GSDs

Wish I could help you with the UD stuff, but I'm still plodding along with that myself. I've picked up a few tips from a friend that trials/instructs (her old dog passed away and she now has one of those damn Kelpies :D ), but being blonde does have its disadvantages. My limit is OPEN stuff. The dog is great -its the blonde that's the problem. If Vegas would just be a good girl and give me some puppies I could get the OB out of the way, the tracking out of the way and get back into some agility again! Is that really asking too much? That would be the TSD -track search dog trials. That's basically the same with me. Oki has his Tracking Champion and so does Pep. Vegas is my next challenge. Helen is trying to talk me into putting Oki in a TSD -1 later in the year. I know he would really love it. I guess I could if I pulled my finger out and did some training. Tell Zee I hope she gets her wish one day! We only have one pet sheep called 'Bart' or most times 'big butt'. If I can work out how to post a pic on here, I'll post one of Bart on lead with the dogs! Theresa

I can understand them doing their own training. I probably wouldn't take the more experienced dogs to a training day either, but it certainly benefits the inexperienced dogs - and its always nice to help other out by laying tracks etc. I usually take Vegas over to the small bush reserve (opposite the roadhouse) where there's heaps of room for a learner. Because of the small amount of 'doggy & human' traffic it gets, it's ideal for beginners but they still get to experience cross tracks etc. There's a lady from Bannockburn that works at the Winch bank that wants to learn to track her keplie and the other dogs she has so that's probably where we'll go for their first time. I keep meaning to contact her and work out a day that suits both of us, but just haven't got around to it That 'motivation' thing again Helen and Tony are the Inverleigh cops - well Tony is, Helen is retired I think Sounds too much like a coincidence to me! The current president of the TCV is also a cop. He took over from Lyn Klecka. It's surprising how many cops track their dogs I'm sure you would love it! Most tracking people do other stuff in the 'off season'....show/agility/obedience etc..but once tracking season starts, they drop everything and the tracking gear comes out of mothballs! Why not come to TCV Inverleigh trial later in the year Well if you do invest a few hundred into a fully equipped centre, can you also invest in lots and lots of spare land/bush for the tracking fraternity too Theresa

Congrats Tenties.... good things always come to those that wait!! :D Theresa

There is a few from Harris St - I think Mick with the GSPs is still trialling and Necia is now judging as well as trialling her young dog. There is someone at Inverleigh who trials, a friend stays with her whenever they trial over that way. There is a bunch from BDOC who trial as well. So there are quite a few trialling. Wonder why more aren't into training days? I wonder if its Helen she stays with at Inverleigh. Helen was (until recently) the secretary of the TCV and is a judge. She is also the to blame for getting me hooked on tracking! :D She usually has a full house when the trials are on at Inverleigh. Helen has 2 lovely Staffies that did their TSD last year and I think one took out tracking dog of the year and the other took out TSD of the year - not a bad effort eh? Now Jess, I don't believe for one minute that you don't have time for tracking.... Theresa

I don't think I know Patricia, but I can ask if she's a TCV member. I'm also guessing Jess is the Jess I know on here How sad the tracking day was so poorly attended. I would have thought you'd have heaps of tracking enthusiasts down that way. When I started tracking I was lucky enough to be instructed by some of the best in the TCV. Helen DH & Lynn K are both judges and great handlers themselves with many Tracking Champions to their credit and really nice people toboot- as are most of the Tracking club judges/members. I learnt heaps about handling from Lynn and I was much better with my second dog than I was with my first. I generally have to lay the tracks on my own these days or if I'm lucky, a friend sometimes travels down from Melbourne, but it's not as much fun on your own. I really must get motivated!! You would probably enjoy the TCV training days they hold for members during the tracking season in Melb. They usually have the dates etc in the TCV magazine. Re:Vegas - she's missed twice to the stud dog....I'm hoping its third time lucky! She's about to come into season again any tick of the clock. I am at Winchelsea. Theresa

Sounds like it should be a great day out. We never had time for a BBQ when we had training days, just a quick shared lunch and a cuppa... and sometimes we didn't even get that depending on how many tracks there were on the day Most of our training was/is done (I haven't trialled for nearly 2 years but plan on getting Vegas through as soon as the puppy issue is resolved) at Inverleigh in the bush - which is handy for me being just one town over from here. Is anyone down that way trialling? I'm thinking about putting Oki in his first TSD, but I'll have to give that some more thought - I keep thinking about those freezing cold mornings again. Who is the lady that runs modern dog training? Is she with the tracking club? Sorry for all the questions Theresa

