Quote: Carol Boche

I love to watch other people work their dogs as I learn a whole lot just from the visual.

So do I. Even if I knew how to do it, I probably wouldn't, because I'm such a weenie and too thin-skinned to learn from personal assessments.

And the thing is, I appreciate critiques like Will's as much as I appreciate the video clips. I don't want to view clips and assume that they are perfect and should be copied exactly. And without experienced comments, I probably would (in an area new to me). I've seen other clips that I wish had not been posted because of what effect they probably have on a newbie's understanding.

So I have to say thank you to the people who have the thick skin to post them and thank you to the experts who have the knowledge and take the time to point out the problems.

Connie we all make mistakes in training. I might hazard a guess and say that even Mr. Rambeau has made a few (G). I however didn't think or desire that after watching those videos, one would necessary mirror my every move. If that was true there would only be one obedience video and as you probably know there are hundreds all proclaiming that there's is only correct method. All I was trying to show that correct basic obedience is not rocket science although some would have you believe that is was. IMO any one can do it. In that regard here's a good training tip, if it doesn't make sense to you it won't to your dog. Everyone has a training style and or rhythm and should not be afraid to incorporate it into whatever method they choose. If you want to find out if a mistake is relevant, all one has to do is look at your end results. That is not to say I don't appreciate anyone pointing out my mistakes, I do how else can we learn, but one or two mistakes done infrequently will not lessen that dog in any discipline. Just look at that pup and anyone could see that those mistakes didn't hinder his capacity to learn or joy for his work and isn't that what correct training is all about. Norman Epstein

 Quote: Norman Epstein

.... we all make mistakes in training. .... That is not to say I don't appreciate anyone pointing out my mistakes, I do how else can we learn ...

Absolutely!

(Your clips were not the ones I was referring to when I said that there were some I wish had never been posted.)

I'm sure I make mistakes every single time I train, no matter how many dogs I work with.

I'm very grateful for people who post their clips, as I said, and also for experienced trainers who point out the errors.

Berhard Flinks gave us advice one time about improving our handling, and he suggested getting vids of the highest level competitions ( BSP and the such ) and closely watching the handlers over and over again.

I think that advice has stood the test of time and remains an important training tool.

A slight turn off-topic: It's better not to change the subject title of a thread with each post. The person following the thread (or searching for it later) will have problems with that. (Not just you, but everyone.)

Especially I would recommend against changing the topic title of someone else's thread.

I would probably start a new thread if I were going to offer my own video clips, unless they actually answered a question from the O.P.

Again, this is NOT meant to detract from your clips.

 Quote: maisha butler

Yeah, my dvds came in! I was just wondering what's the best order to watch them in. I received "Establishing Pack Structure with Your Family Pet," "Puppy 8 weeks to 8 months," and "Dog Obedience." So which one do I watch first?

How old is your dog, Maisha?

That's excellent advice but it's good for beginner's to remember that in obedience, trial foot work and training foot work are not the same because in one your are proofing behaviors and the other you are shaping behaviors. That said before going into a trial Mr. Rambeau's advice via Mr. Finks will stand you in good stead. Norman Epstein

Thanks and I will follow your advice in the future. Norman

Connie,

I don't have a dog yet but we want to get a GSD puppy in the spring. I just got the dvds so I can make sure all or our ducks are in order. We want to be well prepared. I just wanted to know what order to watch the dvds to get the best overall picture on training.

Maisha, I have all 3 videos as well and I think you should watch the puppy video, then the pack structure video, and then basic obedience. Also, fyi the puppy video has relevent obedience tips for starting informal obedience w/ a young puppy.

Keep in mind that many things that Ed suggests in the pack structure video are for adult dogs and won't apply to a puppy.(if some of his info seems to conflict between the puppy video and the pack structure video, defer to the puppy video)

Kudos to you for being so well prepared!
PS These videos are packed w/ info...