Im trying to think of what I want for christmas and I wouldnt mind a video/dvd on how to teach Fagan heelwork to music (no laughing in the ranks - he is a clever boy and im sure those irish legs would love to get jigging ;) ) any ideas what it might be called and where I could find it (perferably on the net cos im going to ask my brother for it :) )

Claire

If you take a peek at www.crosskeysbooks.com there should be a few there; Attila Szkukalek has done a couple and I believe also Mary Ray. It may start you off anyway :)

Lindsay
X

mary rays are really good

I cant get onto that website from work but I will have a look as soon as I get home, thanks :)

Just looked on Mary Rays website at her videos.  Are they all combined with clicker training ?? ive never done clicker training before, is Fagan too old to learn ?  and would it be difficult to clicker train two dogs (as we get the new pup soon) ? is there a way to do it without clicker training or is clicker training best ?

think clicker would prob be best for HWTM.as its very hands off, & its easy to use a target as a prop.
mary really explains the clicker well though!
most ages of dogs pick up the clicker really well....its just people that have trouble (me!!! l keep forgetting to click!)

hmm, I might get her beginners clicker training video then :)

Never too old to learn BB :D  If you are getting a youngster it would be a perfect opportunity to introduce Fagan to the clicker now so that you have a bit of experience with it!  Lana has a doggy christmas party to go to next week and we have to do 5 minutes heel work/games to music - Oi stop laughing :D  We each had been given an individual 'trick' to put into the piece and ours is to get Lana to cover her eyes with her paws...We are almost there and I've been practicing for about a week, with the clicker - They are brilliant!!  We are doing our piece to 'All I Want For Xmas - by Mariah Carey' :D    Try Obedienceuk.com they have a section on Mary Ray video's - I also recommend 'Clicker Training for dog's' by Karen Pryor.  Try it, I have had some amazing results with the clicker from teaching toilet training, tricks, standing whilst being groomed to rewarding recall!  We are doing our bronze award in Jan!  Good Luck
Sarah :)

If you can do that with an Afghan surely I can do it with a Setter surprisingly enough although they are different groups they learn in similar ways (and have the same independent streak :rolleyes:

Im going to email my brother the details of what I want now :D :D

The good thing about clicker training is that it is excellent for independent  breeds because they think they are training the owner ;) and not the other way round.

Lindsay
X

:D @ Lindsay - I am also using the clicker to teach the sendaway   We do some competitive obedience stuff (not that I'm saying we will ever make a competition mind you) its just that its another activity that our trainer does and that we can be a part of - I do lots of stuff with Lana, mind you it's costing me a small fortune!  Anyway, we put a pole up in the living room, Lana went over to investigate and as soon as her nose touched it *CLICK* - Reward - She must of thought Ahhh thats what I have to do!  So I move further away from the target then she moves herself towards it and touches it with her nose - Bingo!  We then had a good training session, I also include clicking for holding onto a dumbell and target training with my hand in preparation for the actual heelwork - Its all great fun.  Sometimes I get a few seconds delay where you can see Lana thinking "shall I do this or just bugger off and annoy my mum" - but usually she does it, got to get her motivated!!  The dumbell is seen as a special toy to her because I keep it out of reach and only let her have it when I've really wound her up...Might not fit any training in tonight though..My recently bathed hound thought it funny to just jump into a muddy bog whilst on our walk....
Sarah :)

why not???? there is a afghan competeing you know!!!!

Maybe one day :D  Dont get me wrong, I would love to take her into an obedience ring one day - It's just gonna take a while ;)
Sarah