whiskedaway

Guys, those who are nitpicking on the way she says things need to actually read her blog. She does tend to be a little harsh and no-nonsense, and even her blog posts that are aimed at breeders read that way - one I can think of off the top of my head is about line-breeding. So that's just the way this person is. But the overall points are good.

This is Akira wearing one, as you can see it doesn't go all the way back.

Glad you enjoyed your visit Weski, we drove over from Adelaide to visit the pups when we got Hales and we had the best time. Can't believe that was over a year ago!

I knew who'd written this the instant I read the first point, LOL. She does have some really good articles on her blog.

That's because they're awesome. ;) I may be a bit biased... Slightly off topic.. but I've been wanting to say for a while now how beautiful your dogs are! I'm always stopping when I see your signature in a thread. Their markings are so brilliant :D Aww thanks. :) We love them both to death. I sometimes wonder how we got so lucky, because they're both lovely gentle girls too. :laugh:

1. Watch 2. Stand if a show dog, sit if not. Therefore Akira was taught sit, Halo stand, after a week or two Halo learnt sit by watching Akira. 3. Recall - I played hide and seek with Hales, she has a pretty good recall now because I made it fun. 4. Stay Training starts the instant they come home.

That's because they're awesome. ;) I may be a bit biased...

Baby this year. Maybe puppy next year or early the year after - OH and I are discussing. ;) Need a bigger house first.

We went last year and camped on the showgrounds, which was super convenient (only had to walk 5 min to and from the show) but a friend stayed at a caravan park (pretty sure it was Limestone Coast Tourist Park) and they were dog friendly with a large dog exercise yard. Haven't decided about Easter this year, I think we're wanting to have a relaxing long weekend at home! :laugh:

Not necessarily, Halo's breeder doesn't have titles in sports, yet Hales is super focused and will definitely be a sports dog. Her agility isn't as good as Akira yet, but I don't really focus on agility that much with her (she's only done some foundation classes), at the moment we're focused on obedience. I think if you let a breeder know what you want, they should be able to pick pups that are more likely to have the necessary temperament.

The tracking progress is sounding great! Something I'd like to try one day I think. :) What's the best way of training a dog to drop straight? Halo tends to stick her bum out and at the moment I'm guiding it in as she drops so that hopefully she'll realise it has to be straight. Surely there's a better way? Also, in a recall, she does her recall and sits automatically, however she's not as close as I want her to be (she probably sits about 50cm from me rather than her nose being close to my knee). Any suggestions on how to get her closer? At the moment I'm luring her closer as I take a step back with one foot, then moving back into position when she gets to where I want her to be. Different dogs have different problems hey? Never had these issues with Akira, but I also never had a dog that wants to work like Hales does!

How long to go Ellinnet? Months! By choice though. In the midst of house renovations and hopefully selling and moving before we get ours. By the end of the year though. Oh so many lappie puppies, while I love my trained adult, I would love another puppy!

My cousins bought a pup from Elspan last year, and I was so impressed with how well socialised she is. One of those pups that isn't afraid of anything. :)

ROFL! Mine is a sloth at night, don't wake her up unless your life depends on it!

My dogs love their crates, we keep one downstairs and my older girl (who was never crate trained, but just took to a crate really easily when we got one when she was about 8 months old) sleeps in it all the time. Actually, if she thinks she's in trouble she'll go and hide in her crate because it's a safe place.

Change Husky to Akita and you're set! In fact, you could probably change that to say don't get a spitz breed if those are your requirements. :laugh: Hugo obeys me, was easy to train, I trust him off-leash, he bends over backwards to please me during a training session until I get tired or bored.. Maybe I got a mentally retarded dog because he seriously isn't a pain in the ass that Spitz people keep insisting their dog "group" is just generally like :laugh: I would say don't get a Vallhund if you don't want to suffer a stroke every time they bark (which they will LOL, in a very loud, sharp, ear-piercing fashion). Also they shed a hell of a lot. "Moderate shedders" my arse. Can't think of anything else, but I'm particularly biased in thinking that every person should have a Vallhund Oh, don't get one if you hate the constant thud of tennis balls dropped into your lap, though I haven't a clue if it's like that for all Vallhunds or not. Halo is like that too, Dju, but I have a feeling she may be the exception rather than the rule! LOL!

Oh gosh, where do I start? Don't get a Husky if: - You want a dog that obeys you. - You want a dog that's easy to train. - You want a dog that you can trust to come back if it gets out. - You want a dog that won't give you the finger in the middle of a training session. - You want a dog that will live in harmony with small animals even if its not used to them. - You don't want a dog that sheds. Probably stacks more, but they're the ones that have annoyed me lately, and my girl is pretty well trained. :laugh:

Hey Charley, as Lappiemum said come say hi in the Spitz thread in the Breed Sub Forums. There's a few SA lappie people in there. :)

So sorry, Rysup. RIP Sarah.

What breed are you getting? I absolutely adore my CC brush (I have the brass fusion oblong) and the girls love being brushed with it. Like FlowerProwler, I have a lappie, and I also have a husky, so they're both longer coated. They are expensive though, and I will admit I don't use the CC brush when they're dropping their coats because I find it doesn't get all the coat out. I use a shedding comb for that and then go over the top with the CC brush afterwards.

Will they? I hope not - surely it has to be done in writing? DogsSA changed my name over the phone - they were the ONLY place I spoke to that didn't require my marriage certificate to change it.

Does anyone know how common neuter classes are in SA? I have to admit I've never really paid much attention before.

Mirawee, I'm always happy to help out - I won't be moving as fast as I currently am, but I'll always help with a lappie. :)

I wish we could have time for shopping, we'll be doing SA's Spitz show on the Saturday, driving over on Sunday in time for Monday. It will be exciting though!

I will say things to the dogs like "where's dad?" and "come to mum". Pretty sure I don't say it to anyone else though, though someone laughed at me at a show when I said to Halo "look, Dad's coming!" :laugh: OH mum calls them her grand-dogs and says she's their nan, though she'll be nan to our skin-baby when it's born.