JulesP

Gee Shoey we are not getting much enthusiasm for our pom pom idea...... :D

I have been thinking about this topic alot (scary) and came to the conclusion that I would probably use any method if i had to. I hate the thought of the e collars but if I had to use one to say stop my dog chasing stock and so save its life then I would probably use one. I would hate it and i would probably cry after but I would do it. Love being nice to my doggies so go a more positve route but am not 100% convinced that it is working with the dogs real nature. If pup annoys my older dog she doesn't tend to click and treat him. :D It is a grrr and she drops him. So occasionally I have grrred and dropped him too (like when he attacked the old cat this week cause she tried to eat his food). My doggies are pets first so I wouldn't get rid of them if they didn't match my competition desires.

Gawd. I was waiting to hear back from people about times for Croydon. Berwick is probably the same distance as Croydon so am happy to go there. If Berwick is easier for the other more southern people then that is cool. I may be slightly carsick after driving over them there mountains though :D I think most of us are after the same advice - the 'do you realise you are walking crooked' type stuff?? I think?? The smartening up type stuff. and I want lots of different people to poke my pup

Would it be baaaddd to wave pom poms during the stays???

MMMm I am thinking a DOL cheer squad may be need. Or I can join Shoey hiding behind a tree

Well this kind-of got bigger than ben hur! The clinic is very cool as will be the other meet-up. But I don't know about other people but I was interested in meeting up with people in the local park (ok that sounds really weird!!) and doing some training and getting some feedback. Is anyone else still wanting to do a more low key thing? Anyone around over Easter?

Poodle Wrangler you are pretty much feeding BARF anyway. You could drop the SC and just look as some additives like brewers yeast, kiddie Vit drops (am assuming it is a pup) or kelp. Add some offal too. Watch meat from pet supplies though as it sometimes has lots of preservatives in it. I buy human grade meat.

I couldn't do agility with my border girl as she constantly stares at my face and wouldn't see the jump until the last minute. It was pretty funny.

LOL Jesomil, I was thinking you lived in the country with sheepies!

I have border collies, they will work in any conditions and when half dead So no excuses from me (excect the working full time, running a property on my own and training 2 horses excuse!). Definately the animals train the person to be a better handler! But with my old girl - we trained together!! She is a lovely dog to work with.

This is a good convo but I'm not getting many names here!

Hey wheres my rock, I have trialled before but it was a good 5 years ago now. Everything has changed so much! I should be right for both sessions.

I'm certainly looking forward to getting out of basic so I can get over to the trial ring Leopuppy. My currrent class is totally feral! All dogs that have failed basic a couple of times. And of course our training partners thing will be great!

I'm scared now! The judge on the weekend (members comp) picked up so much stuff that I am now feeling rather useless!! All mainly to do with my use of food, well incorrect use. blah. Pup was good for his first time in a ring though. He didn't seem too bothered. The worse thing he did was go wide when the judge was walking near us, he wanted to chat to him!

How many people here use a private instructor for their choice of dog sport? I always find that one-on-one instruction is so much better than the school obedience classes. Dog school is great for getting the dogs used to distractions etc. From riding horses I am used to having the private lessons. I don't notice many dog people doing this though. Or do you just not mention it? I had some one-on-one instruction on the weekend at a club comp and the judge picked up so much stuff and gave me so many good hints. Also if anyone knows any good instructors can they let me know please! I'm in the Yarra Valley, Vic. PM me if you don't want to put the details here.

The food that initially got my pup going was dried cat kibble! He wasn't that interested in the other nice things liked cooked chicken. I guess because he liked stealing the cat kibble it was a 'special' treat. Now he has the idea of treats he will work for pretty much any food.

Hey Kristie, better to get it right from the start then to have to fix stuff up later. My pup is below CCD level at the moment. If you are working towards trialling then come along!

Hey I have a licker too! He is a border collie though. Has done since he was a pup and is now a year old. He is a very submissive dog. Never had trouble with other dogs getting grumpy with him though, all dogs seem to like him. Have used him at training to give other dogs confidence. He is very gentle with little dogs and puppies. He licks everything too. The cat is always soggy! He drives my other border nuts with it. He goes to town on her! He licks me. He sits outside and licks the glass if he can see me!! Sort of squashes his nose and against the window and licks

There is the park on lysterfield Rd/Burwood Hwy/Glenfern rd. I know that has a decent flat area that isn't used for sports. Just down a bit from Knox park.

ooohhhhhhh scary! You would have to be pretty damn mean to be meaner than some of my riding instructors thu!

They do play cricket on those grounds too. Not sure if there is other room?

A couple of drinks and it will not be scary . Straight lines may be interesting though!!

Leopuppy, Shoemonster and myself must all be in a similar area? I am in Wandin. Am happy to get together for some training! I got absolutely caned for stuff stuff the other week when I wandered off to the trail class for some help. Figured I needed private lessons again, so this would certainly help!

I am not sure that I agree with the plan thing, or should I say that you need to be aware of the dog on the day and immediately forget the plan if something else is going on! For instance last night I wanted to work on stands. Pup had lost his instant sits so I had to work on that first. Or even being aware that neither you or the dog is in the mood and just stopping the session. No point doing crap training just to have done it! You get this alot with horse training too - lots of experts! You need to listen to the advice, decide if you agree and learn to discard if it doesn't fit with your approach. You kind-of need to be a bit arrogant to do this! With dog training there are lots of paths, you need to find your own path! Otherwise you do find yourself trying this, trying that and ended up getting you and doggie very muddled.

I tried tonight without using the stay command and pup stayed! He didn't stay when I walked off backwards but he did when I did it properly. Interesting! He also stayed when the cat jumped on him! Then the cat joined in and did the stay with him, wish I had had the camera!