Kavik

Is there any particular brand of wool wash that people recommend? I have heard a lot about coconut oil - has anybody used this and seen improvements with skin conditions?

I've found an area where Kaos is asking lots of questions. If I decel for a turn (say for a front cross to go back the same way or a post turn), sometimes he will stop and pull off the jump, or will do that jump very slowly. We also did a sequence at training where we did a lead out pivot which asked the dog to go over one jump then past the plane of another jump which was offset, then when we pivot to take that jump. He was very hesitant to go past the plane of the jump. What I have just tried one session of is working on sending him over one jump for our tight turns (send from stationary over a jump then either front cross or post turn), and plan to add another jump or a tunnel and another jump to be able to work the accel and decel. Just realised I also need to work some different angles too. I am able to use tugging as a reward for this in the backyard but will have to use food or a thrown toy at training. Any suggestions welcome.

I can do it if you like :)

Oooh Beauceron - very nice!

What are they like with kids? I am in Mt Colah.

What is the point of having a trained security dog and then keeping it muzzled? :p Wow, pretty glad I don't live in Vic, or even more so than before... Is it actually illegal to do bite work with your dog or just no competitions, official training clubs and such? Actually illegal to do bite work in VIC

Love the ears Zereuloh :laugh:

I am sure others will have ideas . . . What about placing the ball in the room where he can't see it, ask him to do something and when he does, run to the ball and play. Or start smaller - what about if the ball is in your pocket? For now you want to reward straight away but not have to have the reward right in front of him. Once you can do it with one exercise on its own, then you can start extending it to more than one thing. I'm not sure if it is doable by Sunday though!

I guess another reason why dogs may not be allowed at schools is the issue of cleanliness - the possibility of wee and droppings. In this regard, it would make no difference if it was a 'school' or a 'voting area' on the day. Considering I see dog droppings on the sidewalk on the same street as the school while dropping my son off, it seems people cannot be relied on to pick up.

There was a boofy black dog at the primary school where I voted today. I never take my dogs, they are not supposed to be on school grounds.

Very pretty fellow! I think it is great that he isn't toileting in the apartment! Would it be possible to take him out more often so that he doesn't have to hold on for so long? It doesn't have to be for a long walk, just a little 'pee break'. Eg when you wake up, then before you go to work, then as soon as you get home from work, then your walk, then before bed etc.

What are people's views on heartworm and flea/tick products for dogs with sensitive skin? Currently I am using Interceptor for heartworm/intestinal worms and Advantix for fleas/ticks (I am in a tick area). One of the dogs with sensitive skin doesn't like me putting the Advantix on and tries to get away. Not sure what else to use, I've heard Frontline is not as effective. I have kids so has to be something which is safe to touch once it is dry. Also deciding whether to go back to Heartgard, as one dog's skin problems is recent and this is the only recent product change.

I've been really happy with it. It is a bigger kibble size than current one and must taste better too. I've had my dog on it for the last 4 weeks. Thank you for the positive feedback! Will definitely be giving it a go! Ingredients list looks promising.

Hi Sparden, Contact koalathebear, she is organising something in the ACT :)

I am glad you are enjoying the club! I found that there were only a couple of Recallers games that needed more than one person, most could be done on my own (now even restrained recalls can be done by myself!). Don't hesitate to let me know if you want some help with any of the games.

ProPlan has a new sensitive skin and stomach formula which I will try when I can get a hold of it http://pets.purina.com.au/proplan/dog/proplanSensitiveSkinStomach.asp

Since a few of my dogs have dermatitis at the moment, so sensitive skin, I'm trying to reduce things which could possibly be causing a problem. I've done a big cleanup of the yard and getting rid of any suspicious looking plants. Since it is more than one dog, I'm wondering if it is something in the environment. Any ideas on products which would be mild so OK for dogs with sensitive skin? Laundry detergent Dishwashing liquid Floor cleaner suitable for wooden floorboards Best food

You could try Its Yer Choice, one of Susan Garrett's impulse control games. I have given it a go properly for the first time with my puppy and it is so awesome! Impulse control and focus and not to take the treat until they are given it or told they can get it.

How did you go with Recallers? Have you had success with some of the games in there? The main thing that taught me was that I have to keep Kaos busy if I want to keep his attention. Once I established some games we could play at training and trials I have kept his focus much better. It doesn't even have to be Recallers games, just something to keep the connection between you. And I only have him out and with me if I am paying attention to him and working him, otherwise he is in his crate. He only ran off once last year (the Nationals!) and not a single time so far this year.

I'm so sorry

This is the rulebook from the USA - it doesn't sound like racing to me. http://www.nacsw.net/sites/default/files/file/NACSW_Rule_Book%2C_7.2_2013._03.22.pdf

Thanks dragonwoman! Sounds a lot more complicated than I realised!

Thanks for the replies! I think Kaos would like both, though precision in obedience is not our strong point :laugh: mostly because he is not as keen on close work. But his focus while walking leads me to believe we could get decent heeling. Fronts could be a challenge :laugh: Diesel is the only one of my dogs with a nice close front. megan - do you know why they aren't looking at ANKC recognition? I would have thought that they would want that. Flyball is the only really successful sport with titles that is not through ANKC.

Walking a Rally course sounds like it would be interesting! Nosework is basically scent detection. I'm not sure what trialling in Nosework entails (it is a recognised sport in the USA) so not sure how physically taxing it is. I know they have to search different rooms, luggage etc. Looks like lots of fun!

Kaos is 7 1/2 now I'm hoping to be able to do another year or so of agility with him (would really like to get his JDM). I'm trying to decide what to try with him once I retire him from agility. So far I am thinking of Nosework or Rally. Nosework looks really awesome in that it is so much about motivating them and looks like the dogs have a ball! I have an idea of what is involved (did a scent detection course in 2003) but have not gotten a dog up to decent standards in it before. At the moment it is pretty new and not ANKC recognised. I would probably prefer to do a recognised sport, see if I can get to a competition level with him. Hopefully have it recognised soon. Rally looks (to me) to be more interesting than traditional obedience. I like that you can talk to the dog. They also look to have some interesting exercises. While our obedience isn't yet precise enough to compete in an obedience discipline (since you don't need that kind of precision obedience for agility) I think we could polish it up and teach the new exercises that Kaos doesn't yet know. Any thoughts or experiences?