Cath

I have a plastic Kramar Pet Transporter XXL crate in good condition, but one of the plastic door catches is broken. It's a long shot, but would anyone have a door on a broken crate? It is the model with the plastic squeeze latch to open the door. The door still locks but wouldn't pass airline inspection. http://www.australianpetshop.com.au/shop/products/1355.php I have emailed the manufacturer and a few supply places and they haven't been able to help. I popped into the local pound to see if they might have one - heaps of little doors on broken crates, but no large ones. I only have a basic membership so cannot post in the classifieds section of Dogzonline Thanks in advance. Cath

Short notice, but there is a poultry sale down the range soon... Laidley poultry and Pigeon association is happy to announce the second spring poultry sale being held on 29th September in the poultry pavillion at Laidley showgrounds. If you have any chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys for sale please bring them down to sell. Penning begins at 7:00am sharp and buying commences at 9:00am, no birds are to be sold before 9:00am. An early bird discount is being offered to those who book and pay early so we can compile a catalogue, so buyers know what will be for sale. Sellers may show up with birds on the day (before 9:00am) at an increased selling fee. Pens are $2 single, $3 pair, $4 trio; on the day $3 single, $4 pair, $5 trio. Please get in touch here or visit Laidley poultry and pigeon club or Laidley town and country on facebook or at 6 cooper street, Laidley. email [email protected] We already have confirmation on barnevelders, belgian d'uccles (many colours), sussex (many colours), thai game trios, plymouth rocks (many colours), gold campines, fertile eggs, incubators and unconfirmed ducks and quails, sebrights, layer hens and anconas. There will also be free roosters! A sausage sizzle and refreshments will be available all day. Please bring cash (no eftpos available) and a box/cage if you intend to buy. Let us know asap if you'd like to secure your early bird discount!

Me too please. Belgians. Thanks to anyone that might have one.

Well done Ashley. Good on the breeder for being encouraging of youngsters.

Just this week I realised how effective our training had been. Groenendael pup is fed is his crate. He must sit and wait before the bowl is placed down, then he is given the command to eat. I was in a rush and forgot to give him the touch and verbal command after he sat. He just sat there and drolled, waiting for the commands. I was impressed and embarrassed at the same time. He is 9 months old and has been fed in his crate from day one with us (8 weeks), with the chain of movements and commands implemented shortly after he arrived and settled in. I still reinforce commands with our old boy (11yrs). We got him at age 6 but he understands the chain. I'm not sure that either of them would wait for long periods without eating. I wonder if by making my young boy eat in his crate only I make it irrelevant. Time to change my training practices!

Next Dog World should have it. I checked the Toowoomba Royal site, but it says its as per the Dog World. http://www.rasq.com.au/show.htm#schedules The CCCQ isn't the fastest at getting things on line. Hopefully there won't be too much of a delay.

I love my breeder, they gave me a computer generated entry form with everything filled in. I just need to change the show name and entry fees and I'm set for a few months. Love it! Do you want a copy of one to fill in and save?

I have been socialising Xito, a now almost 4 month old black Belgian Shepherd Groenendael. He loves all kids, but seemed confused the first time (at less than 3 months old) when a little Sudanese girl ran past him, 2nd time he was great and wanted to play. I told a Sudanese lady that her kids could pat the dog, but the youngest girl, about 3, totally freaked out and screamed. I wondered about his lack of reaction to the older child and wondered if it was a scent thing as the family seemed very traditional and may carry a different scent. Yesterday at Durack I told two young boys they could pay Xito, at first they were wary, but then good. The father explained they had never seen large dogs and were concerned, so he was easing them into it. I was proud of my little boy as he was gentle, rather than his usual boisterous self as he normally is with our kids.

Very interesting reading. I am keen to find out the results of the evaluations. We had an interesting situation with our old Belgian Groen boy the other day. He is massively soft and cuddly, but very bonded to us all. When visiting the park with the kids he moved between a man and the kids and continued to move to be between them until I had spoken to the fellow and then moved toward him for a pat. There was no aggression, just a physical barrier. I believe some dogs will naturally protect and some will not. I also believe some will step up to the plate due to pack leadership. I wouldn't like to rely on instincts for protection, but have generally found my dogs naturally protect. Is this due to the style of dogs I choose and own or pack leadership? Who knows. Correct personal protection training can be very beneficial for some dogs and also some owners. Going back to the original question of which breeds - I have no idea. You cannot make a recommendation when you don't know the situation. For me a crossbred and a GSD protected me. I don't know if my current old Belgian would bail anyone up, but I wouldn't expect him too so wouldn't put myself in the situation. My new 8 week old Belgian Groen pup - probably, but he is a feisty little fellow and very bonded to me. I don't know if he has the instincts, but he has the bonding. I am looking forward to evaluating my pup and seeing in which areas he excels. Ultimately there is no blanket answer. All dogs have their own personalities and all owners do too. Hopefully the OP can find something that works for her. Evaluation and training is great, then move forward from there.

We have 2 and need one more. Pup came in plastic crate and till she grew, was transported in car in plastic crate. She is now crated in wire crate, but I want a canvas one for shows cause its lighter BUT I wont get one till she gets beyond Belgian Shepherd destructo phase. I know if she wants to get out a canvas crate probably wont hold her. Cath

thank you to everyone. I was worried about giving her "old" clothes, and so wont do it. The tea towel sounds great. Guess I need 3 old tea towels - 1 for the pup and 2 for the old dogs. Maybe a water enclosed frozen chicken neck in the old dogs towel might help. Thank you again. Cath

Our 10 week old Belgian pup is really moving into a chew stage. I have bought some toys but she still prefers "real items". Any puppy chew toy suggestions that would also stand up to being stolen by the two older belgians. I am thinking a small kong, but wonder if something with dangling appendages might be more interesting. Cath

Thank you for your advice. I will start pup on 26th and roll with it. Cath

I fly back to QLD with my pup on Sunday 18th. First day of puppy preschool is Monday 19th. I had hoped it would be the 26th as my 4 yr old two legged kid has a minor operation on the 19th. I presume it wont make much difference if I miss it. Is that right? They said I could attend a couple of extra classes to make up. Cath

Flying Penguin, that is one cute puppy. Can't wait to share pics of my baby belgian after we collect her next weekend.

Our new pup will be here in 2 weeks and I have yoghurt on the shopping list. Yum from all occupants of this house except hubby. Kids and dogs love it.

I feed necks and wings and carcasses with no issues. I have two belgians. I never feed cooked bones. They crunch the raw ones well.

Pick up poops and worm to be sure. I havent seen maggots, but have seen worms. I worm regularly to be sure cause I never want to see squirmies again.