huski

Hey Love Da I agree with the recommendations made in your other thread, here: http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=176929 Erny and Cosmolo are both members here and trainers in your area, that come highly recommended

Don't worry WildatHeart, Daisy loves the sound of her own voice A wire crate would be fine! They aren't compulsory but I find they are really useful for things like training workshops where the dogs will have to sit around for a while.

I guarantee you, you have nothing to worry about! He's probably better behaved than Daisy At last year's workshop I bought Micha along. He's an angel and will sit in his crate without a single peep for hours, not a problem from him (even though he doesn't like other dogs). Daisy is more advanced when it comes to obedience and drive work compared to Micha, but she's naughty, and being a typical beagle can also be vocal. She loves her crate but sometimes barks to let everyone know she's in there So bring ear plugs she's probably going to 'wooo wooo woooo' Camp Tailwaggers down

Don't worry, I'm bringing the Evil Beagle, I can assure you she is not very well behaved She'll probably sit in her crate whinging the entire time Obviously though you should be able to have effective control of them - there will be a lot of time where the dogs aren't doing much, so if you have a crate it's worthwhile bringing one. Last year K9's workshop was largely on aggression, we had a lot of dogs there with aggression problems, it is definitely not restricted to dogs who are only well behaved! Some of us know each other, but it's always fun to meet new DOLers! What are you nervous about? I can't wait, it's going to be great fun

Hi Oceanaussi - the behaviourist I mentioned above (Jane Harper) is the trainer Steve from K9 Force refers Brisbane people to. K9 Force is based in NSW, however Steve is coming up to QLD to do a one day workshop on November 20 - if you book now there may still be places available http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=177020 The workshop will cover a few dog behaviour topics like aggression but Steve will also be covering drive training. Definitely worthwhile going if you are able to! Steve also does a distance learning package for drive training, where he sets up a program for you and you consult with him via email and send him video updates for him to assess your progress.

Maree, you're not allowed to come without Styler... it's a requirement. :love:

Look forward to hearing that wooo wooo wooo all day at the Friday workshop

Totally agree with you Steve, seeing Ella at the last workshop was what really made me want to get Daisy into doing TID.

Err, perhaps - maybe Daisy can be the 'before' dog and Ella can be the finished product K9: Oh dont try & fool everyone! I have seen your videos, Daisy is looking super!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When the mood takes her she's great, she's definitely come a long way from when we started though

Err, perhaps - maybe Daisy can be the 'before' dog and Ella can be the finished product

Yay, I will definitely be coming along! Will probably bring Daisy this time, Ella can show her how it's done

Oceanaussi, if you are after some professional help you might like to consider contacting Jane Harper from Dogs on Track - here's her website: www.dogsontrack.com.au/

Yep, I wouldn't buy anything from a store that sold puppies and kittens, even if it means I have to pay more at another store.

But if you're willing to and encourage your dog to defend you in a dangerous situation whats the difference In fact, you'd think Jeff's set up would actually be safer than real life because it's controlled. Jeff already said that anyone who volunteered would be made clear on exactly what the testing would involve. I didn't see Jeff's offer as any attempt at getting statistics but just an opportunity for anyone who thinks their dog 'has what it takes' to be able to be assessed by a pro.

I agree - as long as those boundaries don't negatively affect the animals they work with i.e. the trainers who only use a set training style and give up on any dogs that can't be trained within their boundaries (and in some cases, advise they should be PTS ). I really appreciate your posts, too, Willow

What is the purpose of testing breeds that are essentially not used in protection work. Wouldn't the testing of these breeds have been done before, evaluated as unsuitable and be the reason they are not used???. Because, as Jeff said, numerous breeds like Labs/Blue heelers/kelpies have been mentioned in this thread as capable of acting in protection of their owner. So, he wants to find one of these breeds to assess to see if that really is the case.

Hey Shelley - how exciting!! Whereabouts is the trial?? I thought I would try home grounds at Metro first. So wish us luck as we are entered in both CCD and Novice Sweepstakes. Oh, I remember Maree mentioning there were sweepstakes on at Metro - can you PM me the details (time etc) and I will try and come along to watch

PMSL! Sometimes the small achievements are so rewarding when you live with the Evil Beagle Like tonight - Daisy is normally very naughty when we pack the dishwasher, she just wants to stick her head in and lick everything clean But tonight I put her in a sit/stay while I packed it and she stayed completely still and was a very good girl I was so chuffed Thanks TSD

Hey Shelley - how exciting!! Whereabouts is the trial??

Rubbish. Everyone on this board does what they think is best. It has already been stated that the head collar is the best tool for this particular dog and its owners. I might always try rewarding what I want before punishing what I don't want, and that's because I think it is "best", just as an example. There are some things I would never do because I don't think it's "best" for the dog. Someone else might think it is exactly what that dog needs. We can only do what we think is best, and that is habitually the things we like. The things we dislike tend to be things we don't think works "best". I don't know about Willow or anyone else, but the methods I think are "best" are defined by what has worked "best" for me in the past. I agree we all do what we think is best, but whether or not it is the best thing for the dog is another thing - I think that's what Erny was getting at. For example - someone may think that a head collar is the best thing for the dog, but in reality it could be the worst tool for the dog. I'm not for a second trying to imply that is what is the case with Willow's client - but, speaking generally, what we may think will be the perfect tool may not be always be the best tool in reality. If what we thought was the best really was the best for the dog every time, then we would never make mistakes and discover there are better, alternative ways of doing things. I am not a real fan of head collars, but if I was training a dog and the head collar was the best tool for that dog, I wouldn't persevere with a tool that wouldn't work as well just because of my personal bias. ETA: Again, not directing this in any way to Willow - just responding to the discussion in general terms

Ah ok, good luck with the Boxer

Why use a head collar though if it's not necessarily the best tool for the dog? Could something like a martingale be appropriate?

Thanks everyone I was just so proud of her ;) That's exactly it! I don't care if we aren't 100% reliable yet, she did it when she needed to the most. And we only introduced the recall into our drive work a couple of weeks ago

If you want something high value and healthier than Schmackos, if you have time I would go to Coles/Woolies, or your local butcher, and buy a cheap packet of sausages (I use pork or beef). I cook them and find cutting them into small pieces pretty easy, and if I cook a few sausages at a time I can put them in individual bags and freeze them ready to take out for training. I also found kabana is useful, again it's easy to cut too. I've used cat biscuits for little things but I prefer soft meat for proper training sessions (just my preference). All my dogs love cat biscuits! These are also great: http://www.happypawstreats.com.au/home.cfm

Well normally when Daisy starts scenting her hearing is all but switched off - thank Goodness yesterday she decided it was more exciting to come when I called her than it was to keep scenting on the road - and that I was able to get through that hearing 'block'.