twoblackdogs

I had the difficult task this morning of taking my beloved "Bailey" to the Vet. The Mast Cell Cancer tumours had spread so far and wide that she no longer had the energy to fight it any longer. We knew today was inevitable but it doesn't make it any easier on the day. She is at peace now and suffering no more with Epilepsy or Cancer. We love you Bailey. Go and run Free with Chester.

I have a 9.5 yr old Neutered Bitch that I have shown since she was about 3 yrs Old. She was de-sexed due to unforeseen circumstances, but in hind site a medical condition has since become apparent which would have prevented us from Breeding her anyway. When the Neuter Champion Title was introduced I was so excited that I started entering her in more shows to try and gain her Title. We are nearly 2/3'rds of the way and hope to have it in the bag by Mid October. Like others have already said, it's a great way to be introduced to the world of showing without the Pressure of the Bigger more competitive classes. Good luck to all those out there showing their Neuter's

The Owners are very responsible and In no way did I mean for it to come across that way. I haven't as yet discussed with them what they would like to do. They have been more than generous in allowing me to borrow this Dog purely for the Companionship of my Older Dog. They did make it clear to me when I took her on their plan for the near future. I have even gone to the effort of Training this Dog at Obedience classes, Taken it to Retrieving Trials and shown it whilst it has been with me (All because I have wanted too and the Breeders are grateful for the exposure she is getting to different environments).

I am currently looking after a Bitch that is due to be mated shortly. I have her as a companion for my Older Dog that recently lost her best Mate. We are due to get a New Puppy (Fingers X'ed) in the next 3 mths and would prefer our dog to have a companion until this time arrives, but on the other hand we want what's best for the Bitch as it will be her first litter. I have been offered other dogs as companion's so that's not an Issue. Would it be best for her to go home to her Breeder/Owner whilst she is in Season and stay home whilst in Whelp/after whelping. I'm not that keen on having her here whilst in Season/In Whelp as I have never had a Bitch in that predicament before. My concern is that when she goes home she will have to find her place in the "Pack" again. I don't want this to cause a behavioural or medical problem if she is in Whelp. Any comments, suggestions would be appreciated.

I live in the Salisbury Council area and when they first offered the Discount for Trained Dogs, I took my Pedigree Certificates in showing they had gained a CD Title in Obedience. They had no Idea at first what that was but after explaining to them that my dogs were Trained to Level 5 and had successfully passed at least 3 trials to attain the Title they granted the Discount. The Discount applies for the life of the Dog. Puppy Pre School would only cover the very basic new puppy behaviour issues. I would think most council's would NOT accept this as sufficient evidence that your dog is Trained. There are Dog Training Clubs/Organisations out there that are Not Affiliated to Dogs SA. Just make sure that they can provide a certificate once the dog has reached a certain level of Training to satisfy your Council's requirements to get the discount. Most dogs would take at least 12 mths to attain this level of Training unless you really put in the hard yards.

I have been collecting points since early this year towards the Neuter Champion Title. It was a slow start for the Clubs to take on the extra class but most clubs are offering the class now and they are getting good entries. There is nearly always all 7 groups represented in the "In Show" awards. We are over half way and hoping to have it in the bag by Late October - in time to celebrate "Bailey's" 10 Birthday. This class has given me the encouragement to continue showing so that when I get my next dog I will be ready for the Big classes. Good Luck to everybody who is on their way to attaining the NEUTER CHAMPION Title.

I've entered as well. Hope to Win as we are really getting into the shows and have seen so many people using similar ones.

Having travelled to Victoria for a Retrieving Trial on the weekend, I have come home very pleased with my 9 1/2 yr Old Girls Results. Not only did Bailey finish the Trial both days, but we placed 2nd on Sunday with a Final score of 173/195 and top scored the last run with 58/65. This was my 3rd trip across the border, even though I'm only in Novice, it's great to go Outside your home state to see what the level of competition is like and to experience the different terrain offered. Looking forward to another weekend in Victoria later in the season. The SA Season is about to start, Wish me Luck.

Well folks, even if the council don't give me the approval for 3 dogs I will still be getting my Puppy. We had an unfortunate turn of events over the last few weeks with our Oldest dog "Chester" - He developed Aggressive Cancer tumours on his neck which we believe were secondary tumours to a lung condition that had developed several months ago and we were due to see the Specialist next week about. The tumours had grown quite rapidly and had become very nasty, After some research and heartache, we chose to have our Boy put to sleep on Tuesday. The vet said even if we had removed the lumps we may have only had him for another month at most.

