Sail_Away

Thinking I might get another one of those Nina Ottossman toys for my dog... we have the twister which she worked out but I can't leave the bone pieces in it whilst I'm out cause she eats them!! Need one that is challenging but doesn't come 'apart'... Maybe a new collar for the beach too.. eyeing off those Syntek ones from K9pro...

I emailed Clean Run awhile back and they said they are no longer offering free international shipping as it was not sustainable enough for them Surely the entire DOL community would keep their business afloat over the xmas period....

Oh dear!!!! Saw this today and made me smile...

Well it's now December! Can't believe how fast the year has gone! Just wondering what everyone has on their christmas wish list for the fur kids? Maybe share some great buys or your dogs favourite things...

Maybe I need to look at changing the bags each time... shame because there isn't much dog hair around the house & what's there is short fine hairs... I will look at changing the filters too rather than just cleaning. I was thinking it had something to do with vacuum cleaners with bags.. then I read the 'cat & dog' ones have a 'charcoal' filter? Just can't get over how strong the smell is that comes from the vacuum, makes me not want to use it!

Just wondering if anyone can recommend a vacuum cleaner that doesn't smell like dog every time it's used?? Is this possible? In the past I've had Dyson and now a Miele and both stink when I start using them. I've tried putting essential oil on a cotton ball and placing in the bag which masks the smell temporarily and of course cleaning the filters and changing bags regularly... Most of the house is hard flooring... I have x1 Hungarian Vizsla in the house and she actually has very little doggy odour and sheds minimally, so I can't believe the smell that comes out of the vacuum! Just wondering if there was a particular model/brand that doesn't have this issue? What is the advantage of the 'Dog & Cat' specific vacuums?

Oh yeah I know about 'It's your choice' - I had an excellent instructor at obedience who introduced us to it with food (she does agility with her dogs and was the first to teach us about shaping) - My girl is great at it with food - I can rest food on her paws and she won't touch it until I say 'OK' ... I didm't think about doing it with a toy then integrating that into agility... hmmm... I will start doing that. It's best I always use the same toy isn't it?

Forgot to say - What an AMAZING BC you have! Loved loved the video. I can only dream that one day we can achieve half that skill. My Vizsla certainly has the speed and endurance (not as fast as BC!) but still acting like a silly gun dog haha. Although still a baby I guess

Someone at agility said they made weave poles by buying long screw drivers, placing them in ground and putting PVC piping over them... I thought this sounded ok. I would imagine doing the same with jumps but need some connectors, I didn't realise buntings would sell them but I'll have a look. Yep going to buy some cones to do PNU work. I figure two jumps a tunnel and weave poles is a good combination to work with. I am having trouble 'directing' her at training - so we would do 'check check check' through the jump, then tunnel, then 'push push push' with the other jump - for example but I can't get her over the second jump after tunnel.. I am positive it is my body language and leadership to her but my issue at the moment is trying to maintain her focus. We have only been doing agility for about 5 months so in beginners. She is a Hungarian Vizsla and just turned two. Absolutely LOVES agility and can do the objects no problem but at the moment she wants to run off and play half way through the course or go follow a scent (can you blame a gun dog?? ) So I thought getting the practice in at home is the first hurdle then I just need to get the focus in a distracting environment. Does anyone here find using a toy for drive and reward too distracting for their dog? When I bring a toy out for the reward my girl just can't concentrate on anything but wanting to get it... I can't turn her focus to the task at hand - so at the moment I use treats which works well but the issue is keeps driving toward me and not straight ahead... we use target plates in training and she is great at doing the Aframe for e.g. and touching it at the end but it doesn't work very well for jumps/sequences etc...

Does anyone know where I can buy or make some agility equipment for practice at home? We go to agility training at the club 1-2 nights a week but just wanting to get some extra practice in at home, where there are less distractions ... If only Cleanrun.com had free shipping again because I would get some of there jumps and weave poles. What do most people do?

So many great options out there! Still can't decide between any of them though! Those Maison beds do look good but would love something with a cover... between the snuggle pod and Whippy Wonder bed I think

They have one that is 100% cotton so I would imagine that would breathe a bit ... no different to being under a doona I guess.. sooooo tempting! eek!

