RallyValley

Could you be distracting him mid pee so that he does not finish? Zora still has accidents inside a few times a week and I have had her 2 months.

Thanks Ptolomy! I am really happy with him too. We have had help from some awesome people along the way, including yours truly ;) I think I should! She is growing/learning so fast! I will try and do one tomorrow.

Just took my two down to the local oval, to do a little obedience work. Toby went well, did his heeling with lots of enthusiasm (sometimes too much - thanks new cuz ball) Toby did not at any point shut down or give any indication he was stressed, despite two Rottweilers barking thier heads off at him, a busy road nearby and Zora going feral in the car, all things that have caused a melt down in the past. Also Zora is just so much fun to work with! She throws 110% into it and loves playing 'training'. I suspect she may overtake Toby's level of training before long!

Won't be at training tonight regulars, dad has found out today one of his friends died suddenly and I feel bad leaving him home alone when mum is at work. (Especially since he had knee surgery last week). I have to say this year has just been awful, my nonno, my dad's uncle, three of my dad's friends dad's and now my dad's friend (who was younger then dad with two small girls). Plus all the precious DOL dogs that have been lost.

What's the difference between a dog 'working in drive' and a dog that is focused on working to earn a reward?

Me three.

Yeah she's getting so mature so fast! She's 4 months now. I think that one of Zora in the daises is, the ones of Zora crazy and Toby in the creek are in the bushland and the rest are in the paddock next door. Grass paddock tends look the same...

Awesome to see these photos CC! Had such an awesome time today and it's so good to see two 'reactive' dogs getting along so happily Way to go Louis and Toby

Ok surely the DOLers will be able to help me! Last year at Adelaide Royal I purchased a soft braided off white and aqua and about 1/2" or 2cms thick and it has a brass clip. I have been looking for a collar to match this leash for ages!!! I was wondering if DOLers have seen any online or in stores as the leash goes well with the Brittany but I am a bit obessesive about matching collars and leads so I won't use it until I have the collar. I would like the collar to be white/aqua or just one of the colours collar with brass hardware. Clip, buckle, martingale and limited slip styles are fine. I would prefer the same width. Aqua Off White

Just to note here - I personally don't see it as 'taking away the food' if you raise the food back up BEFORE you present it (i.e it hits the floor), you are simply giving the dog a choice. It behaves = it gets to eat dinner. It's like when you are training a trick ect, the dog does not associate not being able to get the treats in your treat bag with you, they learn to behave in a way you find desirable to earn those treats. (I know that is worded really poorly but hopefully you get my meaning Mas)

No problem, arm bands annoy me but I still have not found a Brittany clip I like Going to the US speciality in Nov so if I can't find one there it does not exist (I actually think my old horse was cheaper then the two dogs... but I didn't show him! )

Have you considered a pin or clip for you number? There are a few on eBay, something like this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Australian-Cattle-Dog-Show-Ring-Clip-Number-Holder-/150424520888?pt=UK_Collectables_AnimalCollectables_SM&hash=item23060008b8#ht_500wt_922 or this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Dog-Breed-Brooch-Show-Clip-Australian-Cattle-Dog-Blue-/120617219210?pt=AU_Unisex_Jewellery&hash=item1c1558b48a#ht_4347wt_1021 might suit.

Do you have any family who want a pet Rott? I have a Brittany bitch and because I love my agility and obedience so much I want my competition dogs 5 years apart, so the pup comes in when the older dog is at their 'prime' and no longer requiring the intensive level of training. So for her maiden litter (should she pass health checks) the pick will be going to my mum or my brother (depending if it's a boy or a girl) so I can show it, health score, check out temperament and all going well have another option for breeding with in the future. Unfortunately unless you are prepared to re-home dogs that you are done with breeding/showing or don't quite make the grade you will get over-dogged if you don't find people out there who can help out. Could you consider using an AI from the dog's sire or even the dog in the future if everything works out with your bitch. And even then, will you have room to keep a pup (or two) from any litters, or will you be up against the same obstacle.

