ish

That is a very good idea, thankyou FH - they might too be able to further clarify why/where in the rules this collar isn't acceptable if that is their thoughts

But I've shown in my photos, if she was not wearing a snap around collar, she would be wearing another training collar which is adjusted to fit snuggly - as they should be, high up on the neck. The rules don't state a loose fitting or low fitting collar. My question is about it being against the rules and if penalties are enforced - I can't see positioning of the collar mentioned in the rules. Is there further information somewhere regarding this?

Why would you feel differently about that collar to a snug fitting collar of any other variety?? I could just use a flat collar - I took her in on a chain for the 2nd trial, but I want to understand why its a problem and where it is against the rules. Its my collar of choice for my dog. These are the best pics I can get inside Snap around collar Blackdog training collar Rogz martingale They're all adjusted to sit up high which is where a training collar should be IMO. She doesn't need it as a cue to work - she actually got better marks in the trial where she wore only a check chain which didn't fit her well. Plus its Novice so its all off lead anyway!

I would interpret collars that give additional head control being head collars such as haltis or gentle leaders. The rules aren't very specific which is why I'm finding it hard to believe that I'm at risk of a penalty with a snap around collar. If I walk my dog on a flat collar on recreational walks and train at club with a check chain, would the check chain be a training aid in a trial seeing as it would cue the dog that it was working?

Perhaps wuffles - but I can't find collar placement being mentioned in the rules at all? The snap around collar certainly doesn't give additional head control, which is against the rules.

It's a snap around collar http://www.handcraftcollars.com/snaparound...ningcollar.aspx You can easily fit a few fingers under it, just like any well fitted collar. We're trialling in Novice. I questioned if it was the type or collar or the fit that upset the judge on the weekend, he replied the fit and said yes when I asked if a plain flat collar fitted 'tightly' would cause the same issue.

From the ANKC website, the rules for collars in obedience trials are as follows: Collars and Leads: All dogs must have a slip or fixed collar which fits only the dog's neck and which must remain on the dog at all times. No spiked collars or collars which give additional head control shall be permitted. The minimum length of lead will be 750 mm and it will be fitted with a quick release fastener. All dogs must enter and leave the Ring on a lead. In exercises that require a dog to be off-lead, the lead will be taken off and handed to the Steward at the Start Peg. All exercises with the exception of ‘Heel on Lead’ and ‘Stand for Examination’ in the Community Companion Dog Class must be executed off-lead I've been cautioned by some judges recently about my choice of collar in the trial ring. It has been suggested it is a 'training aid' because it is snuggly fitted, and cues the dog that it is trialling, which is against the rules. Apparently I can be penalised and it was suggested I have a back up collar on hand at trials, just in case. Several judges have voiced the same opinion. Has anyone been spoken to or penalised for the type or fit of their dogs collar at trials? Does anyone know if a penalty is enforceable, considering the above rules?

Mine is just a home made job, but here's some pics ;)

You can get Nutrigel from Vet n Pet Direct at a good price (though they have a minimium $20 spend I think) - some Lectade sachets might be a valuable thing to be giving him too, to keep his strength up. Poor fella, hope he picks up soon

We lost our little puppy today

You should post your drawing of a beautiful GSD Shaar Dogsrawesome - this might be a good site for you to have a read of http://www.aboutgermanshepherddog.com/page.php?page_id=43 The stop is the sort of 'step' between the muzzle and head, inbetween the dogs eyes

Ears need to be a bit bigger, face needs more stop and the placement of the eyes are a bit off - pretty good though!

I put cheap lino down and then rubber backed vet bed mats for play areas, newspaper for the toilet area

Awww RIP little lost puppy Glad mum and pup are doing well.... we need a photo now :D Heres a photo of our pup, taken last night She'll be the worlds cleanest puppy because Checa won't stop fussing over her!

We ended up with one female puppy, born last night. There was another puppy but it was very stuck and unable to be saved Checa and her big fat puppy are doing very well though

No, wasn't Desmo - he's healthy and happily living in Sydney as far as I know :D It's Monza who's had SRMA Glad to hear your puppy is home and feeling better

I've got a dog who's had steriod responsive meningitis, he's now fit and healthy. He had months of cortisone on a decreasing dose, was ok for a bit then relapsed so the cortisone started again. He's been completely off cortisone for over 12 months now

Not many I don't think, I'll be suprised if she has more than 3 or 4 As long as things go smoothly, thats ok with me!

Sorry to hear about little black girl Tibbiemax Glad the others are going well though. How is Nima enjoying motherhood? Belly photo of my girl taken today

One of my GSDs gets this - I find snipping the end of a vitamin E capsule and rubbing it into her nose, twice a day, clears it up quickly. She hates it and licks it off when I'm not looking but I figure it helps while its on the outside and does no harm on the inside either!

Just like anything, if you're not happy with the price a breeder asks, you can go elsewhere! Pet quality and show quality puppies in a litter come from the same health tested parents and have just as much time, effort and love put into them while being raised, so I don't think its unreasonable for them to be sold at the same price.

So sorry Cazzie

I've got a 6.5 month old pup from Vegas - she's lovely! Great outgoing temperament and no health issues thus far :p

The only way you can tell if she has good hips is if she's xrayed Well, obviously. However as a four month old pup, she's not going to be xrayed yet. She won't be hip scored until she's an adult. I was only saying what I was told the other day. Its not so obvious if several people are questioning it here! I mentioned xrays because your post didn't explain if you knew 'froggy legs' had nothing to do with good hips or not and wanted to make sure you weren't under any false impressions.

Maybe some Nutrigel would give them a boost without making them feel full or carsick?