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Everything posted by The Spotted Devil
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Holding A Dumbell/retrieving Dummy
The Spotted Devil replied to Mason_Gibbs's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Have you tried razzing him up with the dummy first? I find it also helps to go into the training session with a really relaxed and positive and fun attitude. Don't think about the end point but the tiny increments that will get you there. Any frustration on your part can put too much pressure on the dog (especially as you said he doesn't have a lot of retrieving drive). Make a huge deal of him for TRYING. You might be moving too quickly. Also, it's worth teaching a separate "front" which you can add in later. When you are outside and tossing dummies for fun remember not to expect him to deliver to you - run away and call him excitedly - get him loving the huge game of bringing back that dummy. Do you play rough games with your Lab? I love razzing Em up with our games in between retrieves - great for building positive associations. How old is your dog again? I'm happy to film Em if what I've said doesn't make sense. It would help if you could get some video too. -
2011 Brags Thread
The Spotted Devil replied to Agility Dogs's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Congratulations RS - fantastic work with your girls and the taste of sweet success to top it off LP - Zig has only recently appeared from his bed - outside briefly and then moved to his day bed. Em has been up for hours and has destroyed a couple of toys Great effort on Leo's part - you must be delighted with him SUCH a long day wasn't it!!!! -
ons - I retrained Ziggy using the same method. I did change my command because I'd 'poisoned' it. 'Come' remains his informal recall but I use 'front' for his formal recall.
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ons - is this for puppy? For formal recalls? I have dispensed with leads in training Em. I just shaped a formal front, starting sitting down. Stood up. Moved around. Kept proofing. Next thing you know she's doing formal recalls. Keeps it light and fun too
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2011 Brags Thread
The Spotted Devil replied to Agility Dogs's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Great work xena (again!!!) 2 full days trialling is a big ask indeed. I hope Ness enjoys her retirement and that young Kenzie is on the mend soon. Ptolomy - great work. Sometimes the little things mean the most!!! And Cider looks just lovely Before I follow in the wake of my dogs and fall in a heap I must say that I was really chuffed with Zig's work at today's trial. From 4 runs we had one pass with 2nd place in Excellent Jumping and, as luck would have it, it was the only one I managed to have videoed thanks to a fellow working Springer owner: Zig absolutely nailed his first Open Jumping run, including the distance challenge, but somehow managed to enter the weaving poles from the wrong side....possibly I pushed him into it but I was delighted nonetheless. The other Excellent Jumping and Open Jumping runs revealed a couple of holes in our training, but nothing too drastic. All in all a great day out - Em had zoomies with another Springer puppy, some retrieving drills and LOTS of cuddles. Both of them have dashed off to bed with barely a goodnight -
Retrieving & Field Training Talk
The Spotted Devil replied to RubyStar's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
I will definitely post in here if I hear anything definite. -
Retrieving & Field Training Talk
The Spotted Devil replied to RubyStar's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
I heard some chatter about the Springer club holding one at the end of May. If I can I will offer to steward. -
Retrieving & Field Training Talk
The Spotted Devil replied to RubyStar's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
rubyroo - she's only 7 months and I need to do way more marking practice with her yet. I think also her resilliance will improve with a bit more maturity too from what I can gather on the breed. What age are everyone's dogs???? Would be interesting from a training perspective. Mason - rr asked all the questions I came back into this thread to ask! -
Retrieving & Field Training Talk
The Spotted Devil replied to RubyStar's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
RV, that is too funny Yes, probably was a relative but, my goodness! The more I train the more I realise how far we are away from trialling FHRP - sounds like a wonderful experience and opportunity! rubyroo - glad you also had a good time! Great to hear about the Springers doing well too. Em often reminds me of a rabbit....although right now she is a very tired little rabbit after spending all day at an agility trial with Zig and I - she had HUGE zoomies with another working Springer pup, did a few drills and spent the rest of the day being cuddled by everyone -
Retrieving & Field Training Talk
The Spotted Devil replied to RubyStar's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
A very nice afternoon of training......Mr TSD came to the sports oval with me and Little Em did some lovely long marks. Must take some more video as she is so much quicker to line up and flies out and back with so much more confidence even though we've barely done any work on them. Sent Mr TSD off to do the grocery shopping (smart eh!) and worked on some sighted blinds - 2 small piles at 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock (learning 'no') and later sending to a pile at a greater and greater distance alternating between left and right sided sends. We also did some handling - smart cookie is trying to predict whether I'm going to send her left or right back so lots of praise for holding still until I give the signal. Finally I threw a dummy to the right and then one to the left but sent her to pick up the one on the right first. Oh and lots of down time and cuddles between each exercise. All good -
2011 Brags Thread
The Spotted Devil replied to Agility Dogs's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
xena, Gabby and Inka What a great day - good luck tomorrow too! A big couple of days for you all!!! ness - shame about the shoulder. Hope it heals soon - is there a diagnosis at all? -
Training Talk Thread
The Spotted Devil replied to Tiggy's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Have fun LuvLottie - I try to focus on supporting my dog, which does calm the nerves a little! -
Training Talk Thread
The Spotted Devil replied to Tiggy's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Priceless -
Training When You Have More Than One Dog
