huski

I am actually not sure on exact numbers, I am finalising the attendee list today or tomorrow. We should have around a dozen or so dogs each day, and I know there will be quite a mix of breeds. The Evil Beagle and Wizbang aren't coming this time, so I will be in need of some puppy pats and cuddles! LOL! :)

If it is anything like the windy storm we had last night we are in for a great time :laugh: I know we're undercover for the workshop on Saturday, but I am still hoping we don't have any torrential downpour!

I can't confirm location yet but it's booked in for November 23 & 24 :)

I think you guys will be blown away!!!!

Everyone attending the QLD workshop should have received the info sheet via email today, if you didn't receive it let me know :) Our QLD workshop attendees are in for some exciting surprises!!!!! I can't wait!!! I think this will be the best workshop yet! ;)

Daisy wants to be around you but doesn't need to be on you or smothering you. She's quite happy in her own company too, if I am outside for example she will come out with me for a period of time but will want to go back inside to sit on the lounge once she realizes she's not missing out on anything :laugh: Wisdom is super affectionate to me, and she wants to be with me all of the time no matter what I'm doing. She will wrap her front legs around my neck and cuddle me, she will burrow her head on my chest and lick my face all over. I think Malinois are one of the most affectionate dogs out there, but generally only to their people. My girl will say hello to other people and she's friendly but not interested past an initial greeting.

Just to clarify, Steve normally does provide notes on training diets or what ever he recommends but Paddles had a 30 minute phone consult to get some ideas, not an actual consult. I understand this is the second phone consult she has had and she got great results after the first one. :)

And I have no problem with that personally if the dog is under effective control which means not approaching other dogs or people. I love letting my dogs have off leash time, it is great exercise for them, I personally wouldn't enjoy never being able to let my dog off leash. However I intentionally look for places to run them off leash that aren't frequented by other dogs because not enough people do have effective control of their dogs.

Did someone mention Malinois? :D

Personally I would switch to raw and make sure you add sardines to her diet. I would also consider adding a supplement like Showstopper which will help boost coat health.

Hi Teekay, sorry for the delay! Our office manager who manages all of the bookings has been away sick but she's back now and will touch base with you ASAP :)

How old is she now LP? I would be adding Puppy Gold or Super Fuel to her diet if she is closer to 6 months. And be gone with the kibble :p LOL :)

Do you have a trigger word that says its time to work? It sounds like he's learnt the sight of the reward is part of the command chain. He is triggering off the sight of the reward rather than a cue word from you like "ready?" It's a common problem and fixable but might take a bit more time! This might be a good exercise to try as an example of how to train a command without making the sight of the reward part of the trigger to work; http://k9pro.com.au/services/training-the-behavioural-interrupter/

The risk you run in just handing a treat over is that it can create slow and unreliable responses.

I've copped a slight stray tooth but never had a bite. I start with large targets and move down as the dog learns to aim for the middle of the tug or give a decent string length on the ball but really I don't use them that often compared to tugs. Comes down to tug delivery as well, you develop uber l33t ninja skills over the years :laugh: ...or our dogs are faster than yours :laugh: You are the first person out of 100s I've ever heard of that has never taken a bite playing tug. You must have super ninja skills!

Yes the dogs need to learn how to target toys etc properly, but sometimes (generally due to handler error) accidents happen. Especially in the beginning when the dog (and handler) is still learning, I'd rather wear gloves just in case. I don't believe anyone who says they've never copped an accidental bite playing tug etc.

She is great with kids but this toddler could barely walk, she could easily have knocked him over if I hadn't seen him coming towards us out of the corner of my eye. Maybe they saw her working and it gave them the impression she was well trained and under control which she is but even still, they have no way of knowing that for sure. The thing that gets me is that they just can't know whether a strange dog is or isn't friendly, comfortable or familiar with how to act around children, and they are teaching their kids extremely dangerous behaviour (approaching strange dogs incorrectly and without permission).

I had to start getting quite rude with people who would send their toddling child over at an outdoor cafe to play with my Dalmatian! It happened more than once - it's hard enough work having 2 very active dogs lying quietly whilst you enjoy a leisurely breakfast/lunch without people using us as a babysitting service!!! I was training Wisdom in the park a while ago and was playing a good game of tug with her. These parents with a toddler (barely walking) stopped to watch and, without saying a word to me, pointed the toddler in our direction and told him to go and pat the doggy! It was actually quite shocking because its rare anyone asks to pat her, especially when they see her playing with me which is quite rough and bitey :laugh:

I would; 1) Teach him to catch treats, it can help make the game fast and fun if you throw treats, you can throw them in the air or on the ground and get him to chase them. 2) Hold the food differently. Put a piece between your thumb and finger and cup your hand slightly so that he isn't grabbing at your fingers. This is the best way to do it so you don't get bitten :) 3) Does he have a marker word and release word? Once I release them to the reward I play a game and they are allowed to be super excited, chase the food etc. This helps teach self control. 4) If he's really bad wear training gloves :laugh:

"Playing tug with your dog will make it aggressive"

Definitely head to some trials to watch a few CCD run outs! And not just CCD but the higher classes too. If you are a member of an obedience club, you can also volunteer to steward at the next trial, which will give you a really good idea of what goes on at a trial and what you need to do. In terms of whether you are ready - only you can really know that, and everyone has different goals. I've been asked loads when I will trial Wisdom because her work looks good, but I have a very specific goal and picture in my mind of what I want her to achieve in competition and the standard of work I want from her, so I know we are not there yet. I would also recommend watching some trial videos on YouTube, when you see a dog and handler team you love to watch, that can help inspire you and clarify in your mind what you want to achieve with your dog (not in terms of titles so much, but as a partnership). And yep you need to be a Dogs QLD member to trial :) ETA: Before trialling I would also do a lot of proofing around distractions and familiarize yourself with the rules and how trials are conducted, especially as this can add to your nerves if you aren't sure what to expect or what the judge is asking you to do. I think from memory it is Metro you are training at? They sometimes have a ring set up on Wednesday nights for advanced training, not sure if they still do, but ask if it's possible to set a ring up and get one of the instructors to run you through a mock trial. It is a good way to test how your training will stand up outside of class/a training situation.

We make all weather resistant syn tek (faux leather) leashes and collars and that's all I use for swimming the dogs now. Sand doesn't stick to them and they repel water so don't need drying. I still love leather but wouldn't use it at the beach etc.

Hi Ptolomy We don't currently have our DLPs available, we are redesigning them at the moment but as with everything at K9 Pro HQ it's so flat out that we have to find the time to get them all ready to go again too. We definitely plan to have them up and running again, hopefully by the end of the year :) ETA: regarding Steve's methodology and approach to training there is a lot of info on his website here www.k9pro.com.au/services This blog article I posted above http://blog.k9pro.com.au/competitive-obedience-coaching-by-steve-courtney Will also give an insight into how Steve approaches training obedience :)

Steve doesn't trial but trains many clients with our training in drive program who compete successfully in ANKC obedience with his methods :) There are lots of videos on our YouTube channel of our clients competing in ANKC trials.

Sorry SS should be good now!