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I down sized from the float towing ancient Nissan to a cheap! cheap! new Toyota Wagon. I don't have passengers much so took out the back seats and mostly they stay out unless needed. Put crate in back ( tied down in the middle) and I love it. Go to train and if not crating I use the back opened up. Dogs sometimes sleep in it too. Engine is only 1.8 so very econonical. I don't have 2 big dogs but I think they would fit only if you were happy to lose the back seats. I go camping at trials etc and pack everything bar the kitchen sink. Althou I did get roof racks for that!

I'd advise visit the vet and see what they say. I'd rather nip it in the bud before skirting round the issue. Faster results and know what the issue is.

I had horses too and mine always seemed to injure themselves right before any big comp! Buggers. I won't go on about the vet as only you know your dog well enough to decide needed or not. And now I better go check another thread where I admitted once my small kelpie x was limping on 3 legs for days. I wasn't worried walking him as he was pain free and could put weight on it - he just wouldn't stay on it. I don't remember if he went to the vet just that he was pretty pathetic looking. Normally I go to the vet for anything, I don't care if he thinks I am a idiot. ( he doesn't cause he knows I dote on my dogs) But I would forget the clinic if he is sore enough. Don't let it could cloud your decision making. Any chance another dog could go otherwise just audit. If you think that your dog will be better later in week, wait and get a vet's assurance it is nothing. And also I wouldn't crate the dog (fulltime?)just to go to a clinic. If it is that bad I wouldn't be thinking of it. I wouldn't crate except to avoid the dog running round crazy. Limit his action maybe. Hope your dog is better soon.

As suggested I would just put shadecloth or brush fence up. In regards to the meter reader - I locked all my gates in my rented home previuosly as didn't want someone in with my dogs. They just guess your reading or leave a card you can read and call thru your reading. But in my home I just brought , the meter box is out the front and also fenced in as well. The meter man quessed my last reading, either because the previous owner had a GSD or because there was still a sign. " My dogs can get to this gate in 5 seconds - Can You?". I have been too lazy to remove it ( I have small dogs never allowed out in front yard anyway) but now I have ripped it off. But I was aware that having this type of sign is leaving you wide open . Anyway, you can have the meter reader leave a card and you call thru your reading. But you need to make sure that if the reader was a different person etc that they can't get in anyway. Can't beleive that parent with their kid! How could they be so rude anyway and how could they think the dogs needed a pat?

I have just been looking about a little for another dog. I looked at breeders on this site and was surprised at the very reasonable cost of some of the smaller dogs. Maybe not all show quality, some were pet homes only but well bred anyway. I am surprised people are silly enough to pay the price the pet shops are said to charge. Then I looked at some posts in the rescue forum on this site. I couldn't help noticing a black and tan young long haired chi. Hard not to as while the other 4 small dogs in with him were standing, he was a good way up the fence. Standing in the fencing wire with his 2 front paws literally wrapped round the wire to stay there. Luckily for him, he has a note there that somebody has interest in him so he might have a home. But there are plenty in rescue too and maybe your friend would like prefer that. She might even like a slightly older dog. Less hassle and some smaller dogs still look very puppy like. Hope you can help her find a dog where both human and dog are content.

I research prices as well but still put my dogs welfare first. All these possible problems - I hope it is not too serious for your pup. Ages ago my 10 kg dog went lame on one leg suddenly but on examination of the leg and joint there didn't seem to be any pain. I can't even remember now if he went to the vet or not but if so there was only medication prescribed. No xrays etc were ever done. He seemed unconcerned to walk on 3 legs as he is fairly light and agile. I still walked him as normal as he could put his leg down but tended not to. He limped for a week or so like this and then never another problem. I hope your pup is diagnosed soon and it is good news.

I know they both do it but my girl chi x is a lovely gold colour who thinks she looks better with dark green duck poo smeared all over the neck and shoulders. Then they look very badly done by when they go in the sink for a quick neck wash. I can just see them saying " But it's not Sunday!" Thank God they are little.

I take it them that there is not much back yard? I have a fenced front yard but the dogs don't get unlimited access unless I am home cause they would bark at people passing by. And I have a side gate that is colour bond so they can't see out. At one stage I had temporary wire so I covered it for a while with black weed liner cloth until gate arrived. Good luck with training him to stop. Mine so think it is their job I just put them away from the front mostly.

