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Woo Hoo another baby. How did you choose him Nic - I can't wait to hear more about him He was the only boy! LOL I know both his parents and the chances of getting a low drive puppy from those two was pretty slim as both Mum and Dad are pretty full on. Then it was a case of wait to see if his conformation would be ok as he's going to be a show dog too and that checked out ok. Then at 6 weeks I assessed him and was really pleased with his attitude, he's a keen tugger already and I was with the breeder when we took them for their 6 week vaccinations and I was able to get him to tug in the vet clinic - somewhere he'd never been before that was strange and cold etc, that was all I needed to be sure he was going to be a good performance dog! Good nerves and keen to play with me both at home and in a new environment. Now as long as he gets his "bits" then he's all set to come home! Congrats on the new babies. Exciting times. Seita why a boy?

Got my parcel when I got home from work today and my retrieve obsessed dog went all big eyed over her Turbo tug and was tugging properly for the first time ever. Amazing!!!!!!! Thanks so much for putting us on to these - will be sharing the cards around.

RS what do you think it is about stepping in the ring that changes their moods? It would be you, they pick up on your body language and mental state, so they get all worried. It might not even be a conscious thing with you but it could be slightly different way you carry your shoulders or your tone of voice. It becomes "Mum is worried about something, dont know what but that makes me more worried" Make a decision to behave in a very upbeat manner yourself when you walk in the ring, relax them between exercises with a bit of rough house rewards then switch them back on for the next exercise. It has really worked for me though I did have a judge chip me about not taking it serious enough when I first walked into a ring at a trial a few months ago. I figure it doesnt say in the rule book anywhere that you have to be serious. So I keep on keeping on.

Congratulations amypie and Kavik.

Take tomorrow off and then start increasing distance in the seek back - a little further each day. I know this will sound silly but I didnt realize how BIG a ring was until I was standing there with my dog searching the ring from the jumps to me only and not finding the article. It was then that I realized that that was how big an area I had been training in. Dumb I know but at least it didnt take a big sledge hammer to get me to realize it just a small one It shouldnt take too much to fix I dont think. As for the gloves they are still a work in progress about 90% right so continue with what we are doing there.

Not sure if this is a brag or not but had to tell someone as am feeling pretty happy right now. First trial today Only a sweepstakes so no qualies up for grabs - handler is a basket case with nerves so Coco has to do it for both of us. We blew the seek back ( training issue havent been making them long enough I think) and the gloves (nobody got them) but she did everything else pretty well. Ended up winning the ring as we had the least number of zeroes but still it was a great first trial. High point perfect scores in the DJ and in two of the articles and nearly perfect in the signals. Low point - none really we survived and I am sure it will get better from here

Nope nothing yet. Hope it comes on Tuesday..

Congratulations Millie... The first of many.

Thanks Ptolomy. Am entering a sweepstakes with Coco on Sunday. This is for my nerves and so I can judge where we are really at. People tell me I am ready but never having been there before I need to see for myself. A sweepstakes will take the pressure off a bit for that first time in the ring.

Thanks Bedazzled - it's just a wooden one (unpainted). I've had her eye sight checked and it's fine, I just don't think it's very good - she has issues with guard barking at night time when she sees things in the distance i.e. a person standing on their own like she doesn't realise it's actually a person. Once she gets closer and she realises it's a person she stops and wants to sniff them as per usual. Paint the ends white. Takes two seconds and makes it much easier to see. Its not an eyesight issue really just a simplicity thing. It can be dark and lots of uneven ground that can make it harder on them so anything to decrease the difficulty. First thing I do with a new dumbell. You can buy all your obedience stuff online at a sight called Morrisons. http://www.obedienceproducts.com/index.html Heres the link hope it works got all my UD stuff here.

Didnt look in here first and have organized the transfer this morning.. Typical of me and attempting to organize things Never mind I get to play with them sooner. Have a 5 month old pup who is going to have a ball with these I think

Okay see you on the 19th

Gee Nic I have no idea what you're talking about Will keep my eyes or is that ears peeled.. ;)

YAY!!! Smisch where abouts in Bris are you located? Golden girl im at jimboomba but i regularly trial around the place and i also work in newfarm and often in the city after work. . 19th im at pine rivers and the weekend after at durack. . Where abouts are you i may be able to organise something :D Any chance you can post out to me Smisch. Dont think I can wait until the 19th Postcode 4508

Let them know on the day when you pick up your numbers. I'll probably be entering both Caboolture trials so you can come join me under my gazebo, wine will be your entry fee... maybe a doughnut as well! ;) Will see you two there as am entered in the second trial. Have to work in the morning darn it..

Okay tap dancing right now as have just got home from a training session and the little darling worked the best she has ever done, even though I did a bit of a tricky seek back in longish grass. The nose was switched to maximum. Total run through with not even the suggestion of an error. Times like these you want to bottle. Fingers crossed that we haven't left it all on the training paddock and there is some still there for Sunday's debut..

Go for it Seita.. If you are at all like me then she is way more ready than you are. The only time it would be harmful is if you put too much pressure on her by forgetting that you dont really expect to take out first place. In this house we are just hoping to not get straight duck eggs from our first few.

Congratulations everyone.. Unbelievable scores 199 I am gob smacked and I think if I came even close to that score then no computer would be needed to let the world know, you would all hear the yelling and pixie dancing without it..

Pretty much, a chair for you, a crate/peg/mat etc for Daisy. A water bowl is a good idea although there is a communal water bucket always. A clip/pin/arm band thing for your number, a pen is a good idea if you want to record your scores although in CCD it's not hard to remember . Umm treats for the dog, a hat might be a good idea and that's about it really. Gotta remember sooo much more for UD! LOL Shade is a must either gazebo or umbrella keeps either the sun or rain off. And something to keep you occupied like a book to read (though I always take something and never end up actually reading ) Insect repellent is another one for stays as my girl will play hunt the fly, bug whatever and break accidentally trying to get it off herself.

So does this mean Southside for your debut? Come say hi if it is and we can be nervous togethor. You'll be fine by the way am positive of it.

FHRP this link goes to the method I taught Coco with. She is retrieve obsessed and this seems to really work. Hope it helps. http://www.dogscouts.org/Dog_Activ-_Scent_Discrim.html

The reason that was given to me is that it's not a natural position. I am happy to change but it's the most natural position for me and personally I can't see much difference between holding one hand against your stomach with one hand hanging down and holding two hands together. I don't think one way looks more natural than the other but I don't want to go into the ring and get pinged tonnes of points for it. It does appear it's only the minority of judges who would ping you for it though. It was my understanding of the rules that so long as it is consistent. Where your hands start is where they should finish. I have started putting my hands in the middle when I leave for CoP as apparently when they are behind my back my fingers fidget which is not good walking away from them.. When heeling it is one hand on the hip one down. Daisy blitzed it by the way. Well done. So will we see you at Southside entries havent closed yet?

Congrats. Now onward and upward to the "fun" stuff.

As much as I hate needles, sometimes I think we could all do with an injection of motivation Let us know if we can help Thanks Ptolomy, I missed this post! I do just about anything to avoid needles though Just think GSP in UD and that will give you heaps of motivation. We are "special" remember

Pass! I agree we trained last night in the mostly dark (figure she has to use her nose then ) and to add insult to injury the heavens opened whilst the Princess and I were working on her Retrieves. Must be either truly dedicated or more than a little touched