FranVT

Hehe, she loves being scratched on the tummy she goes mad for tummy rubs! I really want to do agility with her but I've been told I can't until she is 18 months old? Ooh yep okay give me a sec! Isn't she the prettiest? She is independent and confident, that's for sure, and for that I am grateful because sometimes I do work really long days! That's so true, it does make life easier, and I have a feeling it will be better for when I move out into a place either on my own or with friends - she won't feel as anxious about me being away. I know what you mean about poodles, my mum and her (long-time ex) girlfriend had a brother and sister from the same litter, Milton was "ours" and Cossette (the bitch) was very bonded to mum's ex but never to us. But Milton was the most loving dog you could imagine, he passed away a couple of years ago at 14 years old of heart failure :p They have a toy poodle now who is the boss of the house, not that Luuka pays him any mind whatsoever. Thanks guys I really feel so much better now :p I think thats a good idea. ;) Also, I dont know if you have done this already but try only giving affection when you instigate it. Ignore her if she comes for pats, then after she has wandered off, unsatisfied, call her over, get her to sit and then give her a good rumbling pat session. Another piece of advice I once got was to withhold affection for 2 weeks, only praising and patting when training or out walking. I was never good at that, why have a dog if you cant cuddle it?

Thanks so much everyone, I feel a lot better already. I think what made me feel really bad was talking to mum last night I said "one day I'd love to have another bull terrier, they're such a great breed I have so much respect for them" and she said "well why don't you leave Luuka with us and get one?" and I know she was just making an offhand remark but it really struck me right in the heart and I got really upset. I don't want to leave her I love her! It never even crossed my mind! I really want to spend more time doing fun stuff with her, we went to the beach the other day and god we had a blast, she has absolutely no fear whatsoever, my friend brought his Great Dane and Great Dane x who were the loveliest big goofballs, they all had the best time, she was running around in the surf and they were bowling her over accidentally - she didn't mind at all. She and the boy (named Hammer, because he's "dumb as a box of"! God he is a lovely boy) were playing fetch, of course he would beat her to the Kong but when he got there she would bark her head off so he'd get a fright, drop it and run away so she could get it She's so clever. So I want to do more stuff like that I guess not just the usual walks.

I would love to have some opinions on this. Please don't flame me, I really don't feel that I've done anything wrong I just need some advice. If I have done something wrong I'd really like to be gently informed though I got Luuka at 10 weeks of age just before Christmas. She's an absolutely lovely puppy! I have had hardly any problems with her at all. We started at puppy preschool in February but I really didn't click well with the instructor and felt basically ignored because Luuka was already fairly up to speed with everything we were doing (sit, stay, drop, heel etc) so I stopped going and continued on with my own training. My "issue" is that although I love Luuka so much, I don't think she likes me. She gets really excited when I get home but she doesn't follow me around much, if I go to play fetch with her she will play for abit then sort of just drop the toy and wander off in search of something else to do. She sleeps in my room every night tummy-down on the tiles, sometimes I put her in bed with me when I go to bed for a cuddle and she is happy for awhile then wants to get down on the floor (it is cooler for her there, no problem). I walk her and she has fun but it just seems like she could take-or-leave the contact we have. She seems aloof. Is this because she's a bitch? I've never owned one before I think part of the problem too (my problem, not hers) is that Atlas and I were immediately inseparable from the start, and he was a big snugglebum and only ever wanted to be with you no matter where that was. So I think I can't help but feel rejected because Luuka is not like that. I always make sure I'm the one to feed her, I'm living with mum and her gf but I told them it's really important that I feed / walk / train her because I won't be there for too much longer. She gets along really well with mum's collie. So I just want to know if I'm doing anything wrong, or if there's anything else I can do? Am I just being ridiculous? Is this just her personality? I'm actually tearing up as I write this, because she's such a lovely dog I just don't know what more I can do to bond us? Advice is really appreciated.

When I first came on here I made some flippant posts that weren't as well-worded as they could have been and didn't contain important information. I would not say I got flamed, not even close, in fact everyone was fairly polite, but it sure did teach me some important things about this forum: when you post, be as specific as possible, don't leave out information that could be relevant and word your posts carefully. Not to disguise the truth or make things seem better/worse than they are, but to achieve the outcome you want ie asking opinions on specific matters rather than general. Sorry I think I just broke the rules right there ^^^ because I'm not sure if that makes sense, but anyway, yes I do think there is some unnecessary nastiness in all sections of the forum but it's fairly minimal (but memorable unfortunately). The vast majority of posts and posters have been amazing, to me specifically in some cases (some of the most lovely, kind, generous people have helped me from this forum as complete strangers) but in general I think you're a pretty good bunch.

Why, certainly.

From the website:

Ooooooh that sounds pretty! Would that work on double coated dogs?

So true. I was recommended the OMG by another lappie owner so I thought I'd give it a try, but I only bought the small size just in case. Happy to try a few things to see what works best. Probably another silly question but if I get 'black' shampoo on Luuka's tan and white bits, will that matter? I can't imagine that there is actual colouring in the shampoo because that wouldn't be allowed in showing...?

Just put some conditioner and water in the spray bottle and give it a shake? I wouldn't own Pantene but I have some Stefan stuff that I was given for free and haven't used, I'll try that.

