Tassie

Hi misst - it might be worth hopping over to the German Shepherd thread in the Breed sub-forums as well. Here's the link

:D Aaaaw bless her. Hard to tell because she might have just been getting ready to roll - but the right hip/leg appears to be a bit less relaxed than the left - as I say - coudl just be the way she's lying. My first BC boy was the same as Sasha, but about other dogs - loved all people - but had to learn each individual new dog he met - in the same sort of way - going for walks with them onl lead, so he had a chnace to observe them without being pushed - then they were his best buddies. So I know exactly what you mean about Sasha.

This is a good read!! +1 - thanks for the link. Very clearly expressed. To the OP - sounds like you're making great progress. I certainly endorse practising the swapsies game pretty regularly.

Just one note of caution - you need to be very careful that the cat doesn't (deliberately or accidentally) scratch puppy's eye. If it did happen, it's a major vet emergency - big infection risk. That said - I agree - as long as the cat can always get away - it's lovely. If you think either one of them is getting too rough, then you need to step in and give a time out,

Agree about her new vet being a keeper - gotta love vets like that - mine is the same. :D Sounds like you're pinpointing the problem area fairly closely, which should give the vet some clues. Wish my dogs' lovely gentle chiro was near you - she's amazing, and so paitent and careful with the dogs - even my previous boy Fergus, who was very body sensitive, and my agility girl Kirra, also body sensitive, relax with her.

Good for you KL - it is worth a bit of stress I think - and your vet sounds lovely. Wheat bag is a great idea too.

It's great that you're enjoying classes. I was there on Sunday 10-11 - ended up training my B/W BC Rory in Grade 4. I should be there again next Sunday - will keep an eye ouit for you - or you can for me. At the moment clubs are offering obedience trials, agility trials (Tas Dog in Launceston and Hobart Dog Training Club on the Domain, tracking trials - Tas Dog and Hobart - and the Gundog Club has one this year, and mock Rally O trials. Tas Dog, Ulverstone and Hobart - hopefully they won't be mock trials next year but real ones, if the rules are approved. With a herding breed, herding training and trials are also available. Contact is the Working Dog Club of Tas I think.

Lovely. Sometimes the universe just puts the right dogs in the right places at the right time - think this is definitely one of those times.

+1 You know her pretty well KL - I reckon you'll pick it up if you think she needs mroe attention. One thing I thought of that you could add to you monitoring is gum colour and capillary refill. I think in your shoes, I'd be having a chat to the vet ont he phone- or in person (without Sasha - sounds as though he 'gets' Sasha. Pity it's not predictable, otherwise I'd suggest trying to video her and show him. She's been such a lucky girl to have found you.

KL - that's a real touigh one - it does sound as though something isn't right, but I remember your posts about Sasha's opinion of vets (my Kirra says she shares the same opinion, although doesn't take it to the same extremes with our lovely vet.) Would your nice vet be amenable to a discussion on the phone about possibilities and options?

Such a sad time. Could you do something like getting him to start some kind of special memories project (you could do this without necessarily having to tell him why.) I'm thinking of something like a special photo album, or some sort of compilation of the things he likes most about Shannon. It would be really hard for you, but might be good in the long run.

Nice one murve!

Well done to you and your lovely girl - it's exciting, isn't it - especially when you tdon't think it's going to happen.

If you get the chance to go to one of Angelsun's workshops - take it - and be ready for lots of hard work (for you) and fun and work for the dogs.

So make sure you let us know when you're getting closer to Tasmania. :D And just check out the Tasmanian quarantine restrictions = dogs need to be wormed for hydatids coming into Tasmania - and be ready for a looooong wait in the quarantine quese when you get off the boat at Devonport. The good news is that when you finally get through quarantine, there's a lovely coastal park and bitumen path to walk the dogs at East Devonport - turn left at the traffic lights at Tarleton St, and then park before you fall into Bass Strait . Safe travels.

Ummm - not officially approved yet AFAIK - it should be dealt with at the ANKC October Conference. Fingers crossed all will go well, but we have to hold our breath for a little bit longer.

My two are each in their wire crates in the back of my SUV - back seats are down. And they're trained (and reminded if necessary) to wait for release (and usually lead on) before they get out of the car. A thing to think about is passenger airbags - if manufacturer recommends against a child being in a seat with an air bag - e.g. front passenger - then a dog shouldn't be there either.

Maybe you'll have to make a promise that you wont do that to him ROFL (I don't think the Canine Controls have a membership marked "Performance only" - hmmmm now there's a thought ......

Sounds good - a couple more things to consider - one applies whether you're biking or running - try to mix up the surdaces the dog is working on - i.e. some grass, some bitumen/concrete, some dirt - to minimise impact, and pad wear. The other specifically applies to biking - it would be worth checking the law in your state - in many states, maybe all now, it is illegal to ride with a dog on a public road. In training for ET, many of us have been limited to using bike paths (and not all of these allow dogs ) or ovals or tracks through parks. All of which is not bad - just means youmight have to invest in a bike carrier for the car as well - and don't forget your bike helmet :D .

I'd say that's plenty long enough. Your next job will be to start building in corners - but you start with bends, which gradually become corners. The other thing you need to do is get some article indication happening. If he's not particularly food motivated, youi couild just hide a small toy in the sock and have a game with him at that poitn. I would be shortening the length and doing more shorter tracks, especially as you introduce corners. Most people don't train on full length tracks. The other thing to start to ointroduce gradually is time delay. - and short grass.

Yep - but maybe only have to be an associate member - but best check with Dogs SA - of course you could always give him a membership as a birthday or Christmas present

Just wanted to say how great the novice/advanced seminar was that Angelsun did in Hobart. I hadnt been able to go to the original novice seminar a couple of years ago, so was a bit behind many of the others, but Angelsun organised it so well that gaps were covered, and we were encouraged on to the advanced. And yes - plenty of brain strain for handlers :D .

:D Well done Inevitablue - that's great with your youngster - very promising.