I have trained at Para's although it was a few years ago and found it to be very rewarding. As far as I'm concerned, it's up to you what collar you decide to train your dog in, and your choice of what positive rewards you use as well. Some things work with some dogs but not others. You have to decide for yourself what works best for your dog and what your comfortable with. If you find a club that will only allow you to use one type of collar and reward, then I would suggest you find another club.

I know my dog barks, but when somebody who works full time complains that your dog barks constantly all day, you have to question how they know this. Obviously the council won't tell me who has made the comments, but I have asked the inspector for that neighbour to help me identify the problem. They have no idea why my dog barks, other than separation anxiety. But what really is separation anxiety, if no other signs other than barking are exhibited. We do have lots of very big trees in our other neighbours yard with lots of bird life. I also know my dog chases and barks at birds in my backyard. I am not denying she barks, but why can't people be more open and honest with each other when it comes to situations like this, confront the issue before it becomes a problem. (Just like I tried with my neighbour) As for Debarking - I wont let it get to that level.

Thanks for your comments, In my letter to the Council I explained the achievements of both my Dogs - Obedience & Retrieving Titles, and my experience as a Dog Obedience Instructor. I spoke with several of my neighbours prior to applying for the permit, as we get on really well with them and know they would tell us the truth, but I have another neighbour who I tried to do the right thing by a few months ago. She has a relatively new dog and my husband was working from home for about 8 weeks over Winter. Her dog is a consistent barker after she leaves for work (The barking started around the same time each day and only Mon-Fri) Several months after getting the dog she had mentioned to me that she was concerned because she hadn't yet heard her dog bark. I approached her after my husband bought it to my attention so that she would be able to address the issue before it got further out of control. It also barks a lot at night if it is left outside (and she is not home). The barking did not change and I went back several weeks later and offered her the use of my Ultrasonic Anti Barking Collar. She returned the collar a few weeks later and flatly refused to use it. She said she had spoken to her Neighbours (Which are the same as mine) and commented that "It's not my dog that is barking it's yours". I commented that I would hope that the concerned neighbours would approach me if it was bothering them so that I could rectify the issue. Nobody came knocking at my door. Anyway I asked the council inspector for their assistance and that of the neighbours and he couldn't offer any suggestions or recommend any behaviour therapists. It surprises me that councils can Approve Retaining Walls and Redevelopment of Properties and not notify the adjoining properties. Seems a little unfair! I feel that we are being victimised here and it's up to me to prove my and that of my dogs innocence?

I have applied with my local council to get an exemption to keep 3 dogs at my home. They sent letters to all my adjoining neighbours and have had several neighbours complain that one of my dogs barks, apparently from the time I leave home until when I get back. I find this interesting because until now, nobody has approached me about this issue, or made a formal complaint to the council. Even though the Council Inspector and my Neighbour are not Trained Animal Behaviourists or Dog Trainers they have both said my Dog obviously suffers from Separation Anxiety, and neither of them can offer any assistance or suggestions on how to fix the problem. My dogs are Trained in Obedience, Retrieving and Show. The one they are blaming for barking does not Destroy anything in the yard and we can safely lock her in the house and go out for several hours without having anything destroyed. I am currently rotating between leaving her inside, using an Anti Barking Collar and bringing her to work with me and am keeping records of what I am doing each day. What am I suppose to do from here ??

The ingredients in the Supplement are: green lipped mussel powder, shark cartilage and abalone powder. I have spoken to the Manufacturer and they have asked for the remaining product to be returned for further testing and also details from my Vet in regards to my Dogs case history. They have offered Free an alternative product which does not contain Shell fish products. I will keep you posted with any further results.

I have been feeding my dog Shell Fish based supplements now for several years as they get older. Recently I took my 9 1/2 yr Old Male Lab to the vets with a suspect throat irritation. He was given antibiotics for 5 days and it appeared to get better. A week or so after finishing the Antibiotics the symptoms came back again. Another visit to the vets and under full anaesthetic a Scope was put down his throat and a Chest X-Ray was taken. Samples of fluid were taken from his lungs and sent away for Testing. The initial test came back negative but the cultures came back showing a Bacterial Infection on known to Shell Fish, never before seen in Dogs. More antibiotics for an extended period have been prescribed. Discussing his activities over the past few weeks/months, we realised the only contact he has had with Shell Fish is the Supplement I feed them. It appears he may have inhaled some of the powder whilst eating, causing the bacterial infection in his lung. More X-Ray's are to be taken early in the new year to see if the infection has cleared.\ Has anyone else had a similar incident?

