Starkehre

Sage - 6 months, with Bailey

Lola - 6 months

Rider - 6 months

Bonn - 6 months

Story

Dance

Hi guys. Just thought I'd give you a quick update on the puppies :D They are 7 months old and all doing very well. Legend and Dance passed their Instinct Certificate Tests and 2 Herding Tests to both gain their HT titles a couple of weeks ago. Here are some recent photos of the puppies... Legend

If it's a reducible umbilical hernia, it has not just appeared. The muscle has yet to grow together. This should have been on your vet report and the breeder should have advised you. Pop in for a vet check and ask your vet if this hernia is a reducible or non reducible (incarcerated) hernia. In the mean time, with your finger, try gently manipulating it back in. If it feels like a squishy bit of fat going in and takes a while to pop back out again it is reducible and just keep doing this regularly and it may improve as the stomach muscles develop. Reducible hernias are rarely in need of surgery, though this one does look quite significant. But definitely get your vet's advice and instruction.

Gorgeous boy, congratulations :)

They are ridiculously cheap, but not why I travel there as I would prefer expensive and save time. I wish I lived 10 mins away LOL. They are easy going, don't treat savvy owners like plebs (like city vets do). They sound perfect, the vet I go to now I worked with a few years ago so I know her well and trust her completely, I really dislike dealing with new vets that treat experienced clients like idiots, or push unecessary products. Yes!! Don't they. This vet has on occasions encouraged me to use something I already have at home or get something over the counter for a condition when I have said I am happy for your to dispense me something. On other occasion been told I could oxy at home rather than there, so I don't have a messy car. They are just practical and sensible and respect owners/breeders who know what they are doing. It is hard to find vets like that nowadays.

They are ridiculously cheap, but not why I travel there as I would prefer expensive and save time. I wish I lived 10 mins away LOL. They are easy going, don't treat savvy owners like plebs (like city vets do).

Oh squee, I can answer this one easily and happily.... Korumburra Vet clinic - Kooweerup Vet clinic. I live in Mornington and travel all that way and these are my regular vet. I only see Jamie or Mariki if possible. Brilliant vets. They have a 24hr on call service also. Jamie is a very talented repro vet also. http://www.kvetsvic.com.au/

Willem you may be able to register your dogs on one of the sporting registers without desexing, sorry I don't know enough those registers. Someone else here will be able to assist. These are 6 month old puppies that are still highly aroused. Their tails will drop to a degree in time when they are concentrating more. That said these upright breeds herd differently to BCs, kelpies etc

Gorgeous photos S! Thank you Scottsmum. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful photographer. Karen Edwards available to take photos at the RCV Herding Trial. Here are a couple of piccies of Legend and Dance who both passed their Instinct Certificates and 2 x Herding Tests to gain their HT Titles last weekend :) Youngest Rottweilers in Australia to achieve this title :)

I am comfortable with herding. The stock - be them sheep, cattle or ducks are all treated with utmost care, compassion and respect. They are rotated regularly, not treated roughly and their welfare is an integral part of the whole herding environment. If it was not this way, I would not be comfortable with herding and would not participate. Photos taken of Seven during a Herding Started A Course Cattle and Herding Started B Course Sheep runs on the weekend just gone.

you referring to the youtube link in my first post?...I found watching it somehow disturbing - the added information says 'This dog has no interest in sheep but loves balls checkout how her coach got her herding!' ...well, I can't see the dog herding...and I can't see that the sheep will ever respond to his body language. wrt our 'achievements' in the workshop: I'm pretty happy, first that she has this incredible drive / desire to work sheep so I could train her 24/7 days - she didn't want to drink, didn't want my treats, and when we had a break and let the dogs run freely she always wanted to go back to the paddocks :) . It took me a while till she responded again to the basic cues (stop, drop, recalls...) but we got there, even in her highest arousal state. It was also nice to watch how settled and relaxed she was yesterday and today after such an intense weekend...I guess we are both hooked now, so it won't be our last workshop :). Yep, I was :) That's great. Enjoy :)

