sheena

They sure are! http://www.prok9.com.au/index.php?option=c...4&Itemid=91 It looks like these use the same hinged opening/closing mechanism as the Black Dog ones that everyone is having trouble with. What makes these better, is it better hinges

I don't have that problem cause my girl is fed inside at night & it goes down real quick. She gets her RMB out side in the morning but that goes down quick too. If you leave food outside, not only will you have problems with the flys, but ants as well & they don't taste too good. What your dog doesn't eat in 10 minutes take it away or make it tastier so that it goes down quick.

That's great...well done. & you didn't even have to use the squirt bottle I wouldn't have my dog off lead around roads & traffic...too risky even though my training has given me 99% confidence that she wouldn't lunge....there is always that 1%

Where did you get your GL Treat Pouch from. I have googled it but the only online shops seem to be overseas. http://www.petexpertise.com/dog-training-a...ning-pouch.html I did a big order from them, Jess is good to deal with. It's possible though, that I bought my first one from Jenny Ireland Pet Products in SA- I'm pretty sure that was the case otherwise I wouldn't have known they were good (to order from the US). ETA: One of them I have had for 5 years now, have not had to oil the hinges and it's still great. Thanks for that info. the link is to an american site & when I googled Jenny Ireland it seems she has gone to the Black Dog ones. I can get the Gentle Leader one from Clean Run but they want $32.50 US postage I sprayed the hinges on my Black Dog with WD40 & now it stinks. I have washed it out with soapy water & it still stinks, but at least now the hinges will stay open for me...but probably now they might start to not shut. Time will tell. Thinking of getting another type from Clean Run (only $7.90 postage) where the opening is magnetic...could be interesting.

Where did you get your GL Treat Pouch from. I have googled it but the only online shops seem to be overseas.

We have taught our dog to spin left & right (or back & close) as we call it. Got it off a Greg Derret Agility Training DVD & she does it well. It comes in handy when making sharp turns or wraps on an agility course. If I did it again I would simply just call it "left & right" though....one less thing to have to think of When practicing tho, I decide which way is going to be correct before I give the command, so I can treat immediately. She loves the game

Hi sheena - VANS is really good stuff and I've used it for about 8 years. The difference for me is that Phuds doesn't have yeast in it which is one of the highest sources of purines which my stone-former boy has to minimise. The other difference is that VANs relies on the principle of fermentation (hence the yeast is doubly important) where Phuds doesnt. With VANs you leave it 24 hours to ferment (and smell!!! LOL) but with Phuds you pour boiling water on it and youre good to go in about 10 minutes. Their other ingredients are similar and I think they both add some great supplements and are based on very similar notions of pet nutrition. I love the smell of Phuds - coz it has coconut in it - smells like something I could eat! ETA ingredients copied from another forum post ;) Phuds, All Dogs Essence For Life Food suitable for all dogs on a daily basis - Wholesome and unprocessed. Contains: Stone ground grains oats and barley, polenta, buck seed, psyllium husk, coconut, vegetables, lentils, linseed meal, kelp, calcium, rosehip herb, garlic, dandelion root herb. Unique modern food designed to be mixed with water and meat (fresh, cooked or canned). Phuds offers a real alternative low allergy, packed with absorbable natural nutrients and a great high fibre source. Phuds: high fibre – supports detoxification of the body, liver and kidney function reduces offensive body odour contains herbs that offer natural vitamins and minerals aids movement and flexibility builds on assisting immunity to guard against fleas and pests enhances rich lush coat and improves skin health Basically a 25 kilo dog requires 1 cup mixed with around 11/2 cups of boiling water and 2 cups of fresh meat. The "vegetables" mentioned in the ingredients are tiny pieces of carrot and peas. So I have to be concerned about the peas as well as lentils as both are rich in purines. It depends what else I feed tho - so I'm considering just asking them to remove one of those ingredients Also - I can't remember off-hand but doesnt VANs contain wheat? Cheers The ingredients in VANS is, in order, rolled oats, cracked barley, soybean meal,flax seed meal, cracked whole grain oats, dried vegetables, dried barley grass, dried parsley, garlic, kelp granules, lecithin granules, brewers yeast, calcium powder, & vit c. Lately I have been adding the water then microwaving for a minute then letting stand for 24 hours....that seems to have firmed up her poos.....not sure if I am doing the wrong thing tho

I feed my girl Vets All Natural....what is the difference between VAN & Phuds, except Phuds is cheaper. I might try some when my current supply of VAN runs out, is there any problems with swicthing over

I really don't think the OP has a dog with that sort of problem...that is going a bit far. Also I might add that my dog absolutely loves water, goes right out into the waves with the surfers & body surfs back in, will swim in the dam all day if allowed & especially loves the hose straight in her face...but will behave straight away if I bring out the squirt bottle. I can't see the problem with OP giving it a try (on lead). The problems she is having with her dog are identical (from what she writes) to the problems I had with my dog & this worked for me & I have seen it work for others....so what's the problem. Sometimes the simple things are best...it might not work for her dog...then again it might....it wont happen overnight...& don't forget the praise & treats to mark the acceptable behavour.

