FHRP

I'm guessing the third is Large Munsterlander

I am very happy with Black Hawk. I can't comment on the palatability, I have three dogs that scoff any kibble and one that can be picky on any kibble, and he's eating OK (no better than others though, apart from Canidae which he didn't like). All dogs have maintained good weight, coat & skin condition, the Whippet especially so in the weight department, he's being cut back! Best thing is the firm poops though. After getting lazy and going to kibble from BARF (they still get RMBs) I was resigned to the fact that no matter the kibble they were going to have softer poops. Black Hawk has produced the firmest, least smelly poops! Not quite pleasant to pick up, but less gross Oh the things that give dog owners joy...

what!!!!!! I'm getting you to buy all my stuff from now on. well done, that's amazing. Me too!!

I'm using a 4GB card with my new camera as DWI sent the wrong 16GB card with the order The 4GB fills up pretty fast!! An email and two phone calls later they have finally given me an address to send the wrong one back to and have agreed to send the correct one immediately after I pointed out the delay already, hoping to have it by Christmas!!!

It's not just your throws rr, you have too many trees!!! ;) I have lost several dummies up trees, including at your place although I think we did get that one down eventually?? My local training area must rain dummies in the windy weather, not that I ever find them again....

A dally that poodlefan and I know the owner of quite well Can you imagine all the puppy poop she's dealing with now ;)

Hi guys, I picked up a couple of "dummies" from Homebase! They aren't top quality, but they aren't bad! They could easily be used against a light background for marks. The tennis ball at the end is easily removed. So keep an eye out at some the the cheapie stores, I've sourced the soft puppy dummies from the cheap stores too.

What spoilt dogs

Thanks amypie, you've had a prety good year yourself!!! Must be happy with your agility achievements ;) Tassie, I am still over the moon I think I will be for a long time Contrats to everyone who made some goals. Whether they've been fully achieved or not, I think it is great to have them, even if the time frame might move slightly ;)

Great stuff RubyStar

Happy Birthday Kuges!!! What a great age, I hope we get to celebrate even more Birthdays with you on DOL

Rogan - To remain sound enough to contiue competing regularly in agility in 2011. At 8.5 and a large dog, he's probably not going to be as competitive as he has been but I'd like to get the 10 multipliers on all his agility titles!! He has them (and more) in the Open classes, is nearly there in JDM but a long way off on ADM ADM may not happen in 2011, but I hope he's stays sound enough to eventually get there. Not, that I ever actually apply for the multiplier titles, but I might if he gets 10 in everything - I am considering having yet another go at Tracking. - If Rally is offered around here, have a go at that! Polo - To get him weaving consistently!! Only been an aim for 3 years now I think. At least now I'm actually kinda training him - To gain his SD, SPD, GD & AD?? titles! - To compete in a Field Trial Scary stuff!!! - To compete in an All Age stake at a retrieving trial More scary stuff!! - To train all UD exercises and maybe enter a trial or two. - To train for the Open Utility Gundog Ability Test and perhaps compete if the Open class is offered next year. Phew! That's enough!

I usually join in on the wish lists but I didn't for 2010. I didn't dare actually put in writing that I was hoping to get Rogan's AgCh But I feel a little wrap up of the year with my boys is warrented now our 2010 trialing year is over. Rogan continued to trial consistently in Agility throughout 2010, our main focus for this year. I suspect it's his last competitive year. I am more than pleased that in September he gained his Agility Champion title, making him a dual Champion In August we achieved a goal we'd had for a few years and that was to compete in a Utility Gundog Ability Test, the first one run under National rules. Rogan passed the test and became the first dog in Australia (by about 40 minutes) to gain the UG title My aims with Polo this year was to finish his Restricted title in Retrieving Trials, to teach him to weave and compete in Agility trials and hopefully knock off a title there! Obedience wise I wanted to get a score over 190 in Open with him as I know he is more than capable but only got in the 180's for his title, and to introduce UD training. Polo finished his RRD early in the year and I did start competing in Agility trials with him, although he's still not quite there IMO. Unfortunately he still doesn't weave consistently He did manage to gain his JD title in October and has passes in all Novice Games classes He did get that 190+ score in the little Obedience trialing we did, winning the Open titled class at our State Titles We have done a small amount of UD training, but nothing to really speak of. Our first go at Scent Discrim was a disaster! Additionally Polo was also introduced to Field work this year, something we have both enjoyed. He also particiapted in the first Utility Gundog Ability test and gained his UG, with some very nice ratings across the board No training goals with the old boys, just hoping they'd see the year through and be happy and healthy After a scare with Flynn early on, he's been fit as a fiddle and as norty as ever

I use a motorbike ramp with some outdoor carpet on it

Why do you want a fox? They aren't used in Retrieving trials... I do have one though, it was road kill. Don't know where else you would source one, maybe someone with a property that shoots feral animals?

How's the training going RubyStar? I have managed to get out a couple of times this week for some short sessions with Polo. I have done very little training this year and if I want to ever run him in All Age I need to get stuck in! I must admit, doing some field work this year has seen my interest for retrieving wane a bit. I have gone back to some pretty basic stuff to hopefully improve our foundations. So, I just did some handling - backs and overs and re-established a couple of memory blinds. He was a good boy ;) RallyValley, when I started out all I had was a few dummies, but I was lucky enough to train with people who had all the gear! If you can afford a thrower they are very handy, and if you train alone one with a remote is a real bonus, or a bumper boy if you can afford it! If you want to be able to set up a control point and a firing point like in a trial, a few electric fence posts will do the job. I'd also recommend a whistle (or 10!), even though I didn't introduce it to Rogan before he got to restricted, Polo and all future pups will learn to sit and come to whistle from the start. Gumboots and a game/dummy bag are handy. Oh, and a freezer to keep all the pigeons, rabbits etc. in!! :D

Thanks kja Having some actual numbers will help me to apply it to my real life situations

Sorry to keep asking, just trying to understand So when is it that you need it? I've been told it doesn't help with action shots as such (my main interest). Perhaps in low light it really comes through??

Why kja? What does it do so much better? Image quality in general, or just that it really helps with camera shake on a heavy lens??

Was down to $1290 the other day, up to $1330 at the moment Am interested to hear of the IS is worth it too? I am looking at both lenses, but can't really afford the IS right now, should I hold out???

A couple of Do Not Do's with young pups, IMO Do not ever discourage the pup from picking up and carrying things, no matter how naughty it is Always tell them they're a good dog and gently take it from them. Never snatch things from their mouth and don't take things immediately from them, give them a pat and tell them how good they are before getting them to release the item, swapping for something else if necessary (even a treat). Do not have your pup compete for a retrieve with another mad retriever that they are likely to fail against. This can put a pup right off retrieving. When doing fun puppy retrieves put the other dog/s away. Make it about you and your pup, not the pup and another dog.

I hope you enjoyed the weekend, it is certainly a fantastic place to train, imagine having that on your door step!! I undesrtand being nervous about snakes, it's a risk with training anywhere at this time of year

I don't think he even noticed did he? Teddy has been fun police with all my big boys at times

Wouldn't we all! Hey I may be making life difficult for you but WHAT would you do differently? I knew you'd ask Of course it would depend on the indiviual dog but mainly I'd do less control work at the start and work more to foster and encourage drive. Rogan had it when we started but I believe I squasehd it with too much unecessary control work. He rarely lost a point between the pegs, but the retrieves weren't always as enjoyable as they should have been. Polo on the other hand has needed control lessons his entire life

You'll just have to buy an Aussie one then I will do retrieving with my next Vizsla, but I'll do a few things differently...