Zug Zug

Thanks - will try this week and let you know how it goes.

I couldn't lean over the bath to wash our dogs any more - problems with my back and too much leaning over. We built an outside 'kitchen' kind of set-up. Got a big laundry tub from Ikea (would fit a beagle sized dog but not much bigger than that) and it's all plumbed to hot and cold water etc. Just a bunch of ikea kitchen cupboards, a bit wooden bench on top with a really big laundry tub built into it (the biggest one I could track down - probably around 1m wide). We also have our washing machine built in under the cupboard, and power connected to the end to run an iron, hairdryer, whatever. It's not a cheap option, but multi-purpose as it provides a nice big bench area for grooming and bathing and fluffing etc. one day, then wipe it down and the next day you're using it to serve up a BBQ, then wipe it down and the next day you're using it to fold laundry. We love it. Works for me because our dogs are not heavy. I can lift them, just couldn't handle all the bending and reaching I was doing over our bath before we did this. Now I wash them at a comfortable height. Do a much better job now too because I can take my time and no pain. I love the idea about the hot and cold taps on the outside of the house for a larger dog, too. You could easily build a low, non-slip platform just up off the ground to get your dog up to a comfortable working height for you, and direct the water to your garden beds (and away from the house). No lifting, plenty of room, and cheaper than a hydrobath. Genius!

You Lappie people are obsessed! I'd never even heard of them until I started using this website. They must be awesome dogs to inspire all that enthusiasm. I hope I meet one of them one day. They look really beautiful in the photos. Yes I agree with the other replies that (from your list) Kelpies are great. They are fast, but if you think about it you see working kelpies working to command at a long distance from their handler every time you watch a kelpie working sheep. So if you're a bit slower on your feet then I'm guessing you need to train your dog to work well to voice commands at a distance. Kelpies should be well-suited to that kind of training. You'll need to be smarter, not faster. In the end most dogs can outrun their handlers so don't let that stop you. Aussie shepherds also great - and so pretty! I think it will also depend which breed steals your heart. Good luck!

Thanks everyone! Ptolomy - she is an ex-head-case pound poodle cross who is now nearly 12. Still very energetic, and will always be very smart and a bit independent of mind. Needs to work. Also likes to be top dog. Humps my other (long-suffering) dog to remind him of this. Usually a happy and willing worker and generally speaking loves to train and REALLY loves to jump. I wish I'd got her into agility when she was younger - she would have loved it. Yes she knows these exercises (didn't start formal obedience training until she was 7ish but she knows the ropes now) and performs them beautifully when she is in the mood. I'm feeling guilty for complaining about her because she worked really well tonight. But it's the consistency thing. We've never been a reliable team - some days great, other days awful. Mainly because I'm a learner trainer. I've never trained at this level before. Perhaps I'll try both things. Build in the 'go for a run' thing on cue (as a reward - yes B you are right she loves it), and then use a time out (which I've never done before) for the times she is clearly just switching off and ignoring me deliberately (e.g. when she goes off to sniff on her own initiative, then refuses to come back when I call her first time). Would that combination make sense?

Good luck. I think with kids it might help give them confidence that 'yes my dog can learn things' and 'yes I can work my dog' if you help give them a bit of a head-start. Trick will be 'head-start' rather than 'taking over' which would be tempting in this situation I reckon. The hand-over process will be crucial. Perhaps a weekend at your place at the end (with each kid separately perhaps?) to go over it with them and teach them how to train the next 'trick' in the dog's progression? Also would help the dog to generalise to taking instruction from them, and you might have time to do it in a few different spots (e.g. your place, the park, etc.) Then you can be a fantastic training mentor when you see them on weekends.

BTW good luck Dova and Delta - and yes we will be in Gawler on the 20th hoping to get the final leg of our Novice title. (But we are also signed up for March 6 - given the state of our heeling at the moment, not counting any chickens!)

