JulesP

You aren't supposed to use the dog's name before the finish either. Maybe there were a couple of smaller things that led to the 0 score.

I've had 2 GSD puppies in class now at dog school that couldn't give a rats about their food treats. Is this a coincidence or are GSD less food motivated???

Contrats on everyone's achievements! Mine for this week are Brock is progressing well in his agility. And today at club he stayed in both his sit and drop stay when the person next to us yelled at their dog! yipeee! He didn't look happy but he stayed there. I was hoping the agility would give him a bit more confidence about things and it seems to be working.

Thanks KC. That helps. Doubt Brock will get much faster, the only time I have seen him go anywhere at any speed was when a tree fell down and nearly squashed him! He is a laid back character!

Thanks guys. Club is teaching the 2o2o but also expect the dog to touch the ground with its nose. Not sure if it will be the best method with Brock as he is very naturally careful and umm slow. I can't see the point of getting the dog to touch the ground with its nose but as I am a newbie at this I am going along at the moment. I do like to know the whys though.

I still don't really get it. Maybe because it is not needed with my dog, not the speediest animal in the world and he isn't looking like taking any flying heaps off things! I'll have to go and watch an agility comp I think. Are there any on in the east melb suburbs soon??? I have to admit that the whole agility thing has got me rather intrigued now.

Just a newbie question on touching the ground after an obstacle. I get that the dog has to make contact with the ends of the obstacle and that it gives the handler time to catch up but what I don't get is why touching. Why can't you just ask the dog to wait or drop or something?? what is with the touching the ground?

Wanders in to thread..... Definately agree you HAVE to have a BC ..... runs very quickly away.....

I am finding it very hard to work out what drive my dogs are. They aren't the manic bouncy type dogs but have a very high work ethic. Both are rather serious dogs but are usually busy doing something (herding things usually!). Both are very focused on me. Their desire to please is very strong, if something goes wrong it is always because of a commuication issue not because they say 'no, can't be bothered'. So are they low drive or 'serious' high drive?

Another small herding dog to consider is a corgi.

My routine was a bit different so I'll put it in. I used to have a picnic blanket and sit on the blanket with the dog within sight of my ring. I had a stake thing to tie the dog to if I had to go somewhere. I usually sat with a friend and had a bit of a socialise. Dog was usually getting lots of pats. I would do a bit of really quick heeling, getting attention etc and then go into the ring. Then back to blanket until the stays. Brock is a similar sort of dog so I will probably do the same with him.

Sounds like you had a good time. Wish I could have got away to go to it.

Roxy may move on to other plants once she has had her wicked way with that one! My border collie destroyed heaps of plants when he was a pup, fingers crossed he seems to have stopped now! The garden is looking much nicer now, lol.

I'm doing agility at K9 Kompany Lilydale and all the equipment is down really low. It is just a fun thing.

Leopuppy I think I do quench some drive in my dogs because I don't like bouncy, hyper dogs at home. The same sort of bouncy, hyperness makes heeling look special. I do tell them to settle down a fair bit. I now find I have to razz Brock up! Or I have just managed to buy 3 super quiet border collies in a row!

Nearly had a mincemeat BC today! I was mowing the lawn, which was making the pony go silly, which was making the dogs go into full BC herd mode, Brock was so busy doing the 'crouch-evil-eye' thing that he nearly got run over by the mower! Silly dog! Disclaimer: No ponies or dogs were harmed and all had a ball!

Brock retrieved a toy at the weekend! I nearly peed my pants

My border collie girl plays the other dog not the ball as well My old border used to just ignore her as she was hanging on his tail!! But it does upset my young border and I believe inhibited his retrieve instinct. If I want to play fetch with young border then I have to put the other one inside.

I just found this thread today in the Dog Sports section http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=108588 it lists different clubs in different states that you can do agility. I go to Croydon dog club in Victoria. The dogs have to have passed basic obedience and be 18 months old.

Thanks feralpup. Had another agility lesson today, a more technical one. Getting the dog to work on the right side, back up, target etc Brock was a good boy.

Thanks Vickie. How do you get a pass?

Brock has just done his first agilty lesson and seemed to enjoy it! (I did too!) He attacked it in his usual serious work-man like manner though, lol. No woofing, bouncing etc for this border We did some jumps, the a-frame and the tunnel. I know nothing about agility as my last border was hopeless at it, she is one of those gaze lovingly at mum the whole time dogs! Which was great until there was suddenly a jump in front of her. How is it actually scored in a comp?? I don't think Brock is going to be super fast but because he is easy to control he might be quite accurate.

Anyone seen the treats that they used to make? Haven't seen them for ages and found them really good. Not too mushy in the hand.

Have you had blood taken etc? What are you feeding her? Has anything happened on your walks to scare her? (Brock used to run and hide when I got his lead out because he was scared of the big trucks on my road). My dogs appear to sleep alot, even Brock (not 2 yet). I have been home all day and they have been in their beds most of the day, except a period this morning when Brock was trying to herd clouds! They came in at about 7.00 and are still sound asleep.

That does sound a bit weird ness. I retired my BC girl because of injury at about 3. At 11 and quite lame etc she is still very enthusiastic about life and still really wants to work. My old dog was still quite lively up until he dies at 15.5 years. Both older dogs still want to go out for walkies, it was sad that they couldn't physically cope. Your girl actually sounds a bit sour. If she was a horse I would say that she needs to be spelled. Maybe you could back the activities off a bit and see if she recovers her joy for life.