someone who belongs to a dog obedience club was telling me about a new branch of her club starting up around my way. I didn't take it seriously at first, but over last couple of days, I can't get it out of my mind, and that I would love to take it up again My back is still terrible, but otherwise there's no other real reasons to stop me pursuing it It doesn't start until about March. My main concerns about it all are ... Joey is going be 7 this year, and apart from having very basic training, does not know some of the simple commands like drop (Yes I know that is why you go to training lol) but he will be among puppies and young dogs I would imagine?? Is he still trainable at his age?? (bear in mind I am mostly doing it for enjoyment, socialisation and exercise for us both) Also years ago when i was doing it we always used (is it correction chains they call them now??) for training. I had no issues with them back then, but now there has been some negative talk about them. We use harness's on our two and they behave well in them. It is what they have always been walked in. Plus personally we think they are gentler on small breeds of dogs like Cavaliers.. So what do they allow these days, and if only a check or correction chain, how will i introduce that to Joey Lastly I am bit concerned about my back as giving signals with bigger dogs is easier for me than having to bend down to a small dog. How do others cope with bad backs and small dogs? I am excited about the prospect of it all, but just want to be prepared. I have no idea about how this training school operates yet until I go to the first meet. The friend who goes has a beautifully mannered and well trained dog ! There is a chance later down the track I may get another cavalier, hopefully a young one, but that's not in our plans just atm. I will come back later to see if there are any replies. Thank you Edited February 26, 2011 by Jules♥Cavs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Hi Jules, I wouldn't think 7 is to old if you just want to have a bit of fun. I am sure it will be fine. A dog is never to old to learn new tricks. I have a 10.5 year old who is still training at obedience club weekly and would hate to think she wasn't allowed her turn. She is also still trialling happily enough. Not sure who is running the club but what about using a flat collar for obedience rather than a check chain. Harness's aren't great but if the dog is under control and not a problem then I wouldn't bother with a check chain and would just use a normal standard flat collar. On the last point about signals and bending down. In the end you shouldn't need a huge signal for something like a drop (you could just as easily use a verbal only in your situation). My suggestion would be to start training it at home and train it with the dog on a table or you sitting on a lounge and the dog on the floor. Once the dog understands what is required and has the drop on a nice verbal then you could work at having you stand up next to the dog and give the command. Might save your back. Hope some of this is helpful . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 I did try Joey with a very light small correction chain for a while a long time ago.. when i attempted to go back into training that time, but he hated it and wouldn't move much. I was very gentle using it .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 Thanks Ness ! will reply more after, just about to go out. Thank you for your suggestions ! Be back later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 (edited) I think its a branch of the Morphette Vale one??? ps.. what is a flat collar??? Edited February 26, 2011 by Jules♥Cavs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Many of the clubs in the state will recommend a check chain but I am not sure any insist on them. I don't use one/wouldn't use one and my two are both trained on standard collars (well mostly off-lead anyway). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 Many of the clubs in the state will recommend a check chain but I am not sure any insist on them. I don't use one/wouldn't use one and my two are both trained on standard collars (well mostly off-lead anyway). I think I know what u mean by normal flat collar, as in a normal dog collar ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piper Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Many of the clubs in the state will recommend a check chain but I am not sure any insist on them. I don't use one/wouldn't use one and my two are both trained on standard collars (well mostly off-lead anyway). I think I know what u mean by normal flat collar, as in a normal dog collar ?? Yep, just your typical buckle collar. I agree with Ness - use a grooming table or similar to teach sit, stand and drop then transition that to on the ground. Also work on focus on you so they are looking up and then you won't need to be down as much to get them to see the signal. Alternatively you could train them to respond mostly to a verbal cue unless you intend on getting all the way to UD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ons Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 there's a new dogtraining centre started near me that started off for show training only because I knew the lady I asked if I could take my coolie pup for some socialisation with a view when she was older to take her into town to the formal obedience centre well it turns out that Vickie really enjoys teaching obedience too so we now have a class on Monday night for obedience I'm taking my Onslow who is 6 and my pup - whilst I would like Onslow to get his CCD, the coolie pup I'm more amitious for I don't think Onslow is too old to learn, he knows some of the stuff and has more to learn, he seemed to enjoy his first class and Vickie has always loved my female golden retriever and thought her breeder should have chosen her to show rather than her litter sister (I'm glad she didn't ) so I am now taking Tilly on wednesday nights for show training! With a view to enter her in the neuter classes. She is five! Now that's hard work, tilly is a fruit bat and is used to having to sit for treats, I now have to make her stand! go have some fun which is really all I am doing. And I've met some really nice people, even had lunch unexpectedly on Friday with