Progress - and FRUSTRATION!!! Okay, after a few more weeks, this is where we're up to: Heel free - we are really inconsistent. Sometimes good, sometimes smelling the grass, rolling around and scratching her back. She did this in her last trial. WHAT TO DO???? Stand for exam - really really good at the moment Drop on Recall - just doing the 2 food game at the moment, drop, click, throw food long way away then when she is coming back drop, click, throw food etc. She is loving this game big time and dropping really quickly. Retrieve Dumbbell on flat - FRUSTRATION - half the time she goes for a sniff (see heeling) Retrieve dumbbell over Solid Jump - same Distance Control - consistently good at 1m away 3 min sit stay out of sight - Hmm, mostly good, sometimes she drops. Still working on it 5 min down stay out of sight - bulletproof I could really use some advice on this whole sniff, roll problem. It's as if sometimes she thinks 'well, this is my only chance to sniff and I'm not going to miss it'. Should I be letting her sniff before we practice? After? Never? Can a dog be de-sniffed? (Joke!)

Progress - and FRUSTRATION!!! Okay, after a few more weeks, this is where we're up to: Heel free - we are really inconsistent. Sometimes good, sometimes smelling the grass, rolling around and scratching her back. She did this in her last trial. WHAT TO DO???? Stand for exam - really really good at the moment Drop on Recall - just doing the 2 food game at the moment, drop, click, throw food long way away then when she is coming back drop, click, throw food etc. She is loving this game big time and dropping really quickly. Retrieve Dumbbell on flat - FRUSTRATION

Looks like a Maltese cross to me. Crossed with what? Who knows - but you can see a bit of Maltese I reckon so they probably steered you pretty right with the pug bit too.

Aw thanks! :p He's a real gentleman too.

All I can say is get used to it - Borzois are real crowd-pullers so you're in for plenty of attention!!! (By the way, my bichon is always a toy poodle. And I always correct them. And they always go blank on me. But the other week a woman just went to pieces because he must be a bichon and she'd had a bichon who lived to 16 years - she just couldn't keep her hands off him and yes I loved every bit of it. It was really touching.)

Thanks. And thanks showdog - on reflection I think you're absolutely right. It hasn't bothered me for the last 12 years, so why worry about it now? Thanks for the tip Hesapandabear (did I spell that right?). Deep down I guess I had my doubts about this anyway. This has helped me make my mind up.

Recent photo - aint he beautiful? Always the gentleman and still looks like a puppy after all these years...

My bichon has always had tear stains on his face, and a yellowed bit under his chin from drinking as well. I've never worried about it, but I am getting into the whole grooming thing at the moment and thinking about giving it a try. He is an old dog (12yo) with fairly sensitive skin (minor problem from time to time). I can use the whitening shampoo with no probs. 2 choices with tear stain removal that I can see - covering it up (with chalk etc.) and tear stain remover (which I assume is a bleach but I'm not sure. Do either of these option hurt the dog? I really don't want to put anything near his eyes that could be painful or inflame his skin.

I love Kelpies too. Allergic to dog hair so I can never get one, but can only admire them from afar. But I love that 'fawning kelpie' thing where they wiggle and suck up to you. Very endearing. Close friend of mine has them. The builds in this breed vary enormously, as do the temperaments. She has working kelpies and they are lovely and I agree nicer builds than the bench kelpies. Also great brains. Very active as puppies but you have whippets so that is nothing new Keep it busy, don't let it get fat, give it lots of work to do, and enjoy the ride. Remember - very smart dogs can learn to train YOU, so be on the watch for the dog trying to take over. Of course I'm not always good at this myself: I've let my poodle x take over the reins from time to time without realising it - then have to wrestle the alpha status back to reestablish order in the home. So I've learned this one the hard way - several times

Also Jack Russell Terriers, Shetland Sheepdogs, German Shepherd Dogs (or did someone already mention these?) I've always wondered about other collie breeds other than the border collies (e.g. beardies, OES, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs etc.) - does anyone know how they like dog sports? I reckon they might love it. But I have no evidence either way... Kelpies work really, really well. You don't see lots of them in the ring, but when you do they are often very impressive. I'd rank them higher than BCs even. Not that I'm trying to start a riot

David Weston's book 'Dog Training: The Gentle Modern Method'. And Susan Garrett. And way too much other stuff to list. Mixing dog obsession with book obsession. Tragic.

