**Super_Dogs**

I was doing the bank account thing. But I did insure Kenzie (she will no doubt never get sick seeing as though I've done this!!). Bank account thing is good if you're prepared to make some pretty hard decisions. I've spent close to $10,000 on Emma in the last 6 months, about $5000 was elective surgery. I wanted to do the best by her. It hasn't worked out and I'm still out of pocket. If she were insured it would have been covered I'm pretty sure, and the other $5000 that was not elective but life saving definitely would have been covered. So I've decided that I will insure all my new pets (all my current ones other than Kenz are too old to be covered for illness - and that's the bit that gets them as they get older!). Thanks. :D You reminded me when I originally got the pet insurance one of the main reasons was for the peace of mind so I never have to make a decision about vet treatment for my dogs based on $$. So you helped me decide. I will keep the pet insurance. Isn't it the way, the one pet you don't insure it the one you need the insurance for.

I do not have a Doggy First Aid kit, but the thing I use most on my dogs is Aloe Vera gel.

Did you have to pay the 80% and where reimbursed from the pet insurer?

I have pet insurance but have been thinking about a bank account instead. For my 4 dogs I pay $130 a month which if I save this is $1500 a year. This would not go far for some serious, like surgury, but if you have a few years of no vet bills there would be enough in the account. How much does everyone normally have a year in vet bills? Excluding vacinations. For me the last 12 months have been expensive with a dogs eating chocolate, a severe allegic reation and elbow surgury. However I have gone years without any vet bills (except vacinations). I am undecided what is the best option.

I was very lucky and my vet came to me. :D I was so grateful when he offered as I was also wondering how I was going to manage! I can imagine it would help to have a few helpers.

If you are happy with "Ruby Red" - it is a light red colour - these Soft nubuck leather collars are only $9 plus delivery. link This sits has good collars at a fantastic price. My 5 month old lab is wearing a green one and I also have a purple one for my 3 year old lab. I also brought a martingale from here for my puppy which we use for training.

Not knowing your dog - this is a really hard one. My dogs have no problems with long car rides. Most of them just lie down and sleep! If you dog is fine in the car I personally do not think the long trip and the kennel would be any different to a short trip and kennel. I kennel my dogs every year. My dogs always come home happy and tired!! I know however it is alot more worrying for owner with one dog as the dog will be in a kennel on its own. Maybe you could ask the kennel about what playtime your dog will get and how much human interaction? This may help to make up your mind.

I used Yola to create my site. Super easy The tech support is very good. I did pay as I also brought a domain name. It only cost me a total of just under $100 for an ungrade to the website template and 2 years for the domain name. I thought this was really cheap!! I think the prices have gone up alittle recently though.

I used a combined product for heart worm, intestinal worms and fleas called Sentinal Septrum. I find this costs effective as it is cheaper than buying all 3 products seperately. It is also very easy as it just one chew once a month. They also make a product with just heart and intestinal worms (no fleas) called Interceptor Spectrum I cannot recommend an All Wormer on its own as it has been so long since I have brought anything but Spectrum. Whatever you decide to buy I would recommend buying from an online store rather than a vet - you will save heaps!!

I have seen this. Dogs, who are an only dog, gets sooo excited when they get to play with another dog they they do not know when to stop.

I agree with fuzzy82. I want my dogs to have high value for me - not other dogs or the environment. Think how frequently someone says when training there dog "they do if perfectly at home". I don't take my dogs to the dog park. I have 4 dogs at home - so they plently of opportunity to play at home. I socialise them when they are young by taking them to family/friends places with other dogs and take them to a training class where they meet many other dogs. I want them to be friendly when approaching or approached by other dogs and do not want them to want to play with the dogs they meet. When they have said a nice hello to another dog for a minute that is it the focus is on me. The beauty of dog training class is they are also meeting lots of different people!! I think it is important to remember to socialise your dog with children (if you don't have them). I did not do this with my first dog as at that time I did not know alot of people with children, and when she did meet a child and baby for the first time she was obsessed!!!

