Two Best Dogs!

OH and I forgot: Didi is SO SOFT and so gentle. I want to smoosh that little face some more. So smooshable.

I think I get you. I'm not pleased at Thistle's lightning quick bird killing capabilities - but I am proud when I recall her off the bird (dead or alive). I'd prefer to prevent it happening but sometimes I'm not there or I don't see the bird before Thistle does... (She'd be such a good birder or pigging dog though. Not going down that path, but the potential is there)

Exhausted driveby to say Terri and Didi are GREAT. Thistle wagged at Didi! Thistle licked Didi's face (Didi seemed confused), butt sniffing was rampant, Thistle gave no shits about personal space! Thistle yanked my arm nearly out of my socket by trying to initiate chasies! Thistle tried to do chasies in a puddle on a dinky little city lead and worked Didi up a bit! Wet puppies! Wet puppies walking together and bumping into each other and sniffing things together. No reactivity, no growling, no lunging, minimal whale eye, lots of pulling because she wanted to sniff Didi's butt. Good girl! Go Didi! Didi was a calm rock of awesome. Then we went up to the mountains and Thistle earned some tiny offlead privileges at a dam.

It seems to be intentionally misleading and confusing :/ Not good for the potential new person reading everything they can get their hands on and taking it at face value...

Ah I see, although I would expect them to be aware that having it on runs the risk as they need to have installed the trackr app for the data to be sent. But they will not be aware when they've walked past someone else's item.

I don't think we are on the same page lol. The only data usage would be the wifi the app uses to share info, which I assume would be minuscule. Much less than something like Facebook. everything else is Bluetooth. And you're using your own phone, no need to buy another sim and credit? But I don't have full understanding of the details, somewhere on here may answer your question? https://www.thetrackr.com/tech-specs I've had the app running the past month, although do not have a linked device yet, just to help out others with crowd gps

...make sure that it doesn't consume much of your data allowances...not sure about the details of the app, but if it sends automatically a message from your mobile phone every time you pass a tracker that is linked to this network it might come not cheap... Not that kind of message! What I mean is, my understanding, is missing dog goes past a phone with the app (100ft) and the dog will connect to that random persons phone. That persons phone and app connect to the general crowd and notifies the app that bravo 564664774 was at X/y coordinates. Then since my app is attached to bravo 564664774 I get a push notification (not a text) that puppy was spotted at X/y I think you need to select it's lost and also have notifications enabled. Otherwise yeah every time I go home I'd get a notification.

Ah! That's the one I was talking about. Forgive my laziness / ignorance - what's the difference? I'd be interested in one which let me check in and make sure he was still in the yard and I suppose track him if he P'eed off at the park (not that he's ever do that /sarcasm). Damned if I know! No sim card, it uses bluetooth and piggy backs off phones nearby who also use it? There was a app map which shows active areas. If your missing dog goes past one of those it sends a message to your phone. And if you have a group of ppl with it all active on the phone it can increase search range. Good for in the city, useless in remote areas I would think. But a more affordable option compared to the gps radio ones... I think target will be selling them soon? I'm waiting so long because they're really slow at posting and I got it custom water proof covering and mobile engraving. I'm optimistic.

idk, a battery you have to remember to change every week? simcard reliant? subscription? Hmmmm. (Can't judge too much though, still waiting on the crowd bluetooth trackr bravo to arrive)

Fair enough, I will keep it with us/put it on if needed. Especially with all the different sizes and I've read that whippets have delicate skin? Mixing dogs of different sizes always makes me a bit uneasy for the smaller ones, so easily squashed... Unfortunately no crate, but she's near-reliable mat trained and pretty good at ignoring dogs unless they are literally up in her face (which is only of concern if they're running up or jumping on her. A polite dog coming over for a sniff shouldn't be a worry. Although 10 polite dogs at once might be a bit much!). And if she seems overwhelmed or unhappy, I guess there's the car (as in, we would probably just go and try again for another day. Or go for a walk while everyone else runs around. Baby steps). Neko is so sweet and tiny <3

Thanks :) well come along and watch sometime. (She'll only nip if some dog bumps in to her or jumps on her so mostly concerned for groups, so we can always try those solos. Everything seems so well set up to keep the dogs comfortable! Thanks for answering questions, I feel better )

It's this one, she can open her mouth and take treats with it (i know it's not on properly, just slipped it on now for photo). Is it an alright or does it need to be more basket? I saw But that just gives us time to work on not hating the muzzle and our confidence around crowds/moving away from me! ;)

Not sure if we could fit your girl with a muzzle. If you're worried she might be nippy you can run her alone. Just explain to the starter. You can of course always just come along for a look-see and socialisation, and just see how she reacts. Play it by ear. Oh don't worry! She has her own muzzle, I've just got to finish rewarding her for it (i've been so lazy ). playing by ear sounds good an even hanging around watching would prob be good for her. thanks C: (I am following the facebook for the next saturday one!)

