Erny

I like this idea too. I think part of the answer lies in working out why people want dogs in their lives in the first place and appealing to that side of whats in it for me. Some people do want a dog because its gives them opportunity to incorporate that into a social situation - just look at dogs online - the only thing you can pretty much guarantee is that we all have ownership of dogs in common .By coming her we each get different things from the experience basically because we all come and most definitely stay for different reasons. Professional trainers - who do you see as your target market? No amount of discounts on my rego would make me think it was worth it unless you could show me how else I would gain benefit. I offer the "Specialty Classes" for this sort of thing. It only comprised of about 3 class sequences. The first one to teach. The second one to check up on and coach/tweak to help people get it right and to fix up any little problems with it that still might be existing. The third one just to make sure all was good. The classes were very successful for those who came through them. But there isn't huge enquiry for the Specialty Classes - although perhaps that's my lack of marketing skills showing up. I also found that a good number of the people who did enquire were people who didn't have weekend time to attend 'normal' classes - they just wanted those one or two things and they wanted/needed them during the week/at odd hours. What I could fit in for some, didn't suit some others and vice versa. I did find that there were a few people who wanted to proceed further once they'd established the "specialty" skill they'd originally sought, so it is something that could even prove enough to induce people to continue with training, which is a good thing. However I also found that they wanted to increase the number of skills inside the 3 lessons they'd purchased. Some others thought they would like to increase skills learnt but each had their mindset on the classes running at days and times to suit each one of them individually - and this didn't work. Again though, it was something that I probably didn't market properly or fully as I became more busy with the other things I was doing. I haven't pushed this side of things for a while but I can tell you I haven't had an enquiry about it for quite some time either. Plans are in the pipeline however for our classes to incorporate these lessons as a fast track over and beyond what we offer in our 'normal' classes. Something to think about is that with people only learning one or two things, they are potentially going to expect the costs for that tuition to be less as well and that isn't necessarily going to be an easy thing - at least not for private trainers who need to pay instructors, hire grounds. The Private Trainers would potentially be up for the same overhead costs regardless of how many skills they might be teaching in the one lesson. Sorry - rambling a little bit and not intending to be a wet blanket. I think it is a good idea. If I didn't, I wouldn't have created Pro-K9's "Specialty Class" service in the first place, nor to consider a revamp of our current class structure to incorporate them. But thought my thoughts and experiences might be worth something as at least food for thought.

Yeah, there's MYKI. And there's the insulation schemes. And there's the school building schemes.

Mandela ate all of his breakfast (Z/D kibble only - 3 cups) in one sitting this morning. In fact, he has been trying to wake me up a bit earlier these past couple of mornings, wanting a feed. He also ate 3 more cups of the Z/D kibble plus 1 Z/D Can for dinner tonight, in one sitting and with great gusto. He is full of beans (not that he was exactly lethargic before, but I certainly recognise the difference). I'd suggest he's put on a reasonable amount of weight in a relatively short period of time and his poop continues to be better. And I haven't noticed him 'let wind' for the past few days. He's been so gassy for so long now, and what he let go stunk really bad. Seriously. It is so nice to not have that smell (gotta be better for him too, of course). The air around here smells so much healthier. But I know that the Z/D is only for elimination purposes and that there is still a fair road to travel yet. I'm just enjoying this interlude so much :D. It's been a while. Forgive me for making the most of the opportunity of being able to post 'good' posts .

Mandela is a stressy type dog. He tries to act Joe Cool though - just tends to fail miserably at it, lol.

Abandon ship?

I am lost.

That's pretty much how I grew up thinking. In fact, when I was a kid, no-one even thought about training schools. .... don't know if they even existed back then, lol. But things have changed now Steve. Quite often, taking dogs to training is the only access some dogs have to being around the distraction of other dogs where people can learn to teach them that "good behaviour is wanted here too". Back in my younger days, dogs were everywhere. So were kids and people. And everyone and every dog pretty much had free access to it. Also, more people back then were more dog savvy. So many people don't seem to be born with that natural ability and understanding of dogs. They need to learn it. And again, classes fit in as an access to that learning and guidance.

This was a copy/paste of an email I sent to Michelle, which led to us meeting up. It is too close to election date, but can't hurt to send it to your representative to see what he/she has to say.

Well, I'm going to take a punt. I met with Michelle Frazer who is the Liberal representative in my electorate (Narre Warren North). Ok, so I've heard promises before and seen zillions of them broken, and I know that there's the "I'll say anything to get your vote" element that goes with pre-election times, but I quite liked Michelle and she has said that she is open to our concerns being voiced; that she doesn't just pay lip service - something that she herself hates; and that where she can she will support us (our discussion being based on some of these stupid laws that have been pushed through). I don't have a crystal ball. Wish I did. But I'm going to run with the hope that I have that there is someone inside politics who is reasonable; who still uses common sense; and who is fair, just and sincere. I truly hope I'm not being unrealistic. I hope Michelle is the person she portrayed to me the other day. I'm willing to give her the chance to show me.

