4Kelpies

When I started in novice I used to name every obstacle and give a command such as over or through. By the time I got to masters with the longer courses I didn't have enough breath to say much on the course and had to keep my commands simple and more directional such as here, out, close, weave, switch etc. and rely on pointing and body language to indicate which obstacle.

Kelpies don't need lots of physical exercise but they need heaps to think about or they will find things to amuse themselves that you won't always appreciate. I started walking my pups at about 3 a half to 4 months. Before that they just played in the yard (about an acre) with the other dogs or with me. I don't run but I have the luxury of my own paddocks so my dogs can run and play off lead when walking. As they get older I increase the length of the walks and they learn to work sheep. Sheep are the greatest motivator. My dogs know that they have to walk quietly beside me to get to the paddock and to sit and wait while I open the gate, wait to be called through and then sit again before being released. Walking on loose lead and doing stays at dog club are easy compared to the self discipline they need to wait until being told to cast to get the sheep. My dogs know that when they come inside they have quiet time and all are total couch potatoes who sleep for most of the day. If you don't have sheep you will have to find something else of great value to reward your pup. Kelpies are bred to work with people and as long as you are consistent and clear in what you want, they love to be a part of a team and be told they are good. Two walks a day will be fine. They don't have to include running, but need to be interesting. When you get back from your walk please don't think you've given your dog all it needs. Kelpies love to be inside with you and will settle wherever you are. They need time with you more than anything. I've done lots of scent work - hiding a toy and sending the dog to find it, dropping a glove on a walk and sending the dog back to look for it etc. Don't try this on walks around the streets but you can do a lot in your own backyard. Kelpie pups are not calm but they do grow up to be calm sensible adults. Use lots of rewards and don't over correct. Kelpies are bred for initiative and to work away from people and make their own decisions. They will shut down if constantly corrected. If she is a typical Kelpie she will love being with you and will accept other people (she may be shy and not overly friendly with strangers but the chances of her showing aggression are very slight.) She will enjoy obedience especially if you get to the higher levels but may get bored with heeling. More than likely she will love agility and will amaze you with her distance work but you'd better make sure you get your timing right and give your commands in plenty of time or you'll have a frustrated spinning, barking dog on your hands. Congratulations on your choice of breed. Good luck with the adoption. I hope all works out well for you.

I'm so sorry to hear this.

Has anyone heard any news about this puppy?

Here are some more articles that might be helpful. http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/fats-fatty-acids/ http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/octob...e-fats-in-diet/

There is a training day with Joe Spicer at Landsborough Recreation Reserve (north east of Ararat) this Sunday. Is this too far to travel?

I would recommend Bellarine Dog Activities Group who train at Geelong Showgrounds. http://www.bdag.org.au/Home They are taking enrolments now for the next block of training beginning in April so people would need to get in touch as soon as possible as classes fill quickly. If people are willing to travel, Scallywag in Ballarat have excellent puppy classes. http://www.scallywag.com.au/index.html Most vets have puppy classes with a range of instructors - some good, some not so good. Feel free to send me a pm if you would like more details.

Hi Anna, I've sent you a PM.

I prefer to feed sardines in spring water rather than oil. Generally fish are packed in the cheapest oil available usually palm oil which isn't likely to have nutritional benefits (not to mention that palm oil production is causing so much destruction of forests and loss of habitat of orangutans.) If the fish was packed in fish oil it would be different - but when you look at the price of fish oil, that isn't likely to happen. I'd rather add fish oil capsules to my dogs' food and know that they're getting a quality product. I usually feed sardines once or twice a week (and get rid of the tins and clean benches quickly as I hate the smell too.)

This is my favourite method of dealing with resource guarding. http://k9deb.com/foodguar.htm I've seen it work with a number of dogs with owners who had a range of experience. I wish I'd known about it when my puppy growled at me all those years ago, instead of doing all the wrong things that I did, only increasing his fear that I was out to steal his food and teaching him not to trust me. It took me years to get his confidence back after my reprimanding him and removing his food by force because I thought I had to punish him for growling.

