Minimu - this way please ;-)

[Bella32]

I need your help, please, sweetie.

I have a friend - no, I really do, honestly - and she has a 9 month old GSD who is lovely, just quite bouncy and full of fun as they are at that age. She is a knowledgeable owner and has trained him quite extensively.

I am trying to persuade her that joining me and my pup on a pre-agility or flyball course would be a good idea (her pup loves balls) but she is a bit worried that he is too hyper and will steal other dog's balls etc. She also thinks it will be best to wait until he's been castrated, saying he'll be calmer then. I've tried arguing that castration won't calm him down, that he'll love the flyball etc but she's reluctant.

What do you think, oh venerable one?

TIA

p.s. got my dates wrong - her pup is just turning one

Does it explain things better if I tell you that, by virtue of his mates, he has effectivly been trained to think that the way to play with a ball is this...

Mum throws ball, pack of dogs chase ball, dog who gets knocked over least picks up ball and runs like a mad thing, all other dogs chase ball dog, ball dog collapses from exhaustion, nearest pack dog grabs ball and begins to run......[and repeat]

It is not MY fault, it is all them other naughty doggies

Seriously, I can see the potential for some proper "fun" in a flyball lesson

Can I interest you in a nice course on "how to make your puppy staid and sensible"?

How nice to see you on here. Try to stay away from AIBU, and that Nympho Nanny

I am not here I am just waiting to see what opinion is on people who go to flyball with totally untrained mutts who try to hump everything....(ok maybe I am making that bit up for effect )

Bit chilly out, dontcha think?

Better to stay in here and talk dogs.

at suggestion your Woofa humps things: he does not! He is fab, very sensible. These classes are labelled 'just for fun' and the very responsible lady running them asks upfront on the form about any excitable behaviour so she can be prepared.

You're being a big girl's blouse

Minimu'll tell ya

What about the fact that he eats small dogs for breakfast?????

But you never actually got prosecuted for that, did you?

Och now you made me waste my hot chocolate!!!

..and he does love his balls, doesn't he?

familiar? poor puppies

That was training. Cesar says you need to assert your place in the pack - making them look stupid does that admirably.

Is it just cos you don't want to see me every week?

Hehe!! Of course there is always the possibility that they will get above themselves and make you wear them!

I didn't like to say anything but you can be a bit...scary

Don't be so mean.

The surgeon himself admitted mine was a very challenging case.

But he's quite please with the result

[bbiscuit]

...

Just for you

Do you get the feeling Minimu's avoiding us?

p.s. I don't think he'll get through the poles in that tutu...

PMSL what are you 2 like!

I've been away on a fab course to get an agility instructor qualification it has been brilliant. One part of the course was assessing dog and owner suitability for the sport!

As long as the dog is not dog aggressive or instructor aggressive it will be fine. As long as the dog does not get stressed out in the class situation it will be fine.
I would go along and see what the instructor says.

Surprisingly there is not a lot of ball throwing going on in flyball as they have to touch the machine to get the ball. The smarter dogs almost grab the ball from the machine. Also only one dog at a time is loose to get the ball initially. Go for it and let me know how you get on.

PS personally I wouldn't wear the tutu but this is much more suitable clothing for flyball

Many dogs are actually frightened of the flyball box. They can make quite a loud noise as they release the ball.
I borrowed a box for a few weeks to get my dog used to it.

That was a while ago now though. There are probably digital flyball boxes now which recognise pawprints and release a preferred type of ball!

My springer can hold 3 balls in his mouth at once.
I feel he may cheat at flyball!

It was her, miss! Wasn't me, miss! Honest!

That Westie looks rather cute

Oooh, hark at you, Minimu - an instructor's course! Fancy two challenging pupils to take under your wing on an internet forum? Oh go on....

Your hair looks nice today, Minimu

BIG

I think you're great, Minimu

HUGE

Seriously though (am starting to forget what seriously means) - thank you, Minimu.

Let's see what pathetic excuse BFF tries to come up with now....

For fruitshoots

i want to take the striped one to flyball but there doesn't seem to be any classes around here .