SpikesPuppy

Lure Coursing in Victoria is really basic and alot of fun There is no competition here, it's purely for the fun of it. I have been to several days at KCC Park run by the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club, you pay $2 I think for a ticket which gives your dog a run (2 laps for most dogs), and depending on how busy it is and how hot etc there aren't any limits to the amount of runs your dog can have (though be realistic in relation to your dogs age and fitness level!!). If you are not a VCA member you need to pay a small fee (around $10) for insurance purposes, this will cover you for the whole year. All dogs are welcome to join in, pure and x. Dogs generally do this on their own, but sometimes people run their dogs together or an older dog runs with a pup to teach it etc. As for age, they do slow, short 'puppy runs' but I'm not sure how old the dogs have to be, probably around 6 months at least? I don't knwo much about Lure Racing (though tried it once, Caber wasn't impressed, but he was young and had had a big day!), but when I took Caber we just rocked up to the racing area of KCC park and they let us join in. These are, as the name suggests, races and open to small dogs (they are put in starting boxes at one end). I think 5 dogs race against each other. On the VCA website, there should be an event list somewhere, this will let you know when the next scheduled racing and coursing events are (next coursing is in August I think).

I don't think you can LOL. I just used cable ties on mine, leaving one corner 'open' and I close that up with a few old leash clip thingys I got mine a few weeks ago from Bunnings Altona (in Melbourne), they had 4 left after I bought mine. Am tempted to get another one though, would be handy.

I wont put her on the ground until she's fully vaccinated..... still got a few weeks to go for that.

We recently put our older dogs (Newfoundland, Shih Tzu X & Kelpie X Whippet) on the Lamb & Rice formula, the Shih Tzu has had itchy skin in the past but not a scratch since he's been on this and the Newf hasn't had a Hot Spot since. There was nothing wrong with the Kelpie X BUT her coat is now shinier than ever (and it was shiny beforehand) and sooo soft. So we have had great sucess with it so far (been on it 2 months now) & will most likely keep using it. I also fed my Border Terrier on the Performance mixture, didn't really have a problem except his coat lost it's harshness. Put him back on Eagle Pack and it's rough again.

Well, my little pup Ziva has settled in very well at home- takes everything in her stride and is very confident in herself (but not arrogant hehe, she willingly settles down when being held and loves tummy rubs etc, very easygoing in that way). She is getting along well with our 4 other dogs (of varying sizes and breeds). I took her to the vet last night for a check up and to get her used to the vet from an early age. The people part and the vet part went extremely well, she was very happy to be 'poked and prodded' and didn't even mind her temperature being checked. But when we were in the waiting room, with her on my lap, she gave a little growl at some other dogs (a large Sheltie and 2 Airedales). She was perfectly fine with the vet nurses' own dog, an Aussie Terrier x (similar size to a Border Terrier). I was able to distract her quite easily with a treat though and once I told her it was okay (in a matter of fact manner, while scratching her under the chin), she met all 3 dogs (seperately of course and only after assurance they were friendly and vaccinated etc), still on my lap and she got a small treat each time she met them, it didn't take long before she was wagging her tail She only weighs 2.2kg so obviously I am wary about having her on the ground while other dogs loom over her, I am still carefully supervising her with my own Newfoundland so that he doesn't loom (even though he is a real gentle giant, I understand he could be quite frightening!!) and now she is snuggling into his fur, reaching up to 'talk' to him etc and they are both getting along very well. She plays with our other dogs but if they give her the "that's enough" rumble she squirms around on her side/back and tries to lick the other dogs mouth. Of course as soon as they relax she goes straight back in for 'the kill' :rolleyes: I remove her or distract her before she gets too annoying though. I intend to enrol her in puppy school soon, and will be showing her in a month as well, so she will have plenty of social opportunities but naturally I want to make the most of now and avoid any bad habits forming. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice on a)how to prevent growling and b)what I should do to keep her safe (from accidental trampling etc) but avoid her thinking because she is higher up she is 'top dog'??

The only thing I'm not looking forward to when I bring my new girl home this weekend is the fact that she's a Winter puppy!! Must remmeber to buy some gloves and a scarf for those middle-of-the-night wee breaks

I recently bought some of this dry shampoo/powder http://www.herbdoctor.com.au/Pages/pet_care/frame.htm And it works okay. Smells nice and it's all natural ingredients as well as being Aussie made/owned. I use it on smooth, wire and double coated dogs

I couldn't do the poll 'cos all our dogs are done differently SPIKE (Newfoundland) is done with clippers every few weeks, depending how much they have worn down by themselves. CABER (Border Terrier) is done with a metal file as part of our weekly grooming routine, also he is a small dog so they don't wear down so easily on their own. IKO (Kelpie X Whippet) is done every so often with the clippers, depnding how they have worn down. RASCALL (Shih Tzu X), you can't get near his paws without him stressing and biting, so he is done under sedation when he is groomed every few months. I keep meaning to buy a Dremel but never remember when I'm at Bunnings.

