fido666

Thanks for the discussion folks it's been interesting. In my earlier post I commented on how I hadn't finished the Delta course, that's why I can't rate it overall. I did find the intensive very rewarding, with intersting and informative speakers, but it was just that - intensive! Personally I was disadvantaged in some ways as the dog I had planned to take along was recovering from major unplanned surgery, so I was dogless and had to borrow a dog for the practicals. In other ways that was a good thing as I wasn't burdened by a wriggling working dog so I could give full attention to the instructors.

They do cram a lot into the intensive, my one gripe is that it is just too much in 1 week. As a current student StaffNToller may have benefited from some of the feedback we gave Delta after the intensive last year. I don't recall even being shown a Prong Collar during the live equipment demos for instance, perhaps an example of feedback left by past students. All courses evolve over time so the experiences of a student one year ago may not be so relevant to the current offering.

I did find the mentor thing tough, my own situation did not work out, one of the reasons I deferred. Delta do ask a lot of other Delta accredited instructors in that regard.

Just 1 other point, the NDTF course is a Certificate III in Dog Behavioural Training run over 8 months. The Delta course offers a Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services run over 18 months. Both courses are accredited by Aust National Training Authority but have somewhat different focus and content.

For info on the Delta course check out the Delta website at:- http://www.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au/

For info on the NDTF course check out the NDTF website at:-

http://www.ndtf.net.au/new/index.html

Cheers,

Corine

Edited for clarity (I hope).

This is not flaming neither is it threatning, it's more based on education. Would it be ok if I belted you in the head with a cricket bat for not agreeing with what I think is right? The obvious answer is, most definately not! So hopefully that should answer your question. See this is the interesting side of the argument, what do we consider to be cruel?

I have a few things I consider cruel.

Starvation,

Isolation,

Stupidity

Anthropomorphism

I had a private lesson with a young lady about 6 years ago and she was mortified with her dog and her prior trainer because she believes it was the trainers fault why her dog killed and ate the cat. I asked her why she came to that conclusion and she explained to me that her trainer only believed in positive measures and if her dog didn't behave then she should with hold the dogs food. She couldn't get the dog to stop so she didn't feed it for 1 week so it ate the cat.

Obviously, a gross misinterpritation on a silly persons behalf but none the less, another person not understanding how to use what they have been given. Mind you, I managed to fix the behaviour in 1 lesson with some sensibly applied positive punishment, convinced her to keep the dog and not do silly things like that again. Amen

Hi HR,

I was specifically referring to your statement

I applaude people's right to chose what they want to use.

That person with the cat eating dog you mentioned probably did not speak to her instructor about the ongoing problem, without knowing the circumstances I won't comment further. I have used both positive and negative methods in different training situations so please don't think I'm biased either way.

Cheers,

Corine

Well I was going to stay quiet but can't help myself . I am seeing lots of lovely comments here about the NDTF course being better than Delta but how many of the posters can speak from direct experience of both? I haven't done NDTF so won't say that it's better or worse than Delta, so why do NDTF people insist on critiquing Delta all the time? I'm not talking about positive vs negative methods here, just how the 2 courses compare in delivery and content. When someone here who has done both courses can relay their experiences I might be convinced which is better, until then I will reserve judgement.

Note: The author has done the Delta Intensive but has deferred her studies for personal reasons. I found the instructors and tutors to be very knowledgable and helpful. I have looked into NDTF also, still trying to decide which way to go.

Herr Rotweiller,

You mentioned the following:-

I applaude people's right to chose what they want to use. The same liberties and courtesies are not returned. There is nothing more stimulating than sitting with open minded people and discussing techniques, methods, ideas etc. On the other side, there is nothing more offensive than talking to people who have no idea why, it's just that way to them because it is or someone told them

Not sure exactly what you mean here but where do you draw the line? Would it be OK if I jabbed my dog with an electric cattle prod if he didn't turn left when I wanted him too? A piece of equipment used incorrectly can inflict pain, too many instructors who use such equipment have no idea how it's meant to be used. I see so many dog owners who don't even know

that a slip chain has to be fitted a certain way, they have them on upside down and drag their dogs around on them choking the poor creatures half to death . I might add that the reasons for training a certain way were discussed in my Delta classes, the theory and practice was covered in great detail.

Please don't flame me guys, I'm not bagging NDTF here but I sense a very anti-Delta bias in the crowd tonight which isn't balanced or fair.

Cheers,

Corine

Edited for spelling errors.

Hi Colleen,

Gone but not forgotten, Maggie will be forever in your heart. I saw her pic in the Rainbrow Bridge 2 movie today, it brought a tear to my eye. I am sure that she, Brodie, and Bundy are all watching over their flock from heaven tonight.

Regards,

Corine

Ask your friend if he would eat off a dirty plate , I think not! I use ceramic bowls (you can get some really heavy ones from the bargain shops) which are washed after use just like any other dishes. I have stainless steel ones too but they sometimes clang and scare the dogs so I prefer the ceramics. You are not weird at all , it's a hygene issue after all.

Cheers,

Corine

A plant called Wandering Jew (hope I have that right) caused this type of reaction with one of my former Collies. It's a fairly common creeper type plant. I can't recall what was used to treat the infection and it became a bit of a habit with my girl (the chewing part) even once the infection cleared up.

Cheers,

Corine

Hi Antoinette and Kel,

Glad to hear Mallee and Chloe are doing well, all is fine with Duncan too.

