The Spotted Devil

Sway I'm getting an error on the home page - FAQ page is fine.

Thanks for posting Sway - that got me all teary

The one about the wallet cracked me up as Em ate Mr TSD's wallet last week, including drivers licence, credit card and military ID Not to mention that he'd just replaced the lot after leaving his wallet and phone on the roof of the car and driving off the week before :laugh:

That's fantastic :laugh:

Congratulations LL, fetchindawgs and Livertreats on all the fabulous news

Ohhhhhh cute Seita I would like to brag about my agility club and the instructors. Em has completed all the (very well structured) modules and just commenced the sequencing class but we haven't done as much as I'd hoped because of Em's retrieving trialling and a few months out due to coming in season. On Monday nights the experienced dogs/handlers run in the first class and the less experienced in a more structured later class. It was quiet tonight so I decided to run Ziggy in the earlier class and try Em for the first time in the second class although I was prepared to pull her out if she was overwhelmed. I think it is to the great credit of all the foundation work that Em sailed through the exercises like an old hand. I was absolutely gobsmacked at what she was capable of and had to quickly learn not to babysit her. She was a bit confused by a very tight table/tunnel descrimination and tried standing on the tunnel! Then she tackled the agility course (a nice flowing Masters level course) with such confidence that it was hard to remember to stop and reward as I'd planned to. Start line stays, lead out pivots into weaves, front crosses, contacts, threadles and serps just flowed. Of course my handling could do with some work - can't expect the club to fix everything :laugh:

Lovely to see you horus....we should catch up at the agility nationals in June for your Springer fix!

:laugh: A very appropriate miss-spell I think!!!

Nice result RS and Millie Woo hoo! Way to go DSO - very stylish way to earn a title Congratulations Tassie - what wonderful results Great to hear that the Rally runs carried over to Rory's obedience work. Yay for your very first title - that is fantastic!!! The first of many Mrs RB I really enjoyed that Jess - that is one very clever lass you've got there But you don't get a smart dog without a smart handler :D

My dogs don't have breakfast anyway but they get a small Eukanuba biscuit as I put them in the car. Ziggy gets food rewards after agility runs. He is not the easiest dog to motivate but what seems to have made the most difference to his staying power over 7 runs, for example, is keeping him cool (sometimes the cloud clearing for a few minutes is enough to slow him down) AND his ability to tug all day. The former is obviously physical but I think the latter is a real mental strength.

Natsu chan - under the current Act a "Domestic Animal Breeder" is someone who has 3 or more fertile female dogs AND sells dogs. However, you are exempt from this if you are a member of an applicable body (e.g. Dogs Victoria) unless you have MORE than 10 fertile females. It is a long process to change the Act (as opposed to Codes of Practice) and it is the Codes of Practice for a Breeding Domestic Animal Business in Victoria that are currently under review. The ability of a Dogs Vic member with less than 10 fertile females to whelp their bitches in the house is NOT under threat. The definition of 'fertile females' was discussed at the seminar and it was suggested that it was more clearly defined. RSPCA is a stakeholder like everyone else - and they will put forward their ideal like every other stakeholder tends to.

Good on you for giving it a whirl RS Sounds like you had a fun day! It's pretty hard as a newbie to the sport to feel that you are EVER ready to enter I reckon :laugh: We are off to Ballarat this weekend and the weather is looking ok for camping!

Don't get too disheartened TO - the terrain and cover is what makes retrieving such a difficult sport to train for. The amount of cover is so variable too - depends on the time of year, rainfall etc. I suspect I know where you did the first retrieve as KCC is pretty limited. It's a huge step up from RATG to Novice so I wouldn't write the RATG off completely either. However, it does take a big commitment in terms of time to train for it. Plenty of people around who will help you out if you want to And failing is not trying so you didn't fail.

Ha! It happens to the best of us pers :D Sweet looking girl :)

Have a look at the vests designed for hunting gundogs - I think there was mention of them in the retrieving thread.

Like fifi, my heart just sank when I saw Dante's name I'm so, so sorry sas. Run free beautiful boy.

Just on the agility side of tugging it's not essential but it's really nice to have. My Dalmatian hated tugging and I have carefully fostered him to love it. I certainly have done a lot of food training with him so it can be done. However since his tugging has really improved (to the point where he takes tugging as a reward not just pre-running) his speed and focus and forward momentum has improved out of sight not to mention his "staying power" when trialling. And I am a tug sceptic! As for Em, I play a little tug with her at home but you need a very intense tug for it to be effective in agility and I'm not prepared to go down that path at the moment with such a novice retrieving dog (and handler!) I tend to throw cheese cubes to drive the dogs forward as it's easy to see and they are well versed with the 2 food game. I'm not mad on tossing a ball or similar as it's not as interactive as a tug toy and is harder to toss into the reinforcement zone (as it takes off).

Nice one kathq Seeing as I may or may not have slept in with one or two (or three) cats snuggled under the doona that's an impressive early start!

2 dogs and 3 cats here. Plenty for now but I wouldn't be hard pressed to have a few more Springers as they are so easy to live with. Will probably stick with one of a larger breed at a time eg Dally, working Irish.

Linda K - a good summary of the seminar I think :) I had very similar impressions (incl of those who were quite vocal!) and I think DPI explained the process and legislation very clearly.

My sweet little Springer...

RS - it will be at KCC Park but, having watched one there and participated at another venue, there is cover, contours and water which I expect will be utilised by the judge.

Good luck TO Just relax and treat it as an opportunity to find out where you're at :) I did not enter as we are trialling the following weekend.

Oh Gawd I forgot about Zig Still a few excess hormones floating around. AND I nearly made you miss your run :laugh:

Aw - thought you were sold on the Darcy-Em sideshow :laugh: Hours of entertainment!!! Good luck in your first trial DD