To a certain extent don't we have to accept that we may have preferences that others don't share? I would have thought there have always been crossbred dogs, and always will be. I don't think that's the issue in question (or at least I don't think it should be the issue) The issue (to my mind) is about animal care, puppy farming, false claims about cross bred dogs (and charging a fortune based on those false claims). My experience - purebred bichon puppy from dodgy interstate breeder (I would call this person a dealer these days). Mozart was sick when I got him (I didn't realise until later) and when I asked the breeder to help pay for the vet bills (over $600 and still counting only 4 days later) he said just bring the dog back and I'll refund your money. When asked what would happen to the puppy he said he'd put him in the back room and if he lived he's sell him to someone else. No vet care. Just wait and see. No question Mozart would not have survived that. Luckily I didn't take this guy up on his generous offer. Still makes me white-hot livid when I think about it, and it was 12 years ago. There is nothing ethical, per se, about breeding purebred dogs. In my view there is nothing unethical, per se, about the reverse. But there are other issues (unpredictability of offspring etc.) that are also important.

Very interesting question. I am an allergy-sufferer and have an 'oodle' at home (from the pound 10 years ago). Also have a bichon. This list from an earlier post was interesting I thought: I would add a few to the list. Schnauzers, Tibetan Terriers, Bedlington Terriers, Kerry Blues etc. Probably take spinone off the list (for my allergies - don't know about others). So yes I think these dogs would appeal to oodle buyers - but the problem is they are hard to come by. My preferences would be poodles (smart, easy to train, comparatively easier to come by but still there are often waiting lists etc.), lagotto (very hard to come by), bichon (also hard to come by) etc etc. So it's not that there is a problem with the breeds and the variation and choice I don't think. It's just that the oodles are available quickly when people want them. Raises the next problem - if these purebreeds were ready when people wanted them (pretty much any time) then isn't that just more puppy farming? And encouraging irresponsible breeding of purebred dogs with lack of attention to health matters? For me that would just take us straight back down that same old road.

Yep - halti a god-send for my poodle x. She liked to choke herself on a flat collar when young, and was a horrible puller until the halti came along. One tip though - remember to use it gently.

Out of sight stays Drop on recall Open class in 2010 - here we come!

This seems to be a live debate amongst clicker trainers. Morgan Spector's book says again and again 'click ends the behaviour' - i.e. don't worry about what the dog does after you've clicked. Susan Garrett's book says 'click does not end the behaviour - your dog is always learning' My dog loves to break and run to the treats (in a container on the ground somewhere nearby) and wait for me to get there to reward. But we don't always do this and she needs me to release her, which is a separate thing from the click. When heeling, we sometimes click, then run to the treats, and sometimes I click and treat her in a halt or something. So we mix it up. Otherwise she gets bored. Or maybe I should say - otherwise, I get bored/boring.

I feed a standard sized Science Diet mature to my two smaller dogs - they do a bit more chewing but they seem to cope very well. So I can't see any reason why a 7kg dog couldn't eat a standard size kibble same as your bigger dog - but depends if your little one can get their jaws around it well enough and you'll know that pretty quickly. We tried another brand recently and one of the dogs got quite ill (diarrhoea), so changed straight back. You have to try things yourself. I'd suggest you make the first pack a small one, change kibble gradually over several days, and watch your dogs closely to see how they are responding. In the end, I think you have to make your own decision based on observing your own dogs.

Another yes from Adelaide

Thanks - we'll keep at it. And I'll mix it up around the yard a bit for the stays - great ideas. Hmm, does she drop in sit stays when I'm in sight? She has done it a few times, not a big habit. Sometimes when it is hot, or when there is a HUGE big itchy German Shepherd alongside her in a trial having a big old SCRATCH and leaning towards her. Who could blame her in that situation? I certainly thought 'hey - good choice'. So yes sometimes. Not much. But the longer it goes on (i.e. beyond 1 minute), the more she wants to rest so that's something I think we need to watch. As you've suggested, I will pop my head out and tell her how great she is. Might even click from behind the trees. That will perk her up! I never thought we'd get this far anyway so this is all a great bonus. People who knew her as a newly rescued bonkers dog cannot imagine her being obedient in any situation. I wish they would come and watch her at a trial now. I'm so proud of how far we've come together. Feel a bit sad as I write this. Why do they have to get old?