

dogdude
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Everything posted by dogdude
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Heeling Warmup This Morning (vid)
dogdude replied to dogdude's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Hi LL Thanks for the tips. He is quite good around distractions generally, although can be a little too dog friendly, which can on occasion be a problem during out of sight stays, mainly down stay for some reason. It has been his bogey exercise from the start though, and we have made big improvements since going into the Open class, which is making him hold longer. I am gaining more confidence every week with the stays. I have never trained one that was prone to breaking before, I think he has taught me an extra trick or two. -
Not sure that I fully understand what you mean, but I start training heel with a checkchain, lure and lead, then progress to light lead, lure and, checkchain, to no lead or collar with lure, then no lure/ target bag.
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Yes,agree Rom, but there are both short and long answers to those questions. Loose lead walk would simplify things and avoid all of the confusion with the actual difference between the two for a start, but in saying that, if the dogs proofed properly from the start then in most cases loose lead walking is a bi-product of good heeling training. Of course, the average jo-blo will not proof their dogs so concentrating on loose lead walking will force them to proof. Your idea has merit IMO.
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Heeling Warmup This Morning (vid)
dogdude replied to dogdude's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Yes Ness, certainly looking forward to it. I think most of my problem is that I have had a dog that got his cd with scores all over 194 and a B.I.T, and although Oscar has more drive, he is still not quite up at the same level of reliability when you compare them across the board. To enter with the possibility of an NQ would be a disappointment. It wouldn't be the end of the world either, but I think the older I get, the more patience I seem to have, so I am prepared to wait a little longer if I think necessary. We are still in the Open trialling class at club, so its not as if we are stagnant or anything. He just turned 2 a couple of weeks ago. -
Hi KM Here's the thing.......... most obedience clubs will not teach you competition style heeling from the start, otherwise they would teach you that focus comes before heeling. They cater for the average pet owner who want's loose lead walking. That is the main reason newbys take so long to start trialling their dogs. They find they need to reteach a lot of unwanted default settings resulting from basic early class stuff. Getting back to my point, your dog is pobably leaning on you to avoid the need to focus. Why pay attention if he can just feel where you are? Dogs will always take the easy option if it is presented, after all, there are far more interesting things to pay attention to at dog club. My first dog had the habit of placing his right paw on my shoe to feel where I was. Anyway, just teach focus first and it will fix the problem.
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Heeling Warmup This Morning (vid)
dogdude replied to dogdude's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
I am looking forward to a get together soon too. It certainly has been a while. We should go to the FOO meets at KCC Park when they start in October too! There are heaps of top trainers there to steal some ideas from Thanks to everyone for their comments, and Leo, I do plan to trial soon, maybe Northern. It has been exactly one year since his first obedience lesson, so I definately should get a move on, just like to iron out one or two minor problems. I am scared that I will learn something important at the Gina O'Keefe workshop that might benefit us in the ring, and it will be all too late. -
Tapferhund I made no reference to your post whatsoever, or your method. If anything, I lent some support! What was that about a repertoire of methods to fall back on...???? I am happy for you to not want to use the method. I am not ashamed to use it, and neither are the majority of people overseas still using it! Pehaps you should actually read my original post before you have a hissy.
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Heeling Warmup This Morning (vid)
dogdude replied to dogdude's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Yeah, the left about is the problem, he very rarely goes wide on a right about turn. Have been focusing on left abouts this morning, and have found a sizeable improvement, just have to work on getting it set as default. I hope a month or two will be enough if we keep the focus on it. -
Heeling Warmup This Morning (vid)
dogdude replied to dogdude's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Thankyou for the comments. The outside hand signal for stand is due to my default settings to what I learnt all those years ago I am afraid, and while your thoughts make perfect sense, it may be a little too late to change them before I debut him at trail very soon, maybe after first title. ATM I am focussing on the left about turn, as I want it a lot tighter. The slight forge every now and again is an anticipation thing. He is constantly trying to outguess me as to which direction we are going, so I may be giving off a false cue somewhere in my body language on the turns, because this is where he does it on most occasions, mainly when he is in a high drive. Its like he wants to commit to my turning signal too quickly, almost at the very milisecond that I know where I am going. It seems to point towards a footwork problem. I really want to be analised by someone who really knows what to look for, so I plan to be shooting a lot more video soon. Dog has been taught to heel receiving reward while in correct position using left hand running down leg, so the problem is post learning stage. -
I used forced retreive with ear pinch. I have a very soft dog so it only took one week to get a reliable formal retrieve. Not recommended for the inexperienced though, there is plenty to get wrong. One point that I would like to make about this method is that once the exercise is understood, you basically do not have to use the correction ever again. I then switch to food drive to gain speed and enthusiasm with no negative effects from using the ear pinch. The dog does need a sound temperment though, but the softer the better. Works on all breeds. Oscar loves the formal retrieve, but he still won't chase a ball in fun.
