RallyValley

I work alternate Sundays so the 18th I am free. I am serious, stewarding is great way to learn about obidience/agility and see some great handlers up close. In the crowd you tend to get too carried away chatting to watch the dogs! I am going to try obidience seriously with Lincoln cause I think he has the right focus and motivation but I don't understand it at all, what better way to learn?

First you have to decide if you want an ES or an Aussie The Aussie at Mason's birthday party the other day was divine :p Aussie?? Which Aussie?? Jenna! I just love Jenna, I don't know how you would are going to be able to resist Jenna's pups RS!

Lincoln is absoultely terrified of being tangled so I would have to bring a crate if I decided to bring him. Hmmm I might just come down and help at the GDC obidience trial since I am a member and I want to see an obidience trial in action.

Ok that makes sense. Will the dogs still hear the gunfire? This Sunday reterving traing is being done by Maggie Hankinson and I am so tempted to go down for a little bit before work to hear her wisdom.

I did that last year, took Ruby to a retrieving trial in Upper Swan. Won't do it again! She got loose and came running to find me I was so embarrassed amongst all the fabulous retrieiving folk Plus the uphill/downhill climb with a dog and other stuff was horrid!!! It was very steep and slippery. I am thinking you cant just hold the dog on a lead then? Upper Swan is about 20 mins from my place it would be at least 50 mins from up your way then.

It's in Upper Swan which is in metro area. I heard that they have quite a few out in the country so its probably one of the easier ones to get to! RS- Yes I mean retrieving trial. I will be bringing Lincoln along to expose him to gunfire and the sights/sounds.

First you have to decide if you want an ES or an Aussie

Did you want to go to the trial on the 18th ST to watch?

Oooh! When is Cider's first show? Wonder if it is a day I can come and be cheer squad 24th April Hmmm I might have to pop up from agility to have a look!

Hi, I probably need a little more information on anything else you have done with Lincoln, but will attempt to put you on the right track. You say that he loves his bumper; which is good in a way, as we want our dogs to enjoy picking them up, but, we also need the dog to know the bumper belongs to me, and is not his. He is fetching it for ME and then giving it to ME. Although your dog will enjoy fetching a bumper, the joy should be fetching and giving, then waiting for another fetch. The excitement is in the act. So, now with Lincoln, will he sit next to you and fetch from your hand held straight in front of his face ? Again, have an exciting tone to your voice when you request him to fetch, then praise him, when he does it. He must get into the habit of immediately attempting to take the bumper in his mouth upon your command. Then he must hold it. You can stroke his head while he holds, whilst praising him. If you use a clicker, then click the moment he takes the bumper in his mouth. Only trouble if you click and treat is he might drop the bumper in anticipation of the treat, so just hold off on that, stroke him, praise him, ask him to give, then again click and treat. From this you should progress to little retrieves. Keep him on a lead up to about 10 foot long, so that you always have control. You can rev him up before doing your little throw, if you wish, otherwise without bothering at this stage to sit him, throw the bumper about 8 feet and let him retrieve it. No holding him, just let him go for it. When he picks it up, make a big thing of it, happily, and call him into you. You could run backwards with high excited sounds, to encourage him. No formal presents for puppies just starting, just concentrate on him coming back to you with the bumper, and, don't be in a hurry to take it from him at this stage. Make sure he doesn't chew on the bumper at any time; it isn't his play toy, but is a fun pastime to do with you, when you want to do it. If I can help with any other questions, feel free. I'll do my best. Sounds like a plan. I just need to teach the feral little boy to sit now . The bumper is like a 'treat' to him. He is allowed it once a day and I always take it away when he is having a blast and not ready to give it up! I will be teaching him sit this week (it's about time) and will start this more formal bumper work next week. At the moment I am giving it to him and having him hold it while I walk him arond a little, then getting it back.

I might be mistaken buy I think the lady from Train A Pup Time is also a groomer and I can vouch for her being very gentle and patient.

Toby is so cute, he wants to sit on the couch with the most people, preferabley sitting on them, but first he will come and look at you and wait to be invited up. Lincoln will go and sit on the empty couch and if you go sit next to him he will sigh and get down.

I forgot if this is just obdience but I will be sneaky anyway and post an agility post I have been working with Toby on weaves and he is now doing 3 weaves at about 70% consistencey!! He also would prefer to work for iSqueak then food, which is a dramatic change for a do who wasn't really interested in toys. If the session this afternoon is as good as the one this morning then someone will be starting 4 weaves tomorow. Toby so does not get obidience heeling, I am thinking having him just as an agility dog since I have to leave him behind when I move out and I don't think I will have time for both if we aren't living togther. Any recommendations of a good obidience club to start Lincoln at next term that will teach me things properly for obidience/Rally?

Poor kid must be so traumatised, the absolute last thing they should do is charge him.

Toby was the puppy from hell! He was a very bitey pup and often left out hand bleeding! He also took to Lilly straight way and just ignored her growling at him to go away The worst part was at 9 weeks he broke his left fore and was then in a cast till 5 months, in winter, his toilet training didn't go great obviously! But he picked it up pretty quickly after. For those who can't see my sig Toby's cute little button ears ended up rising up and being huge.

Lol you will just have to come to dog shows ;) Toby won't even be able to go the 6th of June because I have a Rally Seminar. There's a fair gap in obedience trials after this weekend too, me thinks Hate long waits, especially now that I am just chasing one more pass for her CD title! I've only just started agility and I am getting hooked! Can't wait to be at trialling stage there in about 5 years It will only take 5 years if you wait till your perfect. If you copy me and start trialling before you dog knows weaves or contacts and had only done a broad jump about 7 times you could start in just over 6 months of training .

I have been changing Lincoln over and his poos have been not great but his coat looks brilliant and he is holding weight much better ;)

Lol you will just have to come to dog shows Toby won't even be able to go the 6th of June because I have a Rally Seminar. The seminar is July . Well that changes things Me and Toby will be at agility on June 6th then . I am opposite to you Amypie, Toby's weaves are still a work in progress so I have nothing to do until he knows them if I get three passes.

Lol you will just have to come to dog shows Toby won't even be able to go the 6th of June because I have a Rally Seminar.

Fetchindawgs I have a question too. I have brought a bumper that is a good size for Lincoln and I have been working on getting him to love it and making it very special (he will now happily pick it up and walk around with it). Now where do I go from here without ruining him?

Rebus is looking very cute! Can't wait to see how his sister is growing up!

Yes you can pimp out my sig skills ST I would love to make you one with Ari, Char and James (I actually have pics of all 3) all I need is Spartan...

Lincoln is Victorian bu my other two are local mutts!

Some shows my cheque hasn't been cashed until after the show was on

Or they are intimdated by the greatness of the WA thread. Its probably because we are such a small community, thier is one show/agility trial ect on a weekend, so its not as if we have choices over here.