Cala

....cos this morning we have our graduation from puppy class at the local dog obedience club, and I wanted him to look gorgeous. And he did! My husband put him outside this morning and I've just taken his breakfast out to him.

He no longer looks gorgeous.

His lovely clean white feet are now coated with black sticky mud. The pretty copper coloured hair on his legs is also black. His shiny, glossy, silky coat has a thick layer of dirt and mud through it.

The little devil decided this morning was the perfect morning to become a backhoe and he's excavated a huge hole under the hydrangeas.

Gawd, I hope it will all brush out, cos we don't have time for another bath.

Welcome to the joys of puppyhood! I know exactly what that is like, over the years it has happened many times. ;)

Best to contain them if you require them to remain clean.

Yes, very good. I always use it when the pups are young to get them used to my touch first before I begin grooming them. Also use it when teach the stand for examinations.... brilliant and they seldom move when taught this way, seems to put them into a state of relaxation.

Sue

Shouldn't be a problem using a human type hair dryer, I did for years.

Sue

Hi,

All that is required is very basic stuff, willingness to please; with heeling, right about turns, left about turns, sit preferably automatic, maybe a drop or down, a stand and a short recall, I think it was a short distance off lead.

Sue

Tweezers, always come in handy!

Sue

Hi Guys,

Just remember that you are not allowed to use thes for the endurance trials, they have to be on a collar and loose lead.

Sue

Dr Harry........ was on television discussing the problem the other day, think it might of been on last Fridays Better Homes and Gardens....... bitch on there with 'leaking problems and he said there was a medication available and it was well worth a try, but he didn't mention the name of it only that it worked on their bitch, after a week or so.

Sue

there was a notice inour local paper a while ago with regards to washing dogs - were on level 4 restrictions but it said youwere allowed to wash a dog with a bucket and sponge, providing the run off stayed on your property (ie you did it on the grass etc)

i doubt technically you would be allowed to use a hydro bath with level 4 water restrictions....

Most councils are allowing water use providing it is for hygiene reasons, I still hose the dog runs out and use the hydrobath. Do try and limit the amount of water used and have a trigger type sprayer on the hose.

I have been told off for various things, usually totally irrelevant to working my dog, you coat is flapping........ Stop and do it up it's distracting me (the judge not the dog!) Stop sniffing, (terribly difficult when you've got a stinking rotten head cold). I think she thought it was a new way of encouraging my dog along!!!!!

Then there was the NSW judge who shall remain nameless......... For the recall are you ready? on saying yes, I was told to leave my dog........... about turn and halt.......... call your dog and with that she promptly turned away to talk to another person that was standing by the ringside..... turning back to me "Oh, I didn't see that so I am goin to have to give you an NQ!!!!! Needless to say she won't get another entry from me again!!!!

Another one was so busy fiddling about with her paperwork when trying to give me a ring run out..... I was NQ'd and so where the next 3 competitors, as she just wasn't prepared......

That's just plain cruelty, how would you like someone taking all the tips of your fingers off just because you happened to scratch someone occasionaly? ;)

Learn to use the clippers properly or get someone to show you how to use a dremel tool on them.

Started training her at 16 weeks of age, for CD. Titled at 9 months of age. would of been quicker than that but she came on heat between the 2 and 3rd legs and sort of lost the plot a little bit......... someone suggested that it is best not to train them while they are on heat!!!! Training is kept up all the time now........ Not out of the yard when she's on heat.

Before you have a heap of tests done, it could be just a tummy bug get some 'Direa' tablets first and use them for a couple of days and see if things settle down. I have found they are brilliant. Can be got at produce store or vets, and yes that is the correct spelling!

Get as much off with the use of a moisture magnet, then blow dry, but use a good conditioner after shampooing, protects against heat damage.

Sue

Rehoming does happen with obedience dogs, I have known quite a few people that have rehomed them due to not working as well as they had hoped.

