Kavik

I actually struggled with the Shirley Chong method - Diesel wanted to grab the dumbbell and throw it, and Kaos got stuck at putting his mouth on it but wouldn't hold it :laugh: I fixed both issues, but used a couple of different methods, one of my favourites is shown in this video by kikopup

I know you said you wanted something large, but what about a Kelpie or Cattle Dog? They can run long distances! Even though they are not big, they are dark coloured and prick eared, and I have had people keep their distance due to their appearance (mine would lick you to death :laugh: even the GSD).

Hopefully The Spotted Devil will come back to this thread and tell you about Dalmatians! I thought about suggesting them but I don't know as much about them as I do the others.

I would say some suggestions are Boxer, Vizsla, German Shorthaired Pointer German Shepherds have a double coat and the shedding is unbelievable! Lots and lots of hair!

I would wait until she is fully grown and then desex. Males are easier to leave entire in my opinion, girls are a bit trickier. You may find a vet that is willing to do a tubal ligation, but it will probably take some convincing on your part. One of the big risks of leaving a bitch entire is pyometra - infection of the uterus. This is very dangerous, and generally requires a spey to fix it, it can be life threatening. Some bitches have temperament changes when in season. Seasons are messy, last around 3 weeks and most come into season twice a year. I would certainly have higher than 4 foot fences if you decide to leave her entire.

Basically, She may want to toilet after eating, drinking, sleeping, playing, so those are good times to take them out. Praise, pats, treats when she does go to the toilet outside. You can eventually put this on cue if you like. I just use "toilet" but you can use any word you like Signs that she may need to go to the toilet are sniffing, circling. You may need to wait a while outside before she goes, if she hasn't been in a while, I would wait outside with her until she goes. How often they poo and when can depend on their feeding schedule.

huski Very impressive focus with such a young pup! My young Kelpie still has the attention span of a gnat, so easily distracted :laugh:

Love the ears!

fine tooth comb works well for mine as well.

I find a bristle brush works well with mine

Thanks guys :)

There is no way they will get a force dryer lol - my sister's husband (will be his dog) is not like us. I knew he wanted a dog for a while but the weekend before last he called me and said - OK we are getting a dog now! And was looking at gumtree adverts to go look the next day! I managed to steer him towards a breeder, have convinced him to get a crate (they have 3 kids aged 4 to 7 and one on the way) and a proper kennel rather than using the kids cubby house. Some good grooming tools, sure, but even I don't have a force dryer :laugh:

Thanks HW, I will get them to ask the breeder when they pick the pup up.

Are zoom grooms really that great for Goldens? I have one and have used it on my GSD, but was not super impressed with it, so don't use it anymore

My sister's family is getting a Golden Retriever puppy, and I would like to recommend some grooming tools for them to buy. What do people recommend?

In Kelpies Black/Brown is on one locus/gene ( so dog can be either black or brown/chocolate) - B locus The dilute colours (blue - dilute black, fawn - dilute brown) are on a different locus/gene - D locus Cream (e/e red) is on E locus. (masking gene - dog appears cream, genetically is still either black or brown) http://www.hnrworkingkelpies.com/Coat_Colors.html

Many sympathies! My worst dog related injury (torn medial ligament) also involved a Labrador!

huski - who is a member on here - works for K9Pro :) I'm sure she can answer any questions you may have. Hopefully she will see this thread, or you can send her a private message with your questions.

This is the UK Border Collie standard - only says a variety of colours permissible and white should never predominate. UK standard also allows short coats, which Australia does not. http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/standard.aspx?id=5166

What about the BCs though? Colours that are allowed in other countries, but not here for some reason? And Kelpies, colours that occur in working Kelpies and have from the beginning, but not included in the standard?

Thanks for the reminder!

The Kelpie standard for colour is interesting too. Black, black and tan, red, red and tan, fawn, chocolate, and smoke blue. Genetically, the red and chocolate referred to in Kelpies is the same. Doesn't mention many colours which are historically associated with the breed and allowed in Working Kelpies such as blue and tan, fawn and tan, strange when it allows fawn and blue? And also cream which occurs in working lines as well.

Very cute! And I love the colour :D

When I use a NRM it does NOT mean that there is a correction coming, it means try again, that wasn't quite right. I use an upbeat voice, whoops, and want the dog to come back to me with an upbeat attitude to try again. I only use them in very specific circumstances, such as training the weave poles, if they miss a weave entry, when there is a behaviour chain, and I don't want the rest of the chain to be continued (as doing the rest is reinforcing in itself).

The most clever dog I've owned was Belle - Cocker Spaniel X (I think Kelpie). She was only a little dog, around 11kg, was an escape artist, could climb the fence, could open the heavy sliding glass doors, get into every rubbish bin we tried, and a shocking food thief :laugh: Absolute opportunist of a dog. Out of my current dogs, my youngster Nitro is the closest in terms of 'cleverness' - he is an opportunist for sure :laugh: