RiverStar-Aura

Lovely tribute to a much loved girl. Be at peace Kirby. Brian, I do strongly believe she knew how much you loved her; I always believe dogs know everything. They're far smarter than us humans!! Being an undesexed female can have serious health risks, but sometimes not too. Don't focus too much on cause of death, just spend your time enjoying her memories. Perhaps plant a tree in her memory and maybe, when you feel the time is right, you could have a little memorial stone or plaque made to honour her. I'm sorry you lost your girl, but please feel free to share whatever lovely memories you want with us here. We all understand your heartbreak at losing a beloved pet. RIP and run free Kirby

I use an app called iPetCare on my phone. You can add in all types of treatments from vaccinations, worming treatments, flea/tick and it also has weight management so you can track and record your pet's weight. There's space to add dietary requirements and I love that it has a place for your pet's DOB and tells you their age down to years and months.

Hmm ... Doesn't sound like hotspots to me. The one Zeus had was more like a bald patch with red inflamed skin. If your poor girl is really chewing at them you might need to also look into a collar for her. Having these sores dry out is a good thing and if your girl is constantly at them, it can make the infection worse. I haven't read all the posts, sorry, bug has she been checked out by a vet? I'd get a skin scraping done and check for burrowing mites (dermodex mites maybe?). Definitly give the Calendula rinse a try, but you really need to see about getting your dog to leave the wounds alone. The poor thing, I really feel for dogs with itchy skin.

Had another amazing session with Zeus tonight. He has such a natural talent for anything I seem to throw at him and coupled with a huuuuuuge zest for learning and drive, he really is a dream dog! Zeus is probably one of the smartest dogs I've ever had the pleasure of seeing and I'm so proud he's mine! His focus tonight was beyond amazing, he didn't run off, nor was distracted by the smells or other dogs around him. We need to work on the weavers but his contacts are spot on -- right down to the point where he can just hoon over the A-Frame or Dog Walk and I don't have to worry about him missing the contact at the bottom. Tonight he didn't miss a beat! I need some handler training for myself though -- I'm still trying to work my way around the course, turning and making sure I'm on the correct side to line Zeus up with the following obstacles. He's very good at looking to see where I'm going and there was one instance I almost tripped over him because he'd come over to find out what to do next and I was so busy concentrating on what came next I didn't see him. I managed to stay on my feet so that was a bonus! Will have to see if I can get the brother to come to next week's session to shoot some video -- I'd love to get some pointers and for you guys to see the Zeusling in action!!! I can't say just how much I absolutely my gorgeous boy!!

You've raised my personal pet peeve in your post Hankdog -- dogs that rush towards others. I don't care if it's an off leash area and all dogs are off lead, to have a dog hurtling towards one of mine, regardless of size, is not something I want to happen. I understand that some dogs are just so friendly that they can't help rushing forward, but I shudder to think of what will happen to these dogs when the perceived "ooh boy friend!!!" turns out to not be friendly. I witnessed some awesome behaviour from a large mastiff x the other day at the park. A man had his youngish CKCS on leash at the off leash park and was walking towards myself and the mastiff x, who's owners I was speaking to. He's a lovely gentle bear and a real cutie, and as the other man was approaching, the mastiff x lay down on the ground and started slowly crawling towards the CKCS dragging his back legs on the ground. Once he reached the man and Cavvy, he stayed lying down for the other dog to sniff him and to get pats off the man -- he eventually stood up for a sniff of the Cavvy but it was just so amazing to see such a large dog being so gentle. It was also nice because the Cavvy's owner was so appreciative that this large dog didn't rush or try and over-power his dog and just did the typically polite meet and greet then went about his own business. to both owners here!! I had Zeus onleash and just kept Kirah away because I was starting to head home and was about to put her leash on.

You can also view the episode on www.ten.com.au for anyone who missed it. Georgie was a sweetheart and I can't believe she was dumped.

If you have lots of birds around grey might also be bird lice. Grass ticks are bloody itchy; I'm allergic to grass and all critters found in it.

I particularly love the ones that are over 10 years apart taken with the owners too -- it's not just the pets who have changed!! :)

Just saw the ad on TV, it's set on a beach and I swear there are two borzoi, which appear toward the end on leash. They look amazing and I wonder if anyone here knows them? Surely there aren't a lot of borzoi stars around! Has anyone else seen it? Just found a link to the ad for those wanting to see it. Blink and you'll miss them at around 21 seconds in.

