RiverStar-Aura

:laugh: They are amazing little dogs hey?! I'll always have one or two in my life, however, I have been known to threaten to leave Kirah behind numerous times. She's such a turd but I can't help but love her to pieces! I wonder if some of the showies would notice if I swapped her for one of their champion Aussies? *wink*

I'm sorry to hear about your sudden loss Denali. Don't have anything useful to add only that I hope Henry will be okay. Take care of yourself and your family too Denali.

Maybe I'll see you there. I'm trying to plan to go see the Aussies too!

The music cracks me up when it starts!! Kirah does the same thing on my bed, although she's much more crazy excited when she does it!!

Oh Maeby. I'm in tears reading this and my heart just broke for you. I am so sorry to hear about your gorgeous boy because I know how much time, care and love your gave him. He was such a special little man and I'll miss hearing about him. Please take care; you have my love and thoughts.

Definitely this routine -- it's exactly what your pup needs. A SBT pup should be fine outside alone -- I had my terrier pup outside from 8 weeks and she loved it. My routine for her was a little different as I have an older, bigger dog and a retaining wall. It was something like Play pen and baby gate to section off the garage for nighttime Exercise/training at wake-up Breakfast Nap time in garage Pee break/play time Lunch Pee break Nap time Play time/training/pee break Dinner Nap -- she'd get tiered after dinner Play time/training/pee Bedtime for the night It was a lot of in and out of the garage/play pen but it worked for us and she was only ever in the pen for sleeping because of the other dog. Not because he can't be trusted but just purely to prevent accidents when unsupervised due to the 13 kilo size difference. All outside time was supervised until about 12 to 16 weeks old when I started to feel more secure that Zeus wouldn't knock her off the retaining wall. Now they both live outside with no dramas. I've started bringing them into my room when I get home from work for a few hours but then it's outside to sleep in the garage. Although some nights I do let them sleep in my room -- Kirah has a crate and Zeus has a fluffy blanket.

I too am of the belief that ALL pet dogs (and cats for that matter) should be desexed as soon as is best suited to each individual breed/size. I've seen and heard about so many un-desexed female pet dogs that it makes me wonder. Who wants to deal with the mess a bitch in heat can make each season? Breeders I understand, but the general public? Male dogs on the other hand … I can see the plus being that they don't have seasons therefore would be perceived as being "easier to live with", however, I personally wouldn't want to risk a dog of mine being driven bat s*** crazy by a nearby bitch in heat. I do also find the look of balls swaying in the breeze unsightly, but that's just me.

Unfortunately RA, at the bottom of the article is says that the SBT was in such bad shape it needed to be PTS. RIP sweet dog and I hope you're at peace now!

I pray you never have to carry your dog for anything like this. When my Zeus passed out cold from a bee sting I had to carry his limp body across the dog park and I was struggling. He only weighed around 13 kilos at the time. It was the most terrifying time of my life and wouldn't wish any similar scenario on any dog owner.

For me as an owner only (not a breeder) I don't think I would've sold the pup in the first place. If someone can't afford to buy a dog up front, I'd be questioning their ability to afford the ongoing upkeep costs. Having said that, I agree about perhaps finding out through the mutual friend any information you can then fronting the owners with someone else along. I'd also be inclined to take the $1000 with you so you can hand it over immediately upon return of the pup. Best of luck with your situation.

Exactly that ^^^.. Just remember, when you do make that decision, know you are doing what is right for them. No more pain. I too agree with Rebanne -- no amount of prep will help. You do it because it must be done and because it's out of love you have to hope that's enough to help put you at ease. All my love to you and Tess!!

Nowra's a bit of a hike but I'd be willing to travel for tracking, dock diving and rally o -- I don't think there's anything more local for me. Kirah wouldn't know how to track if the object came up and whacked her on the head, but she might go for Rally O :laugh:

Wow! Her dog really seems to be loving the agility and hey, I guess whatever works right?! I've never really liked when people take dog sports too seriously and she and her pup are having fun so who cares if it's a little crazy because her dog is really responding to her craziness! :laugh: I do love the "if you get dizzy, you're doing it wrong" comment!!