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Heeling Warmup This Morning (vid)
dogdude replied to dogdude's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Comments always welcome Ness. I know about my sloppy walking and hand signals though Also working on tighter left about turns. -
Heeling Warmup This Morning (vid)
dogdude replied to dogdude's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Hi Shoey I have our home trial in mind (Northern), or one of the South West ones like Portland double, probably both. I am still not a VCA member yet, so I better get moving. We have a fun day on Sunday at Northern, complete with a mock trial. We only recently moved up to class 6 though, and dog has not learn't drop on recall yet, so really not sure which ring they will put me in. -
Just a little pre training warmup with Oscar this morning. Funny crooked drop cause he doesn't like getting a cold willy on the concrete ;) Tried to keep him in the lit up area, but tended to forget about proper handling Oscar heelwork warmup
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Is It Possible To Change Classes At Obedience?
dogdude replied to pie's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
There will always be an instructor or handler in class that you won't like. Its up to you to manage your dogs socialisation, you are entitled to say no to group meetings or other dogs approaching yours. Its best if you just put in all the homework and move into the more advanced (and better behaved) classes. Believe it or not, many instructors are ignorant of small breeds because the same methods they teach their large dogs with, dont often work on the little ones. It is easier to just pretend they are not there. Purchase some books with small dog techniques in them to move along quickly in your training. -
Please Help I'm Going Nuts.
dogdude replied to paddysmate's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Every dog goes through a chewing stage, some last longer than others. Letting your dog sleep in "the bosses den" only gives the dog the impression that it is an equal, or at least higher on the pack ladder than the "outcasts" (kids) who sleep down the hall. Treat the couch with the same rules as the bed. Dog stays on floor. I know its far too easy to want Staffy cuddles every time you look at them but make them earn it with regular training. -
Please Help I'm Going Nuts.
dogdude replied to paddysmate's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Yep, Crate train, and buy her marrow bones. I get butcher to split them longways, then in half. She will chew those before anything else, but do not feed them to her around other Staff unless you want to come home to a dead one. Chewing stage should be over soon. My Staff was around 19 months. Also magically overnight left washing alone. Do not let her sleep on your bed if you want any sought of pack hierachy over her. -
Most people know I am a Diane Bauman fan (Beyond Basic Dog Training) Angus & Robertson $57 (ordered) Great trial tips and goes into each of the exercises in detail required for trialling. (Oldy but a goody and plenty to read) I would be interested in a book from Gina O'Keefe if they exist? I suppose they will be available at her Geelong workshop Ness?
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How Can I Get "heel" Through To Him
dogdude replied to Snoozie's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
What type of collar are you using? What collar "won't " you use? How many lessons during the 7 weeks? What duration (for heeling) Heeling properly is actually the hardest thing that you will ever teach your dog. I am an experienced handler and I have been teaching my dog heeling for 12 months, and only now is he ready at competition level. An experienced handler should be able to get a dog to loose lead walk in a handfull of lessons, but that is not "heeling". There is alot to learn about the exercise for a newby, but I take it that you just want a loose lead walk? -
I think your allowed up to two names eg: Zach (your surname). That is what many people do.
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Just got my working spot confirmed for Heeling and Open on the Saturday
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I left a message this morning, but if the working places are taken, I will be happy to go without my dog. There will be plenty of places for spectators. Will let me concentrate more and take everything in anyway.
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Just logged onto Victorian obedience website and found that Gina O'Keefe is doing a series of workshops in October at Geelong. Get in fast!
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Shar Pei / Obedience Trialling?
dogdude replied to Miss Squish's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
I have seen many unlikely breeds trialling, can't remember a Pei off hand though. You don't see many Bull Terriers, Bull Dogs, Sight Hounds, Danes or Mastiffs among others trialling. The working types have more often than not got a higher level of drive, and generally a higher percentage of the top dogs are working dogs, or gundog breeds. It is not uncommon to see Rotties and Staffys and crossbreeds are common. -
Hi AmyRose Ha Ha..... where do I start..... There is a dog school in Westerfolds Park in Templestowe (not VCA affiliated), and I am not quite sure which style of training they teach. The style of training that you choose is personal, but if your dog is food responsive, why not use food drive. It is quite normal to make countless mistakes with your first dog, so my advice is to do plenty of reading up on the style of training that your choose, and couple that with what you learn at the obedience club. Other good advice is to latch onto a handler/ trainer mentor that owns a dog that you admire at the dog club, that trains using a similar style that you do. Obedience schools are generally pretty safe places to take your dog, so don't stress, attacks are quite rare. Just use your common sense regarding the approach to strange dogs, particulary new ones to the club. Off lead dog parks on the other hand...... The Templestowe club is more of a set time course, as opposed to a normal obedience club that you train at your own pace, with just a yearly membership. The course style is ok if you just want to generally get good manners for home, but a traditional club is better if you have dog sports in mind. There is of course private lessons if you can afford it, which would be the quickest way to learn. The large dog clubs cant give you the one on one attention very often, but I think reading plenty will give you lots of time to form your own opinions and styles anyway. Most instructors at clubs are voluntary, and will mostly shower you with there own beliefs, so just keep that in mind. Good Luck! :D
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Don't Know What To Do With My Girl...
dogdude replied to Kirty's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Don't stress Kirty, your dog will let you know when she is too old. I'm sure she will enjoy every moment that you spend with her, even if you never take her to the top level. There are plenty of dogs over 7 that compete in obedience and even agility, just depends on the dogs fitness. You will find your baby will just sleep and eat for the first 6 months, so if your OH is around, you will be looking for a little time out anyway. Good time to train your dog. I just found out yesterday that I am going to be a dad...... again......... :rolleyes: Will be number 4!