nksyd

Right, I've some bedtime reading to do; thanks for that. Also, just realised you're based in Kurrajong and I'm long overdue a visit there soon to my friend's restaurant so might try and tie it in with a training lesson for Molly too!

Thanks again K9 - I had a quick look at the drive thread but will have to have a proper read tonight (42 pages to read). I am not sure exactly what training in drive means so hopefully I will find out the technique in those pages? I'm concerned now about the jogging with her in a halti as we've done this for the past year. When we jog she runs naturally in a heel position and on a loose lead. Only occasionally does she pull away (and luckily only once has tripped me up!). I feel I have good control over her with the halti and I worry about running with the check chain as my control (at this stage) is lacking when using that. We run most days and I would hate to stop that but maybe I should for a while and just concentrate purely on the training?

Thanks K9 - I do try to keep her mentally stimulated. We play lots of games at home and at the park and we also have training time at home (recently perfecting her drop which has taken time I must confess). When I am not home she has lots of toys (rotated regularly) and her kong. In obedience class (we're only in class one) she is very good at keeping her eyes on me and repsonding to her name; same when she is at home. Her repsonsiveness is impressive. It's only when we're out and walking on leash. Is there other things I should / could be doing? Any suggestions definitely welcome. Oh, and also as I mentioned before we have two different types of walking - we use the halti for going jogging and also when out for a casual stroll with friends and use the check chain for training walks. Not sure if that's the right thing to do or not?

Thank you so much for the advice; very much appreciated and I will take it all on board and revise how I use the check chain. So... I am correct in thinking now that the check should NOT be up hign on the neck but wherever it falls naturally? As for clicker training, I do have one at home so I may revisit that with her too if I continue to get the checking wrong. I will also use the food to keep her attention on me (I swear she has ADD when we're out and about..!) and hope not to lose any fingers moohmooh - at my dog training club they cannot advance into higher classes with a halti, and also the halti is good as it prevents her from pulling too much but it doesn't really teach her to stop pulling. Ideally I'd like to get to the stage when I need neither a halti or a check chain as she'll have learnt to walk nicely to heal.. but that is a long way off yet...

This is a useful thread. We have problems in obedience class because Molly doesn’t like her hind quarters being touched (we think she was hit in her previous home) and gets very wriggly and jumps around. In class when we’re asked to stand our dog we are told to run our hand along the length of the body. Not easy on a wriggling dog! She is very good on automatic sits etc but stand is going to stop us ever progressing to the next class I fear!

Ok there has probably been a LOT of topics on this but my searching is not coming up with exactly what I need. My girl is a very strong puller. She was rescued at approximately 1.5 yrs of age and had evidently not been on a lead before. For the past year I have been using a halti with her as it’s the only way I can keep her from pulling me halfway across the city! We are also going to the local dog training club and there I used a check chain (that they advised and provided) and I do use this on training walks. It does seem to work at the time but I am constantly ‘checking’. I’m also alarmed to have read somewhere that I’ve been using the check chain in the wrong position ie, up high on her neck?! This was what I was shown to do and now I’m worried it’s been harming her. We also do the stopping and starting, and changing direction when she starts to pull but it still doesn’t quite get it. In many other ways she’s a very smart Labrador but seems to have ADD as soon as she’s out walking! Any help welcome.

I sometimes use Aloveen conditioner in between salon vists if Molly has been out in the rain and is damp and smelly. Helps keep the doggy smell to a minimum!

What's a traveling vet? Do you know of an equivalent in NSW ? I have a vet that comes to my house weekly (sick cat) and she's based in Sydney. It's so much easier than getting to the vet each week and prices are very reasonable. PM if you want her details.

Hey Katdogs! Since the horror that was Orijen, Molly's been on Great Barko and she is doing so well on it; better than she was on either Orijen or Eagle Pack. Have to say, I was happy with Eagle Pack Holistic but due to the ongoing vet costs for Diesel I had to look at something more economical and decided to try GB after reading all of the positive reviews on here. I can confidently say that Molly is rhe shiniest black labrador in the Eastern Suburbs

I agree - an Australian available one would be good. These lists I do find interesting but then I get a bit overwhelmed with all the information!! After researching for a long time and then putting my dog on Orijen, and subsequently my cat, my cat became paralysed from the bloody food Molly now on Eagle Pack Holistic so happy to see it's got a good score

Hi oceanaussi - how are you dogs enjoying Great Barko?? I'd be really interested to hear. I'm currently using Eagle Pack Holistic ( was feeding Orijen and now have a paralysed cat from the cat version.... ) and Molly is doing really well on it but financial circumstances have changed a lot so need to make a few changes. Great Bark are not stocked near to me in paddo but the NSW rep is dropping me off a bag next week to try, plus a sample bag of the other one (Albert). Very impressed with them so far and haven't even fed it to Molly

Quick question - can Great Barko or Coprice be found in Sydney??

1) What Dry Food do you use? Was using Orijen and have now swapped to Eagle Pack Holistic (duck) since the Orijen drama 2) How long does that last you? depends but over a month - feed 2 cups per day 3) Do you buy more than 1 bag at a time? No 4) What is the size of each bag and its cost? 13.6kg = $124

Hi, I've noticed my labrador has been having a lot of really loose stools and she is on Orijen and I was wondering also whether that could be the cause. So any advice posted on here very welcome as it's very embarrassing when out on the daily walks / runs (excuse the pun....)

Thanks everyone! Molly is not prone to gaining weight (unusual for a lab...) at this stage but as she gets older and less active I imagine that will change!! Good idea KitKat - I will cut them up so she still gets to have a little something when I leave for work (in addition to her kong). The fact that she may choke hadn't occurred to me so I will definitely only give her smaller pieces. Thanks again :D