Fixed my dog ....young border collie with high prey drive (also very intelligent)

When you go on your walks take with you lots of treats & a water squirter bottle. Be very aware & as soon as he even starts to think about lunging squirt him on the neck with the bottle & at the same time saying "No" or "Ah Ah" or whatever you say when you are not happy. The treats are for when he lets a car approach & doesn't do his usual lunging together with lots of praise. I had this problem with my border collie with cars & with other dogs, kids on skateboards etc. & it cured her. It didn't take long & all I had to say when I could tell she was thinking about it was "Don't you even think about it!!" & she would turn & look at me, the car would go past & she would get treated & praised for being good. I think the timing has to be pretty good as to when you deliver the water squirt.

I have one of these black dog pouches & even after putting vaseline on the hinges, it still snaps shut on my fingers Doesn't actually hurt but is very off putting & now my dog knows in advance that I am getting the treat ready as she can feel my whole body tensing against the "snap" I prefer to use the pocket of my trousers but then they get a bit smelly.

I did email the organisers of the event about a week ago & have had no reply I will check out that last suggestion, it looks good. We were also thinking about Camp Tailwaggers as it has been highly recommended, but not sure how far it is away from where the trial is being held. Thanks everyone for the replies

The dose is 1 tablet per 10 kilo of dog every second day. So with my 18 kilo dog I get 100 days for 100 tablets, which just about covers the really bad season in our area. I get them on-line from this person for $58 plus postage, which is pretty cheap. www.callicoma.com.au Ok thanks.... so 100 tablets would last me 9 doses If your dog weighed 111 kilos :D , then yes you would get only 9 doses....but that is a very big dog. For my 18 kilo dog I get 50 doses (100 tablets).

The dose is 1 tablet per 10 kilo of dog every second day. So with my 18 kilo dog I get 100 days for 100 tablets, which just about covers the really bad season in our area. I get them on-line from this person for $58 plus postage, which is pretty cheap. www.callicoma.com.au

I use Advantix every two to three weeks. I buy the largest pack then squeeze it into a very small container & use a small needleless syringe to measure the appropriate amount to use on her. The amount is .1ml per kg of dog. On my 18 kilo dog I give a little extra ...about 2.2 to 2.5 ml. this way it works out a lot cheaper. From November to February I also put her on Proban. However even with both Advantix & Proban being used she still gets covered in little grass ticks & sometimes I resort to the Permoxin as well. Unfortunately, the ticks have to still attach & bite before they die & fall off. Sometimes I feel I am really giving her a chemical overload....but what is the alternative :D

We are thinking of coming up to Southport for the WAGG Agility Trial on 20th November. Any one know of a caravan park close by which allows dogs....a cabin would be good. Our dog sleeps in a crate & would be happy on the verandah of a cabin.

A jar of 100 Proban will set you back $65.oo plus depending on where you get it. I use Advantix & buy the biggest amount I can then squirt it into a very small container & use a syringe (needless) to apply a dose of .1ml per kilo of dog plus a bit. So for my 18 kilo dog I apply 2.5 ml per fortnight. Shortly she will be going onto Proban as well as the ticks will be getting really bad after all this wet weather.

Maybe a good tick collar might be the answer. Something like Killtic (spelling??) will still cost them around $15 each.....but much cheaper than a trip to the vet with tick parallalys

I would say so as Coffs Harbour is not that far north of Port & it is a real haven for ticks. any where on the north coast is tick country. Put the spot on well before they leave home & daily searching is vital as the spot on is not 100%. I use Advantix.

We have won some dried pigs trotters & I am a bit reluctant to give them to my dog as they look very hard & plintery. Are they OK or should I throw them out There are a lot of these "dried bone" things on the market....what's the general opinion on their safety

Yes, we were the noisy group with the freisan vests on. I would have been in the same events as you I think, though I didn't get to meet you For those who missed out. here are a couple of photos...eat your heart out

We had an absolute blast The people were friendly, the judges were friendly (not like one we had at the Armidale Trial this weekend....what a sadist) & all the courses were fun for the dogs as well as being challenging. The surface was great to run on & fast & thanksgoodness it was all under cover cause it rained. Bindi just loved all the runs & now we have to find some more ADAA events to go to so we can get her final pass for AAD, so we can go in the games next year. The dinner sunday night was fun. Hope they can hold it there again next year. Only one thing I found a little difficult, & that was the great crowds of competitors walking the courses at the same time & then having to wait for up to two hours before our run came up....maybe they could split the walkers into a couple of groups....just a suggestion

What a dreadful experience. I would certainly recommend reporting the attack as they may be regulars to that beach, if the girls said they have been there before. Please may I ask what beach are you talking about so as others may avoid it. This happened a few years ago at Red Rock on the NSW north coast. An old GSD which his owners walked religiously twice a day & was a real local icon was attacked by, I think, a bull mastiff & was lucky to survive.

I will see if I can get some Plush Puppy Revivacoat or some No Nots. I think the Plush Puppy is probably only available on-line I just had a go at spraying her tail with water & Know Knots conditioner (not No Nots). Felt I was getting no where fast. In desperation I made up a solution of 1 cup white vinigar to 5 cups water & steeped her tail in it. Guess what ;) out came the knots with very little effort. I probably made the solution a bit strong, so I think I will go & rinse it out. We're off to the Grand Prix at Tamworth day after tomorrow, so must look our best