Cleo's Corgwyn

If you're in Forrest, Manuka and Kingston are just down the road, which should pretty much give you a choice of any type of cuisine or place you like. Something casual, Japanese, Spanish, cafe, pub???? I can recommend a few faves, but it helps if we have a starting point...

I'd love to come along but I don't know that I have the time to commit heavily to this however great the cause is!

Shandy did something similar when we were out walking one evening. There was a young man standing in the car park as we walked past - just standing there, like he was waiting for someone- and Shandy started growling the minute she saw him, and didn't stop until we were out of sight. I on't know what set her off, but she did NOT like him!

I'm glad you're getting good use of the grounds while you're off. It was nice to meet you an Elbie yesteray - he's such a sweet little guy. We like the Belconnen dog Park too, but if you're concerned about too many dogs, it can get a bit crowded. A friend of mine swears by it with her 2 nervous dogs in the afternoon on weekdays, before most people get off work. We like to go when there are plenty of dogs around, but Shandy is an ex show dog, and pretty unphased by crowds. Even so, I've seen some nasty incidents there, with badly behaved dogs, and even worse behaved people! Its lovely to see that you're being so careful in building up his confidence,and great to see how much trust he has in you.

TLC, I've also registered to get Shandy assessed as a Delta dog at the next evaluation day, which isn't for a few months. They haven't mentioned anything about getting the vet assessment done yet. I wonder if I should follow up on that. I'm also hoping to visit the childrens ward. I'll be following your reports and those of other DOL teams, so thanks ~*Shell*~ for sharing your experiences with Zero.

Hi We have been going to beginner classes with Elbie on Sunday. His test is in 2 weeks:) We'll do bronze after that Sweet, you should be fine getting the code then. I think you just need to fill in a form at the office. I only get around to using the code when I open up early for class! With 3 classes a week there, Shandy and I probably spend enough time there If you do Bronze on Sundays again, you might even be in my class.

Thanks huski, I do as well, and that's why I'm having trouble with the leash in class Wuffles, it is a bit of a juggling act while you're treating frequently. If you remind me on Sunday, we can have a look at what you're doing, and see if we can come up with some alternatives for you to try. I think with the way you and Ava are going, you'll be looking at trialling before you know it! FranCQ, I also know what you mean; I'd only really trained my Rhodesian Ridgebacks, and training with my 'loves-to-work' herding breed Cardi is so completely different, and so much fun. I'm glad to hear you're already planning to trial. I think its easier if you have it in the back o f your head from the start.

BDOC= Belconnen Dog Obedience Club. KTB, I know that its generally preferred that people only have gate access after they start classes, as strictly the rules are that you should show up to a certain percentage of classes before being given access. I think most of Saturday is free, unless there's a trial on, Obedience doesn't start until 7pm (although the open triallers will generally be in the back paddock) and Agility usually starts setting up about 6:15pm. You should be fine before a class, or after flyball finishes on Sunday. You can use the facilities providing you aren't interrupting training. Are you starting classes next session with Elbie?

I've been in contact with Tony, who's starting up Dancing With Dogs in Canberra. He's forwarded some information to me regarding the upcoming information nights. I have some more information, if anyone wishes to PM me, or email Tony on the email at the bottom of the message. Dances with Dogs – Public information nights. Two presentation nights are being held to introduce the newest ANKC approved Canine Sport to Canberra & surrounds. Topics include: What is DWD – features DVD presentations from local to international level. A sport that can be undertaken just for fun or at competitive levels (local, state and national to international). Classes – when and where … starting in August. Information nights: Dates: 7:30 pm, Wednesday 11 Aug or 7:30 pm, Friday 13 Aug. Venue: ACT Companion Dog Club rooms (plenty of parking) Address: Jerrabomberra Avenue, Symonston ACT Contact: Tony Turner – 0403 640 576; Email: [email protected]

The Oaks Brasserie at Yarralumla is dog friendly - they even have a dog menu - and is nice and close to the new dog park, as well as some beautiful on lead walks around the park. We've had some DOL meet up there. Not sure about day care - I think maybe DogWorld, the grooming place at Hume does it?

This is really timely, as I just registered my interest with Delta last week about getting Shandy certified as a therapy dog. Its interesting reaing about the process and how much people's dogs enjoy it.

I grew up in a family that bred and showed dogs, and there are quite a few breeds, especially amongst the hounds and gun dogs that hold special places in my heart, but when it came to getting my first 'own' dog as an adult, I did lots of research. I did lots of online quizzes, read lots of profiles and books, and compiled myself a short list. Corgis kept coming up for me and my circumstances, and they weren't a breed I'd ever had a lot to do with, or had seriously considered, but everything I read drew me to the Cardigan breed. So off we went to the corgi specialty, met several cardi's and OH and I were both sold. Their size, energy levels, temperament and sense of humour (yep, its the only way to describe it!) all just suit us perectly. My red brindle girl, Shandy, has been with us for nearly 2 years, and now I just need to convince hubby that we should be a 2 corgi family!