Sending good wishes and healing thoughts.

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Where did my Cara Go? She was there on page 9 in post 133 and gone in post 134. shellbyville was it you?

Will you allow more than two dogs if they stay in their trailers? I know people attending sheep dog trials are always looking for places that will allow dogs. They usually have teams of 4 or more dogs. Working dogs are usually quiet and well behaved although some of their owners need to be reminded to pick up poo. They'd probably be OK in a park just don't bother in showgrounds. A friend and I have stayed at cabins in caravan parks with 11 dogs between us and the park owners have commented that they wouldn't have known there were dogs there.

Sounds like you're lucky enough to have a natural retriever. Enjoy it. It is so easy to drop the object when she brings it to you and then tell her to fetch when she picks it up again. You'll have a reliable retrieve in no time. As a puppy Ruff used to bring me all kinds of presents like horse manure, dead birds etc. I had to pretend to be happy about it. He was great at retrieving, seek backs and scent discrimination. It hasn't ever been a problem. Since his cancer surgery he hasn't been allowed to eat bones, but will often find a bit of bone that one of the other dogs has left. I always traded the bone for a treat and now he thinks he deserves a reward every time he brings a bone (or occasionally other items) to me. It's a bit of a pest but at 14 years of age he's entitled to be spoilt and I'm so grateful to still have him that I don't mind getting a treat for him.

to you and Chloe. Here's hoping the vet can do something to make her more comfortable.

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Unfortunately some red Kelpies just have poor coats. I know of a number of owners of red and tans who have tried all kinds of supplements with little success. All my dogs are fed the same diet. I have two Kelpies with beautiful coats (one black and tan and one red and tan) one red and tan with an OK coat - shiny over the shoulders and legs but a bit dull over the back especially the rump, and one red and tan with a dry dull coat. They are all fed the same - Eagle Pack, meaty bones, Joint Guard for the older ones, yoghurt and fish oil tablets daily plus either a tin of sardines, chicken mince or an egg. Recently I have started to add seaweed meal but it's too early to tell if that is making a difference. Mine are all inside or in the shade around the middle of the day. They are wormed regularly. I see plenty of red Kelpies with worse coats when I go to trials and people often comment on how well my dogs look but I would like to see more shine. To make matters worse the bitch with the worst coat doesn't belong to me. I keep assuring her owner that I am feeding her the same as I feed my dogs and not treating her like a poor relation. He is quite happy and thinks her coat is far better since she has been living with me. I think all we can do is feed our dogs the best we can and keep them as healthy as possible but it would be nice to see shiny coats. Good luck. Let us know if you find anything that works.

Thank you for this link. I saw this reported on the news but couldn't find the survey. I've just completed it.

When Tia was a pup I took her along to agility training at ADCV where you would think people would have seen plenty of Kelpies. I was asked by different people if she was a Dobermann or a Min Pin.

A friend of mine lost her Jack Russell several years ago after he had eaten mice that had been killed using Ratsak. She took him to her local vet who had never heard of secondary poisoning. She was then sent to another veterinary hospital who had definitely heard of it. They recommended that she took him to Werribee where she was assured that it was only too common. After about ten days of treatment with vitamin K with no improvement and mounting vet bills , she made the decision to have him pts. Shortly after this I heard Hugh Wirth on his radio program stating that there was no danger whatsoever in pets eating poisoned mice - but then I don't suppose many people here would have had much respect for his opinion.

Maybe the bags being sent to Japan have the ingredients, instructions, manufacturer etc. written in Japanese?

Hi Kelly Louise, I've been following Chloe's story and wish I could offer help of some kind but all I can do is send you both all my best wishes and healing thoughts. You've done a wonderful job of keeping Chloe as healthy as she has been. No owner could have done more. I hope you get good news and she can pick up again so you can enjoy more time together.