ozjen

Thanks SparkyTansy Looks like I will be there on Sunday and Monday nights. I will come and say hi to you and your lovely doggies I lurve rottis! Yes, it's Tim Minchin on the Saturday night We've seen him a couple of times now and he's fantastic, my OH is a big, big fan of his. They're forecasting rain now for the Sat night though Only 4 Aussies entered in conformation for the classic, but there will probabaly be 4 others doing Agility.

I'm surprised their pup was "cheaper", BYB's usually charge as much as registered ones! And the main reason they go for a BYB is cos they can get one now and don't get screened. Each to their own, eh? Yeah our friends paid $750 for there chi x that they got, I paid $1000 for Mason Pason 2 years ago so I am expecting it to be around $1500 maybe, as I have seen labs advertised anywhere from $1200 to $1700 here in Perth. Your friend got ripped of bigtime, could have got a reg ped for that or less.

Yep! Don't be silly! We are a friendly bunch, probably talk a bit too much though! After trianing last night I was talking to RosieFT and Mirawee and Ozjen for ages, then RosieFT and I said we were going then I think we ended up gasbagging for another half an hour next to the cars RE puppy schools - Kyzer went to puppy school. And look at hime I think puppy schools can be good but I will never ever again go to one that is just a free for all with puppies getting smacked down all over the place, especially with smaller puppies. Most fo us are abit shy to start with Labrat, but our mutual love of dogs makes it easier to mix and then you can't shut us up.

Thanks Rubystar, I will definitely make the effort ....I know all the people Ive met so far from DOL have been wonderful! And I would like to add to the list! And know I have quite a few of you as FB friends, I know real names, which isnt quite as embarrassing when making introductions! But now I have to try and remember DOL and real names and get it right..........At least I know everyones dog breed and their names Oh and I saw all Millies results in the K9 news too!! there were quite a few names I recognised! Hope to catch up with you on the weekend too Labrat, always nice to meet who we are talking to on here.

Australian Shepherds are used in some countries for SAR work, as well as bomb detection and I believe they have been trained as Seeing eye dogs too. Great to see a Chihuahua involved in SAR work I have often wandered why they don't use small dogs too as sometimes a small dog could access where a bigger dog couldn't go but I guess they also have to be able to move over big rubble too. I plan on training a Papillon for tracking this year and I know there are already some titled tracking Paps in Australia, I also train an Australian Shepherd in tracking.

Why not try one of those dense foam exercise/camping mats cut to size depending on size needed you may get a couple of mats out of it, you can then add a blanket or cotton cover if you prefer. Even in warmer weather I find my dogs like a loose blanket, even if only lightweight that they can move around and get comfortable with. Another option is to by a cheap doona cut to size and sew it double thickness.

Mason2009 in the WA thread of General Discussion goes there and seems very happy with it, I'm sure she would be happy to answer any questions for you.

I'd love to, but unfortunately just a teeny bit far to go. Okay, you have to post pictures of your Agility setup so that we can all drool over it and be jealous. Well maybe not all of us, I see someone with lots of red dogs has a nice looking home setup too.

Don't forget to check the Aussies over at the Agility too, we will be keeping Mirrawee on the run with two of them there and there is also the fabulous Brooklyn owned and run by Bdazzeled. All three have done their stint in the showring and are Champions, Brookie has a whole alphabet of titles after his name too as well as also being a duel champion. There is also a blue merle boy who will probabaly be in the Agility too and possiably a red merle youngster visiting (I think still to young to be entered). So there's at least 4 or 5 Aussies. In the conformation ring there should be a couple of recent American imports including a blue eyed black tri and while there hasn't been many in the ring for a while some will usually come out of the woodwork for the classic.

Don't forget to check the Aussies over at the Agility too, we will be keeping Mirrawee on the run with two of them there and there is also the fabulous Brooklyn owned and run by Bdazzeled. All three have done their stint in the showring and are Champions, Brookie has a whole alphabet of titles after his name too as well as also being a duel champion. There is also a blue merle boy who will probabaly be in the Agility too and possiably a red merle youngster visiting (I think still to young to be entered). So there's at least 4 or 5 Aussies. In the conformation ring there should be a couple of recent American imports including a blue eyed black tri and while there hasn't been many in the ring for a while some will usually come out of the woodwork for the classic.

Thats OK Mirrawee, was thinking about giving it a miss anyway, after watching the devestation in NZ I'm not really in the mood for going out anyway. Sorry you have a toothache though, hope you can find a dentist that can deal with it sooner than tomorrow, dose up on pain killers and cuddle up to a hot water bottle in the mean time. I hope your feeling better soon.

