Kynan

Thanks Woofenpup. I am still very upset that we won't be doing it. It is on this Saturday and I am looking forward to watching it but know I will feel a bit sad not being there with Kynan.

We had the exact same problem on Maximal unfortunately. Changed over to the other Artermis one, the Fresh Mix Medium/Large Dog and so far no problems :D

Oh no TerraNik I am so sorry to hear that. I know exactly how you are feeling as I don't think Kynan and I will make it either. Last week Kynan started limping on his back right leg so I rested him for a week and took him out again this morning and he is still limping. It's very disappointing with only three weeks to go after all the work we have put in. I am very proud that we got up to 12 km. My boy just doesn't have the conformation to go any further and it would be cruel to push him. Lots of tears during the past week I am thinking of going to the ET without Kynan and taking my bike so I can be a reserve rider in case anyone gets hurt or needs a break. It would be great to be able to help someone else out.

Which Barwig book is that? Is it the "Schutzhund Theory and Training Methods" by Susan Barwig? Yes, by Barwig and Hilliard

I have both the Barwig and the Balabanov books and love them both. The Balabanov one builds on the Barwig one and actually states that it is prerequisite reading eta Do you have a Kindle or iPhone? You can get the Balabanov one as an ebook from Amazon and it is a lot cheaper and you don't have to pay shipping and you can get it instantly. You can also download the first chapter or two for free to preview. If you don't have a kindle or iPhone you can download the ebook to your computer using the Kindle for PC software from Amazon.

Thanks for clearing up the confusion Ness. Thanks for all your replies. Don't think i will bother with the energy bars.

Heart appears good according to two vets. 2.5 year old GSD. Gaiting at 10-12km with some sprints up to 20kms. Standing heart rate 100, post exercise heart rate 120, resting temp 38.7, temp post exercise 39.4. He passed his hip and elbow xrays and sees a dog chiro every couple of weeks with no problems detected.

Think we posted at the same time Huski. Hope my other post explains it. Kynan has been doing great with endurance training but on Sat he struggled a bit so OH suggested energy bars or drinks. May be Kynan was just having a bad day. Will rest him for a few days and see how we go on Wed. It was also a bit warmer on Sat and I have noticed he doesn't like running over 20 degrees. ETA just saw your post too

Thanks persephone! We are training Kynan for the Endurance Test and we are up to 12kms. My OH is a marathon runner and has studied sports science and is worried as I don't feed Kynan breakfast before we train and then I wait at least an hour after to feed him. As OH uses energy gels and drinks, he thinks that maybe I should be giving something to Kynan.

Does anyone give their dogs sports energy bars before, during and after heavy training, and competing? If so which ones and where do you get them from and did they make a difference to your dogs performance? Have found some that appear good online but having trouble finding an Australian distributor as i am not sure how I would go trying to get them through customs if I brought from overseas. Kronch Pemmikan Energy Bar

Does anyone know the maximum temperature the dog can have before they are withdrawn from the ET?

Hopefully you can go out for dinner and have two reasons to celebrate! That is great that you are thinking of running with your dog. I wish I was that fit! The vet for the Adelaide one actually runs most of the way with the group to keep an eye on the dogs.

That's a long day for you TerraNik! I have been taking 2 days a week off work (long service leave) so that we can train during the week plus on weekends. I am very lucky that I have been able to do that and don't know how I would fit training in otherwise. Just doing 12km takes 3 hours out of the day including loading and unloading the bike, packing all the gear and water, and then washing, stretching, and massaging Kynan after.

Hi Ness. Thanks for encouragement! I ran Kynan on a flat collar today for the first time and he did really well but there were hardly any distractions which made it easier.

We did 12km this morning. Two lots of 6km with a 15 min break in between. Now just have to add an 8km block and we will have our ET. Only 5.5 weeks to go!

Yay TerraNik and Jedi! It is a great feeling when you look back and see how far you've come. Keep it up and you will have that ET no problems. It is six weeks today until the Adelaide ET and I am starting to get nervous. This week we have been doing 11kms but now I have a nasty cold and don't feel well enough to train this weekend. Might put Kynan on the treadmill later today.

The big one for me was "Give the dog enough leash so he can make a choice"

Thanks SecretKei Steve was great with Kynan and I think he was even suprised at how quickly he had improved. We only saw Steve Fri morning and I did some work with Kynan Fri night and Sat morning. Even this morning I noticed further improvement with Kynan on our morning run. Thanks Steve It was great to meet so many of you and your dogs are all beautiful and were so well behaved. Thank you to those that helped get Steve here and organized the yummy lunch. We should have booked Steve for the whole weekend!

Hi Bella, Thinking of you. I loved seeing photos of Asher and followed his story online right from when he was born. I was devasted when he got sick and it affected me greatly when he died. He was only a few months older than Kynan. Hugs

Steve will come looking for you! You can't miss him he is wearing the black and orange K9 Pro colours.

Just got back from our private consult with Steve. It went really well and got lots of helpful info from him and lots of demonstrations. Very happy and felt like it was definately worth the money. Can't wait for tomorrows workshop!

Thanks for the tips Mrs RB :D I would not have thought to take something for the dog to lie on at the private consult. Will definately take Kynan's mat tomorrow for our session. Glad that there where a few distractions there and hopefully there will be some for us tomorrow as that is one of our problems. I am very excited about seeing Steve tomorrow but also a little scared. Perhaps I might get my OH to come too so he can be my scribe and take notes for me.

Sounds like your dog is quite fit so you should be alright. If you increase by a km a week you will be doing 13-15km by test time which is probably the most you want to train to any way. This is my first ET too so I only know what's been working for my boy. Keep up the good work!

New milestone reached today. We did 10km this morning for the first time. Broke it down into two lots of 5km with a 15min break in between. My sister came with us on her bike and took Kynan's temp and heart rate and checked his paws which was good practise for the real thing. Kynan got very distracted having another bike riding with us so we need to do a lot of work on that.

How is everyone going with their training? Only 8 weeks until the Adelaide test. I am enjoying training now that I don't have to get up so early as the weather is cooler. Found a new training place today 5 mins drive away that is great as there are lots of different surfaces. Is there anyone else in Adelaide that wants to meet at Pedigree Park next month to practise riding with other dogs?