The Spotted Devil

I had a short haired dog (recently adopted from a shelter) in one of my classes that was absolutely terrified of being brushed. We worked on shaping a positive response to being groomed in a similar manner to what persephone described. I also changed the brush to a very, very soft Zoom Groom to start with so we could start afresh. I sat on the floor with this dog for an hour and by the end of the session the dog was happily being groomed by both her elderly owners. It was a very special moment for them and they reported that the dog continued to enjoy daily grooming after our session.

My first obedience/agility dog was a red ACD. Best. Dog. Ever. Incredibly intelligent, gentle and so keen to work with me - I was a rubbish trainer but she was phenomenal. I will say, however, that she was totally different from any dog that came from that particular breeder. My family have owned several - one I didn't trust at all. The two they have now from a Vic breeder (now retired I think) are nice enough dogs. They can be very, very persistent! They are a breed that HAD to be tenacious and tough and "heelers" in the true sense of the word to deal with equally tenacious beef cattle. The original ACD was way too tough for dairy cattle in general but I worked my girl on sheep. As always - depends on the breeding lines and the individual dog.

Oh poor girl

I will try - just snowed under at the moment!

It's exciting isn't it! It's really wonderful and you will get some balance back as you progress and learn together. Kavik - I remember when Zig needed 5 cups a day to not look horribly skinny and we went camping. He simply would not eat and was such a sad sack. I would do recalls etc and just give him a handful of food or send him back to a small amount in a bowl after a distance drop etc instead of one treat - it was a good way to get food in.

That happened to Zig some years back - google contra freeloading :) My dogs get all their non training dry food out of the Kong wobbler.

And this is from a few years ago just up the road...

Funny huga :laugh: Love the snow pics! This is cheating...last year I was in Ohio where -25C to -10C daytime temps were not unusual...this gorgeous dog belonged to a neighbour of the lady I stayed with...

:laugh: Love it!

They are good as general rules - particularly for people who aren't so good at reading canine body language and when meeting unfamiliar dogs. My dogs love cuddles from me but are not at all keen if someone else crowds them. I pat cats that I don't know in a very specific way. There is nothing wrong with talking to dogs. But when training I keep my mouth closed unless I am using praise or using/teaching a verbal cue - the latter is more difficult than most people think…

Absolutely - but I would guess that the nurse did not specify WHEN the dog was vaccinated. Technically, if a vet signs off on a dog's vaccination status that's all you need. I would also imagine that your vet (if willing) will only sign off on the C3 vax and the dog will need KC vax for boarding.

When was your dog vaccinated? My vet happily signs off vaccination cards every 3 years for my dogs and cats. The labelling on normal annual vaccines allows for this. I have KC and check ups done annually to satisfy my training clubs. And yes, state legislation specifies vaccination requirements for boarding establishments.

This is a relatively new area of research in general. It's very interesting but they are still working on methodology - it's a difficult concept.

Interesting to read about different traits of working dogs. I would call my field-bred Springer high energy but she has the best off switch. It is certainly a desirable trait in the breed because of the nature and intensity of the work they do. Funnily enough I have spoken to a few people now who have them as family pets only (ie just basic obedience plus ample exercise and family interaction) and they rave about their suitability. I must say I was surprised as I thought they would be too much for the average family.

There is some suggestion that a dog living outside during the day that has some access to the house will show less separation anxiety so that might be worth factoring in. Obviously you don't let a youngster run riot in the house though!

Zig's heart rate went down after every vet check. Except the last one when it went through the roof! I had let him flirt with some sexy girlie Dallies. The vet thought it was most amusing :laugh:

Very cool! I have always done multiple recalls on walks and jackpot the last one that involves putting the leash on….Zig will bolt towards me when he sees the leash come out. I have called Ziggy off kangaroos. Twice. So I know it's not a fluke :laugh: But one thing you can work on is a distance sit (or drop) - it seems to be easier for them to sit than completely turn their back on the fun stuff.

You're no Robinson Crusoe raineth :laugh: Most of us do it inadvertently! I think LAT works particularly well because the dog gets to make a choice rather than building up that chain of fearful, bark, verbal "look at me", reward.

If you decide on Holbrook definitely book ASAP and clearly specify the dog friendly room. They are well frequented! Really nice owners and right near the Holbrook bakery so an easy breakfast :D

Is Holbrook doable? There's a great place there with 2 pet friendly rooms - Jolly Swagman I think?

Yes I also compliment folk on well bred dogs when I'm out and about. Although I think I freaked out a Great Dane person when I asked if it was from a particular breeder. It was :laugh:

I think I understand your confusion :) It's really hard for me because I create strong behaviour chains around running rabbits and flying birds for competition :laugh: It's about avoiding behaviour chains ie you've got to be bad to be good. So for me, dog is free running, the dog chased something, you call it, dog immediately comes back. Reward! Go crazy! Awesome Or dog loves swimming, goes swimming, call dog's name, head snaps back, release to continue swimming. BUT! Dog is "engaged" with you - agility, obedience etc, dog disengages and runs off or sniffs, you call the dog, reward the dog for coming back. Not so awesome. Same as barking in the crate....bark, quiet, reward, bark, quiet, reward....Loose leash walking....pull, call back, walk nicely, reward, pull, call back, walk nicely, reward. With the hand touches - dog distracted, verbal "touch", hand touch, reward. Instead you need to give the dog a chance to face the distraction and choose to come with you and your rewards. Or with barking in the crate, the cover breaks the cycle really well. I think they can learn to choose you over the rabbit but it's not easy.

Patches are interesting...they pop up in Dals sometimes and they are apparent at birth. They do seem to run in lines but are associated with lower deafness. Some breeders also don't mind a few patched puppies as you seem to get better colour (both the spots and the white) in the rest of your pups. In Springers the patches are there at birth and the flecking/spotting develops in the white hair as the pup grows - same but different!

Yes! Basically low-moderate purine foods eg feed chicken and salmon rather than beef, lamb, liver (bad!) or tuna. Every Dally is recessive for the propensity to produce urine high in uric acid and thus bladder stones. A bit like gout in humans. There do seem to be other factors involved as well such as obesity. There are LUA Dals being bred in the US and UK after being out crossed to a Pointer but they haven't made it to Australia yet. A lot of resistance to the idea but I think it's a great step forward. Squeeeee for puppy pics