Once Zora was a little older (maybe 9 weeks?!) I started lowering her bowl and if she played up the bowl went back in the air. Then she would get told 'Take it' once it hit the floor and she could eat. I gradually built the time between the bowl on the floor and the command, and if she moved towards it the bowl went up - they learn quickly this way ;). She is now 16 weeks and will wait in a sit stay with eye contact on me until I verbally release her to her bowl, even when I am not standing near the bowl.

Yes I have But I have taken it as an sign - even the scheduling software at work knows how NOT ready me and Toby are Plus my annual leave was all used up for my US trip.

Which state? My cousin has a Samoyed from a super irresponsible breeder in WA that is registered...

Well done Spoilt Lab Lives Here! Nice score too. Any video? I won't be at state obedience anymore,my roster changed and I am now working from 1300 to 2100 But on the plus side I am hoping after the start of October to have weekends off so I should be able to make the obedience trial on the 29th. (Will found out next week)

Yes I can't see me doing ADAA, the weekends ANKC agility isn't on is when shows, obedience trials ect are

7.30 report is on original ABC and repeated on ABC News 24 intermittently

I have taken a break from study as I have no idea what I want to do and enjoy my job now. I keep doubting my choice (as would anyone raised in a household under the mentality - university is the most important thing) and will likely go back to part time study at some stage but I have NO idea what I want to do. Plus this way I can start saving a mortgage and enjoy my free time guilt free

Well if it does not have a perfect scissor bite and full dentition it's not a Pitt Bull ;) This standard is crazy! Especially the part about 'cropped ears' ect...

Yay Mas!!! Are you going to try for citizenship eventually?

When you started her off with retrieving was she sat in front and learned "take and give" with heaps of click and treats. I played this for ages and did not toss anything until this was solid, we still play this game when my boy finds a toy, he thinks it a great game. When I started tossing the dummy made sure there were no distractions, area clear of toys and the other dogs, also made sure the treat was extra special. Make it exciting to come back to you rather than off showing the world what she has, clap hands, make a exciting noises that sort of thing. No I didn't. When she was younger she naturally picked things up and brought them to me, so I just built on that. Now she has learned keep away so I will go back to basics as suggested.

RV - personally I would build really high value for the delivery - the classic Sue Hogben sniff, click, treat progressing to presenting any article you offer. Don't worry too much about the retrieve itself - if she's got good instinct that will come. It's good to remember that the retrieve is naturally very rewarding but the present is not. There's a thread on dumbbells somewhere about where we talked about it. Welcome to the Positive Gundogs list by the way ;) ETA: Hi ST Thanks SD! I will get onto that if Sue Hogben method is the same as Shirley Chong (http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/retrieve.html) I trained Toby this way I find it's a good process! I was just reading in 'Don't Shoot the Dog' that you should train behaviour chains starting from the last behaviour in the chain and working forwards. She definately has the zest for the retrieve, whenever something is thrown she sprints out after it and picks it up, then prances around thinking she is so damn smart (which she is ) and shows everyone and Toby what she has. Positive Gundog list should be helpful! People in the US sure do train differently

Yep, I rarely do formal ones as I'm just trying to get enthusiasm and less mouthing. Unfortunately the more I do the more mouthing I get (she rolls it back in her mouth THEN mouths, if that makes sense). If I give a NRM and try again it either gets worse or she refuses to pick the dumbbell up at all. I told one of the instructors about the issues and said "she almost looks tortured when holding the dumbbell", I showed her and she said "oh... I see what you mean" I have been trying to reenforce her for holding it correctly by holding while she takes it and clicking for the right position in her mouth. I can generally get her to hold it correctly without mouthing if I hand it to her but not if she picks it up off the ground. I think I just have to be patient and precise in my clicks What happens if you put it on the ground/a chair ect but leave your hand on it? If she does it without mouthing you could fade your hand...