JulesP

One was a Delta instructor yes. I don't tend to have behaviour issues with my dogs though. When Poppy was escaping I spoke to a vet behaviouralist who is also connected with Delta (Chair person). But I work with her hubby so it was a freebee! The other person has done the NDTF course.

Again the people I use have both, lol. A degree, training course & practical!

Umm I said they should have both a degree and practical training. That would be my criteria anyhow. Actually the trainers that I choose for private lessons do have both.

Fingers crossed for you Kelpie-i.

tollersowned I have to disagree with you here. The majority of people don't really know what dressage is. It was my number 1 passion for a long time. What should be pointed out for people that don't know what dressage is that the dog trainer is getting the dog to do 'dressage' movements. e.g. spanish walk - were the dog is lifting its front legs up, passage - were they are jogging slowly with some elevation, half-pass - were they are going sidewards. The thing with dressage is that these are natural movements for a horse, they do something similar in a paddock just playing. They aren't very natural movements for a dog, which is what makes it interesting to me. If non horse people watch the clip I put up and then watch the doggie dancing again they will be able to see how she is copying the dressage movements.

Here you go Midol - the most watched freestyle dressage test ever. http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=zKQgTiqhPbw If you watch that you can see what the doggie lady was trying to achieve. To be fair to Midol if you don't know what dressage is then you are not likely to get it.

Most people do a nose touch.

Some volunteer trainers at dog clubs do fairly hefty training too I would expect a behaviourist or whatever you want to call it to have a Uni degree of some sort. As well as the dog training stuff.

I don't do the pay every time you click. But I am not going to get into that again. I don't actually use a clicker for nose touching. Interestingly neither do the Derretts. Once Poppy is standing on a slope/step she isn't using her paws so I will just move to that phase.

Think the theory behind lots of nose touches is that you can 'pay' the dog alot. It is an opportunity to give the dog lots of treats. It was a super hot day though and I was feeling a bit out of it by then!! They are also looking for the dog's weight to be transferred backwards and a long touch may bring the weight forwards. This is a safety thing. For a longer nose touch I would still be clicking straight away but maybe only paying the dog for the longer touches. I get lots of touches and lots of pounces . I was too scared to ask at the clinic!

Hi I am an ex-groomer and a border collie owner. The hair does take a while to grow back. I clipped my old girl last summer and it took almost a year before it was normal length again. BTW I wouldn't normally clip a BC but this old girl's coat has gone really weird and she was suffering in the heat. As other people have said the prickly hair is top coat, the softer hair is undercoat. The coat may not grow back the same. I have clipped dogs whose coat texture has changed. I doubt a 1yo BC would have had matts bad enough to need shaving. Might have had a couple around the bum. Keep an eye on the pup in the sun as if the hair is short enough then sunburn may be an issue.

I've got All Breeds Dog Groomer and if you have a video still I have 6 Oster videos on dog clipping. Send me a PM if you are interested.

OMG just looked at BOM and they have put tomorrows temp up to 43! :rolleyes:

4 Leggs do use dry veggies from OS. I called them and they told me that.

Working with Poppy on nose touches. I taught her to touch as a little puppy so she has a good grasp of it. She is very enthusiastic though! I get the nose and both paws and it is a real pounce on the target! Very different from her brother's super gentle, polite touch! I don't want to curb the enthusiasm but is this going to be a problem??

oh well will not be getting much sleep anyhow as I don't have air co! Once I get used to the idea I will be ok. Have bad insomnia though so don't handle early starts well! Tried to do some nice quiet nose touches today and Poppy monster was bouncing all over the place, not a dog that is bothered by the heat obviously! Looking forward to meeting you all!

Holding something at this time of year they probably should have considered the heat.

I am not too happy. I don't do mornings!

Luke wander over to the trial ring at club and ask for Bec. She trials with gun dogs (bigger Barkly's!) and I reckon she will be able to help you. Is a very good trainer/handler.

40 degrees - yikes. Hopefully that gets revised! Might have to go buy an umbrella thingo.

So....who is going to the GD training days? I am going to watch the Foundation Day.

I noticed a slight decrease in coat shine after a bag of GB. I also need a lot of raw stuff. Have also been road testing the Nature's Gift kibble. The dogs love this. Doesn't work out as cheap as the biggest bag they sell it in is a 4kg at approx $18.

I suggest reading the Give a Dog a Bone book by Dr Billinghurst. That outlines the BARF diet. I was feeding kelp and brewers yeast when I did BARF. Also fed extra calcium I think in the form of cottage cheese mainly.

Not very 'positive' but you might enjoy zapping him right about now - http://www.innotek.com.au/products/pet-proofing-barriers I admit I enjoy squirting the cats with water if they are being really naughty!!

Anyone know how much the Fido baths are?