Apparently these Snuggle Pods are going to be on Better Homes and Gardens tonight!!!

Yeah the cozy caves are a bit $$ - The snuggle pods are $160 for the large but only $5 postage which is great! In the email the company Miyow & Barkely said if it was too small I could return it within 7 days, so that is really good! I think it must be a V (and whippet) thing! my girl has her chilly dogs coat on during the day whilst inside cause she is shivering... and I live on the Gold Coast The Hungarian's would be rolling their eyes at their Australian ancestors! Thanks so much for this info!!! So good to hear from someone with a large breed who has one.. if your female husky can fit in there then I have no doubt my V girl could too - mine can roll up very tightly and is a bit of a contortionist so would weasel her way in I'm sure.. great to hear they are well made - they looked to be from the pics - I didn't think the Cozy Cave's looked like they were very well made at all... What fabric is your Snuggle Pod in?

I just emailed the company and they said even the large Snuggle Pod might be a bit too small for my Vizsla to get in to.... It's 104cm x 104cm x 36cm high... what a shame!

Haredown Whippets - Yep I have a P4P in this house too.. although it's a favourite it's got a fair few holes in it and I still need to cover her in a blanket cause she feels the cold so much, even with her coat on Lisa - I have a Vizsla... I think I may know who your friend is that has a Pod or two... are there multiple V's in that household.. and a brown dog So I can def recommend Pods 4 Pets but just wondering about these Snuggle Pods as they act like a cave and my V LOVES to get under blankets/doona's etc to sleep Must be a good bed for Vizslas (Vizslak?)! This one is a single dog household Oh ok so another Vizsla owner with a pod then... I think our community makes up about 3/4 of their sales

A snuggle pod or pods 4 pets?

Haredown Whippets - Yep I have a P4P in this house too.. although it's a favourite it's got a fair few holes in it and I still need to cover her in a blanket cause she feels the cold so much, even with her coat on Lisa - I have a Vizsla... I think I may know who your friend is that has a Pod or two... are there multiple V's in that household.. and a brown dog So I can def recommend Pods 4 Pets but just wondering about these Snuggle Pods as they act like a cave and my V LOVES to get under blankets/doona's etc to sleep

Has anyone seen or heard anything about these beds? They look fantastic! I have always liked the Snooza Cuddler beds and the Pods 4 Pets (http://www.pods4pets.com.au) have always been a favourite in this house but I keep hearing good reviews about 'Cozy Caves' but I think these look like better quality and more comfy....??? Oops meant to add a photo of the Snuggle Pod but won't let me upload file size - here is the website, made in Australia too http://www.miyowandbarkley.com/accessories/beds/snuggle-pod-dark-chocolate-microsuede-large

I like the Nina Ottoson stuff... although a bit $$. I got the Twister and although my girl worked it out pretty quickly it still takes her awhile to get all the treats out.. Also have the Busy Buddy one here, Its like a dumbbell shape - I put some kibble in there and big pieces of biscuit + peanut butter to clog up the holes and she spends ages on that one! Maybe also try freezing some of the food in the Kongs so it takes longer to get it out?

I got mine from 100% pets in Tweed Heads... can probably buy online too

I ended up buying a Cloud Collar from 100% pets which is a pet shop in Tweed Heads however, it was actually too big and my girl got it off within minutes... I nearly went to exchange for the next size down but turned out she ended up leaving her wound alone (surprise, surprise!) - If anyone wants mine they are welcome to it

Thanks everyone.. my concern was they might be too lightweight, especially for larger breeds. I have a Vizsla and she is fully crate trained and very well behaved in them but can be a bit excitable so it might tip on her... I wonder when Clean Run are going to do their Free Shipping again - sooooooo much stuff I want to buy

Does anyone own the Clean Run 'Pop Open Crates' and have a medium/large dog? http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=482 I own a soft crate by K9+ and it's great but still fairly cumbersome to take to agility training etc... just wondering if the ones from Clean Run work well for larger dogs still?

I had a look at the Hyundai i30 Tourer/Wagon and although the cargo was definitely suitable, for the price I have decided I would prefer an SUV for the drive height and ground clearance it provides... the wagons have great space in them though!