RubyStar

The crates I have in mind are soft crates, and are narrower than your normal crates. Only problem is, I don't remember the brand so can't find it online to look up their actual dimensions!

Does anyone have a recommendation for a station wagon type car where the boot is big enough to fit 2 crates side by side, that would fit Labs, and enough room to install a false floor (where the crates would still fit on top, and the depth means I can fit a gazebo and a chair and various dog training gear)? All for 20k and under? Second hand a possibility! Thanks!!

Boxerluva, did you see my post? It might not work for everyone, but worth a shot. And definitely natural. I would have been skeptical if I hadn't seen the results for myself.

Go and see a Bowen therapist. One of my dogs has a bit of incontinence (in that when she drinks more in summer, she loses control of her bladder in her sleep and wakes up in huge wet patches). A Bowen therapist did their thing "down there" and I am pleased to say we never had the problem once last summer

DeltaCharlie Do you know who bred this rocket lab? Little black bitch from WA?

I had all intentions of gradually introducing my first Lab pup to the water. Took her offlead and was about to walk her down the bank, when vroooooooom, she was off and in the water, splashing about and having a jolly good time My other Lab hated swimming (still hates the hose and bath) but finally the joy of retrieving her favourite toys won over and she is a swimming freak for her toys now. Doesn't swim for the hell of it, though. But Labs are born pre-programmed knowing how to swim, whether for pleasure or for more serious work of retrieving toys :laugh: My sister's Lab X Poodle leapt out after another dog, realised he was standing shoulder height in water, and just stood there like a stunned mullet :laugh: We eventually coaxed him out!

Depends where they're from. I think American working lines are leggier, but I know of several working line Labs imported that are shorter than show lines. As for the leaner build than show Labs, I say a great deal of that depends on what you feed your show bred Lab and what you do with them...

Do they need a referral though from a regular vet to say "yes they need chiro treatment" etc., or can we just go to one ourselves and then claim it?

Have you tried the puppy 4legs? It's what I use for every day training as they are already in nice little pieces and don't have that horrid coating on the outside. Yep I use those, too :) They still have parsley bits on them that are annoying

Sounds like you've tasted them personally sheena to know how irresistible they are Good idea especially for those picky dogs. I have Labs, not an issue here I used to buy these but also found they went slimey even after 1 day in the fridge, and they are harder to break up quickly. I used to spend ages cutting them up into smaller pieces so delivery of treats would be quicker in training, but that was a PITA! So I switched to 4Legs as they last a bit longer and are easily broken up on the spot. I do hate the "bits" 4Legs leave in my pockets and fingers, though!

What sort of gundog? Do you mean another Labrador and working lines? Knowing specifically what you're after may help when it comes to people pointing you in the right direction for good breeders :)

Not completely I think if you see her for routine vet things, I'm sure you could claim pet insurance with her as she keeps a history like other vets and offers receipts. However, pet insurance companies wouldn't consider acupuncture and chiro stuff "routine" so I'd imagine that would need a referral to get paid out for it. Just a guess! Can she refer you to herself?

Pet insurance companies usually don't pay for "specialist" things unless referred by your vet. VetWest were happy to write me up a referral to her, but I never ended up using it.

Funny you say that, because I always thought Eastern States had fantastic foundations classes, with focus on handling systems (as skip mentions). I am either oblivious to it, or we don't have that here, as I don't follow any sort of handling system cos I've never been taught any! I would really love classes here that really focused on foundations more and handling systems for those serious about it. Unfortunately, even classes here cater to mainly "pet" people, just out for a bit of fun with their pooch and who would get disheartened quickly if they can't run Fido over the A-Frame within the first couple of weeks!

Very true, Amy. In class last night, I was talking to the instructor and she mentioned she'd like to get some weaves out. I asked 2x2 or stick in the ground ones (as I was going to go and get them for her). She said "2x2, I wish!" and we discussed how she needs to instruct for the "class" and how she'd like to teach people the right way from the start (not those exact words). We agreed that it would be good if there was a class for those who were interested in more foundations with focus to eventually trial, and those who are there for recreation. The club has good foundations but does have a focus of just getting people up through the classes without "lingering" too long. I am in a class because I need help, and being in a class motivates me to get out there and train and gives me access to some great baby equipment. However, I do my own thing most of the time and when I opted out of sequencing too much together last night, instructor was ok with that. I felt it was too much too soon. When I stopped after a jump > tunnel to reward, she informed the class it was very much ok to do this and don't be afraid to do it, as she is there to teach US how to handle, not the dogs (IYKWIM).

Do clubs not have foundation classes that use low equipment? I don't see what the issue is if that is the case. I am certainly no experienced agility trainer, far from it, but I have started adult foundation classes with my mum's dog but have spent time before going to class getting foundations in place, like the beginnings of contacts. The instructor is catering to the class as they need to, and showed everyone how to walk their dogs over the very very low dogwalk and spoke to them about the 2o2o contact method and how some people like to backchain in. Instead of waiting in line with everyone else and do the exercises they're doing, I work my way around the baby equipment that is set up and do my own thing. The instructor is ok with that and if I need help with something, I will ask for help. I'm there to get handling help as that is my biggest trouble, but as for training foundations, I know how I want to do it in a roundabout way, so am going to utilise class time best I can with access to the baby equipment instead of doing what everyone else is doing. Once we move up and start sequencing things together is when I will join back into the class.

My Lab loves all dogs, but there is one staffy that just has to look sideways at her and she gets all defensive. Staffy hasn't done anything, but there is just a clash of "something" there. As Staffyluv said, communication between dogs can go unnoticed to untrained people. You have no idea what signals either breed were giving off before the "fight". Ain't that the truth.

The only decent feature of tapatalk is you can upload photos directly to your posts from your phone. The box is bigger to type in, too. It's ok I guess

Not a lot

Same - I've got DOL bookmarked Not that, I use Tapatalk to access the forums on my phone, but there are many apps out there so I'm not sure which one LukeGSP is talking about

What app?

Way to go, JT!!

Yeah, my sister mentioned something about rain. Poo I don't tend to check forecasts myself, I'm lazy like that But yep in the next month or so I think we should meet up for a beach meet before it gets too hot! And I'd love some photos :D

Poor Mason, I hope it clears up soon! What glorious weather we are having this weekend!! Shame I have to spend it studying. But I'm taking advantage of it best I can by studying in the backyard. It got a bit too hot in the sun and it's too cool inside so a lovely compromise, under the patio :) It feels like doggy beach weather and I really feel like going! I am meant to be studying tomorrow too, but does anyone feel like doing a mid morning beach meet with the dogs in Kwinana? Late notice I know so I don't expect any takers, but thought I'd just put the feelers out anyway! I edited to say mid morning, instead of morning, as it will probably still be a bit chilly too early. I'm thinking about 10am.

Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery for your boys xx