The Spotted Devil

Alright then....so far for: Saturday 11th October, 10.30am, KCC The Spotted Devil Luke W JulesP leopuppy04 shoemonster

Wonderful! Luke W - don't worry - I haven't even trialled Ziggy yet and he can be a complete and utter.....well.....Dalmatian ETA: Preferences on time of day? Again, I don't mind.

Any takers?

Be patient Luke W Barkly is only a youngster still I think? One of the most important things I do now with Zig is actually make sure I am enjoying the process of him learning and it not just being a means to an end, if you know what I mean. It means you approach every lesson with a positive attitude and lots of enthusiasm....which, of course, rubs off on your dog. Relax, and enjoy the journey :p

I am getting that response with Ziggy - I'm not sure that I would have understood what you meant had I not run a Lab in a retrieving trial a few months ago who has an amazing ability to mark. Awesome experience We tried it outside yesterday but the wind picked up the bowl of food and flung it across the oval Poor Zig looked so disappointed

Tending towards Saturday 11th October at KCC Park, just to get a training day in before November.

I think LP said that was the 25th. ETA: Don't worry, SW, this won't be the last although it might take us another 12 months to get ourselves sufficiently organised

I think it would be good to get a day in October..... Any preferences for Saturday 11th October or Saturday 25th October? I'm leaning towards the earlier date just so we can kick this off!

Does anyone know how we go about "booking" a small area of KCC or do we just show up and find ourselves a spot. Thanks LukeW - I don't even know how much room that agility trial would take up but I'm assuming it's a fair amount! Would that wipe that Saturday out then???

You're all plotting ;) Seeing as I am a WA expat then I get first dibs on the plane tickets.... *elbows LP and takes her dogs* Now come on you lot! I need specific dates!!! I'd like to include as many people as possible so just name the days you are free otherwise it will just end up being tea for two At this point, we have a clear preference for Saturdays so please tell me which Saturdays you are or are not free in October and November

OK.....based on what everyone is saying, I'm leaning towards a Saturday....

Come join us for a day, Tess I want Noah cuddles, damn it!!!!

There seems to be a bit of interest in having a catch up/training session day so......we need: 1) What days/times you are or are not available (maybe for October?) 2) Some ideas on where we can hold it OK.....so for TSD 1) Free most days (except Mondays) - weekends are fine. 2) Location - last time we met up at Croydon, so I think we should go somewhere different. Maybe KCC? I'm pretty flex, though.

Just wanted to say thanks for all the info in this thread. I've started sending Ziggy out to a bowl with one solitary piece of kibble in it, then coming straight back for another piece. After 2 brief training sessions in the lounge room, he's already starting to pre-empt my "front" call and is bolting back to me It's really handy half an hour before dinner when the cats are getting annoyed with him (more than normal )

Who has time for mischief! Are you still doing your cat thingy?! we could organise something easily if you are ;) Cat thingy! *snort* If you mean my data collection ( ), nup - I'm all finished....writing up my minor thesis now so working from home mostly. So I had a brain fart moment and couldn't think of the word "thesis" or "study"!!! It was milling about my head... and all I could come up with was 'oh you know - that stuff you were doing with all the kitties!" ;) Darn - I could have met up with you one lunch time Trust me, I've got a LOT more time on my hands since I've finished! I wasn't actually taking lunch breaks - 7 days a week, 8am-5pm for 7 weeks.....no wonder Zig's training has gone to poo

Who has time for mischief! Are you still doing your cat thingy?! we could organise something easily if you are Cat thingy! *snort* If you mean my data collection ( ), nup - I'm all finished....writing up my minor thesis now so working from home mostly.

I'd be up for a training day - maybe something to keep us out of mischief until FOO starts???

I also wanted to add that, if your experience is anything like mine, you'll make LOADS of mistakes with your first trialling dog - we still got good passes and places but, boy! If I knew then what I know now!!!!! I have no doubt I'll make plenty of new mistakes with my second dog and ever after that

GayleK, can you get someone to take some video footage of you two working? If you could post that on here/You Tube I'm sure the experienced triallers would be happy to give you a critique My Dally is still running hot and cold on a few things - until I am confident that he is "with" me I won't be entering him in a trial.

When Ziggy was a baby puppy I used the "3 strikes and your'e out!" rule.....after a good game and a toilet break outside, I would sit on the floor quietly and cuddle him on my lap.....one yawn.....two yawns......3 yawns.......and time for bed! A puppy kong filled with kibble helped him settle too.

I find it easier to kneel on the ground, having pup sit between my knees - only when they relax do you let them go play again. Even now I use that position for cleaning Zig's ears (his least favourite thing in the world) or when he freaked out because the vet had a very strong smelling disinfectant on his hands and tried to give him his KC vaccine.

Oh goodness, I didn't realise Angs was quite so young. More tears :D

Sounds like you've had a bad experience - sorry to hear your dog is unwell ;) Wish you were in Melbourne - I could recommend a wonderful, gentle dog chiro who starts with lots of massage and pressure point work before making small adjustments at the end of the session. When she can see he is sore she'll give him a break and encourage him to wander around and have a good shake before starting again. Ziggy just adores her and gets so excited when she visits....by the end of the session he's falling asleep in my arms....not bad for an 18 month old Dally

In iPhoto the size of the photos are usually pretty large - you can reduce them if you want to before uploading to Photobucket - I usually email them to myself as "medium" size (I think!). PM me if you need more help