I use a word "break" as well. What you are doing with your body or signalling is too hard to think about specially when competing. Really must make sure it is just a word and not a body move that cues a release, I think. Cluey dogs will notice you relax or drop shoulders or breathe out before releasing. I try to make it the word "break' is the only thing mine need to move. At a training camp one instructor even had me setting the dog up and then giving it other words like "chair", "fence" etc. And you were suposed to say it as excitedly as you would their release word. More useful perhaps - CleanRun mag had exercises recently to proof the stay/release. Involved setting your dog and then tried a few exercises to ensure dog knows what stay/release means. You could reward the dog in position and repeat exercise OR release the dog and reward. Mix it up randomly with no pattern for rewarding. I think the exercises were like Running past your dog. Running to your dog, stopping and then bolting off again. Running past your dog and doing a front cross and them release. (hard for dog to resisit shoulders turning) Running past dog and doing a blind cross. Running into your dogs path and across Running past your dog and moving laterally away I found this good and also did the same exercises from the contact positions as this was what I wanted to work on. I was surprised at my dogs results as sometimes you forget to train things your dogs are better at. I will admit I get it easier as one of mine will stay for a lead out of half dozen fences. But that is because his drive is not as high as some other dogs. Must be so hard to maintain stays with really keen dogs. Great idea doing agility thread (as I got sick of going to the end of the other one. Sorry.) Thou if somebody had a real training query why couldn't it go to Dog Sports? Or don"t many go there? Anyway, hope to learn more from experienced trainers here.

Normally everyone on DOL is focusing on the dogs or the questions/ topic being discussed. And I tend to forget that it is a purebred forum. As this site is full of good advice and support for doglovers alike. In another post fairly recently there was a comment that comparing a x bred pup to a purebred pup was like comparing a cartoon drawing to a masterpiece. I was a bit offended by this and remembered it. But lucky for us - Dogs don't have a clue. Thank heavens, mine both think they are the best thing out!

Good advice already given. Just wanted to say that my rescue dog was very worried by being held by the collar. He is timid and thou he wouldn't bite he would mouth and body roll. I didn't really notice at first as I didn't handle him by the neck much. The problem came up first at flyball training when somebody else had to hold your dog. Lucky I had some calm friends (with treats in hand) who helped me. And at agility he was suposed to be placed on a dog walk when back chaining the contact behaviour.. Bit hard as he thought being picked up was a punishment. I did the collar grab and reward but I must admit, I should be doing it still every now and again. Good luck with it. Would be interested in what the chiro or behaviourist says?

Envy looks a character! Now I have another breed I want! I love sleek little dogs. I have a x kelpie rescue who is mini/40cm but he is fairly laid back. What size class would you expect Envy to jump eventually?. I went from your clip to one of a young girl doing agility with a ETT and he looked good. Also saw a lady with another Yurrugar dog. What helped you make your decision to choose from this breeder? Sorry, is that OK to ask? Does a breeder have a pretty good idea then of if a puppy shows the nature or promise of being good at agility? But I also think Nossi seems a lovely dog. Lovely to see them playing together. Envy seems extra confident, tugging at toys while Nossi has them and bolting off with one. Have fun with your puppy.

I would probably always have 2 or more dogs now. Just means 2 vets bills ( thou I have small dogs so bit cheaper) and double the feed cost. Maybe need to spend twice the time to train them but you learn double in terms of experience. But on the pro side - twice the love, the antics and the joy. I have been lucky and ended up with 2 dogs perfectly suited to each other. They don't really play as such and sometimes they do things apart. But they are always checking to see what the other is doing. When I am at work I don't worry about them cause they always have each other. And for me when training - working one and then the other only seems to make them want to work more. so it is all win, win , win!

I was going to ask how long you have had her for until I saw "2 days". First you must be sure she knows what you mean. Otherwise telling her to get off the lounge had no meaning to her. If you don't know her past she may have been a dog allowed inside and on beds/lounge etc? Imagine then why she would be confused. If she is new and doesn't know off and on (or whatever words you use) she would be very confused. She needs time to be taught the "rule". On another object, maybe outside, see if she knows a command to get up or down. Otherwise teach her this, I use food /positive myself. If not this could be her first lesson. Until you know she understands you I would also avoid letting her on the louge/bed. Either restrict her access to the lounge or put something on the lounge that prevents her getting up comfortably when you are not there. Once she has adapted you remove the stuff naturally. This is just my opinion. My adopted dog was so scared when I got him that he would have nearly wet himself if I was in any way negative or stern. Althou all dogs are different, yours could be a different kettle of fish altogether like you said. I don't think she would be "deliberately disobedient", more likely she is behaving as she has in the past, in a way that must have worked for her. And as others advised - get her a dog bed (or a crate ) and reward her for "on your bed". Photo's please? :D Let us know how she goes?

Yes I have been side tracked too by the bird clip. Tyson is a beautiful boy. What a lovely dog! I hope you find out if anything is worrying him. OT - And when I was looking at Tyson my computrr took me to a page where the vidoes on SkidBoot are. I have seen this dog before but didn't know the whole story. Tyson is in good company.

Thanks for the info. I missed it but it replays on Friday at 4.45am? according to The Guide.

As well as poop I pick up any line, hooks or rope on the beach. Maybe that is one less marine death. I think it is because rock fishermen cut their lines when they get hooked on the seeweed etc. We get lots of rock fishing here even thou we the odd one or two getting wet.

THank you I've been wanting to buy a tunnel so I have one on order. Nearly got 2 but no cheaper so I'll see how the first goes. I do have midget dogs so they don't cause wear on the tunnels. Great!

