RubyStar

I realise that you rarely get in a trial what you get in training, things always go wrong! But if I don't have it almost right in training, there is no way I am going to have it right in a trial! Even when people were telling me that Millie was ready to start trialling in obedience, I held out a little longer just to be sure she was well and truly ready. I think it paid off. Livertreats, if you don't see me trialling this year, you can be sure you will see me entered next year! TSD – your Em sounds like she is light years ahead of Ruby in training. I've done little work on backs/overs/blinds, just really trying to get the novice stuff sorted and that is proving tough enough. Like you said though, at 10 months, plenty of time, and when you do eventually go out and trial, you guys will be superb because you've put all this great groundwork in! I will chip away at it slowly with Ruby (and Millie), just to teach me how to teach, because I think my next pup his main focus will be retrieving (and obedience :p) and this time I can start it all from a pup and hopefully not squash his drive the way I did with Ruby!

I think that whatever method you choose, you're best to go away and train it at home. Once or twice a week at training, sharing the equipment with others, might take you an age to teach weaving! I liked the 2x2 method which is how I taught my girls, but I haven't taught weaves another way so I can't compare. I will be teaching mum and dad's mini schnauzer to weave once it's old enough and I will be using the 2x2 method. Gonna be interesting for me training a small dog! I'm quite excited, actually! Ruby used to as a pup. She'd do one jump, two if I was lucky, and then she was off. My cure to fix the problem was pull out of agility, continue with the obedience, and return when she capable of not running off Not ideal for those who want to work through the problem while at agility, but it worked for me and I was able to go back confident knowing that she wasn't going to run off. It left me in tears many times!

Do you mean come to the class with you? Would Carolyn have an issue with more people there? I actually would really like to see one of her classes as you guys think so highly of it that I have to see it for myself! I am heading to training around 10am so hopefully will be finished by then (retrieving training so it does take longer). I think we'll be halfway to her class anyway (was it in Armadale or something?) I can just leave Ruby in the car, she'll be right ;) Let me know!

That is so cute! And you're very lucky you found a man who shares your obsession passion for dogs! :D If I told myself to go half hour without talking about the dogs, I'd fail miserably My poor work people!!!

My Millie was called Lily when I got her at approx 2 years old. She took to her new name immediately, but it helped that they were so similar. I think it's ok that you change his name, even if it's something completely different, it may just take longer for him to understand it's his name is all

That looked really lovely, smisch!!

Well I had fun raiding IGA tonight for all their markdowns! Got two packs of 4 Legs at $2 off each. Use by date is today but they go straight in the freezer anyway! But my major score were 6 pack of Petit Miam's for $1.15 each, usually $4.15 So I grabbed the last 9 on the shelf! So I have 54 little yoghurt jackpots ready and waiting Use by date is today but again, straight in the freezer and remove as needed! Bought myself 4 yoghurts at 31c each, apple crumble flavour I think I might jackpot myself with 1 or 2 of them tonight for dessert for a shopping trip well done

Are you looking to sell your bigger one if you buy a smaller one, then? ;)

I'm heading out with Ann on Saturday for some training, I'll see how we go I think she is munching birdies when stressed. We pushed her with too much between her and the fall. Once she finally located it, she brought it back nicely, but there were some punctures in the bird (admittedly it was an old one used in a trial so it wasn't the best to start with). Then at a training day, I pushed her with too much cover and a bird all in one hit, and she munched a bit on her return. So I have birdies and water to sort out still. Looks like I have some thinking to do! Thanks to you both for the encouragement, though And as for far less trained dogs competing at the moment, I've seen the novice dogs and I don't believe it! They are all doing lovely retrieves and I am very envious!

We're not ready. And I was informed they get harder as the season progresses so it wouldn't be fair on Ruby to push her like that just yet. Gives me time to sort some issues out and go into it hopefully feeling a bit more ready We started this time last year, and I really did not think the tests got harder. It gave us a chance to work with the gun and the different terrain. The Retrieving Club are having their last training day on 31st July, hope you can go to that. I will have a think about it but it's become very apparent that we just aren't ready. I will be going to the training day. I need to get out and train a hell of a lot more than I do if I am ever going to be ready!!

Those dogs might train really well but get stage fright in the ring I'm going to use Rally-O to help with Ruby's motivation ;) And besides, it's 95% my nerves that affects Ruby's motivation! And I get nervous with everything, even a DWD would make me nervous!! :p

I did a DWD seminar once, and I admit it was quite fun. But I don't foresee me ever getting into it

I hope Molly makes a speedy recovery and the lab results come back as nothing too sinister!

We're not ready. And I was informed they get harder as the season progresses so it wouldn't be fair on Ruby to push her like that just yet. Gives me time to sort some issues out and go into it hopefully feeling a bit more ready

And finding the perfect sparkly outfit!!

Only 4 more before end of season? Definitely not entering this season, then! I will enter next season, even if it kills me!!

Don't worry, you'll be in good company. I heard a rumour that amypie and Trixie are entering.

Then I'd be insulted that she is asking for other people's opinions because yours obviously doesn't count Kidding ;)

Next Retrieving (novice/restricted) is on 24th July and being held at Beverley, see you there? Where fingers crossed you will make it three wins from the last 3 starts. Well done on your last 2 trials Woohoo! I heard of the one win but didn't know you were 2 wins down! Best of luck! Told you you'd get NRD in no time ;) ;)

Next Retrieving (novice/restricted) is on 24th July and being held at Beverley, see you there? Got an obedience trial that day Last one for me for quite a while, too. Which I have even more withdrawals for!

I might do this for Ruby. On Thursday I want to work on better weave entries/speed, rear crosses, and a little sequence of jumps I had trouble with on the weekend with both girls.

PM ness, pretty sure she swears by them.

You can count me and Ruby in at any time too ST as we don't live far away. Pippa (mini schnauzer) doesn't arrive for another 4 weeks. I wish I had gotten Ruby and Jasper playing on video, it was terribly cute She was laying on her belly while this little fluffball was jumping around her face

So what did Zora's registered name end up being?

I was just doing this video earlier to demonstrate Millie's hopping weaving style, and remembered me posting in here about my weaving woes with teaching Millie, so thought I'd just post it in here too for an update She still isn't as strong weaving on my right, but she is more than capable of it now