Mas1981

I love my purebred lab, would I take a x breed dog next time, probably not, I would be unsure whether the lovely lab nature would have carried through, would he love water, will he be keen to retrieve?? I wouldnt be able to answer any of these questions if i took a x bred dog, sure I may still get a purebred who may not like water or may not retrieve etc, but they are much MORE likely to have the traits than a x breed.

That it certainly is MM! In total agreeance with you both! Can't wait til I am a few dogs into it! With tracking and retrieving etc you are using their instincts so its much easier to train them....... obedience is something you have to really work on and train ( not saying that you dont work in tracking or retrieving because you do). Mason has hit a naughty patch at the moment, we are having a club obedience comp on the 16 may, open to all classes and I am in 2 minds weather to enter him or not ...... IMO he is nowhere near ready unless a fairy comes from heaven and trains him in heelwork as I seem to be failing sadly in that department

That it certainly is MM! Especially when your dog would happily blow you off for smells on the ground just about any time, any where Mine would blow me off just to stare at another dog in the distance, of course if there is a dog next to him its even more challenging but we are working on that, like the the dude in Karate Kid said ' must have focus Daniel son"

Then you'll have more time to (attempt to) fix my handling Daisy is pooped and didn't bark on the way home at all Thank you so much for all your time this afternoon Sandi, especially as I'm quite sure I talked your ear off I've shown mum some pics of your tollers and she really likes them I would love to spend a week with you Huski - picking on you morning noon and night - you might hate me at the end of it but by George your handling skills will have improved I thought I was going to need to check your bum bag before you got in the car to go home - just in case you had kidnapped Scoota Thanks for letting me have a play with Daisy - she is a delight Now I want to see a video of your finishes sometime soon PS I am coming back in November Lol my handling skills are none existent, Huski's skills look way better than mine Its really hard training a dog for the first time in obedience

Beans was in melt down when I left after picking up some foreign food which she was obviously allergic to. Within 24 hours she had ripped holes in her chest inner thigh and foot and was continually scratching poor baby. It is now a case of waiting for it to pass and managing the syptoms as best we can. So I really really know what you are talking about. Best of luck on Anzac day - any chance of increasing the anti-histamines for 48 hours to see if that helps? He's not on anti-histamines - they never worked for him unfortunately. He's only on his immunotherapy at the moment. The last cortisone tablet he had was over a month ago because he was doing so well and I'm not really supposed to give him any at the moment because he's about to see his dermatologist and he needs to see how the immunotherapy is going without the interference of the steroids. I'll just see how he goes - if he's really bad before the trial I'll give a tablet just to take the edge off. One tablet doesn't really change what his skin is doing so the dermatologist said that was okay. I know what u mean about having an itchy dog there must be something in the air as mine is itchier than normal, took him to the naturopath on wed and we are trying out a few things but after tracking in the forest today he is extra itchy, I caught him laying on some moss so I bet its that Bathed him when we got home, left him outside to dry and when I went out to go see him one of his eyes is swollen so he must have touched on of the plants in my garden that he is allergic too. Funny how it only happens now and again and not all the time with his eyes.

I think it's partially excitement related but it usually this means that the dog is trying to win the game by dominating you. If you just ignore him till he stops he'll quickly learn that it doesn't win him the toy/game and he'll learn that the only way to win it is by doing what you say! My GIRL used to do this in the early stages of training to try and win the game, I always felt really stupid with this female puppy (around 12 months old at the time) humping my leg! But ignoring the behaviour made it stop within a few weeks. What I did is I told him 'no', ( yes I do say no to my dog ) walked inside and left him outside for 15 mins. When I went back and tried the tug again he sat nicely when I took the tug off him

I'm pretty sure Pookinuk sell Artemis, postage is only $5. Thanks I will look into it, we are on an elimination diet for 4 weeks now so will see how he is after that

It has a sign outside and you will hear the dogs a mile away I know exactly where it is. Really? Well maybe you should rock on up to my place and we can take a load down? Will let u know, I think the National Agility is on and I may be helping out in my clubs ring that day Just need to check what day they need me.

It has a sign outside and you will hear the dogs a mile away I know exactly where it is.

I have also just noticed that Holistic Select do Salmon fish treats and fish biscuits, cant say I have seen them here but then again I havent really looked before

Where can i buy it?? I thought of maybe trying to dry my own as well.

