toshman

Really excited to say that all the submissions made for the Earthdog Rules review have been accepted and will be implemented January 2012. It has been quite a lot of work over the last few years but really really worth it for the sport.

http://www.ankc.org.au/media/scripts/doc_download.aspx?did=1247

The key changes are:

1. Earthdog Instinct Certificate (EIC) a new titling class that replaces the Introduction to Quarry non-titling class

2. Master Earthdog Excellent (MEX) a new title beyond the ME title for top dogs to continue on with after they get their ME

3. Liners can now be placed on top of the ground and camouflaged rather than set in trenches. This means that earthdog tests can conceivably be conducted anywhere and opens up the sport enormously

All three of these key changes will impact the sport positively and aid in growth and enjoyment, so we are looking forward to 2012 :D

Back in the days when I used stick in the ground poles, I made myself a tape using a piece of black webbing with eyelets punched 60cm apart. Then I used to peg it into the ground at either end, line up the poles with the eyelets and then remove the tape. Was quick, easy and cheap to make.

This.....works brilliantly ????

Fantastic photos tlc.How do you get into these programmes? I am on the Central Coast NSW one hour north of Sydney.My rescue greyhounds would be perfect for this.

Go to the Delta website:

http://www.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au/Volunteers/Become

and read up on it there.....it looks like there's a branch which deals with the central coast of NSW which would be your go.

It's not hard to get into, and it is just win win for everyone involved, such a great program. Hope some others pop in to share their stories. There is some sadness at times obviously in aged care and when people are really sick and that is a bit hard to cope with at times, I recently lost my step dad so I had a few weeks off, just didn't feel like being around the hospital for a bit. My friend recently lost her Delta dog (my youngest brother) and the residents of her facility were heart broken. They just look forward to their visits each week and they get really attached to the dogs. With the hospital its not so much because the patients come and go so each facility is different.

Lovely photos! My Border Terrier is booked in for testing at the next day in Sydney (early March?) and I'm really looking forward to it - I think he will be good.

My daughter has a rescue greyhound who would be perfect, too - he's also booked in for testing.

Fingers crossed! I think it's a very worthwhile project...

People I work with (yes, vets and vet nurses) continually call Bernese Mountain Dogs, Burmese Mountain Dogs.

I've tried to exlain that the cat is a Burmese, the dog is a BERNESE Mountain Dog.

Is very embarrassing when they say it in front of clients.

I read a very funny story once re Bernese Mountain Dogs...lady went to visit some friends who owned a BMD and was introduced to the dog as she went into the house. Some time later the owner of the dog asked "Why do you keep calling the dog Bernice?" Visitor said "I thought you said she was Bernice the Mountain Dog"

As the title says, out of interest, (I know, I'm strange) how often do you do a poo patrol?

We normally do ours once every couple of days but due to a ridiculously busy week we didn't get a chance so I did it yesterday.....

Too much poo.

I will never leave it that long again!!

Twice a day - 3 dogs' worth :D

One of my Kewlcoats arrived. Very impressed with the quality and cut, now just have to test the functionality of it

The rest of my order is just waiting for me to push the 'order now' button.

I spotted the pop up crates, how cool are they! http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=482

Anyone have feedback for these?

I got one a few years ago for my Border Terrier....have't used it since about the second time I did, when not taking notice of their advice "We suggest staking down your Sports Pet Dog Crate when using it outdoors." I was at an agility trial and had walked away from my set-up area to get something to eat, leaving 2 dogs in the usual wire crate and one in the new pop-up crate - then heard several shouts and some amused laughter, and looked around to see the pop-up crate with dog inside rolling along the ground - following a particular dog which I knew he was friends with! He'd worked out in a flash that if you step on the sides and keep moving the crate will come too (that's my boy!)

I can see a use for them at times, but they are very "fragile" and not what I would consider safe to leave a dog in for any length of time. I like the idea of them, but didn't think they were very practical.

would these work if placed over a crate? Does anyone looking at it get blinded?

