Kavik

They are kinder than check chains (they have a different action and hurt less - I've tried both on my own skin), with an action like a martingale so are easier to use properly and give more control. Agree with Nekhbet - leave them be.

I have a GSD and have had more to do with GSDs than Dobes (though I know MonElite who has Dobes) and from what I have seen they have different temperaments.

I would put them at the back of throat. Is your technique for this good? Often it is just technique and practice, if they are coughing it up maybe you didn't put it in the right spot.

I've entered agility

I think spacing does make a difference to their footwork, rhythm through the poles and speed. I have stick in the ground poles (from Clean Run) as well as solid base ones. Am thinking of also getting a proper 2x2 set when I train the next dog. The advantage to the metal base 2x2 is how easily you can rotate them.

So proud of Kaos - yesterday we got our second ADX quallie I thought the course looked quite hard too so really happy we managed it!

I wanted a short haired medium sized dog to do dog sports. I also have a preference for 'natural' looking dogs with pricked ears, long tails and moderate build. Kelpies weren't on the list initially as I wasn't sure I was up for that much activity. Got Zoe from the pound, BIG learning curve but now I wouldn't get anything else I had also always wanted a GSD but had to wait til I was in a position to get a big dog before getting Diesel, but have now found I think Kelpies suit me (and my sports choice) better. I love their intensity, their drive, their love of work, always ready to do something with you, their intelligence, agility and of course their appearance. ETA: I love this video tribute to Kelpies A stud I am interested in for my next dog too ;)

Also, work on your finish separately or you could get anticipation

I can think of two things you can try (depending on what method you like). You can do a short come fore to a front and lure a close sit with treats and try to get your dog to come close in (or do this sitting on a chair). Or you can shape a straight front. Others may have different suggestions

I stress about my Shepherd due to his bad skin - he is 7 1/2. Strangely I don't stress (health wise anyway, behaviour a different story lol) about the nearly 12 yr old Kelpie X

I want to keep my next sports dog entire until at least 12 months

I allow play with dogs I know, if I know they get on well. Ones with manners. All of my dogs are different in termms of their attitude towards playing with dogs (one is aggro so never plays with strange dogs, one wants to play with most dogs, one will play with 'friends' and happy to meet polite dogs but uncomfortable with forward, rude, dominant, pushy body language/dogs)

jacqui The ones we have problems with are the pets NOT trained for any assistance or therapy role as in the OP. If it is not specially trained, just a pet, how do you know it is well behaved? Or even toilet trained at all? Dogs are not clean - they lie in the dirt, roll in everything imaginable, shed hair. Who knows when the dog last had a bath? If the dog smells, goes to the toilet in public and behaves badly and is said to be a 'therapy dog' it will make real therapy and assistance dogs who have been trained and certified look bad and may make it more difficult for them to get access when their owners really need them to be there.

The ladder, fire routine and high jump were very impressive! Nice moving Shepherds

Thanks Shell. I think I will shape the going round and sit (both directions). Might teach it with a laundry baskey first (saw video where they used laundry basket - seems a better idea than the chair I started with ) and when on cue with the ball so I can work on components separately. Shaping pushing the ball too - going well but not sure how you teach them to turn the ball or push harder/faster.

It is never too late to start I started with my first dog when she was 7 years old, with a whole history of other types of training. If you are using a clicker to do shaping (what I use it for) the beginning can be frustrating until you and the dog get the hang of it. If you have always shown the dog what to do with a lure or physically it can take a little while for tham to get the hang of offering behaviour but it is great to see them working it out and once they get the hang of it it is great for teacging a large range of behaviours.

Thanks Terranik Have contacted the Hills club, waiting for the Treibball person to call back. Looks like their demo team trains on Friday, which unfortunately is my agility night Do you know some of the skills I should teach? Obviously pushing the ball . Looks like you also need a send to a sit around the ball? Both directions around the ball? Anything else? So far have just started today shaping the send using a chair first. And pushing the ball towards me.

The Blackdog ones don't have chains

I have one like that and pretty sure I got it from K9Pro several years ago

Cool thanks

Done While I'm here - ideas on commands I can use? and rules for the sport?

Does anybody train their dog in Treibball? I first heard about it at the Susan Garrett seminar last year where they did a fun mini competition. Then I looked it up on Youtube. Loooks like lots of fun! Like herding but with balls I have a sports ball and with the wet weather have decided to start on the basics in the house for fun (going around the ball til opposite me and push ball towards me). Any tips or hints?

Where can you get the foundation training notes? I didn't get them for the seminar last year and they sound helpful. Had success with our contact training today! A break in the weather so I got my plank out, stood Kaos at one end with me next to him, gave cue 'target' and he went to the other end and did his pounce into 2o2o position - ahead of me while I stayed still getting there, but still lots more work to do, especially on equipment (if this rain ever stops so I can go to training!)

K9Pro is a good one to help with training in drive I am still learning.

With the rain this week I've had to be inventive Yes I walk in the rain but Thursday was unbelievable! 10 mins and I was soaked through even with rain gear. We did lots of shaping and trick training. Current indoor projects are - shaping standing 4 feet in a box, shaping lying down on a mat, shaping a retrieve (with all 3 dogs), shaping the beginning of Treibball, shaping bow. Also some training in drive should help give you a great motivational tool for focus and obedience work and take the edge off the energy. I have young kids too