Red Fox

Have you seen the grounds where the trial is being held? Some tips (from memory in 2013). There's a busy road running along the side where she will do the long down, there's also a footpath. Proof for that. Spectators will be well out of the way. But as far as where - they'll be behind you when you start and only have access from that one side. Your group will be close to the fence where the spectators are though, so if you think she'll be distracted proof your group up near the gate where you enter the club grounds as opposed to where it usually is. You WILL have to walk through the spectators to get from the carpark your dog to the starting point (unless you come right around the back of the building). The judge will obviously be new for her (but he's pretty good), you'll also have the trial secretary on the field. Other tips: know you pattern so well that it's automatic. Even if you think you know it you will forget when you're nervous if you don't know it 100%. Walk it out every day without the dog (do it while she's in the long down) and yell out your commands when you do (helps proof the long down). Get someone else to do the same, particularly with the recall command. A LOT of dogs break if the person your paired with uses the same recall, but just proof the lot (heir, here, come, etc). If you forget the order of exercises in a BH you can ask the judge for directions. BUT you will lose points for stuffing up the number of steps in the pattern. Practice entering the field, checking in with the judge, and keeping her engaged throughout. Practice taking the leash on and off and putting it away without fumbling it - long down and group Practice dropping off and picking the dog up from the long down. ALWAYS make sure you can walk a straight line up to the marker, NEVER comein from the side or she'll end up crooked. Practice entering and leaving the group - know from EXACTLY which point you will enter and where you will exit, know where you will sit the dog and try and make it so you are facing the judge when that happens, know where you will leave. Know where you will take off the leash and make sure you have a straight lead up into the group again (avoids losing focus and position). Can't think of too much else right now... Grounds are good, minimal distractions either side beside the traffic. I've seen you mock trial. You'll be fine Anything else give me a call and I'll talk you through it. ETA, I've got a book that might help you with the nerves. Author is Kathy Keats. Let me know if you want to borrow it....

No idea. But I couldn't get a third dog permit due to one neighbours false complaints. Even though the council knows the complaints have no basis there was still a record on the system.

http://leerburg.com/224.htm

Put a backpack on the dog and let him carry your stuff. Problem solved.. ;)

Liver. Throw the whole thing in the oven for an hour, cool, chop into small squares. Not messy at all and the dogs go nuts for it.

What the f*** is an 'irish staffy' ????

Anyone else following 'Foul Mouthed Fido' on Facebook? https://www.facebook.com/pages/Foul-Mouthed-Fido/615807985229561 *language warning but it's both relevant and hilarious

Exactly. It's just an add for sportsbet, cashing in on all the hysteria. Thought someone might get a laugh out of it. Seriously, lighten up people!

This is hilarious https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppETVfN0Q7c

Wow. Judgemental much? Here's something to think about... well socialised puppy that has been exposed to everyday situations and can function in the real world with confidence VS pup that has been locked in the breeders backyard for 8 weeks. Suggesting the owner is stupid, uneducated or is just out there to sell dogs, is a pretty close minded statement. Exactly

Check feet, pads, in between the toes and base of the nail bed, as well as the groin and armpits for irritation.

Regardless of which discipline, Ex-cellerated Learning by Pamela Reid would be top of my list http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=dtb500 and the basics of the Michael Ellis training system: http://leerburg.com/4020.htm

If those are the known conditions, there would be no time. If full evacuation was not happening, then defence of the property might be. Would phones even be working? I recall some years ago for the NSW Rural Fire Service, we would lose radio contact out of the blue..... (inserts roll eyes smiley at the panic that makes.) All of this would depend on circumstances, imho. "Catastrophic" is a fire danger rating. It doesn't necessarily mean that there are fires burning, rather that there is a severe risk in bushfire prone areas (eg the Adelaide Hills), and that the safest place to be in these conditions is away from the area. http://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/site/fire_bans_and_ratings/more_about_fire_danger_rating.jsp

Curious, not critical.... Is it unrealistic to contact owners of boarders on days of catastrophic fire danger and give them the option to collect (or have an emergency contact collect) their animals?

Are you a personal friend of the breeders? If not then it's really none of your business. As far as unknown dog's being allowed to greet each other at clubs nose to nose, that's the kind of club that I'D avoid like the plague.

I really don't see why this is any of your business? The breeder will vaccinate the pup before it leaves and what the new owner chooses to do after that is up to them. Also can't understand the point re avoiding clubs that allow homeopathic/no vaccs. Most clubs use public grounds which are likely frequented by unvaccinated dogs in between classes (same goes for any public space you take your dog. Protect your own dog and don't worry about what everyone else does.

This one is also underwritten by Hollards. Yes it is. But they are still reasonably priced, easy to deal with and pay out promptly. Premiums went up this year but not excessively. Unfortunately they only cover 80%

Kovacs are consistently producing high end working dogs for police, service and sport. I've seen quite a few of their dogs over the past few years and would recommend them to anyone looking for a decent GSD. Vonroseblick, Monsimbee and Brooksvale also produce some nice dogs that would suit family or sport.

http://www.petinsuranceaustralia.com.au/

Actually, the y-front with an extra d-ring would probably work quite well for what I want

Thanks :-) I must have missed that. I'll have another look

Nice harnesses but I need a front attach point ;-) Thanks for the suggestion.

Yeah that's what I was thinking Just wanted to check in case there was a more suitable harness available.