yogibear

Your dog's drives Prey = 70 Pack = 60 Defense - Fight = 40 Defense - Flight = 45

cool well said as usual

I want to have a really clear on switch for my dogs so they know when we are working and intense attention is required yb

aww i wanted to come to this one but im going to another doggy thing may try and squueze lure coursing in as well yb

When i tell connor we're working he gets excited and intense after i did the prey drive building K9 suggested i started adding we're working as a key to the work we were doing so now he knows we're working means focus attention and that darn toy will appear lol. we have had a huge break from training due to his eyes but in the next few weeks we should be able to get back to it to begin i think i will concentrate on what k9 said K9: when the training in drive begins, I add a word & teach the dog that each ytime the dog hears that word said that way the dog will get prey drive satisfaction. If the dog kicks into prey without hearing that command I make sure no satisfaction comes from his or her actions... as i want a really solid on and off switch for him yb

Unfortunately just because a dog is attached to an owner doesnt been the owner is paying attention or responsible enough to realise that not everyone wants their dog pounced on lol yb

I go out to the field as soon as i drop the training bag and say we're working Connor switches on and wants to work as soon as i pack up and say we're finshed hes off doind hi own thing but will still respond to the obvious come no pulling etc so hes off duty for trial work but still must behave but there is certainly a trigger he knows when i say we're working it means lots of oppurtunity to get rewards he becomes intense and keen yb

Having seen first hand the relationship hedds and her dog have its amazing they are a great team and Hedds knows when to slow down and shut up and let the dog have his space rather than trying to rev him which often shuts a softy down. If you go slowly and go back and forth rather than full steam ahead you'll b amazed at what you can accomplish yb

We went there years ago they were pretty open to trianing methods then but as with all clubs the committees change and so do the ideals of the club. I hatd the ground getting through the verandah of dogs that lunged and barked was like running the gauntlet it was almost impossible to walk through to the ground withour having you or your dog pounced on at least once. You also had to wait forever to use the rings Hopefully things have changed since then I agree with beardog check out all your options and then make a list of pros and cons of each club yb

Dog does sound traumatised and i'd also be wondering just what training they did. A guide dog trainer told be that it takes a guide dog six weks to settle in with their new owner and not be attached to their trainer so if that was the case then dog would have been well setteled into the kennel in a month and if the dog is stll pulling after a month of intensive trianing then why. Personaly im against the borading school idea as well its not the same as dealing with the dog in its normal environment dogs dont generalise well so if they have an issue at home it should be dealt with at home. Im sure there are grat kennels for training around but i would insist on watching them training a dog to see how they handle it having said that it probably wouldntmatter as i wold imagine the owner is inexperienced and wouldnt undestand what was being done anyway.

Thanks Jen i have a pressie for you so we hae to get together soon yb

ehe connor who i thought would be soo tired today has een chsing the ball that anne got him all over the house lol yb

guys Has anyone heard from anne im a bit worred yb

Atumn school starts first week of March same time and venue but this time we will keep it to a max of six and will b a bit more structured so am focussing on trial foundations We will work on heeling but also things like the UD box retrieve positions of course directed jumping stuff like that . That should keep you all on your toes. so let me know if you keen to join in I was going to do something in feb but it gets hot and im busy with this instructor program so you'll all have to wait a month lol yb

Well We had our breakup last night and what a great nigt it was The dogs had a wonderful time playing together all on their best manners. the food was excellent the chef Mr Hedds cooks a mean bbq must find out what that marinate on the steak was. You guys are a agreat bunch of people thank you againg for the beautiful flowers and the Yogi bear and the card and thankyou kids for the amazing certificate i was quite overwhelmed by it all. Cant wait to see some pics guys After all the chatting up of dogs i think WEndy ended up with a few suitors Connor will have to work hard to keep her now Toby wore his best diamonte collar and Banjo tried bringing her gifts of great tug toys but alas she only had eyes for Connor Toby found a new love of his life the beautiful Ebony boy was he fasicnated by her maybe we should have taken him to meet the horse with Ebony then he would have had to be brave lol And litle belle she kept all the pups on there toes and learnt a new trick how to sneak scones lol Same came dogless but with some interesting tips on getting close fronts using sticks of chees between the legs im till waiting to hear fedback on that one lol If you see anyone waiting around with cheesy legs then they are probably from summer school lol yb

