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Everything posted by Starkehre
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No open access to crate - locked in or locked away from. Empty during the night and/or early morning according to time, not demand. Once toileting has settled back down for a while, you can slowly reintroduce these other things. I think perhaps you have just jumped ahead too quickly. It is not uncommon for them to go backwards from time to time whilst young, learning and growing.
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Hi TFN, I was just doing some last minute arrangements for our holiday with the lovely Di from Countrywide Cottages, and she informs me that all the beds and mattresses were fairly recently replaced. They like to periodically stay in the 4 cottages to get a patrons perspective to see if anything needs attention and this was how they realised about the beds. If anyone else has any questions, Di will be fine with me relaying them to her. We have become quite friendly over our stays there.
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Nothing at all to be sorry for WAP. Your OP was perfectly well explained and your question was perfectly legitimate and a good one. All good :)
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You are absolutely spot on tdierikx regarding temperament differences and all dogs requiring different approaches to training. However, I am sorry but I could not disagree with you more regarding pup selections (and I do loathe to be disagreeable :D , sorry) I don't think OP is actually looking to purchase a pup, but if they are or if anyone else inexperienced in the breed is looking to purchase a Rottweiler, my personal advice would be that if the breeder allows a puppy person to pick their own pup and do so by choosing a "pup that picks them" then I would strongly recommend them running a mile from that breeder. That said, I also do believe that an inexperienced Rottweiler person should not be selecting their pup either. Pups should absolutely be willing to boldly approach strangers, but whichever pup approaches first or seems sweeter will depend on many criteria, least of which being that they have "chosen you". They may have eaten a bit less at their last meal, played a bit harder, have a grumbly tummy, be looking for a soft lap because they are tired or spotted the scarf around your neck and being the highest drive pup in the litter want to attack it. Letting a pup choose the owner is very old school and emotive and has no scientific relevance to matching the right pup with an owner, particularly when talking about large, powerful breeds. The only one that knows these pups and which types of homes and owners are best fits for these pups are the breeder and he/she is the best one to decide such, provided the puppy person is honest and open regarding themselves and their circumstances. Just my opinion. :)
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In my experience in the breed (around 19 years) Rottweilers are commonly opportunists. They are not overly comfortable with weak owners and will fill a gap if it appears to them to require filling. They thrive on firm boundaries and have an innate desire to please humans. That said, many breeds are this way. Their temperament can vary incredibly from dog to dog, line to line, gender to gender. The main thing with them is that they are a big dog. And any undesired behaviour in a large breed is going to be worse in every possible way than in a smaller breed just because of their sheer size and strength. So if the Rottweiler is pulling on a lead, chewing furniture, peeing where it shouldn't or won't get into the hydrobath or off the couch it is possibly going to be more frustrating for the owner than if the dog is smaller. Also, because our breed is commonly perceived among the community in not such a great light, it is far more integral that we Rottweiler owners have a well trained dog in public. Therefore this requires a lot of time, effort and committment. I am not saying that all dogs do not or should not require this, but many other breeds are not frowned upon so much if they are raised with less training and exhibit this in public. As far as training goes (I have owned and trained many breeds of dogs) I do not find them any more difficult. I have trained 5 Rottweilers (both sexes, entire and desexed) into trialling and have found all of these to be very different from each other. Some Rottweilers do require a strong assertive owner, others not so much and some can be downright soft. But I would not advise a weak type of owner that knew they were a push over to go out and get one unless the breeder had an extremely good idea of the temperaments of the stock they produced and felt confident it would be a suitable fit.
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No. Our dogs are all going to pass sooner or later, as will all of us. How many years I have had a dog for prior to this happening makes no difference in my opinion, with of course wishing that they have the best possible life they can with no health issues. They will age accordingly, so at the time will not seem like they are a young pup, then suddenly old, then dead... if you follow my drift. When they die I will be gutted and miss them incredibly, but owning them longer does not make it easier... in fact if anything, the opposite. I used to think I would not wish to own a breed that had a short life expectancy, but feel differently now. I am just now wondering if this because I am getting older?? Interesting thought. Yes, certain lines do seem to carry better longevity genes than some others and of course excellent health in genetics is well worth the research, but beyond that I would definitely own a breed with a life expectancy of 6 or 7 years, if I loved the breed.