I think I am going to go back and reteach the position. Will be worth it in the long run! I am also going to try the 2 food game.

Now you say that........I also have the 4on problems. Sometimes 2on 2off and sometimes 4on. If she is 4 on - she is right on the end though. Do you think this really matters? I have never really worried as the idea is to stop at the end.......but I am now thinking it may be a problem.

Thanks so much - some great ideas here The Spotted Devil - What is the 2 food game? It sounds interesting. Can you refer me to some info I can find out about this? Delta Charlie - I think you hit the nail on the head. I was rewarding her for getting into position - even if she was slow. She knows the position - that is not the problem. I now need to increase my criteria to get into position quickly and only reward this.

You would not believe what happened to me. I have pet nsurance for my 3 dogs - I think it is great. I recently got my 4th dog - a puppy from our recent litter. I recommended to all the puppy buyers to get pet insurance. Time went by and I kept forgetting to organise the pet insurance for my puppy. When she was 11 weeks old she fractured her elbow which required surgery costing us thousands of dollars. I was so cranky at myself.

She speeds onto contact obstacles. She loves the dogwalk - it is her favourite! On a dog walk she is slow at the end when she gets into position (2on 2 off). So she gets to the end, then slowly crouches down. On an A Frame she is slow as soon as she gets over the top.

I reward her 2 different ways. I reward her while she is in the 2on 2 off position on the plank or, if I am in front of her I release her and then reward her. She can get into the position wherever I am - distance, in front or behind - this is what we have been working on. She was taught the 2on 2off through shaping. Alot of patients was required here!!!

No I did not use a target. She was initially trained 2 on 2 off in a down position. On the equipment this is more like a sit at the end. She knows the criteria and is reliable getting into it - but she is slow moving into the position.

Mine also did everthing as normal. She was even jumping fences

This is also what do to stop puppies from biting. You can also making a crying type noise as a puppy would. I have recently brought a crate for my labrador puppy - it is very hard to work out what size as you don't know how big they are going to get. I have both a 36 inch and 42 inch crate. One of my labs is small, she only weights about 26 kg - she fits fine in the 36 inch crate. My boy though is about 38kg and his head hits the top of the 36inch crate when he sits down. Goldies stand pretty tall - so I would go with the 42 inch. Maybe you could ask the breeder what size they use? If you go with 42inch this is going to be way to big when the pup is young - so you will need to get a divider. It is best to start off with a metal crate as your puppy may chew through the fabric one.

Hi, I am currently working with my dog proofing 2on 2off for contacts. She is doing great.....but is alittle slow at getting into position. We are praticing on a board at home, but she is even slower on the actual equipment. She is not a super speedy dog on the agility course so I want to speed this up. Does anyone know how I can get her into position (2on 2off) quicker???? Thanks

Thanks for your ideas My pup has had a pillow as her bed but she is getting too big for this! Funny.....I did not think to check at Kmart and I go there all the time. Dju - love the pic

I have both nylon and canvas leads and I personally do not find any difference - and I have large dogs. So if it was me, I would keep what you have. If you are planning on taking your puppy to basic obedience I would check with the club you are going to before buying a check chain as there are alot of differing opinions about check chains and I have noticed at some training clubs they are not recommended. I would suggest starting with a flat collar. Leather collars are good for everyday as they are very durable, however I do not like walking my dog with a leather collar. So if you only want to buy 1 collar - I would go with a fabric one to start with.

Hello I am wanting to get another dog bed for the new edition to the family. I need a large bed that looks decent as it will be for inside. My problem is I hate spending alot on dog beds ;) Does anyone know of any online stores where I can find a dog bed for a good price? Thanks

I agree with jemappelle. I had a problem with one of my dogs doing this. As soon as the area was blocked off and the dog could not get to the fence - problem solved!