HugL

Totally agree, Pretty Miss Emma. We work in a high school and took 6mo GSD in every Friday. He was mainly outside with us all day. Kids loved it and teachers commented how much calmer the kids were. He even managed to reform 2 dog-phobic teenagers! and was working with a special needs one. Sadly at about 12mo, we were asked not to bring him in anymore by the principal who was as upset as we were. We think a particular teacher complained. After 2 years, the kids still ask why he doesn't come in anymore. We tell them they drop too much rubbish.

Ditto to all above. Great presenter and keeps you interested.

I'm not out this week with my 'old fashioned' Gsd but good luck to all you guys. Don't panic nightgrace6. If you want to talk to someone, the aussie's are a great bunch and welcome everyone. I know by experience!

The sad thing is that as long as animal "welfare" organisations churn out this crap, DD craze will continue and GP will keep supporting these BYB and PF through pet shops and actually think they are doing the "right" thing. I talk to many GP about dogs and explain as much as I can but the message isn't getting across. They still impulse buy the pup in the window and end up with massive vet bills or pay hundreds for a DD or "purebred" that would be cheaper thru a registered breeder. How can we with more knowledge get info to them so they make informed decisions? RSPCA - pls help instead of crucifying us because we made an informed choice and researched before getting a registered dog. (WE as in those in the purebred community - hope not to offend anyone)

Prior to this behavior, was she left alone and what did she do?

I have no experience with BB but borrowed the book from our local library. If their methods are like the book then the "throw chain" will solve every problem. Interesting read but after every chapter, response was still the same regardless of problem. Wouldn't recommend them, wouldn't use them, definitely wouldn't buy franchise!

Diesal&Ryder - why do they have to do it during your favorite show? And it's the only time he's motivated Agility trial at 35 weeks pregnant. Delivering premature within a week and getting first leg of AD 5 weeks later with milk-laden breasts. (The video is hilarious!)

I show and train my GSD and have never had an issue between the two. Like TerraNik, my body language is different and I use a flat collar in obedience and slip for showing. I also start training with "working" and showing with "showing" to emphasize the difference. When stopping in the show ring, I always use "stand" and "stay" commands but my boy knows the difference. I have also taught him "turn" for the triangle. Are you wanting to get obedience titles or just have a more obedient dog? If you are going to try trialling, you will need to listen to the instructor and correct what your dog is doing. If you are not going to trial, have a chat with your instructor and explain the situation. If the instructor still won't tolerate what's happening, try another class. My boy loves stand for exam until the instructor walks off without doing the "show exam" (ie touching his bits) and he gives the instructor a look as if to say "you forgot something!"

Spent quite a few years doing paperwork for obedience club and some breeds I've never forgotten rockwheeler shit zoo and the ultimate.... SHUG! I ran this one past the head instructor as owner didn't know. Turned out to be Shih-tzu x pug - talk about ingrown hairs around the face!!! Why are the general public so dumb about this stuff??? How can they ever be educated, especially when "breeders" can't get it right in the paper ads?

Lots around Adelaide. Depends on your area, how far you wish to travel, available days/nights and what sort of training you are after. Some clubs do Obedience, agility, flyball, etc. Others are more specific. Some are reward-based only with limited collar choice, others have the "if it works, use it" attitude. Happy to help - most of my knowledge is north & NE of Adelaide if you are interested

Your boy is on a limited slip collar or flat. Is there a reason the ChiXfox is on a harness? My experience is that harness were designed for pulling as they are located around the strongest part of the dog. Have you tried this one on any type of collar? Hard to give advise without all the facts - sorry

I rented in NE suburbs of Adelaide for 12 months with a GSD and 2 kids. I offered references for the dog and explained that he was obedience trained. Even got the choice of 2 properties in the end. Both were good, clean houses with large yard. Never found inspections a problem and was asked to come back if I ever needed to rent again. If you do train your dog, I would suggest getting a letter from the head instructor to go with you application. If not, Tea Tree Gully council has it's own obedience program and you could ask for an assessment if you want to live in this area. (You haven't indicated where you are looking) Good luck with your search and welcome to Adelaide!

