speedy2

Hi Yes I have a Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services. There appear to be 3 main types of deliverers of this course: 1. Delta 2. various TAFE colleges 3. other providers, like Hanrob and Provet Generally TAFEs are cheaper. As it's a nationally-defined course they can't deliver less than the course requires. The Delta course is highly spoken of by Delta-afficionados, although I have met people who had been unable to complete the course or even get a list of what they had completed because they didn't submit 2 assignments. I'd be tempted to compare prices and requirements before making a decision. Speedy2

no dog is allowed off-lead in NSW except in designated council off-leash areas.

keep your eyes on the non-industry GAP website - gapnsw.org.au - they've even got links to the legislation. i think they scheduled the green collar days before this change arose, and are hoping that they'll be able to go ahead with them.

Hi All A friend's black female pug has gone astray in the Newcastle area. She has a grafted eye which is very noticeable and without daily treatment goes scabby. Sightings should be emailed to Colleeen on [email protected]. Thanks Speedy It's OK - she's been handed in at the local vets.

I've had a 16.5 year old German Shepherd X Greyhound, a 15 year old Dobe x Kelpie, and a 20 year old small white terrorist who bit me regularly!

Ah percyk. thought you might have dropped in on this one. Now, without excusing the idiots who had their Greys unmuzzled in a public place against the law ... and there is no excuse. However ... Greyhounds have been bred for centuries to chase, so you can't do much about it. Their heart pumps more blood than any other dog, so when they're running, between the wind in their ears, the pounding of their feet and the beating of their heart, they just don't hear. It's not that they ignore recalls, they just don't hear them. However, I trust my Greyhound completely, with smaller dogs at home or strange dogs outside, small or otherwise. So now you know one. Want me to introduce you to more of them? These guys don't have to chase to run - they love running for its own sake. Further, the overwhelming majority of Greyhounds are not chasing little dogs. Cats may be another matter <grin>. Because they are sighthounds that have been bred to chase hares, they shouldn't be let off-lead except in an enclosed area. They can see about a mile, and want to investigate. So, although all my life I have had dogs walk with me off-lead, my Greyhound will never be one of them, because of the sight issue and their explosive speed off the mark, and their physiology that makes it so hard for them to hear calls when running. And after having had my Greyhound monstered in dog parks by other dogs, there's no way I will take her there. They do not need to run, and as they are sprinters, a walk around the block tends to be sufficient. Yes, those people were stupid. However, the breed in the right hands is a wonderful dog. As are all dogs. What's the phrase - blame the deed, not the breed.

Hi Daisy It's an attempt to be able to track the greyhound for its life, and to start putting some accountability back to owners and trainers who can just shoot the dog now, or dump it and not tell anyone. Theoretically the local Greyhound Racing Authority can examine the data and ask questions of those who seem to dispose of a heck of a lot of greyhounds. I know Victoria are working on this avenue, and trying to improve the quality and reduce the quantity of greyhounds bred in that state. They are also asking a number of owners and trainers awkward questions. Yes, the owner or trainer may fudge the questions on the form - but at least questions are being asked. A GAP I know picked up a greyhound in a pound, and started tracing her by her ear tattoos. The original owner had decided that she was't fast enough, so had given her to a friend. The friend gave her to his niece, who then gave her to someone else and so on, and at some point in time she ended up on the streets and was impounded. There was no way to trace who had had her last, and whose responsibility she presently was, because none of these loving caring homes had bothered to microchip her (that GAP found her a loving home by the way, where she is cherished and looked after, and has a microchip which now says that she is registered to her current home). Greyhound Racing in Australia is also moving to microchips. Yes, not the total answer, but a step in the right direction.

by the way, i'm working with a greyhound in tracking. lovely long nose ... to hold lots of scent receptors ... now all i have to do is work on her attitude <smile> - don't think the judge will let the tracklayers sprint away wearing bunny suits.

we've had akitas with TDs and TDXs at my club - can't remember if the TDX akita did his tracking championship, or if it wasn't available then ... what state are you in?

I've seen a couple of dogs that will not work for anything ... and the suggestion has been made to starve them until they will work for food. The type of suggestions I see here. Does anyone have a problem with this? To me the basics of survival - food, water, shelter, affection - should be a given, and should not be contingent upon a straighter sit, or all the weavers done, or whatever. Sure, if it's a case of the dog's survival to learn this, then starve it. However, if it's just an exercise ... then find the most wonderful toy and limit acess to it, or reward the dog with walks. Or give up and enjoy the dog for itself. I'm now expecting lots of flak <smile>.

Hi Jules When I was a Chief Instructor I rostered people on 3 times per month. If someone was away they notified me and I took them off the roster. Even people who didn't want a break got one - avoid burnout. To do this you need a lot of instructors. I had over 40, and ran 2 instructor training sessions per year. Some people don't want to instruct - but there are many jobs in a club. If you don't enjoy instructing, find another task (helping with trials / equipment / new members / etc). If you don't enjoy instructing you won't do it well <smile>. How long is a piece of string? I've been putting in for nearly 30 years. If you get something out of a club, put something into it. If you don't get something out of a club, leave and find another.

talk to your local tracking club. GSDs do well in tracking, and they can probavbly give you good advice based on experience rather than marketing.

There is no obedience requirement, as it is all done on lead. You need a harness, 10 - 15 metre long lead, old dark colour socks (articles) which get scent up and this is what you use to scent the dog to the person they are following and they must find them on the track as well. Also flags to mark the tracks for training only. you probably don't need a harness and a 30' lead to start with. email the club and see what they recommend. sometimes clubs sell these items - i know the tracking club in sydney sells harnesses and leads.

Thanks Livertreats, I was hoping for something closer to home but maybe Maroubra it is then. DogsNSW gave me a phone number for the Northumberland Tracking Dog Club Inc but the phone number is disconnected and I can't find any information on the net about them to even know where they are situated. does anyone know anything about this club? Thanks Tony Hi Northumberland is long gone. The Tracking & Rescue Dog Club of NSW (www.trackingclubnsw.org,au) does train in Western Sydney - their secretary lives in Maroubra tho. and noone in NSW tracks in summer - too many snakes. feel free to email the secretary or the webmaster tho, and get some ideas.

Hi Years ago I read a wonderful article in an American magazine from a top obedience handler in the US. She noted that she always had 2 goals in any training session, a long term goal and a short term goal. The short term goal might be tightening a finish, or a turn, or a general brush up. The long term goal never varied - it was that the dog enjoyed itself. Her rationale was that she did a lot of trialling ... and if the dog didn't enjoy it then it wouldn't enjoy a lot of the time with her. So, if in a training session working on the short term goal, she looked likely to lose the long term goal ... she stopped, did something really easy that the dog did well and enjoyed to finish on a good note, and ended the session to try again another time. I liked that so much it's now my motto too. Remember that dogs have off-days, dumb days, windy days - just like you. Do something positive and walk away to try again another day. Don't sour or frighten your dog by persisting in your demands when the dog just can't do it today.