Pjrt

Are they any good for border collies...I usually use a rake I clearly remember using that rake on our corgi growing up, and had and used one throughout my early years as a groomer. You would be better served with a rake with longer teeth for a BC. Would be great on a short coat BC but for the traditional coat type, longer teeth will be better.

I use the dremmel stylus. I find the trigger design much easier to manoeuvre than the straight design.

I would much prefer to travel a small dog in a carry crate than put a muzzle on it.

A couple of Grufs favourite outfits Here he is dressed by Max of Royston Park And here he is accessorised by Salvos

That's interesting blinkblink I understand what you're saying. I have done training with my 2 whom I have had since they were pups. But my Nicky who is 3 years old and been with me for about 3 months obviously hasn't had any previous training but she is the easiest dog I've ever had. She doesn't respond to single work commands eg if I say "out" the others will go outside and she will ignore me but if I say "come on Nicky time to go out" she happily trots outside. She also gives me funny looks if I offer her food outside of mealtimes - she thrives on pats and cuddles. Thanks for posting. I do find my journey with Gruf so much more relaxing and rewarding than the experiences I have had over many decades of traditional training and conditioning. I got Gruf out of the AWL shelter at around 10 months old. He had no 'training' at all. Most people would have thought of him as unmanageable but I saw an empty slate. I don't believe he had been mistreated, but most likely grew up in a yard behind a fence with little stimulation or experiences. I call the 'training' I do with Gruf as 'organic' . It makes me pay close attention to what he gives me, and how I respond to what he does. I don't need him to respond to tradition commands or any command. By avoiding verbal commands we have developed a much more innate system of understanding each other.

Oh dear so sorry - I've corrupted him with a game of Its Yer Choice (ie no snatching) oops. Evil hound put on a choral performance for the porridge bowl this morning. She can hear when I put it down (I'm finished) when she's at the other end of the back yard and I'm in the house... Haha no problem. I don't mind other people giving him food rewards, and even inhibiting his snatch response in the doing!

Yeh, I think Gruf does OK. Plus he "self rewards" when he finds all those special toys on his walks. It's quite mysterious how many lost soft toys are to be discovered in his part of the world ;) Haha yes. We have a special 'hunting ground' for pre loved soft toys

I dont see going for a walk or an outing as training. I never do formal training with my dog. Some people find it hard to imagine or understand, but after many dogs and many years of traditional types of training, i decided to go in the opposite direction with Gruf. I can say he is the happiest most relaxed dog I have ever had, and i believe, mostly as a result of having zero performance pressure in his life. I am quite sure people who have met him will attest to his good behaviour and relaxed nature. Yes i do things very differently. That does not however mean i want to preach to others. People are free to train and model their dogs behaviour whatever way they see fit as long as it is humane. Gruf does not know he is missing out on food rewards because he doesnt know what it is. He does get a food 'treat' at bedtime and if i am leaving him home alone for more than a few hrs. His life doesnt revolve around what performance he can show me to get a food reward. He just does stuff because he knows it will bring other benefits.

I'm one of those that hates having dogs around while preparing and eating food. And I don't have a treat culture either. neither could I stand to have a dog that everywhere we went we had to take a bunch of treats or a pouch with us. He just doesn't know what food treats are all about. he does what I ask for the reward of my acknowledgement and affection, not food treats. I love having a dog that is not obsessed by every piece of food in his presence. However.....if I showed him my open hands, he'd probably try to lick them"

Gruf is really enjoying whole fish heads. Large salmon/trout heads take him about ten minutes to eat. He is a young medium size dog. The fish head do require quite a bit of crunching up but the bones are not really hard. There is a video of him eating one on his FB page ' It's A Gruf Life'

Another breed I thought of a bit to left of field again....... A hairless Crestie.

I can wholeheartedly recommend a Gruf pound puppy He ticks all their boxes. It took a while and some determined persistence to find the right fit for my crazy life, with a shelter dog, but boy am I glad I persisted.

If they love the spaniel, take a look at the Field Spaniel. They generally carry a lot less coat than cockers and springers. Out of left field suggestions ....... Corgi and Keeshond

For wire folding crates, Vebo.

I won't ever use fenced dog parks mainly because i can't relax while I direct my own dogs behaviour as well as try to direct other owners and their dogs. It simply is not a relaxing thing to do. I don't want need or care for my dog to interact with other dogs regularly. Especially in a fairly uncontrolled environment. When I take my dog out for a leash walk or for an off lead romp, I just want to meander about and not have to be controlling every moment of the experience.

Thanks for the update. Im sure Zac will have a happy retirement. Sorry I missed your call this arvo. I was busy giving my full attention to 17yo Charlie, bless him.

Is a grape vine all that dangerous? Could you not fence it off? Seems a drastic measure and no guarantee a replacement won't be just as bad Because some dogs are so sensitive to grapes that a mere handful can be fatal, or at best cause long term kidney damage. Not worth the risk.

Avoid avocado. It is no good for dogs. ETA..... Avocado plant probably won't kill your dog but it can cause stomach upsets etc. better avoided.

If I had a Labrador I'd probably call it Sulo........

Murray.

Anzac A friend of mine had a little female blue cattle dog called Yakka.

What stage of teething are they at? If they have lose teeth or erupting teeth that might put them off chewing kibble or pigs ears etc.

I have to agree I don't see why any bitch needs to have more than four litters unless exceptional circumstances arise. I doubt it will make a difference to volume breeding wharehouse style puppy breeders. They will just dispose of the bitches at a younger age, once they've pumped out four litters by the time they're three or four years old, and replace them. It might make life slightly harder for the farmer, and slightly better for the bitch if it is re homed at a relatively young age. But unless it's strictly policed and enforced, I think it's more talk and little action.

I think westiemum has converted (to chihuahuas) and run away with him!

Is little Zac settling in to a new home yet?