If you are in Adelaide I bank with LLL in North Adelaide and they happily do all my withdrawls as cheques for all my entires. And at NO cost to me. If you can't get in they will post the cheque out to you. They will even forward the cheque if you include paperwork. You still get a passbook if you don't want internet banking. Bit old fashioned but great service and much better interest rates than any bank or credit union that I've talked to. Good luck, I was in that boat before I moved my banking

If you are out north, I'm pretty certain Para Districts have it. They have a website you can google. http://www.paradogtraining.com.au/ Found it for you. Training Monday nights

My daughters are now 11 and 9. Some consolation for you is that while your time may be taken now, you will get time later with the dogs as the kids get older. Like Kavik, I was able to keep taking them to training and had that as their quality time. It also kept me in with doggie people so I had another form of conversation away from kids. I kept one of my dogs in quite a bit (older GSD x) and if my daughter go too close, she got moved away 3 times before being put in her room for a few minutes. This showed her that dogs weren't playthings. Good luck with it and don't stress. I bet your dogs aren't. They're probably happy just having you home more often.

Many years ago I used an emergency vet for twisted gut in my GSD. I paid what I could at discharge and arranged a payment plan for the rest, over $2000. I made sure I paid if off quicker so I now have history with them that can be referred to if anything happens again. Think they were so amazed that within hours of surgery for 720 degree twist the dog was scrounging for food and this led them to believe I was a pretty good owner - may have been credit deciding factor? I also agree with the comments that if you can't afford the vet bills (expected or unexpected) then maybe you should consider not having one. I hate seeing Dr Harry having to treat animals that should have been taken to vet months before but the owner didn't even think. This is animal cruelty and I don't know how Dr Harry doesn't slap sense into them.

LOVE IT!! Know a few people I'd love to give it too but they'd complain it wasn't working

I got the EOS 1000D a few months ago with the IS twin lens kit 18-55 and 55-250mm. This is my first DSLR and I absolutely love it! I have taken pictures at my daughter's gymnastics comps and it does great stills. The only problem is the novice behind the lens. Are you aware it doesn't have video? I got it thru camerapro.net.au and found them to be very good. The product was packaged well but due to stocking of the freebies, I received about 3 deliveries. Still only paid for one. They are in Qld and they only stock australian product. Good luck with your serch

Kelprin, Thank you for the info. I did not know that about pittys. Are there any dog with lockjaws? I entirely sympathise with any owner that has been bullied simply for the breed they have when the do the right thing by the dog. I don't enjoy walking my GSD due to the number of small hairy dog (not always white) owners that will cross the road, turn around or tell me to keep my vicious dog away from their dog. My dog walks quietly at my side while their's is straining at the end of lead growling and barking. If it got loose and attacked my dog we all know who would get the blame!! Muttrus, so sorry to hear about your mastiff. I agree with you about the kids. I trust my dog but not other kids. On the positive side, most are cautious around him due to the negative hype. Breeders can improve the dog but how do we improve people?

Agree with Diva. Think learning to judge would help my showing and understanding but have absolutely no desire to breed. Couldn't stand the thought of not being able to take back a pup that wasn't working out or needed re-homing.

Bully, not sure what suburb you are in but in TTG they only give $5 training discount and puppy preschool certificate is accepted. When I asked about this their reply "it's only $5". Pretty poor considering they have a council based dog obedience program that runs every Wed night for most of the year and has been going over 25 years!!! Needless to say I am no longer an instructor there.

Have you tried high pitch yelp like a litter mate in pain? This taught our GSD when to stop and he became very apologetic and quite pathetic. The other options seem very negative and he doesn't appear to respond well to that. Does he have chew toys? We give babies teething toys but a lot of people forget that puppies go thru it too. Not sure if these will help - just ideas. Good luck and if all else fails, seek professional help before it's too late.

Equerry, I'm glad you haven't left the forum. People who are negative are the reason I don't post much but I wanted to give you my thoughts. It sounds like you are open to a variety of breeds but don't forget there are many variations within each breed. GSD's are supposedly high-drive, active large dogs that require huge amounts of exercise. However, my GSD hasn't been told this and is the laziest thing I have ever met. eg he loves showing but on the rare occasion we go in for group, I have to all but wake him up! I chose my breeder based on what I liked about her lines. When you are looking at breeds, make sure you pay attention to the individuals within the breed. If I ever wanted a red kelpie, I would go for the lines of one I show with - calm, refined and friendly with all. I know the ones I see up north on the back of utes wouldn't suit my lifestyle. Good luck with your hunting and most important of all - take your time and listen to your gut.

I was in a local petshop behind 10yo boy asking for a muzzle. In answer to breed, his reply "6mo Rockweller". Don't think the muzzle will solve their problem!!