one. as for your back, well the first week at training my head was whirling as I had to bend over Latte to encourage her along, but as she understands more I don't need to bend over her at all much anymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 Yep, just your typical buckle collar.I agree with Ness - use a grooming table or similar to teach sit, stand and drop then transition that to on the ground. Also work on focus on you so they are looking up and then you won't need to be down as much to get them to see the signal. Alternatively you could train them to respond mostly to a verbal cue unless you intend on getting all the way to UD :D Thank you also Piper great advice by you and Ness ! I have been practising with Joey and doing some 'drops' , and he's picked it up quite fast !!! I've used treats as rewards of course . I think he does love the attention he gets from being fussed over, so that will make it easy, but I think he will get bored quickly if we do too much circle work at the classes. He was never really successful in the show ring because of it. Will see how it goes, as I mention I will be trying to make it fun for both of us . I will be using a normal buckle collar then when I go, hopefully they won't be against it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 there's a new dogtraining centre started near me that started off for show training onlybecause I knew the lady I asked if I could take my coolie pup for some socialisation with a view when she was older to take her into town to the formal obedience centre well it turns out that Vickie really enjoys teaching obedience too so we now have a class on Monday night for obedience I'm taking my Onslow who is 6 and my pup - whilst I would like Onslow to get his CCD, the coolie pup I'm more amitious for I don't think Onslow is too old to learn, he knows some of the stuff and has more to learn, he seemed to enjoy his first class and Vickie has always loved my female golden retriever and thought her breeder should have chosen her to show rather than her litter sister (I'm glad she didn't ) so I am now taking Tilly on wednesday nights for show training! With a view to enter her in the neuter classes. She is five! Now that's hard work, tilly is a fruit bat and is used to having to sit for treats, I now have to make her stand! go have some fun which is really all I am doing. And I've met some really nice people, even had lunch unexpectedly on Friday with one. as for your back, well the first week at training my head was whirling as I had to bend over Latte to encourage her along, but as she understands more I don't need to bend over her at all much anymore :D Thanks for your encouraging reply onsntillnflash Sounds like you are all having fun, and learning at the same time with yours! I wish you all the best as well with it all! Thats the thing I just want us to have some fun, and some extra stimulation for Joey. I haven't even started yet, but I've already mastered the drop now yayyy! I do miss the old days of being very involved with it all and meeting some great people during that time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 Not sure who is running the club I think its a new branch from the Southern Districts Obedience Club Ness... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 to everyone who gave me some helpful replies, much appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 Ok started last Monday night in the cold and dark with Joey eeek The first night was an introduction session, so didn't do anything apart from seeing some of the instructors dogs working. The head honcho guy I think I'm going have a few clashing issues with. I felt a bit intimidated by him. He went on about the whole dogs shou;d be trained in a correction collar. Said if i was going insist on not using one then to use a martingale. He kind of made fun of me in front of some people grrrrr Any someone from there had one that fit Joey and he worked fine in it He wasn't too bad really for his first official obedience training class. Didn't even flinch when some of the bigger more boisterous dogs went past him doing a weaving exercise.. I was surprised tho the instructor didn't say anything about us using hand signals when starting off a heel command ! (I only know because I used to do obedience training). I'm thinking she thought because we are all beginners, and it was our first night that she wouldn't make a big thing out of it. I would hope next week she does , especially for people who have no idea ! On leaving I ran into the head honcho guy again and he asked how we went? and i said really good actually. He noticed i had the martingale on Joey, and started going on about how they can do more damage that good !! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! He started to go on about using a correction chain again and I said i've had no issues with them in the past with my bigger dogs, but no going use one on Joey. Then he said something about Joey being old (he's 7) and i kind of just ignored him and walked off. Luckily I not going further into trialing down the track, seriously doubt he would be much of a mentor ! (I had such nice ones years ago.. not ones that were cocky!) Anyway my hip/back were killing by the end of the session but Joey really enjoyed it ! Not sure when the worse of Winter sets in if we will go those times as Joey was shaking from the cold when we were finishing up. I'm more just doing it for the socialisation side of it, and to also give him some extra training and stimulation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 my apologies keep meaning to call them check chains.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oscar (AmBull) Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Hi Jules, Just wondering where the training is? Also if you are still going and enjoying it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 (edited) This came through on the SA Obedience list and I suspect its the details of the club Jule's is now attending: Fleurieu branch of Southern Districts* Port Eliot Oval, Tottenham Court Road, Port Eliot Obedience only, Monday evenings; Contact : Jocelyn Bayly - [email protected] Edited April 18, 2011 by ness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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