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I don't mind where they like to walk really as long as no one pulls. I lived on a property where the owners had 2 GSD and they walked (on the odd occasion I took them to town) on my left with the bigger dog closer. Now I have 2 others I walk daily. The boy at my left normally and the chi likes to walk in my shadow, just behind me. The chi would walk here without a lead. I don't mind if we stop and the boy walks for a while on the right. Just no one ever is allowed to pull. I might let the boy stop to mark but if he was rude and pulled he wouldn't be allowed to chose to stop. Maybe my dogs have been easy to train. I have held some really excited energetic dogs and I wonder how the owner manages them. Tomorrow I am helping my neighbour out as she is hurt at the moment by walking her "maniac" boxer. I think it would be interesting . We'll see. I would teach each dog seperately to heel using rewards if needed. Then put them together, continue rewards and eventually fade rewards. I am too lazy to walk twice, rather go twicw as far for both once. Happy training.

At first we went to off leash parks and it was great. The dogs all seemed fine and mine were happy. In fact in Orange most of my friends were met at the dog park. But since moving to a city area it is all different. My dog is like your whippet. With other well mannered dogs he is good and enjoys a sniff and greet. Most timid dogs love him and follow him about. But after a dog attack and some run ins with rude pushy dogs it is a different story. Now with pushy rude dogs he might snap at them and is not interested in interaction at all. And of course his snapping is not great as it signals agro to some dogs. As to dogs zooming in on him - my dog because he is scared of certain types of dogs must give off signals. Many agro dogs will focus on him and will not leave him alone. Even when he doesn't move or react the agro dog will become more excited and stand over him. So I don't go to parks now. I leave beaches alone unless they are deserted. My dogs do mix a bit, competing in agility and train in obedience. But not all dogs are suited to rough play. Some gentle souls aren't suited tp parks. Maybe your whippet is like mine - a lover not a fighter. Although mine still like to socialise at agility trials and training with similar well behaved dogs. Does he go to training where he can meet more dogs who are under control? I found that helped my chihuahua x. She hates!! dog parks etc and doesn't really enjoy strange dogs. But she has learnt that at training and at trials - she is safe and she can relax. I go to obedience class more so she can have this confidence in her safety re inforced - off leash dog parks would destroy this. I love whippets but was told that they aren't good off lead by a breed advisor/breeder when I enquired. Not sure this is true now as I know some who are great off lead. Hope Connor is happier soon.

THanks for the advice and reassurances. I think some canned food as a special treat. Might try bread but doubt he would eat it. I supose it should be OK but I try hard to watch what he eats and he gets into something I would never feed. Just this once I bet the chances are more that it will be fine. Now I know they chuck food I will watch him better. Probably call him to heel past the spot from now on. Thanks. I knew DOLer's would be able to help.

I was just texted it was on and tonight it is a chihuahua with some dubious manners. I hope my aunt didn't send this info as a slight on my little chi I'm a sucker for animal shows.

Wonder if anyone has any suggestions about what I can do to help bones go thru? Dogs is 10 kg boy and he ate cooked bones that look like chicken or turkey. After he got at them for about 5 mins all that is left is shards of a long bone, very brittle. The vets are all closed now and of course I can watch him and if he shows discomfort,I will know the cause. They haven't eaten yet and I wonder if instead of the chicken necks they were going to get , maybe I should feed canned dog food instead. My dogs normally eat good dry food and have small compact poo. If I feed a can of My Dog or such they would immediately have softer larger poo. I can call the vet tomorrow and maybe theer is something else you can add to food like an oil? But any ideas? Hopefully it will all go thru but I thought adding food like soft can food might help? And I have learnt a lesson. I did have a niggling idea that the neighbours were throwing food over the fence. Once he found a chicken leg which I took off him. It is not my fence but more over into the reserve we all back on to. I was talking nearby to a friend and didn't notice today that he was doing more than just smelling the grass. Crap! Thanks With a bit of luck it might all pass.

I might give those caps and screws a go as well. Thanks. I used the green plastic garden stakes from Bunnings. I brought the thinner ones as there are a few sizes and just stick them into the ground anywhere. Put the PVC 1 metre poles over them. I taught one dog to weave with the 2x2 method but the chihuahua has been a bit of a challenge. Nearly there now.

THis from Agility Dogs I attend one club with great agility training and from what I have seen - similar obedience. I go to another club as the time suits me more and I was surprised at the different training and methods used.

What a scary thing to happen. I would have got a bit shakey after that. Pity that poor girl with that bloke. Your question is what if you are attacked and your dog is on lead when it bites somebody - you at least can argue that the victim was putting himself in harms way to be bitten. Your dog if it was on lead is under your effective control regardless if the dog acts aggressively. While acting a bit agro on lead is not favourable it doesn't mean he is a danger. But as he is off lead, even if the guy was entirely off the planet (which it seems he was) it is your word against his. And if it is known your dog was off lead and he bit someone it would be very serious. I understand your dog is really well behaved under most conditions. He sounds better behaved than mine. But some people (my Dad for one) would be scared to pass you in the street. You know your dog is safe but sadly some people are really scared of all dogs, espically big ones. I sometimes do things with my dogs that in hindsight are not a good idea - I understand about how good he walks but in that case you put his lead over your wrist, carry your shopping and the dog should be heeling beside you with no contact. The fact he heels so well should mean it is easy. Hope you have a nicer walk tomorrow!

