Today was graduation day for the girls with their basic obediance. They learned how to weave today and both picked it up fairly quick. Ceejay has the fastest drop in the class, she thinks it is fun, she plocks real quick. lol. Izzy and I crashed with the bar jump, I went over and she went under. Came down in a most undignified heap. Made sure she was okay, tried again with the bar lower and did it that time. Will be setting up jumps next week in the backyard to practice. Have signed up for Advanced 1 in training. With this you do everything, obediance, agility and other fun stuff with your dogs.

The girls have a lovely diploma with their photos. Ceejay is looking quizzically at the camera while Izzy you cannot even see her face, a black inky shadow (darn her blackness).

Not sure when the Advanced starts but they will contact me when it does start. Isla the assistant coach wants to steal Ceejay for herself, she absolutely loves her. Ceejay is an attention hound, "Love me, I am so happy". Izzy is still a tad timid but she is slowly getting better.

Congratulations Ceejay and Izzy, well done.

Hey great news Cj
Are you going to scan in your diplomas for us all to drool over.
Big hugs for them both, what smart cookies

Congratulations!!! its just the best feeling... even though you know they are the best.

Fantastic! A great accomplishment and how exciting to go on further!! Can't wait to hear how you get on. I can't wait to start with Paxy!!! The weave has always intrigued me!!

Yes - me too. Watching a dog single step the weaves really fast and smooth is such a rush.

big hugs and bones for your girls god i miss training so much

Do you? I miss not going to agility because they've got the equipment but I'd much rather train obedience at home by myself.

TJ I don't have a scanner. I can bring them to the clinic if you really want to see them.

Thanks everyone with the congratulations I am very proud of my girls.

yep i do miss training heaps it gave me adults to talk to amanda is 14 and is into cloths and girly things not dogs or sheep that leaves my oldies and dad belives that dogs are out side, if he had his way my dogs would all be chained up out of the house yard but just to make him happy i let the dogs into the house when he comes over lol. i have meet some nice people here but they are not friends and are not that interested in dogs just when can you come and clean my house, but the old fella with the kelpies and his wife are nice and will talk dogs with me.

Congratulations CJ With both of your girls.
I just love doing both obedience and agility and do it with my girls. We have an obedience trial on Saturday. Hopefully I can get a pass in the elusive udx class. I am training my puppy in both obedience (can do a lot at home as well) and we have started doing puppy agility. Gabby things its great. Wait till you get into the competition once bitten you never get out of it LOL
cheers
Danni

I always feel pressured to do things with my dogs that I don't want to do at clubs. That's why I don't really like them. And usually feel that my views on training are too different from the teachers/other students.

Good luck in the trial dannimilo - are you competing with Inka and Xena?



Yes, you really do need someone to talk dogs with, preferably someone who is on the same wavelength and really interested in them, but challenges your ideas a bit. I think. When I used to know Schutzhund ppl, they were great like this - really smart, passionate trainers who pushed me to think why things worked/didn't work. Got rid of lots of myths for me (esp. about trying to use dominance to train - I'm so grateful to them for that). And they need ot really love your dog. I used to find with Dinky, my Foxy, that I could judge the kind of trainer a person was by how they responded to her - if they were into drive and really understood positive reinforcement rather than just giving treats they loved her. If they didn't they didn't get her at all.

Dannimilo I totally agree about the club situation. The local club here is very judgemental of you and your dogs.

With the private school, all of them seem to understand more about what my dogs are capable of than me. They don't get upset with Izzy when she does the snap when the other dogs come to close. Their solution is Izzy and I get stuck in the middle of the training line. Deb says don't stress about it, she doesn't make contact as she is just a little unsure about what the other dogs want from her. She is great off lead because she can get away if the dog upsets her, when on lead she doesn't have that option. It will take a little time but she has improved a little bit.

Don't worry Royalla when we come to visit we will talk plenty about dogs. It is hard to make friends when you first come to a small town. It took me about 3 years to make real good friends with like minded people. I don't mean to depress you, I am sure you will find friends quicker. I am just a bit intolerant of stupid people and there seems to be a lot around.

