The Spotted Devil

Not always but I do find some owners quickly slip back into old habits when they leave the trainer. Same with dogs that are over fed - you educate the owners and they have good intentions but can very easily revert back to what is familiar. It's just human nature :)

Yes, there is a lot of fostering and training going on behind the scenes.

We camp mostly - Winter and Summer - what we save on accommodation we spend on eating out! I have 2 very active breeds so camping holidays revolve around finding places I can train and exercise them - but my OH loves helping so it's a pleasure rather than a chore. We also use a boarding kennel when we travel overseas or interstate - it's never going to be as good as home but they are extremely well taken care of. It also eats into our budget but the peace of mind is worth it. We plan our holidays with and without dogs to be outside of peak times eg school holidays, Easter and Christmas - a lot more camping options, wineries and cafés are much more accommodating and, if we leave the dogs in kennels, they get more exercise and it's easier to book them into our preferred kennel. My dogs are also quiet and well behaved so have always been welcomed when we've travelled with them. Lots to consider!

Pers, if it feels right go for it. If you need more time that's completely cool too. I don't think time between special animals necessarily reflects the intensity of loss or the extent of your healing. Sometimes it's just what you need. I've been at both ends of the spectrum

I'd second this. We had one for the GooberDog and it was great, looked really comfy. One thing though.. don't put things on top of them. Ours ended up breaking after the little plastic bits that basically hold the whole roof up cracked and split under the weight of some junk that was sitting on top of the crate. We ended up going back to a wire crate for the lounge room because the temptation to pile junk on top was too great Do you mean like this…?

Well may you laugh, Tassie! Huge indoor arena and people are calling out "Who's Dalmatian?" Well, there weren't many of us so I looked up to see Zig's head peering through the TOP of the crate

Great concept too! Love the kitty! Thanks for posting - the only worthwhile thing I've missed with no free to air TV reception.

My Dally learnt to undo padlocked zips in his soft crate! At the Agility Nationals in Sydney no less whilst I was walking a course I was really trying to lighten the load of stuff in the car as I was travelling interstate but I ended up having to borrow a wire crate from a very kind DOLer for the week.

I use soft crates specifically for training and camping and at home. Wire crate for trialling as they are cooler and more secure. My dogs are super relaxed in the crate except when I'm training the other one....which is also why I'm cautious at trials. Highly recommend K9 soft crates too. I want another (smaller one) but really can't justify it at the moment!

Gorgeous! Regarding permits, a number of councils have dog specific permits - so also check that process. I know someone who had the permit, changed breeds and had to re-apply.

Mine get a Snooza D1000 and an op shop blanket until they demonstrate they are trustworthy.

It's our evil plan….WORLD DOMINATION SPOTIFICATION! Such fun dogs although I should dig out some old stories to remind you why my DOL name is "The Spotted Devil"

I reckon Zig's continued to change subtly until he was around 18 months of age. BAER is really important - not just of the pups but knowing the history as well. However! Finding a vet with a functional BAER machine is a whole other story!!! If breeders don't BAER test I would want to know why. Hips and elbows don't seem to pop up all that often from what I've seen - some breeders test, some don't.

My pleasure. It's also interesting that spotting (like any markings) can really change your perception of structure too. Ziggy is moderately spotted (which I like) - having spent time with his breeders' dogs and seeing lots of photos of their dogs from babies to adults Zig's spotting turned out pretty much as I'd hoped -although it was the last thing that made me choose him (I was fortunate enough to have pick from 9). Gratuitous opportunity to post cute puppy pics…

Check out Black Dog wear also. Bulk orders here.

Humping is more about frustration (about anything) rather than sexual behaviour.

Very difficult question to answer - I have heard that there are some in utero effects (which may also influence pigmentation in the inner ear and therefore deafness) but I'm sure there are some direct genetic effects. Another problem is that pups are born white and it is very difficult to know what their spotting will be like when you see them at 6-8 weeks.

Apropos the self-exercising Springer…

The lad gave the local bunny population a run for their money too :) Rest easy old fella. So, so sorry Pers

That's so beautiful and sad and uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time Hugs to you Raineth in memory and worship of your most wonderful treasure, Digby

Hilarious! Poor Dally :laugh:

Heh heh. Gotcha! I understand the lack of room but I take out my bedside table when I have a youngster and use the crate instead. Just use it until he gets the message. Free ranging is an earned privilege not a right!

Assuming he doesn't really need to go (and there's no medical reason) I would probably sleep him in a crate close to your bed. If he needs to go, he will whine and/or get restless but it sounds like he has a fair bit of freedom and this has developed into a behaviour chain. Wake up, bored, say hi to Mum, Mum wakes up and grumbles at me (yay! Attention!), go outside, wee, praise, back to bed. Gee that was fun! Mine don't sleep with the crate door open until they are completely relaxed about sleeping through the night - less about toilet training sometimes and more about shoe and cat toy collections. Em knows that once she's had her goodnight biscuit she can switch between her bed and my bed and the bowl of water but that is it until told otherwise. Even if the cats are doing zoomies and Mr TSD is getting up early.

Fantastic news

Obviously my Springer does a LOT of retrieving - but 95% of the time she is released to a stationary retrieve. A "happy" bumper (uncontrolled) is used to finish off and reward a training session.