My Clean Run wall came bound with eyelets. It's great on the gazebo but I have seen them used on crates under a gazebo.

Clean Run also have special mesh covers for crates - all shipped free at the moment here

I have a cordless clipper with adjustable blade that I use for feet now. Its awesome! I can get right in between the toes of dogs that get matts, and it gives a really neat finish.

Rysup, what sort of clippers? Brand? Size? I have a good pair of Wahls which I clip him with but I don't think the blades would fit down in between his toes? What about those very narrow clippers - would they work perhaps?? Thanks for your help

TBH I would have no clue how to clip a Borders foot, I've never groomed one as they are a rare breed here. Given that the OP shaves the dog off I just assumed they were after a neat and tidy look but more, to stop irritating the dog. And yep that is exactly how I get rid of the hair from between the toes (which is what the OP asked about ) from both top and bottom of paw. Further back in the pads I clip.

Thanks everyone for the help...Clyde, I tried doing what you said, but the hairy bits won't push up between the toes because of the skin "webbing" in between his toes!? You're right, I'm just after tidying up his feet - I've never seen the hair grow so long there before.....I'll PM you if that's OK...

Do they come in black? And if so, where can you get them (I'm thinking for a 7 - 8kg dog)?

Just wondering if there would be interest in a class teaching people to read their dogs and other dogs and how to respond to the signals their dogs are giving them? Kind of like a dog park etiquette/organic socialisation/speak dog class.

If Turid Rugaas was giving it, I would

My dog's feet are very sensitive - that's what he tells me, anyway! He is a Border Terrier, left these days to go very shaggy and clipped through the summer (I know, I know!) but I don't seem to be able to get rid of the hair between his toes on the bottom of his feet...he pulls away if I so much as touch it with my fingers, and I'm nervous of putting a pair of scissors down there. Any ideas, anyone? I just thought the other day watching him pick at his feet that it might be bothering him?

Thanks for any suggestions!

Thanks FHRP.

This will be my first ANKC comp - so I am not sure how refusals work in any level I am most interested in how rufusals work for weaves as weave entry is the one thing we are very inconsistent.

If you're not sure about how refusals work when you're in the ring, listen to the judge! They usually call out 'REFUSAL' loudly enough for you to hear.....saves getting muddled.....

You can also get them here:

http://www.deerfarm.com.au/purchase_deer_velvet.html#chews

They're a reasonable price and the service was pretty good.

Anything from 6 days to 3 weeks - also depends if it gets opened at customs or not. Probably just under 2 weeks is the average.

I don't order from them any more though unless it's on free postage, their customer service might be good but their postage rate is astronomical compared to everywhere else in the US.

I emailed them to request a cheaper postage as suggested by a DOL member, and they reduced it from over $35 down to about $18

I placed my order in the 20th of July so should arrive this week I hope.

Cheaper postage usually means slower delivery times - hope that doesn't put the mockers on your parcel.....

have you seen Millie in the new ABC show Kingdom, with Stephen Fry. I reckon she'd be perfect, not sure what she is though, some type of terrier I suppose.

Parson Russell I think - she's gorgeous!

Or you could try The Book Depository. They have free postage and are pretty cheap. I have always gotten my orders within the 2 weeks. They have many dog books as well as other books.

They can take ages with shipping, but at least it's free! Used them many times, no probs.

Book Depository are great - I've ordered plenty from them too - they are usually pretty reliable as far as delivery times are concerned. Last week I ordered a book from England through them, it arrived within a week! I read a week or two ago that Amazon have just bought them; don't know how that will affect their service, but hope it doesn't!

I've given up on Fishpond! Don't think they're particularly cheap, and I have had several second-hand books listed with them for sale but every time one is sold I have to wait ages and ages to be paid, and have to hassle and hassle them before it happens.

