Ptolomy

awwwww indeed and I can confirm he is just a gorgeous in the flesh :D You did very well to get a clip without my noisy little sod's squealing barks in the background ;) One week tomorrow and my babies are released from prison They have had enough now and so have we, Louis in particular is going stir crazy - not surprising on 1 and 1/2 hours exercise a week! Can't wait to get them home for snuggles We have an expensive shopping trip this weekend as we need to get dog beds, cat bed, cat climbing frame, litter tray, toys etc They are going to be so spoilt on release OH you lucky thing - 1 week will hopefully go quickly and I didn't even have to edit Louie barking out of the video. I wish I could rally up enough support to get something done about the conditions in Quarantine. Just a cover over the roof would mean that the kennels/sleeping areas/bedding are not totally soaked when it rains. I know when we had kennels after hosing them down we would get the excess water out with a rubber broom, meaning the kennels would dry quickly - somehow I don't think this is done. At $39 a day I expect a lot more than what we are getting and unfortunately we don't have a choice. Oh and another gripe - I asked if anybody had booked the exercises area we were in for the 12-12.30 slot and was immediately told that all dogs were only allowed 30 minutes outside and we had had our 30 minutes. And while I am at it - visiting days are Monday, Wednesday and friday 11.30-12.30 it sucks! I feel better now

Glad to hear Lincoln got there safely. How are you holding up???

My new little man

Strauss and his first downs - its a work in progress and a long way between this and a CCD round Thanks to Zoe for coming along to play with the boy today

Barb and Kirra - there is nothing the two of you can't do. what a team

From what I am told he has all the girls working at Quarantine wrapped around his little paw - and from what I can work out he is being spoilt rotten

Today I met my new little man Strauss for the first time. I took a bag of toys and a plastic container, that I usually use for jackpots for the other kids with goat in it. We went into Strauss's kennel, put the bag with everying in it on his bed and before I knew it he was rummaging in the bag and pulled out the container with goat in it and started carrying it around his kennel. This was his first taste of raw meat I can't believe how confident this puppy is - its scary!!!

If you are using your left hand to give the stand signal - try giving it a little further away from your body and see if this helps.

Goodonya Tiggy - I will see you in CCD

LOL I say a similar thing about Beans - physically she is 4 - the jury is still out on the mental age

Interesting that you have found these holes Vicki. Think its a reminder than it doesn't hurt to go back to basics every now and again no matter what sport you do, or what level you are at. As a side line I give my kids time off over Xmas and New Year - usually 6-8 weeks. When I resume I spend 1-2 weeks on building everything up from scratch again. Anybody else do this??

Gees I will definitely come to BUnbury for chocolate cake. Not sure if Rubystar will come with me. I will try and bribe her by saying that I was her lucky omen last time I will probably bring down Scoota, Beans and Soggybear (all going well this will be her first trial)

Rat come and watch the obedience in Bunbury in September and meet the kids. Yep the new baby is a 13 week old male toller from Norway called Strauss

Today I am the proud owner of a new house and a new puppy. Just need to win lotto tonight to cap off a great day

Hi vaders mum. There are a couple of dog events coming up soon at Hay Park - an agility trial in August, a double obedience trial in September and I think a show in October.

After leaving Oslo (Norway) MOnday lunch time, Strauss my new little toller puppy will touch down in Perth this arvo. Unfortunately I have to wait until Friday to see him.........but its getting closer ;)

FranCQ - do you know any of the puppy attention games eg where you stand facing the dog and have a piece of food in one hand and outstretch the arm with the food in it - the dog should automatically look at the food. Wait until the dog looks at your face (usually wondering what the hell you are doing to begin with, and it will only be a quick glance) and mark this with either a "yes" or a clicker and reward with the food in the hand. You can then repeat by putting the food in the other hand and doing the same exercise. Then you can progress to food in both hands. Going back to my corner now....... ;)

I would not be putting any verbal on it at all at this stage - further down the track if you are thinking of trialling, you want a dog that looks at you automatically rather than you having to continually give a verbal watch command. At this stage of her training - I am suggesting that she has no idea what watch means and one watch verbal will turn into 2 watch verbals and then 3 watch verbals. This is an ideal time to get a clicker and some treats out and when the dog looks as you C/T.

Huski - when is your next trial????

I love nothing more than a clicker trained puppy trying to work out what you want. Armed with a clicker, a truck load of treats and a hula hoop in less than 3 minutes I had Soggybear going the length of the hallway to sit in the hula hoop. I only wish that I got it on video because it was priceless. Now if only teaching children was this much fun

Hi FranCQ - you can't just poke your head in without posting photos of Luuka. and have you given any thought to trialling???

Strauss is currently somewhere in the air between Frankfurt and Singapore. He arrives in Perth tomorrow arvo and then its 30 days in Quarantine. I don't usually show in baby class but happy to make an exception if somebody is sticking their hand up for it.

Thats is very exciting Valley CBR but I you will miss him terribly. I have just the answer - Strauss cuddles and a red dog to show instead

Good luck Leopuppy - let us all know how you get on and I hope the seekback gods look after you PS - Dare I ask is it another Aussie you are planning????

Seekback - from the beginning I use a start peg and I put turns in from the word go. I drop the seekback close to the start peg as i am increasing the distance. I don't worry about the formal stuff like finishes and waiting I tend to treat it as a game we about turn and I might grab the collar and rev them up and say find - so they are always eager to race off and find it. (the know the find it game at home when I hide things in different rooms).