As far as I know, ginger is fine for dogs- it's an ingredient in many supplents and ginger tablets have been advised for use with motion sickness (in both people and dogs). I'm looking for a new product to use, the Joint Formula we've got atm for my Newf is getting close to empty and as I take glucosomine & fish oils for my arthritis, I'm looking for a product I can buy in bulk so we can both have the same! For a dog his size I just give him the human dose (as he's almost 70kg which is heavier than me ;) ). Gonna have abrowse around the discount chemists next week and compare ingredients etc. Hvae alist of the do's and the don'ts printed out!

We feed a base of super premium kibble (currently Eagle Pack & OmniPro) with different 'additives' each night. This consists of veggies, rice or pasta, sardines, raw egg, any suitable leftovers, etc. Every 2nd night the 4 of them share a 700g tin of Nature's Gift. This is the only tinned food I will feed my dogs, and they only get a small amount of it (when it's slipt up). I would howevre consider feeding Eagle Pack or Ziwi Peak tins if they were more readily avaliable Occasionally instead of the tinned food they will get 4 Legs or a dog roll. Sunday night is also BONE night for our lot, and that's all they get on a Sunday.

Oh Kristie, I am so sorry. I don't know what to say except it WAS a freak thing and you did nothing wrong. Sending big healing vibes to you and your family *hugs* RIP Barker.

We buy these occasionally as a treat/change for the doggies and have never had a problem with them. I also used the puppy roll and gourmet chicken when Caber was a puppy, as recommended by his breeder.

Our dogs are wormed (intestinal) twice a year (every 6 months) except puppies who are done more often. Heartworm treatment is monthly. Flea treatment is done when needed. I am considering putting Caber onto Sentinal Spectrum but haven't deicded yet.

Yesterday, on the 31st of January, we did it. We said goodbye to Blondie Bear for the final time. When we arrived at the paddock just before 9am, Blondie was there to greet us at the gate. I wanted to cry as soon as I saw him. I wanted to hug him. But in true Blondie form, he whinnied, tossed his head and trotted away. I followed. We ran the entire boundary fence of the 6 acre paddock, sometimes he broke into a smooth Canter, but he never got ahead of me. We just ran together, it was the most amazing thing I have ever done with him. I think he knew this was the last time he would see me and he wanted me to remember it forever. After our run, he stopped at the shelter and came over to me. I hugged him and put his halter on. Then led him to his feed bucket where he had a special meal of his favorite foods. I trimmed some of his mane, which I will wash and braid. I also told him to find my Chase, and too look after her. About 45 minutes later it was time. The men were there. They took some convincing to let mum and I watch but we stood firm (not to mention we've both seen it many a time before, and I've even done it myself!). I watched him go down. For a second I gasped but then I was oddly calm. Knowing that he was free. Young again, with a flowing mane and tail, no arthritis or stiff joints. All the lush green grass he can handle. I will miss him like crazy, he was my first pony, and even though he was always a bit small for me, I stuck with him. he was safe. He wasn't the most affectionate pony (likely having had some abuse in the past) but he had trust in me. He was a true gentleman, even when completel beginners rode him, arms and legs flailing about he was steady and put up with anything, even absurd costumes and reindeer antlers, easter bunny ears etc. Anyone could ride him but no one had the same partnership I did with him. He moved differently when I rode him, lighter and free-er. I could gallop him anywhere and feel safe. I could open and close gates, jump, barrel race and flag race with him. He could also do many Dressage moves. Dressage and showing with some games were his favorite. he wasn't much of a jumper but he gave it his all. When I first got him, he was a difficult floater. With some time and patience, I could have him on the float in a second with one word. No lead or rope was needed. His one major flaw was his dislike of dogs. He would lunge at dogs given the chance. He didn't seek them out, but if they came near him, he was not happy. A few weeks after I had him, I took him on a 20 k Navigation Ride. Nothing on that journey fazed him at all. Not even a cardboard sign flying into his face. He was competitive in Pleasure and Pony Club classes, he was also competitive in Show Hunter. I could have sold him for a small fortune if I chose to. The offers were there. There will never be another one like him and I am the luckiest person to have had him in my life. Thank you, Blondie. Run free and without pain.

The first thing mum told me when she got home was "There was a Laek there". I am totally jealous. They are my fave out of the Belgians How gorgeous are they??? There are a couple that show regularly so if I see them I'll ask if it was them Lure Coursing and then steal their dog.....

