Anna H

Now what can I possibly say to that??? Thanks!

Under instruction from the best

Glass of red in hand as we speak.

I stupidly (yes, I admit it) had her 'pretty' plastic clip buckle collar on. She wears this one around the house when I am not home as it doesn't mark her coat like the leather buckle one. Normally I swap them before I head out. The plastic clip snapped clean in half, it didn't just undo itself... bit of a worry. Will be putting up with marks in her fur in future, refuse to buy another one of these collars again.

I am shaking still, but all I can say is thank god for putting in my homework with Chelsea on the e-collar today. We were at our usual park doing training. I had put her in a sit in preparation for a long lead recall (onlead as I was adding the distraction of kids playing in the park today), but just as I was about to turn and face her to issue the command, she spotted a magpie (Number 1 item on her 'must have' list!) and took off after it. Well... she took off with such force the collar snapped (lesson learnt on cheap collars there!) and she was headed towards a main road at a insanely face speed. In a split second I hit panic mode, but at the same time remembered to press the button for the collar.... she did a tight arc (about 3metres from the road), looked up at me ( I had my arms in the air - recall signal) and bolted straight towards me just as fast as she took off, and sat dead straight in front of me waiting for me to shut off the collar. I might add, that she would not have heard my vocal recall if that was all I was relying on. Good girl Chelsea - your wise choice to obey me might've saved your life.

Yeah, I've tossed around the idea of the delta course too, but from what I've read (and heard) of the course content... the NDTF ones is better in so many many ways. I will get there, just might be a while!

Awesome news about the distant learning... I'm currently saving to do one of their courses, but the flights interstate have made it almost out of my reach. I only want to learn through NDTF... I don't think there are many Perthites who have done the course due to the distance, and Perth could really use some more good trainers (judging by the number of previous posts on the subject!) edited to clarify.

Chelsea did the same thing... we've only just returned back to obedience classes in the last fortnight after not attending since April. I've been training from home in short bursts, but mainly just incoporating obedience training in day-to-day stuff only. She had a bit of a slow start once we returned to class, but now she's back to her usual happy self and responding so much better. The break from the classes did me the world of good as well!

I started with Chelsea at 12 weeks, she mostly does quite well... but though she may well be just shy of Novice class, I feel she is only just starting to grow a brain at nearly two years of age.

Congratulations! Can anyone give me the details (when, where in Perth) - I'll come down to cheer you on and say hi!

I have to vaccinate Chelsea, she still is very young anyway... but aside from that she does get boarded a lot and attends clubs etc. Cougar probably wont be getting any more now (he's 11) ... my Mum's vet actually advised her to stop vaccinating her 11 year old JRT as he didn't need it.

Am I the only one worried about the fact that this dog gets cooked bones? or is it not a risk when boiled?

I can't believe I grumble about paying $15 per dog (GSP size) for a hydrobath, nail clip and dry... and that's a home visit service. I mostly wash mine in the bathtub at home though.

Joico and Fudge products are from the same company... Sabre Corp (well, it used to be anyway )

I was of the belief that tomatoes are ok when fully ripe, but not good when green... some chemical in the green tomato (also in the leaves and stems), but can't remember what exactly.

Squirt smells devine!!! I really like the smell of the coconut spray. I've never bought it before though... does the smell last after the inital wash? I had this really nice strawberry doggy shampoo, but it really only smelt of strawberries whilst washing dog... couldn't smell it at all once dogs were dry.

This does work really well - one of my pet hates is people who let their cats roam and I've done this with plenty of success (and the cat, other than being a bit wet, is unharmed) I keep my cats in an enclosure as well.. I do like the idea of suggesting such to your neighbour. No cats walk along our fence anymore anyway... both my dogs can reach the top of the fence, and neither of my two are particularily friendly to cats (other than ours)

I've heard of something called 'winter nose' - though to be honest, don't know a thing about it. Can't be much help on this one, sorry! Hope someone more useful posts soon for you.

I'm in class 3 - so that would explain it I might go check out Joondalup... NS has been great up to this point, but I need to find a club that offers just a bit more for the next levels, as I would really love to compete with my girl.

Ah, we aren't in Novice and if positions were still available, we would be able to attend. We also have several people in our group who use clickers. :p Edited to add: I am also one who has not been overly satisfied with the training instruction there, great for proofing. I have a high drive/easily distracted dog.. the club just doesn't cater for them.

Northern Suburbs Agility classes are pretty much full... we've been trying to get in for ages. As long as you are training in the 'late' classes, you can attend agility from what I was told. You dog also has to be two years old at NS, even to do basic stuff like learning tunnels etc. I'm looking for a club too ... does Joondalup do agility.

I have found, after trying a few brands, that Bonnie is the only one to keep the weight stable (both my dogs lose weight quite easily) and the dogs in all round good condition.

I have to freeze Chelsea black kong... but even then, she'll have it empty within 10minutes no matter what I stuff it with. She just gets the kong and chews down really hard repeatedly until the frozen contents break up, then she just empties the kong. At least I know her teeth are getting a good clean, there a puncture marks all over her kong and it's only a few months old.

a flat collar and an e-collar...