Gemma is scared of flies - cause it means the spray comes out wine glasses - cause I usually curse loudly if I spill my wine! vacum cleaner hair dryer crackers and cars back firing Sooty is scared of - the vet vacum and hair dryer getting his nails done Glad mine are not the only scaredy cats! Thou Sooty's list used to be longer once - he was too scared to walk past a house with a garden setting in the front yard. And guys in dark clothes. And garden hoses on rolls. And the ironing board. And the broom. And me taking my belt off. Sad boy.

Thanks for the explanation, Agility Dogs. And I liked that answer as it makes me more confident I am doing the right thing for my dogs. I think a "understanding issue" at the moment is effecting my boy and I want to work on making it more fun and rewarding for him.

I have a 6yr old toy chi x at 4kg. She is not that brave but will run agility as she loves to train and earn FOOD ! rewards. What do you think of a opinion I have come across that even if you jump your dogs at a competition height? you train lower for exercises in class? The reason I was given was that in a dogs competition life it decreases the ammount of wear and tear to joints due to jumping. I train with some who normally jump comp height as they say their dogs will hit poles. My dogs are both registered in ADAA at RP cause that was what my first trainer told me to do. I train mine at RP height but one dog jumps higher at ANKC. So now and again I put the jumps up to 40cm but not for drills /handling exercises. But I need a kick up the bum to be prepared to put the jumps down to 150 for the chi.. We are in 2 gropus within out class at training - big and small. So most in the small jump IP toy and mini. So I always feel its a pain to the others to put the jumps down. Thou now some people will just run their dogs that are a bit older with my chi at 150. My chi can jump 250 but I choose to just do 150 as I am a little concerned she is not such an atheletic type as your dog GoldenGirl85. GoldenGirl85 - I can imagine like my chi, your dog can jump as high as your hip from a standstill if it wants something? Or fly off the back of the bed or lounge like a mad thing. As long as he is happy who cares. Maybe the lady who commented is secretly jealous of your dogs enthusiaism/talent. Agility Dogs - I have a dog who is mini RP as well. I was once asked by a trainer why he is not IP. He is about to get his AAD, JD and maybe AD next. What do you consider "right" reasons. Is it wrong to jump RP if your dog could handle IP. Not that my dogs are going to be superstars which is why I think my original trainer suggested to go RP first? It was explained to me that RP was for dogs who were older or found IP too hard. Some older dogs in our club are down grading to RP since they have achieved so much but are finding the job more difficult.

I agree with SecretKei's post. My dogs are beginners in agility, just in early levels in ADAA and ANKC. And these are my first dogs. Both dogs are happy and healthy but not the most energetic. I use food rewards, at home they often have to train for their dinner. I attempt tug with one but it is still not ready for the road. To explain lets say when I go to the beach for a walk - the boy trots around piddling a lot and sniffing bums. The chi x follows in my shadow and she is fairly shy of strange dogs. I do train them at the beach and try to encourage zoomies. But compared to some dogs I see flying around they are very mellow. Sometimes I am discouraged. But on the other hand I am still learning. They are not too fast so I can keep up and they forgive me my mistakes. They are very focused on me so watch my handling and respond well. I learn something at each trial and when these 2 go as far as they want to I will probably get another dog. By then I will be a better handler. ( I hope) But I did think the chi x due to her shyness had given agility the flick. Particularly when at a trial she would stop after 2 jumps and do the whole waving a front leg in the air looking pathetic thing. She likes to train at our club where she felt safer. So we kept on at the club and I would have felt guilty if I left her out of training. Recently I put her in a few jump runs at comp and she has done well. So we'll try a agility course too next time. So I set goals for the dog I have. Once all I wanted was a dog that would weave 12 poles with no help so I'll have to get another training aim.

I'll cross my fingers for you and your family

I wanted a dog that was said to have seperation anxiety and was only allowed to go to a home with another dog. I was getting another dog so thought that was fine. As you could maybe see I didn't know much about dogs. I always wanted 2 dogs as like my horses they are a pack/herd animal and while we cannot be with them 24/7, another canine animal will fulfill that need. Maybe getting 2 dogs with behavioural problems ( the 2nd dog spent her first 6 months locked up) wasn't so bright and I did need a dog behaviourist the first week I had them. BUt with trainingand work it all worked out fine. Like another poster said - I feel happier leaving them home as I know they have each other. The dog with SA is managed now and it is only in rare certain circumstances that he goes back to his old SA behaviour. But I did learn SA has nothing to do with another dog! It is all about him and his needs. So IMO if you want another anyway, go for it and it might be wild. Althou if you were somebody who didn't really want a second dog, I would say no. 2 young pointers - what fun

Maybe I will see you next Wed then. As I know the lady with the Vallhund you mention, you will be the other vallhund! Easy! I sometimes meet Lisa walking her vallhunds at the dog beach. She walks them in groups of 4 in different shifts. Luv her dogs and she is also very experienced with dogs. Your Erik will do well at training. Have fun - hope it is worth the drive for you.