I competed at a herding trial on the weekend with 3 different dogs. One I worked on 3 stock - sheep, cattle and ducks, 8 runs for her in total over the two days. The other two dogs were the pups I bred myself and they did their Instinct Certificates and 2 x HT runs each, both achieving their HT titles at 6 months of age. I've trained and trialled in many different disciplines over the years and now herding has become my main discipline. it is very different from all the others and I really enjoy it immensely. Hope you continue to enjoy herding Willem. We have a couple of regular Vic trial attendees come down from NSW to trial as we offer all 3 stock. I don't have anything against anyone trying various methods of training. However I think any stock training where the handler is encouraging the dog to watch a ball is encouraging off contact. One of the first things we teach a flanking dog is to give us eyes in and eyes out and distance. A drive object in the handlers hand will work in opposition to this. I have also seen people try and teach flanks using objects/people/themselves instead of stock. Again, flanks are relevant to stock and training them in relation to an object is not herding. Interesting convos though. Always open to looking at different methodology.

Sorry, but I'd return the dog. Of course you are legally within your rights to keep the dog. Entirely your choice. In situations such as this I always put myself in the other partys' shoes. I'd feel their emotional loss is greater than mine would be and it would be my empathy and care for the dog's emotions that would lead me to my decision of returning the dog. Also what a great opportunity to do something for someone else. Such opportunities don't present themselves very often. I feel there is an even better suited dog coming for you and you will really deserve it after doing such a good deed. I think comparing yards etc is just trying to justify keeping her. Dogs don't need big yards. GSD aren't the self exercising type. Provided they are taken out daily and let inside the house, given plenty of mental and physical stimulation, their needs are met. Really, the yard is irrelevant. It's definitely a touch situation. You will decide the decision that feels right for you :) all the best

Yes, yes, yes!!! No slippery floors for puppies, particularly large breeds. Put mats down everywhere. Rotti puppies do all sorts of damage if allowed to move around on slippery floors, let alone play on them. similarly no fetching on any surfaces. all gentle play and only with humans. Again, sorry but I cannot believe your breeder did not advise you off such vital advice.

Hi Jen, I've already responded in the rotti thread and only just saw this double post. I have pretty much said what most others are saying and some.

Teebs, sounds like we have such similar taste. These are all my favs too, except I can add Zoi to your list. The only one above I haven't yet had is a wolfie and I really would love a zoi one day. :D

we've driven from Melbourne to Perth and back twice, with 3 dogs in a float each time, pers. No restrictions regarding the dogs, but one needs to be careful of bait etc when emptying dogs if going by road.

No. I'd rather my dog be a bit thirsty that be busting for the toilet or have to eliminate in their bed. When my dogs are crated over night (which is usually only until around 12 months of age or when I can trust them not to chew the house LOL) they are where I can hear them and I am a light sleeper. If they get hot or need to go out, I get up and empty them and let them have a little drink. This is on rare occasions only as I ensure the house is cool and they are well hydrated and emptied when they go to bed. When the house gets too warm over night, they go out into the dog room, which is the garage, it's cooler at night because of the sun direction. If staying over night in the float outside accommodation when away showing/trialling I do leave water as it can be warm and new surroundings can cause them to sleep a little less deeply and get thirsty.

Yeah, be careful, I reckon they're around. :D :) Kirislin. IKR. Silly me started looking as soon as I posted that... I should know better, but I do love me a hound :)

A really tall, well boned and substantial (within reason) pure black, male, rescue Greyhound. Entire, which I realise won't happen with a rescue. Sleek coat without bald patches, not overshot, no broken toes or injuries. Good teeth and gums. Dog and small animal friendly and around 2 years old. Gentle temperament, but not timid. ...... it's possible, but I am too scared to look cause I might find him and then I will want him. One day...