Luke W

Nice puppy! Looks like Barkly! I wouldn't be surpsied if they're related. Is you're little girl from Elspan Cockers?

Crack-ups!!!

Congrats on your pass TSD!!! It was tough out there with the long, wet grass. We left the Warragul trial a little early on Saturday - Barkly seemed a little stressed and unfocused. I decided to give him a break on Sunday, so we stayed home. I managed to get a a pass in his first ever masters jumping run - so that was pretty cool. We only just made time because he's pretty slow in the wet long grass. But still - a good effort for the little guy. I might end up scratching him from a few runs at Warringal - depending on conditions and how keen and focused he seems.

This thread reminds me that I reward too much. Intermittent reinforcement with slowly increasing criteria really is a skill I need to work on. Sometimes it's hard to recognise the 'best' reponses.

Here's a few pics I've taken at trials of some of the less common breeds:

I'll keep an eye out for tollers.

I think I might try to stop squeeling like a girl when I get a pass.

I'm proud of my nerdiness

Thanks Erny. The last 2 1/2 years have been an interesting journey! I turned into a dog nerd

No problem!! This one is a little neater: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COnERMid3eQ But happy to let you choose either. Go the cockers!

I pulled a dogs tail when I was about 4 years old. 22 stitches later....

Another Video of Barkly Blue http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRO2A8s6yro Contacts on the dog walk a little crooked - need to work on this.

Thanks Back to your regularly scheduled topic...

Just for clarity guys - I'm not saying it won't work if your dog isn't drivey or toy motivated. BUT, this thread (and I'm not concerned it has deviated) was about my dogs and what I want from them. From what I have seen the best results are with dogs that are driven and do like their toys. That said, I like the understanding that the method helps develop for any style of dog. Like anything it may need to be adapted for your particular dog or style of working your dog. I'm not criticsing anyone who is going down a different path and hope no one has taken my comment to suggest that. At our club we have a massive variety of people and dogs and that is something we have set out to cultivate. It ranges from a lady with whippets who wants calm and quiet dogs who don't get excited at all and is, in her words, learning heaps and having great fun through non-traditional agility breeds like boxers and snow puppies to people with previously out of control, totally insane working mixes who are working on their relationship and improving every week. No problem. I hope I didn't come across as dissing your objectives. I mentioned Barkly because Huski asked about non-toy driven dogs. I wish Barkly was more toy driven and a bit more drivey.

I used relatively short grass and squares of chicken breast. They stand out on the grass. Barkly is not a super drivey dog and far more motivated by food than toys.

FWIW - I shoot nearly everything with a 70-200 2.8. The 70-200 f4 would be a great choice and more in your price range.

I haz a video! This is Barkly's first Novice Agility pass at Sale a few weeks ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COnERMid3eQ BTW - we had an awesome weekend at Warrnambool. I actually considered not even running him at Warrnambool because of the horrible weather - he's not a fan of rain, so I didn't think he'd do very well. He proved me wrong - such a little trooper... Excellent Jumping C - Pass - 3rd Place - Title! Excellent Jumping G - Pass - 2nd Place Novice Agility A - Pass - 3rd Place Open Jumping C- Pass - 3rd Place Open Jumping G - Pass - 2nd Place Open Agility A - Pass - 6th Place Open Agility E - Pass - 1st place Oh - and I won 2 awesome prizes in the raffle

I think someone did video a couple of my runs this weekend - but it'll take a while before I get my hands on them. but - I've now got a disk with a couple of run from Sale 2 weeks ago - which I'll put on Youtube during the week.

Elspan Barkly Blue AD JD JDX

Thanks Ellie! Puppy shots are shot with a Canon 20D. More recent shots are shot with a Canon 40D. Most images are shot with the 70-200 2.8 L IS lens.

So, so, so many things! More building drive at an early age More tug Less food Stricter contact criteria PS - Hi everyone - thought I'd join the fun.

Elspan Barkly Blue AD JD :D

why not...

It's all there in black and white If I ever get fined for being off-lead - you can be sure I'll be whipping out the legislation!