I took my boy to go see the Naturopath on wednesday because he is very itchy morning and evenings and he sometimes gets swollen eyes when he touches certain plants or grasses. My question now is what do I use as training treats, she suggested liver but if he is only getting fish as a protein source why would liver be ok ??( i forgot to ask her this) he will work for plain dry kibble at home ( EP Holistic Select, Salmon sardine and anchovy) what can I use in class that he would be keen on. He doesnt like sweet potato and wont work for cheese in class, I am going to use cooked fish but any other ideas would be great!!

I was training Mason using his tug toy as a reward tonight, each time I took it off him he jumps on my leg and tries to hump me, I take it this is due to excitement? It been months since he has humped anything

I wanted to come down and watch tonight but I dont think we will, we had a busy day, just got home now

All I would like to do this year is enter the end of year wind up club members obedience competition and have a pass, I will be more than happy if he does that as he wont be 2 by then.

Whiskers are important to all animals, with horses we were told it stops them bumping their muzzles on stuff, I assume in dogs and cats its the same??

Yeah I was also confused at to why she said he can have liver treats?? He wont eat sweet potato raw, I have tried him before so I am not really sure what I should use in class, at home he will work for his kibble but in class its another matter.

Gosh that doesn't leave you with an awful lot of options does it!! I guess Mason will have no trouble keeping to his goal weight Don't feel discouraged about Mason at obedience, Sooty was exactly the same and ironically she stopped lunging towards other dogs when we got to class four and we didn't have the lead on any more I always thought my goodness if she was like this with obedience training what would she be like without!? Everytime in class two and three the instructor walked around to 'check your badge' she tried to jump up on them or greet them. We don't do this in class four but last week when we joined class three again they walked around and I had a momentary flashback of naughty dog but this time she didn't do anything Yay! She might finally be maturing! It does depend on whether you enjoy it or not, it has to be something you are interested in or you are not going to get any enjoyment out of it. I am dead keen on doing obedience, I think there are a few things which are making him like this, number one we usually have a mid week playdate with his friend, the last 2 weeks due to her mums schedule and mine we havent been able to meet up so he isnt getting as much rough and tumble play that he needs, I have been working more and because of this I have been in a bit of a mood so its probably my fault. WHen I am on the PC he lays and looks at me as if to say 'oh mum lets go somewhere I am bored!'

I might go along to that this time. I RSVP'd to one last year and totally forgot about it Cool I am sure it will be fun. I have given up on obedience with Mason, may even stop going to class, he has been so hyper the last week I can hardly even walk him as he is pulling and doing his own thing. Dont know if he is acting out coz I have been working a few hrs each day and he isnt used to being alone so much? Toby went through a phase of that but grew out of it. He is a lab puppy remember Masons Mom, Bronson didn't mature properly until he was about 3 and a half! Since then he still gets excited but can stop and think. Agreed. I have told MM a zillion times about how I used to be in tears quite often with Ruby at class when she was a youngster. She still has a long way to go, but I am pretty darn proud of how far she's come It is soooooooooo rewarding to get through that terror stage and come out with an adult who loves to work! (well, except for Sunday, she didn't want to work then ) I am an adult and I dont want to work lol

Some people use toys if their dogs love toys

I might go along to that this time. I RSVP'd to one last year and totally forgot about it Cool I am sure it will be fun. I have given up on obedience with Mason, may even stop going to class, he has been so hyper the last week I can hardly even walk him as he is pulling and doing his own thing. Dont know if he is acting out coz I have been working a few hrs each day and he isnt used to being alone so much?

