lovemesideways

:D PHOTOS, for research purposes obviously ;) GSD are the very top of my list :D. But I think I would be looking at other sports rather than agility or flyball if I go with a shepherd. Something like tracking would be really interesting! Though I know nothing about it! I do like kelpies (especially your lovely guys Woofen :D!) but not really sure if they're the breed for me. The more I research the less I feel they would really fit it for me.

I have been oogling all the lovely photos quite a bit I would be interested to hear more about Tollers also! They are one of those breeds I have heard of but don't know anything about!

Poodles are just too much work coat wise otherwise they would be high on my list. I'm not interested in paying to have them clipped every 4 weeks, and most definitely not interested in learning to clip them myself . Also not going to go with a curly coated retriever. If I was going to go with a retriever, I will get another Labrador. Thank you for your suggestions though

They shed so much :cry:! I'm somewhere in the middle as far as what I want to do with my dog goes. Yes I am looking for a breed that is going to excel in the sports I will compete in with them so a couch potato dog is not really appealing to me. But I'm also after a dog who will happily live a life of luxury snoozing on the couch or rug whilst I waste time on DOL ;) I have 2 medium-high energy dogs (well 3 temporarily) here currently so another will fit right in. I am not that great a trainer yet, and I am not going to pick a breed or dog that is over my head as far as skill in training goes.

He sounds lovely. I believe I need some photos, for research purposes of course ;)! Out of curiosity, how is he with strangers and strange dogs? The Vizlas I have met have seemed somewhat flighty/nervy as a whole. Always on edge. Depends what the OP wants. If they want to be really successful at dog sports, I would suggest a Border Collie from working lines. If they want to have fun, then a Dally is fantastic. I have found them to be very responsive and driven to please, though they do tend to go off on a tangent at times LOL! Unlike many high driven dogs that would be excellent at dog sports though they do have a definite off switch. Having baby sat a friends Viszla's for example, the Dallies are far less exhausting IMO. To me the Dallies offered a balance - maybe not the top breed if all you are interested in is their sporting ability, but very capable at dog sports while still being a relaxed and snuggly dog in the house, having a short easy care coat and capable of living happily with a breed such as a Labrador or GSD - which is the reason I suggested them for consideration along with the other breeds mentioned. This is interesting, I had discounted Dallys under the assumption that they would be a really difficult dog to train, and Im definitely not that great a trainer (Yet ;)!). I am not interested in just dog sports, a breed that will be an all rounder is more what I want. But I want a dog who will excel in the sports that I do compete it. I'm not against a bit of a challenge in training, but I don't want to pick a breed that's really over my head. The coat is what worries me here, Im not interested in having to get my dog clipped often. Is there really no grooming reuqired? I would have thought a coat like that, matting would be a issue without regular grooming. Plus the need to get it clipped because they don't shed. Really just seems like too much coat and trouble for me! (Though having a dog who doesn't add to the tumbleweeds I already get when the Lab and GSD decide its shedding time would be nice )

At this stage I'm only interested in a puppy from a reputable breeder. That is a avenue I will definitly explore in the future though. (And I'll have to check of Red Dog! I saw a poster for it the other day) The GSPs I have met have all been in off leash situations, and they where far far more interested in running after the nearest dog/bird/gust of wind than their owners. Guess I sort of discounted them for this reason, but thinking about it, its probably a lack of training on the owners part, I've never seen one in a house enviroment! I will have to add them back to my list and start doing a bit more research. I'm partial to the gundogs :D The idea of a Gundog breed that I could compete with in a formal retrieving sport is interesting, but not something I know a lot about. Hadn't even considered a schnauzer! My aunty has a mini who is a real charactor. Never seen one doing Obedience or Agility, guess that are not the most common breed. Not sure if they really appeal to me on a more personal level , looks and coat wise. I will have a look though. I was so sad to hear about Benson He sounded like such a awesome dog. I know what you mean about your own breed setting the bar. I find myself comparing other breeds to my own guys and its hard to measure up. I would have thought that with a coat like they have, that the Aussie would shed a exceptional amount? Its interesting to hear that the coats are easy care, I has assumed otherwise. I will be getting a male, for personal preference as well as the fact I like to keep my dogs entire till they are at least a year old and I have absolutely no desire to deal with a female going through her season. Especially not with a young entire GSD hanging around the place! They have never been a breed that appealed to me on a personal level, they are lovely but not what Ive looked for in a dog previously. I have met quite a few that have been really great dogs. I may have to keep a eye out for them at shows/trials, to see if the way the work and move really appeals to me. From what I've read on here from successful Dally owners in sports they would not be as easy to train or keep focussed as the other breeds mentioned This is what I have found also, especially reading from some of the Dally owners here on DOL. Doesn't sound like a breed I am quite ready to handle yet (the BF loves them though He went all gooey over the photos) That is true and really good advice, thank you ! I will ask around to see where and when the nearest trials are so I can go have a look. There are more silly preferences like how a dog looks, how they move. This sort of thing will be much easier to see in a trialing environment.

