Pockets

Hey Nekhbet, It sounds a lot less strict here that what I heard from people in NSW. Can easily say my dog is reasonably obedience, he does the basics :) I would love to catch up with you if possible to go through some training techniques and tips and hints. I used to do obedience for quite some years with an older bitch I had, was a trialling stage and level 6 at Obedience club, but never went for it. Whilst I do know how to train a dog, I did used to train with a correction collar, I now have to move on to flat and even though I know the concept is the same, I could probably use some pointers. Also a third unbiased opinion, so I am not just looking through rose coloured glassed so to speak! lol

His obedience is basic, he has never been formally trained. I have watched the video on the website, which is why I am searching for a delta accredited trainer so that I can just brush up on things etc, nothing other than that. My dog isn't food oriented, so I doubt leaving food alone with be much of an issue for him, he knows the "leave" command, but we will of course brush up on this also. I bred him, I put him through the riggers from the time he was born, sounds strange but pulling ears, pulling his tail, rough handling, standing over him is all stuff I did when he was growing up, so he sees it all as completely normal behavior! lol... Have enlisted some people he doesn't know to help with the stranger things like staggering, yelling loudly, waving arms etc, which he has en-counted before, but again just a re-hash :) From the moment he was born he was and always has been just a calm, very relaxed easy going dog that just adores attention from anyone he can get it from, will sit at peoples feet all day getting pats and cuddles if he could :) The main thing I think we need work on is his out of sight stay whilst someone else holds him, I am not sure how much of a mummy's boy he is! hehehe

Really Megan? I definitely know my boy has the temperament for it, he's such a special soul.

Hi Cleo From the information on the website there are classes that can be taken that prepare you for entry as a pet therapy team :-) just hoping there was one closer to home :-)

Haha that's great to know. I briefly ran my boy through his manners tonight, he's never had formal obedience training, he's always just been so easy to live with, not over the top.... Sit, Drop, Stay, Stay with me out of sight, recall...and heeling.....be surprised me, though I should never be surprised with him as hes such a special soul

I have emailed a local branch nearest me, the trainers listed on the website are a little far, but if that's it I will happily travel :-) Hopefully I hear back from the local branch in the next few days. Our assessment is not until June, so I have quite a good amount of time prepare. Though I would like to do some formal training and assessment with an accredited Delta Trainer :-)

Thank you so much for the luck and support :-) I hope we do make the grade. I have wanted to do this for some time, I love seeing how dogs can enrich the lives of others or provide them with some joy, even if it is just once a week. I bred Leo and I feel he is the right dog to do this with, his sister also frequents a nursing home in QLD on a weekly basis, they were a very special litter :-)

Hi All I am in the process of hopefully becoming a Delta Pets Therapy partner with my boy "Leo", I live in the Werribee area and am wanting to source an accredited Delta Therapy trainer to assist me with preparing for the upcoming assessment. I have searched some trainers through the Delta Webpage, however the trainers are all a fair distance from me and was wanting to find something closer. However if these ones listed are the only available, I will make the travel to these ones. Any information anyone could provide would be fantastic. Who knows maybe there is an accredited trainer on DOL :) even better.

Im in Werribee, so if not too far perfect :)

Hi Leah I just want her feet trimmed, legs trimmed, head etc, just to have her all neat and tidy. I just don't want her body shaved like the pet groomers do, as I prefer the look of the show cockers :) No my girl is not desexed :-)

Hi Guys I have a lovely little 9 month old Cocker Spaniel that needs a good groom. However I dont want her clipped, I just want her trimmed and neatened up, particularly head, feet etc...more like the "Show" look I guess. Can anyone recommend a good groomer in the Geelong OR Werribee area that would be able to do this. I know there are lots of groomers about, however I want to make sure I go to one that will do what I want and not just shave her Thanks in advance :)

edit

I am really sorry it didnt work out if I hear anything I will def let you know... As said above, dont stress too much we have all been there...I slipped lost my shoe in Best in Show line up with my shepherd....I also took 2 seperate dives into mud under the same judge...its all fun!! dont stress too much :) and gooooodluck

My up and coming baby girl "Izaya" Freevale Crazier In Pink

I will friend you on Facebook and pass on the details for you :)

They want to know if your going to be at Pt Elliot show this weekend? Are you on Facebook at all?

I know a lovely Junior handler that won SA state finals and went to compete Nationally in WA that may be able to handle if your interested I can pass you details

Had nothing but trouble with my Toledo trailer and water leaking through the roof because it was not appropriately sealed and they don't use the right screws. They did nothing but slap on a thick strip of white silicon all across my brand new trailer!!!!!!! I would never ever recommend a Toledo If you are after a very good trailer I can highly recommend Cruising Canines, they build beautiful trailers and can alter to suit every type of request.

I asked my vet tonight for a copy of his XRAYS - will share when I get them on a CD next week. I would not go off the x rays your vet has taken, a GSD needs to be positioned correctly in order for someone to make an accurate assessment. Your first port of call would be to attend the vets suggested, either Karen Hedberg or Rob Zammitt, who could take x rays and give you more ideas. However as mentioned abovem German Shepherds at that age are not fully developed, so it is not possible to confirm HD/ED. German Shepherd puppies can also develop whats called "Panosteitis" which can cause limping in the front legs and generally will change from leg to leg, this will most often happen in quickly growing puppies and can be controlled by and eased by giving anti inflammortires and restricting boistrous movement during the periods that the puppy/dog is affected. I have had 2 German Shepherd male pups have this condition, its more considered to be in human terms "growth pains". Your puppy looks a bit too heavy for what I would like to see at his age, which can put unnessasary stress on growing and developing joints, they shouldnt be raised skinny, but they should not be excessively heavy either. a nice covering over the ribs and a bit of puppy fat is fine, but your pup looks like a tad bit heavy. A dog that is not positioned correctly when x rayed can look terrible, any professional x ray reader will confirm this. You have received some very good advice on here, if it were my puppy, I would be going to one of the vets recommended and discussing the concerns with them, only then will you get knowledgable answers from 2 extremely good vets that know the breed and x ray German Shepherds on a regular basis. I just had 2 of mine x rayed by Rob Zammitt and can highly recommend him.

I count 8, maybe a 9th hiding up top.... Goodluck

Oh Monteba, I am so sorry. My girl who currently has her litter of 10, she has a singleton last year that we also lost at 4 days old, we were both devastated so know exactly how your feeling xxxx hugs to you and your girl xxx Hopefully in the future your girl can gift you with a wonderful litter like my girl has this time around xxx

Congratulations To you also Wazzat Xolo, how special breeding and owning the first ever of your breed in Australia....what a little history maker, I watched the video, how incredible

Congratulations a big litter :) Thanks Monteba :) Very proud of our girl, it was a long 17 hour labour, but she was so relaxed and happy and all puppies were big, strong and healthy. Your girls not far off, bet your getting excited

We have just had a lovely litter born of German Shepherd puppies :) Born 10th June 10 Puppies, 6 Girls and 4 boys :)

Think my brother is sick of hearing me talk about other options and what tests the vet has done! Lol......at the end of the day not my dog I guess ....