The Spotted Devil replied to Vickie's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
There's never as much barking as when Em can see that she's missing out! Zig whines but is not a barker. At home one is in the wire crate or eating dinner in another room. They can see and hear a bit depending on where I am training. At club or a trial they alternate in the soft, covered crate as I don't want them disturbing others. Mild complaints but not too bad. At the oval they are in the car and swapped over several times. Em goes a bit nuts. Zig whines. With Ziggy his enthusiasm goes through the roof which is fabulous. Em is always desperate to train so it's hard to tell. She is still young and doesn't have the mental staying power yet so I prefer her to have quiet rest between multiple sessions. It's great letting her watch the older dogs retrieve though - amazing how keen she is then!!! -
Training Talk Thread
The Spotted Devil replied to Tiggy's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Thanks Ptolomy Still climbing that very steep learning curve but it's a great thing to aim for. Funnily enough, since I've competed briefly in retrieving and started training Em my attitude towards training and competing with Zig has really improved. I think because when I was running LL's Lab it became much more about focussing on the dog and getting him (and me ) through each run as one missed/out of order bird is a DQ. Yes I was still nervous but I was able to channel that a lot better - plus LL had us entered in Novice and Restricted so we were doing 6 runs a day. I still remember the elation I felt when he brought his first bird back Doing multiple agility runs with Ziggy has relaxed me as well. JulesP - yes, I thought you were and might appreciate the comparison. I must say, if you are so much happier training and not competing with your lot I would say go for it - absolutely 100% behind your choice because at the end of the day, we're supposed to be enjoying them! -
Training Talk Thread
The Spotted Devil replied to Tiggy's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
I went away for a 3 day Easter (retrieving) trial with Lablover and a few other gals and we all stayed in a big rambling house - had the best time. Up very early to travel to the next town for the trial each day and sat around each night enjoying dinner and a glass of wine (or 2 ) I camped in Sydney last year (on my own) for the Dalmatian Nationals to save costs and also had a great week away - didn't know anyone doing obedience/jumping/agility apart from Zig's breeders. I may also tag along with friends to the retrieving nationals this year (not competing mind you!!!) JulesP - there was a discussion about that on Clean Run recently and the excellent point was made that a lot of horse people train but don't compete. -
Em's Early Retrieving Training
The Spotted Devil replied to The Spotted Devil's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
I offered TSD a puppy from my last litter. She said Mr TSD would not be able to cope with their activity. She will do really well with Em. My little energizer bunny certainly gives your Labs a run for their money in the energy and activity stakes LL What makes her different, I think, is her smaller size and weight and her softness. She can get away with murder with Mr TSD (and Ziggy!) and not create too much havoc A Springer can jump up or leap into your lap and it doesn't have quite the impact of a Lab! She's also very soft with the cats too which is important. -
So true
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Dogs Vic Performance Entry Form
The Spotted Devil replied to FHRP's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Fantastic! I'll keep those dates in mind. Great photo too -
Dogs Vic Performance Entry Form
The Spotted Devil replied to FHRP's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
So spill please Retrieving? Field trial? Maybe Do let us know when - it would be great to see your dog work if I have the chance -
More than 'seem' :D Little devils work all day! I decided to give Em a day off retrieving training today...in between hunting up lizards and butterflies for most of the afternoon I did 2 shaping sessions with her plus an agility groundwork/tunnel session plus an obedience session. That was JUST enough to take the edge off her. I was trying to keep her out of Zig's face as he was keen to enjoy a quiet day in the sun after agility training last night (Em also went and did retrieving and obedience training on the side).
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Finding It Hard To Get That Drive
The Spotted Devil replied to woodbyne's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
I wouldn't call my Dalmatian high drive but he's a hell of a lot better than as a youngster. I didn't follow a 'method' as such, just spent time finding out what made him tick, didn't apply too much pressure, learnt to be patient and tried to leave him wanting more. They are not the easiest breed to work with but certainly worth the effort. -
Dogs Vic Performance Entry Form
The Spotted Devil replied to FHRP's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
So spill please Retrieving? Field trial? -
Your Preferred Sex For Next Puppy/dog
The Spotted Devil replied to Baileys mum's topic in General Dog Discussion
Lots of considerations. My ACD was a desexed female - a family dog originally so I had no say in the matter. Fabulous dog who lived until she was 17 years. When I settled on my next breed and a breeder, I decided on a male Dalmatian - I preferred the look of the breeder's males, I didn't want another female after losing a girl who I was very close to (I make every effort not to rate my dogs against each other), was interested in dabbling in showing and the breeder wanted me to keep the dog entire and I didn't want to deal with seasons. With my next pup, I really got a girl for my Dalmatian's sake He is still entire and, whilst good with all pups, just adores "the ladies". I wanted a nice, soft dog that he would happily give way to without feeling threatened. It's worked out perfectly. I will wait until she's grown up before having her spayed - and will consult with her breeder in that respect. My male Dally is not very cuddly but my ESS bitch puppy is a snuggle monster. Neither are 'moody' and both have wonderful, if not very different, work ethics. If I got another Dally, I would consider a bitch (again, so as not to compare with Ziggy) and I would also consider a male ESS. However, other considerations would also come into account. Every dog has it's challenges and, thus far, I have no preference for dogs vs bitches. Genetics and training are much more important to me!