SmoothieGirl

Hey mawson, here is a link to the Eagle Pack website. It has a bit of information on it, so might be useful. I have found them to be very useful over the phone too, if that is a possible for you. http://www.eaglepack.com.au/

Congrats Sticks. I really like the Clemkirk Labs, when I was swinging between breed before settling on a Collie I was also seriously considering Labs or Whippets - yes I know vast differences. But the Clemkirks grabbed my attention as I was looking for obedience aptitude. The chocolatey coats were also very appealing. I hope you enjoy the new ray of sunshine in your life.

Awesome Nikivds - very cool little dog. There's another one to consider NSW.

Irrespective of whether you live on land or not, personally I would steer clear of a high activity dog as they will want you to be active with them. I would also consider your personality type as well as the dog breed. Eg. Knowing Dobes as I do (former owner), they are best with someone who is equally as strong minded as them and someone very clear and particular in their training style and expectations. Hint - these guys have their own view of the world. Another consideration are your current two dogs. You mention an older dog, but what breed/type is the other? The way some dogs play and interact is vastly different to others. My Collie has quite a few staffy x buddies and while they all get along well, she is often used as a chew toy or a body slam partner, which is not in her nature. But when she gets together with herding type dogs, they all play quite similarly and have a wow of a time. That being said, all those dogs sound up to the job you are looking for, just a matter of narrowing down your criteria I guess. Happy choosing.

You know its weird I found this thread. I was at a local dog park the other week and came across a woman with a cross breed in pretty trim condition and a huge Dally. Not quite as big as this one, but damn close. She found my treat bag and pretty much sat at my feet with a 'I'm good feed me look'. The woman said "she loves her food, she can have a treat too." I was gagging on my thoughts of 'she bloody shouldn't get any treats and let's not talk about her diet either.' I sidled away with my healthy correctly weighted dog. Edited for punctuation.

Cos, you're evil, stop it!

I have to say I don't envy you in making your choice, they are just the cutest little puddin pies. I'm pretty sure its a girl, so not what you are after, but that little one at the front of them sleeping is just squeezable. She truly looks like a planted teddy bear.

So tiny, so cute. She has a really sweet fact too, not so much of the cheeky 'I'm about to do something a little bit evil' face the terriers sometimes have.

I'm a big fan of Snowflake, but that little St Nick has the most devious little expressions ever, he always looks like he is plotting something - hilarious.

Saw two Staffies yesterday, one was black with a shadow of brindle and the other was a dark blue with light brindle. The blue and brindle was most unusual but very interesting.

Yep, I've had a similar issue with shyness. My Dobe and now Bronte were like this. Both wouldn't go to the toilet off my property until they were about 7 or 8 months old. Don't know why they do this, but it seems to be quite common and you'll often get a break through with wee quite a bit before poos. Best way I've found to combat it is to be very consistent with your toilet training procedure and teaching a verbal cue as has been suggested. When you take him out at home give him the cue, wait til he goes, then when he finishes cue him again and heaps of praise. The consistency is the use of the word, before and after as reinforcement of your message. I used the cue during the pee or poo too, but some very shy dogs see that as an interruption, so you will have to decide for yourself if adding it will put him off or not. When this appears to be working at home, start it on walks, particularly if you know he's about due to go, instead of going in the backyard, clip on the lead and go for a walk, even just on the nature strip. Try the same cues, be light and easy about it and patient. He looks like a bright button, I'm sure he will get it soon. Now Bronte will go happily elsewhere and she goes when asked, well if she needs too of course.

I started letting Bronte stay inside by herself (with dog door to outside) when she was about eight months. This was brought foward from what I intended to be about 12 months, because she kind of proved herself as an angel in her pen when she was confined due to injury. I firstly moved a very nice leather armchair out of the family area and blocked her into the kitchen, lounge and dining for periods of a one to 3 or 4 hours at a time. When she convinced me she she had no inclination to destroy anything other than her own toys I opened up the house to her. Probably after about three weeks. I still lock her out of the study when I'm not home, as she has a tendency to eat book covers and I have piles of books on the floor in there. She happily coexists with my leather arm chair too, other than the occasional nose print.