Well, I'm not going (knee is still giving me trouble) but Mum should be out there about now..... it's about an hours drive from our place so I hope it's still on!!!

Hopefully we'll be there. I might not end up going (stuffed my knee up yesterday) but mum should be there with the Kelpie X, Iko. The little black super fast rocketdog.

When I was a little girl, I had a Budgie. Her name was 'Ipsy Wipsy' (y'know, after the 'incey wincey spider' rhyme? I thought it was Ipsy lol). She was green, like the color of wild Budgies and she was my very first pet after Goldfish, so she was my first 'real' pet. She tamed very quickly and soon became my best friend and spent much of her time on my shoulder or near me. When I was 7, we had our usual Saturday afternoon nap, in my mum's bed. Ipsy would snuggle up with me. One afternoon, I woke up and found Ipsy lying limp. I was devastated. I had killed my best friend!!! It took me days to calm down and to understand that it was an accident. I still feel ill when I think about it - in hindsight it wasn't a very smart thing to do and my mother also feels some guilt for allowing me to do this. But things do happen. We are only human and we make mistakes. The best thing about animals (including birds) is that they understand this and they forgive. Sometimes they probably shouldn't (such as when they have been abused), but they do. Humans have the smallest, most closed hearts and minds of any animal IMO.

I had one of my budgies put to sleep when I was 12, the vet told me to "stop crying, it's only a bird". I'm so glad we have a better vet now! Re: pet loss, I know of a few in Victoria but none near me, I;m thinking about starting one up. I have no experience I have no idea what to do, but I'm still reeling from loosing my darling girl in Feb this year.

When my cat had just turned 1 he broke the cage and killed one of my mice - and not just any mouse but my very first mouse who was also one month away from her 4th birthday. I could have killed that damn cat... but yes, sometimes that is what happens with animals. Instinct takes over, even when they are well trained. No flaming from me either. RIP moses. Big hugs to you.

Oh I'm so sorry, Kaffy. She was such a beautiful girl, and what a lovely post you made in her honor. Thinking of you and your family. :hugs:

So sorry to hear about Wags They may be small physically but they leave a large hole in our lives when they go! My boys Lucifer, Red Rover, Wesley, Connor, Doyle & Gunn will all be up there as well, making him welcome and looking after him.

Who would and how would the use and sale of prong collars be policed though? What's to say John Smith hands his collar over once he's finished with it (dog's trained, died, whatever) to Mary Jones down the road who then uses it on her dog? I guess the collar could only be used whilst under direct instruction from a professional (but what makes a professional, reputable dog trainer? Bark Busters (for example) are considered 'reputable' by many who aren't in the know, but they are well known in this country!), but this would prove impractical and potentially very expensive. Whilst many people love their dogs, not all have the money for regular, private tuition, and what of those who live in rural areas and cannot attend regular training sessions? But could attend a single seminar or lesson in how to use the collar correctly. I agree wholeheartedly that anyone who is to use one should be taught how to do so under guidance of someone who knows what they are doing, but i cannot see any way of policing this? Aside from only allowing certain people to sell them... but once the collar is sold, anything can happen and anyone can use one!

I think the most difficult thing is getting past the stigma of using a pronged implement on such an animal as a dog. Regardless of whether they work or not, they look quite barbaric, like some peice of medieval torture device. A head halter looks and sounds gentle and humane. But honestly, the idea of controlling a dog by putting several spikes around it's neck just sounds awful (this is not what I believe but it's what people who don't know the truth do and will think). Like tail docking, the general population only sees that were are cutting a pup's tail off, they don't think about the possible benefits behind doing it. All they see is the pain. Think about it - if you knew nothing about dogs or dog training and someone showed you a prong collar and said "I put this on my dog's neck", you would probably step back thinking how horrid this person was! I dunno, maybe something needs to be done about the design and appearance of the collar? How about making them in different colors? I used to be anti prongs after witnessing a horrific incident which involved an idiot, a Rottweiler and a sharpened prong collar. I've sinced learned that used correctly, and not sharpened!!!!! They can be an invaluable tool and can help save a dog's life.

Australdi; sorry to hear of your loss. My Timothy (the Dobie X rescue) was 10 years, 6 months and 8 days old when I put her to sleep. They are certainly a special breed I think my biggest argument about the person Vs dog debate is they are incomparable! In many cases, we can explain to a human how we feel, what is going to happen to them (even if the person is elderly and has alzheimer's for eg. in their better days they would understand what death was, what it meant), but there is no way, no matter how hard we try, to explain to a dog that the pain will be over, that we love them dearly & that it's the best thing for them.