kathq

Hi Jim Thanks for the info and invite but unfortunately I already have a committment for this Saturday, might come along in March for a look see though if that would be okay.

Congratulations TN/Jedi and TSD/Ziggy. What do you have to do to get a Flyball Champion?

Bugger kathq - so near and yet so far. Do you think it had anything to do with your signal??? Have pulled it to pieces a million times in my head since. Could have been my signal as I did do an extended/exagerated one as I was quite worried about the hundreds of moths that were about that were coming up in clouds as you stepped - and she is a bit phobic about bugs. And i could have confused her with that as my signals are normally quite small. I'm putting it down to learning curve on the part of the handler in the "trust your dog" portion.

This is not quite a brag but still..... Last night first trial for Coco and I for the year and things were going great nice seekback, directed jumping using my new plan of attack of signals only to stop her taking the wrong jump worked, articles good then signals. She worked not her best bit wide particlularly on the about turns which I have been working on and improving but still acceptable get to the final return to heel and she only goes part way round big fat zero. wonderful gloves especially as the ring was quite dark . So came home with the knowledge 2 more steps from her and we would have had our first UD leg...At least I know she can do it all now Like I said not quite a brag but still pretty happy we are almost there

WOW such joy!

This is me now. Used to get really nervous but now we have found so many different ways to muck up a perfecty good UD round that the nerves have gone away. Only taken about 20 years

Just home from our first night training session for the year. In the rain must be mad! Coco was a good girl did some really great scent work but baulked at the jumps at the last second both sides. Think it was the poor lighting throwing shadows onto the approach side. Once I put her over them from close up both ways she did them no problems. So am quietly pleased with tonight.

What a way to start the year. Congratulations and well done Ella See you guys at Metro

Ptolomy WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Huge congratulations amazing scores what a night..

Good luck Ptolomy methinks you could be a glutton for punishment. I gathered my courage in both hands and sent the entry for our first trial this year off today. Last weekend of the month.

Another vote for Pine rivers at Lawnton. The lady that runs it has been doing it a long time and really knows her stuff..

Got my first dog - red dobe cause I fell in love with a neighbours male and my OH agreed on the proviso that a dog that big had to be trained so off I went to club training and the rest is history. I firmly believe that yes I am addicted but balanced - non dog people may not agree Chose my current two (GSPs) as wanted something slightly smaller than a dobe now I'm an "old" woman and also something easier to train . Did a lot of research and went to a breeder with a proven record in the trial ring. Still they are both pets and house dogs not only performance dogs and I wouldnt want it any other way. Pretty sure the next pup will also be a GSP hopefully as much an all rounder as Coco

not a fan sorry. Looks like crowding to me

Probably about half the time she sees the dummy in the air (pricked ears are the give away) and she always brings it back. About half of the rest of the time she is marking the noise the dummy makes when it hits the ground and bringing it back. The rest of the time when I get no indication that she has noticed the dummy at all I dont send her. Though mind you before I think it was LL said to not send her I was and she just went where I pointed and used her nose. The value of that UD stuff and she always brought it back. This is all at distances of around 30 to 40 metres so not big long retrieves yet. Was thinking of going back to no thrower and just telling her to watch then throwing it myself as she watches it then and maybe I am trying too much too soon.

kathq - you trial in UD? What do you do to send him out to gloves - he would look forward then? When the thrower makes a noise, the dog looks and the dummy is thrown....does the dog see the dummy land and then pick it up? Taught her to count Though she also takes direction from the direction I am facing after the about turn. No help for this type of thing

I got 3" ones as already had a couple of the 2" ones (thanks Jo) have orange ones that I have put an old sock over for now as dogs struggle to see these, natural canvas and black and white plastic ones and a solid black one.

Congratulations AD and Ruby star!!!!! Nice start to the year

It was $35 which was almost as much as the bumpers were so basically doubled the cost. I know it seems like a lot but then it does have to come a long way. That was the charge for anything under 5lbs. I am knew at buying things online and from overseas so that may be over charging on the other hand they got here quickly.. :D

Absolutely gorgeous FHRP, How old is he?

Was out yesterday afternoon with mixed success. Coco still hasnt completely got the idea of looking out when told to. Too many years of "pay attention to me not anything else" I think. When I can get her to look out there is no problems with the retrieve part at all. Tried the throwing person being vocal and all that achieved was to look at them not the dummy So what do I try now? Or is it a case of patience?

Ribbon trial at Logan Obedience club at their first trial for the year the first weekend in Feb.

Ohhh where from? (asks the only person sad enough to hang out in this thread without a gundog :D ... yet ) http://shop.dogsunlimited.com/list.asp?d=17&p=1 One of the few places I found where I could buy both the canvas and valveless rubber ones.

Very excited tonight. Got my parcel from America today with my new dummies. WOOHOOO. Can you believe it only took 10 days from ordering? Have tomorrow of work and if the rain stays away some training is the plan.. Cant wait.

If you like the layered leather type I got mine from here www.obedienceproducts.com From memory about $12.00 plus postage which was around $7.50. Came nice and quick as well. Have used it lots in the last 12 months with no problems.

The max size is 30kgs or "sibe size" surely a GSP is bigger then this? My GSP bitch weighs in at 26kg and measures 570mm to the shoulder - yes that is on the smaller side but still within the standard size.