KitKat

I'd have to add if you have enough voli's have someone as a 'floater' either for each class or for each time slot. So that they can peel off with someone as needed to help them problem solve - this means that the rest of the class can keep moving rather then have to stop, and that the person who might need that bit of additional help gets some one on one attention - it can really make a big difference. And it doesn't leave the person 'holding up the class' and feeling embarrased because of it. I often found when i used to train i would end up doing this...and the trainer would let me. Also when i became an assistant trainer (not doing it any more) this is what i ended up doing - the other trainer would take the main class and i would peel off and help people one on one. Occasionally i have found myself doing this to some degree with classes currently. Also a common catch cry is "but they do everything at home!" in regards to dogs behaving - instead of the common response of "they all say that" which does make a person feel put down..respond positively with the other real answer of "They often will...just remember that there are a lot of distractions here" I have often talked to people after classes and they are upset by the 'they all say that' type comments. However i'll generally say something along the lines of 'generally you train without distractions then add them...here because it's group classes it's the other way around...try to train with distractions, then practise without them - which is why they often work better at home etc" which makes them feel better...but it's still true. Many people new to training etc stil feel embarrased if their dog is misbehaving for whatever reason, or because their dog doesn't seem to be picking stuff up as quickly as others etc...but people need to understand that such happens...not always from lack of practise, or from their handling...it can sometimes just be an off day, or more scents on the ground, or whatever. Rather then just say things likes "you obviously have to practise more" or "you have to put that dog in a halti" use encouragement and explain the different reasons that the dog may not be working as well...usually the person will come to the right conclusion - and they won't feel as if they are being talked down to etc. Have fun nights, have changes of trainers, make sure trainers can explain things easily and in different ways, have them explain why dogs behave the way they do, and last but not least...don't treat the handler like a twit...they won't come back and they will bag the club involved.

Oh i'm so sorry Tess :D Fly free little one

Perhaps start rubbing in some PawPaw ointment? Not 100% sure if it will encourage the hair to grow back...but it certainly won't hurt!

Put her in a situtaion where she gets fustrated...and click/treat for every vocalisation she makes...eventually she will get louder and louder Then you have to be able to switch her off ;) I taught Bronx by putting him on once side of a fence and me on the other...and then i acted the twit on my side of the fence - didn't take too long and Bronx was acting the pork chop to be with me and now will bark on command :p Sabe my pup who loves the sound of his own voice hasn't picked that up as easily...he barks and makes noise...just not when asked

Hehehe - i'm looking forward to it :p Not looking forward to when Sabe is in class 3 and i have to try and work both Sabe and Bronx in classes 3 and 4 :p I'm aiming for Sabe to be in class 2 for as long as i can! Hehe...Xena sounds pretty focused! See you both tonight ;) (as long as i don't spring a leak since i just gave blood ;) )

Yup, i'll be there tonight :p There was only four of us there in 3rd class last week - so we got to spend some time doing 'our own thing' which each of us got one on one attention - so that was cool :p If i can just signal stands properly then B will do great on or of lead Eep...watch out in class 2...a whole bundle of us class 1'ers got bumped up (so Sabe and i will be in there ) so classes from tonight onwards should be interesting! And i'm guessing that a bundle of class 2'ers got bumped up to class 3 - so that should be a bigger class as well ;)

If you PM MrsD she'll be able to let you know where she trains Also check with FidelisBC's - just not sure if that's her exact nic...

Perhaps use the prohart monthly tablets, advantix and drontal for your pup until she is old enough for the yearly injection? I personally think advantix is great...mostly because of the extra benefit of that it keeps the flies and mozzies off my dogs

I wasn't so much worried about teeth...just curious about the calcium ratio - do you suppliment or use egg shells or such?

No worries

It's not worth trying the RC Adult light? However Nutro is also a great food

What Poodlefan said It may also be worth scrolling through a few threads in this forum as this topic comes up a fair bit and you can, at your own leisure, check out what has been saked and answered before - well worth a flick thru The health/nutrition forum is also worth a flick thru if you find the time

Fair enough - good luck with it! watered down vegimite poured over her food might also tempt her...good source of VitB

In regards to a 'fat substitute' Sprint Oil would probably be an easier cheaper way to go...and is often used for that reason.

I do it...usually once or twice a fortnight

Thanks Pax On a side note - for all that Bronx's stands were average (mostly my fault!) he did a fair amount of work off lead and really well - worked better then onlead strangely enough!

Hehehe Harves is so cool It was all a plan you see...so now at each trial it will only get better - he told me so last night But now...you are no longer a trial virgin! Onwards and upwards

I'm neither trainer or breeder so hope you don't mind my input! I'd just be pulling back on sports that require high speed and balance - mainly because as the bitch gets further into pregnancy her weight/balance etc start to change. And if it's something the bitch is used to doing - eg leaping after a disc/ball in a particular way the muscles and mind are trained to do it one way...but weight and balance may distort how the body can do it - eg increased chances of landing badly etc. However keeping the disc low and lessening the leaping might at least continue the bitches enjoyment without increasing any risk? Same with agility for example - minor increased effort might be required to go over jumps, seesaw might be affected differently etc which could cause injury or create avoidence later down the track. Acting as trainer I would be comfortable allowing a possibly 3week term bitch train and possibilty compete in some sports - however it would depend on bitch and owner. Depending on the activity i'd be comfortable working/training a bitch at that stage however i'd be likely to soften the more active sports (eg low flying discs etc) as/if the pregnancy progressed until it was just low level activity at home. Just my take on things anyway

First of all...Sabe had his second class tonight...and it was test night....and we have been bumped up into 2nd class Yay for Sabre!!!! He did 100% better then last time so i'm proud of him The second thing being...he didn't bark all night!! He yiped and carried on a bit...so heaps better then last time as well

Loraine - does that mean you feed meat only? no bone?

I'd suggest raw with bone for the meats and raw but blended up for the vegies Good luck with finding what it is that doesn't sit well with your dog foodwise :D Also keep fish and turkey in mind for the diet...many dogs are allergic to chicken these days but others are allergic to beef/lamb/redmeat in general - so...good luck!

The 4legs food from the supermarket fridge are great - and you can batch them up and freeze them if you like. Also the VIP Chunkers are also fantastic...and again you can freeze them in batches

Rather then jump in someone elses thread.... For those that are pursuing careers in dog training etc... How did you get into it? How hard/easy was it? Where you already in the industry? Did you require support from other avenues - eg another job, partner etc? What courses did you do? What career have you gone into? eg dog training/problem solving/dog handler/security/boarding/etc

Ooo....can't wait to read all the replies! I so want to do this course - and hopefully will get to start in the next year or two or so...lol. I keep holding out hope that they will offer the week blocks in QLD one year Erny - were you already in the 'industry'? How 'easy/hard' was it to make such your career? ETA - please ignore those questions - will start a new thread :D

What offal were you using? i find my guys are likely to turn up their snouts at kidneys...lol...but they will eat liver - lamb or chicken is usually easy to come by