RubyStar

I-squeaks are GREAT!! Good for training, great for keeping 2 social Labs' attention on you in a crowded park!

I used an i-squeak ball with Ruby this arvo during duration heelwork and I think I found something that she is more enthusiastic over than treats! This is a Lab we're talking about She forged a little when I used the ball which at this stage I am not too worried about because this is a dog who usually lags! So if I start throwing the ball behind me as well as in front of me to keep her guessing, she hopefully won't forge in preparation to launch after the ball Millie on the other hand, is way OTT if I try train her duration heelwork with food or an i-squeak, she can't concentrate on the task at hand when something great is on offer! She does her best work with praise and mediocre treats, then gets rewarded with her precious i-squeak after! i-squeaks are DEFINITELY a hit in this household!! They hold their attention beautifully

Congrats to Lexi for her first Open pass! Well done to everyone for all their brags!! You're all an inspiration!

How did you do? I'm back in next weekend... and didn't use our time off from trialling too wisely!

The hiding game works well here, too, and have been doing it since Ruby was a pup. A trainer at my local club gave me the tip which I thought was fantastic And it really was. Hide behind a tree or something and it doesn't take long for even my independent girl to start running around frantically looking for me! The look on her face is pure panic, and it's the only time I enjoy seeing it on her face! Because it makes her remember to keep an eye on me next time

OMG so cute Can't wait to see pics of them up and walking!!

That is awesome! Well done I made small progress again tonight with Millie's dumbell work. To date, she refuses to take anything out of my hand into her mouth, unless it's food But tonight I got her to take the dumbell out of my hand! She only holds it for a split second, but duration isn't what I'm focusing on at the moment, just trying to get her to take the blasted thing out of my hand or pick it up off the floor! So a bit more with this and we can start working on some duration Coming from having a dog who would pick anything up off the floor or out of your hand since a pup, I didn't realise this would be so hard to teach an older dog!

Congrats to Kenzie :rolleyes: Of course she's brilliant, she's from WA!

Get used to not competing at trials that you have entered if somethings not right...........its part of what most successful triallers do anyway. I would never enter if I knew there was something wrong. She has pulled up fine today, no sign of stiffness or soreness and is sitting properly and bending her leg. I'm going to rest her for the rest of the week to be sure, though it's driving her nuts! So instead of walking the girls, I practiced getting Millie to pick up the dreaded dumbell by using Ruby as a demonstration dog to Millie We had some success :rolleyes: I set the 2 dumbells down away from the dogs, got them to sit and asked them to wait, and kinda revved them up with the anticipation of waiting for something then sent them off on a race to get it! Worked a treat, Millie was racing to the dumbell and actually picking it up Teaching the dumbell (for me at least) is freakin' hard work!! ETA: I discovered Ruby can pick up 2 dumbells at once and carry them around Wish I had gotten a photo!

I did check her leg for swelling and if it felt hotter, and no luck. She just won't bend it like her right back foot. Haven't checked her girly bits, but she was laying sprawled out in all her glory this morning and without examining, I didn't see anything unusual. For the meantime, I'm just not asking her to sit and see if it heals in the next few days. If not, I might consider making that chiro appointment. She seems well though, she's still playing with Millie and all :D

Thanks :D

Or you could come and play at ADAA trials - all dogs are welcome. Can I hijack for a second and ask how the ADAA titles work? (assuming they do titles?) Do you have to register your dog with them separetely or use your ANKC registered dog's name to earn ADAA titles on? Oh gosh I hope I'm making sense I'm just curious is all!

Great brags everyone! Going to watch the videos soon! I've just sent entries off for more obedience trials, but now getting scared we won't be able to enter. Ruby is having some trouble sitting, she is hesitating badly (kinda squatting and that's it) and her left leg feels stiff and she won't bend it when I try to bend it for her. So if it doesn't get better in the next couple of days, off to doggy chiro I think, as I don't think a vet can help. She isn't limping and she doesn't appear to be in pain (ie. no yelping or whining) so I'm hoping chiro might be the answer! Any advice, anyone? I'm worried about my girl Any possibility getting bitten by bull ants could have this kind of effect? Only thing I can think of is she was sitting in grass with bull ants at a retrieving trial yesterday.

Absolutely luuuuurrrve this photo ! Ooooh and i think she looks GR8 IN ORANGE ! Really stands out on her black coat GORGEOUS PEI ! U are very lucky Talia ! I love this photo, too! Does anyone remember those bouncing Tigger toys that you push down and then it bounces all over the place? This photo reminds me of that! The folds of skin look like the Tigger outfit

That video is so cute! What a clever pup

Congrats on all the latest brags! 197 in Open, awesome!! Go Gabby! Good on the red dogs too, must have been daunting for them to compete with all those faster than the speed of light BC's Well done!!

Awwww this is the feelgood thread for the day! Congrats little tails on your new pup, she is just goooooorgeous and loving the photos of you and your new best friend! You're going to love training her, it's the best bonding a dog and it's human can do I've found!

I just checked Priceless Pets is lots cheaper --- I wish I'd read this 2 days ago !!!! I had house guests over Easter so Ive been slack -- well I know now for next time Bummer! How does it compare to pet products on the web? I found them cheapest and with free postage

Thanks guys! Was a tough one to crack, but I'm confident she understands the game now, but I have to remember to keep practicing so she doesn't forget! Now it's just a matter of tidying it all up

Thanks I am clicking for position now as we've moved past the stage of clicking when she moves her back legs, as this task is also to aid in her left finish and knowing exactly where heel is!

Dogdude, that sucks Last video for tonight, teaching Ruby backend awareness on a caketin It's a work in progress. Excuse my sucky clicker timing skills.... I'm surprised Ruby's managed to learn anything with her silly mummy

If I can borrow yours for the heelwork

Here's the updated SD video Also posted in the Obedience Clips thread.

OK, as requested by Ptolomy, an updated Scent Discrimination video We are still working leather separate to wood and metal because we haven't been doing leather as long... but will try the whole set next time I get them out! Question - do you get penalised for the dog taking a while to find the article even if they don't pick anything up until the right one? You'll see in the second round (wood), she sniffs them all but keeps missing the right one, then fiiiiinally sniffs the right one and bingo! She knows she's found it

This I wanna see and how did you teach it?! Hi Rubystar Have got it on my camera, not too good though as I always have to try and set up the camera and then race over to the dog(doesn't work to well doing it that way). Still like to be close when she does it as I am abit nervous of injury if she goes over the wrong way. Can't load to the computer at the moment as my external hard drive where I load to has given up the ghost and is going back to get seen too, thankfully I still have the reciept and its less than a year old. I taught it on my bed, so that she had a comfortable landing while learning. She already knew how to tuck her head in and the handstand (not as good as the Keeshond) so it was just a case of ensuring she kept her head tucked in and giving some support so that she didn't twist as she went over. She is very trusting with regard to me showing her what I want so she had it worked out in the first lesson although she still uses me to kick of from. When I get the hard drive sorted out I'll be adding it to her Youtube site OZPAWFX, but if thats not soon I'll give you a personal demo when we catch up at the obedience. Would love a live demo!