Kirislin, couple of questions. (realised your club is a) closer to me and b) sometimes runs on saturdays!) Do you think they'll be understanding/accommodating of a more worried pretend-fake-whippet? I confess, I'm not sure she'll even chase a lure with a large audience instead of just standing with me (lol) and solo runs would be preferable for now. do you find the crowd/other dogs are at far enough a distance not to be a distraction? Although I saw a bit where dogs can get a sort of mentor-dog, which might work since muzzle = no over excited/worried nipping? I'd really like to give it a go but I'm overthinking on all the bits that could be a bad experience instead but I'd love for us both to branch out into fun doggie things.

the set up varies from club to club, but all run a 100mt straight course, usually after a drag lure. It would be best to go to some fun days before hand to get her used to chasing the lure. Some people get one person to release their dog and the owner goes up to the end so the dog chases. It's not ideal, we like them to chase the actual lure rather than just be running back to their owner but sometimes it's the only way they can get them to run. It was the first time our club hosted the event, it's only a new competition (been running 2 years) but growing in popularity as you can imagine. :D Hahah I think some performance anxiety might happen if I'm too far away but I'm checking out the rhodesian ridgeback lure club in Vic. Got to puzzle out the timing though, all their events are at the same time as our obedience classes!

I just read this whole thread, it looks like fun! I hope it runs again next year locally Could someone describe the set up for me? Like, do they give enough space that the dogs are not distracted by the watching people? Where does the owner go? I think I could quite easily put her in a stand then walk to the finish line and call her but not so sure movement would happen if she has to run away from me after a lure if strangers are watching (not very inclined to stray). She recalls like a rocket XD

Oh no, that adds complications. I believe there's a timed feeder you could get for your ill dog - assuming they're seperate when you're not there so the others can't get the food. And I think some people hire pet carers to drop by? This isn't something I can do so I know very little about this. Same again for doggie day cares that could potentially be an option? Play and food can be managed. Or perhaps your neighbours might oblige. For your howler, I guess you could start working on teaching her to be quiet when you leave. Does she settle down after you're gone? Could you give her breakfast or something high value to distract with when you're leaving? Big life changes are not fun but hopefully you and your pups can work it out.

I'll just list what works for us. I work 9-5 with a 70 minute commute. I play brain games in the morning (flirt pole mostly), give her breakfast in a king wobbler with scrunchy paper added (thanks DOL, lasts about 30-45 minutes now) and then take her for walks/training straight after I get home. She's got various toys (50c salvos mostly) to play and destroy during the day if she gets bored. Once a week, usually Thursdays but sometimes I switch it up, I have negotiated with my boss to leave home an hour early on that day to get a longer more hardcore training session in with her. I'm currently in discussions around working a flexible 9 day fortnight. I'll work 9 hours for 9 days, then take the 10th day off. Possibly something you can talk about. Our workplace is also introducing the option of being able to work from home 1 day a week but I am unsure if I would do that. But something you can discuss perhaps? Do you think separation anxiety might be an issue? I took a couple of weeks off when I got the dog so I could slowly introduce her to independent alone time.

From our experience, keeping that eye on the punctures (a couple of them took a month to close over and about 4 months for fur to grow back. Kept on antibiotics while still open and daily checking not filled with puss and cleaning out). Get your dog out and about with dogs again ASAP! I had mine out and about from the second day after the attack and although she is now very worried and scared of dogs it is generally only if they're up in her face for an extended period of time. She was a bit growly but I think just being around the dogs was better than hiding at home. It was low key with dogs of varying sizes and genders. Also, you should be the one to do this as your wife may transmit her anxiety. Also your wife may also be worried and wary around some dogs now which is normal! It's been 8 months and I think I'm finally learning to trust that not all dogs are going to start shit with us. It's a frightening experience. I hope your dog is more resilient than mine she was ok with dogs and I hope to be again

Well done! What a good dog :)

Not experienced the puppy training personally as my dog is an adult but I am consistently delighted with positive k9 training located in Kew and I watch their puppy sessions every Sunday morning before ours start. They train the people and the dogs :) http://www.positivek9training.com.au

oh noooo they're so cute, I love them.

What are you using as a snake stimulus? I am curious to know :) The local best friends usually has some snakes. One of the snake containers has little ?air? holes at about dog head height so when there's a snake in it we "casually" walk past and I click her when she shows disinterest or actively moves away/towards me in response. I do not think this training will hold strong if the snake is moving and therefore interesting/chaseable. But am hoping if she stumbles across a snake at rest she will redirect and come over to me. Or hesitate. Any second gained is good I think I think there are ppl who do similar with snake skins.

Yeah in the video the dog gets a shock, is alarmed and jumps back and then is praised for running away from the snake/to the owner. I can see the value in it learning such a response but only in specific situations or training. Snakes, yes. Day to day obedience? No. Then I can see it causing issues and the dog catching on to the shock and the collar. In agreement with snook I think - I wouldn't expect this to be something that needs enough refresher courses that the dog will catch on or be desensitised or start to link the collar to anxiety issues from the once off training every couple of years. But then I also wouldn't expect to use this collar as a training method outside of something as high risk as a snake encounter. Most things you can train with time and reinforcement but snake avoidance is something I would prefer done "hard and fast". If that makes sense /sighing and continues the clicker training on smell snake = return to owner as better than nothing I guess.

Looks much more effective than my clicker training with snake avoidance. Not something I would turn down if a session was offered to me. They even tested the collar on a person in the video and would imagine any customers could ask to have it uses on them too. With all the snakes showing up on paths in my local dog walking area + summer hiking... Way preferable to a bitten dog.