Ask how their puppy owners will feel when they have to pay a $8000 vet bill to replace the failing hips of their 2 year old lab. That's what happened to a friend of mine who bought from a pet store. People suck.

I haven't read my way through this whole thread yet, so hopefully you guys won't mind me asking again. Really want to get into agility (and maybe flyball) with my boy riddick. So where should I start? We have done a lot of formal obedience. He has fantastic heel, 100% recall. I really want to improve his drive and confidence though! He is food driven but he likes a good game with a toy, I feel like his confidence isn't really there yet so would love to improve on his tugging/ play drive. So what sort of exercises should I be doing? Any specific books that are really good for beginners in agility ? YouTube channels/videos with good tips? I am here to learn :D

Size wise I would be worried about how a border would really deal with the sort of rough play the Lab and GSD get up to. The full on, 40+ kilo shepherd racing up to the 30 kilo lab, only to be body slammed away with a very audible thud. Their play style, just from the dogs I have met personally, doesn't seem like it would mesh well with this? :D love the photos. They are another dog I just love the look of. What is their coat like also? Seems like there is a wide variety in Border Collie coats.

:love: They are sooo Beautiful!

All the GSPs I have met have been lovely, but really hyper flighty dogs with not much interest in their owners, so they never really crossed my mind. Not sure if the dogs I have met have been like that due to lack of training or if its a breed thing.

I have thought of a coolie, but again a breed I don't know much about. How they differ in personality do a border collie or kelpie would be interesting. I would be worried also as the ones I have met seem to me on the lighter side, and having a 30 kilo Lab crash tackle you is not going to be great for a real light dog. I know nothing about them! What sort of dog are they? They are lovely looking though.

There has been a million of these what breed threads so hopefully nobody will mind me starting another one. I've been working my way through quite a few of them in the past weeks/months, doing research for my next dog. But would really like some ideas/opinions directly related to my situation. What I'm interested in, - Medium - Large breed. A dog who will be able to play rough with my Lab and BFs GSD (once fully grown etc.) - People focus. I like my dog to want to be with me and around me. Really independent breeds such as Huskys are not something I'm interested in owning (just yet.) - Intelligence/Drive. I want a drivey dog, but there needs to be a off switch. A super switched on WL dog who needs to have a job and be training/working/playing ALL the time would not be the right fit for me. -Sociable/outgoing/confident. (I know this will depend upon the individual puppy also) What I'm not interested in, - Spitz breeds - Bull breeds - Small breed - High maintenance coat (Nothing that is going to require hours of grooming. I've had to deal with a Maine Coon cat, her coat was a nightmare!) - Working Lines (I’m pretty sure this will be way too much drive for me) - Really low energy breeds Breeds I am looking at/researching - GSD - Border Collie (Have crossed off my list) - Kelpie (Have crossed off my list) - Labrador Retriever (different lines to my current boy) - Australian Shepherd I'm interested in any hearing about any breeds that people feel may fit my situation! (Pictures are always appreciated :D Good for research of course)

There is formal heeling, where your dog trots on your left hand side and stays there, and then Loose lead walking. Which for me basically means my dog can walk anywhere he walks as long as there is never any tension on the leash. A heel is really great for a dog to know and can be super useful in a lot of situations. Example being, I was walking my boy Riddick down the road and a dog was coming towards us off leash with its owner, the dog went ballistic when it saw Riddick and he was a little unsure. I called him into a heel and he jumped to my side and focused 100% on me, completely relaxing and ignoring the other dog. When teaching a heel I wouldn't be forcing him into the position with a martingale collar and a tight leash, you're just going to create tension and exactly what you described. He'll be pulling on the leash and just super confused by whats going on. Have a entire handful of tasty delicious treats in your hand and basically continuously shovel them into his mouth while hes on your side. You want to make that area on your left a really fun awesome place to be. (Even when I walk Riddick loose leash, he tends to hang around my left side just because of how much I have reinforced it) You can do this while you're around the house also. Any time he comes up an walks next to you on that side, mark the action with something like "Yes!" or "Good boy!!". and give him a treat or throw a toy, or even give him a pat. Anything to reinforce that being on you left side is a really good place to be.

