Kavik

I have met a couple that were dog aggro, one that the owner who is experienced with protection dogs took on as a pup to show how they can turn out when trained properly, and it killed at least one of her dogs and mauled a couple of others. And this is an experienced person who does not tolerate dog aggression in her dogs.

Poor breeding practices could easily lead to reactivity, if you aren't selecting for good temperament you may get poor temperament - and since it is ILLEGAL to breed pit bulls in this country, and has been for a while, I would certainly question the breeding practices and quality of those being bred.

But people in those areas are not being specifically bred to commit crimes are they? People have specifically bred dogs for certain traits - that is why there are different breeds! They were chosen originally because they showed the traits needed for a particular job/task and this has been selected for over time, making some traits more likely in some breeds than others.

Makes agility look pretty tame by comparison hey :laugh: Amazing dog!

This is my view as well. The difficult part of the whole situation with pit bulls is that sure we should blame deed not breed, but when APBT are a banned breed, then those that are bred are more likely to be poor examples of the breed or crossbred, and like any breed that is poorly bred or crossbred, the reliability of temperament then goes out the window. That combined with the type of people most likely to be interested in a breed that is banned, and the level of care and training put into them, leads to poor outcomes for the dog, breed and community.

How does the thundershirt work?

I see now that I shouldn't have explained about how SG does it. The only reason I did that was because I wasn't sure how familiar they were, and I wanted them to see where I was coming from. In hindsight I should have just asked a simple question about lowering the contact equipment, but judging from their reply the answer would have been no anyway. I built a seesaw on the weekend, so I can now do all the seesaw related stuff at home, and the only thing I really need is a low A-frame. When I emailed the club I thought I would also need to use their seesaw, which is why I wanted to explain that that's how SG does it, so they didn't think I was just making it up on my own and had decided that my way was better. They claim to like SG, so I thought they'd be happy to maybe learn more about how SG would train the seesaw and maybe actually show some interest in seeing how she would do it, even if they don't want to change their class over it. I'm reluctant to do a private session with a trainer, because that's like saying "I don't really want to train your way, I want to train the SG way, and I just need your equipment". Wouldn't that be rude? I think the private lesson would depend on the trainer (or if you have friends with equipment?). If you brought your training notes which explain how you have trained, and show what you need to do on the equipment, they may be willing to help you. There may even be someone who is into SG and/or has done the course! I for one would love an extra pair of eyes at my sessions to pick up on stuff that I know I don't notice when I am concentrating on all the mechanics, engagement and rewarding my dog. With training individual obstacles, sometimes what seems like a great way like eg 2 x 2 weaves, would be difficult to implement at a club. I was instructing at a club a couple of years ago and we were discussing how we were going to train the weaves in class. Someone suggested 2x2. But 2x2 requires experience shaping for a start, and not all beginners understand how to do this. If you do not know how to shape a behaviour and your dog does not know to offer behaviours, it would be very difficult to train that method. I had to watch the DVD several times to understand how it works, and I am not an absolute beginner! Also, the allignment and number of poles would be different for every dog, and that would be a nightmare to set up in a club class environment. I suggested the slanted pole method with a separate 2 or 3 pole exercise to teach entries. That way the set up would not have to change so much between dogs.

Another option is to get a private lesson with someone who has equipment and explain what you are doing and get access to the lowered equipment that way, and go back to the club when your dog can do the full height equipment. I will consider doing that if it turns out to be too difficult to get access at the club. No point in getting into an argument about it and getting people offside.

I can see the club's point though, it could have felt that you were criticising how they train. In a club setting it is hard to accomodate everyone and certainly the full on SG style would put off a lot of newcomers who aren't that serious. What I have done is told my club I am doing SG's online contact course and would it be possible to use the lower equipment when I want to put my end behaviour on the equipment, rather than point out any differences with club training. My club is pro SG so the main issue is how to get acess for just that one thing without causing problems with the classes who are using the lower equipment on the night. I already compete so the people in charge know who I am. The part I am going to struggle with is access to the very low A-Frame that SG wants, that is going to be tricky for all people at at club - 3 ft apex. I am trying to get special permission to put the club's A-Frame down that low as they don't usually put it that low, will try to get everyone who is doing the course to do it at the same time. My club is fine with you doing your own thing, but needing to change the height of contact equipment is much more tricky and will require more negotiation.

