The Spotted Devil

I guess it depends on the definition of "working" too....for a herding breed is it flyball or agility or herding trials or sheep dog trials or a dog that takes the place of several stock people on a station (and yard or paddock?). Similarly for Gundogs - RATG or retrieving trial or field trial or a hunting dog or other full time role. Each to their own as every role requires a different level and mix of skills.

This time of year I have a slab of water in the pantry. We are on tank water and I have a generator but I like to have a Plan C!

ABC radio reports that 11 children were rescued from locked cars yesterday in Victoria. Unbelievable.

Don't forget the local birdlife either - a few dishes of shallow water (I use the ceramic pot plant plates) in the shade may just help them get through the day :)

It's definitely worth teaching your current dogs to be left alone - it makes life so much easier training wise. I can leave both mine at home, take one or take both and they just take it in their stride. My next pup will be another working gundog (current dogs are 7.5 and 3.5) so my Dally will still be left at home sometimes when we do gundog training and trialling. I put a lot of time and emphasis on foundation work into my pups so it's nice to have my adult dogs well established in their respective sports - plus I've had the chance to make lots of mistakes and know what I'm going to do differently!

Gorgeous Pers! I'm feeling appreciated :)

Ah, the joys of having a springer ?! We have one down the road from us and he is a fetching freak; will not stop. Bet you are taking a break during this hot spell in Vic, TSD. We have had the hot weather here, but today is beautiful and in the mid 20's. Took the 3 dogs out for their first real training session at the gully dam this morning. Di and Tick very good, Whiz just good, with her usual testing to see if she can get away with little disobediences. We go through the same thing every year !! 3 months till our first trials so I have plenty of time to get them back into shape. Hey fetchin'! Yes, they can be crazy little devils but when Em's in season she's just manic! Lots of fun though. Yes, way too hot this week to even do much water work as the water is very warm. I'm keeping her inside so she doesn't give herself heat exhaustion and just doing a few mins of shaping/agility tunnels early in the day or very late to take the zing out of her. Good to hear you are having a break in the weather and training is going to plan. I've entered our first AA trial weekend after next...a bit excited but if the weather is awful I won't go. Just not worth it. I entered my Dally in the January mini jumping trial this weekend (which starts early and finishes by 11am) and the weather forecast is 22C thank goodness. Stay cool fetchin'!

Introduce yourself to your neighbours. You never know your luck. I have to be in the city next week (I work from home as much as possible, particularly at this time of year) and Mr TSD will be back at work too. I will be taking the dogs and cats to work with crates and everything else they need if it looks like being a bad day. I often take one or two of them in with me to help me with lectures/tutorials so no-one will bat an eyelid fortunately.

Thanks for the reminder as obviously we tend to exercise the dogs earlier and later than normal too. Fortunately it appears to be too dry for them this side of the mountain but you just never know.

Be prepared. Understand what the risks are in your area. Join your local Community Fireguard Network and be an active member - contact the CFA for details of one in your area. I co-ordinate our local CFG but it's very difficult when people rapidly become complacent. Have a plan. And a back-up plan. I started this thread a few years ago - perhaps it will give you some ideas.

My dogs are keeping cool indoors today - between the aircon, ceiling fans and slate floors they'll be fine. Cool coats are there if necessary. I have put small freezer bricks in my chooks' water to keep it cool-ish.

As well as a written evacuation plan we have a written plan B (stay and defend) and plan C as well as a list of things to do the night before a TFB or Severe rating. If you're in a high risk area don't fall into the trap of thinking "I'll be fine, I'll just leave." You may not have that opportunity if you leave it until the last minute - roads clogged with tourists, fallen trees etc. We also have a generator, wind up radio, CFA app and a scanner. Even if I'd rather switch it off, ABC local radio is left on all day.

I just tried using a regular fan blowing air over a sheet of techni ice. It's noticeably cooler and will get some good use this week.

