mollipop

You don't drink enough, FHRP, if you haven't seen a flying bunny! Good point though. I'm going to miss the Blinds. Do you interpret the new rules as saying that if the dogs breaks (ie you can't stop them and call them back), it is a NQ?

Thanks for the link. There are quite a few changes and still some unclear points, eg if my dog is currently working in Open GWT, does she now have to get a novice (NRA) title first. I am sorry to see that the blind retireve has been removed. Now there will be no handling/directional skills invovled. Also upset that if dummies are used they can't have feathers or fur. I have just made some really good rabbit skin dummies which the dogs love. The dummies have to be quite a large size which could be a disadvantage for smaller gundogs like Cocker Spaniels. We have been using the new NSW rules for a few months now which didn't have a stop on recall. Back to training for that now. The Action and Style section is interesting. Should be easy points for any motivated gundog. Can't wait to enter some trials to see how the dogs adapt to the changes.

The NSW Golden Retriever Club is having a heart/eye clinic next Wed, 13th October. If any members need their dogs checked please contact me.

I had the link emailed to me. It says no dogsports trained dogs?? Does this mean Flyball, Agility and Obedience dogs are out as well as retrieving and herding dogs?

Big congrats., FHRP!! I've just read what's involved and it's awesome that you passed everything at the one go. Can you just redo a few of the disciplines at another trial if you don't pass? Think I need a Utility Gundog cos I'd love to try it. We are trying to establish national rules for GWT at the moment so that there can be titles. Very hard to get all the states to agree though.

Everything Got Nuthin says exactly describes my Goldies, apart from knocking kids down. They seem to know when to be gentle. They always greet you with a present in their mouth.

You are not alone. Indigirl. I have a young bitch, also a Goldie, that sounds just the same as yours. Last night she pulled the covers off 4 dogbeds and chewed holes in them. She also jumped a fence, too high for me to step over, and dug up my vegie garden. Recently she has shredded the padding off 5 of my outdoor chairs, leaving a table and 1 chair intact. She lives with 3 other dogs, has a large yard to run in and has regular training and runs in the park plus dogshows at the weekend. Think they are just busy girls and will hopefully settle down as they get older.

Had a quick read of your article, Dogmad. Very interested in what you said about undesexed males. I regularly take my "pack" to a dog park and it's amazing how desexed males go after my entire boy - maybe they are jealous that he still has his bits! As soon as he stands taller and puts his tail up I call him away. The owners of the other dogs say "they're only playing, don't go away"! I can read my boy's body language which is obviously more than they can do. He's never been involved in a fight and I've only ever heard him growl a few times and I want it to stay that way.

Just thinking that if I come back in another life as a dog, I would like to be owned by a DOL member. These guys all look so comfortable even though there are obviously not allowed on the lounge or the bed! Thanks for all the great photos.

Thanks so much, Sykehaven. He is very handsome - looks wise too, like he's been here before! Good luck with him for the future and give him a hug for me.

Would you have a front on photo, Skyehaven? Just to make me more jealous!

Thanks, Fetchitup. I recognised the breeder prefix. She has the prettiest face that I have ever seen on a Flatcoat. Congrats - it must have been a special litter. If you ever have a "rematch" and get another girl like Dascha, could you please save her for me!! I know Donna is very happy.

Congrats. He looks stunning. Just wondering if he has a sister in NSW that does non slip retrieving? I met her a few weeks ago and she is so pretty.

Thanks Golden Wei. If you are there I'll buy you a coffee.

Does anyone have their Dogs NSW journal handy? Think I left mine at work. I have entered Hawkesbury tomorrow and I'm not sure where the show is, though I would guess Erskine Park?? Also need the start time. Thanks so much.

Anyone with bad neighbours has my sympathy! Mine are really bad. They rang the local council when we had a litter recently and reported us for conducting an illegal business from home (ie selling puppies). Think they were p......ed off cos once or twice our visitors parked in front of their place. They said that we had people there all the time. It also happened to be Christmas so we had family visiting as well, heaven forbid! Anyway, we had 2 council rangers turn up to inspect our "puppy farm". They loved my dogs and would have bought puppies themselves if they could have.

Hi Deelee. I saw Wendy again on Sunday (we attend the same obedience trials) and I was telling her how much you rave about Honey and how great she is! Wendy had a tear in her eye when she told me about the photos you have sent her, especially those with your "dog scared" daughter hugging Honey. It's a true match made in Heaven!. PS there is an info/puppy day on the 18th April at Castle Hill Showground (run by the GR Club). You should come (kids welcome) with Honey and join in the fun.

Maybe you could try soaking the dry food - pour boiling water over it then mash it up when soft enough then mix thru some mince or canned food. Don't forget to wait til it's cool enough before feeding. This is how I start my puppies on solids. and they love it. Poor little guy has had a rough start. Good luck. PS You should join us Goldie crazies on the Retriever thread in Breed sub forums (top of general page).

Maybe your breeder could put a blanket or towel in the airline crate with the puppy that has all the lovely smells from mum and brothers and sisters on it??

I just love puppies, especially pure bred puppies! They start out as little "blobs" but within 3-4 weeks they are like perfect minatures of our chosen breeds. Sure there is disappointment and heartache but probably 90% of the time it's Mother Nature taking charge and telling us that something is not right. She is a wise bitch. The look of joy on the new owners' faces is also makes breeding worthwhile. I cry as each puppy goes, but happy that they will have their own special people and get the one on one attention that they deserve.

The staining on the puppie's faces could be from them nursing from mum, as others have said. As they drink, they claw at mum and can draw blood which then stains their faces. You could try cutting their nails as they get like little sharp hooks. That's my job tonight - cutting nails on 8 x 4 week old puppies!

I am so sorry for all of you that have had sadness and losses over the last few months. It is indeed enough to make you consider very carefully before planning a litter. Thankfully my babies are still thriving, touch wood. They are 3 weeks old now, eyes open and they are starting to rumble with each other. They are so cute. Let's all send positive thoughts to the puppy fairy for a better 2010!

Congrats. PP and CL. Hope you have both recovered after your traumatic weekends. It's amazing that both your girls did the same things. The babies are gorgeous. I thought a few of my babies were Bull Terriers when they were born (almost white) but now they are turning into something more like Goldies!

Congratulations on all the new babies. Hope your lot are doing better, MM. It's hard enough work when mum feeds them so you must be exhausted. Love Miss Pug's xray. Do they normally do it with her lying on her back? Mine have always been done laterally (on the side). It's a good, clear picture and it looks like those heads will fit out okay. Good luck!

I know what you mean, Ellz. It's like the calm before the storm. Mine have been so good and even quiet at night. Something has to go feral soon!!