Hi Guys
Am finally am back from out celebrating. What a day. Am still on cloud 9. I am so proud of my girls especially Xena and Gabby. As you all probably know that I had problems on my sit position in the heelwork. Have worked it out. She use to anticipate the judges command so I use to do a couple of steps. Well the drop and stand was fine but the sit wasnt. So we changed it on Thursday when the judge says now I say sit and she has done it yahhhhh. So we finally got our last leg with a score of 183 with a lovely substantial from me. Xena also won ud with a score of 188. We also won highest scoring club member and the overall winner of utility. They had a combined trial over two days. Lovely gold cup Sat ud was 192 first and today 188 1st. Inka won ud with a score of 185. She also could have won Open she was sitting on a score of 198 and lay down on the sit stay. Any ideas of curing a sit stay!!!!!!!!!!!

My little baby Gabby who is just over 9 months old was in her very first time and she worked like a little trooper she was so good she got 99 (darn the little bump in the figure 8) and first place and highest qualifying ccd Club member.

I must also mention even my 14.5 year old competed in veterans and got placed but she had a ball. She even remembered how to do a seek back.

I am so proud of my girls even Inka even though she lay down
cheers
Danni and AG CH OC Xena UDX ADM JDM ADO JDO GDX SD SPDX
> AG CH OC Bryrae Lady Inka ADM JDM ADO JDO GD SD SPD
(future udx)
Gabrielle (future ccd)

Well done Danni and Xena, Inka and Gabby.

I will try and see if I can put the video on

Would love to see your dogs working :-)

Here we go hopefully it works LOL
Enjoy guys
ps excuse what I look like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVzUuiE4Kss

Thanks so much for showing us that. It was beautiful. She looks like she's going to go on to amazing things. I might have asked you this before, if I did, I can't remember the answer - is she very much like Xena at the same age?

And when you're heeling - is she targeting off your hand or face?

Hi
I think Gabby is much smarter than Xena but the bad thing is that Xena is a very smart girl. I have taught Gabby to do articles and she learnt in two lessons what articles are about they are not tied down at all. First lesson they were tied down she understood straight away you find the smelly one. Xena took quite a few lessons. But it also could be I'm more knowledgable since those days. I got more into attention with Xena as I didnt do it with Milo. Just improved with Inka and I think improved a lot more with Gabby. I think she focuses my face or upper body as if I move my shoulder back she is straight into the left turn. Gabby is more moodier than Xena is though (dont know if that is the correct word for it) Xena worries alot. Xena is also scared of the rear wipers on the car. but Gabby saturday night jumped on me the remotes fell off the lounge and Gabby wouldnt go into the lounge that night as those remotes could kill her
Gabby doesnt like to be growled at or having to repeat things if she thinks she is wrong and if she thinks she is wrong or anything like that will just drop. but she comes out of it quickly where Xena will hold a grudge she thinks you are still mad at her an hour later. So both are trained slightly different but Gabby does grab on ideas quite quickly (except for naughty things though)
cheers
Danni

Gabby's how old (edit: I see now - 9mths, so she is the right age)? Is she in a fear-imprint stage do you think?

Sometimes it's amazing how fast they learn things. As I've mentioned elsewhere I'm reading and working on some Kayce Cover SATS stuff and she talks about teaching nose to hand targets in 7 trials. When I started doing that, we just did so many reps. There is a lot more 'talking' in her training than what I have been used to doing, and I'll be training and Wal will just be staring at my face, seeming to be trying really hard to take it all in (not in a way that makes me think it's too hard for him, rather in a way that makes me think he can understand it). Which is so satisfying , and already there's a lot less of the behaviour throwing that he has tended to do (if you watch his videos on Youtube, there's lots of confused offering of behaviours).