Hi Lablover, Glad you had a good trip to the USA, very envious. Congratulations on your 2nd Place in WA........and very good of you to offer the Job to another Handler. Hope your well on the road to recovery. Regards Lyn

Hi Rubystar. It was done as an exercise at the Lab National when it was held in Adel back in 2004. Anyone was able to take their dog in for assessment by the Judge, and issued a certificate of conformation

Check with your local Canine Authority for further clarification in regards to what Associate Reg'd Gundogs are allowed. My understanding is, if it has been registered as a Lab for example then it is eligible, but if it's a cross mix and does not look like the Gundog Breed then you may not be. I had my Associated Reg Male Lab assessed at a confirmation show back in 2004 and given a conformation certificate. Can't get much better than that. The new rules apply from 1st Jan 2011, so if your interested I would be contacting the clubs and putting pressure on them to start the ball rolling for next season. Good Luck everyone. Regards Lyn

The National Retrieving and Field Trials Committee has reviewed the Rules for Gundog working tests and renamed it "Retrieving ability tests for Gundogs" and it now has Titles attached to it. All those Gundogs owners out there, whether Main, Limited or Associate Registered should check out this new Sport. You could end up with a Retrieving Title! The rules are on the ANKC Website - http://www.ankc.org.au/Rules.aspx

Sorry Can't help in Victoria, but I know of a really good one in Adelaide. He also specializes in Acupuncture as well. I have had both my dogs to Matthew and would recommend him to anybody.

Woo Hoo well done - this is a new title isn't it and means that you got 3 birdies back in the bucket. I take my hat off to you The QND title is gained by successfully completing 5 Trials............so that means 15 birds in the Bucket. Thanks for the Congratulations...!!!!

For those of you who know something about Retrieving Trials for Gundogs, I proudly gained my QND (Qualifying Novice Dog) Title on the Long Weekend in June at the Lab Club/Gsp Trials held at Waikerie, SA. Bailey works hard each season and I have a completion rate of about 90%......but never in the placings. At least now this new Title recognizes the effort put in to finish a Trial. I am still aiming for the elusive NRD (Novice Retrieving Dog) Title.............You need 3 wins to get this and I only have to get 2 more with only 7 trials for the year left in SA. I might have to do some road trips to Vic if I haven't achieved my goal by the end of our Season.

I gained my CDX title prior to commencing Retrieving Trials and found it to be an advantage Re: Heeling between the control and firing points. The way you have described to start a pup holding an object is pretty muich how I would do it as well. I was told to sit at the Kitchen table with a cup of the puppies favourite treats and repeat the exercise over and over for 5 to 10 mins each night until perfected, then move onto the next step. They eventually start to pick up what you want and will start reaching for the dumbbell. Good Luck.......if your interested in learning more about Retrieving check out the Australian Working Retriever Central Website Bulletin Board.

There are products on the Market to help Hydrate Dogs Eg: Recharge and Dogade I believe Recharge is for after Exertion however Dogade is recommended for use Prior to exertion. The key is to get your Dog Hydrated prior to exercise to help maintain hydration and stamina during exercise. If either of the above products are unavailable I resort to adding a little Milk to the Water. With the episode of the Dog collapsing - Have you heard about Exercise induced Collapse. Do a Google search and have a read.....it may shed some light on a possible problem! I have heard of some Labs and Border Collies having this problem.

Hi I would try and train your dog to retrieve anything as early as possible and maker it fun so the puppy enjoys it and comes back for more. You can never start too early training for a higher level of competition. I have taken 2 Labs to CDX Titles and would certainly change the way I trained them with the next Puppy. Just make sure you break all the exercises down into little steps before putting them all together for the end result. I also do Retrieving with my Bitch and was introduced to the sport by somebody who told me the desired end result, but failed to explain the breakdown of exercises to achieve the end result. Hence I am still battling in Novice to gain a Title. Good Luck Regards Lynette