The Spotted Devil

Wow! Go you! You will love it Tassie!!!!

I emailed Clean Run awhile back and they said they are no longer offering free international shipping as it was not sustainable enough for them Surely the entire DOL community would keep their business afloat over the xmas period.... Aw That's a shame. I bought up big when I last went to the US and made very good use of their domestic free shipping so I can't really complain.

Yes, what's with Clean Run and free shipping this year? Think postage has become too expensive. I'm trying to save my pennies and just hoping for a drama free mating etc for Miss Em!

My Dally breeder wouldn't sell me a pup until I visited their property. They lived interstate and I certainly wasn't flush with funds as a student but I did it. They were incredibly hospitible and I got to see the whole litter at 5 weeks. I waited 2 years for the right pup AFTER I selected the breeder. 8 years later and I remain in close contact with them.

I have :laugh:

I would rather 20 mins walk and 10 mins training - throwing the ball not counted!

Retrieving and Gundog work is done in an environment where they are required to jump and twist. There are no rabbits on flat open spaces like ovals. Off topic but my Springer always manages to find one :laugh: There's a pet bunny near my dog club that is a bit of a risk taker Yes the Working Cockers that I've seen move incredibly well over all sorts of environs. If you wanted one for agility I'd consider one that is "balanced" structurally - helps with tight wraps around uprights etc.

Yes that's right VM - there are some in WA still. Nailed the temp :laugh:

Yes - funny they definitely are! Did you see the one in H360 video? Was hard to get a good look but SG called it a Working Cocker. I reckon you'd need a good sense of humour. And there aren't many breeders in Australia so you'd need to really do your homework.

They are really busy little dogs! Quite different from the Working ESS as well. Real variation in type and I am told they were originally bred not to be quite as persistent as the ESS. Very fun little dogs but they don't grab me quite as much for a reason I can't put my finger on! Some of the best dogs I saw at a Spaniel Field Trial in Ohio were the Working Cockers - live wires!!!

My dogs want to come live with you Jules :D Happy Birthday Miah

If you want custom made talk to Funky Cat Furniture: http://www.funkycat.com.au/products/cat-and-dog-steps/ I have wanted to get my kitties a Funky Hollow for aaaaages and am just about ready to indulge them for Christmas... http://www.funkycat.com.au/product/medium-hollow-135cm-tall/ Not cheap but quality that will last 10 years and beyond.

And within field bred Labs there are English, American, Irish and Australian lines. The Guide/Assistance lines are different again - you want a dog with stamina but not as much prey drive as a full blown retrieving dog...could be MOST embarrassing!!!

If I don't give my dogs attention they relax and do as they please (Zig pisses and Em rolls or hunts :D ) I haven't actively taught anything other than when we are "on" I engage with them 100%.

Yes! Zoom groom is better for short coats and it's a nice transition for nervous dogs too. Mr TSD bought ME a Mason Pearson....no stinking way are the dogs getting it :laugh:

I had a dog in my class that was terrified of being groomed (adopted with issues) - did some classical conditioning and shaping with a Zoom Groom and she was enjoying it in no time. Had the owners nearly in tears :) They reckoned it was better than learning "sit".

Can you give pup access to inside and outside simultaneously? Maybe via the laundry? My Springer feels the heat and she often prefers the cool of the floor to any form of bed.

Vebo do great wire crates - highly recommended. As for training I do Susan Garrett's Crate Games but that is much more about building drive and self-control. When pups come here I feed them in their crate at every opportunity, they generally sleep by my bed in their crate and travel everywhere in the car with the adult dogs to training, trials etc. Within a very short time they reckon crates are AWESOME :)

Kavik, in between seasons it's an absolute breeze. The first season wasn't easy but that was purely a lack of experience on my part. It's not a big deal anymore. As soon Em starts bleeding the routine starts as it keeps Zig much calmer. The chooks get locked up 24/7 in their Palace and Em only toilets and exercises in their yard (7 ft fence but still under supervision - twice a year this yard gets weeded by me :D ). Zig has his own yard. Apart from that he is happier if he is close to her so it's crate and rotate in the living area (where I set up my work day), sheets on the furniture when Em is out and she wears pants as well. Last time I added a play pen around the crate as well meaning the double barrier gives Em a bit more "mental" space when she is chowing down on her Kongs. I maintain the rule that one dog is always with me in situations where I leave the room. I also do LOTS of training with both of them - brains are a bit squishy but I push through it.

This is my built in (removeable) set up. Best thing I ever did. You could do a half side if they want a fridge in the other half for example...

I don't use soft crates for pups until they are really trustworthy - for my Dally that is never. He is 8 and has now learned to undo zips. Em was super easy. However I would never use one in a car - they get too hot and are not safe. I would prefer something built in or an airline crate.

I like the balance of having an entire boy and a couple of girls in the house. I've had different breeds and there is no doubt the personalities of the sexes are different. My girl is super snuggly but she is intense and wild and a huge amount of fun when out working. My lad is not snuggly but loves to be near me - training wise he's fun and a little steadier and more reliable but that could be an age thing. I can't say I prefer one or the other.

I LOVE walking and training in the rain! I get the paths, parks, water and ovals to myself - the more miserable the weather the more training I get done. I won't go out in a storm and then it's a bit of shaping to keep their brains busy.

I've been led (blindfolded) by a Guide Dog in training and had people whistling the dog and trying to distract it. You can't fix stupid.