RubyStar

Are you kidding, yours was great

Definately keep using it then Lewis's eye glaze over like my BIL's totally ball obssesses BC who would drop balls on your foot all the time or just stare at the ball willing it to move. Lewis will even take a ball over his favourite food treat. I do use the ball as a reward for somethings, but wouldn't just prior to going in the ring. Best disraction training ever - Lewis training and a young boy kicking a soccer ball. I had to work hard to keep his focus as he has his own soccer ball he plays with along with an Isqueak, horse ball, small tennis ball like ball, kids balls (mostly now popped) and any other ball on a rope or otherwise. Millie's eyes glaze over in a way, too, and there is no way I could ask for precision work from the girls using an i-squeak as reward. But waving it around and doing little throws hypes them up which is what I want Then back in pocket (or give to someone next to me if at a trial), ask for them to jump in heel for example, treat with food! I am really hoping that method will hold up for me as I am sick of trying to figure out what works and will give me consistent results

My girls are obsessed with it too, but I got a nice performance out of Millie by using it so I will see if that was just luck or not I use it in combination with treats (hype dog up with i-squeak, ask for them to jump into heel or a front and reward with food). I am still yet to find a routine that works for them best before going into the ring so I am trying everything!

I used an i-squeak with Millie before going in the ring and it seemed to work, so I am going to keep trying that and see if it was just a one off or not Which means I need to kill one of my i-squeaks! And I need someone standing nearby to palm the ball off to. I was lucky in that I roped mum into coming last time which is a rare occurrence so I handed her the ball before going in the ring. I've never used that technique before but I might start with both girls as they luuuuuuurve the i-squeak, it's better than food

Yes I agree. Sorry I re-read my second post and it sounded like I was being argumentative Just stating what I do

I've had a couple of instances where even with food in hand outside the ring, I couldn't switch Ruby on. So there was no way we were going to go well in the ring. How she performs in her little warm up gives me an indication of how she will go in the ring. And I don't flog a full heelwork pattern, just very short bursts of heelwork and getting into heel position, with lots of rewards, keeps them "up".

I bet I've gotten a few people into a frazzle that are due to go in the ring after me when all of a sudden I stop mid-heelwork and excuse ourselves from the ring And yes I usually let the steward know my number and where I am and that I intend coming in at the last second. They are usually fine with it!

Ness, it depends on the dog. While I know what you mean about people flogging stuff before they go in, in Millie's case, she needs a bit of heelwork to switch her ON and get her focus on ME as she is so full of enthusiasm when I get her out (bordering on psycho!) Ruby needs a few short bursts of heel/sit/heel/sit, mainly to get her attention on me, and then back in the car. Repeat maybe 3 times then into the ring.

Great work, TerraNik!! That was a great round Shame about the stays Been there, done that, blown a lovely 195 or 196 due to a failed sit stay You could just throttle them, couldn't you

Huski - bummer about your trial today but so many positives!! You will get your first quallie in no time! Although you can't take your time, I wouldn't let the stewards rush you. If you need a minute, say so, especially if you're up sooner than you thought you were! The steward at Millie's first trial was a bit narky with me for basically not waiting ringside during the previous person to go straight in, but I just ignored it as that is not what I like to do. I walked over as the guy before me was starting his last exercise, then the steward jumped on me for not being there Then for stay stays, I got the whole "well they're waiting for you" as I walked up, yeah whatever, cos they weren't waiting for me. They had just set up the markers. I wasn't going to feel intimidated. I can see with attitudes like the one I got the day of Millie's trial could possibly offput a brand new trialler, and for all the steward knows I was new being in CCD. All the more reason to be a bit more forgiving and "welcoming". Anyway, that's my rant for the day Well done Seita and Kath on your UD debuts! Sounds like they went well, regardless of quallie or not!

Sold to the lady with the black labrador I wanted to give her away as the raffle prize this morning - but after her heelwork this arvo I decided to take her home Yep the occassionally clever one was a good boy winning open and UD this morning (and 32kg of dog bickies) which the other 6 kids living with me are eternally grateful for I DON'T THINK SO!!! You won't sell me Cider so Beans is most definitely coming home to Aunty RS anytime her mummy doesn't want her! I love working her Anytime you want me to take her in the ring Well done Scoota!!!

Congrats myzchev!! Well done on the 1st place!! I can't wait to start trialling in agility too, I just want to do it all

I'm so tired Not very safe driving back when you're dead tired The day was pretty good. Got lots to work on, my girl is a birdie eater but she is enthusiastic, isn't gun shy, and she is steady as I shoot over her and waits until I send her Just hope I don't lose that as other things start coming together There was an obedience trial on today, wasn't there? How'd you go?

The online UK Labrador community went crazy for these a couple of years back when I was a member, and they raved about them. I personally don't like any of the patterns they offer and I prefer a clip not a buckle on a collar, so I never bought one myself, even though I looked many times

Awww bugger! But as long as you had fun I took both girls out this arvo for an hour long walk, and it was such a lovely walk. I walked them round near where my parents live as there aren't many morons who live there and have their dogs offlead. They were very well behaved, except when they saw a cat across the road and they wanted to go say hello, or eat the puddy tat, not sure :rolleyes:

How did you go Amy? In Masters yet?

Well done Emmy!!!! :rolleyes: That's quite an accomplishment, yay!

Thanks

Awww shucks she says I'm in with the photo you took of Ruby, so I've used it in my new signature She looks like a prancing princess

I think amypie just volunteered to make us cake! She's the resident baker and makes the yummiest sweet goods Actually, mirwaee makes killer cookies too

Candice, you know either me or GR would have Mason in an emergency, plus others would too I'm sure. Never be afraid to ask me ok? Can anyone recommend a kennel that accept titre testing or is this something I will need to hunt out by calling each place up?

OH MY GOSH!! I use to do this too! ( until i got told that i wasnt allowed to walk the course if I didnt have a dog entered in the class! OOPS ) I also love to watch how other people walk a course and SEE what they do, and how differently they do things to me, of course i have alot of " DUH so THATS how your ment to do that! " moments LOL I haven't been told off yet Mind you, I am only walking the Novice courses at this point in time, I won't get in anyone's way walking the course on something more difficult (though I did quickly walk an Open Agility course I helped set up when I was stewarding before the competitors came in). I would think that they should encourage those getting into the sport to walk the Novice courses, it's good preparation for your trialling career! I also like asking others how they would approach it after I've worked out a rough plan myself. That way I firstly have to strategise for myself, then getting other people's take on it I can see where I am overcomplicating things and make it simpler!

I've started walking courses at any trial I might be watching, even though I'm not running a dog in agility yet I figure it can't hurt, I might pick up an idea or two on how to run something similar I come across in the future!

If noone else wants it I'll have it Gosh I feel like such a scab I'll give you some $$ for it if you like Sorry RS a lady from the allergy forum beat you too it, her dogs are both on Hills ZD only so it worked out quite well for her. The Hills ZD is not something i would feed to normal healthy dogs, I believe it has very little nutrition in it ? No worries ;) And didn't realise so it's all good, my kiddies can eat anything thank goodness! How is Mason?

Hugs to you, Rach! Sorry to hear this Hope Buddy will be ok.