Another good site is ABE Books - http://www.abebooks.com/

Does anyone know anything about a temperament test certificate issued by Dogs NSW?

Well I know they did the tests a few years ago, because I have one of the original certificates issued by them in April 2006 for my Border Terrier, who passed with flying colours - but I'm afraid I don't know if they still do them.....I have a feeling they don't but am prepared to be contradicted!

For a newbie like myself wanting to get a prefix, what are the steps? I heard there was a test? I also wouldn't want the same prefix as someone else.

How does one search world-wide to see if a prefix you'd like has been taken? Is it just a question of googling it?

Google it and follow the link i posted above.

I've just been having a look at the FCI Kennel Names site - I guess England/UK isn't a member? Because they don't feature - and I can see from some of the names I searched on (very well known British kennels for my breed, Border Terriers) that they aren't there. Forgive my ignorance here - never had to give much thought to these things.....

For a newbie like myself wanting to get a prefix, what are the steps? I heard there was a test? I also wouldn't want the same prefix as someone else.

How does one search world-wide to see if a prefix you'd like has been taken? Is it just a question of googling it?

Google it and follow the link i posted above.

Thank you!

I wish we had it in WA

Amypie, you're about the third or fourth person from WA who has said that to me over the past year or so.....perhaps if you guys all got together you could start it up and have some fun!

For a newbie like myself wanting to get a prefix, what are the steps? I heard there was a test? I also wouldn't want the same prefix as someone else.

How does one search world-wide to see if a prefix you'd like has been taken? Is it just a question of googling it?

I tried to get into earthdog a while back, and emailed a few people about where to find classes or fun days or anything at all to do with it. And never heard back, and I didn't find anything when googling it. Seems it's not all that popular, or if it is, they don't want do be found.

It's cool though, I'd love to get into it.

The one in NSW is run by the jack russell club apparently the dachshund club also runs some training days. We have our first training day in August we just watched a few you tube videos and learning from them probably totally wrong but shes running through and having fun.

I do earthdog! The Dogs NSW Sporting Committee has two tests set down for tomorrow, 17th July, at the dens, near the JRT clubhouse at Erskine Park, NSW. Start is at 9.00am. If you can come, you would be able to see how your pup enjoys the wooden liners which we use in the trenches for the tests. We always have one or two out for newcomers.

At present earthdog is done by 2 affiliate clubs, the Dachshund Club of NSW and the JRT Club of NSW, and the Dogs NSW Sporting Committee. There's no "Earthdog Club" or anything like that. This year there are 4-5 test days set down (we only run during the winter months) with 2 tests each time. We have had two training days already, but there are no plans for further training days this year. The JRT Club's tests are on Sunday 14th August, then the Dachshund Club's tests are on the 18th September, then that's it for the season. There's not a big following for the sport, but it's really fun to see your dogs enjoying what they were bred to do!

I can help if you need to know anything else. The ANKC Rules & Regs are on their website at http://www.ankc.org.au/Regulations-1.aspx - go down to #11.

I have fed my dog Dr B's barf patties for nearly 5 years. Once they changed recipes and the patties became inedible and slimey and smelly, ( packaging was a pain to fit in the freezer too ) I was reliably informed, the original recipe was being marketed under Big Dog Barf Patties, so I tracked down a supplier in my area, and have switched to those. I do believe the patties are the same ones, originally Dr B's.

Big Dog used to produce the Dr B's Barf - Dr B changed companies and at first said they did not change the recipe then said made a few small changes however it was obvious there were big changes - not for the better IMO.

Big Dog have made a few minor changes to the original barf including green tripe and have also added flavors, turkey for dogs and fish for cats. And increased the packaging to 3 kgs.

I have been very happy with Big Dog, they are great to deal with and the dogs are very happy on it.

Can someone tell me where I could get hold of some Big Dog, please? I am in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Maybe somewhere in Sydney either?