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I love my breed and have stayed with it longer than all the other breeds I have owned. They are definitely the breed for me. That said, I would dearly love another Greyhound, a Zoi and an Irish Wolfie. Not sure if it will ever happen though. Maybe when I get tired of dog sports competing :laugh: ... and I would also love another Bullterrier one day ;) You are right, so many wondrful breeds and so little time.
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In 2010 we stayed in the Igloo, in 2011 we stayed in Canopy (Castle) We preferred the layout of the igloo, but the location of the Canopy, so we are staying in Canopy again this time. We have taken 3 Rottweilers. I am not aware that Di has any limits on dog numbers. Next year we will have 4, and have not spoken to her about that yet, but I doubt there would be any issues. She is an amazingly easy going lady and I feel she would look at dogs on a case by case situation if there were 5. Every time we have stayed (Monday to Friday - non-holiday season) we have not even come across any other dogs or people there. Once there was someone else there, and we heard their dog bark a couple of times when we walked past their cottage on our way to the dam paddock, but did not even see them. The cottages are so secluded that unless you bump into each other in one of the common areas, you are unlikely to see them at all. I doubt reactivity would be an issue, Megan. This is a property that has 4 self contained cottages on it and they are hidden amongst trees and a couple of hundred metres away from one another. And now there are fences around the yards, it is even easier to keep your dogs private. Even when we have gone to the common areas - pool table, barbecues, dam, training paddocks, there was no one else using them anyway. I am sure it is a lot busier on weekends and during holiday periods and perhaps at these times there are dogs running around in the common areas, but if your dog required it's own space, it would be very easy to set yourself up that way. OH and I are pretty private people anyway. We do not go away to hook up with other people, so we are not hunting down gatherings of groups of people and their dogs. However, if we bumped into them, it would not be an issue and the dogs could have a romp if we felt like it. I know Silent Child stayed there with her Rotti Emma last year. TFN, sorry, I do not remember what the mattress was like
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We have stayed at Countrywide Cottages at Bambra (near Winchelsea) for the past couple of years for our annual holiday. http://www.countrywidecottages.com.au/index.html We are off again next month for a few days. It is the most peaceful and gorgeous place to stay for both us and the dogs. We really love it. We do a range of things while there like - country drives, meals out, meals in (provided by chef and in room on arrival) obedience and tracking training, let the dogs swim in the dam, feed the wild parrots, relax by camp fire and just have a lovely time. The one and only down side to Countrywide for us was that the cottages didn't have any yards or fencing around them, which for us made it a bit more work and slightly less relaxing than we would have liked. Though our dogs are very well behaved, we needed to be vigilant that they never left us and wandered off. And when we had them inside, we couldn't just let them outside for an empty, but had to pop them on lead or ensure they stayed close, particularly in the dar when you can't see them. ...well, just had an email from Di (the lovely host at Country Wide) and she advises us that fenced yards have now been put up around the cottages.... You can imagine my excitement. We will enjoy ourselves even more than usual, knowing we can relax and allow our dogs to roam freely within the confines of the yard and not have to keep checking in with them to stay near us. Can't wait!!!! :)
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Up Coming Prospect - Added Updated Pics
Starkehre replied to Starkehre's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Surely one of them could dance too?!?!?! :D ETA - ahhhh puppybreath ... I agree :thumbsup: Congrats they are so cute. Do you have a name in mind?? Yes, I have pet and Reg names picked out (for my girl), but don't want to jinx anything yet, so will reveal all when they are a bit older :D I have had my next girl's pet name picked for a couple of years and wishful Reg. name since last year so excited to test them out :laugh: Have considered DWD.... jury is out whether we will give it a go yet. Want to try Rally first. Thank you everyone CheqBD, Reggie is gorgeous and of course she qualifies :) she looks a real sweetheart. I wish you all the best with her. -
Up Coming Prospect - Added Updated Pics
Starkehre replied to Starkehre's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Thanks guys Will let you know if we need a puppy sitter TJac, thank you for offering Congrats Seita, I wish you all the best with your girl Thanks SK and Huski, yes very excited and very clucky... do I need another dog?? NO. Do I want one, I am really lucky, these babies are close by so I get to visit often and see them growing. -
Not doing Bairnsdale - good luck to you, this weekend isn't it ? I might take a leisurely drive down to Sale in the afternoon so I don't have to get up at stupid o'clock and just do a couple of jumping runs. Agility is out for me with the BC at the moment as some dumb bunny decided to retrain her A Frame contact right at the beginning of trialling season .... oops, that'd be me :laugh: Yes, I am probably only going to do sat now and support OH with his herding trial on sunday, not sure yet. Never mind, we will catch up another time. Will let you know if we get that pass we need :D Bugger about that A frame contact, can be so frustrating.
