FHRP

Great stuff RubyStar! It is great to read how enthusiastic you and your dogs are. Steadiness and deliveries will come with Millie, she sounds like she's having a great time We were back out in the paddocks on quail again early this morning. Polo did some nice work, we're working on the sit to flush (among everything else), I want him to automatically sit when he either flushes a bird, or there's a 'wild flush'. He's become pretty steady to flush (not moving, not trying to chase the flying bird), although not always sitting. We introduced the starter pistol when the bird flushed today and that stepped temptation up a gear and he did go to chase a couple of times. He picked up pretty quick that he has to be steady to shot too :D Just not always sitting I had reinforced to me yet again, that the handler is the biggest handicap in the team, doesn't seem to matter what sport it is that's the common denominator here I am learning though, and just loving seeing my boy work. The field work has also resparked my interest in retrieving and seems to have made Polo even keener, if that's even possible!!! See the quail on the left side of the photo, Polo has found, pointed then flushed it on command. In this one I had sat him at a distance after a find and we were chatting. His nose didn't stop the whole time and he indicated game again. Sure enough, there was a quail about 15m in front of him Oh, we chucked in a bit of coursing too. Polo pointed a hare and couldn't resist the temptation to chase and no amount of yelling and whislte was going to stop him. No steadiness there I am told that any dog worth it's salt wll chase a hare.... Much training needed. See the hare just in front of him. A few fun dummies in the dam afterwards and then a retrieve across the corner of the dam.

I'll let you know when I know :D Well done on the Novice RATG pass mollipop! Good dog for not caring about the dummies, I know it is much easier to train with dogs that aren't picky on dummies, it's a bit of a hassle when people are too precious about them. Polo had his first retrieve of dokken today, he certainly approves We did some retrieving training today, the first time we've been out with our 'training group' in a long time. We did water work, working on not cheating and long swim blinds. I was very happy with the boy, although the training wasn't hard, it was a good positive outing for both of us which we needed.

Not quite retrieving training, but gspmadhouse and I took our young boys out for some field work today. Polo did some nice stuff including 'roading' a bird Young Kaleb did very nicely for his first time out too! Polo got a couple of dummies in the dam afterwards, so there was some retrieving too Some pics from the morning

I have never put puppy purchaser conditions on my stud dogs, but I have been in your situation. My youngest dog came via the stud dog owner. Like you I fell in love with the dog and wanted a pup from him. As condition of the mating that produced my pup the stud dog owner got two pups - one pup as payment and another purchased by the stud dog owner to on sell to me. I have however developed a relationship with the bitches owner too and would like to think she would have sold me a pup anyway There is no reason why a stud dog owner can't stipulate that a certain person is to get a pup from the produced litter, it's up to the bitches owner to accept it or look for another dog. How common it is, I don't know...

I have the Sigma 17-70mm that I use on a Canon 7D. Very happy with it, including and especially in low light.

So, tell us what training you did RubyStar!! Sounds good!!

Why no training?? Who will be my room buddy on away from home adventures? (I hope you will be there) My head is spinning at the moment, months and months of training and tried to put it all together on the weekend and pretty much fell apart Whats Polly up to? I'm slack And I want to try field trials with Polo this year, so I want to aim our training at that for now I think., don't want to confuse us both too much I may change my mind after our first try at a trial though... I'm thinking that I'll have to go to some Retrieving trials anyway to see how you're all going, I miss it!! And I might get to run Polo's daddy in AA when his owner is judging Novice :D

I've been using the Coles ham & chicken loaf roles for years and the dogs enthusiasm for it has never waned and it is cheap :D I prefer moist treats that the dogs can quickly scoff on the go while training, I don't want to wait for them to crunch some dry stuff to continue with an exercise.

I was somewhat loyal with my first pup from a breeder. I fed what the breeders had been feeding for a while before doing my own research and deciding to feed raw. Since then any pup has come home and straight onto the diet I think best. I have advised breeders that I will be raising my pup on a raw diet.

Sounds like the training is going well rubyroo! You guys will have fun in restricted Can't wait to see the boy in action again. No training to speak of here

Congrats to the WA dolers! So, are there trials for you guys over the next few nights too?? Good luck!

You know your dog is keen...... when you live with Polo

Hotondo homes uses a German Shorthaired Pointer http://www.hotondo.com.au/

I have seen slow and disinterested dog compete and title in both obedience and agility. Whether they were "low drive" or were like that due to poor training, physical limitations, breed nature at times I couldn't say. If a dog is trainable, they can get through obedience trials. They might not show the flair and pizazz of some other dogs, but that's not where the majority of points come from. They can get through the lower levels of agility and yes they can even win, many times it is the slow and steady that gets around a Novice course with the fast and furious crashing and burning I have seen some very creative handling with slower dogs in agility, ensuring the dogs don't lose the drive they do have and don't do any further distance than is needed, cutting every corner etc. It is hard work for the handler, but it can get some nice results

I have raised a litter bred by my bitches co-owner, and I enjoyed doing that. I currently only own and have a strong preference for male dogs, so that puts breeding litters out However I would consider breeding a litter myself in the future, probably so that I can get what I want (hopefully) in my breed/s as I'm just not seeing the breedings I'd be interested in happening.