I know it was brought in recently that dogs must be restrained in cars now. I forget the actual fine but it is a fair bit and it is higher if the dog is unrestrained in a school zone 40km? Not betting my life on it but I read it somewhere. My dogs are caged in the back now and so much safer plus less hassle than harnesses. I am surprised at the number of people I know who let dogs just get in the car without containment. Even people who love their dogs seem to not really think it thru. I had a friend who had 4 little fluffy dogs. When she lost one I asked how? She said that she had been doing a U -turn nearly at a standstill and one dog jumped out the window and broke its neck. Very unlucky and a hard way to learn. Very sad but this unfortunate dog owner is not alone.

I buy dry food at shops and am a sucker for dog collars and leads. I know somebody has said this before - but instead of selling pups or kittens , maybe a big notice board and photos of rescue available dogs/cats. If a rescue group was to join with a pet shop ? wouldn't that work? Would be nice to make a living dealing with/selling things concerned with something you love

I used the black weed matting to stop my dogs seeing out the driveway until I put up a colourbond gate . They would bark otherwise. I moved from a country place with no neighbours to a new area. At first the dogs did want to fence run with the dog next door but they got over it. It helped that I spoke to the neighbours and if needed they would just calm my dogs over the fence and it was oK. Are your dogs the type that will get used to dogs next door? If I moved near someone with dogs I might try and talk to them about letting the dogs meet somewhere else or walk together so that they get over each other? Hope you find something. Colourbond etc is OK if you only have 1 small area of fencing to improve, otherwise a bit costly.

In 2011, I want to enjoy my dogs as they are. Hope we all stay healthy and have fun at agility! Though I must admit that I hope that by the time my chihuahua is doing masters jumping next year -- I have will have convinced her to weave in a competition run and not just in the wings. Otherwise she be jumping at Masters and in Novice agility still

Dermcare Natural Shampoo - and I watch where I buy it cause the price varys a lot. But I can still buy it fairly cheaply and it works well.

For a decent lenght of beach to walk on I'd say Bellambi-Corrimal. The surf is good and this is one of the the most popular , the best dog beach I think. THe beach near the WIN stadium, north beach? that you get to near the golf course. If you went a bit further Perkins beach is lovely. You have to walk along a track for a while first to the beach. I have been here 3 years and live on the lake. I didn't realise ticks are suposed to be so bad. Mine have no collar and I don't normally treat with tick prevention unless I go away. Now I am worried. Because one is so small I try to avoid chemical treatments unless I was going to the country for a agility trial where we are warned ticks are bad. I went to the beach today but took only one dog. I have decided now to take one dog at a time as summer brings out too many people who take unsocialised dogs for a day out. Idiots who don't care if their dog is unsocialised and aggressive. It's a shame as a nice day at the beach with other social dogs (and people) is really lovely. Whatever beach you get to I hope you and your dogs enjoy yourselves.

I would love Ibizians to trial here too then. Don't supose anyone knows the name of the owner or breeder of the Ibizians? I love going to trials and seeing all the dogs. I train with the leonbergers. Such lovely natured dogs. Gentle giants but still active and fit. Funny at training thou as you have to make sure everything is tied down firmly.

Interesting list. Surprised to see 2 Ibizan Hound ? Are they from one breeder? Do you know these dogs or know what level they compet in. JUst curious cause I liked them as a breed once but I rented and their jumping ability put me off while I was renting due to fencing concerns. I love checking out all the dogs at comps!

I have two small dogs who compet in agility. After much discussion on the weekend at a comp I have decided to get a little weight off them. Particularly the smaller chi x foxy. From what I have just read is a ammount of food equal to 2-4 % of their optimal body weight correct as a daily ammount to feed? I am weighing what I feed for each dog and also keeping a measure of their weight. My last dog was a rottie so it is a spin out to feed so little and I find it hard specially as they make out they are starving :D Harder still as they only do food treats for agility and I can't get the chi to tug. Not going to happen this lifetime Besides the raw diet made yourself I wonder if anyone has a comment on prepared raw diet mixtures. At a comp recently I found some info on "vets all natural". Besides a made raw mix they had a packet of grains, vitamins etc which you add your meat to. Anybody try some products like this? Or does everyone do the time and devise their own meals? What website has the best proposed raw diets to attempt? Thanks

my chi also loves to lick inside the boys mouth. Usually if she is excited and he tends to open his mouth and tolerate it. However if she is full on and puts her head insdie he normally walks away. I just consider my chi is submissive and she is signalling this . Gross things would be digging up maggotty bones and the male being very happy to lick himself in certain places.... cause he can :D