Was wondering that as it started about two weeks ago. Some people said that I was pushing her as I entered her in the trial as nothing has changed in our training schedule which doesnt seem to be lots LOL It first started when I was teaching dumbell over the hurdle which should be stress flew over afterwards did the dumbell on the flat which she has done since 3 months old couldnt do it come close dropped dropped the dumbell and tried to be an ostrich Later on she did it no problemo. Than the next day went to do some heelwork couldnt do the drop at all. afterwards no problemo than we went into fast pace about turn halt couldnt sit. but than didnt have a problem so I just ignored and did other things and than came back. So I was worried when I trialled her I knew if she didnt go into when of those moods we will be good but if we did than we were going to be shit but she has been fine today.
She was also being very naughty in those two weeks as well piddling inside stealing rubbish ate the coffee grounds but it has settled again. Verrrrrrrrry strange but than I do have strange dogs LOL
cheers
Danni

Sounds like fear-imprint behaviour to me.

I think that's the best response to them being a bit fragile, don't make a big deal about it, come back to it when they're ready.

She certainly doesn't look to me like she's been pushed, she looks like a sensitive, intense pup who really knows what to do and is asking you to ask her to do it. The ppl who thought you might be pushing her, do they have a bit of a problem understanding that ppl who win still do the sport because they enjoy it? And that doing well is not 'bad' for the dog. And high expectations (kindly asked for) are wonderful. I read a Sylvia Trkman article about that a while ago and just in the last few days one by someone else. Dogs deserve good training, and we should strive to be as good as possible for their sakes, imo (ok, off soap-box now lol).

Beautiful work, she certainly is well and truly focused on you. You must be a proud mum indeed. Also at 9 months I call them the truly terrible teenage time, they test you at that age too. I cannot wait until my trainer is back on her feet and we start advanced obediance and agility, that is when the really start focusing to trail stage. I so want to get there but I must have patience.

Congratulations again.

Yes there is lots of jealousy. You should here some of things that have been said. Isnt that right Linda. She knows exactly what I go through. I get it in both obedience and agility. What I do train for is consistency but at a high standard and boy do they get rewarded. Obedience and agility is fun for my girls and they love it which is why they qualify they know exactly what I want from them. There is no grey area. When they goof up they get taken out of the ring. (might add there rewards go to another dog and they hate that so the next time they try harder to get that reward)People are jealous cause my girls pass consistently. Actually Inka failed for the first time in ud on sat she ate the cheese but she was stressed as there was a very high pitch whistling sound and she fell in a huge hole but still worked came good by the time we did the articles the noise had stopped but the concentration wasnt there and she forgot. but both of my girls havent failed ud all year (except that one on sat) Opens a different story Inka has decided that she cant do a sit stay so that is what I am working on now.
Some of the things I have been told
- I dont know what it's like to fail
- I work my girls 24/7
- To get a faster seek back I had to kick her up the backside
- I yank my girls around to get that attention
- I wont tell anyone my secrets.
(like I have secrets)
Thats just a few that I can think of at the moment

Yep that's what I am doing at the moment
Danni
I think that's the best response to them being a bit fragile, don't make a big deal about it, come back to it when they're ready.

She certainly doesn't look to me like she's been pushed, she looks like a sensitive, intense pup who really knows what to do and is asking you to ask her to do it. The ppl who thought you might be pushing her, do they have a bit of a problem understanding that ppl who win still do the sport because they enjoy it? And that doing well is not 'bad' for the dog. I read a Sylvia Trkman article about that a while ago and just in the last few days one by someone else. Dogs deserve good training, and we should strive to be as good as possible for their sakes, imo (ok, off soap-box now lol).
[/quote]

Congratulation s!!! Great work!
I can only hope Paxy learns to focus on me like that! And it really does sound like she's a teenager and ooh everything suddenly becomes scary again. She's trying you out I would say!

That's exactly what she looks like to me.

