megan_

I personally think it is fine RS but I have small dogs.

I think you're reading it right .

How do you get attention first (say she was young and running off leash)

My comment was directed at nek. I often read "harnesses are tools and not training" and the next sentence is "get a prong collar and train the dog". They are all tools and regardless of which one you use you need to train the dog. That said, at least some dogs are getting out and about using harnesses, rather than not being walked becaue it is all too hard.

A prong collar is a tool too :)

These are normally $75, but CleanRun have them on special. I don't own them myself but apparently they are good. http:/ /www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=3198

Maybe ring Steve and ask him for advice? I think they have taken on dogs like this in the past.

What are you feeding him (including treats and tidbits)?

It also shows how over-using one dog or one line can do much damage. I wonder how breeders take this into consideration? We always talk about "bettering the breed" but it doesn't seem like there is a breed master plan, just individuals doing their best. Apparently there is a similar issue with Std Poodles and many dogs being traced back to a few very popular show dogs a few generations back.

Happy birthday Sally. Keep those pugs in line for many years to come!

I wish mine loved the water because swimming is such great exercise but both of the hate the water so much and refuse to even try to swim.

Rsa - walking onlead forces a dog to use their hind legs, and so builds strength. If you look at a dog if full flight they tend to use their front legs to pull the forward and the back legs go along for the ride. Walking on leash at the beach is especially beneficial. That said, off leash runs are good too so they can stretch out and twist and turn. I use a peanut and balance disks to build strength too. We all need to do more intense exercise though. Mine get o. Leash walks every day (about 1/2 an hour) and ferrous gets off leash about 2 -3 times a week. Lucys issues means she is only off leash on private property. Fergs does agility 1 - 2 a week (classses) and they both get some form of evening training.My next aim is to build up resistance to working in mild heat, provided that the physio clears verge for agility.

I harrass them all the time too! Crate games is thename of the dvd

They aren't available at the moment S&T

Interesting schnauzer. My dogs are on a grain free diet and Lucy still gets this. giraffez - are your guys still on BH? It contains brewer's yeast

I wouldn't be surprised if Mr Joostice's head tremors knocked him about a bit and impacted his behaviour.

I think it is bacteria? My girl gets it too and her beard is nice and clean after a trip to the groomers. I think the only way to avoid it is to wash their beards more often.

A great way to build drive is Susan Garrett's Crate Games (then you can keep him in the crate while waiting your turn. let him out and BAM! he'll be on fire). She has plenty of stuff on YouTube and I'm happy to lend you the DVD for a few weeks. I find the agility people more advanced in terms of motivation, building drive etc.

All dogs need to be contained where Joe Public can't release them, especially dogs who run in a pack and have a strong guarding instinct. Don't need the council to tell you that. Tralee - you seem to delight in talking in riddles and not stating the facts. I assume you do this to annoy people and muddy the situation. Putting a whole lot of threads together it seems like one dog was accused of biting a woman with psychiatric issues, you put the dog down based on what the ranger told you and then you found out that the dog hadn't bitten any one. Is that what happened? Yes or no answers only please. ETA: In which case, I totally understand being angry at the council and I myself would take legal action.

Ness - o don't envy your situation. I guess at least this means it isn't neurological? Can dogs have natural anti inflame such as turmeric?

Underdog (cosmolo) run a very good puppy school at the glen eira vets in ormond. The vet there is very good, but not open on a Sunday (which is why I go to monash vets). My dogs always tend to need vet attention on a Sunday! Another doler runs the grooming salon at the glen eira clinic, so it could be a one stop shop.

It seems to be a popular name Bindo. She was named after Lucy the Valiant from the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe series - a brave little girl.

My dogs do the first two and I'm planning on doing the third too. If you want your dog to be the world's best agility dog then concentrating on one sport is a good idea. However, if you want your dog to try different things and have fun then there is no issue.

Thanks guys. I am *so* the wrong owner for her but I'm what she's got!

Today is Lucy's fourth Gotcha Day: http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/247097-happy-fourth-gotcha-day-lucy/