SpikesPuppy

I Bob!! I think he looks gorgeous in his mud pack :D

I use a Sporn no-pull harness for my evil Border Terrier, doesn't really stop her pulling but certainly eases the pressure on her throat and makes walking more pleasant! (Yes, I know, it's just a substitute for training blah blah blah but you know what?? Training and Ziva do NOT go hand in paw and this makes life easier for everyone. Believe me, I have tried just about every method under the sun for her from check chain (standard link) to her show chain (she behaves at shows :D ), to all-material and material/chain martingales to flat collars (of various types- thick padded, thin rolled, standard buckle etc), with both long and short leads, have tried the stop and turn the other way method, have tried the treat rewards (she spits them out... even the lamb's fry which is reserved for shows and training ONLY). It's kind of funny as she is a smart girl but independent as Hell when she wants to be and she really is no trouble so if pulling on the lead is her worst habit, then so be it. She only weighs 7 kilos! And isn't pulling to get to other dogs or people etc, just to follow scents... she'd probably love tracking overall, I have spent countless hours trying to 'cure' her pulling, time which I would rather have spent just strolling along with her or playing games at home or teaching tricks etc. No-pull training bored the hell out of both of us). (BTW it's the figure-8 shaped harness, not the weird one that goes under the armpits!)

I saw this on the news this evening- that poor guy he was obviously very distraught.

More a case of so badly supported when they where offered.All fine & dandy to say its snobbery but where are all these people when they where offered?? In my state the only ones whom seem to enter where people with retired veterans who figured they where going to the show anyway so they entered them. But the difference between then and now is people actually have something to show for entering the neuter class - they can now go to a show each weekend with the exact same intention as the rest of us- to gain championship (albeit for a Neuter title) points and thus become officially titled as an Australian Neuter Champion

I think we are getting the hang of the water/food ratio and it's looking like a stew now after soaking for about 20 minutes in warm water lol. Finished the 500g bag last night (so it lasted the 4 dogs nearly 3 meals), and have started on the 4kg box - which is Lamb supreme so a slightly different flavour I think and the pellets are a bit darker and seem to soak up better. Interesting. Will see how long this box lasts us Certainly a good opportunity to try out a new product!!

Eep. Wonder how mum went getting into the city today??? Stay safe everyone in that area!!

I would be walking away from any class that has off-leash play as the main portion, likewise any class that does not pair suitable puppies together. I took my pup to one dodgy 'free for all' type situation and that was the last time... from now on, if I choose to attend a puppy school, it is one where the puppies remain on leash for the majority of the session and if they must be released, it is only in suitable pairs/groups. With my current puppy (5 months old), she has never done puppy school but is a show dog and very well socialised, however even on-lead I am careful about the dogs she interacts with- ie: I want her to like and understand Staffords but she is only allowed to interact with certain ones while still a baby, not because they are nasty but because they are big and bouncy! We have had a few 'pupoy playgroups' at shows which has been fun and everyone got along, but it was also good in that all the owners were dog-savvy people. You said the Pug was friendly, could you arrange a playdate with that puppy alone? IMO although socialisation is extremely important, what's more important is that your puppy trusts that you will keep him safe from any harm and he be confident and sure in any situation because he knows that you, his leader, will take care of him

The treats are a definite winner here!! Although pricey, I will keep a supply on the treat shelf, they are great for shows as they aren't greasey or messy and the dogs think they are fantastic!! Also easy for the dogs to bite off when baiting.

Well, I have entered the baby and all going to plan we will be flying over there on the last Thursday I think it is. Will be my first interstate show and my first time flying. Eep.