Took me a moment to realise you were joking :-) I was thinking, surely you don't do those things... Do you remember the bit in Don't shoot the dog where Karen overheard someone saying 'they couldn't get the dolphins to work with such speed if they didn't shock them'. The thought of shocking something that's in water... ??

yep that is some of the crap that I have to put up. These people dont realize its there training that has stuffed up there dogs they dont know there jobs. They dont get rewarded oh a pat on the head they reward the dog for doing things wrong ie dog goes around the jump why are they patting and playing with the dog? The dog went around they even do it in training there is no trying to stop the dog going around and trying to get it correctly over the jump.
I mean kicking the dog up the butt is going to have a fast seek back I would have thought the opposite would have done a slow one. It's just unbelievable the stuff that I have to hear and it boils down to jealousy. You try and help people and they yeah yeah and still do there thing or they do it while your there and still do there way Just incredible
Got to get of my soap box now.
Yep I do remember that about Karen Pryor.

And I bet their dogs are stressed out of their minds. I'm not usually impressed by the knowledge of trainers at clubs (which is one reason I've started going and stopped many many times). Strange when ppl are really into something, as many of them are, that they don't learn a bit more - they seem to learn enough to get them through and that's enough. Lots of them have 1yr of experience 20 xs over, imo. But maybe it's just a personality difference - personally I'd much rather develop my knowledge and understanding than my practical skills, maybe they're just the opposite.

And you have to be sooo careful offering to help. If it's not asked for, then it's almost never accepted, is it, and often not even then. Although, I'd have to say, that sometimes it's not accepted because many trainers don't understand what you're talking about when you start analysing behaviour. They don't have the prior knowledge that would make it meaningful or memorable.

so true
Thats why I dont offer unless asked and am careful what I say. Have quite a few people that I help and they take notice and see the difference.
The ones I like is the one who asks and than stabs you behind the back.
thats why I train alot on my own. No arguements than LOL
cheers
Danni

Your young dog is working brilliantly!!! Don't let club politics and bitching put you off your great work! Your results speak for them selves IMO!

Don't you find so much of the dog world to be like that? I've wondered quite a bit about why that is. When I was doing the Delta course I thought about it quite a bit (something happened that made me really aware of it then) and I came to the conclusion that it was because beliefs about training involved moral decisions and perspectives, and so a person with a different way of training was percieved as 'immoral'. Then I wondered whether it had to do with dog trainers being a bit 'controlling' as a group. But now that I've been around trainers a bit more, I don't think that. Because even if they aren't out and out nasty, dog ppl just often seem not to be very socially skilled. It's often hard to get to know ppl. You really have to have a dog of whom they approve and it often takes a really long time to build any kind of friendship, they're really cliquey. Which I find strange, because I'll talk dogs with anyone (bit too much, believe it or not ;-). Private training schools are much nicer than clubs, imo. But I have to admit to being a difficult student, so maybe my experience isn't typical...

Training by yourself is the best, if you can keep your motivation up. Personally, this group really motivates me to train. And this group is far and away the nicest, most open dog community I've known of.

Intermediate bridging? Useful for supporting the dog during training of duration exercises and clarifying the task. Although perhaps you already do some kind of coaching.

Nope I just keep on doing it have been for 20 years. You do get use to otherwise you do go nuts LOL. I enjoy competing with my girls and enjoy training them as well and to be consistent.
cheers
Danni

The horse world is the same, I think people have the attitude that my dog or horse is better than yours and get quite upset when the opposite happens. So then they start to critique or complain about that person. I tend to laugh about the whole saga that happens at clubs. That is the main reason why I go to a private trainer, they compete but as individuals and help the person achieve what they want out of their own dogs.

I know it can get you down a bit but your results speak for themselves. I tend to egg them on a bit in clubs, my attitude is if you want to talk about me I will give you something to talk about. lol.

I've known Danni for many years and she is one of the best handlers and trainers I know and she is a treat to watch, I was thrilled to see her get her UDX with Xena she is the first dog in SA to get her UDX title. A BIG congratulations.

