Tassie

Just be sure you don't overwhelm him with the other dogs. I'd be taking it very gradually - one dog at a time - and making sure things go nicely. Don't know what breed he is, but it's not a good thing for too much unsupervised play with adult dogs unless they are a reasonable size match, or are very puppy tolerant. Unless there is parvo rife in any area you will be, I wouldn't limit him to private homes - take him out and about as much as possible as soon as possible - but carry him when you're in areas where a lot of dogs might have been (and especially any poo-ey areas) - think that is what the other poster meant about the beach. It's important for pups to get out and about to see the big wide world and experience people, noise, traffic etc. etc. - It's also good for them in that while they're cute and adorable, and especially being carried, they will have great experiences with lots of people. It's all about balancing risk, really.

Thanks Melody. Do you know the date? Will probably clash with something here

I use a harness for mine ST - prefer to have what pulling there might be more evenly distributed. they use their tracking harnesses - doesn't seem to confuse them. Here ya go The dog must wear a fixed collar or suitable harness. No neck chains, slip collars, spiked collars, muzzles or head control collars shall be permitted.

Bad luck about Sadie's cruciate. If she were my dog, I'd be having her seen by a vet ortho specialis - there are a few different ways of repairing cruciates, and depending on the dog's size, weight and 'job' one might be better than the other. From what I've read, sometimes, whaat seems like a cheaper option int he first instance can end up dearer, as the other cruciate might be more likely to go. The arthritis might make a difference too. Bless you for rescuing the poor little kitty - Sadie will bless you too - that will help her recovery and rehab.

Good grief - most people I know wouldn't do more than 6 or 8 km in one training ride - and then only two or three times a week. I gradually build up distance over a few weeks - and speed, and then vary the speed and the distance, on the basis that the test itself isn't 20km in one hit - it's 8, 6 and 6, with breaks in between. I ended up having trained quite a bit at about 12-13 kph, just in case (sometimes judges will take the first leg out a bit faster and bank a bit of time in case of accidents.) As it happened, in Rory's test it was pretty much 10 kh the whole way - a bit uncomfortably slow

I'd say she'll be absolutely fine - the bulk of your training and conditioning is done earlier on and over a long period. I'm pretty sure rory only got one ride each of the last couple of weeks.

Reckon you'll enjoy it, sheena. It's so much fun being able to talk to your dog and encourage and praise them on the spot! Miss Kirra thought it was fun - lots of things happening - almost as good as agility

Nice one DSO and Jess! And hi Shaz. Long time no see. :D Kirra's still going strong - and new lil big man Rory - now 3, is a delight. Kirra and I were really sad when Fergus died, but we're both enjoying the new kid. Kirra spent his first week telling him who was actually in charge - and then has played with him every day of the 3 years since.

I didn't put up a wish-list - I'm superstitious - didn't want to jinx myself - but anyway ... Kirra Is still happily competing in Agility (Masters and Open) at 9 and 3/4 - no titles completed this year (missed finishing JDM2 by one refusal - my fault of course ) but some lovely runs - mostly good contacts, my handling is improving a bit, and my planning definitely improving (pity the execution isn't always up to the same standard ) Passed TSD1 test and was doing brilliantly on her TSD2 until she airscented the track further down the hill and cut off a corner - oh well, next year. Had lots of fun at a DWD workshop, but is still trying to persuade her mom to get organised and work up some routines Had her first go at Rally O in a mock trial - passed and really enjoyed it - and this is a dog who doesn't believe in formal obedience - so guess who's going to be doing Rally O next year. Rory Completed his ET title - he really enjoys working with the bike. Started tracking and completed TD in 3 trials. Missed Test 4 - he doesn't DO Scotch thistles all around a very open first corner - not willing to go in any direction - and then veered off track. Next year ..... He's a much more reliable tracker than Kirra - doesn't try to do the whole thing at warp speed. Obedience - 1 CCD pass, competing in Novice (4 passes in individual work, but not ready for stays yet .... next year) Rally O - He loves it - completed Novice 'titles' at Club and mock trial levels and first 'pass' in Advanced at mock trial. Roll on 2012 so we can try to convert those to official titles. Agility - playing round with it, but still working on getting him really trustworthy rouind other dogs in exciting situations - summer holiday task. Conformation - continues to be shown by his lovely Junior Handler when he has time - one BOB, several Dog Challenges, including a 17 point Dog Challenge at Hobart Royal

I've been dithering - did 1.0 - but for various reasons wasn't able to work through it systematically - did get quite a bit out of it anyway though, so signing up again for 3.0 - good discount for returnees Good time of year for me, so hopefully I can really work on it this time. Megan, for me one of the main benefits is to keep me on track and directed (I lack self-discipline, and need a trainer ) - I found I did know (and do) quite a lot of the stuff - but it's nice to have it packaged systematically.