I won a 500g pack (makes approx. 2kg) and a 4kg pack (makes approx. 16kg) last weekend. Have given it to the dogs (3 Border Terriers and a smooth Collie) twice and it's gone down well, although I wont be making a real judgement on it yet because 2 meals isn't enough to tell IMO. Was interesting though as the Collie girl can be a bit picky and while she is a good eater, she usually takes her time and eats the kibble or bones etc rather carefully/slowly but she went straight for this stuff And the Borders aren't usually fussy so they dove straight in lol. I am certainly interested to see how they come up after being fed on it for the next few weeks Have never had a problem with them on Eagle Pack but it's nice to have options and the trend does seem to be natural feeding... But the price is a little prohibitive atm :rolleyes: The 4kg box supposedly feeds a 5kg dog around 320 meals which is okay but for larger dogs, or those with multiple dogs..... you'd need a fair bit of spare cash!!!

I used the DOGS Vic express/24hr service, cost about $20 extra. Posted the application off Sunday afternoon and had the rego papers back on Tuesday Two pups were collected the next day (Wed), smack bang on 8 weeks. What I also did was include membership to the Dogs Vic Companion Dog Club in the purchase price of my pups (which also includes 1 free transfer of a Limited Register dog) - it was $30 per family as opposed to the $28 or so it would have cost for the transfer on it's own so I figured I'd give it a go. I showed each puppy buyer their dog's rego papers the day they collected the pup as well as emailling a scanned copy to them, and then once all pups were collected I sent off the paperwork for companion Dog Club/Transfer of ownership and the cheque. It took a few days and each pet pup was then registered in their new owner's name :rolleyes:

I wish Ozentries was used for more Victorian shows - when you think about the cost of stamps ($1.10 for each show), plus check fees ($2 per check for me), it works out around the same to use Ozentries!!! And for the convenience factor it was awesome :p Re: saved entry forms- I don't print mine for each show- I just scanned a blank form, opened it as a .jpeg in Photoshop & added the details for each dog... I then save each form as both a photoshop file (for editing purposes with new titles etc) and a .jpeg and then paste 2 entry forms per dog onto a Word document (making sure each form is the correct size ) and then print out a bunch of copies. To make it even easier, I keep a proof copy for each dog and scan new forms from that which takes about a minute to do!! All I then have to do is the class, show/fees & signature by hand.

LOL!!! My next show isn't until July 17th!!! Although I will be tagging along with mum to the Collie specialty on the 4th but it won't be the same!!! Isn't it terrible?! I think I might have to take up show training just to get me by

I laugh till I cry every time mum does that... she triple checks these days So do I. :p I use a large envelope to post the entries and have the smaller ones just for my numbers, proud to say I've never posted them to myself using this method but did once when I ran out of the little envelopes

Not everyone purchases their dogs from a caring breeder, which I'm sure you know. I have lost count of the number of times I have helped out someone looking lost at a show or with a clear pet quality animal because the breeder (term used losely!!) has soldthe pup on main register and said see you later. The links you posted make no mention of staples??? Good on you for asking when you don't know something but surely you know that the dog world can be very closed to new members or those with perhaps poor quality animals. I have hears even breeders badmouth their own puppy buyers for various reasons!! I certainly don't believe the job of show seretary is an easy one, it's a job I certainly could not undertake but I think newbies get a lot of flack too. And if nobody tells them directly what they are doing wrong, they will turn into seasoned exhibitors doing the wrong thing still.

Hmm, if you have gripes about show sec/cataloguers then start your own thread. And after numbering and entering over 700 dogs, believe me, there are more than a 'few' errors received. Maybe you should take a stint as show sec! and see how your fingers are with staple wounds and how your phone bill is after more than a 'few' calls to confirm what show, what day is supposed to be entered, what is the rego number, how many stamps you have to add, how many envelopes take a hell of a lot of juggling to fit numbers in, how much sticky tape you have gone through on crappy envelopes etc etc. If the entry is incorrect or not complete can you not just return to sender!? Having said that tho- there is not (well, I am yet to find) a guide on how to enter a dog show. So how are newbies supposed to learn and thus stop repeating the same mistakes??? Not every show newbie is a forum member or has close contact with their breeder or experienced showies. With regard to staples- I've never done it but can understand why someone would think it a good idea... It seems easy in theory to enter a dog show but especially coming from a non-exhibitor family and going in 'blind' it's actually quite daunting. And I still wonder if i'm doing it right because I have no real way to check what the 'rules' are. IMO the ccs should put out an easy beginners guide to dog shows, starting from your first entry form to basic ringcraft and rules etc (including the one mentioned earlier about taking your number card to the steward if you are scratching in person).