To see Gabby work at 9 1/2 months old is fantastic, she just doesn't take her eyes off Danni and responds so quickly, Ash her brother is good but pales in comparison. MInd you he is a typical male and about 4- 6 weeks behind Gabby in maturity! The day that Danni and I enter Strategic Pairs (agility) with the two of them is going to be a laugh as the judge won't know which dog is which!!!

I couldn't resist in doing a little "newspaper headline photo" which I hope you all enjoy

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn164/l.../Gabby1_CCD.jpg

this is the link to Danni & Gabby on youtube it's great to watch and you will see what I mean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVzUuiE4Kss

Cheers
Linda

Hi Linda
About time you got on here
how about your little brag with Ash
I do like the newspaper head line
yep you just get use to it LOL
cheers
Danni

Had a very busy weekend trialing.
Today my coolie Xena and border collie Inka were in the team selection runoff to represent the state (SA) for the 2008 National Agility.
Xena got in Yahhhhhhh
Yesterday we had an agility and games trial. Got 6 out of 7 qualies cant remember the placings I know Inka won agility masters and open jumping though and in the afternoon qualified gambler excellent for a title and wond snooker excellent with Inka and qualified 2nd in snooker excellent with Xena and titled so got another 2 titles for the weekend Yahhhhhhhhhhh'
cheers
Danni

Congratulations again. When are the Nationals?

At the end of August. Be held at KCC Park in Victoria. Huge event over 3 days including agility, jumping and games
Danni

KCC Park? Would love to be there to have a look! Know the dates yet? Cam and i will be in Melbourne around the 23rd Aug, for a few days! It would be very lucky if it fell around then.

Last weekend in August. There are other trials on the weekend before but I'm not going as when we were doing our bookings they said there wasnt any trials so I only booked from Tuesday to Tuesday otherwise I would have gone earlier. That's twice that has happened now it happened when we did the Sydney Nationals but they said it was goind to be held at trials 2.5 hours away and I wasnt going to drive that far so organized my caravan hire for tuesday to tuesday to find out they did have trials arghhhhhhhhhhhhh
Danni

Congrats again Danni. Look forward to hearing of your results in August in the Nationals!! We'll be cheering you on!!

Now I'm gonna show my ignorance of this part of the dog world and ask what is the gambler and snooker reference to dogs. I did have visions of those pictures of the dogs playing snooker (with the cues and balls) but I don't think that's what you're talking about! lol!

Hi Bluedog
in the photo and website I think that is where it is. There is a pinned section about the rules of agility and the games.
I wish it was that easy but I cant even do it with the cues and balls either LOL
Gamblers you just have to get as many points as possible in 45 seconds and when they hooter goes off you got to do a gamble which is distance work with so many obstacles and has to be done by 15 seconds as you get higher in class the gamble becomes harder and the time tighter. So basically you try and score as many points making your way to the gamble so you have to get your timing right. If your in the wrong spot you dont get the gamble. Contacts are worth 3 points bars 1 points weavers 4 points tunnels and tyres 2 points.
Snooker which I find hard to do so we dont pass this too often. The judge usually has 3 red bars that you must do and other pieces of equipment that is worth so many points ie weavers 7 points dog walk 6 points we also had 2 jumps that was worth 5 points. (these things are called colour pieces) so you basically have to do a red a colour a red a colour a red a colour(in my class you needed to have 15 points) so you try and do big numbers cause if you stuff up ie knock red bar you got to go to another red bar you stuff a colour you got to go to red bar. when you have finished all that (which is an opening stage) you than do the closing stage where the course goes 2,3,4,5,6,7 ( remember how the weavers was 7 points and dog walk 6 points) thats the closing stage and you have to do it in a certain time. I normally stuff something up or the dog but basically that is what's it all about hopefully you understood that lol. but read the pinned section it will explain it much better than I can say it
cheers
Danni