angelsun

I may have an opportunity to visit and wondering if there would be anyone out there that might be interested in attending a Rally Obedience seminar (probably a full day but nothing has been planned yet) or a series of smaller classes to introduce this sport to the obedience folks. I'm trying to see if there would be any interest, what areas that groups would be able to gather and if it would be something that folks might want to allow me to instruct? Just looking for a bit of feedback on this to see if it's worth pursuing. Looking primarily at ACT and surrounding areas, but could be willing to venture further if there was sufficient interest in something like this.

Four performance titles for a bitch of my breeding in 2008, in fact, in less than 5 months and that was taking time off for a litter! First up in July, Rally Novice title with two high in class and a fourth in class. She was half way through her pregnancy at the time, I had only worked with her two classes because she was in season and couldn't go, and she'd only been with me for six weeks as she normally lives with her 'other mother' who I give the most credit for her training! October and three straight trials for Pre Novice, the next week, Novice (CD) the following week, Rally Advanced with a third in class to finish. This is a German Pinscher and they don't do this stuff unless they figure somethings in it for them! Want to add that my very vetran Manchester also picked up new titles, with his Rally Advanced in February and then Rally Excellant in July with three high in class scores. He's twelve years old, and mostly deaf, and I never thought to train him with hand signals, so it was interesting!

Also remember that there are other ways for instant reward and satisfaction in both Agility and Flyball other than tugging. I am not sure why some feel this is the only reward the dogs should get? I taught agility for a long time, and never taught dogs to tug and there was a lot of dogs and their committed owners that went on to wonderful titles and wins without this practice. Just my thoughts.

When I taught agility, I trained see saw the following: dog is encouraged to walk to the centre point and told to wait. Taught to take one step forward, shifting weight and making the seesaw drop and then to move forward. When we start, there are three distinct steps and as the dogs progresses, the steps get closer together so all that is left is a very slight pause to shift weight to push the seesaw down. This method means no fly offs, and no hurt dogs. They learn they are in control of the apparatus and that they must push it down before they can go. Very few if any contact faults with this method.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Rally-obed/ This is probably the best place to start but as they say, mail volume is high so you might want to be on digest or web read. http://www.akc.org/pdfs/about/board_minute...Regulations.pdf This is the AKC rules and regulations. (rally is towards the end of the file) The file is the CKC signs and some basic explanations of the stations. If anyone has any specific questions on a station, just ask. Rally_Signs___2008____Yellow.doc

Great to hear that this might be something that others can enjoy in Australia. I am very into it and will be applying for judging shortly once I finish the requirements for judging some sanction matches. Will be curious to see if ANKC adopts the current signs or they develop new ones.

It's an awesome sport to which I will be acquirring my judging license in 2009. I began instructing Rally a number of years ago before CKC brought it in, or even AKC for that matter, seeing the potential of this sport to encourage others to obedience and help work with traditional obedience. It is a ton of fun for both handler and dog and a good 'run' on a rally course is lovely to watch.

Is there Rally-O there? I know...do a search, but I don't use that feature correctly while others are amazing at it and can find things in a blink. I'm curious IF there is rally there, is there access to rules or are any signs different?

The difference here with pet versus human grade mince is simply that the pet quality has bones and organs. The food that I recommend and sell (Urban Carnivore) comes from hand selected animals and poultry that are organically raised. (no growth hormones)

I've been involved in training for many years....seen all the fad collars and other items promoted to "stop pulling" or 'give control'. I come back to the pinch/prong collar. I have shifted to the micro prongs even for larger dogs as I find them far more responsive. The solid plastic ones seem fairly nice too offering good control and no stress for the animal. I know that when these are used correctly, with a trained person fitting and showing how to use them, these collars offer no stress and risk no injury to the dogs neck/throat or windpipe such as traditional choke/correction chains can. They too must be instructed on their use properly...for whatever reason, many do'nt consider the chain collars a problem...they look less "harmful" but in fact studies have shown them to be quite damaging. In comparison to head halters, although I permitted them in class I made sure that the owner knew HOW they worked and the risks involved if used incorrectly. Again..prong collars do not have the risk of dislocated disks or strains in the neck due to mis use. In my opinion, focus should be placed more on these two types of training tools and off the misguided interpretations of the uninformed about pinch collars and how they are used. In the end, prongs are power steering for the handler. Easy, stressfree and not dangerous when used correctly....no different than any other collar contraption...safe and effective if used correctly....but often few feel they need lessons on the chain collar or head halter....it's bought off the shelf and slapped on the dog(often incorrectly) but yet, no one seems to raise alarms. I've never quite understood that really.