For show secs- can you please cash the cheque within a reasonable time frame and NOT the week before or in 3 cases, the week after the show?? I know you're busy working hard behind the scenes but constantly worrying that I don't have enough money in my cheque account drives me mad!!!

another human beings opinion, you're taking a risk. There ate no clear rules about showing, as opposed to say obedience or agility), and like I aid, I believe committee showing or not is the least of my worries!!! What I meant is it is very hard to prove face judging etc. I would put up a lame dog who is an excellent typey example of the breed against a dreadful, untypical, better mover on the day if there was a choice of just two. Or not award at all. Winning relies on one or two people's opinions ( breed, then in show judging ) only. Winning never means you have the best dog or bitch there is in your breed, just in that combination of entries under that judge on that day. What keeps people showing, I think, is when you encounter a really good judge who is only interested in the dogs and has the experience and knowledge to know what is good and doesn't give a damn about making people happy. Sadly they are in short supply. I believe we are on the same page as I agree with what you wrote especially the last paragraph!!!

Thank you. Sparky, Mum (SerenityStar) & Janelle Things have just about returned to normal lol although I still remind myself and grin having a few weeks off showing so it was good timing 2 more baby shows for Casey and then it's in with the big kids!! On one hand, I'd like to see how far I can take Ziva but on the other I want Casey to get those points up fast :laugh:

Well done guys!!!!! Please pass on my congrats to Rochelle also I don't know her that well but have had a few chats ringside and she is so lovely and a fantastic ambassador for your breed!! It is obvious how much work she puts into her dogs and promoting them

Makes winning at shows a bit irrelevant doesn't it ? In so very cynical I know the dodgy judges are less common so I probably should have worded it the other way around lol. Overall I enjoy showing and have done well so I know it's possible but there are times when the decision is suspicious (such as a lame dog going up for group!!). When you are paying for another human beings opinion, you're taking a risk. There ate no clear rules about showing, as opposed to say obedience or agility), and like I aid, I believe committee showing or not is the least of my worries!!!

At our specialty last weekend, our secretary/treasurer, President & Vice President and myself (committee member) all showed. Our secretary was also our show secretary. We are a small club and our breed relatively small in numbers, there are only 2 specialty shows in the country. If committee did not show, the entry for our show would probably have been half of what it was, probably even less!!! A show would then not be viable, nor would these exhibitors have the chance to show at a breed specialty (without the expense of travelling to the ACT). Personally, I don't really care. Dog shows are full of face-judging and paybacks alongside the honest judges who look at the dog and not who's on the end of the lead!!! There will always be exhibitors who beloved the judging has been unjust regardless of who is or isn't on the committee. I guess at the end of it all- if you cannot trust that the judge will not judge the dog but the handler, or will be subject to other information about dogs or exhibitors etc then DONT ENTER!!!!! All breeds shows, or clubs who may have more than one show a year or a often rotating committee (our committee for eg has largely been unchanged for several years!!), then it's all good and well for them not to exhibit but I am against any official ruling or anything like that.

Way to go Love hearing about their success, great work!!

Go Bree well done!!!!!

Thanks it's my bargain suit LOL - $24 jacket from Rivers, $15 pants from K-Mart & $7 long-sleeved T I know I've been lucky to have been blessed with my wonderful dogs I don't take any of it for granted. But what I meant was actually your attitude toward the dog world, showing/breeding and to newbies in particular :D I hope that I remain as dedicated to the dogs regardless of what success may come ;) Having some 'other' issues atm which keep bursting my bubble GRRRR but yep, most of the time I'm replaying the moments in my head over and over it was pretty awesome LOL.