kelpiesrule

im sure you and your dog will love obedience, and trialling is so much fun. Your boy should get better with other dogs as he goes more, but just remember not to have a death grip on him when other dogs are around or he will think there is something to be worried about, try always to keep a loose lead and get him focused on you when another dog comes close. If it looks like a situation is going to happen, then just turn around and walk him away from it and get his focus on you. Good luck, relax and have fun !

I cant find the post in General Redrob !!

I agree with the long line, best training aid, plus take lots of treats with you (his favourites) and dont just call him when it is time to go home. Call him a couple of times during his play, best when he is not as distracted. Sometimes it also helps to get down on his level, kind of changes things and they get curious and come running. Im sure if you try this it will work very well. Also at home (or anywhere) no matter what he may have done, do NOT call him and discipline him ie, if you come home and found he dug a hole or ate something he shouldnt, do not call him and get mad at him. Always have praise for him when he comes to you, as a human it is a hard thing for us to do this sometimes, especially if they have got out of the yard or eaten our favourite thing. Good luck !

I use the word "biscuit" ;) so much time in the show ring and my dogs know what it means so to get his attention while heeling I whisper the word as we are walking and occasionally flip him a treat.. works wonders !!!

They joys of owning kelpies ;) they love life (and you) so much they just find it hard to contain it sometimes. Some of mine jump, some dont, mostly mine want to just stand on their back legs with their front legs rand head esting on you. With mine, holding their feet is a treat but it would work with yours if you hold them when she is trying to get away. With her it will reinforce it is uncomfortable to be in that position. I believe you can fix your kelpie jumping but I think reverse phsycology works best with them, otherwise they think you are playing a game with them... Personally, I dont mind my dogs jumping on me (I do have a signal to stop it if im all clean and dressed up ) I think after all these years I got used to it, but I dont think everyone else my kids meet feel the same way I hope you fix your problem.

Cheerios !! (as in the little frankfurts) when they arent cooked up they make no mess and my dogs go crazy for them... And there is no preparation required for them, just cut them up and put into zip lock bags. ;)

What a great thread ! Although I guess it is a bit scarey actually putting goals down in writing... means you have to do something about it ! Ok here goes... Shamus (he is my focus for the year) 1. to gain his last 6 points for Aust Ch title 2. gain CCD title 3. dare I say gain CD title too!! and trial at the Brisbane Ekka ! 4. at least get his HIC, but HT would be nicer.. 5. Daddy 6. would love to get into agility, but means I would have to loose alot of weight ;) Merlin 1. Aust CH title 2. Daddy Zac 1. have fun with him in the show ring and prove that blues are as good as chocolates !! Phoenix 1. keep chipping away at that Grand Champ title 2. Mummy Hmmm lets see if any of this is achieved by this time next year !

I have tried a few different brands and recommend Royal Canin, Advance and Natural Balance, but I keep going back to Proplan... the dogs love and so do I... especially for what comes out the other end, so much less to pick up and so much less smelly!!! I have never tried Hills Science but I do know of many dogs that dont like it for some reason.. It all depends on your budget and what your dog likes. Try a few different brands (for at least a couple of months each) and see which one works for you both. Availibility is also important.

Ive done it! well its not the best and is only a rough draft, but Ive made my own sig, thanks to all the helpful hints everyone gave me ! ok, so now how do I load this thing as my sig as it doesnt seem to want to work, when I go to add image is asks for a URL ?

thanks ITLBY, i have cut out my pic... now how do I get it on the background ive made? I can t figure out what the tutorials are trying to tell me !

Can anyone tell me how to cut out the pic of the dog from a background in the photo, and place it on another background? like my sig background...

Thanks Harminee Im using photoshop, but with what you said, I might have a play and see if i can something similar done... will let you know how I go... I really love that one of Mia.

wow, how did you do that? i would love to know how to do a signature !

ok basics done... how do I substitute a colour?? like say I wanted to make eyes green or blue instead of brown >>

oh my god !! I did it!! yay for the blondes these are pretty crap but im getting the idea, hard when my dogs are so dark....

Thanks !! I will try again tonight !

I think Im retarded !! Ive just spent ages with 2 computers going (1 reading tutorial and 1 working in photoshop) and I just cant figure any of this out!! I really want to learn how to do that black & white & bits of colour stuff and the OOB as well as do sigs, but I think the blonde in me is just too strong! I know once I get started I will be ok :p but it is just trying to get started without getting confused. Can anyone walk me through it with large, slow letters???

Some friends of mine up here in Brissie do Backpacking and Gig racing with their borders, through the Malamute clubs... maybe you could see if there is anyone down there that does the same thing. If your dogs have a nose for food, or their fave toy, they should be able to do tracking. With Lure Coursing, you are put in individual areas so you really arent competing against the sight hounds, my friends as above also do lure coursing with their borders, there is also a section for non pedigree dogs.