Jeez, you lot sure can talk. I'm still trying to catch up on all the posts Sounds like everyone has been flat out with one thing or another. I love all the pics of your dogs. Did I hear someone mention the word 'tracking' ....one of my favourite sports! Theresa

Hi Puglvr. Been meaning to call, but still working on the bloody cattery!!! I was thinking about coming for a looksee tomorrow, that's if Terry isn't too tired (last night shift tonight). Did someone say the market was on too?? That's a bonus. I'll give you a call today sometime and hope you're home Theresa

Jeez, that's a bit rough, especially when they charge like mallee bulls AND want it all up front!!!! Maybe you should ring them last thing Wed night, or if you still don't have an answer, first thing Thursday morning...just to make sure. Whenever we've bought something from a store that says they will deliver but won't give a time, we say that we need to know ASAP because we both work and therefore might not be home when they come. That usually works I have my fingers crossed that it all goes smoothly for you. Theresa

Bugger - fingers crossed for her next season! Thanks Jess. Instead of crossing your fingers, do you reckon you could do me a favour and cross ALL your body bits for her next season? ;) Oh, O.K. then, it was just a thought. Maybe she's the exception to the rule? ;) Mine always have to be that little bit different :D She's having a belly shave? That should be a good look until the hair grows back! Vegas didn't have to be shaved for her ultrasound. Now don't laught, but I did run my laptop mouse (its much smaller than the regular one) over her tummy a couple of times the night before she went to the vets so she knew what to expect. Whatever works I reckon!! tlc, I won't be going as it's really hard to get away from home at the moment with all my oldies and Terry's shift work, but have a great day. Tenties....how's things going with the house, dogs, cat, car, moving etc.... Theresa

Yeah, I have a ute, but that's why we bought one - so we didn't have fur balls floating around ;) The back of the ute has a non-removable divider with two gates at the back, but a tunnel won't fit through them nor will they fit through the window!! I could probably fit them in the small dog trailer though Theresa

Hi again Jess, I came across this on another forum (UK)... Could that be a remote possibility? Apparently it affected the muscles :D Theresa

What a bugger. It must be very frustrating for you The only thing I've heard that helps is Cranberry tabs, but I think you've already mentioned them in a previous post. I also give yoghurt and vitamin C. Luckily, I've never had the problem with any of my girls, so I'm not much help to you - sorry. It will be intersting to see what she comes up with...if anything. Say Hi from me! Do She went for an ultrasound the other week and there were no puppies to be found. Suzanne said her spleen is nice and healthy though. :D Looks like we'll have to try again in July/August. Vegas is the last of that line, so I would really love something to go on with from her. Theresa

That's great news about the house Tenties It's a pity I don't have a trailer to put some agility stuff in (like tunnels etc). We could have had some doggy fun at the BBQ. I agree with Pandii about the car...keep on their tail so they know you're still around! Nice pics of your fur kids Jerojath! Jess, any updates on your girl's problem? Theresa

Hi Tim & Tanya, A play date sounds great. Tenties.....any news yet?

Thank you for the welcome tlc....and what a lovely ending for 'George'

Yep Sisters tlc, no she's not in Warrnambool, she is a Tresspasser in this thread Hey Tenties, who are you calling a trespasser? :p It's not that long ago that you lived just down the road from me Hi tlc - I come in peace! I live in Winchelsea, between Geelong and Colac. I haven't lived in W'bool for about 30 years now, but am still a W'bool girl at heart. Theresa

Hi Tenties That's great news about the house. I have all body bits crossed that this one comes up trumps for you A BBQ sounds like a great idea, but it all depends on WHEN???? :D If it works out O.K around puppies and Terry's shifts, then I'll be there with bells on! Food is always much nicer when you don't have to cook it yourself! - why is that? Vegas goes in for her ultrusound hopefully on Thursday (if I can get her in)? - so I'll know for sure one way or the other if she's going to be a mum or not, instead of just hoping - again . Six years between litters is a bloody long time to wait, and besides, I'd really like Pep to see his great- grand kids before he goes. Which reminds me I must ring mum and dad Theresa

Thanks Jess...I'll take all the 'puppy vibes' I can get

Hi Jess!! Glad you're getting some use out of the contact trainer - even if it is only half of it!! It sounds like Zee has got you exactly where she wants you. ;) I mated my girl a few weeks back, so not much training going on here until I know if she's in whelp or not! PS...We got onto that fly repellent you suggested.....good stuff. Thanks!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (for yesterday)Tenties!!!

Hi MonElite, The difference between the ANKC and NADAC-Aust See Saw is minimal (approx 10mm). NADAC-Aust also work in inches. I guess the most importat thing is to make sure the see-saw is well balanced. The tunnel sounds fine.