In short yes you can do it but it takes time and a bit of creativity hanging out at shows and trals on the outskirts just letting them get usd to the going ons training in very short focussed sessions and by short a couple of minutes Being clear have an on and off switch for work start with just fifteen seconds and build from there The idea is that you dont want the dog to associate work with worry so you need to set things up very carefully. Also keep pressure off my sheltie is shocking sensstive the trees blowing is enough for him to go uhoh big monster when we first went to a club i asked for one sit then went for a walk then asked for another then went home you sound like your doing all the right things it just takes time and with weak nerves you can get them really confident then lose them because something changed in the environment its a real balancing act. Top triallers generally have strong nerved dog but i know of a few that have gone onto compete at our top dog runoffs Prey drive is great that can overcome a lot breaking things down into itty bits can also build confidence Without seeing the dog and you together its hard to know whats happening but if he has great herding ability then id say you'll have no probs bringing him up to speed in obedeince

Ive read it ages ago good book well set out yb

Thanks Sam great shots. And thanks simone what a ovely thing to say ive really enjoyed working with yu guys and hopefully we will be able to do it again soon yb

awwww so very sheek they will look cute when out for the day Guys headshots need them this weekend Sa those phots would be fine if you send me the bigger files yb

Hi Jen Can you email me a head shot of chelsea and you others are slck i havent got any photos yet lol yb

LOL well the report cards are being written as you speak Look forward to seeing you next week Goldie we missed you last night and im sure we can forgive the girl any mischief seeings shes feeling crabby and cant evenhave chocolate to help her would suck to be a fmale dog lol yb

WEl summer school is over we just have graduation to go. all the dogs were fantastic tonight improved so much over such a short peeriod they all did their tricks and a few extras too Im really going to miss wednesday nigt training its been such a learning experience for me and hey i think i got my time managemant perfect tonight we all were done before dark yeah lol thanks guys for being such great students and giving me th oppurtunity to work with you and your dogs your all such amazing trainers and have the ability to go as far as you imagination takes you. We also hav a couple of up and coming trainres that would put some adults to shame well done kids love watching you work your dog with patience and understanding yb

lol Actually the breakup has kinda just developed and we will make sure everyone has directions tonight and Hedds will let us know what she wants us to bring. As for getting it wrong i was more thingking the handler gets dumped in the dam lol after all the dogs are only doing what we taught them hehehehe but then im not that creul or am i hmmmm thinks seeing handlers al in damn with ducks siting on ther heads oops sorry daydreaming lol yb

added that pnsdc thast an important one

What makes a good instructor the list so far Passion / Enthusiam: top of the list without it your not going to enjoy instructing for long good communication skills. There is no point having soething to ay if you cant get the message across be able to communicate what you want and in a way the recipient can understand s vital Also being rsectful of your class treat others as you wishthem to treat you Patience: Not every person or dog is a high flyer when it comes to learning new skills so having the patience to try a few different things and tak them step by step is important. Knowledge: You can never learn enough about any craft and keeping up with whast happening via readin attending seminars and workshops not only expands you knowledge but gives you an oppurtunity to talk to other trainers that may have a lot of experience in an area you dont Time management.: Making sure there are plenty of breaks for dogs and handlers. time mangaement also means knowing when to finish for the day Passion and enthusiam can often get in the way of this especially when others in the group are the same Keeping it fun and rewarding: Being able to keep a class interested and making sure they are also geting rewarded for their efforts Breaking exercises down not just for the dogs sake but the handlers too Working with whats available: Being able to work with what the handler is giving you also with what they are willing to do. Being able to switch methods when something isnt working and having lots f options to try relaxed atmosphere: Being able to kep things relaxed so that learning can happen often we spend a lot of time worrying about teh dogs state of mind we forget the handlers need to relax too. Sense of humour able to see the funny side of things laugh at your own mistakes Hows that so far