Interesting topic. I own a smaller kelpie cross I got from rescue years ago. I wanted him for a first agility dog and wasn't sure I could handle the full kelpie working dog. Now as I consider my number 3 dog I come back again to a kelpie. I see a lot of working kelpies doing agiltiy but don't know if I am that suited. I met a bench kelpie at a trial recently and it is very similar to the small one I have. I know the bench kelpie I saw was a Callicoma kelpie and some dogs of this breeding appealed to me. And I also think Jasper is lovely. These dogs look different to working lines but still seem to have that kelpie drive and athletic ability. I find it pretty confusing. If I rescue a two tone kelpie it will mostly be working line bred. So I am thinking that I should consider buying a bench kelpie which has a little bit more drive/energy than my current dog. But it seems like I am looking at two different types of dogs. Some others have suggested that bench kelpies are so laid back/slow/calm from the working (what I consider traditional ) line kelpies that I may get a dog who won't have the energy/drive for agility. So there are 2 different body types and I wonder if there are also 2 very different character types? Is this really true?

It has been pelting down rain here all week and I am trying to pack today for camping. We're off to Bathurst (4hrs away) for a 2day agility trial. Not keen of the whole running in rain bit and I'm sure my chihuahua will need her floaties. But off we go. We can compare camping stories after the weekend. But I know my dogs don't care as long as I'm there :p

Me again! Maybe I shouldn't have tried to help cause we're not that great and it is late. I know that when we were learning to stand originally I kept moving (thou slowed a little) while the hand comes down and to the dogs side. Only stopped as hand was under dog. Just cause you mention dog sitting I thought it might be cause you are stopping too soon. And yes it is hard to reach down so far. It looks a bit weird for a while but dogs get it eventually. Harder for you if the sit is established already which is where the feet method might help? Good luck.

Your dog sounds just like mine She is a chi x and her automatic sit is great. She also heels backwards every which way cause she loves that heel position. But hard to keep her bum up. I make a sideways gesture with my left hand to signal stand and she gets it. But in stand for exam she does like to sit. I don't really do obedience as such but a good teacher suggested recently that I stand in front of her. Don't give any command as such but as per norm she will sit by choice. Inch your feet forward and she will stand ready to move back. Mark the stand ( not any other movement such as back) and reward. I can't quite remember but I supose you say stand just before you inch your feet forward? Maybe someone else will know. I thought this was clever anyway. Don't be forceful with your feet. If the dog is uncertain at first just grab the dogs paws with your toes or nudge gently. The pressure has to be very slight. Good luck. And it may be just me but some early morning training days after a good day out, rewarding little dogs can make one a bit dizzy. Oops. have to add that I used the feet squishing thingo just to add meaning to the command stand. So she will sit, stand or drop from a distance. As for heeling I did do the old reach down, run hands down dogs side and tickle to stand. It is only for a while and then the hand movement decreases to just a slight hand movement. Plus I always stop on right leg to signal sit and left leg to indicate stand. (drop has a hand signal as I stop on the left leg).

I have looked at some of this type of training only thru DOL to see what people were talking about. But I love this dog! Hope this opens http://www.metacafe.com/watch/983079/schut...a_jack_russell/

My aunt gave me her old leather lounge. I love it. Stands up to hair and claws with no effect. But the dogs tend to lie on bean bags instaed of the lounge. When I had material they lived on it! Of course if I get on it and recline it to watch TV. They are on me in a second.

Hi Was just goint to suggest Wollongong as well. Some beaches are just too deserted for me and the chi x's aren't guard dog material. Port Kembla beach - at one end where the surf club is it is no dogs. However there is a large area of coastal land reaching down the beach which you can access from streets nearby. If you drive (4WD) or walk over the coast land you can get to the beach further down by certain pathways. Too deserted for me going over the land to get to the beach by myself. If you are not into bush bashing - This beach stretches down the coast and then becomes Perkins Beach . You can see the Wollongong council website for location of this beach. THis is designated dog leash free. You can walk on a fenced track to get to this beach from nearby streets. There is a designated area but the beach goes one way to Port Kembla and the other way to the lake mouth at Warilla. Plenty of space for dogs. It amazes me being new to the area that I can go to beaches in Wollongong and the beach is deserted. Corrimal/ bellambi is the most popular as there is a fair stretch of beach to walk on. So more dogs too. But after training on a SAt arvo I walk to North Beach - right next to the Stadium and the lighthouse at the centre of town. And there is hardly anyone there. A few dogs but lots of room on the beach and the sandhills to the golf course to avoid meeting if you don't want to. All this stuff is on the website but of them Perkins and Port, north beach at times are the best. Not too far to come and you could go for a walk and eat somewhere along the cement path (called the blue mile) that winds thru the coast at the city area. Dogs allowed on lead. Wolly is a great place and can't believe how quiet it is.