Good boy Orlando - well done murve - and good luck on Sunday. :D

Another bit of support here for going with your gut and getting him checked out. If it helps, I took a previous dog to the vet in the same sort of circumstances - he just "wasn't right" - bless their hearts, the lovely staff at my lovely vets amde the appointment with no fuss - when I got down there I had a chuckle when I saw the note on the computer "depressed dog". In Sam's case, it turned out that he'd actually damaged his neck, although the only time he showed that was the problem was when his hea bumped my knee while we were sitting in the waiting room - that was the only real clue. Good luck with Loki - and good on you for being a caring dog owner.

Another vote for taking the pup - and having him out and about - though not necessarily on the grouind where a lot f unknown dogs might have been. For general out and about, I would just check with your vet about whether there has been a parvo outbreak in the area - if not, then go for it. For the home you are visiting on Christmas Day - absolutely acceptable health risk IMHO - but I would caution you to take a crate and if possible a play pen for the puppy (with covers). The main risks in a busy household at Christmas are the pup getting trodden on, or tripping someone up, or getting at inappropriate food (there will be a lot of that around) or being given cooked bones by well-meaning relatives, and getting over-stimnulated and under-rested. So I'd advise treating the pup like the baby/toddler he will be, and taking the same sorts of precautions - know where the puppy is and what he's doing at all times - and pop him in his crate with soething comforting to chew on when he needs a rest. If there is a pool, supervise, supervise, supervise - and you'll all have a great time.

Congrats on the success with Tux and with dear old Meg - that would have been super exciting for her owner. Kallistar, can I ask when the Feb comp is - and where? (Just asking is all ....... ;) )

Looking good TN - and didn't you leave something out that you achieved while you were achieving all that with the dogs - you've all had a super year. Well done!!

Yep - weekend trial (agility and obedience) was the last for the year here . But we have the excitement of looking forward to our very first official Rally O trial in Hobart on January 15th :D . But other than Rally O, no trials here until March.

Way to go with Mick,Sheilaheel .... sucks having to persevere with obedience huh? And don't forget,he will love Rally O. Laughed at your SPDX story - sound like me and my partner - only it's worse now we're is SPDM - made our first pass at Launceston Royal by 0.73 seconds .

Great brags on here this weekend. CleoJ you must be really stoked with your little Cardi girl - well done! And exciting work from all the other braggers. We feel your pain RS - so near and yet so far for us in a wet agility trial on Saturday - second last bar down (mother should just keep her mouth shut), refusal and time when Kirra popped back out of a tunnel (mother should just keep her mouth shut ) - but our DQ percentage was down and we did get 4 first place NQs - which since the trial was sponsored with 3kg bags of dog food for first place - was very, very nice!

Congrats bedazzled - that's really well done. Hmmmm - now to see how we could get you an appointment over here - pity it's such a big distance between :D

:laugh:LOL lp - I have to wait till I get back from a trial up north to do the TawzerDog one on Sunday night. (Still in the dark ages - no mobile internet - which may well be a good thing .

to Cider and Rub - and very best of luck to bedazzled!!

Not bad indeed! Great stuff :D

Awesome. I think that hubby of yours is a keeper ;) .

I was thinking along the lines of checking with a 'greyhound man' too. Miss Kirra did something to a toe on a back foot, and had 6 weeks of very limited activity and then a gradual re-introduction to agility, limiting the quick turns for a few more weeks. The vet taped (single width of narrow tape) just above the problem, so the toe could still move but in a more limited range of motion. My previous BC boy did some sort of soft tissue injury to a front foot - that one (different vet) was bandaged for a couple of weeks - again restricted activity for 4-6 weeks. That vet said "the good news is there's no fracture - the bad news is there's no fracture .. soft tissue injuries can take longer to heal." Best wishes with Phoenix - could be a long few weeks.

Yeah - though I did get a buy 2 pairs get 1 pair free set of Thorlo socks (love them) just the other day - now debating whether I should start another CR order