gusgem

What would you choose If you had 3 kids, and two older labs? Does either of those factors really make that much difference when choosing a breed ?????

Cool! Have fun with deciding

Lol I will definitely have to get my DH to hold the different breeds behind his back so I can choose that way ;)

He is no help as he said "that's fine" (his highest level of compliment/agreement) to all of them!

The breeds are another lab (they really are the perfect dog for our family, but I would really like a change after havin them around for all but maybe 5yrs of my life), a gsp and a gsd...

I am contemplating getting a puppy to eventually train in agility and obedience. I have my name down at two breeders (of two different breeds) as an "prospective buyer", but I am absolutely torn between 3 different breeds! I haven't even set out to investigate the third breed as I know which breeder I would like to get a pup from and know they have litters coming up in the next year or so.

So how do you decide? I've done countless pros/cons lists but still can't decide.

How exciting... Wish I could have entered would be so much fun! I'll definitely be there to watch.

Depends if she is over weight now or you just want her fitter ??

If she isn't fat i wouldn't be altering her food intake to much if you have doubled her exercise

If she is fat then still factor in heavy exercise still needs a good diet

Thanks for the replies... I have only decreased her dry food by 10% and am still giving her chicken wings. She is probably about 2kg over weight at the moment. I want her to be getting enough to build muscle to burn off fat, but not any excess IYKWIM. She is loving all the extra runs! I will hunt around for some roo tails.

Just wondering what bones were best for dogs on a diet? I am trying to get Maple into really good condition so have doubled her exercise and decreased her food. I still want to feed her bones (normally give her two chicken wings) so what are the lowest fat bones to give? Or are they all pretty much similar? TIA

Yeah I was quite shocked! I thought I would have to work on those the most. She seemed to really enjoy the training we did this afternoon, so I might keep at it with her and see how she goes while I think about a pup...

So it appears she remembers how to weave!

With all this agility talk I have been thinking about how, when I do get a new pup, I would like to be on the right path from the start. So what are your recommendations for foundation training? Any particular books/dvds/trainers I should look out for? TIA

I'd say if you have access to NADAC trials then definitely get her back in to it, I started my old girl when she was almost 11 years old (I adopted her as a 9 year old so couldn't start her when she was young as I didn't have her!!). NADAC have a vetrans division which is great as they get lower jump heights and more time yet still get to have all the fun.

I'm not sure that it runs in NSW, but maybe you could get it started up there for all the oldies!!!

Yes ADAC agility runs in NSW :)

http://www.adacagility.com/

NADAC could be good to get back into the swing of things!

Hi Vickie! Yes, 3 kids later and i feel like getting back into doggy stuff. Maple still does the odd "trick" before dinner and hopefully after a bit of training she'll be keen! Am hopefully heading out to a trial next weekend at hawkesbury to catch up with Maggie etc, might see you there :)

My memory is obviously not quite a clear as Vickie's although I am sure i remember a "Maple" in the distant past! If I am not busy (judging) make sure you come up and jog my memory by reintroducing yourself!

Cheers,

Will do Le! :)

Hi Vickie! Yes, 3 kids later and i feel like getting back into doggy stuff. Maple still does the odd "trick" before dinner and hopefully after a bit of training she'll be keen! Am hopefully heading out to a trial next weekend at hawkesbury to catch up with Maggie etc, might see you there :)

Oh awesome! Thanks do much for your replies... I think I will definitely have to pull out all the training stuff & get back into it with her. I don't know if I am ready for a pup just at the moment... Maybe later in the year. I appreciate your advice :)

Or do I just put more time & energy into finding a new pup to start?

Havent been on here for years! I have an almost 8yr old lab that I trained in agility about 6 years ago, before my first child was born. I really would like to get back into the sport (now that I've had all my kids!) but am concerned that she may be too old to compete. She is fit and healthy, never had any joint problems. But by the time she would be back up to trialling she would almost be 9... Wdyt?

Nup...you don't have to have one. I was a member and didn't have one.

Great!! Thanks everyone.... Oh if only i could get a GSD now!!

Quobba- I just looked at your website and your kids are gorgeous!

Thats hilarious!! My labrador (female) does the whole "i'll look interested, but if you actually throw it I'll walk in the other direction and lie down!" thing. At least your furkid follows it!

Just wondering if anyone on DOL has a GSD that they do herding with. My dream is to one day have, again, a GSD that I can compete in everything!! Obedience, agility, herding, tracking...oh how wonderful that would be. Would love to hear of people's experiences with them and herding.

Thanks

yep, my vet suggested this to us for one of our labs, its great. It is 1:30 diluted and its great.

I have a male lab who is 7 now and got desexed at 9 months of age....and trust me, he still does all the joyful "boyish" behaviours. He humps, tries to be dominant with other males, and other such things. Getting rid of his nuts did nothing to change his behaviour!! So get him desexed. It won't change him, well it didn't change my boy.

So cute....can I have your GSD, she's gorgeous!

Tia's brother is Sirius!! He's so cute!!

I like softer bones like Chicken frames and wings (but there isn't much point giving my two labs wings cos the swallow them whole!) But having said that my GSD would be very dainty about eating them!