Oh I don't know you tolerate me alright, although it has been mostly long distance.
The real test will be spending a whole weekend together, ooooh that will be the teller.
Won't we all be on our best behaviour, not!!!!.
I only know one to behave, and that's myself.
For better or worse. bwaha ha ha ha ha(evil laugh) stole that off one of you, I like it.

proston and hivesville are a lot friendlier then cootamundra that town was very close nit and did not like new people at all, but every time i talk to someone here the first thing they ask me is can i come and clean their bloody windows and oven and thats the two things i can't do any more i could make a fortune here if i was still a hole person so to speak lol. i just did 8 hours yesterday cleaning one of my landlords house's they have 11 of them, i took mum along and gave her the windows and oven poor mum but she likes the money $20 an hour for each of us not bad money for the bush in maryborough it would have cost them 27.50 plus gst. i just got to find some doggie people there has to be some somewere here lol

Cleaning...I fail miserably at that one. I am packing and cleaning at the moment and I am sooo bloody tired physically and mentally of it. I am on my third day of packing and cleaning and throwing stuff out. My little place is going to auction.

Due to the dogs and agility we have bought about 1.5 acres of land and building new. (yay). I am concentrating on the dogs fully I so do want to do trialling with them. I may be giving Tink to a young girl too, I have lost my nerve after suffering the broken neck. Maybe again in a couple of years time I will get myself a new horse. Bit sad about giving Tink away but I thought a young girl will give her the loving attention that she is used to. Plus she needs a lighter weight on her back than me.

And guys I love talking to you guys here. I have tried other dog forums and this one is the only one that I have clicked with other people. And there seems to be that same sense of humour running through the veins in this one.

Yep I am trialing Inka in open and utility (going to try and go for my 7th Golden Dumbell)and Xena in UDX and utility. Gabby is too young but she comes for the company (I think my husband would kill her at home as she is always on the goLOL)
I'm lucky I'm allowed basically to do what I want at club. Most of my obedience training is at home (must pull my finger out with Gabby though)At one club I am in grade 5 with her as they reckon she would be so bored in the other classes. I just put her in and take her out when she has had enough. I also clicker and feed her. One of my other clubs dont like it but I still do it as I have has results with my girls. They dont believe in food and reckon dogs should do it for a pat and good dog. It's a laugh though the ones that really crack a fruity about it are the ones that dont pass and they jerk there dogs and are so serious. I just dont have respect for them but on the whole the other clubs are good. I have just changed clubs and gone to one that is closer to home cause of the price of petrol. Use to belong to that club 25 years ago but left cause of the in house fighting but I can see the changes since than. Some of the oldies are still there and not willing to change and some of them are into all kinds of training and willing to try some are anti choke chain and must use fix collar they explain. Everyone just gets on and listens. Agility is harder though as I can only train when I am in club which is hard to do contact work. Sorry about the rambling though.
Danni

Yes, it brings out the judgemental b**ch in me to see trainers saying 'the dog should do the work because of it's desire to please the handler and the strength of the bond' when they're still jerking their experienced dog around - somehow I'm not convinced that their dog is doing the work out of love. Sort of related to that I've been really interested reading in Control Unleashed where she talks about our *positive* version of the same myth - you should be the centre of your dog's world. I've started doing what she suggests in relation to Wal and am very happy with it so far - just using Premacking and putting looking at/doing stuff they like on cue so that they end up doing it with half their mind on you - waiting for the reward. Seems a good eg of changing the moitvation ala Karen Pryor. Ok, so I just outdid you by miles in the rambling stakes;)

Good luck on Saturday.



So agree. Love this forum!

Well done on your girls graduating.
Whenever Kelli wins anything I am just so proud of her, so I know how you must be feeling!!!
Great jobs!!
Keep going with the training, it is very rewarding!!!

Speaking of weaving, just found this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L5NAwCIDPk&NR=1

To me, Encore Garrett exemplifies the perfect agility dog/perfect dog full stop. She's calm, fast, flexible - a lot like a Koolie actually. Utterly inspirational. Gotta get my weave poles out now and start working lol.