List ammended from me as much has been spoken for. Due to the distance..please be patient for the packages to arrive. All will be sent in the next couple days on my next run to the post office. More outfits should be coming and will be posted as I sort through that monstrosity of a closet and get ruthless with my wardrobe!

Will attach photos. All these available at no charge...just want to get them out of my closet...I have some skirts I"ll sort out later when I have a moment. some of the following are worn in spots, but certainly spiffy enough for any dog show event....some are just plain awesome for specialties etc.... NOW FOR THE SPARKLES!!! This dress was worn twice...both at invitational events...again...size 16 but in this case, NO room for movement in that size due to the fabric. It is a cotton/poly blend under dress with a stunning net overtop woven heavily with beads and sequins. All in off white/cream/ivory. The hem is beaded and the skirt split up the back. This is a dress..one peice, but LOOKS like two peices. Lovely scooping neckline to allow for jewelry. Short cap sleeve. Weighs a ton! (because of the beading) so would ask for postage on this one! AMMENDED AS MOST HAVE GONE! WILL ADD MORE WHEN I GO THROUGH MY CLOSET AGAIN!

Looks like a lot of JRT legs that I've seen..more on the short leg variety....similar to most of the shihtzu legs I've seen too. The wonderful "Easty/westy" front...not a big deal as long as the joints work. Watch your protein levels in your food...try not to go over 22%..not easy....Giant breeds run into deformation issues mostly...not as common with smaller breeds, but knuckling over (where the leg appears to bend the wrong way at the knee) can be common in some lines.

I simply boil liver in water and use the water after it's cooled to help boost up a pup or dog that may be needing a shot of tonic.

Never feel you killed her....you released her from her pain....that is the biggest gift we can offer to our beloved dogs when they can not help themselves. Only the kindest people help the animals that can't speak and tell us in words how much they are suffering....we suffer too, but we should always remember we are our dogs saviours.

I am a firm believer in this type of collar. Yes, watch the buckle...I make collars and do the martingale in a solid form, as well as a combo with a heavy duty snap enclosure which I've found is reliable but quick to remove if needed. The solid martingale works great if you have a dog without a huge head...the combo with the snap enclosure works on the large headed breeds where slipping it over just won't work well.

don't worry folks..I know of a lady who breeds dogs....thought she had a male SINGLETON pup and at SIX weeks of age realized it was a female....(also makes you wonder how much she handled this pup?) The SCAREY part is....she is a Gyn dr.......

some dogs react harshly to the anesthetic as well...often it can take a number of days for it to clear the dogs system which can result in lack of appetite or lethargy. In some cases, dogs have been known to hallucenate. Yes, she could be in pain as it is a major surgery. BUT....catering to her is not going to do her any good in the long run. She will not starve nor will she be mentally damaged by the experience. Crate rest or quiet time will last a few more days, and she should come around. If the incision is clean and not inflammed, she should be in no real danger. Do not mess with the stitches as mentioned if you snip something too short and it works it's way out, the incision can open and you will have a far greater mess and concern than you have now. The vets leave those tails on there for a reason.

anyone ever try that corregated plastic board they use for signs? I hear it's pretty nice to use as it's lightweight, and cleans up great.

Poodle grooming is an art, and the majority of groomers are not trained in that field. Many handlers do not take poodle clients due to the highly precise grooming needed to properly present a poodle for the show ring. Most groomers know they are not qualified. Best to have them tell you up front than one that claims to know and you end up with a bedlington clip on your poodle! I have a lot of respect and admiration for people that are proficient in poodle grooming. I have done some, but because I don't have poodle clients or only handle after they are groomed, I'm not one to jump in and claim that I would put a poodle together for the ring. Strip a terrier down however...that's another story!

I used one for the first couple litters..great little rigs....made pig rails from flexible plumbing conduit...you know that black stuff with the ridges that bends? cable tie it to the pool that you drill holes in....safe...easy..washable... if you have to use wood....plain board and flat paint recommended for kids rooms....it's not the pups so much as the mom if she's bored she might chew.

Not disputing what you have heard in the least, but heresay is not basis for accusation (and not saying that you are...hard to get this across) I've seen some rumours spread into serious issues because someone said "as I heard it". I just would hate to have something like this happen and cause undue panic. We had a recent issue with Lepto here that has caused just that.....half information and a lot of surmising..yes dogs have died, but the issue has been blown totally out of whack here.

This was one of the things that crossed my mind. It is possible that it is an isolated incident of course but a concern would be, what about the rest of the cans from that case, or that batch lot?

Before anyone runs out with a tar brush and a feather bucket....I think the necropsy results should be heard so as to show what exactly is at fault. Not diminishing the tragic happening here...just do not want to see a hate campaign that may not be in fact warranted.

I'm proof of that!! hehe (starting to "frost" at 18 years and gone down hill since then!)