A friend of my OH's has a Cattle Dog that is a declared dangerous dog - human aggressive and has bitten several people including a child ( doesn't like children). Somehow they were able toget around the enclosure law and he lives in a crate in their house - no idea how they managed that! I am mainly worried because they are expecting a child at the end of the year - does not sound like a good situation to me

He is very pretty! :)

It ran onto the road because it was being attacked by the other dogs. So they are directly responsible for the dogs death. The only thing sensational about the title is the reference to pit bulls. The headline actually says "Guide dog killed after being ambushed by pit bulls in Bellfield in Melbourne's northeast" This is true, but what if it was something else that had startled the dog? It wouldn't even have made the news then. Say it was a windy day and there was a tarp that suddenly moved, the dog startled and jumped into the road. My dogs have almost done this on several occasions. What if it had been a golden that suddenly jumped out from behind a corner and startled the dog? Other than the pit bull type dogs involved, it's not even worth reporting. They did land the other dog and the two dog's owner in hospital

Apart from the competition and running my dog, I like trials as a way to catch up with friends who I don't get to train with, watch some amazing (and some hillarious!) runs, have a day to myself without the kids, and have a whole day I can spend with my dog/talk about and watch dogs without people thinking I am crazy :laugh: ETA: In Sydney there are several people who I know of that give private lessons

I've found obedience people much more 'serious' than agility! Even if you trial, I like that in agility the focus is on making it a good ring experience for the dog, more so than getting it right.

That's too bad KTB Shame you aren't closer - there are lots of clubs here! About 5 within 45 mins of my house! Some of the clubs are bigger than others, but there is certainly room for those who just want to do it for fun. I am glad that in NSW there is also ADAC agility - competitions but a lot smaller and less formal than ANKC trials - a good way to get your feet wet and have fun.

KTB, Most triallers are friendly and don't bite :) I'm sorry you have heard some negative comments I encourage those in the pre-trialling class to consider trialling, and suggest they go and watch some and remind them that a novice course is easier than what they encounter in training (as pre-trialling and trialling people train on the same sequences). Most people, including triallers, are in it for fun and the challenge and I have found that people are very helpful (including at trials). Even if you don't decide to trial, I have found that I improve my training and handling when I train with better and more experienced people, I prefer to not be the most experienced person there. I don't know who is around in Canberra for private lessons, sorry, hopefully someone can help with that.

Finally put the nose touch on the plank and stairs yesterday :laugh: So we are on our way (even if we are, what, 10 weeks behind :laugh: )

I've decided to give this more serious thought! The one I am interested in is: "What are the social impacts of Dingoes (wild dogs) and their management in Australia?"

I'm the same as megan - I have a dog aggro dog that will have to be managed for life (she is nearly 13 years old now!). I continue to train her and work with her (mostly fun drive related stuff learned from SG) but she will never be allowed to play with strange dogs. I can introduce her to puppies that will live with me (she is fine with Diesel and Kaos who were introduced as puppies).

So glad to hear they are OK!

Quite a few of the games from Recallers are in Ruff Love, if you look through there you should get quite a few ideas! I think she will be running the next Recallers sometime soon if you decide you want to do it. The videos of the exercises are invaluable! as sometimes the mechanics were complicated to understand when written down.

You've done Recallers, yes? My favourites from Recallers: PB&J (drive) Cookie in the Corner (drive, name recognition) 1-2-3 Game (drive, focus and control) ETA: Smoke Ya (drive)! is great too, I can't always get it to work though If you haven't done Recallers, 1-2-3 Game is outlined in Ruff Love I think, and maybe Smoke Ya as well? I think the other two were developed for Recallers, can't remember. PB&J and Cookie in the Corner are staples here!

This would be negative punishment though, not negative reinforcement?

That is interesting Weasels, as the most controversial methods (eg ecollars, force retrieve) use negative reinforcement, not positive punishment, and I certainly feel more comfortable giving say a leash correction than using an ecollar or teaching a force retrieve (I have shaped my retrieve).

I use PAX - big from me!