Fantastic advice SL! I had to work this out for myself with Zeus. When he was a young pup he was sooooooo full of energy that nothing I did tired him out -- I'd have him free running at the off leash park for 2 to 3 hours at a time and we'd get home and he'd still be raring to go. It wasn't until he was probably around 14 months when I enrolled him in obedience classes and first noticed the difference. By having him run himself ragged as a pup, all I was doing was increasing his stamina, which means he can go for that little bit longer next time. I don't mind having this super fit, speedy dog because I've learnt how to work with him now, but in the beginning it was a struggle. There is nothing better than mental stimulation for dogs -- making them think things through really wears them out!!

Regarding the bedding, build her a large wooden box for outside, which is what I did for my two dogs (not because they destroy beds though) and just use op shop blankets in it as Pers suggested. My two also love gutting soft toys so I give them a few toys to destroy, which stay permanently in the yard, and they also have a toy box of supervision only toys. It helps teach the dogs about mine vs theirs -- the toy box toys are mine, the yard scraps are theirs. The other thing in your daily regime I notice is missing (or you forgot to add it in!) is daily training. You've mentioned lots of exercise but nothing about mental stimulation. Try 2 x 10 minute training sessions every day and see if this helps reduce some of the hole digging and destructive behaviours.

Having grown up with only Aussies as pets they're a breed very close to my heart. I don't breed/show so the info I'm giving is based purely on ownership. Aussies are a very hardy and robust breed with very few known health issues -- I'd only ask about whether or not there is a history of luxating patella. They are a very cheerful and friendly terrier, however, owners must be willing to out their foot down; Aussies are unsuited to weak personalities. They must have a strong leader, much like any terrier for that matter, because Aussies can be known for being stubborn and too smart for their own good. I find their most challenging aspect -- but one of the main reasons I love this breed so much -- is their attitude. Aussies are not fazed by much and have a gung-HO, tougher than nails 'tude, and they often think they're German Shep/Great Dane sized -- my own Kirah Little forgets she's only 6.4 kilos and quite often almost bites off more than she can chew!! The fact that they so often forget their size has the potential to land them in hot water -- usually regarding things like snakes or other poisonous/dangerous animals. Aussies also won't back down from a fight either -- even if they don't start it, they'll finish it. Having said that, Aussies are a fantastic dog for families, provided they go to the right owners. I'm one of 5 kids and we always had an Aussie in the house, regardless of our age, but we were beyond blessed with Poochie. She was an EXCEPTIONAL dog and the most happy-go-lucky and cheerful girl in the world. Poochie loved company and playing with us kids so much that she taught herself how to climb the ladder up to our cubby (don't ask about getting down coz she just rolled down the rungs and shook herself off at the bottom!!) and was just happy being part of the family. They aren't as high energy as a Jack Russell, but would suit being a running companion quite well I'd think -- although like any smaller dog, I'd be worried of something startling it, crossing my path and tripping over it either hurting the dog or myself. Also, their coats do require hand-stripping too -- never clip an Aussie's cost. It's pretty easy to learn, especially if you're not planning to show as anything goes! Hope I've helped answer some questions.

I did really enjoy my original choice of club and the classes were great. I was actually working with Kirah and my brother had Zeus so I ended quite a few classes in tears of frustration. Kirah is quite a challenge to work with but the instructor was so nice, she pulled me aside and asked me not to get upset with little Kirah because she'd turn out to be a fantastic agility dog. Her reasoning? The dogs who are the most work end up being the most rewarding. Kirah is hard because she just won't stay. She continually shuffles to be either in front or near me and got scared of the tunnel -- though she got over that like a champ! She's an amazing tug dog and has a willing heart and tries hard -- I just don't bring out the best in her yet. Once Zeus has completed his introduction courses and in the later classes I plan on working with Kirah in the intro courses too. This is where I do wish I only had one dog -- I want to do so much with both of these guys but I'm not sure how to make it all fit in! I guess I want to do too much waaaaaaaaay too soon!

Hmm ... I might have to look at going back to my old agility club. They ran 6 week courses and taught each piece of equipment separately whereas the one I'm currently at is a bit more of a free for all; a course is set up and you just work your dog through it. I just didn't have time to commit to the other club because it was run on Wednesday nights and I worked too far away to be able to get there in time. Now my work's changed location I might hit up this club again. They teach weave poles using the 2x2 method too rather than my current club who teach us to lure our dog through each pole using food. Is there an etiquette regarding training at two different clubs? As is, does it matter if I'm training at more than one club?

A beautiful tribute for a beautiful girl. Fly free sweet angel and watch over your family until you meet again! My condolences to you and your family Sammyelle.

I always refer to my two as my 'bubbas' as both endearment and when taking about the two of them together ('the bubbas and I are going for a walk' rather than 'I'm taking Zeus and Kirah for a walk'). Having said that, they are treated as dogs and I'm well aware they're canine, not babies. I don't plan on having children myself, however, I certainly don't want my dogs to act, behave and be treated as babies/kids -- if I did, like others have said, I'd have kids of my own.

