The Spotted Devil

Really appreciate the feedback - also the link for the dog walkers. Thanks so much everyone. oakway - yes I agree. It's much harder on some dogs and often it's not the ones you expect!

Another vote for the Afghan :) Love watching the Standard Poodles too - really love the way they move and the serious attitude they can hide under all that flouncey coat. As a very lazy groomer with wash and wear dogs I always feel gobsmacked at the preparation that goes into them. Whilst I can't resist a good gundog I prefer to see them running hard in a retrieving/field trial. Makes my heart sing.

Thanks MUP and Dave - really appreciate the feedback. I had heard good things about Melbourne but nothing on Sydney so any further info welcome. I think the owner is in QLD so neither facility will be easy to visit for her.

Thanks showdog - will pass that on for sure :) That's a shame Dxenion - sorry your pup had such a hard time. I know my dogs will always find boarding stressful but it's the degree of stress and how the staff manage it that becomes important.

Just wondering whether anyone would recommend the Melbourne quarantine facilities over the Sydney ones or vice versa. I think they have the option of flying the dog in to either city. Just enquiring on behalf of a friend - for a puppy so I guess the amount/quality of handling is pretty important. Many thanks!

+ 1

Clearly you've had a LOT of practice :D I'd love to meet you at Crufts one year - how cool would that be!

Yes! I have a similar one from just that! :)

mantis PM me and I will put the pics up for you :)

I don't frequent parks or ovals unless they are quiet - I start with training and end with a little off leash madness. We co-exist well with the local kids sports clubs....if we are training I ask if it's ok if I finish up whilst they are setting up. Sometimes I explain to the kids what I'm doing (and they love it - especially when it's retrieving or agility). I will often have the dogs do a drop stay whilst I chat with parents/kids/coaches to demonstrate I have good control. If dogs turn up I put mine in a drop stay or leash them or put them in the car. My entire male is a target for other males and my ESS doesn't cope with dogs that are over bearing.

Congratulations one and all Third year in a row at local pub glued simultaneously to AFL and BIS :laugh:

Go the Dally

Great work everyone - loving the updates!

Count me in if you need someone else on the phone. Just shoot me a PM. I will be watching the footy but I'm always glued to DOL for BIS.

Congratulations to Leopuppy04 And to C and Trigger (not on this list)

We've had 5 ACDs in my family - all piggies. Our Beagle was a bottomless pit. My Dally enjoys his food but I suspect that is because of all the food training. When he is stressed he either won't eat or eats very slowly. My field bred ESS is a garbage guts. Quite a common trait amongst gun dogs from what I've seen. I've only had food disregarded in the presence of game but have trained her to accept it. The only one in the house that out does her is Dizzy my foster failure kitten. I suspect there are breed tendencies but there will always be individual variations.

You've been reading my PhD! :)

Interestingly I had a chat with a couple of ladies about the program this morning (not that I saw it). They were understandably saddened by the dogs being euth'd and ranted about the puppy farmer but had no comprehension that they were part of the problem - one had an oodle from a pet shop ("felt sorry for it") and the other wants a lab x GR. I patiently explained the issues, how to find a suitable dog etc but it "sounds so difficult and I can't afford it". I really did try to give them answers but the ignorance and unwillingness to listen was astounding and sad. Changing attitudes is bloody hard. I was on the train so had limited time - they were willing to talk happy dog stories but not about the tough decisions.

Congratulations Jo That's no mean feat! Levi is looking fabulous - I don't know how you keep him so beautifully groomed. Trimming feathers (roughly) is enough for me :laugh: (OT, but the thinning scissors you suggested made a huge difference )

Did anyone get out to the National Retrieving Championships this past weekend??? It was just down the road :D

Not a Springer :) The show lines require a fair amount of grooming and the field bred dogs are high drive and need serious work - otherwise they will hunt all day.

My preference is for kitten first and then introduce the puppy once the kitten is grown. From the beginning my dogs are taught that "cats rule". That's not to say my adult cats are permitted to bully the dogs (because they like to sometimes) but any interactions or play (as has developed between Dizzy and the 2 dogs) is on the cats' terms. The dogs know that the Burmese girls are happy for some gentle sniffing but not to go beyond and the cats are all very relaxed and confident around the dogs. The dogs love my foster kittens and are always introduced before the kittens leave.

And, for what it's worth, the average lifespan for a "naturally reared" feral cat is about 3 years.

I, too, have a male whose testicles went up and down for a while as a puppy. The vet was sure he had a retained testicle but I was just as sure he didn't! Regarding early desexing, the sex hormones (especially testosterone) promote the closure of the growth plates in the long bones. Desexing before sexual maturity (age varies between breeds and individuals) means that the dog will be very slightly taller - the jury is out as to whether this affects the dog as all research in this area is retrospective and there are too many factors involved to be certain. Whilst the difference in long bone length is significantly different, it is not a huge amount and height is probably accentuated by a decrease in muscle bulk as well. In this case I would be weighing up the risks between a retained testicle and early desexing. The former may not be good if left too long but I am not up to date on the risks.

I managed to blow Em's sit stays.....every time I returned around her she scurried in reverse between my legs and end up in heel position :laugh: She was so pleased with herself that she'd finally worked the trick out! But, as Ptolomy said, you just need to take the time to clarify both behaviours....like when they get really excited and start anticipating the recall.