I unknowingly started conditioning Zeus from the moment I brought him home at 12 weeks. I took him everywhere with me and he got hours upon hours of free running, swimming, exploring on different terrains too -- everything from beaches, hills, flat grass etc. It wasn't intentional conditioning more of an attempt to tire him out as he was an insanely active young puppy and no amount of exercise seemed to work, hence the huge variety of methods I tried. Now, he's an amazingly fit and muscly dog with a huge stamina and awesome flexibility and manoeuvrability. I love watching him hon, twist and dodge and work at agility because he's built perfectly for it. His training, when I got onto mental stimulation included tricks like begging, spinning, rolling over and he loves to run back and forth along our retaining wall so this helps with his balance and feet awareness. I'm now starting working him on standing on things like books and eventually hope to move onto things like upside-down bowls and FitPaws.

I've PMed you :)

Most would teach their dogs to place the front legs and then position the back. That's interesting HW. I'm not involved in showing at all, but from what I've seen (I tend to watch a lot of terrier shows), the dogs are mostly placed in a stand (stack?) by their owners rather than the dog getting into position themselves. Does it really differ between breeds and if so, what is the reason behind the different standing methods?

I watched the terriers on their website last year and it was all categorised by breed, BIB, BIG etc and was easy to navigate. I love Crufts and seeing the different KC approved breeds between the countries.

I'm actually not working this weekend KC so if the items are needed and you're able to pick them up, then I'm happy to have them go off to a needy rescue. I'll go through the leads and collars tomorrow as I'm off work then too and I can have it all bundled up for you ready Saturday.

I've just gone through a massive clean out of my garage and come across so many extra dog things I don't use and thought that perhaps a rescue group might find some use for. I have 2 hammock beds, one small and one medium that my dogs keep digging through so never use any more. The frames are a little rusty but have brand new in boxes covers -- each size has a brand new tarp cover and fleece cover. They'll come disassembled but all washers, bolts and the Allen key will be included. I also have a blue plastic kidney shaped bed in large size with a brand new faux mink bed, which I've only just purchased but my guys don't like it -- besides I don't have cover outside so when it rains i can't have it outside so there's no point me keeping it. I lost the receipt and can't return it so why not give to rescue?! I also have a few unused blankets which I don't need for the dogs because they have soooooooo many it's not funny! Then there are some bowls, leads and collars because I just love buying these things for my dogs. I haven't really gone through the collars and leads but most of them have only ever been used once or twice, some not at all. There might also be some harnesses, haltis etc, but I need to go through these on the weekend. Most will be small to medium size.

It's such a horrible thing that people assume that as it's an off lead area that ALL DOGS MUST BE OFF LEAD. I don't know where this mentality came from but it s***s me to tears. No, I do not have to have my dog off lead if I don't want Sorry your pup was attacked Yonjuro and a thing to remember, if you see a dog you don't know charging towards you, don't be afraid to pick your little guy up. If it means protection then I'm all for picking my dog up.

It can also depend on the dog. Zeus is reactive on lead in that he barks and lunges at other dogs, however, he is fine off lead. I too was worried about joining agility because of his reactivity, but I've found the complete opposite. He really thrives in the learning environment and I guess that because he is being engaged with other things, he's quite happy to behave beautifully around the other dogs. Even when we're all standing in line, Zeus's focus is on me and not the other dogs. Reading your longer post though it does sound like Marley is a little different, especially if she's uncomfortable around other dogs. In saying that, Marley sounds like she has excellent engagement if she's able to ignore the other dogs around her when you're training or playing with her. You might find that because of this connection you have with Marley that she'll be fine at agility (like Zeus) because her focus will be on other things rather than the dogs around her. Good to read that you've contacted someone for help too; Steve is fantastic and if anyone can get results, he can!

Oh swoon Esky photos!!!!

Grizabella, I never tire of seeing photos of Bella!! She is just sooooooooo stunning -- I may have to come steal her! ;) Clover, I'm loving your lil Jack; is that Harri? So very cute and he looks cheeky! As for Elbie and Hoover (and now Dodge too), I've always loved hearing about them. They're very cool dudes! :) I love seeing photos of peoples' dogs because you all have such a fantastic way of capturing their special quirks!

I know right. One of the ladies at work was telling me about the story and all I thought was "yep. Typical owners getting a completely unsuitable breed and then expecting the pup to be fine when left to roam the house alone". And when she told me they were getting a second pup to keep Albert company ... The mind boggles

It's taken Albert 12 months to rack up a bill of destruction around the $40 000 mark. Why owners are so stupid is beyond me and apparently now he's been 'trained' but they're adding another puppy to keep him company. I really need mr eyeroll back: Albert's Stupid Owners