Heard about if at work from a customer who's eyes were red and puffy from crying and couldn't get on the computer quick enough when I got home to check on friends over there. Hadn't even seen the devestation at that stage but after viewing the footage on TV have to say I've shed quiet a few of my own tears. What is going on with the world at the moment, this year has been one disaster after another, begining to believe those people that say the world ends on Dec24 2012. Its certainly starting to feel like its falling apart. Thinking of everyone affected by this and hoping you all stay safe.

For anyone training small dogs in Agility looking for a cheap training tunnel, I picked this one up at Ikea on the weekend for just under $30, it was on special. About 1.7 mts long and about 17inch diameter, good heavy duty material and rings are well padded. Ideal for me training in the house with a complete beginner to tunnels. A little extra cord attached to the ties would put a nice curve in it too, I just used the ties there to show the possiabilities. Very lightweight too and easier to deal with than my Kraymer one. Always on the look out for inexpensive training gear I also bought two little footstools and the bladder to a kids toy/come seat but couldn't afford the cover too so will have to go back for that as on inspecting the bladder I think the cover would help it last longer. (This is to use as a wobble surface for the dogs to exercise the extra muscles like those half egg gym balls the American trainers seem to use abit). This wobble board is another bargin I got a while back at Kmart for $10 in the fitness section, again helps exercise more muscles but also I'm using it to build confidence with the little fellow to trust me even when he is out of his comfort zone as he is very particular about where he puts his feet. I also have a disc rubber bladder bought at the same time for $10 for the same purpose but not sure where it is at the moment. Anyone else found some cheap potentially good training tools out there that they would like to tell the rest of us about?

Mason 2009, Chihuahuas are known to shiver wether they are cold or not, so may not be cold at all. I was brought up with Chihuahuas and later went on to breed them myself for a while. Actually trained possiably the first Chi to get a CD title in Australia back in the 70's and he was my intro into training dogs. He was better behaved than a certain Aussie and I was also alot more relaxed in the ring back then. If they really want a coat then try places like Red Dot, Crazy Clarkes and maybe your own Reject shop, I picked up a couple of tiny knitted ones for Gizmo for a few dollars, like a multi coloured pullover. My sister has a Chi that has heaps of coats co ordinaited with his collars and leads, but personally he doesn't really need them most of the time he wars them.

I've had different combinations over the years in terms of sexes together and squabbles came down more to the individual dogs personalities. Desexed male X entire male, fine until new two legged family member and then desexed male became overly protective of bub with regard to the other dog. One desexed male x two entire bitches pure harmony even bitches sharing pups. Desexed male x entire male and female no major issues. Two entire males X one entire bitch, bitch picked on one male and loved the other (who she ended up mating with after he was sterilized). Two entire girls X one desexed male, one girl caused issues with everyone and tried to kill desexed male. Currently one oversexed entire young male X one desexed old male X one middle aged entire bitch all living together very happily, seems to be the right blend of personalities. Just like some people are not the right personality for us to be comfortable with animals have the same issue, so its more about getting the right blend rather than the right sex. If the mix isn't right then I think it is kinder to rehome rather than force incompatable dogs to share the same home, why make everyone unhappy when all can be happy in the situation that suits them. Personally, I like all my animals (regardless of species)to get on as I would rather not have to divide up my time between then (other than for short one on one time) although minor squabbles are an accepted part of life. The current blend of personalities is close to perfect although Jo does tell Jenna to F....off on occassion when she tries to stir him up and a certain randy boy humps the cat's head every morning before playing with her.

I've had different combinations over the years in terms of sexes together and squabbles came down more to the individual dogs personalities. Desexed male X entire male, fine until new two legged family member and then desexed male became overly protective of bub with regard to the other dog. One desexed male x two entire bitches pure harmony even bitches sharing pups. Desexed male x entire male and female no major issues. Two entire males X one entire bitch, bitch picked on one male and loved the other (who she ended up mating with after he was sterilized). Two entire girls X one desexed male, one girl caused issues with everyone and tried to kill desexed male. Currently one oversexed entire young male X one desexed old male X one middle aged entire bitch all living together very happily, seems to be the right blend of personalities. Just like some people are not the right personality for us to be comfortable with animals have the same issue, so its more about getting the right blend rather than the right sex. If the mix isn't right then I think it is kinder to rehome rather than force incompatable dogs to share the same home, why make everyone unhappy when all can be happy in the situation that suits them. Personally, I like all my animals (regardless of species)to get on as I would rather not have to divide up my time between then (other than for short one on one time) although minor squabbles are an accepted part of life. The current blend of personalities is close to perfect although Jo does tell Jenna to F....off on occassion when she tries to stir him up and a certain randy boy humps the cat's head every morning before playing with her.

