huski

I don't get why it's gone either, each to their own I guess. because it flashed three images that may have to do with war. :D Yes, because the dog was showing a traumatized face and was flashing back to traumatizing images. I get that some people found it offensive, but I don't think it was offensive enough to be completely deleted but hey... whatever. I've certainly seen/read more offensive things on DOL over the years ;)

Awesome! I will send my payment off sometime this week

You know the rule is that if you video a training session you have to share! Daisy did a couple of nice formal retrieves at training tonight Just have to work on getting her to come in closer when she returns. When we came home we did some SD work, she was VERY enthusiastically retrieving the metal article and has started sniffing them and picked up the right one most of the time. Will keep going tomorrow and will see if it is starting to sink in.

I don't get why it's gone either, each to their own I guess.

It wasn't a bug, nor had it been tampered with... the joke (which yeah, probably isn't very funny to some) went completely over your head. Yep, it sure did go over my head, but (genuine question) how is it funny? What have I missed here? I get most jokes, but clearly I'm not getting this one? Help! I posted the answer to this question in the original thread :D

Thanks for the tip Ptolomy! I will keep on using the same one

Thanks Dagboy and Mrs D for the further info! What time does it start? (or have I missed that somewhere) - Durack is a bit of a drive for me and I will be at work all day.

I don't know that prey drive can ever be totally trained out of a dog, but I do think with the right training it can be harnessed and controlled - but like others have said this can be expensive and time consuming. I agree with others that the best solution is to keep them separated at all times although I would personally choose either the small animals or the dog especially as he's killed a few now.

OK I have another SD related question! When you are in the early stages (say working on just one or two metal articles) do you scent a different article each time? I just realised that I've been using the same numbered article each time. Also, does everyone clean their articles after using them or do you just leave them in a container to air?

It sounds great MrsD - will see if i can get there. Can we bring our dogs?

After an experience like that I can definitely understand how it would influence your decision the next time!

That's interesting you noted dominance! Micha's breeders told us he was the bossy/most dominant one in his litter. I find him a pleasure to live with but I do think he is one of those dogs who if given an inch will take a mile. He's very smart and knows when he can take advantage.

OMG Daisy was SO full of beans as a puppy. She was an absolute handful. She is the first dog I've ever trained to do any dog sports and she is made for it, I think we are really lucky in that regard. We swore we wouldn't get another beagle after her because she was so naughty and full on, but now I know how to harness that energy and drive and use it in a constructive way I am prepared to get another and am actually research breeders now to make sure I don't get one that's too laid back and not very drivey! I honestly think if Daisy had ended up in a pet home, she would have been one of those beagles given to AQIS because she has so much drive and energy

I didn't know about any of the puppy testing that you could do when we bought Micha and Daisy, but looking back both times we wanted the most outgoing pups. We didn't meet Daisy until the day we went to pick her up and we'd already chosen her (we had a choice of three bitches) from pictures and talking to the breeder. You could clearly see looking at her that she was the naughtiest pup in the litter She was outgoing, got into everything, etc. I think the traits that make her good to do obedience with are things that would make her harder to live with in a pet home.

Thanks for the suggestion Bedazzled... definitely something we need to work on! Thanks Ptolomy! Once she gets what I need her to do she can get quite enthusiastic - she really enjoys training

Thanks Rivsky! Today was the third training session we did with the articles (work has been super hectic lately!) and was the first time she started picking them up with any real enthusiasm. I definitely think putting them on the towel helped her confidence with picking them up. It has definitely clicked with her that picking the metal up and bringing it to me = super duper food reward

Thanks Ness. Will give that a go!

Thanks Ness. I just tried putting another article down and she is reliably picking up the scented one but that's only because she is watching me throw it or put it down and going by that. What does everyone do when the dog picks up the wrong article? Do you NRM or just take it from them silently and put it back on the mat/ground? Or do you do something else entirely?

Newfsie, Daisy is not a natural retriever either. I had to completely shape the formal retrieve when I got my dumbell because she was totally disinterested in it. Now she retrieves it very enthusiastically as she knows retrieving = getting food

Thanks Bedazzled, good idea re getting some pieces of carpet. Or I might bring a rug in from one of the other rooms. I think for now I will keep it on the towel/piece of carpet. Here's the video - nothing special but I am chuffed that she is picking up the metal article http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgquQk9xqY4

All the dogs I know who are properly trained in prey drive bring the tug back to the handler to play with them because the handler is an integral part of the game. It's lovely to see!

Thanks Bedazzled! Just did another quick training session throwing/placing the metal article onto a towel. This worked really well as it doesn't roll away or bang loudly on the wooden floor boards. She bought it back every time I have done a quick video and am uploading it now. I am not fussed about proper fronts or anything like that, considering a couple of days ago she wouldn't so much as pick it up I am really pleased that she seems to be getting it. After I video'd her doing it on the towel, I tried placing it straight onto the floor and she picked it up every time then too (although without as much ease as when it's on the towel). I know it's only a very minor achievement, but I am so pleased she's picking it up now!

Thanks Ness! I might see how she goes picking it up off the towel and once she has it 110% I will see if she becomes more confident about picking it up off the floor. Tiggy the metal articles I have are round so they roll around a lot!

Please excuse the terrible noob question, but in regards to using mats in scent detection, are they optional to use in the ring? Assuming they are used to put the articles on so they aren't contaminated or roll away or something? Just curious as I tried putting the metal article on a towel today so Daisy could pick it up more easily when we train inside. She is struggling to get a grip on it on the polished floor. She found it much easier to pick up on the towel. Obviously it will be easier to pick up on the grass but we can't always train outside. I don't intend to use the towel at any other time, I just wanted to make it easy for her to pick up now when she's learning what to do with it.

Let me know when you'll be down next and I'll try and head down at the same time!