Oh Maeby that's so not fair. You just had awesome news about his lumps not long ago. You must be devastated.

Have you tried using a pill cutter to make the tablets really small? Can't really offer any more suggestions because my guys Hoover down anything and because I have a cat, I've had to learn how to put a tablet down throats.

I'm so sorry Kirislin.

I guess I'm just worried about training Zeus completely off leash because he does have a horrible habit of running off and crossing the main highway at our local off leash park. Zeus is usually quite good at recall thought when my focus is on him 100% so I might give it a try next week. I think he might be less inclined to run off at training because he really seems to enjoy the work we're doing and he hasn't formed a learned habit like he has at the dog park. Zeus I think will be a hard one to teach to wait after a contact. He gets so excited to continue that he looks back at me for instruction and if I'm not fast enough, he'll make it up himself. He's not really a thinking dog, more of a doer. My club is teaching contacts by having the handler steady/slow the dog upon decent of the Dog Walk or A-Frame and have it sit at the bottom -- the idea here is that by slowing down near the bottom, the dog will learn it's not allowed to sneak off the side/edge. Is this similar to what you mean by teaching a dog to wait after a contact except that rather than slowing the dog down at the end, you'd have it hoon down then slam the breaks on at the bottom?

Elise I feel your pain! Tonight it was Zeus's first night back to training for the year and as soon as he was off lead, he ran off to explore! We're only fairly new to agility training too, we started two months before the Christmas break last year, in which most of the classes were cancelled due to rain. Being part beagle, Zeus is not a tug motivated dog, unlike my terrier so I purchased some tug toys from Aussie Agility in VIC called the Ultimate Jackpot Tugs which have a velcro treat pouch attached to them. The idea is that they help motivate a food orientated dog into tugging -- mine arrived today in time for tonight's class, but I chose to use another type I'd ordered instead (it's made with pieces of rabbit fur). This one didn't work so well because Zeus was more interested in the food. I did find that once Zeus had run off during his first round of obstacles, he seemed to get it out of his system and behaved perfectly off lead from then on. It was like he did his victory lap before completing anything! :laugh: I'm unsure if Zeus behaves for me because he's focussed on me or whether he's just learnt that by doing what I ask gets him food. He does really seem to enjoy agility though in that it gets him into high drive mode and the hardest thing I find is trying to slow him down. The poor boy gets so excited to be jumping over things, running through tunnels and navigating the beam and A frame that he leaves his brain behind. He's just so go, go, go all the time, which is a good thing in the end since agility is also a timed event, but so not helpful when trying to teach him to think first! I do have a question regarding what sort of collars and things to use. Because we're still beginners, we lead our dogs on leash over the dog walk or A frame to encourage them to slow on descent and to not jump off the sides. What I'm finding frustrating is that after completing the walk/frame, we are asked to go over jumps and it's too time consuming to take Zeus off lead and continue to the jumps. I've looked on the Black Dog Gear website and was wondering what people's thoughts on a snub lead or agility/flyball collar are. The snub lead is just a very short lead with a knotted handle so it won't get in the way of jumps and the flyball/agility collar is a flat collar with a handle sewn onto it. I'm thinking by using one of these, I'd be able to steady Zeus on the walk/frame then let him go immediately to head to the jumps rather than futzing around with his lead. I really can't wait until next week because I think it's something Zeus looks forward to also -- he gets time away from Kirah and for the first time in 2 years, it's "all about him" again not "the Kirah show" with Zeus hovering around!

My thoughts are with you and Bella today.

Oh how horrible for you Kirislin; poor Kibah. I too feel you've done the right thing in getting X-rays done -- there's no way I'd just PTS without knowing what's wrong. You, like any of us here, needs to make an informed decision which you can't do without answers. My thoughts are with you today and I hope the X-rays help by giving you the answers you need.

When I get home I'm going to place an order with Steve too. I've only so far used the Blooms brand I bought at Go Vita. You won't be disappointed Moosepup; the calendula is awesome!! I'm really glad Erny kept politely hounding to try it because it's amazing! And I'm glad this thread has helped make more people try it out!!

It sounds like you're going to a typical vet run puppy school. I also would turn up extra early to next class and discuss the issues you're having with the instructor. At least ask if you can sit away from the two main culprits. Is there a reason Vinnie has to sit next to Barney and Chilli? I'd be inclined to sit near the spaniel who you said sleeps through everything. Also, 1.5 hours is a long time for a puppy to be awake and semi-concentrating!