That is one fast dog. My goodness, It would be a dream come true if the dogs get to that standard, Ceejay is already loving the jumps. Thanks for showing that to me, inspiring stuff.

She is awesome. She makes it look so easy. I have seen her DVD and read her book. There is another DVD about her 2x2 weaving which is suppose to come out. yipee. I am teaching Gabby to touch her mat. She runs all the way down and drops and eventually when that is ingrained in her little brain I will phase it out. Hopefully we wont have the hit and miss that I have with my other girls. Actually Inka isnt too bad as long as she is not flying than she remembers. Xena is always arguing with me there must be a quicker way or if you insist than I will do the one foot movement sometimes I can count up to 6. How she ever got her Agility Champion title I dont know cause our contacts could be improved. O well see how little princess goes when she eventually trials LOL.
Danni

Are you doing four on the floor contacts with Gabby? To me, it seems the best way, although I've been told to teach it I'd need my own A-frame. And as far as I'm aware, it's not used for dogwalk.

Yes, she's a pretty amazing dog with a pretty amazing handler. And when I watch Susan's DVDs I'm always surprised/impressed by how calm and sweet Encore is, and what a gorgeous bendy body she's got. When I first started doing agility I was a bit influenced by her older dog Buzz to think that a nutty-drivey dog was what you needed for agility. But now I realise I was very wrong.

I have the Success with 1 jump and Crate games DVDs, Shaping Success and was lucky enough to attend a couple of her workshops (without Wal) when she was here last year. She's such a kind, good humoured trainer. In the crate games DVD at one point Decaff (JRT, BC mix) gets out of teh crate before she is asked and grabs the toy and Susan talks about how she just laughs at mistakes. Think I got more from that than anything I'd read, watched on training for ages. Improved my training a lot, I think.

Yep I am basically doing 4 on the floor as such with her but I will be doing it on both the aframe and the dog walk. I basically want the border collie crouch thing should get another border than LOL. Everything stays low and she has something to aim for which is getting to the ground. Eventually I want a release word so she doesnt have to drop but if I do say touch that she has to go to that postion. (god I dont know what I am rambling sometimes). I dont have anywhere to practice it only at club. Thursday night the head instructor gave me permission to train contacts with her so when I finished instructing and training I will do her with a friend. Friday nights we have puppy training but I dont get so many reps there as there are other people in class. Hopefully that is all she knows and we wont have that problem.
Danni

I'm new to the Koolie forum but have been reading your letters with geat interest because I'm just starting dog school with my pup,6 months old, everyone in very nice at the school but the teachers are a bit jerk happy with training. I do a lot of work at home, in very short bursts because of Izzi's age, but would like to find a teacher to help me, I'd love to do agility with her one day because she got plenty of energy & smart plus a couple of hours at the pigs a day isn't going to be enough. Any way sorry about butting in but had to let you know I've been enjoying your letters.
dogz6

I know what you mean Dogz6, my girls don't even have livestock to herd. That is why I have decided to do all this obediance and agility plus more (maybe) to keep them active in the mind and the body.

Fortunately I have found some trainers that are not jerk happy,and they prefer a nice loose check chain. I am lucky that I have a trainer who is like this as we only have one dog club and one private trainer in this area. I go to the private trainer.

Where abouts are you?

Everyones welcomed here so your not butting in.
Where do you hail from dogz6 maybe this group can recommend someone who can get you started.

We hold regular weekend workshops in Vic Nsw and Qld for sheep and sometimes Agilty so you might be able to make it to some of them.