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Up Coming Prospect - Added Updated Pics
Starkehre replied to Starkehre's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Oh yes, plenty of that. :laugh: If you want to see anymore photos, please feel free to pop into the Rotti thread. These are Tracy Lane's Saphira x Norris puppies -
Up Coming Prospect - Added Updated Pics
Starkehre replied to Starkehre's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Ah... you know me well Nek :laugh: Yes, they are very substantial and healthy babies. This taken at 6 days old. -
Best of luck with everything Nelsona :)
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Have the dog physically checked out, have your father physically checked out, then look into behaviourist for the dog and asses a possible change in people's behavioural changes... and was the dog gradually dosed down off the cortisone, because they should be?
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Help Dog Missing - Princess Freeway Just Before Geelong
Starkehre replied to SwaY's topic in General Dog Discussion
I am so sorry to hear this very sad news Missymoo. My thoughts are with you and yours. -
Welcome back to the sport of agility. What a great run (we will ignore the last two jumps!) Just rmember, from one large dog handler to another, that we have to give our long striding dogs more warning that they have to change their leading legs, or they will not make the turns smoothly, especially when the judges don't give us a lot of room to turn! I really enjoyed seeing your big dog run. Cheers, Thanks CFS... and you are so right. I totally stuffed up the last section. I didn't do what I walked many times... but at the same time, I was not surprised that I didn't either :laugh: I had a feeling I was gunna stuff up. Never mind. More practise :D Now I know how slow she is, particularly towards the end, I now see I could have actually donw that last bar still from her right. Dyz would have popped out no worries.. and she still is not great with rear crosses (nor am I). We will get there. It is only one pass we want with her, so I am happy to nurse her through with whatever it takes to get that pass and practise more correct handling with my new upcoming girl. :)
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Well done BB and Ruby Rose
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Thanks Vickie.
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Hi KC. Thank you. Can't wait to catch up with you guys. We will be at at least one of the bairnsdale trial days (not decided as yet) and also have entered East Gippsland with both Dyz and young Fame. Are you doing any of these?
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Grass Eating - Are They Sick?
Starkehre replied to LOLAFOLATA's topic in Health / Nutrition / Grooming
Big grazers here also. Occasionally they will do it to vomit up a piece of bone, but mostly because they enjoy it. I never worry. One of my "well intending" friends says mine graze because they don't get fed enough Of course her dog is so fat it can barely walk She worries when her dog grazes and feeds it more. -
Just wanted to share Dyzney's first Agility run in around 6 years, Excellent Jumping. Unfortunately, as you will see in the video she knocked the last bar, but it was clearly entirely my fault, mucked that section of handling up good and proper, not pretty :laugh: But we had fun, she pulled up fine and I didn't get lost. She is such a sweetheart, and at almost 9 years old did a brilliant job I think :D And though she is not fast, we were inside time by a good 5 seconds, so there is hope. I am so glad I am getting back into this wonderful sport. Now, if I can just improve my handling, I might help her to get that pass :) Also wanted to say a huge thank you to Geraldine for her fantastic lessons and support. That's so funny, was just watching it again and isn't it odd the way old bad habits creep in when you are nervous... what's with all that clapping and bending over Oh well, it keeps her going :D