MolassesLass

I couldn't vote but the only editing I do is to crop a photo, I think the only program I have is Microsoft Photo Editor. I'm not a photographer, I'm just someone with a camera who likes to keep records of her life - I see no need for editing.

I haven't been to classes in a while now but when I did instructers always took a dog to demonstrate the next exercise we were learning or potential solutions to problems. Apart from obedience or agility when there are far more signals and they can be very subtle, it's only a dogs temperament that effects how easily they go with another person IMO.

You need to teach her to do Kegel exercises.

I think it's uncommon to have incontinence that's not hormonal and thus medication is used to control - hence the quiet. There are bitches britches you can get which are normally used for a bitch in season but with a human incontinence pad insert (designed for the thinner, faster flow - as per the ads ), I guess they could work for urine. You would need to ensure that the bits aren't being kept wet and replace the pad often but I'm sure you'd know that. My brother has a rubbed backed mat for his incontinent dog in case she has an accident and makes sure she has regular toilet breaks (a full bladder leaks so much easier) in winter when the doors are shut and she can't come and go as she pleases.

Of course, that's always the aim. A no-pull harness is only a management tool for a problem and only practical in particular settings not everything. Exactly. I got one because I had a neglected adolescent dog I was rehoming. His new owners were confident they could teach him to walk as they wanted with time but until then we needed to manage his pulling (more so lunging) so that the owners felt in control and not likely to be pulled over or into traffic etc. The harness gave them the confidence and physical ability to be in control so that he could be worn out with exercise as he needed, while they separately trained the correct walking position.

Fed Sasha's Blend for years before changing brands and never had a problem - infact dogs seem to like the fishy taste. She also licks dry powder from the bottom of the bowl when I've been lazy and not mixed it in.

That's what happened for me yes, probably why I like the Sporn so much.

I don't really understand your questions but I'm very pleased with how the Sporn harness works. ETA: It stops the pulling by putting pressure above the shoulders (I think).

TigerJack, yes there are not a huge number of competitors for each sport as it's like a grand final. There are breed stands and such at the event which probably will have dogs. If you want to get picky about it, there aren't even 8 frisbee competitors - there's only 4; the other 4 teams are two demonstration teams and 2 show teams.

You put the bowl down because otherwise the dog is going to look at you for the food in your hand and not leadership. You want a triangle with you, the dog and the food bowl as the points - the distance on the triangle sides depends on your training level. You next to or near the dog the food out in front of you both - the dog must look away from the thing it wants and at the handler to actually get the thing. You aren't training a release but the look to you - so it is not important that the dog waits for a word to be released but that you release to reward the dog at the moment they do what you want - starting out with a short look and building to whatever time you want. I'm no expert though.

Information on being involved in Dock Diving.

For the most part? Oh, it's me you hate isn't it?!

I have some Hyperflite K10 model ones for sale (I meant to order the standard size but got the pup size). These are discs specifically made for dog play and are approved by the Australian Canine Disc Association for competitions. I have orange, yellow and pink left. They are $6.50 + postage each ETA: In general, there are only American websites to get canine discs from (frisbee is actually a brand name of the first type of flying disc).

I go by the look of the dog as to correct weight, I have vet scales at home to weigh them on (for correct medication dosage) and I weigh once and then go by sight.

Titles and then for fun (a day out with like-minded people and my dogs) - I really dislike competitiveness and thus have frequent periods where I take time out from a sport to forget those types of people and their actions.

I've instructed in the past at SDOC and trained there again last year - I've never had an issue with the trainers or their methods. I went to BDOC once when I first moved to Brisbane but didn't like the facilities they had at the time so never trained with them.

You know what I usually see as people getting defensive on the net - the use of fake nice pet names.

Local councils (in Qld) have a very basic dog information database and it's searched via address and council tag number rather than microchip. If the local council picked up your dog then they'd check for a tag with a contact number on it first, next they'd check for a council tag, next they'd check for a microchip and yes, they'd then contact the microchip registeries NOT search their dog registration data for the microchip number. NSW is probably different as the microchipping is compulsory state wide - other states probably different again.

A microchip is all but worthless without current contact information stored in a registery. You local council is unlikely to check their own records even if you did give them the number and they'd only think to check if the dog was found with a council tag on also. Central Animal Records and The National Pet Register are also national registeries. NSW has had a state only one since they made microchipping compulsory.

Victoria Stillwell as she appears to be a fantastic example of a pack leader, very sensible and practical approach to things. ETA: Unless you mean you have to be on the TV show and then I choose "Just shoot me"

It was a TD2 and really the long grass makes it easier - more things to hold the smell - and it's so hard for clubs to find places to trial, they can only do the best they can. The club I train with has twice this year had tracks ruined by a hot air balloon company coming in with bus loads of people to use the field to take off. from. :D Why? Mostly Murphy! But sometimes it can be because the handler is no longer tense (at the possible pass) and is more like they are in training.

Hmm, maybe they mean get another track, I'm not sure - hopefully a Vic tracker will come in. 1st fail - track was certainly "legal" but a tough one as it was through chest high grass the whole time. We got half-way along, were still exactly on the track but my dog was exhausted and just couldn't keep working. So his fitness needed improving. 2nd fail - I let him start too fast and he rushed the first corner - went in the opposite direction and got too far before I read his signal he'd lost the track. He couldn't find the track as we'd gotten too far away. He of course, tracked beautifully after we were put back on to finish. :D We're doing some training on being able to back track when we're completely lost when we start again (it's too cold for this wuss right now).

Was "Track on" used in reference to failing your test? I think it just means that the steward/judge will if the situation permits, take you back to the track and allow your dog to continue to the end. Let you get some more training in. I've got two fails so far (dammit! :D) and both times we've been able to get back on track and finish - though of course, we still failed. I haven't taught both ways - my dogs pause and sniff and I'd like them to pick the article up if possible, though I've heard others say this is a no no. The only thing to be careful of with a dog that just pauses is if the pause is too short. Some judges can be hard on dogs that pause and expect a really really long pause but I've yet to encounter anyone like that. Good luck!

Do you mean they don't mouth at all as adults or you just mean they don't mouth all the time? I ask because my dogs (all adults) regularly play what I would call a mouthing game with each other. They love to roll about snapping at each other, play grabs of the neck and front legs, play growling and so on. Though I don't recommend humans allowing mouthing games, I did think it was a normal dog behaviour.

Does your dog sleep inside the house and do you sleep with your bedroom door open?