I'm trying to find a private trainer but there doesn't seem to be one in Murray Bridge, SA, I go to the vet a lot & ask questions, one of the vet's is into dog's & training, but would like someone to come & show me what to do.
This Sunday is graduation at dog school & I'm pretty sure Izzi will pass the beginners class, when we're at home training she can do sit, drop & stand stays then I walk 10 paces away & do a recall, but I think there would be too many distractions at school to try that. Just been reading about Danni McCulloch in SA, we might see her when we get out & about, would love to do as well as she has. It's great to be talking dog with dog people, I have so got a smile on my face.

http://www.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au/cg...thaustralia.htm

Have you checked out this list dogz6? I don't know SA well enough to know whether any of these ppl are near Murray Bridge. They shouldn't any of them be jerk happy (will lose their accreditation if they are).

Thanks KoolieMum there's two in the Adelaide hills, so not to far away, I'll give them a call. There is one called Bark Busters but they're a bit expensive & after what it's cost me for the animals lately, cat with snake bite & two dog desexings, $400 is a bit much at the moment. Izzi did grauate from beginner to grade one at dog school last night so we're not totally feral , thanks again.

I'm butting in here with an observation I made yesterday after going for a looksee at the local obedience club. I don't know your situation but at this particular club it seemed that there were few accredited trainers and most of those seemed to be with the Utility Dog section. The others were volunteers with experience so be aware of your trainer. I'm not saying that these people are not good but sometimes they just may not be suitable for you or your dog. Hmm that's hard to put exactly what I mean in words.

It was said to me that they had to have some accredited trainers so that the club could be accredited.

The trainers at our school are volunteers who do obediance trials, they're all very nice & I enjoy going but thier methods haven't changed since the school opened. I appreciate anyone who volunteers, god knows there's so few, but I'd like to learn different ways other than jerking the chain, never know I might learn enough to help out at the school as well. I help out at the local dressage club, usually penciling for judges, so know it's hard to get helpers.

I think you said it better than me dogz6!! Volunteers are great, the world turns on them!!



And for some it is hard to change. Not every training method suits every dog or every trainer. Gotta find the right fit that'll work with you and your dog.

Hat's off to that sentiment, unfortunatly in a large club it's hard to indivualise the session.
So as a handler you need to take on board what works for you and leave what doesn't.
Possibly seek out an older more experience trainer afer class for some pointers or alternative methods.

Just rung one of the trainers on Delta Society list hopefully she'll ring back & I can get some help with Izzi's barking at other dogs before it gets out of hand . looking forwad to starting & maybe doing obediance or agility trials, even tracking looks interesting, poor Izzi only 6 months old & having so many expectations to carry .

Who were they accredited with, Bluedog? DOGSNSW? I don't know how they certify their trainers.

The trainers on the list I suggested are Delta accredited (must have their Cert 4 in Behavioural training, have express commitment to training without +ve punishment/-ve reinforcement). Although not saying there aren't wonderful trainers in clubs around the country, of course. And wonderful trainers who aren't Delta accredited.



Dogz6, just be prepared that Delta trainers as a group are much more expensive than clubs. But I think you usually get better quality (but I'm biased, cos I'm on the list) and the classes are small. And our certificate relates most to pet dog training rather than competition. However, training is training is training, and if you know how to train pet behaviours, it's just a matter of learning what you need to teach for comps and then you will be able to work out how to do it.

Who ever you consider training with, though, there's no substitute for watching how someone runs their classes before you enrol.

Good luck, can't wait to hear that another SA Koolie is on it's way to the UDX (no pressure or anything).

[quote]Who were they accredited with, Bluedog? DOGSNSW? I don't know how they certify their trainers.quote]

I don't know who they were accredited with. I need to do a bit more investigation.

Good luck with the training guys be sure to let us know how you all get on.

I'm just about to send my "basic training enrolement form" for the Scholars in Collars dog training school, or should that be owner training school, but won't be able to start till the end of next month, now I'm not impatient or anything BUT I want to start NOW . I might see if I can get a couple of private lessons before then because Izzi's barking at other dogs is getting worse & I need help. JC, Izzi & I did a 22km walk today &, I couldn't help myself honest, walked to Steamers Cafe for a cino & toasted sandwich, only went because the dogs wanted some chicken, they get a treat occasionally & today was it. Will keep you all updated on our training & show you our graduation certificate from dog school when we get it next Sunday.