pipsqueak

Just wondering if anyone has seen one of these, or know anything about them - Suzuki APV... http://www.suzuki.com.au/vehicles/models/apv/model-variant/apv/overview

I wouldn't use that anywhere near my dogs, or myself. We had a bottle in the office and had to remove it as the chemical smell just coming from the sealed bottle was SO strong it gave half the people nearby headaches! It smelled like a combo of nail polish remover and insect repellent Fair enough - never had a problem with the spray here, though I guess different people might be more sensitive.

Try Nilodor Spray... http://www.pzcussons.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26&Itemid=72

Not sure of the truth of it, but a facebook page says that a dog in the area has been taken to the vet with poisoning after eating a bait in the park, so who knows...

Paralysis ticks are now being found in the lower Blue Mountains, on what seems to be a fairly regular basis.

I've never used any of these companies, and I don't know if they're what you're looking for (nor are the in SA) but thought it might be a starting point... http://www.talkingstones.com.au/pet-memorials/ http://www.petheavenmemorials.com.au/phm/grave_Markers-Talking_Stones_Family.html http://www.petmemories.com.au/products/

This is interesting. Characters from Alice in Wonderland... The following is a list of main characters in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Alice The White Rabbit The Mouse The Dodo The Lory The Eaglet The Duck Pat Bill the Lizard The Caterpillar The Duchess The Cheshire Cat The March Hare The Hatter The Dormouse The Queen of Hearts The Knave of Hearts The King of Hearts The Gryphon The Mock Turtle

Yep, cards or royalty theme. Cards: Straight Flush Queen of Hearts Full House Aces High??? Blackjack Up the ante???

Is flyball perhaps an option, or not with the twisting turns? Only suggesting it as I believe that the jump heights might be a lot lower than agility??? Know nothing really about agility or flyball, but just throwing the idea out there.

Many thanks to both of you for your honesty and insight. It is very helpful.

I've been an on-off lurker and this comment has me intrigued, as I've wondered if it is possible to combine both obedience and DWD at a high level.

What a brave and unselfish decision you made. I hope I have your strength if ever faced with your very tough decision. Wishing you hugs and peace.

And the purchase price would be??? I'm allowed to dream here, aren't I?!

Thanks for explaining. I guess that was my (poor) interpretation, since that's what it seems to mean everywhere else that I've been. Perhaps working under distraction? Keeping focus whilst working around other dogs, or just working around other dogs. Just throwing these out there, in case they prompt better ideas from someone else.

This isn't a criticism, just thoughts from an owner who considers her dog reactive (overly boisterous!). I agree with whoever said marker & release should be one of the first things taught. If I was looking potentially doing your class (unfortunately wrong state!), the dog-to-dog socialisation would freak me out. Understand that it would really depend on how it was done, but it might be the thing that would stop me from doing your class - I have trouble trusting other people's dogs and their control over their dogs. If it was simply one dog with another at a time only, supervised by yourself, then I'd be okay. If it was multiple dogs, I'd probably freak out. I like the idea of owner/dog to greet people without a dog, provided this is started at a distance, and/or people simply walk past the dog initially. I have lost count of the number of instructors who in class I have asked to simply walk past my dog (no patting), so we can work towards him calmly greeting people, but no, that is way too hard for them! Apart from that, looks good. Not sure what you mean by self control exercise, but something that I'd probably like to see is teaching people how to teach "leave it".

not sure... http://www.farmstayboardingkennels.com.au/ can you remember what area it was in?

Not a dog trainer, just an owner of two large dogs. I have considered the Holden Combo or Berlingo (cannot remember who makes them) and having customised crates built in. believe in some of them you can get rear seats, but this obviously limits room in the cargo area.

Depends on how much more... I know, not really an answer :) Currently pay $4/night at an obedience club. I have paid up to $20/session on an irregular basis, and found it too steep for the quality of instruction. If I was attending weekly, I would probably be prepared to pay $10-$15 for classes limited to 8 dogs - which I know probably wouldn't pay the wage of a decent instructor.... I think it could larger numbers would be acceptable (for lower fee) PROVIDED reactive dogs were removed from beginners groups and given individual attention before being reintegrated... ie., working at distance and working on decreasing distance from group. I include myself in the group of reactive dogs - would be more than happy to be pulled from a group, shown how to work at decreasing distance/increasing control and then rejoining group. I think the thing that owners and instructors battle is the distraction (fear?) of reactive dogs in beginners groups. It's hard enough to concentrate on your own dog and the instructor without wondering when the dog next to you is going to lunge.

Finally training again after an extended break, but can I throw in why I have changed clubs, numerous times? - instructors assume that because you are new to the club that you are stupid and no nothing about training a dog. I understand that is true in most instances, but don't put me in a situation where I know that my dog will react (all dogs walking into the centre of a circle, sit-stay within least than 1m in a beginners class), and then basically abuse me because I refuse to do the exercise... "your dog will never improve if you don't do it". Um no, my dog will actually get worse if I do it. - huge beginners class - 2o to 30 dogs in one class (yes, I'm serious), with a ridiculously small amount of space, and owners who have no control (understandable to some extent for beginners), but then don't care when their dog gets in your dog's face. - the newest instructors always seem to be given the beginners class to "learn to instruct on". I understand that instructors need to learn, but for me, the beginners class needs an instructor with a decent amount of experience. - inconsistency between training methods of different instructors. One week I get told that I should put my dog on a check-chain, another week I get almost abused by an instructor for giving my dog a verbal correction. - other things that put me off classes are - close, circular heeling patterns in beginners (dogs tend to lunge), having to pass "dog-to-dog" in a beginners class - people at this level tend not to have sufficient control to acheive this, and instructors tend to want people to pass to closley for my liking. What would make a class great for me? - the most experiences instructors taking the beginners class - limited numbers in the beginners class, or suffient instructors to be able to split the class. My preference would be for no more than 8 dogs, ideally a maximum of 6. - Instructors teaching in a consistent manner, and adhering to the class curriculum. - not being "put down" (for want of a better term) or discouraged from trialling because I don't own a "typical" trialling breed. Hey, it might take me longer to get there, it might make your job of teaching me more challenging, but why can't I hold that dream??? - this is going to sound really bad, but I do get frustrated when I see a group of instructors and their dogs and the only breeds that I can see are border collies, labs, goldies and aussies... I know that these dogs aren't necessarily easier to train, but it would give me some hope if I occasionally saw a instructor with a "non-typical", challenging or independent breed.... it does make me ask myself if I'm wasting my time trying to achieve anything with my "mutt" (sighthound mix), as it might just be too hard.

www.pettagembossing.com.au

Thinking of you and hoping for a good update soon.

So, so sorry

* hugs *

Coreen Ave VEts, Coreen AVe, Penrith - excellent.