As I said in the other thread, I think Vebo are really good value for money. I would go a wire crate over a soft crate as the latter can get quite warm. You can always cover a wire crate to make it cosy. I often have the crate door open and a dog (or cat!) will take up residence. Doors only get closed if Em is in season or if I can't keep an eye on a youngster with destructive potential. Mine always get food toys in the crate plus I play crate games - the only time they hate being in the crate is if I'm rotating them for brief training sessions....Miss E does not like missing out and it's one of the rare times she barks in frustration. Otherwise I find no need to shut the crate door - but it's their refuge....especially when they've had enough of human house guests.

If you're just after a regular wire crate you can't go past Vebo. If you want something fancier have a look in the Show Ring forum - I've seen a few recommendations in there :)

I just downloaded it to my iPad kindle app - thanks silentchild!

I've camped a couple of times at Avinavan for specialties - it's a good spot. Not sure what the cabins are like.

The most trying part of being in season is behind us - her early morning wake ups and manic hunting - so we are getting back into some more serious training. Yesterday was some lining on the lawn whilst Zig was out having a walk with Mr TSD and this afternoon I took her out for some water work. First up was a hot blind channel swim on game through heavy reeds. 2 left backs to keep her on course when she was looking for a way through the reeds but then she did the rest without a command - lots of "good girl!" Found another favourite spot and dropped two items of game - a long walk around to the other side set it up for an easy swim, then a decent run to the retrieves. A hand thrown memory mark in the water to work on selection as well - a dummy the first time was easy, game the second time was a lot harder for her. Was very pleased that she tackled some cover in the water instead of swimming around and took really good lines through the cover to the memory marks. Threw a couple of happy bumpers in the water for fitness and dropped a game item near a tree as we walked back to the car. 2 hand thrown memory marks either side (1 dummy, 1 game), get the blind, get the dummy, get the game. The blind took a few handles as she thought it would be in the water - but she trusted me eventually and was rewarded for her efforts. By rights she should be exhausted but needed another sprint on the back block (3 already today) to settle her down.

And marking behaviour is about training as much as anything. My Dally is a HUGE marker and yet never marks in the obedience/agility ring nor does he mark inside at home or on the deck, even with Em in season. In fact I let him have a good pee after an agility run as part of his reward system :) If you can wait until the growth plates have closed (age varies with breed - testosterone promotes growth plate closure) that would be ideal but I understand when circumstances make that difficult.

You can also use psyllium husk. I occasionally mix a dessert spoon in with some weet-bix and water if Zig hasn't had much bone. It's the natural alternative to Metamucil which is full of colours and flavours.

Yes, loving this thread - wish I had the set up to have one of these fine animals.

Oh No Ziggy! Not Mr.Collins!!!! Heh heh. Although Em's breeder doesn't think she's exactly an "elegant female" lol

Ziggy reminds me of Mr Collins from "Pride and Prejudice"... "Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth that your modesty, so far from doing you any disservice, rather adds to your other perfections. You would have been less amiable in my eyes had there not been this little unwillingness; but allow me to assure you that I have your respected mother's permission for this address. You can hardly doubt the purport of my discourse, however your natural delicacy may lead you to dissemble; my attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as soon as I entered the house I singled you out as the companion of my future life......I am not now to learn...that it is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their favour; and that sometimes the refusal is repeated a second or even a third time. I am therefore by no means discouraged by what you have just said, and shall hope to lead you to the altar ere long......... As I must therefore conclude that you are not serious in your rejection of me, I shall chuse to attribute it to your wish of increasing my love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females."

I am amazed by what you are all capable of - thank you so much! Marion01, that is so beautiful

You are all amazing! Thankyou so much! I had dear Dolly for 17 years and lost her some years ago. She started my love for dog sports and was so amazing despite my crap training. I'm only now having a really nice timber box made for her ashes as I just couldn't face it at the time.