Cosmolo

Does anyone have any suggestions for Winter, dog friendly holiday accommodation/ areas where there are plenty of walks/ hikes either in Victoria or southern NSW. Somewhere picturesque and reasonably quiet please! Needs to be genuinely dog friendly.

I'm not sure what your last post is supposed to mean Kavik but as a current lecturer on the NDTF course who has been heavily involved in content changes over the last few years, I'd just like to advise anyone here that the course has seriously evolved and changed in recent times. I'm a bit tired of debating training techniques so won't weigh in too heavily- Willem, you might be interested in my recent blog post. http://underdogtraining.com.au/dont-be-a-tool-the-dog-training-equipment-debate-debacle/ I agree with Bob Bailey's position on punishment and novice trainers generally.

It is worth bearing in mind that some behavioural trainers work in conjunction with the clients existing vet to get the dog on medication etc. Just because someone is a trainer doesn't mean they can't recommend medication- they just can't prescribe it. What has the breeder said about the issues?

Thanks TSD, I have a BOT supplier- use them for my horse.

I think I might need to take the dogs somewhere to try them on rather than buy online. My dogs are all such different shapes, I'm a bit worried about ordering some of the more expensive online coats because I'm not sure of the fit. Anyone know any good places in south east Melbourne with a good range of coats?

I mark with a verbal yes. Provides you reliably follow through with food the same as you would after the clicker I've found no difference. People are less likely to be consistent with their voice though which is where it can become less valuable.

With two dogs with terrible joint issues and one aging but very healthy dog I am looking at options for replacing their coats for the Winter. Any suggestions for warm dog coats? They currently have Weatherbeeta coats but they aren't that warm.

We service that area too. www.underdogtraining.com.au

Can't we just train dogs? Can't we just look at dogs and situations and teach people how to maximise opportunities for reinforcement of desirable behaviour? Can't we ask ourselves- is this in the dogs best interest? Is this minimally aversive? Am i actively minimising stress in the dog? I am so sick of different quality trainers who practice good animal welfare being attacked. I was on the receiving end today- behind my back, with comments to an associate that are just blatantly false. It poisons an industry and profession i love.

Having lived with both Cattle dogs don't shed anywhere near as much as the smooth collies. Though do shed more than the terriers mentioned

Cairn terrier- Jack russell terrier

I think it can work provided you are willing to think outside the square a little and invest time and money- especially from puppy- adulthood. Are you willing to consider things like a dog walker during the day a few times a week or dog daycare etc?

Juice makes a good point- my living lawn takes much more maintenance than my artificial one.

And after

This was my yard before

We had our backyard done a few years ago with expensive fake turf, laid professionally over a proper base etc. It is excellent and only needs a spray with diluted eucalyptus oil every now and then in Summer if there has been no rain. It is a large area, has garden beds around three sides where the dogs also toilet and I have a front yard with real grass to use sometimes as well. In saying that I do have 4 dogs so plenty of use on the fake grass. Mine doesn't get that hot either- but the dogs have a covered deck and the garden beds as well. For those saying how terrible it is- my yard was becoming dust or mud depending on season prior to the fake turf- one of my dogs hated the mud and one of the others had problems with the dust irritating his eyes. They are both much happier with the fake turf and it's a pretty amazing yard for them now.

I don't know how to post the photos here. Trailer rego is T60045 but i would think they would have removed identifiers pretty fast. Thanks for helping and sharing.

Unfortunately I think it will be gone for good- they'll probably dump all the equipment or burn it somewhere and sell the trailer.

My agility trailer, all equipment and agility course plans have been stolen. Please keep an eye out for a black box trailer or anyone trying to sell agility equipment. There is a post on the underdog training Facebook page with pictures- please share if possible. Reward offered- some of the stuff is worthless to anyone else but me. Call 0402112105 with any details.

My pet insurance paid out over $7000 for my young ACD in less than 6 months..!

A well run puppy school is absolutely worthwhile and should not be a free for all.

I have had a few collars on clients dogs break as well as a couple of leather leads and 2 German made Sprenger correction chains.

Dogs can connect that the presence of a destroyed/ moved object + owner= trouble. For this to happen they just need to have had the experience before. What they don't connect is their actual act of destroying it some time ago is what creates the trouble and that it could be avoided if they didn't destroy it! Not the same as guilt or remorse.

It doesn't have to be one or the other Sheridan And whilst LDH have much to improve, I would not be too quick to believe everything said in the media either.

A few facts- There are a whole lot of new staff literally just started working for LDH- I know a few of them and they are awesome people, right for the job and right for the animals. THINGS ARE CHANGING. ETA- the new staff started last week so would not have anything to do with supposed new procedures etc referred to in the article. The article also shows a serious lack of understanding of assessment, stress and the use of medication. Drug therapy is not new, not necessarily cruel and in some cases extremely helpful. I worked at a shelter 10 years ago with an excellent rehome rate and some of the dogs were put on anti anxiety medication- it stopped the dogs going kennel crazy, new owners were informed and the dogs were able to be homed.