perfect partners

I was thinking of coming down for that one as well, mainly for the RATG for the gundogs on the Saturday though so was only going to do the one trial....still thinking LOL Hi TO spoke to the Geelong Sec last night she said to post them by Tues in an express post thingy she will accept them, Enteries have to recieved by them no later than this Friday. the Cataloge entries should be up on their site possibly by next Tuesday Oh if you are interested there will be a talk on Tues 5th at 7pm in the Pavilion (Kcc Park) on Obedience trialing, speaker is Ross Carlson, gold coin donation, kids oopppss sorry I mean dogs have to stay at home, humans only. It wont be to long so I'm told Can anyone go to the talk? Is Ross Carlson a judge and/or trainer?

Have a look at www.aussieagility.com.au There is a list of people who make agility equipment.

Southern Cross Animal Stars train at WoofPurNay vet centre at Narre Warren North - huge indoor area. Evening classes as well as Saturdays and Sundays. Berwick Obedience Club, also at Narre Warren. You could look at all their websites for more info. I joined Berwick Obedience Club when I lived in Menzies Creek - I found their training methods VERY strange - they also seemed to be an unfriendly, cliquey bunch Useless training your dog there if you are considering trialling at all. Can you elaborate on 'VERY strange'. I've never been a member of Berwick but I've been debating whether to join the club for some time, not for basic training but to do trial ring practices and maybe a bit of agility.

Southern Cross Animal Stars train at WoofPurNay vet centre at Narre Warren North - huge indoor area. Evening classes as well as Saturdays and Sundays. Berwick Obedience Club, also at Narre Warren. You could look at all their websites for more info.

Have a look at FitPAWS Canine Conditioning videos on Youtube. And Canine Fitness Zone.

Thanks for posting that corvus. I've ordered some - the larger size.

While I generally agree with getting a dog from a registered breeder, when my daughter was young she wanted a little dog and while I was thinking about what breeds might be suitable, I saw a long haired Chihuahua x Maltese pup in a pet shop. It was before I knew where pet shop puppies came from and I think he was from a BYB anyway. He looked more like a Chi - fawn, medium length coat - suitable for where we live, so I bought him. I have to say he has been one of the best dogs I've ever had. Very smart, hardly needed any training, virtually house trained himself, very loyal,can leave him home by himself or in the car with no issues, gets on with any dogs and people he meets, not yappy, vet chiro told me he is a very sound little dog. He does now have a heart murmur and is on medication, but he is 16. I always preferred large dogs but he won my heart. We also had a Heeler which was bred by friends on a farm and he was healthy all his life and had a great temperament also. Most of my dogs have been purebreds from breeders and we had expensive health issues with one of them. My latest dog is from a registered breeder and that is where I would be looking for any future dog. However, there are no guarantees in life so if you really like this little dog I would go for it. All the best with whatever you decide. Must say I think the little pup is very cute!

Thanks, will do so if I see you down there.

My apologies again. I knew she would be friendly if she got to you but you weren't to know that. She's rarely seen bikes, especially ones with dogs attached so she didn't know what it was. A reminder to me to put her on lead or watch her! I did look to see if you were still around after we finished the lesson, so I could apologise, but couldn't see you anywhere. Sorry you didn't get to go today, it must have been disappointing after all the training. Hope you get in to the next one.

It certainly looked like a stroll in the park for him! That's great that everyone passed. None of the dogs looked like they found it hard. The little Frenchie didn't look too keen some of the time, but not like it was too hard physically. Wonder if a Newfie could do it???? Well I think if a Frechie & a Pug can do it a Newfie can :D , the Frenchie was not real keen, she came down from QLD the rest of her dogs were at Bulla today, it is best to train them up first before entering. I have also been training a Pappy, we are looking at putting her in at Sale on the 2nd July :D I've been following this thread since it started and it sounds like fun. I'm going to get a new bike tyre and we'll start very slowly and see how we go. Hope you get to Sale with the Pappy.

It certainly looked like a stroll in the park for him! That's great that everyone passed. None of the dogs looked like they found it hard. The little Frenchie didn't look too keen some of the time, but not like it was too hard physically. Wonder if a Newfie could do it????

Congratulations murve - and everyone else who passed. (I think they all did, didn't they?) I was there watching (with the Newf) and didn't even see Orlando panting. TrinaJ, were you the one who was training there a few weeks ago when my naughty dog barked and ran towards you? I wanted to apologise - it was unlike her to do something like that, but it was my fault, I should have put her back on the lead after the recalls or at least been watching her.

What a good boy. He's so lucky to have ended up with you. I love your photos of all the dogs having a good time - always wish we could join you!

:D I have four black dogs and three of them are Rescues.....And I feel lucky to have the pleasure of being owned by them......... We don't really get a lot of choice with Newfies though, do we!!

Because spell check doesn't tell you when you've used 'there' instead of 'their', etc. I hate hearing 'yous' instead of 'you'.

Except that dogs are not going to kill somebody when they want some sexy-time. Neither do well trained stallions!

That's what I was thinking. How does this work? Do you teach two different downs? Kivi has seemed a bit confused as well. I'll just not ask for a down from a sit until I've got the foldback down on cue. If you initially teach the dog sit, then stand, then drop, the dog will tend to do fold down drops. Initially you always ask for stand then drop, from a sit, then when the dog is good at this, ask for drop from sit. If the dog flicks his hind end up and back and goes into a fold down drop, reward it, if it moves it's feet forward into drop, just try again. You can help the dog understand by standing right in front of it or having a pole or something on the ground in front of its front feet so it's difficult for it to move it's feet forward.

I tried to sign but it wouldn't accept it because I couldn't fill in my state as they are all USA states and it didn't like my postcode either. How do you get around this? You have to scroll up & change where it says USA to Australia Thanks. I had done that but somehow it mustn't have worked. Tried again and it worked this time.

I tried to sign but it wouldn't accept it because I couldn't fill in my state as they are all USA states and it didn't like my postcode either. How do you get around this?

Yes, it was 'Alpha'.

Hi megan. Now I know who you are. I didn't have my dog there, but I was sitting on the tree talking to you about Fergus at lunch time yesterday. I thought that might have been who you were but wasn't sure. Fergus is very cute and worked so well.

It was good to meet you and Becky too, luvsablue. I also enjoyed the seminar. I was interested in how Uta broke down and started training the more advanced exercises that I haven't started on yet. Which person was 'megan' - what breed of dog did she have?

I'm sure you would find Steve at K9 Pro very helpful. He also runs distance training programs. Also have a look at the Leerburg website. They have a lot of good articles and podcasts and excellent DVDs - on pack structure, dealing with dominant and aggressive dogs and general training, feeding etc.

Have a look at the Leerburg website. Heaps of information - articles and podcasts, and some great DVDs, especially the Michael Ellis ones.

I didn't know this. Head Collars, but not food? IMO the two go together. I'd not be using a toy/tug motivation sequence with a dog on a head collar, so what other motivation style do they promote? Just interested - I thought Alpha had a reasonable reputation. No toys either. Releasing them from a sit/drop/stand/heeling was supposed to be their reward. Probably is rewarding to an energetic dog that doesn't like to stay still but not rewarding to those that are laid back and/or shut down. I had heaps of trouble getting my dog up from a drop so it certainly wasn't rewarding to her. Since using food/toys to reward her she is very motivated - except when it's hot weather! I have to admit I did start slipping her a treat or two when they weren't looking!