Red Fox

If you want high quality buy a Ccrate. It will outlast the dog. I second that. C-crates are fantastic, worth the money. Savic crates seem fairly decent too, though they dont have the steel tray like the c-crates do. http://shop.ebay.com.au/?_from=R40&_tr...-All-Categories

OT but why are there so many chemicals in cigarettes

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...79&hl=guard

Jill

Those mats from Cheap as Chips will fit well then It will probably cost you between $15 and $50 to have a piece of foam cut depending on the foam quality/type you choose and the thickness you want. You can get it done at Clarkes Rubber or an re-upholstery place. ETA, keep in mind that if you buy a mat which is too thick you'll have to remove it before folding the crate up.

Thanks Tilly. Boofhead dog here too and I get sick of the constant fiddling with the regular mart, tend to use the prong 90% of the time because it's so much easier to put on. Kei also has a habbit of screaming like a banshee if his ear so much as touches the chain section so I need a well fitted collar that wont slide around. Aidan, the lack of sound bothers me somewhat too.

Has anyone used the Black Dog Heavy duty training collar? (this one http://www.politepaws.com.au/store/index.p...products_id=382) And if so what do you think of it? How does the material triangle compare to a chain? Does it slide as smoothly/sharply/evenly or does it snag? Do you find it easier/less fiddly than a regular (one piece) martingale? Thanks

It's a basic intro to clicker training. This link will let you read the TOC and first page. http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=dtb622

How big is his crate? Cheap as Chips have 63cm x 93cm foam mats in all different colours for $20. They fit the XL soft crates (the ones that are around 102cm long) and 36" wire crates really well. You can layer 2 of them them if you want it to be softer, though one is fine. I use these in with a blanket over the top and tucked in at the sides so it's easy to wash and keep clean. http://www.cheapaschips.com.au/showproduct.asp?sk=BA7585 Otherwise Great Rugs make to order and are very reasonably priced http://www.greatrugs.com.au./store/index.htm I've got one of the BMBs in my big c-crate and it's great

http://leerburg.com/pdf/howtobreakupdogfight.pdf There was a thread about this last week. ETA here: http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=215467

This is a pretty novel way to do your dogs nails, sounds like fun too http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/nailfile.html

http://www.twobigdogs.com.au/dog-grooming/pet-nail-file.html or http://www.twobigdogs.com.au/dog-grooming/...-nail-file.html

My cat was poisoned a few years back and the vet thought the cause was eating a baited mouse/rat. Luckily he survived. Horrible thought but is it possible that someone threw rat bait into your yard? I'd be doing a search just in case. Sorry to hear about your dog

They're both fine to sleep in. The GWN is very warm, it has a double layer of polar fleece with and extra high neck, plus the more resistant (black coloured) material over the top of all that. The sweater is a single layer polar fleece but still quite warm. The Weatherbeeta kennel deluxe coat is a similar style and a good outdoor coat too. http://www.weatherbeeta.com.au/weatherbeet...e-dog-coat.html You can buy them from Horseland.

Well I look and sound like a mad woman when I train my dog, if I'm not animated neither is he. Re the eye contact I've heard that before but it's not the case for all dogs and certainly not during heelwork! Don't give up on your plans to trial either ;)

I don't mean to sound offensive but well ...you're boring! Look at how she responded at the end of the second video when you praised and released her. If she responds to praise USE it - a LOT. The second she looks up at you praise her and re-inforce it, have a party and make a BIG deal out of it. Once you have that take one step - reinforce. Build on it gradually. There are plenty of ways to teach heeling but the bottom line is that if you don't motivate your dog, reward highly and often, and make it fun then you wont get the kind of attitude in your heelwork that you are looking for. Why does your club discourage eye contact? I find that very odd...

I have 3 2 sweaters and a Great White North. They are fantastic coats. The lady that sells them is a DOLer too.

Yep, the Chilly Dog coats http://www.twosmallpuppies.com.au/index.ph...c4d2bd5faad6c70 A DOL member is selling some nice looking coats in the marketplace too: http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...p;#entry5164935

The ones advertised on the home page most definitely are safe, they are with various rescue groups and are up for adoption. As Gayle said I was referring to the pure breed rescues listed on the main home page, not those in the rescue forum. These are the dogs the OP was asking about.

what's interesting though is that it would cost me so much more to feed raw than a super premium like Nutro. I most certainly don't have the finances to feed raw. And that's not including the cost of purchasing and running a freezer that i would need to do it! how do you get it to cost less Nekhbet? It depends on what you feed, where you get it from and what price you can get it at. Shopping around helps, finding a good supplier. We can buy roo up here for $3 per kilo and chicken frames for the same. Some butchers will have good deals on bulk meat, pet meat suppliers, leonards, etc. Veggies are expensive from the supermarket, but might be cheaper from a green grocer or the market. You may be able to find a supplier that will sell you seconds. And if you can hunt and grow your own it's practically free.

S&F- You can buy the Omega Pet oil online if you're having trouble finding it. I get mine from the local health food store so check them out. Most stock Melrose products and should be able to order it for you if they dont have it already. I use the Ethical Nutrients Probiotics Powder too, it's great, really easy to use as you just sprinkle a little over the food each night. If you are wanting to boost your dogs immune system probiotics are a good idea IMO. Try piercing the capsules with a splinter picker then squeezing them into the food. It's still a PITA, but not messy

The dogs in rescue here on DOL have options are cared for and will find the right homes. It's the dogs being surrendered to/dumped in pounds that are up shit creek. Unfortunately not every dog will be lucky enough to make it into rescue. If you/your friends want to help these dogs perhaps consider donating to the rescue groups who take them on.

Absolutely Would you work for a pat on the head from your boss? Doubt it. $$$ work better don't they? Same with your dog. Rewards = $$$$ Agree! Head down doesn't neccessarily mean your dog is "sad", she could be bored, stressed - but what she isn't is motivated. That head up prancy heelwork is a combination of drive, focus, high level motivation and a heck of a lot of work. The Dobe is not a great example though. Here's a better one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqRksbKrYSI. Have a look at Huski's vids too.

You can buy low fat hotdogs if he likes that kind of thing - 97% fat free from memory. Raw roo meat, cooked roo sausage, raw or boiled chicken breast, lite/diet dog roll... Factor it into his diet by cutting out meals on the night/s you train him. If you want to up the exercise but can't run with him what about a treadmill? Or recalls over a distance (or up hills), sending him out to target an object then race back to you for a treat, etc.

Thanks