Cheers,

Corine

Hi Caninecoach,

Sincere condolences on your loss . Was Loch one of your Shelties?

RIP young Loch, free to play at The Bridge now with the other youngsters

Life is full of froth and bubble,

Two things stand like stone,

Kindness in another's troubles,

Courage in your own.

Author unknown

Hi Rexy,

My little girl Mel had a shocking cold at around about the same age (if memory serves correctly). She wasn't really coughing though, just lots of snot and sneezing. She needed a couple of courses of antibiotics to sort it out but was not lethargic or off her food. Just out of interest but did Remy have a KC vaccine recently? If so, was it by injection or nasal delivery (spray)?

Hope the little guy gets well soon

Regards,

Corine

I didnt say they didnt shed they just dont knot up

You know you want a Sway baby

I may want one but it doesn't mean I can have one .

Cheers,

Corine

lol - I'm not fussed about shedding. I have 2 tollers so my house is already hairy!!

The hair on the rescue will grow back, but probably thicker than it was before. Was her skin spotty (Duncan's is)?

We had another rescue collie at our dog park whose hair had to be cut. His hair is almost fully grown back and now he is a real rough collie!

Not sure if her skin was spotty - she had a small coat, almost like a smoothie.

Hi Coop&Mango,

I've attached a pic of Duncan taken the night he came home from a major leg operation. If you look above the pink bandage on his leg you can see the spotty skin, he was shaved up to his rump . That fur has taken over a year to grow back to anything like its former length and you can see the fur is denser there.

Sorry the pic looks a bit gross, he was doped up on Morphine at the time.

Cheers,

Corine

Edited for spelling.

Dont stress with the grooming get a smoothie LOL

Now Eridor stop trying to convert everyone ;) . You know that Smoothies shed too .

Cheers,

Corine

;) he's boootiful!

I love blue merles . I saw my first blue merle collie on friday - but its a rescue and all her hair had been shaved . She was beautiful none the less!

Thanks, I think so too . The hair on the rescue will grow back, but probably thicker than it was before. Was her skin spotty (Duncan's is)?

Cheers,

Corine

Hi Coop&Mango,

It's not really complicated at all . Bare in mind, I am grooming for the show ring but like to keep them looking good regardless. You are right, that is a blue merle in my avatar (my 2 yo boy Duncan). I'll see if I can find a decent pic to put up as he's badly in need of a brush right now ;) .

To have a topic moved you click on the Report button and ask the mods to move it, I will do this now for you.

Cheers,

Corine

Edited to add photo. He's looking a little thin in this pic as he had not been well.

A good grooming session once a week is generally all they need. My 2 get messiest around the ears as they are always chewing on each other so that area gets extra attention. I groom mine from the bottom of the coat and work my way up (that is I lift the coat up in layers). If you just brush over the top it makes any knots or matts worse. I use a combination of a comb, pin brush (straight pins with no knobs on the ends), and Bristle brush (short and long combination). If doing a really heavy thinning out session I also use a Coat King around the pants area as this is usually the toughest area to tidy up. Hope that helps?

Cheers,

Corine

Condolences BB , it's allways hard to let go of the oldies.

RIP dear Pepper

Regards,

Corine

Airlines don't allow wire collapsible crates anymore so I would go for the solid plastic (Vari Kennel?) type.

Regards,

Corine

Hi KL,

I hope it is good news for Chloe today even if you don't think it will be, have faith sister .

Cheers,

Corine

Pups go through "fear periods", how old is she now? She may have been going through one which the bobcat aggrevated, they would be pretty scary things to a pup. I hope she isn't sick and that she gets over her fear soon.

Regards,

Corine

Apologies folks, have started seperate thread as I went a bit OT I think.

Cheers,

Corine

Congrats Clover, well done .

Cheers,

Corine

No the alpha roll doesn't figure at all in Puppy Puzzle. As part of the temperament test a puppy is held on its back in your arms and its head is lowered slightly downwards, in no way shape or form does this exercise resemble the alpha roll.

Thanks for clearing that up Miranda! I knew the puppy was placed on it's back, did not realise that was only while held in your arms.

Cheers,

Corine

Nah that's Pat Hastings.

DOH!!! How embarrassed am I right now? :rolleyes:

Cheers,

Corine

Isn't Pat Miller the lady who produces the Puppy Puzzle video? I could be wrong, but I thought the dreaded Alpha Roll was part of that process? My apologies in advance if this is not correct, I am happy to be corrected on this.

Cheers,

Corine

Oh happy belated 2nd birthday to the little man Duncan!!! :p

I'm such a bad mummy :cool: , it actually slipped my mind .

He is probably a little stiff because of the colder weather. I have just bought Chloe a heating pad blanket that stays warm for 12 hours or so, so hopefully this will help her old bones a bit. Have you tried Cartrophen injections with him? It might be helpful for him just in the cooler months to help relieve any stiffness?

I thought he was still too young to get arthritis? I might try Joint Guard or something similar, it's not too bad so far.

Well it's great that all the news so far is good... No I don't think Chloe strained herself the other day, but still, I have warned everyone that there can not be even the risk of a repeat performance!!! My little girl was curled up in bed when i left this morning, I could have crawled in with her and cuddled up!!!

Love,

Kel and Chlo-Bo

You gotta love them don't you? They give us heart failures then just curl up and sleep like nothing has happened .

Cheers,

Corine