We had a photo shoot done of our Greys by Studio Noah (East Perth but they come to you or anywhere really) it was on behalf of Advance Pet Food and the shots are absolutely stunning, I can't rate them highly enough but they are expensive, and we didn't have to pay for the shoot (thank god!), they took 52 photos of our dogs, we ended up buying 5 but could have bought them all they were that good - www.studionoah.com.au Probably the largest pet store in Canning Vale is Better Pets and Garden on Nicholson Road, Canning Vale (if your heading down South street, turn left into Nicholson Road and it is quite a way down at the other end of Nicholson Road near the Canning Vale Police Station, Dogs are welcome to go inside. There is a City Farmers in Canning Vale but a bit hard to explain where it is and they are doing roadworks outside and lots of detours plus it's not as good at BP&G. I can vouch for Studio Noah but yes they are pretty expensive... hey Jazzy, my sister got those Advance photos done too for her OES... did Advance ever contact you or use the shots of your greys? I think (and I could be wrong) that one of the border collie WA DOLers is a bit of a photographer... maybe Winpara? CruiseNHemi will know... Wazzat if you head straight down Warton road, past the golf course on the left (and CAWA on the right) and keep going down there is a set of shops on the left hand side... you'll see the big orange buiding on the corner there (city farmers) but i agree it can be a bit tricky to get into because of the roadworks... i haven't been to the better pets and gardens. Mason only gets itchy at certain times of the year and also on certain spots, tummy, legs, flanks, and face are where he itches. His eyes swell if he touches some plants and/or certain grasses. I have made sure that I am using a natural laundry detergent etc but it doesnt seem to have helped that much he is still itchy and he only used to itch morning and evening which is bad enough but now he itches early hours of the morning and that wakes us up. I am going to go to the Rally U seminar in July, I spoke to my club and they said that when they know more thay may offer training too, if they do thats cool or else I may also join Eden Hill for Rally O training. MM - being that it's certain times of the year, it's possible that it is atopy, or otherwise known as inhalant allergies... unlike us, the irritation in dogs allergic to certain things comes out in the skin. Common areas are as you described, face, feet and chest/tummy area. Without going into too much detail about desensitisation injections and cortisone, you can try things like getting Mason on fish oil or omega 3, using an oatmeal shampoo or, if very bad, a shampoo like malaseb can do wonders, but Malaseb can be very drying so only use if it gives relief. Another thing you can do, if it gets very bad, is have Mason have a skin test. A number of vets do these now and it helps to find what he is allergic to, so that you can get rid of those things if possible. You can go one step further and have a serum made up and do desensitisation injections. Spartan (far left in siggy) had very bad skin allergies and still has set backs now. he was diagnosed at about 12 months or so with Atopy, and had to go on cortisone because he was so bad. he used to have to wear a t-shirt and boots to stop him from scratching and biting. he started his desensitisation at around 16 months, and slowly came off cortisone. He has been steroid free for a number of years now, but unfortunately still suffers when seasons change, much like i do with hayfever!! Unfortunately, I am something of an expert when it comes to dealing with skin issues. Congrats to bedazzled for her win with brooklyn!! YAY WA!! :D ;) Hi ST, That is exactly what Mason has but lucky its not really very very bad, he does scratch etc at certain times of the day but not enough to break the skin or even make his skin pink, his eyes do swell if he touches diff plants. We went to the Naturopath today and I need to get him the EP Holistic Select Salmon and Anchovy, start him on fish oil capsules and give him some natural hayfever relief when he is itchy or has the swollen eyes. No chicken, beef or lamb etc, he can have liver treats though. I forgot to ask what I an use as training treats I usually use BBQ sausages but those are out, maybe I need to use fish fingers If he is allowed roo or fish you could make him some roo meatballs or fishballs perhaps. Nope only fish.... Hey MM - I used to use cheese for spartan... if Mason is food motivated, you only need small squares. It makes sense to be feeding fish at the moment, to rule out any food allergy i take it... we did fish and potato really early on with spartan, back before they had holistic dry foods! Unfortunately, we pinpointed that spartan was not only atopic, but also allergic to chicken!! Faolmor (DOLer) had a similar issue with her black lab... They are wondering if he may be allergic to chicken as all the food I have fed him is chicken based, I guess we will see in a few weeks time, I have to go buy his supplements etc today. I felt so bad for him as he was scratching and biting himself early hours of this morning too. Edited to say that he wont work for cheese in class, I think I am going to buy some liver as she did say he can have liver treats??

When you find out the info about next weeks one can you post that info too? I wont make this weeks unfortunatly there is something on at our dog club. I have some info on it: ******ALSO ANOTHER TRIAL --- DATE – ANZAC DAY (25th APRIL) starting about 8 am too. Novice, Restricted and All Age Stakes, with several judges PLACE—BROOKLEIGH EQUESTRIAN CENTRE, UPPER SWAN Go up great Northern hwy. Before you get to the Upper Swan bridge turn left into the centre. It is well signed. Follow signs through the Centre gradually leading to an area near the river.. ******TRAINING DAY--- 9TH MAY All welcome. Experienced triallers will help groups of handlers and dogs. This will be held on a property where we can fire the gun so your dog can get used to it. Then we have a sausage sizzle lunch and socialize. More details soon. OOhhh I want to come to the one on the 9th of May!!!

When you find out the info about next weeks one can you post that info too? I wont make this weeks unfortunatly there is something on at our dog club.

No idea, what is it??