JulesP

Jesomil - coming to me will be the best thing later on as that is what I have taught him as a pup.

Yep, my dog isn't returning now because he thinks he is going to get something but because he has been trained to come when called. If the dog is only weighing up whether it will get something better if it returns then IMHO the training has failed.

OMG just got to test pups recall again! Was sitting here and heard a horrible squealing noise. Looked out and pup is chasing a rabbit. (I didn't know rabbits could make such a horrible noise), I bolted out and called him and he was straight back to me even though his nose was on the bunny!!

So far I am very pleased with my pup's recall. Got to test it under distraction last week and the training held. Pup at one stage absolutely flew into some bushes, his front legs were off the ground to jump a log when I called him back. He was straight back like an arrow, was a beautiful thing. :D Also returned when 3 dogs came along off lead. Has also returned in the paddocks when the horses started running around. His formal recall is rather slow though as he is a rather laid back BC! He is much quicker out and about. I am careful to never call him when he is likely to not come. e.g. when he knows it is bath time!!! I didn't use treats to teach the recall but rather praise and making coming to me the best thing in the world. Pup seems to think it is a good game.

I lost my old border, Moss, at 15yo. RIP Moss. A new fluffball came into my life, Brock. Brock's training is going well, our aim is trialling but it is nice to see the work pay off in everyday life situations and he is lovely to have around. Might go for CCD next year but am not in a hurry.

Yep have trialled before. Last doggie got her CD at 2yo (and won trials ) but I felt that I rushed her. She was a super nerd though. Was ready for CDX when she hurt her leg and couldn't jump anymore. I've always liked to use the levels to guide me on what to work on and when to teach stuff. Probably because I do dressage as well and you tend to follow a training system in that and don't teach the higher stuff until you have the lower stuff all working well. I guess dogs are a bit different though. Think you can stuff up some exercises though by teaching higher ones too early.

Another t/j from the forced retrieve thread...... How many people pick a breed of dog because they want to do a particular dog sport? Or did you buy your dog and then choose a sport to do with it. Which came first the breed or the sport? For me it was that I had always loved border collies and when I got my first little bouncey fluff ball I thought I had better do something to keep his mind active so went down the obedience trail path. Whilst I enjoy obedience training I can't see myself buying a different breed if borders didnt suit doing it. And if the border I have now isn't into doing it then I just will not bother.

I tried to find a 'trialling' club in Melbourne and couldn't. Most clubs seem very geared towards pet owners now. My club does have a ring set up each week and instructors running you through the exercises. There is also a mid-week class that I believe is more formal. The club has moved away from a focus on trialling though and there seem to be less people in the trial class. Mind you to get into the trial class now you have to pass a class that involves doing a retrieve and other stuff that you certainly don't need in ccd. Pup wouldn't take much work to get him to ccd standard but it will take me another year of training before I am eligible to go into the trial class! Lucky I am not in a hurry with this one!!

I'm on a couple of acres in Wandin and you are welcome to come here if it isn't too far for people. The backyard is about an acre and is well fenced for little beasties. Another option for you!

Good one m-j

As a new person to this forum I would just like to say that I don't think any genuine newbies (as in not trolls) would even dare to say anything against Prong collars after watching the trolls (?) get ripped to shreds. I certainly don't think any of the professionals needed this thread as they seemed to be doing a pretty damn good job of sticking up for themselves. I have found the aggression on both sides to be rather disturbing. Think you should all chill out and go hug your dogs!

Hey Leopuppy, I sent you a PM. I haven't started one before so don't know if I did it right! Did it arrive at your end?

My old border interferred with a dog during the stays at a club comp once. He just got up and went and said hello. Actually think that the bitch must of been coming into season from the way my boy had his ears. He got de-sexed the next day! :D

I have some of the Supercoat Special Senior (something like that!) and that is quite a large kibble. It is at least as big as a 5 cent piece. There are other varieties in the range. Is in some supermarkets and is in Pet feed stores. Both the EaglePack and Proplan are quite small, no bigger than the normal supercoat anyhow.

Gawd looks like I am the only grumpy bum! Well my whole class is grumpy and my private instructor is a bit freaked out as well. Am teaching pup a finish after his recall and the instructor bolted over on the weekend and asked if someone had taught me how to do that!!! Bad me not sticking to the program! I try to be calm as they are all volunteers but simply asking people at the beginning what they want to do with their dogs and what they have done before would be a good idea! And puppy loves it too!

Hi leopuppy04, I trialled with my last border at Croydon and did the Advanced/demo class with the one before that. Got in trouble again about the tricks! Even someone else in the class said that they wished the instructor would leave me alone about it. I had taught pup to touch though and he rolls over on his back to have cream applied to his itches so they were my tricks! Also got in trouble for using a clicker! My puppy teacher had said we could use them but this instructor seemed to think they weren't allowed in class.

Have you tried dry cat food as a training treat? My dog wasn't that excited about anything else but does like the kitty food!

Hey Tad, Don't forget that no one can make you do anything with/to your dog that you don't want to do. It is up to us as the owners to work out what we think is best for our dogs. It then takes a bit of strength to stand up to some instructors. This is a good thing to learn. So don't worry about the instructor that upset you. Goodluck!

My border collies, from show lines, all do that crouch, stare and creep forward thing. They go nuts if the horses are running around. My old girl in particular gets very anxious if I am doing anything with the horses and seems to want to get in and help. She will also sit in front of the horses and give them the evil eye and snap at them if they move! Both the older dogs would run around the outside of horses/cows and herd them into a bunch, never any barking and running at them. The young pup likes herding the cats! All 3 have been quite serious dogs and their eyes just glow if they think that I am giving them a job to do, even if it is just going to the washing line.

I hope this doesn't seem like I am trying to push you here tadpole! Just trying to give you the info! Croydon costs about $50 for the year. I am struggling a bit with Croydon to be honest as the basic obedience seems very geared towards the pet dog owner. There are things I don't want to teach my dog to do but it is like they have decided that dogs should do certain things and you have to do those things to get through basic 1 & 2. i.e. have to teach a trick to pass. I just want to get into the trialling class!

Well pup is still pretty laid back. I shouldn't complain as he is so well behaved at home etc. It is just rather a surprise to everyone, just how quiet he is. One of the other pups was bouncing on him at school on the weekend and he stayed in his sit, focusing on me. Was very cute.

You can easily get from Box Hill to Croydon in your 30 min time frame. Canterbury Rd is usually quicker then White Horse Rd. Maybe you should have a chat to your mum?

Croydon is all positive. Not a choker chain in sight and they have a good agility course. You would have to go through their basic 1 & 2 programs before doing agility. If you can pass the tests though you might be able to go straight through.

They ignored my email too asking for a local stockist. Pretty slack. I have since found some but had already purchased a big bag of Pro Plan and pup looks great on it. Might try Eagle Pack, might not now. Crap service!

There is a new Pet Stock shop in Liydale, Vic that stocks Eagle Pack for those people trying to find Eagle Pack. It is near the new Mitre 10 on Maroondah Hwy. I was very excited!