RubyStar

The larger is about double the length and is 60cm in diameter while the small on sale is a 50cm diameter.

My girls inform me you didn't come and get them out of the car to train them while I was at the AGM ;)

As I will most likely be changing breeds, I suspect this will be the case as the learning curve for training a new breed I imagine will be steep! Or I could just get another nightmare Lab again Well I exaggerate when I say nightmare. Ruby was actually quite a good puppy, only destroyed a few things, but I perservered every week regardless of weather taking her to training class to have her only be interested in other dogs and not me and my food and it reduced me to tears on numerous occasions. I actually would love the challenge of another Lab puppy (as I didn't get to train Millie as a baby), so we'll see what the future holds for me!

Only thing I can recommend is get your clicker out. Any time Rover so much as looks at you, click and treat. Soon he realises looking at mum without being asked to means treat. Introduce people, click/treat when he looks in your direction. He should be coming back to YOU for treats, they catch on pretty quick with this game. Just last night Ruby was sitting in front of a fellow trainer/DOLer like a good little girl to score a treat. I started clicking her when she looked at me and then she wouldn't leave me. I sometimes palm Ruby off to others arming them with a handful of treats so she can work for them so she knows treats can come from others too, click C/T for looking at you and when he is calm about it should help with the mugging others for food. At Rover falling into heel with strangers to score a treat. Smart fella Oh and to How can I increase the value for me, to the point where other people and their potentially treat filled pockets are of no real interest. Is it possible? - he's a Lab, I don't think it is possible! But it is manageable

I had the opposite guys, the nightmare dog as my first, was interested in everything else but listening to me, so that made the next dog so much easier

I'm so glad you've since learnt that fat Labradors are not a breed fault, but an owner fault!

I think we'll be in Excellent in no time then, scoring our PLKX

And one who isn't sticking their bum in the dogs face even after demonstrating first which way to stand Yeah that helps too... I read the rules today so I feel a bit better prepared. Lets just say I am used to the show ring and your lucky I didn't check her teeth :D Did anywhere in the rules did it say you should extend your neck out for better coverage of Lab kisses?

And one who isn't sticking their bum in the dogs face even after demonstrating first which way to stand

My dogs don't seem to understand the association between chewing their beds to a million pieces, and having nothing to sleep on that night Yes she does love it, but still the pee smells around bins and stuff prove too much temptation, even for Ruby as well! Need to proof dumbell in longer grass near pee posts! Ya know, just in case there is one in the ring Or you throw the dumbell backwards. I've thrown the dumbell and its hit the post on the solid jump and came back to us before

It might not be a bright spark SFE idea for other dogs, but all I can say is it is currently working for wigglebum Ruby, but we still have a long way to go. In combination with steady feet game, just ask someone to place their hands on the dog. Click straight away for them not moving and treat. If they move after the click, which they probably will, don't fret, the click usually ends the behaviour anyway. Repeat, but increase the time the person just places their hands on them. I am finding Ruby is not even looking at the person touching her, she is too busy staring at me waiting for that click! Progress to person examining. It just seems to be working for us so far in training But I do need to be careful about her moving afterwards as she might start doing so in trials. I'll see how this progresses and report back!! The above courtesy of Ptolomy... hope she doesn't mind me sharing!

My dogs don't seem to understand the association between chewing their beds to a million pieces, and having nothing to sleep on that night Yes she does love it, but still the pee smells around bins and stuff prove too much temptation, even for Ruby as well! Need to proof dumbell in longer grass near pee posts! Ya know, just in case there is one in the ring

I'm just so "gosh darn proud" of Millie and her dumbell retrieve. Needs some work to get her to present a little closer, but I couldn't be more chuffed of this dog who didn't even want to put her mouth around it when we started. Toss it in play and she'd look at you blankly. Now she's bringing it back over the solid jump. I know it isn't much but I am still very proud of her

Sounds like someone still needs to be puppyproofing the house before she leaves for work! RIP sneaker.

I was busy fixing the drop for distance control that I ended up breaking the sit Tip 1: Don't buy a Lab

It's a new rule, when the dog is on a table the judge does a SFE Oh I like that answer better, so much better than mine I might need to avoid Agility a bit longer if that's the case, and stick with Jumping where there is no table

Didn't you hear? It's the new start line stay requirement.... I heard a rumour that the little black number has some awesome heelwork happening Amypie speak to Rubystar about teaching a SFE :D Yep, ask me how to still not have a successful SFE after 3 years of training and 18 months of trialling and still going into the ring "hoping" But Ptolomy did show me a good trick that has progressed Ruby's SFE better in 1 week than it has in 2 years. What I wanna know is, why she took so damn long to share this secret :D Will show you next time I see you Amy

No, the dog must pass all the disciplines at the one test! Everyone needs a Utility Gundog It's getting close though! The National rules have been sent to the ANKC for their October conference! It is a more basic test than the Utility Ability test though, but good fun! Would love to see the GWT recognised! And brought to WA

Title done With a 3rd first place And it's full steam ahead straight into Novice this weekend. So whatever happens from here onwards is just a bonus, as I've already achieved the goal of CCD for Millie and CD for Ruby this year

And Labs! My girl greets me with the nearest toy she can find in her mouth, wagging her bum and making very happy grunty noises to show me her present! Gosh I love that

From the numerous stories you've told of Mindy, I'd have to say she isn't your typical Lab! Remember that you are very lucky to have such a good pup, and not everyone else's is going to be like yours. The majority are massive ratbags for much of the first half of their lives!

Love this and say this just about sums it up

I got one, but they moved a bit (don't mind the mess, am sorting out papers in my filing cabinet!)

Ummmmm.... let me think about it... NO!! Ask me again though within half hour of bombing out of a trial, I may have a different answer for you

My two are currently laying in front of the heater and Millie has her back feet on Ruby's face I can't get up and get the camera or they will move, damn it!!