I'm sure there are arrangements such as these that can and do work, however I would bring it back to what YOU want from your relationship with your pet, not what the breeder wants. Personally it wouldn't work for me. I intend to trial Bronte and we train almost daily away from the home. I wouldn't want to have to confine her during her seasons or have to risk missing trials/training as a result of a season. Sounds like the kids would find it tough for their best buddy to go on 'holiday' during her pregnancy/whelp, let alone that they couldn't take her out for walks and play at the park with her when she is in season, for the risk of uncontrolled entire dogs. Also, I do find a difference between desexed bitches and dogs, so if you want a bitch, stick to your guns. Its a decision for the next 10-15 years, so it needs to be one you are comfortable with. I hope you find your little black princess soon. Edit - Typo

Thanks, that's great information. Sounds like one thing I would have to consider is getting a second freezer. I would prefer to feed human grade too, all her meaty bones etc are at the moment.

Just looking for some insight on BARF type diets and raw diets in general. I have a couple of particular questions, but would love to read any opinions. Firstly, is anyone using Dr B's prepared BARF food and would you say its as good as your own prepared BARF diet? I like the idea of BARF, but there is no way I have time to consistently prepare speciality foods. Secondly, does anyone have any opinions on Dr B's BARF food compared to the Vets All Natural meat? Thanks

Awesome, we are not that far away from there, will have to arrange a playdate, if you think Bronte can take more of Dexter that would be great I'm sure she would love to see him again. She's just such a mummy's girl at the moment that other dogs aren't all that exciting for her when I'm around. Just send me a PM when you want to arrange something. The Newport Lakes one is probably the most interesting for the dogs, all sorts of different landscapes.

I'm with Law, I have some good dog parks around here. Admittedly Bronte has a good recall and so far, touch wood, the people and dogs I have met at the dog parks have been good sorts. There are quite a few in my area though, so plenty for people to choose from so less congestion, perhaps this is a bit of an issue is some areas. My only frustration is when I see 'evidence' that people haven't picked up after their dogs, I mean really, how hard is it.

The North Melbourne one is on the corner of Gracie St and Macauley Rd, near the Lost Dogs Home. Its pretty good. There is also one that's 'mostly' fenced in Yarraville on Whitehall Street. CF - I'm in Spotswood, if you are near that area Bronte and I are always up for playdates and she and Dexter clearly got on well at Kepala.

Definitely sounds like Nessa and Bronte need to meet. Bronte will play with any dog she can, but likes to chase and run best. She struggles a little with the Staffy types as she finds them a little rough, but holds her own.

I love the name Tigger for brindles of either sex. If your STB is a brindle, how about that.

Hi gang, Here's the link, I have posted here to try and widen the net of people looking for him. http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=186479

This sounds like a great approach to Shyla's night time worries Shelle. I was thinking Possums could be contributing culprits here. The only time Bronte goes 'nuts' is when Lara my cat teases the little yapper next door, which isn't often. It goes bananas and Bronte flys out there to protect Lara (although there is already a sturdy fence doing this) and have her own mad minute. She generally settles when I tell her to stop and I shoo Lara away from the fence. This is a very delibrate act on behalf of my cat by the way.

Me thinks there is a squashed Collie somewhere under that cutie pie GSD puppy

The last one of the Saint is perfect for a calendar or postcard - love it.

There are a few breeds I've seen in the show ring here that one could say the same about. But then I suppose it's all in the details, I had my gorgeous, wonderful, perfectly pedigreed boy call a "kelpie--crossy-thingo" by someone who should have known better. Feel your pain GayleK, if I had a dollar for every time someone has asked what cross Bronte is I'd be rich by now and she's only ten months. The best one was on Sunday, "is she a Border Collie x Greyhound." Its funny stuff, but gets exhausting to explain what she is as she attracts a lot of attention. I ashamedly must admit I often dumb it down a to "she's a short coat Collie, like Lassie but with a haircut" - forgive me DOLers. Unusual little dogs aren't they. Never heard of them before, but given that I was born in Lancashire I'm going to keep an eye out for them now when I'm back in the UK. I wonder if they have had any influence on our Kelpies of long ago?