I've ordered some Plush Puppy OMG spray but it won't arrive for another few days, and I'm wondering whether there is a solution I can make up, perhaps from human products or natural stuff, that I can use while I give Luuka a big groom? I bought a fine tooth comb (have ordered a better quality one from petnetwork as well) because she needs her puppy fluff combed out, the situation is getting desperate I have a spray bottle to use, and every human product under the sun ..... I have a serious product addiction..... Can anyone help?

Can we have a "Dear MM" thread?

Yes well I suppose I do want to do that, don't I! Lol! Thanks for that. It doesn't say who cheques shouldbe made out to but I'll figure it out

Yes I don't see a credit card entry area, it's not a big deal, I should stop whinging. The chequebook will make things lots easier, I just have to enter for The Caves show before it arrives so I'll grab a money order. Speaking of which, do I put "The Caves P & A Society" if that's who's running the show on the Payee part? Sounds stupid but I want to make sure I get it right ETA Also, if it says "SAE for passes", do I have to put in an SAE or is that just for people who want their passes ahead of time?

Are cheques and money orders the only way to pay for show entry? It is really annoying! I have ordered a chequebook (I've never had one before) but it won't be here for 2 weeks and money orders are an expensive way to pay for $10.50 worth of show entries! It'd be sweet if show societies could let you direct debit but I suppose that's not do-able...?

Possibly a very silly question: if I'm sending 2 entries to the same address but for different KCs, do I put them in different envelopes or is it good enough to have the forms and cheques separate? No big deal just wondering..

Well I guess if he was giving you advice for free that's not really a way to run a business like Dog Tech is it But I know what you're saying. Some reassurance and general info may have been helpful.

You're welcome! In a few months with lots of hard work you'll be ing all the non-believers anyway! You can get all different kinds of martingales too, I use a combination lead/collar one that is all the one material, but you can also get ones that are part-chain and stuff. You're right - google is the bomb, have a good look around!

Great post! I know what you mean Alison I was really embarrassed when I took my & my ex-partner's bull terrier to training for the first time, not only was he incredibly naughty and embarrassing but lots of people shunned us because he has the 'look' of an aggressive breed So I know that awful, isolating shame but I am SO SO SO glad I continued, Atlas became the most beautifully behaved, polite boy after a few months of training! Don't give up! Even though Atlas is living with his daddy since we split, I will NEVER regret all the work I put into making him behave and being a better leader, I got easily as much if not more out of it than he did. I use a martingale collar on my Spitz breed (Finnish Lapphund) and it is great for her, doesn't damage her coat and gives really good, soft control when needed. Definitely walk her more, like the others said even if you split it up morning/night then that's awesome. You will find a change in her behaviour really quickly because she'll be more tired/relaxed both mentally and physically. You sound like you have a fantastic attitude and welcome to the forums, it is sometimes hard to hear 'tough love' advice but you have taken it on board with grace and I am so very glad to hear that you are willing to put the work in because it'll be so worth it! Best of luck!

So if I enter Minor Puppy, there will be a 9 month age limit but if I enter Puppy they could be up to 12 months? I've entered Minor especially seeing as her first show will be over 6 months of age, a bit annoyed at myself for not getting my act together actually but some things can't be helped...

Absolutely nothing! Once everybody is ready, then you don't worry about what they are doing, you show your own dog at the pace at which he moves the best, even if that means leaving the others behind. This is especially the case when you are the first dog in the lineup. You want the judge to see your dog moving at his best from the "get-go" because this will probably be one of your best opportunities to impress, especially in the class in group judging where you may not get another opportunity to move your dog out. May I make one small suggestion? Don't wear dark pants behind Lincoln, especially at night. You do tend to lose the dog a bit. Also, try to keep his attention from the minute you are in the ring entrance. When they drop their heads at the very last minute, you tend to then spend a few valuable steps trying to get their attention back and rearrange leads, necks, ears etc which can put you at a disadvantage when the judge is looking at you first as you come into the ring. That is awesome advice for me as well thanks ellz, I am working on "watch" with Luuka and she is going really well with it but it's very different when there are other doggies around that's for sure. Since Luuka is predominantly black with some tan and some white, I was thinking I'd wear cream pants/top? Would that suit? I'm hopeless I only ever wear black and red and purple! I definitely shouldn't wear black pants right? Also, does it matter if I enter Minor Puppy or Puppy? I could enter either but would I be better entering one or the other?

Just added 5 events to the list Feeling quite proud of myself 5 shows over 3 days! 2 are open. I sure will get lots of practice for the Ekka!

At the bottom of the schedule for this show it says "Championship shows back to back with Rockhampton Kennel Club". I can't see anywhere that RKC are advertising a show, what does that mean?

Cooool so I can actually add shows for everyone to use? Maybe I'll do that, carefully of course

Awesome thanks that is totally fine then, I was a bit worried! Hmm, if a show isn't showing up in the list on showmanager.com.au can I manually enter it? I hope that means it's still on ...

Aaaahhhhh well that's where I was confused. No problem then Have no time to show until the 24th of April Doing the next weekend too. Luuka will be juuuust over 6 months on the 24th of April so I enter her in Puppy class then don't I?