Thank you BD. And so are many others. I'm very fortunate to have been nominated.

;) Crap. Saying "NO" to Labor here.

Well that's sealed the deal for me to vote for Michelle Frazer (Liberal) in my electorate. And whilst there's no guarantees in the world of politics I must admit I like my first impression. She has undertaken to give an ear to our concerns over our laws and to do what she can to help and represent us. Say No to Labor.

Thank you Staranais and CW EW.

Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking (lol) .................................... Thank you to my Nominators - I feel very special and quite sincerely very humbled by the words of the nominations. I feel like I am a winner regardless of the outcome of the MDBA Choice Awards, so heartfelt thanks to those who have taken the time to mention me. That you have is appreciated more than you could know. I'd also like to say a public thank you to Julie with whom I really hate a chat (lol ....... NOT). Julie - I told you this privately but I think you deserve to have it said publically : You really are inspirational and never cease to amaze me with your visions, ambitions and the expertise you exercise to bring these to fruition. You are NOT "only one woman", you are mightier than that. Thank you again for your time taken to pass on the news of these nominations. I know you do enjoy passing on the wonderful words of others and hearing the joy in the recipients' voices at receiving them, but it is still your time, of which I know you have precious little. So hats off to you too. Take a bow.

Has anyone noticed how much like a cat the eyes of the fox are?

Is it? Or is it the beginning of dog-owners, trainers and breeders FINALLY all coming together because we have all now been affected in one way or another by these silly, unfair and unjust laws that have made their way in over the recent years, and now we're a bit more ready to work together rather than individually?

You're right - it is confusing! And I agree - doesn't matter about the label. I was just a bit hopeful that, because *touch wood* he's doing ok on the Z/D (early days yet though) that it might have meant "Food Allergy" instead of "IBD". OT - Remember you and I talking and me saying I thought IBD was different to IBS? I thought "IBS" was the description for "idiopathic irritable bowel" and "IBD" was the description for "actual bowel disease" (of some sort). .... No matter. I see in a few references I've read lately that the descriptions appear interchangeable. But I wish I could track back to the Vet who told me way back when that there was a difference between the two, so that I could have it explained over again. In the scheme of things, it all doesn't matter of course - but I admit I like to be able to put clear definitions on things especially so that I can understand 'health'.

I seem to recall someone (Council Officer ??? - not sure as I missed part of it on the radio) saying "yeah, but we haven't fined anyone under this law" (as though he was saying "it's ok. We're the good guys. This law hasn't been exercised." and that this makes it all ok). Hhhhhmmm .... a bit off to one side, but this makes a bit of a mockery of the "RSPCA had to do it because it is the law" type reason/excuse (other thread - Judy Garde). Point is, unjust and unfair laws shouldn't exist. But the Government and also the Organisations that push for and/or support these laws don't seem to care about that.

I'm afraid I still don't quite understand - but I'm sure it is just me being a bit daft after a hot day. Or just me being a bit daft full stop, lol. I'll think on it and re-visit your post, Staranais, and see if I can work it out in my head. Right at the moment, from reading what you've written, it seems there isn't much distinction between "food intolerance" and "IBD". Thanks, though - I'm sure the pennies will drop eventually .

Thanks Star - it definitely is fingers crossed. If it were to be IBD, is it the case that he will go 'off' this Z/D food and his poop will turn to mush again? Is that how IBD works? This is how I understand it but I'm unsure whether I am being a bit simplistic in my understanding of it, as this would just be too easy to work out IMO (and would put all the endoscopians out of business, lol).

Are you kidding me- when were they going to let us know - when the first charges were laid? I didn't know that dew claws could or were removed any other way, other than by a veterinarian.

I think that comes under the one umbrella, but I'm not sure as it isn't my area of expertise. Point being that it is great to have someone like Neil Mitchell take interest in it and something that is worth nurturing, especially by those in rescue and foster, who would have their ears closer to the ground, fingers more on the pulse, of what is going on and down.

Yes. No camping except on NYE. Thank you .

Don't bother - it may get seen by a VEC counter or a scrutineer, but that's it. Write to your Leader newspaper instead! Yeah - I get that. It was just a knee jerk "what else can I do" reaction in the face of despair of the Parliamentary Parties.

Yay! It is good to see drool when you know it's for the right and good reasons. Kind of like seeing a good poop after a period of not good poops. Lordy . It's a bit rough when you start thinking you could write a book about poop.