One sylable names can be stretched out, even without a vowel sound ending! Flynn often becomes Flyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyn!

My preference is for short names too of one or two sylables Some one sylable girls names that friends have used on their dogs (I only have boys!): Bree Scout Sian (pronounced Sharn) Niamh (pronounce Neve) Belle (this one is a staffy ) Paige Styx Faith Fern Dawn Star Flame Breeze Link Dash Rush Jazz

Passed out!! Poor Sophie. I hope that the vets help her with the pain.

Congrats TSD & TerraNik! We had the Canberra Royal this weekend and my red boy did well Rogan had lots of quallies and placings but left his best run for the "Top Dog Shootout" which he won!! The brown dog on the other hand was abysmal

Had the old boy at the vet yesterday for a bit of chiro and general check up, he's going great guns at the moment I discussed the muscle loss in the head (this is different vet) and we can also attribute it to Flynn being chemically castrated last May. Without the testosterone, there is some muscle tone loss. I know it's not going to be the case in all old dogs, but it did comfort me a bit

I don't own either, but have looked at both online. The second as OS - Optical Stabilization. I assumed it is like looking at the Canon's 70-200 with and without IS?? I'll also be intersted to hear from who use these lenses.

Are you a member of your local breed club (if there is one)? There are no breed specific clubs for my breeds in the ACT but I am currently a member of two of my breeds NSW clubs, and one Victorian one also. If you are a member, what kinds of activities take place that you are involved in? I have been involved in conformation shows, obedience trials, tracking training, club picnics and breed workshops that the NSW Vizsla Club has put on. And probably more I have been to an agility trial and obedience trial (at the Nationals) that the NSW GSP Club has conducted. I have been to a Utility Gundog test the Vic GSP club conducted in conjunction with the Vic Weim club. I would go to more of their events if I was closer. The NSW Vizsla club produces an excellent Newsletter, and I would be a member of that club for the Newsletter alone! They also produce a Calendar from Club members photo's, T-shirts, cards etc. They really do provide for all types of memebrs, from show people and breeders, to the 'pet owner'. The Vic GSP Club also produces a nice Newsletter with lots of useful information. If you are not a member, why not? I don't know why I'm not a member of the NSW Whippet club. I don't really know what they offer, but haven't seen much more than shows which is my last interest. I'm not actively training or trialing my Whippet, maybe if I was I would be. What kinds of activities would you like to see more of in your local breed club? The Vizsla club puts on a hell of a lot of activities. It really does cover most interstes!! I would hate to stretch the committee any further, but presonally I would like all Vizsla clubs to promote the working side of the breed more through club activities. I'd love to see a Vizsla Club somewhere in Australia conduct a field trial, a retreiving trial or a Utiltiy Gundog Ability test! A Retrieving Ability Test would even be a good start The NSW GSP Club I'd just like to see better communication so I even know what they are conducting.... Is your breed club involved in Breed rescue? The NSW Vizsla Club & the Vic GSP Club are, I'm not sure about the NSW GSP Club.

RalleyValley, I suggest you find someone involved in field trials to mentor and help you. To some degree, yes the dog has to 'have it', but even then some training is/may be required. For the Novice UG test, a 'natural' dog will need very little training, but some may need a bit more just to encourage the instinct. My youngest dog was introduced to planted birds (pigeons) as a young pup and his natural nose and pointing work was encouraged. Before that he had the 'wing on a string', just to encourage pointing. A couple of years later we went out in quail paddocks where things like quartering and ground coverage was again worked on. I am very lucky that he is pretty much a natural and I am just along for the ride really!! I am also lucky that I have found some very experienced field trial people to guide me, I don't think I could do it on my own. From my limited observations a lot of it comes down to control in the field. I have seen quite a few dogs with so much potential just running out of control, which will do them no good in either trials (field or UG) or as a hunting companion. It is a bit of a fine line though, as a pup you really don't want to squash their drive and ability!! Interestingly my younger Vizsla had none of the early work my GSP has had. He has come along to quail paddocks with us, and lucky for me at 8 years old he is still a natural pointer in the paddocks, something that did suprise me a litte as he is not a very big 'sight pointer', I guess he knows when it's the real thing However, he does not have the natural ground covering, speed or style of my GSP. Both boys passed the field component of the UG, although Rogan received ratings of pass & good where Polo received all Excellents. I expect that the Open level of the test will be beyond Rogan though.

A 14 week old puppy can be all over the place with movement. However, if you're concerned, find a vet that is good with movement and experienced with hips. I had a young pup that had 'funny' rear movement, very hard to explain but I wasn't happy with what I was seeing for a dog I hoped to dog dog sports with. My local vet couldn't see what I was even talking about, although we did x-ray him at 4-5 months old to ease my own concerns. I then took him to another vet who is very good with movement and does lots of x-raying for hips, she's also gone on to become a chiro. She saw straight away what I was talking about. We never did work out why though and as a 'veteran' who has had a very extensive agility career it's never affected him further....

Probably because he's already getting all that But, for directly helping with the actual muscle loss she seemed to think that the fish oil was the most beneficial?? Maybe Flynnie needs a weight program and protein supplements. He could be massive.. fully sic maite. That or more fish food. I'm sure he's wiling to try both options, at once