Staff'n'Toller

Well we worked with Kerrie Haynes-Lovell at the CGC Instructors course and she was awesome. :D Worked for many years at Seaworld training routines, prefers a whistle over a clicker though, and she's retired, don't know whether she does private instruction. Mel.

I have a walkydog, and I really like it. I wanted a springer but couldn't get one at the time so I went for the walkydog instead. :D Mel.

All their links are broken atm. They just don't work with firefox...I think you need explorer to view the website...so I actually can't see it coz I have firefox. Oh thanks! I'll try again.

All their links are broken atm.

Stilboestrol - cheap, but you have the dilemma of adding synthetic hormones. Propalin- Newer drug that works on the sphincte, it's a syrup, it's a fair bit more pricey. Incurin- Same again but a tablet (not sure if it has any synthetic hormones..??) and pricey like propalin. I have yet to see a dog that couldn't be controlled on Propalin, these were dogs where the Stilboestrol wasn't working. Mel.

Perhaps just try some smoked salmon, or something really stinky like that. Mel.

Yup I am starting to run out of places as well.... ET in five weeks

Bump for the gorgeous boy. Mel.

Don't worry I had a majorly sh*tty end to my day at the dam (ET training on the bike) with Geordie after we got rushed by a large Staffy with bad manners and an owner who didn't even try to call it back!! Sorry not training, but we can wallow together. Mel.

Don't know if this is any help but we use Rudduck's Puppi Trainer mats at work for various other things, find them very good. Mel.

Thanks guys for all the suggestions! I will be at KCC Park next week so will go to the library and see if I can get Greg Derret's DVD's. Thanks for the suggestion of Shaping Success, ness has also recommended this. Keep 'em coming. Mel.

You will get lots of different responses. Try doing a search (top right) in health on Eagle Pack you'll bring up heaps of info. I have my oldies on Hills Senior, and haven't changed it because they hold weight and their coats look fab. My Staffy girl has skin allergies and food allergies so she is on a prescription diet for that, I had tried EP Anchovy with her and it worked *almost* as well as the prescription diet but her skin and ears were starting to go a bit red on it- though she would be much worse if I was to feed her a normal diet like Hills/Euk/Advance. I started my Toller on Hills, but I found that his coat wasn't fantastic and shiny- it was OK, just not as good as I thought it could be. He was also doing massive amounts of poo on it which made me think he probably wasn't digesting it very well, and he would have this crazy hour about an hour after I fed him his main meal in the evening. I changed him over to EP and the hyperactivity stopped almost overnight, I had him on the EP Natural for quite a while, and found it good but was having trouble keeping weight on him (more to do with his age) so I moved him over to the holistic range and right now he is on the Anchovy & Salmon- his coat looks awesome, he is always well and since he had a few stomach issues as a pup I like the fact that there are prebiotics and probiotics added. I use the EP in concjunction with BARF patties, and raw bones occasionally. I think that EP would be one of the best foods you could have your Stafford on considering the immune system probs at the moment. I just feel it's a 'step-up' from the regular super premiums. Not including Nutro/Ziwipeak etc. I haven't got any experience in those so can't comment but I'm sure others will be along later to tell you about them. Mel.

Ok so I have trained two of my other dogs (not Tollers) in Agility a few years back, they are now retired for various reasons. I am slowly training Geordie in Agility and have done a clicker foundations course, BUT I am finding it really hard to get to club every week plus obedience, plus my own instructing commitments at the moment. I will have access to courses in a few months at my Obed club but I have decided to do some training on my own until then. I have found that Geordie is very high drive and visually stimulated he is a real handful in close proximity with other dogs and being that we train inside there is only so *far away* that we can go. Also because he is so high drive I am having problems getting him to chill enough to concentrate! Obviously the adrenalin is pumping but it is a real problem with lead outs etc as he is all over the place. :D I think the environment just doesn't suit him, and as I have done some Agility before I think I can battle through for a while at home. So what is/are your fav instructional DVD's or resources? Why do you like them? I am looking at a subscription to the Leap Dog Agility Library and the Agility In Motion series at the moment..recommended to me. Are there any others you Agility trialers like? We really need to work on 2o2o contacts (we covered this heaps but he just doesnt get it ) he is verrry clicker savvy. Thanks! Mel.

Happy to meet you guys at Berwick for a practice! Mel.

Bummer...pity you can't come up to Sale. Mel.

I'm doing mine in 5 weeks. I went back and did a search on previous ET threads and there were a few good links. I think the test takes roughly 2hrs? So that is about 10kph. I have a friend who did one with her Weimaraner and said it was slow. She only ever did 10k sprints with him in training (built him up first of course).

Are you a Vet Garry? Regardless, you can't prescribe something that isn't approved for use in dogs and without seeing the actual dog in person and establishing a reason for prescription, you'll get yourself into a lot of trouble!!!! Mel.

There is also Resisoothe leave in lotion. PM me if you want some samples Cavnrott (and anyone else) I will post them out. Mel.

Eukanuba also have a prescription weight loss diet that would probably work faster than the light variety. Mel.

I tend to have a variety of yard balls a couple of tennis balls, more kongs, and a couple of Orka Jacks (just the small ones) so Geordie grabs whatever he can find at the time.

Well I have a Kelpie here with very worn down teeth who has lived his life with a tennis ball in his mouth. I have also got an assignment question on the dangers of it at the moment to complete. BUT we referred a dog to a Dental Specialist here in Melb for that very problem and they say not to worry about it, the fact that the teeth wear so slowly negates the need to do anything about it....will have to dig up the report. Something about the pulp never being exposed. Mel.

Go give your dog a big hug. There's always next time. Mel.

I have read the book too and whilst I think the basic principles are excellent, it is written in a sensationalist and provocative style- you can get easily absorbed in it. Mel.

Thanks Mel! Don't suppose you recall the name of the formula? I will give my vet a call early next week to get some in for me. RC Australian website isnt much good as it doesnt have a full ingredient list for every product. I can see a Vegeterian formula on their US site, not sure if its the same one? White and mint green packaging. It's at work unfortunately- I can take a pic of it for you on monday lol. I think it's canine vegetal or something like that, blue and white packing but I'm assuming it's the same as the US version..??? Mel.

This is the best regime to follow for a puppy with the runs ^^^ stick to boiled chicken breast and rice for a few days with only a small amount of proplan. If you are giving fatty chicken mince while he has the runs it's not going to get any better. Also just let him sleep the first few days, don't force him to stay up and play for long periods and keep the visitors to a minimum- he needs a very quiet house to get used to things. Mel.