poodlefan

We'll not see his like again I think. Corlandus I recall was capable of quite an explosive bucking performance in warm ups. But what a mover - best extended trot EVER

Amen to that. I recall Dr Reiner Klimke (closest thing to God in dressage circles for very long time) was asked once what advice he'd give to any young aspirant to an Olympic Dressage Gold Medal. (He won 6 Gold 2 individual on two different horses, 4 Team and 2 individual Bronze in a 20 year career btw) "Go out and get a very well paying job" he said. I prefer to work to finance my passion than sacrifice a decent salary to indulge it. Money opens up opportunties like no other factor. There's a lot of minimum wage jobs in most areas involving animals. And then you have to deal with owners too.

I can't see them doing a show like Meercat Manor on those dingos if that's all they do

I get that all the time.

LOL holy crap! I would love to see the DOLers who could make that list look short! Stick around. There are people here that are way more qualified and experienced with dogs that I could ever hope to be.

And you are a very talented dog photographer.

I don't have any professional/paid association with dogs. Otherwise: Show a Whippet and dogs for others when asked Train Whippet in agility Teach agility Think about training Whippet in obedience but after a lie down it goes away Occasional lure coursing attendee Qualified at my club to teach obedience to pet dog owners but haven't for a while. Committee member for local breed club and local dog training club On health/welfare committee for my local canine control. Have older/retired poodles with obedience and agility titles ETA: Have Mini Poodle with ET Title. Part owner of racing greyhound. Go Errol! Part time Vizsla wrangler/baby sitter. Card carrying member of Canberra Sighthound Mafia. There are some Dolers here that will make my list look short.

People can't talk to dogs they can't reach. I'm more in favour of applying corrections to stranger wanting to encourage my dogs to jump than do punish my dog for being encouraged to do so. You don't have to have balls of steel - you can politely ask people to wait while you ask your dog to sit and if they can't do that, you walk away. Something along the lines, of "I'm still teaching him to be poite with strangers - can you give me a minute" is hardly offensive. ANd if your dog can't do what's required then you simply say "no, sorry" and leave it at that. What's the point of all these messages and lessons about getting children to ask first if they can pat a dog if no adult is going to model that behaviour?

I'd be doing a thyroid panel. In a breed prone to thyroid issues and a with a change in coat condition, IMO I reckon there's probably more going on than just diet.

Yes, talk to the behaviourist before taking it on. It sounds pretty severe and rehoming wont' help initially.

No it isn't. You simply tell them to wait until you have your dog under effective control before allowning them to approach. I do this all the time. Hell, we TEACH this at our dog club. We're dog owners, we don't run a petting zoo for the public. What does your dog do now when its out on walks and a stranger approaches? What has it learned is the appropriate way to greet someone? Or does it simply not try to greet people now. Facts are that your dog learned to jump because you allowed it.. so why should the dog be corrected for something he'd been taught? I hear a lot that dogs "understand a lot of words". I'll set a test for that. I want you to turn your back on your dog and use any of the cue words you swear he understands. See how many actions he'll give you if he can't read your facial expression and you're not cueing him with body language. My guess is you're in for a shock.

I'm not going to dignify this sort of hyperbole with a response.

Why would I want to pay good money to enter a show and find I've got a judge whose opinion or handling of my dogs I don't respect or who doesn't like what I put into the ring? (they aren't necessarily the same thing by the way). Conversely, if a show's booked a breed specialist - I want to be able to find them!

I did try a kibble ball some years ago. One dog spent all its time getting the kibble out and the other dog stole it If the boredom busters aren't super high value to the dog you should be OK.. its just that food is very high value to several dogs in my house. Only two show any interest in toys and that's not created issues between them. Both tend to grab a toy and tear around. I am reliably informed that they perform their neighbourhood watch duties in my front window and warn against children walking to school and then retire to sunbake outside or sleep on my bed.

Their mental stimulation comes from the other dogs. They don't need boredom busters other than toys and each other. I can tell you for a fact that they sleep most of the day anyway.

I don't ever leave my dogs unsupervised with food. Any recreational bones my dogs get they get when I'm home.

How many handlers do you know whose hands are below the dogs's head when normally holding a lead? What's to stop a dog lifting its head wearing one? A dog sure can jump wearing a head collar.. .it just means the head is rapidly jerked sideways as the dog hits the end of the lead. For a dog that jumps or lunges, a head collar is an unsuitable restraint IMO. Gadgetry is no substitute for training. Training a dog not to jump up is not rocket science and not difficult if boundaries are conssitently applied to limit behaviour and the dog is consistently rewarded for doing the right thing. This is so much easier to deal with in a young pup than a more mature dog. If you don't want your dog doing it as an adult, discourage it from day 1. So many people don't.

thanks poodlefan. At the moment she sleeps on the back verandah which is covered & she has a bed there, it has brick walls on either side but open at the front & i think she might prefer having something that keeps the cold out now that it is getting cooler. Given that that area is waterproof, you could look at something like a huge Varikennel and cover it with blankets.

My Cocker owning friend gets this all the time. She points to the older of her dogs and says "that's an Obedience Champion - she doesnt' think she's dumb".

Yes. My oldest boy is coming on for 14 and I will travel less from here on while he's alive. That said, you can't put your life on hold. I leave my guys with friends I trust do to what's necessary and they know who my vet is. That's my "insurance" against losing a dog. If he's in good health, I'd go. Get a vet check beforehand if that will give you more confidence.

What exactly do you think "don't jump" or "no" means to a dog? Don't you think its easier for an animal to understand what's required of it rather than what isn't? If you tell your dog to sit before allowing people to approach and get them to back away if it breaks the sit, dogs learn very quickly that no bum on ground means no greeting. I've said before, I've seen a talented trainer get a dog doing this with 5 minutes of consistent reward for the right behaviour and withdrawal of the person for the wrong behaviour. No, the behaviour wasn't likely to have been completely extinguished but the fact is that the dog knew what behaviour was required, rather than what behaviour wasn't. I really don't think its a good idea to be getting people to tell your dog off for a behaviour that as a handler it is completely within your power to control and correct. Why frighten a dog when you can give it a very clear picture of what is required of it. You'll never see me support any program of training that requires strangers to behave aversively or frighten dogs, ESPECIALLY for breeds with guarding instincts. I thought your dog was a Dobe X by the way

How do you develop competency if you've never put a scalpel into living flesh?

I think it matters because owners sue. I think it also matters because there's a family to mourn for the dog.

I understand what you're saying PF it's just that you kind of get emotionally involved when you offer advice so it's hard not knowing the outcome I get the emotional investment. That doesn't mean we've got a right to press for information. She knows we're here.

So, dogs that get desexed at the Uni through the pound system shouldnt be, as it is a surgical procedure and of lower standard? Dogs that get desexed via the pound system don't have owners who'll sue. That is what a waver is forNo vet can guarantee you dog will live once put under anaesthetic and we all sign paperwork before surgical procedures I just think there could be alternatives and thinking outside the square is a good thing Where possible trying to preserve life should be the main objective I just believe that if the students are to operate on live animals, then use animals that need procedures whose owners (or non profit resuce for that matter) who don't have the finances to have it done and then the students get to see the recovery instead of just its death If a vet kills your dog, they have professional insurance to cover any compensation. You can't contract out of your liability at law. Waiver or not, if the dog dies due to error, there's probably a case for compensation. Of course that doesn't bring the pet back to life.