fbaudry

The Toller and Aussie terrier aren't exactly what I would call low energy breeds! I'm following this thread with interest as overseas friends of mine are looking for a breed with similar requirements... Their previous dogs fitted perfectly but they have realised they were exception within the breed (they had a very laid back Dalmatian, amongst others)

I'd be interested to know too! I'm having the same problem. Breeze will cover her muzzle for a good second (our cue is 'Stinky!' :laugh: ) but I just can't figure out how to get her to hold it there. She also will only do it in a drop, as that's how I taught her initially so I am having trouble getting her to do it in a sit or stand as she confuses it with marching, which we do in those positions. :D glad to see I'm not the only one! Funny you should mention marching. I've only started trying to teach this last week. Left leg is fine, but the right leg takes a swipe at the face Sheena, I know what you're saying but can't seem to get there. She'll swipe very fast, and will try again (and start whining) if there is no click. Self control and patience are not her strong points ETA had to google GoPro. I was wondering what kind of training device it may have been :laugh:

:laugh: at the target stick! Only because the same happened to me... Talk about over enthusiastic! With the shy, how did you guys build duration? Penny's doing a quick swipe of her face but I can't seem to be able to build up on that

You should be fine feeding hearts as a main meal; heart is a muscle meat, not an offal!

Possibly a very naive question, but how does a potential puppy buyer finds a breeder like you and establish a rapport? I found in my breed (relatively common), the "top" breeders breed first for themselves (I.e. To produce potential show prospects) and sell to the pet market those deemed less outstanding. When it comes to selling those, I've found there was no real personality matching and more often than not they claim their dogs are very adaptable, will suit lots of different situations etc. Most of the breeders I spoke to didn't really seem to think in terms of different personalities/temperament within a litter. ETA Congrats Huski! Exciting times... And how time flies, in my mind Wisdom was barely a teenager!

What's even more confusing is that they're still called Epagneul Breton in their home land, épagneul being the French word to describe all continental spaniels...

Completely agree with Megan.... Growling is her way to tell you she is clearly uncomfortable about something. You really need to see a behaviourist vet (not some random "trainer") to work in her issues. Correcting her growling is the worse thing to do IMO. You are suppressing her warning signals and could end up with a dog that bite "out of the blue "

I've had plenty of good reports on Louise Ginman who runs the puppy school at Haberfield vet. She is the president do the APDT and a Delta trainer. http://www.haberfieldvet.com Otherwise I'd recommend you have a quick browse through the Delta website (feel free to PM me). I would avoid any puppy school that allows free for all interactions. Raineth I'm going to go against the flow here but I went to the trainer you suggested 5 years ago and was far from impressed. The first item on the puppy program was to roll over your puppy and growl at it until "it submitted". She advocated 30 mn of roll over a day to assert leadership. I still have her printed hand out arlizng, congrats on your new puppy! Lappies are just so adorable

Funny you should mention that Aziah; I've noticed a few around the Eastern suburbs including at our training club. I must say a full tail can look glorious on a Pembroke! Sadly too, there was a Cardigan pup for sale at the pet shop in Westfield Bondi Junction yesterday. It might be a sign they're back in fashion

Honestly I wouldn't send him away; obedience isn't an issue but anxiety is and sending him away might aggravate the situation. I would definitely go with SABS; not cheap but you'll be seeing one of the best behaviour vets around (possibly Kersti Seksell). Also they'll be able to refer you to a trainer whose methods they approve of should they feel you need help at home. Good luck! You have all my sympathy. I know how frustrating and tiring living with a highly strung dog can be...

Not at all! The OP was just asking for suggestions for her next breed (short coated gundog)

She is indeed probably slowing down a bit with age, and possibly getting a bit sore I'd suggest she is not enjoying jogging as much as you'd like her too... I reckon a pointer (English) would suit you perfectly! And they are stunning imo

I'd definitely go with hungry mode! Psycho will only be frustrating for you both... You want her to be keen but not overly revved up. It's really hard when they have the attention span of a gnat :laugh:

I mean really urban.... As in Sydney's eastern suburbs with only a small courtyard. Not sure the chooks would be impressed about not having a patch of grass to scratch (not to mention the neighbourhood cats visiting and my own 2 dogs)

Aargh! Serves me right for not reading before pressing the "post" button. Sorry Staffyluv! Can't wait for more updates in the chooks thread. Clyde you've got some seriously gorgeous birds; if only I didn't live in the city...

Lucky I can help you! I might have abducted the Peking babies :-) They're great little chooks... And I like your set up; good thinking about raising the coop on sleepers; I always wondered how the wooden frame would cope being directly on the ground.

I second Karen Pryor's I-clicker! Alternately you could muffle yours by wrapping it in a piece of cloth, or have it in your pocket (makes handling it a bit harder though)

You could still train him by yourself and enter trials? I was never asked for any proof of vaccinations when entering trials...

Try All Natural Vet Care in Russell Lea. They titre test regularly so I imagine they would be reasonably priced. I haven't asked their prices yet though as mine only recently had the last puppy shot Thanks Minimax! I'll give them a call. Definitely worth investigating as I would really like to keep vaccinations to a minimum. Will developed a severe myositis shortly after his shots last year and the specialist seems fairly confident that's not just a coincidence :-(

I'll have to check again which lab we went through... But my vet didn't seem familiar at all with the procedure. I ended up paying $250 + $83 for the consultation. It took more than 2 weeks for the results to come back (so I ended up having to board Will at the vet hospital, not the usual kennels) I'd be keen to find another vet in Sydney who could do that for a more reasonable fee next time (especially as I'm considering getting Penny titre tested too)

Hi Leah, from memory it took around 18 months to get back to a more natural cocker look. Of course from then on it was always quite a lot of work to keep him looking good (I guess that's why many go for the clippers as a quick fix)

I'd definitely give the Mars coat king a go. My first cocker was a rescue male, desexed, black and fully shaved.... A recipe for disaster! His coat kept on growing back very dense and wooly and I thought it was a lost cause but with the regular use of the coat king he ended up looking quite decent (to the extent we got complimented by a show breeder!)

I'll be of no help here Paddles, but I'd be interested in the steady feet game..... I have an overly people friendly spaniel and stand for exam has got to be the hardest exercise for us. It doesn't help when the stewards and judge fawn all over her just before we are to go in the ring. Grrr!!!!!

Thank you!

I would answer with a resounding YES to the OP's original question, and thank Aidan, Kavik and others for putting the argument so eloquently (and staying level headed and cool when I couldn't have replied so politely to some posts :-) ) Kavik, what resources would you recommend regarding engagement and building value for the handler? (Sorry for going OT)