How much vinegar to water ellz? We have just moved and this yard is alot smaller and with 5 dogs weeing (often multiple times in one spot - boys marking girls) there is tons of little patches of burnt grass. I have purchased some Dog Rocks but it said it may take 5 weeks to work and would love something else to try that is more cost effective and allows me to completely empty and refill water bowls daily. Very scientific amount....a good old fashioned "slosh"! No seriously, you'll need to add it and increase gradually or they won't drink it. I start out with a couple of capfuls to a normal household sized bucket. My lot get a couple of cups per bucket now, dogs and cats alike. I drink it too, but in warm/hot water with some honey. Haven't had a UTI in years and I suffered badly from them for years. There are other benefits too but you can google them....there are heaps, including anecdotal evidence that it improves fertility and conception rates. Can't say much about that for sure because I don't breed often, but my last Stafford litter was 9 puppies and all survived! :D My family think I have shares in the Apple CIder Vinigar companies because I swear by the stuff for both humans and animals, always have a big bottle in the house. Never find I need to use much at any time, but it certainly makes a difference with alot of things. Bet your pets never have fleas either.

Hi Austar, welcome to DOL and I agree Aussies are awesome. Don't forget to check out the WA thread and hopefully you might join us at a DOL meet when the weather cools abit, we have a mixed group including a few labs and could do with another Aussie. I only have the one Aussie and have resisted the tempation to have another as it would have huge paws to fill but may be breeding my girl this year and keeping one. My Aussie girl is currently doing Agility, but a friend runs her for me and we started tracking last year. We also dabble in obedience and K9 Freestyle and she has also done conformation showing successfully in two states although she is now semi retired from that. Most of all she is just my best buddy who has taught me alot and ensured that Aussies will always be my first love. You can see my girl on Youtube under OZPAWFX.

Lovely, thanks for posting, I am so glad the right person found her.

Thanks for that. Though won't the waste get stuck on to the scooper it self? Or do you some how line it with the plastic bag? Nevertheless seems like a good deal and saves having to bend down. (Albeit I'm young, but still ) I thought so too to begin with, but not been a problem so far, although being RMB fed my dogs have well formed firmish poops . Would be easy enough to give a spray with the hose though as the end is plastic. Hehe, I'm not so young and have a bad back so the less bending the better.

There was a DOLer, I think from WA who lost her pup (a Sibe if my memory is correct) last year to one of these, who posted a warning. I think they said that any contact is potentially lethal, regardless of wether dog eats it or just comes into contact. Thanks for the warning though, was only discussing this recently with family members warning them about it, but thought that sea slugs would be more north. Might rule out the beach trips for abit to be safe. ETA This is the thread I was thinking off http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...00#entry4493433

I find these Pooper Scoopers are great along with a bucket lined with a plastic shopping bag for around the garden. Price varies alot, in pet shops I have seen them around $40 and more but I picked mine up for between $10 and $13. The $10 one was at a Mitre 10 hardware store and the $13 was a Crave shop (one of those mixed discount variety stores). Can't see much difference between the cheap and expensive ones. They are great as the sand sifts out when you pick the poop up and there isn't much bending as you have the handle. When out on walks I just have a supply of poop bags.

Try some Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, added to his food, if its thyroid related this may help, this is used by someone I met who had a dog with throid issues and he was a BIS winner who looked the peek of health . I think it was about 1 tablespoon full a day he got and he was similar size/weight to a Dobe. Fish oil capsules daily can be beneficial too for itchy skin.

I think variety is the key, I found I got the best attention from my girl when she was younger is she never knew which treat she would get rewarded with, this included a few tiny ones that one might not normally give their dog, but that the dog thought was really special. So I would recomend a mixed treatbag or various level rewards, and don't be afraid to add something out of the norm as long as its safe for dogs. I have even included tiny pieces of sweet, like those yellow bananna sweets sliced into thin slivers and also frozen baby octopus, peices of apple, cereal etc. I also make alot of homemade dog treats with lots of variety, taste wise. The way I figure it the more variety I have the more interested the dog is.

Nah, its nice camping there, don't forget to visit with the dolphins at Koombanna Bay, unless its changed its better than Monkey Mia.