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Does this site offer any kind of dog adoption or selling classifieds for its members? I have 2 new puppies that i am trying to re-home, and I am not sure what avenues to use. I was hoping to find some someone who was a fellow dog lover, not just someone out of the paper. Any ideas?

Last night the "baby dog class" that isn't really a baby dog class did really well.  They're all either competing in Novice, ready for Novice, or Novice dogs that have made it to Open or Excellent (like Solar, who has made it through the levels in AKC but is still definitely a Novice dog!).

One of the big things I try to promote in my classes (hopefully I am at least moderately succesful at this!) is free thinking amongst my students.  Yes, I do subscribe to a handling system, but what I like about that handling system is that there aren't any rules, really - just a list of observations of handler actions and consequences with respect to how the dogs will respond.  This can cause some problems for people, though, because if there aren't any rules, then how are you supposed to figure out what to do?  There are some basic principles regarding how dogs respond to what the handlers do, principles that seem to hold true across the board (you slow down, they slow down, you speed up, they speed up, etc. etc.), but beyond that, it's all about individual handlers figuring out what they need to do for the dog they've got at that moment (which may be different than the dog they THOUGHT they had!!).

Further beyond that, there are a few things that seem like they might work at the moment, but *might* have some long term consequences that the handler hadn't thought of.  Sometimes, it's worth doing those things that might have long term consequences, because the short term gain is large.  But, inspecting the consequences of repeating those actions might mean that the long term gain is actually negative.

Anyway, the thing I love most about agility is trying to predict what will happen on an agility course.  Look at the course, predict how the dogs will see it, predict the possible problems and the different options - there are ALWAYS options, although they might not all have equally suitable outcomes.  The ability to predict the outcome of an action on a course is IMO one of the keys to being able to get through any agility course, time and time again.  Once you develop the ability to predict the outcome of different actions on a course, you've got it made.

On the flip side, what if you make a prediction and it doesn't pan out?  Those failed predictions are just as important as the successful predictions, because they (the failed predictions) can help you sort out where you may be missing something.  Perhaps you're looking at the wrong spot on the timeline, assigning consequence C to event B, when really consequence C is a consequence of event A, and event B will produce consequence D.  If your predictions fail time and time again, you've got options with respect to how you will choose to improve your ability to predict in the future.  Will you train your dog to meet your expectations?  Will you strive to improve your observational skills to see if, without any training on the dog's part, you can better handle a course through making different decisions, thinking at things from a different angle?  It's not always one or the other, either - sometimes you may want to train or re-train your dog to meet an expectation, and sometimes you may simply want to adjust your strategy so your prediction is more in line with what is actually happening.

So, with that in mind, here's a little ditty that those 'baby dogs' ran last night.  They ended up doing quite well - running the course wasn't nearly as difficult as thinking about running it was!  What are the options?  How would you predict your dog would do if you handled with strategy A, strategy B, strategy C?  Are there tradeoffs or consequences in any of your strategies?  Will any of your strategies require training beyond the knowledge of taking the obstacle?

Although it's just raining here in Sumner, the weather in parts around here is not as nice.  So, no classes this evening!

Daisy

This topic has been moved to Polls.

http://forums.dogsworldtraining.com/index.php?topic=113.0

[Note: IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLL YOU MUST FIRST REGISTER FOR THE FORUM ~THANKS!]

It's A Dog's World recognizes the need for classes during the day time for those who are unable to attend our current evening classes, held Monday-Thursdays.  We currently offer weekend classes in addition to our weekday classes, but would like to get your opinion on when during the week might be the best time to add additional classes to our schedule.  Thank you for your input!

Note: IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLL YOU MUST FIRST REGISTER FOR THE FORUM ~THANKS!

Daisy Peel
Training Director

If you are busy during the evenings or weekdays, our weekend classes may be just the ticket for you.  We have Saturday AM Puppy Kindergarten and Puppy Preschool classes, a Saturday PM Pet Dog Obedience I Class, Saturday PM Fun and Focus and Agility Foundation class, and Sunday PM Puppy Kindergarten and Pet Dog Obedience I classes.

Check out our online schedules at the website, and then call 253-863-2258 to schedule today!

Daisy

We now have Galleries on the forums!  I will be adding images of classes - if you have images of you and your dog that you would like to upload, please upload them in to the appropriate album!

Thanks,
Daisy

Check out our website, www.dogsworldtraining.com, for the latest schedules!  Now offering Pet Dog Obedience I and Puppy Preschool on Saturday mornings!

If you can't see a forum for the class you are registered in, it's probably because you haven't registered yet.  Please take a look at the top of this page and take a moment to register!

Thanks,
Daisy Peel

If you can't see all the forums then it is probably because you aren't registered or aren't logged in.  If you haven't yet registered, please take a moment to do so!  If you're a student in any of our classes, you can register for free and gain access to the forums that pertain to your class.  If you are not a student, paid access to restricted areas of our site will be coming soon in the future.

Daisy