Oh no! So incredibly sad to hear about Benson I'm so sorry for your loss. I always read your posts Gayle and I've loved hearing about Benson, he sounded like a very special boy. RIP Benson

Would you mind PMing me where exactly in Thornleigh? I live in the area.

What a idiot. I would have told her where to shove it. Aussielover should not have to ask permission to enter a offleash area, because someone whos dogs are not under effective control should not be in that area in the first place. And if you are in that area, knowing your dogs aren't under effective control, they had plenty of time while she waited at the gate for them to call their dog to then say "hey my dog is not good with other dogs."

I think its really dangerous to assume a dog will just "grow out of" any behaviour. They might, but many do not and you're much better prepared if you train them rather than relying on age to fix your problems. Ive been horrified a few times meeting Labradors that are 6 months + in ages, that will chew you quite hard. "Oh he'll grow out of that" says the owner with scars all over their hands. No, no they wont. Not while its so fun and rewarding. Not with a gundog that is bred to use its mouth. I like that my dogs want to know what I'm doing and follow me around, but at times it also really annoys me when they do it (and it can often be dangerous! With Rover the sneak who likes to lay down behind you when you are not looking) So I have taught all my dogs to stay on a designated spot when told. Safer for me and them, and also better for my sanity!

Yeah most people do, its only in certain situations now that the scaredy cat side of him comes out. No swapping, but he is definitely due for his play date with your guys!! :D

This is what I think about, is he at the point where its as good as it will get, or could I take it further. I almost forget he has any problems, then we where at the vet and he was so insanely scared I know I need to do more work with him Does this still apply even with a older dog? Im thinking agility might be a great idea, we've been through obedience but never tried agility. I found the time by basically making it, every second I wasn't working I was with him. 5 minute trip to the shops? I would take him with me, walk him around the outside. Dark outside? I would go somewhere with lights, like a oval where kids where praticing sports and just walk him about. Look in your area and find places that have lights and maybe activities going on and I would take her to every place you could think of to practice training. Another idea is to book a single session with a good trainer, someone who can give you a plan to work with. Thanks Vi, he loves you too ! (not as much a Rover though, Rover thinks you're speeeecial) Thanks everyone for replying! Im gonna go google for local agility clubs

He is a lovely dog And I am very very proud of him <3 (and myself a little bit I guess!) I just hate seeing him when he gets so anxious and afraid I would love him to feel more relaxed and comfortable, but don't know if its a dream and he'll just always be this way.

If you do go with a halti of any sort please make sure you have a well fitted collar or harness also and connect your leash to BOTH. Ive seen SO many dogs get out of haltis in seemingly impossible ways.

So my dog Riddick is a 1.5 year old Labrador. His history is that he was 16 weeks old when I got him from the breeder (she had to keep them for longer due to the bitch being sick whilst pregnant), and for the first 16 weeks of his life, he was never around any people except for his breeder and I think her partner. From the day I got him, he was terrified of people, if someone so much as stepped towards him he would tuck his tail and bolt. I worked extensively with him, to get him the the point where he will run up to strangers wagging his tail. He'll lay down at my feet and if a person approaches him he'll just stay and let himself be patted. The training I did was a modification of the Click to Calm program. Starting with anytime he saw a person, he got a click and a treat, right up to whenever a person came towards him or he walked up to someone, he would get a click and a treat. Been to and completed basic obedience school, at the level to start training for trials. 95% of the time, it is a massive incredibly improvement over how he was when he was a baby. What I want to know is if I can get it further? Or if this is as good as it will get. There are times where he still freaks out, kids for example he is not great with. He looks very worried and doesn't want them to touch him. Strangers in a closed environment he is still not great. He will come to me and sit on my feet, or try and put his back to a wall and avoid them. If someone he doesn't know gets in his face he will back away and try to get away. I love him for the dog he is, but if there was more training I could do to make him happier and more relaxed in every situation I would love to hear it.

I think its disgusting, but at the same time you cannot call the owners up on cruelty charges because most likely they had no idea their dog was that fat. People think it's cruel to not feed your dog enough, I think this is a case of too much "love" from the previous owners. I don't know how many times I've met up with other lab owners and they look at their big barrel on legs, and then to my 2 slim healthy well muscled boys and the questions start coming. "how do you keep your dogs so thin!!" My mums regular answer was "we don't feed them enough" :p

I also like the in between. Love your actions shots <3