u/Similar_Banana_7725

We lost our 7 year old F1 doodle last summer due to contracting Lyme disease from a tick bite. We grieved hard and are still dealing with his loss but are learning to manage.

Gus was food motivated, but his real motivation was play, he would do anything to fetch a ball. On his last day with us he was very tired and lethargic, the only thing that pepped him up was to ask him to go play.

Im not sure why doodles get some of the hate that they do on the internet, they are the sweetest souls, great temperament and great first time dogs.

Any other toy motivated doodles?

Video of Gus working for his toy!

How I teach my focus heel

There are a few things that will certainly speed up the process. First thing is communication, making sure we are using the proper markers consistently;

Yes = reward marker / task completed

Good = duration marker / continue doing what youre doing

No/ nope = positive punishment / not what im looking for

Food drive:
The next biggest thing is to find your dogs motivation, ideally food as its easier to lure and reward quickly. Since day 1 birdie has earned her food thru tricks and commands. This not only helps us build a bond, stimulate her mind, but also increases her food drive.

The look command:
A pre curser to teaching heel quickly is a “look” command. I do this by bringing food from her nose right up ti my eyes. Once she makes eye contact I mark yes and reward. Continue this over the next few days but add duration along with moving your finger away from your eye to make things more challenging.

Free shaping heel:
Once “look” is happening consistently, I like to go for a walk, usually in a calm wooded area with as little distractions as possible. Ask nothing of your dog, no look command, no heel command, just walk. Youre going to be waiting for the moment your dog looks up towards you, then mark yes and reward. Keep walking and try and get as much engagement as possible. This is called free shaping heel. At this point dont worry if they are in the correct position just focus on eye contact while walking, adding a “good heel” duration marker. You should feel like a treat dispenser, feeding often during this exercise.

Luring to heel position:
Use your food to lay your dog into heel position, be sure to work on both sides.

The perch:
Get a bowl / yoga block, something that your dog can get its front legs onto. Start by getting them to hop onto the perch, look for one foot tapping it, mark yes and reward. Continue this until your dog is easily hoping onto the perch with its front paws only. Once comfortable hopping onto the perch, take your food into your palm and twist your wrist so that their head is looking the opposite direction of which youre looking to rotate their hind legs. Youre looking for the smallest amount of movement in their hind legs, having a mirror nearby will make this alot easier. After a few reps/days, start moving in quarter circles, practice this alot. One your dog has this this mastered start moving your body in tiny increments, wait for them to slowly move a bit towards you, then mark yes and reward. After a fee days/ reps they should understand to follow your heel position on the perch.

Pivots:
Take what youve learned from the perch and practice without the perch. Small movement = big win at the start

Birdie, aka the bird is the word, aka the word, 3 months old. My little weapon, heeling like a big dawg.

“So you’re telling me there may be food at the function?”

Hey all, looking for some advice.

I’ve got an 3 month old Aussie puppy and brought her to work with me - she did awesome. Settled on her dog bed, didn’t whine or complain and I keep her tethered so she cant get into anything.

My only concern is crate time / alone time. If I bring her every day, I’m worried she won’t learn to be alone and could end up with separation anxiety.

For those who’ve done this - did you still make a point to crate or leave them home some days? How did you balance bringing them with building independence?

Appreciate any input 🙏

Edit to add: she is crated at night and I have a crate at work if ever she got over stimulated or needed some alone time.

Came for the reps, left with a new jacket!

11 weeks old!

We use the Hero Superhero 235 but wondering if there are any must tries?

Something that goes a good distance, has a good float and is durable?

Last august we lost our soul dog at 7 years old due to contracting lyme disease from a tick. we grieved hard for a long time and are still dealing with his loss. This spring we decided it was time to look into adding another dog to our life. We spoke with multiple different reputable breeders but for what ever reason everything seemed to fall through. In April we got word from one of the breeders we were speaking with that there would be 1 female pup available in her litter. We always said that Gus, our dog that passed last august would bring us the right dog.

Weve only had Birdie 3 weeks, but she has been such a pleasure to be around. Calm, intelligent, affectionate.

We kind of think a part of Gus may have found us through Birdie. ❤️

Our 11 week old aussie has a small dot of blue / green in her permanently brown eyes. Will the colour stay into her older age or will she grow out of it?

Santa Cruz Stigmata CC Apex size M with Pirelli RC Gravel 45’s

Logged 145 kms first weekend with the new missile.

What are your must / non negotiable upgrades or carry alongs?

What tires are you loving?

Mostly chunky gravel nothing too crazy.