Daisy.Tea

So I'm back from the vets with a very sleepy pup

Thanks for that. It's good to hear that they aren't for correction. Atti walks brilliantly on lead. I have a group of show dog people to show me how to correctly use one as well. I've noticed that one lady there used a thin almost shoe lace like lead to show her golden. I am reluctant to get anything online as it's hard to tell what's what and I would prefer to look. Is leaving it till the day a bit risky?

Grafton is a bit far for me to go at this time of year but I saw they have them in melb/ syd next year. So that is something to remember. I have a feeling I will never be free of studying...

You're right. Steph I'm the same with the baby gate even when separated with closed doors they open them to see each other. Most of the time they snooze. It would be different if they were different sizes and dramatically different breeds with different play styles. But Aussies play like Aussies. I've noticed that they both play better with bigger dogs and are drawn to working type dogs. I would be a lot more conscious of leaving a pug with Atticus. Knowing what he is capable of and how he tries to play with the cat. It would be entirely accidental but something I wouldn't risk.

I love my chickens. They are so quirky. I also cannot wait till I am able to have some land for some cows and sheep. It's a long way off...

I agree with your reasons Lisa about the pug. Unless she can supervise them the entire time then it's not particularly safe. You've made me feel a little bit irresponsible in that I don't separate my two during the day. They run and play together, that said Daisy is not quite two yet. And the initial weeks were supervised. And they eat separately and if I'm around and seeing Atti being a bit of a bully because his hormones have started to kick in then he gets a time out. I do think that's why Atti pulls up sore sometimes from all the running but mostly they are supervised and its controlled. He is having xrays today and Daisy is walking around looking for him.

Is there a comb that everyone would also recommend or are they much of a muchness. For some reason I like to line comb through the coats whilst they lounge at night. I'm still working out the best way to groom my two. I've noticed that Atti's coat is quite dry at the moment too... (They are aussie Sheps) Suggestions? I want a new set of proper grooming equipment to replace my cheap ones I bought before I started to think about grooming my dogs more seriously. So far I'm planning on getting a CC fusion brush. Thanks epsinay!

Yay! I'm so happy he's home too. On a side note, I love his name.

I'm intrigued too...

Is that cake for doggies or people? Either way it looks yum! Happy birthday Zeuss.

That's terrible! I can't believe there was no warning about the fireworks. I hope Huxley is found safe and sound soon.

Ooh. This sounds really interesting.

Haven't organised my show schedule up to then But I'm sure I will see you around :) I know my plans up until January! It's because of Christmas and them organising my work schedule in advance. I'm not really that organised...

That's brilliant! Envy really loves the water.

Congratulations! We may see you depending on where a outs in nsw you are showing. I saw an FC the other day and he was absolutely stunning, they are gorgeous dogs.

My Aussies are perfect. Although I would like my girl to be more cuddly, but that is what my boy is for! I would really like a bigger dog one day. But keeping the some of the same personality traits that my Aussies have. Though I think with the looks a large aussie would be quite silly...

Not for a while. Our first will be the 1st December. It was mostly advice from people who don't show Aussies. A snake chain sounds like a much better option!

No one has posted in here for a while but I didn't want to start a new thread. I'm sure this has been answered before but still... I am starting to show my 7 month old Aussie but as I am completely clueless I don't know what to show him in. We use a flat collar most of the time and a fabric martingale for training. The people who show dogs who are helping me show him said they only use check chains. But having never used one before and reading that they aren't always great for the dog I am hesitant. I asked about possibly using a limited slip check as a compromise but was told that could create an undesired lions mane? What do most people use? What should I be looking at getting? I am after some more opinions as I can make an informed choice about what is best to show him in.

I have a girl who does the a similar thing. The walking away that staffyluv mentioned has been really helpful. If you wanted to know a little more its called the 'premack principle' eg. The dog gets what it wants, in this case an environmental reward by getting to go closer to the dogs by doing what you want. That was a pretty basic explanation as I am still learning myself. Another thing that helped me was the 'Look at that Game' from control unleashed where the dog is essentially rewarded for calmly acknowledging other dogs and focusing back on me. She is telling me 'hey mum, there is a dog there, where's my treat?' Instead of carrying on. Your pup is so young though and I wouldn't be that worried at this stage. Don't give up on the club yet, go again and see what he is like. It could just be a whole new experience and more exposure will settle him. Also there is always more than one instructor at the club. Best of luck.

I don't. Most people don't know how to read dog body language. It only takes a second for them (people) to do something unpredictable and cause a problem that can take months to fix. I don't want to risk a problem starting so we do a lot interactions with people I trust and where I can quickly intervene and take the dogs away.

Puppies and Aussies are better than boys. That's how I ended up with Atticus... After a terrible start to the year. I'm so sorry for you. Things will get cheerier and you've got a little star in Nova to keep you company. Reading that it sounds a bit sappy but it's true.

A little bit off topic. But can I ask how people deal with toy sharing? My older dog use to love her toys until the pup came along. He will play with them by himself but also shove them in her face. Then whenever she gets a toy even if he already has one he will get up and take hers and she willingly lets him now. Though she looks so sad... Wondering if anyone has any tips, I usually take the toys off him or if he is being really horrid he gets crated or put in another room with his own things so the older girl can have a turn.

There are so many small dogs in my area. Middle class, families and retirees. In fact our house is surrounded on all but one side by fluffy small, yapping dogs. Then when I walk I often run into various oodles who have escaped and play havoc running across roads.

He is so fluffy! Love!

Have a look at the comfort flex harnesses on cleanrun. They currently have free shipping. I have one for my girl who is a reasonable puller when excited and one for pup when he is bigger. They fit sort of like the ezydog harnesses but are padded all the way around. While not designed to stop pulling I find they offer nice control and are comfortable for the dogs. They Velcro first and then clip together which is also a nice touch.