JulesP

Funny how different our different dogs are! Mine seem to like whizzing really close behind me and are quite slow with any sort of flipping. When I asked about other reasons for not doing a U turn or flip I was talking about the effects on agility. Should have made that clearer.

Maybe one of the reasons I don't have problems losing them behind is that they do have a very strong understand of the front reinforcement spot.Not because I have deliberately trained that btw but because at my dog school you spend much of the first 2 levels (pre-puppy & puppy) with the dog in front for exercises. I sometimes have issues with them swinging in front for a reward! I just never feel like I get a good sit with the flip finish. I can see Poppy changing sides in obedience, going to the right rather than staying on the left, if I continue with the left about turn though.

Have been thinking about this too after the GD seminar. Is the only reason that they are so strict on the blind cross because they think the dog has the opportunity to go off and do stuff whilst it is behind you? I am fairly confident that neither of my dogs is likely to go off and play on equipment. Getting the buggers to leave me is hard enough! Any other reasons that it is bad to do the normal left about turn and behind the back finish?

Not sure what you are wanting to use the touching for?

I have alpha rolled my own dogs. Last time was when one of them was a pup and growled at me whilst eating a bone. I come down on that sort of behavior very hard. But yes there is no force, when they realise what they have done they roll themselves. No way would I teach it or suggest one of my class do it. If I think those sort of measures are needed I suggest a private lesson with a behaviorist. If an instructor tried to make me do that in class I would walk out.

You need a high value treat for dog school. Kibble will not cut it there. Use the martingale but I would prefer to see you trying with a flat collar at your pups age.

The Coles Complete Balance dog food is apparently Coprice.

Lets not get picky. You know what I mean.

Think you can pick more than one now!

Ok here is a little poll. This is relating more to young dogs rather than older dogs that already pull or have behavior problems. Haven't done a poll before so hope it works!

The person I wrote about is actually one of my best friends. And there is nothing on here that I haven't said to her face. She even knows I have written on here about her. Sometimes I would loveeeee to write about my class but figure that they might just be reading here.

Not big bits but if you want some different kibble try cat kibble! Not in large amount obviously. My dogs love it! Is one of their fav training treats.

I find the Natures Gift smackos good for throwing. Brock is a bit thick with finding little bits of food. You can break them into what ever size bits you want.

I didn't mind Great Barko. Natures Gift isn't what I would call budget. The biggest bag is 4kg for $19. A big bag of a premium works out cheaper. Don't mind it as a food though. Don't mind Purina One. I have noticed a reduction in coat and skin quality since my experiments so will be returning to Proplan.

Great Barko kibble is pretty big. It is the only kibble that my piggies don't choke on.

Not a call but my fav stupid thing to do to dog so far is one of my students that was playing 'keeping off' with her young dog. A game were the person that is it has to stay away from the other people. Lots of lunging and trying to grab involved. Pup did a lovely recall in at school but when she bent down to put the lead on off the pup went! It had a lovely time playing keeping off until we caught it!

I don't go to dog parks either and am not that fussed about the dogs socializing. Would also prefer that they see me as the source of good fun. But I do have 3 dogs and am on a couple of acres. If I had 1 dog in a normal garden I might do things a bit differently. Mine are a bit snobby too.

Erny it was for dogs that wouldn't send to other items. Was a focus exercise for agility. Idea is that the dog does focus on the food not the handler. It is for starts etc so that the dog is looking ahead and doesn't run smack into the jumps because they are looking at the handler.

I'm in the Yarra Valley but my bit of it seems safe at the moment. Have been on ember alert all arvo. Am very worried about friends that are fighting a fire at their place in Castella.

One of the things that Laura Derrett said was that she preferred the reward to come from her personally, so she doesn't throw food etc. She did use a send to food thing but that was part of sending not a reward. It makes sense to me as I want to be the holder of all rewards in my dog's eyes. When I do send to a jackpot I tend to run with the dogs and give it to them, rather then them getting it themselves. I do TOT with all my new puppies but as I am in close proximity when they get their dinner I still feel like I am the owner of the food.

You could be right Tony! Sorry Kelpie.

Midol was asking about aggressive handlers. Not aggressive dogs. Midol I doubt that you will get a video on such a thing as I imagine the aggressive human will not want to have it broadcast. Am happy to talk to you about aggressive people but have no video. lol

All very interesting. Lots to ponder with agility! Think it is why it is filling the dressage gap (did dressage more than jumping) more than obedience was.

Maybe I am doing it totally wrong as I am novice but when I am doing my training courses I am looking for the stride etc which has come from my show jumping (low level). I am thinking about collecting a bit before things like the tires. Kind of thinking about the dog bouncing over jumps rather than flattening out. But I am really, really slow! lol. Maybe the times are just too tight and that encourages handlers to go flat knacker??

I think that they did look at banning the tire after the national. Ours got pulled out of training for a couple of weeks. Actually was it our tire? I think alot of our equipment got used for that comp.