The Spotted Devil

No completely inappropriate even with puppies. Not something I would do with a class nor my own pups.

No sadly - it just got too expensive for them (not my fault ). However their shipping is very reasonable and it's worth playing around with items in your cart to get the best deal. I keep a wish list so I can top up with little things that don't weigh much.

I can't vouch for the brand as I bought mine from Clean Run. I know there are a lot out there.

Has anyone mentioned silver shade? The BEST stuff and you can use it in so many scenarios.....camping, trialling etc.

Where's the crate located in the car? Trying to get the picture. I have built in crates in the back of the x-trail. Only time it gets a bit warm is if gear on the back seat is blocking the air con. Then I just open the rear windows for air flow.

Neither. My Springer pups were swallowing chicken necks whole at 6 weeks! Wings I'm not keen on with the joint angle. They can get stuck in a gulpy pup. I prefer to leave those cuts for my cats and stick to chicken frames cut to appropriate size. Quarter for my 6 week old pups and then build up to whole as you see fit. I want them larger than the pup's head. Serve frozen if you have a guts. If you want to feed more meat switch to a quarter whole chicken and remove the skin and the joint.

Ah I was going to see if we could recommend a class/club or trainer. It's 10000 x easier working this in real life rather than explaining over the inter webs. There's often a lot of subtleties missed. I'm a little far away from you though lol

Where are you based KobiD? It says QLD on your profile but that is the default location so always worth checking.

Great approach - love that you're thinking about all this! I don't have kids but I have 3 energetic indoor dogs (10 years, 6 years and her daughter, nearly 2 years) plus 2 indoor cats plus I breed occasionally. What I love for the youngster is a large indoor pen with an open crate. It was invaluable in the first 12 months. If I could not directly supervise her, pup was in the pen. It meant I could keep her separate from her Mama and the cats. She was just over exuberant and still wipes the felines off the bed with a single tail wag. It meant I could ensure she didn't chew stuff. That I could keep on top of her toilet training. I had baby gates blocking her from the bedrooms. Lifesaver. The pen was right in the midst of our living area so she missed nothing. I could toss dry food or treats at her when she was lying quietly. She had to sit to be released from the pen. She had PLENTY of exercise and freedom and lots of training. I would reinforce her for lying on a bed next to me as the cats walked past. THAT was a tough one and she still adores them.

Look forward to seeing you there Jess Yes, can't wait. I just think he is fabulous. Just so damned scientific and sensible.

Call your breeder and ask if they can recommend someone - it's a very small world

Have applied for a working spot but haven't heard back. With Em. Would be an incredible privilege.

Yay! I might be going all 3 days....lol

Yes I agree. Particularly with your second paragraph.

Yes 100% agree. I don't always have the ability to do so but just had one of my 20 month old babies back for a month.

Am I that transparent?

I was the first to book a ticket for Melbourne. Slightly interested lol

Yes much more mental stimulation - shaping, recall training etc - for any pup like this and NO WAY would my youngsters get to rehearse unwanted behaviours like messing up the house! Large pen (mine are indoors on slate) with a crate attached to sleep in. 2 hours of awake time - exercise AND training - before I go out, leave in pen with food toys or a nice meaty bone and mine are still sleeping by the time I come home 4 hours later. Mine can't wait for me to leave Some breeds and individuals are more prone to separation anxiety too - had a GSP pup for a month for a friend - and then you need to do as I described above but just leave them in the pen for short periods whilst you are home and reward them for relaxing by letting them out when they are resting.

My pleasure. Tell them that Sally with Zig, Em and Ginny sent you

Personally I'd go with Katie and Geraldine at Awesome Paws in Cranbourne. I travel an hour to go there. Definitely 1:1 if you want it but also small, amazing classes. I've just spent the day doing a workshop with them with my older Springer and did a Pre-Novice workshop with her daughter last weekend. http://www.apagility.com/ This is my youngster at the workshop...

Absolutely disgraceful. As I've said elsewhere my mind was spinning with ways to produce this scene such that the dog regarded it as a GAME of FUN and CHOICE. The so-called dog trainers should be ashamed of themselves.

Yes having the choice of an enclosure really helps but it's more the OH who gives into them all the time or thinks it's cute to let them stroll in the dog yard *rolls eyes* I taught Miss Brontë not to door dash and everyone asks to go the enclosure no problem. Until Mr TSD took their cooperation for granted.

Impact on wildlife really depends on the ecosystem. In some places it IS devastating. But in others cats predominantly predate upon rats mice and rabbits. The science is clear that it's not clear. Macquarie Island is one of THE best examples of pest eradication. An holistic approach specific to the environment is the only way. As a cat behaviourist living with a rather vague cat lover I can tell you that educating cats not to dash out the front door or howl plaintively at a closed one takes quite a bit of skill. Especially when Mr TSD indulges and gives in to them all the time!!!!

It definitely can be done using hands on. My favourite is running my hands along the side of the dog - smoothly and with no more pressure than you would use to apply sunscreen to your own skin - and feeling for the last two ribs. It does take some practice not to press in and find the ribs.

Yes agree with Danois. Sorry but there are too many elements and it's such a critical stage to be giving advice over the internet.