The Spotted Devil

I use bags of playground sand from Bunnings. And yes I bury treats and use praise but they still sometimes dig in the wrong spot. Makes me feel good though and my current litter just love it!

Definitely not a balanced raw diet! No organ meat for a start! I wean my pups onto raw (chicken, beef, kangaroo, pork, lamb, salmon, (combination of mince, on the bone and fillets) hearts, eggs, sardines etc etc) and then transition them to dry food. I recommend 85% premium dry food for the first 12-18 months plus extras including frames, lamb necks, sardines, eggs, organ meat etc. Grow them right the only chance you get!

Agree with Karen. I have a litter of 7 week old working ESS and they are absolute gutses. No way would I expect to see faecal material looking unprocessed. What are you feeding? And then vet check.

Yes, often we don’t disclose to people we know well just how overwhelmed we are. Let alone our puppy buyers. Definitely pick up the phone.

Same as @Mjosa but I encourage my puppy people to jump on FB as it’s so easy for me to upload pics. I’ve just allocated this litter at 6 weeks so I’m sending personal videos and photos as well. One person has paid in full because they wanted to finalise everything including the flight interstate. Another person has just paid for the flight so far. I’m happy for payment on pickup or before they go on the plane. I will be sending puppy packs interstate a week before they fly, provided puppy is paid for in full.

I waited 2 years for my Spotted Devil. He’s now 10. So worth it. I’m a breeder of working ESS. I only breed every few years. This litter - 7 puppies, 2 girls still born and 1 little boy PTS at 4 weeks. It’s not easy.

I use these - from Clean Run if I’m buying other stuff but you can get them locally too. https://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=3754&ParentCat=323

I use Cottage Kennels in Plenty.

Remember it took me so long to figure out WTH you were on DOL Bloody love those Ghans of yours

Whilst I wean onto mostly raw with some dry, I recommend my puppy buyers feed 85% quality dry diet plus 15% raw meaty bones, training treats plus fun stuff like sardines, yoghurt etc. Why? Because a balanced diet is so critical for corrrct growth from 8 weeks to 12 months. You only get ONE chance to grow a puppy right.

Nice to see you on here L! Gorgeous Lowchen babies

A puppy or dog may resource guard food that is of a high value, particularly if they feel under threat. I always use some super high value food as training treats - so the pup understands I am the SOURCE of amazing food not the person who is going to take it away. Don’t annoy pups when they are eating OR allow other animals to compete with them. If you tried to take a lamb chop off my dinner plate I’d probably growl at you too!!!

Aren’t they wonderful! Work all day given the chance

Dear dear boy I’m so sorry Bubitty - he will always be one of the great DOL dogs. So much love between you. Sorely missed. What a send off - no less than he deserved.

Dr Debbie Calnon is excellent if they want a vet behaviourist. Otherwise I would highly recommend Amanda Murcutt (Pawsitively Great Pets) or Jo Bates (Crazy Canines). Jo has one of Em’s pups from her first litter

Thanks so much for all your help especially @Scottsmum who did an amazing job on FB getting recommendations

Hi DOL brains trust I need a behaviourist in the Waikato, Hamilton, Aukland area of NZ. Trying to assist someone in the area with a very fearful and reactive small dog before they send it to a board and train. Thanks!

I don’t use anything extra. Just a combination of high quality dry and raw.

Smooth Collie is another option! ETA: I’ll ask a friend to pop into this thread.

That’s where transfer of value comes in. So my Spaniels will work for dry food with as much drive as they will to retrieve game. And that’s saying something!!! That’s why I love SG stuff - that’s central to her courses.

@Tassie great point! I haven’t read the article but yes I would agree. What we should be focussing on is differential reinforcement - for example, 50% or better in terms of criteria - and as Bob Bailey reminds us “the click doesn’t end the behaviour” so anything in that behaviour chain is getting reinforced. Looking at responses in a Skinner box gives us laws which we can use to inform us but life ain’t a Skinner box.

Looking lovely

❤️❤️❤️❤️ for @Verve

Whoo hoo! Welcome!!!