MolassesLass

I was going to suggest something based on the state you have listed in your profile but then got to this bit ^ If you get a chance, make your state correct to help others help you.

Due to the risk of serious neck injury I would never use any type of collar that puts strain on the neck - dogs are not structured like horses. The Australian Veterinary Chiropractic Assoc. says the same thing.

So you wouldn't use a crate as a 'time-out' to calm down a 'red-cordial' puppy, for instance? Genuine question, given that crates should not be used as a place of punishment. Or conversely, you don't use an exclusionary zone as a punishment? To me there is a vast difference between 'time-out' (ie just settle down a bit) and 'sin-bin' (punishment). I tend to put pups outside to burn the energy rather than in a crate. I do use a crate as punishment where the punishment is removal from the pack and/or activity - which is why I see time-out and sin-bin as the same thing. Whether it be because the dog did something really naughty or just because the dog is a little naughty (being too active for inside) then they are punished with removal from the pack - by crating, being shut in a boring room or outside. While I know the reasoning behind not using a crate as punishment, I've never found it an issue with the way I do it. I think they view being crated as a negative at any time they would rather be doing something else (like at a trial when it's not their go) and otherwise don't care. Whatever they think is happening, it works for me.

I find in more recent times that more and more people do confuse 'sin-binning' with 'time-out'. No slight to you, Keshwar, but just taking the opportunity to explain my point of view. 'Sin-binning' is meant to be as a punishment for the dog doing something wrong. 'Time-out' is (to me) more the "calm down" trigger and for that I might use something like the dog's crate or something that the dog doesn't consider to be a punishment. In a 'time-out' I might even give the dog a chew item whilst (s)he's in his/her crate. The dog's done nothing wrong per se ..... I just might want the hyper play to settle a bit, before someone ends up in tears. Not sure if I'm the only one who thinks this anymore. To me, if I don't want the dogs to play hyper in the house and they are, then they have done something wrong. Unless you let them sometimes and then not at others but that would then just be poor training IMO. Time-out and sin-bin is the same thing to me - removing the dog and putting it somewhere where it can't do anything but stop doing what it is doing and calm down.

Hi diankel! I train for tracking but am too wussy to do it in winter so I'm not doing anything at the moment. I have a 2 year old female BC who's got her TD2 and her brother who's got his TD1 and has found 2 very novel ways to fail his TD2 so far. Can't help with clubs in Victoria though.

Thought this might be of interest to some (from Vet-n-Pet Direct):

Flashing collar Lead and collar -> here

There is a stack on ebay from a Hong Kong seller who sends to Australia - they look decent. Linky ETA: I know you said in Australia but I don't know of any.

The Dog Food Project It's one persons evaluation of ingredients in American dry foods.

Not to be a downer but it's highly unlikely anyone will want her at her age for working. Most should be started a lot younger to be useful though a hobby farmer who wants a dog that barks stock from one paddock to the next might be interested. She's got a lovely face.

I found the food yet the american RSPCA still claim it's evil. I'm happy to ignore it, especially given the lack of evidence no one can find but I've got a worried owner - the claimed poisoning effects are hard to see.

I think it's the seed, skin and leaves but the article (and many others on the web) say ALL PARTS.

Dog's Life magazine has published avocado (all parts) as toxic to dogs in this edition but I am having trouble locating anything other than opinion about it. I know plenty of dogs that are fed avocado as the oils are good for coats. Can anyone link me?

Nice dog except for the ears (first dog picture). Is that a pup from your litter MonElite? (above dog picture)

Heartworm is usually an issue anywhere there are mosquitos.

Monthly chews for heartworm here, don't trust the injections safeness given reports about it. 3 yearly vaccinations.

It's really quite a fun way of doing things, a lot of people bring the dog up and let them choose.

No Reddii, I don't think anyone has suggested that - I like it for first place at least.

Yes and we soon learn what people don't like out of what we get.

At canine disc we give out a prize for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each division at comps. Generally this is an item costing us under $5 as there are heaps to give out. We buy a bin full of toys and products at the moment and people pick out what they want. I'm wondering if there are other cheapish items we could offer, so what would you like to be able to pick out? ETA: By ribbon I mean:

This is what I recommend to my puppy buyer who had a problem puller. The Sporn allowed her enough control over the dog to continue to exercise him while the pulling was worked on separately. Without adequate exercise the training to not pull was not working, the dog needed to be calmer.

Because dogs are not horses and their necks are not designed to take any kind of force. The pulling and jerking that happens can cause serious neck injury. I would NEVER use any type of head collar nor recommend them for this reason.

This might help (the middle is ideal)

If the dogs legs are coming off the ground then you are using it wrong. The padding is to stop chafing though I've heard it sometimes happens

I've found it really good.