When I was showing it was more prevalent..... a gentleman (?!!!) in Sydney used to buy up good quality puppies and if they didn't get 3 1st's in their first 3 shows out they would go to pet homes. In the end no one would sell him anything, after a good talking to from someone her desperately wanted a puppy from......they told him okay BUT on the PROVISO that you keep him for at least a year and he is to come back to us if he doesn't work out. That dog became a champion in 18 months.

Sue

I used the "Tellington Touch" on my girl, and I have never had her break a stand stay yet.

Try and 'google' it.

Sue

This has been going on for years the city bred versus the farm bred, I can recall sitting in on a session like this with Tony Parsons years ago!

Still going on and will for as long as the Kelpie has two areas in which he lives, the city or the farm.

There is NO real comparison between the two when they are working, different styles completely.

But GOOD ones are well worth watching.

I have owned three of the working breeds, Kelpie, ACD and Border Collie. I love them all, but they are all different and have their own ways of working.

Sue

Whoops!!!!! Sorry 5 kgs meat!!!! :D

Never use it as it dries out the dogs skin,

Sue

So sad to hear,

:D run free Mack

Sue

Satin Ball Recipe

Cheap hamburger meat [high fat content}

Lg box of Sustain Cereal

Lg box of uncooked oatmeal

1 jar of Wheat Germ

1 1/4 cup of veg oil

1 1/4 cup of unflavored molasses

10 eggs

10 pks of unflavored gelatin

Garlic to Taste

1 cup of flaxseed...ground up.

2 scoops of Source/Kelp

Take all dry ingredients and place in a bowl. I crunch up the Sustainl while still in the box, and then pour all the other dry ingredients over it In a another large bowl put the hamburger meat and the wet ingredients. Mix each bowl well, then half each so that it is easier to mix. Mix just like you would a meatloaf I then take it raw, and place in freezer bags and put in the freezer, thaw out a bag as needed. feed raw. I use this not only as a quick weight gain, but as a everyday supplement for my dogs this recipe has been tested and analyzed by several universities and was found to be a total canine diet a dog could live on this without added kibble or any other supplements...this was before I added the Garlic and the Flaxseed and Kelp I have long hair black dogs, and this recipe really keeps their coat black/soft/long since I have...the past 6 months I have had no vet bills...and my dogs coats are wonderful, you need to watch how much you feed it will put weight on a slim dog in a matter of a few days. It will also make an easy keeper fat in just a short period of time. Try it, your dogs will love it!!! One other thing, I have just started to add Kelp to it also, just for the added Iodine, may be good for those dogs that have a lower normal thyroid function. You can make this recipe in what ever amount you need/want by just halving the recipe down to what you want.

Run free my man, special thoughts and many happy memories remain with us, you were one hell of a character and always gave your best no matter what.

You hated anyone to be sad, but it was SO hard saying goodbye and you were SO special.

A CHAMPION you never became, but in our hearts you will forever remain as one.

Your daughters have both joined you now, including their mother.

LOVED FOREVER

Sue

Yes, it can be tiring and boring, and frustrating, such a wide range of emotions probably too many to cover here...........

BUT if you stick with it and persevere, be consistant, reward, praise........ Less of And much more of this ;) :wink:

Believe me it's more than worth it in the long run!!!!!!!!!

You will come out pleasantly suprised with your achievements, believe me it's a great feeling, and you have a nice obedient dog at the end of it all.

JUST HANG IN THERE............ Put a few minutes of work in morning and evening EVERY day!

Sue

Rest in Peace "Folly"

May you run free.

Sue

Grannicks "Bitter Apple" is the stuff we used to use!

Thanks Liana.

For those of you who might be interested, She was Gateacre Silver Harley, her sister was Gateacre Harleys Rose, Sired by Rokeglen Lord Harley, their dam was Rokeglen Silver Mist.

I would like to thank Keith and Robyn Cook of Rokeglen Kennels, for entrusting us with some beautiful animals They have given us so much pleasure over the years

Regards

Sue