Rebanne

what kind of surface/area do the ET usually run on? Flat surface (easy riding) or cross country (lazy person;s nightmare) hehe

it's s mixture of hard, grass and dirt, usually fairly flat but still hard work, particularly if the dirt/grass has turned to a mud heap

my circuit is asphalt, grass and local bike track. Worked well for 2 previous dogs. I was also able to let them free run bit's of it but I won't be doing that with Fern. I can just imagine it

I sent my entry off as a motivation tool :D

Sway and I are doing the Dallie club one on June 6th. I just used an ordinary entry form.

Fern has basically weaned the pups so we can start next week, or this week if I get my bike out of the shed.

I sent my entry off today mind you I still haven't started training the dog, that starts next week

what have you done Sway?

I'll have to get Fern a proper greyhound collar, I only have martingales like you SP

I would usually be at work that weekend so have organised holidays so Fern and I can attend.

I buy lamb flaps from the butcher and cut off some ribs for the puppies

I gave my 4 week old pups a small section of lamb rib today. One got stuck into it straight away, ripping the meat off, the other was a bit slower. So yes pups can have bones and yes I didn't leave the bones with the puppies after they had finished with them, the big dogs cleaned up after them.

if you follow prey model diets you are meant to be feeding raw whole animals

here all I see is diets based on offcuts of processed meats which is NOT a complete diet for your dogs I dont see how a dog can be healthy on a few hearts and carcasses alone.

that was my understanding also plus you didn't have to feed them everyday. Mince certainly has no part in a prey diet. I was on a prey diet list 4/5 years ago and dared to suggest stuffing a chicken carcass with mince, boy was I attacked I can laugh about it now but I didn't then.

friend of mine just went through this with her greyhound a couple of weeks ago. Tom was in from Tuesday until Sat. He was allowed nil by mouth for the 1st 48 hours. He wasn't allowed home until he could keep something down for 12 hours. I wouldn't be giving your dog anything by mouth overnight.

I'm going to get a couple this weekend for the pups

Billinghurst says if you have to feed grains oats are the best one to feed. I feed it to my dogs in the winter time, nice and warm, for breakfast. One of my dogs gets a bit itchy when fed dry but has no problems with her porridge. I just feed the quick cook oats.

Thanks for the "driving" lesson Gayle K, I will practise when I start up again.

ETA both my previous dogs "leaned" into the collar and yep I would say my GSD pulled for 18 or the 20 k's

and I thought the "obedience" test was just something to show your dog was willing to still work with you at the end of the ET. Both my previous dogs were obedience trained so no problem. Wonder if they will let me gait and stack Fern for her test?

I'm using the same bike I used in the 2 previous ET's I took the dogs in. What is it? I don't know but I love the tyres! They are a cross between road and dirt, fairly smooth in the middle with heavy tread on the edges I still can't use the gears very well and I have had it at least 10 years

your motivation thread

I will start training with Fern beginning of March when the puppies are 6 weeks old, got to shrink those boobs first so there is no swaying in the breeze!

I am planning on doing the ET in May with Fern, pull your finger out!

I didn't know there was a category for "run the distance with dog on your shoulders"!

There are at least 2 titled Greyhounds in Australia

I am planning on doing the ET in May with Fern, pull your finger out!

Hrmm i see the bike with cobwebs on it

How about i come and cheer you on

Dust them off!

Yes you can come and cheer but it would be better if you were riding, you can do it

I am planning on doing the ET in May with Fern, pull your finger out!

Well it all back fired at the benalla show if would not walk on the lead again to much going on for him oh well ill have to keep working with him

yeah but a show is so different to walking around a familiar area. Use rewards at the next few shows. Pay the pup for a job well done. Don't fret too much, but if you really want to, try driving some where in the car, get out, go for a little walk, then go home.

I had to carry my 12 week old greyhound pup all over the place the first couple of shows and she was good on lead. They soon learn.

when my greyhound pinched one a couple of Christmas' ago I just kept an eye on him and fed him as normal. I reasoned the food would help protect his innards from the bones and to pass them along quickly! He was fine

I wouldn't have believed there are so many prefixes in Australia

I've been using extender leads since they first came out and have never had an accident. Like all things - common sense is the answer, use them where applicable and know how to use them. I've still got the first one I bought, no cheapies around back then, I think it cost me about $40 and it's still in excellent order. If you want to use one then get a good one, extra money is worth it.

me too, mine was $50, well worth the money. Got it about 15 years ago, not used a lot but invaluable for when I do need it.

set your alarm to get up at least once in the night, it won't take long before you can sleep through the night.

Feed Barkly in his crate or the laundry and ditch the puppy food, he's not a puppy anymore.

ETA spelling as always

My nearly 12 yo mutt has 3 on her torso and has had them since a very young dog. Slightly increased over the years but they don't cause her any problems thankfully.

have you tried adding kelp to his food? It's a natural boost for the thyroid.

I had Fern's T4 tested recently as greyhounds can have a low thryoid and her reading was 15.7 within a normal range of 1 - 19. I always knew greyhounds naturally had a lower range but it is interesting that other dogs are between 20 - 60.