Happy Birthday Saxon, if I'd known, I would have made sure he got a special birthday treat after training tonight!

What worked for me (my Cardigan girl isn't much of a barker either) was finding a youtube video of a barking dog. She would get riled up, and bark at the 'other dog'. I just encouraged her and cued it witha command and later a signal. Is there something he'll usually bark at? Other dogs, cats, sirens, etc?

One of the pet stalls at Hall Markets had them last weekend - you'd have to wait 4 weeks to get one though! ETA - it was Todds Tasty Treats, and they have them up on their website Todds - maybe you can make one of their other markets?

Two other things to try, if you're luring; make sure when you lure down from a stand, that you move the treat back towards the dogs paws. If you're still having trouble getting them into position, try luring them under a bent knee as you sit on the ground (ie you sit, with your legs bent slightly in front of you, and lure the dog under your bent knee)

My 10 list is an adaptable thing, but here goes; Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) - have one now, and think they are a perfect breed for us Finnish Lapphund (they made my short list last time) Tollers - there's few trialling around here, and I have a soft spot for them Vizslas- loved them desperately for years Basenji- if I ever have the space for a dog that I don't wish to do dog sports with Ridgeback - my family bred and showed, and I still love them Belgian Shepherd - I love those faces Brittany - a recent addition to my list Pointer and the final space is reserved for whichever breed happens to catch my fancy at the time! :D

My Cardigan corgi girl is doing quite well for me in obedience and agility, as a beginner (thanks Daisy for the compliment). They are surprisingly fast and agile, and pretty common in dog sports overseas. The Cardi's, in my admittedly limited experience, can be independent thinkers- my girl does come up with more efficient ways of doing things on her own! I love watching the little papillions flying through agility, and one of our agility instuctors sucessfully trials with CKCS. I have a real soft spot for the tollers, too.

I'll be in the office on Sunday morning, so make sure that you drop in and say hi if you come in! (And that goes for the rest of you; I always like to put faces to DOL names!)

I also train at BDOC, and have found them good and helpful (I'm on the committee now). If you want a place next term, you probably want to sign up quickly, as our classes are filling up rapidly. Its really helpful, I find, to train at club, where there are plenty of distractions around to test against

I have to admit 2 of the colours in the Cardi's the blue merles and the black with brindle tri's are part of what originally attracted me to the breed. But the right dog turned out to be a red brindle, so I'll be waiting a bit longer for my blue boy.

That they are not a Pembroke corgi cross, just a different breed of corgi! And that yes, they are supposed to be that fast and nimble, and both breeds of corgi were bred to be cattle herders. They are particulaly sucessful in confined spaces, where their shortness easily allows them to avoid kicking cattle. People are just used to seeing fat pembrokes, so seeing my extremely fast and healthy girl throws them anyway!

I really like the Lappies too, they were definitely on my short list. Given that you like the gun dogs, you might want to look at some of the smaller retrievers- someone has already mentioned Brittanies, another breed you might look at is the Tollers (Nova Scotian Duck Tolling Retrievers) - there's a couple at my obedience club, and they're very smart. If you don't mind the Pembroke corgi, and your OH's objection is the queen connection, have you looked at my favourite breed, the Cardigan Corgi? They're a little bigger, smoother coated, come in a much wider range of colours, and quieter in temperament. My girl is doing quite well in obedience and agility training, and despite coming to us as an adult, ex show dog, has taken to living with our cats very well. I was never a corgi fan, having grown up with hounds, but meeting a few at a show, after they kept coming up as recommended in several online selectors, and I totally changed my mind! Anyway I haven't shortened your list, and may have added to it, but good luck with your search. Have you tried the online selectors? There's a few good ones around, and they might throw up some options that you might otherwise never have considered!

I thought there were laws in QLD for dogs in utes? My Dad, up in Central QLD, has quite a detailed set up for his 2 boof headed boxers. They have a fixed point welded to the centre of the ute, special leads that permanently attach to that, that are specifically cut and spliced to be the right length so they can't get over the side of the ute, and their own little shade canopy. Dad often jokes that its not really his ute anymore, they just let him drive it!

I don't often recommend my own breed, but have you considered one of the corgi breeds? A bit bigger than some of the breeds you mentioned, but being a herding breed, still quite easy to train ( I train in obedience and agility with my girl) The Pembrokes, in my limited experience, and from what I've read, are friendlier on acquiantance, but can be a bit more dominant in nature, the Cardigans are more laid back, but also more suspicious of strangers. They do shed - a lot!- but don't require huge amounts of grooming, and most of the ones I've known, if raised with them, enjoy kids. My girl holds her own with the big dogs, but will play quite happily with small dogs as well. Just something a bit different for you and your daughter to consider...