Kavik

Kaos *JDM title * a couple of ADM quallies * a couple of JDO and ADO quallies * GDX qually * Continue to work on focus and our tugging

Whereabouts are you?

No.

I'm going to send my order to my mum to bring over here in January :laugh:

One of my friends recently went for a job interview at Google. He said the offices were AMAZING! and the amount of non-work stuff there for relaxation and to destress was unbelievable, including spaces for taking a nap, games rooms, family friendly dining. Are they wooses there too? Here are some pictures http://www.zdnet.com/photo-gallery-googleplex-in-sydney_p3-1139256655/

Well, the first step would be entry TO the campus. Requires some basic science to qualify to get there. The beneficial effects of dogs (& other animals) on human health (both mental & physical) has been measured in scientifically rigorous research. One such is the Harvard Study of Adult Development which has been following the lives of a cohort of regular people since 1937 (over 70 years). A significant finding was that 3 factors stuck out as 'gold coins' around happiness & well-being. Happy intimate relationship like a good marriage, having good friends and owning a dog. Across all the adult stages. It's not a case of touchy feely.... there are physiological benefits that follow. Providing groups of people with access to animals, is not confined to dogs. Army groups have always had animal mascots. At Enoggera's Gallipoli Barracks, the mascot for the Transport Battalion is... a camel. For the Signallers... a rooster. Both of which are cherished & cared for, on base. The major battalion there has an Australian Cattle dog called Blue. All of those mascots are officially recognized. Blue has even got a promotion. I think he's now a corporal. This group researches the benefits of animals on human health, it is fascinating :) http://www.anthrozoologyfoundation.org/

Yeah I hope that is all it is too. The kids are feeling better - staying home today anyway just to be sure - so they are driving me a bit mad being stuck in the house :laugh:

An update about Zoe. Took her to the vet. She has a sore ear and some dermatitis so we are going to clear that up and see if that stops the strange behaviour. If the behaviour continues we will go back and see what else it might be.

Is it possible to find out what commands the dogs already know? Might be worth it just to know and learn those few words so they can at least communicate a bit with the dogs. They can then replace the old commands with the new ones.

This makes me very glad that my house is too small to accomodate guests :laugh:

Yep, thank goodness we have air con! Way too hot out there at the moment! Everybody inside!

Thanks guys. I'm going to take her tomorrow morning, having to deal with sick children today.

I think it is time for a vet visit for Zoe Her behaviour is not normal for her. Slept under the bed again last night, barks as soon as I put her outside, lying very close to me in the house, looking a bit flat.

So they need kennels even if they only have a few dogs?

The only other worrying thing is that she is randomly barking, sometimes for a while, and sometimes growling - for no reason that I can tell. It is probably just a sign of aging, but I am deciding whether it warrants a vet visit or not.

My old girl (13 yrs) has recently also decided that under the bed is the best place to be. It was the only place she would settle last night. She loved going under the bed as a pup, but hasn't done it in a long time. I'm still deciding whether it is indicative of something going on with her.

I'm not sure why you have a problem with the name? All dogs that are main, limited or sporting registered would have a similar sort of name. Some people are lucky and get some say in the dog's registered name, a lot of people don't.

Can you change their registered name then? I don't think so. Unless there is some way you can have the dog registered as an Associate?

You have to enter with the name the dog is registered in with the state body.

Zoe is now 13 years old. Still healthy and active and likes to go for walks, chase a ball, tug and do training. However I have noticed some behaviour changes. She is barking more now, and randomly growls when in her crate for no reason I can tell. She was always rather vocal but it is getting worse, and she used to be quiet in the house but now barks inside as well as outside. Last night she paced around the house in the middle of the night and only settled down when she was allowed into our room to sleep under the bed. Any ideas on how to manage this behaviour? My OH is not as tolerant of the noise.

I'm so sorry RIP Toby

Very cute! I also have a GSD named Diesel :laugh:

The specs for equipment can be found in the rules. Can't wait to see the final product! OH and I aren't handy :laugh: The most I've been able to make is a wobble board and a travel plank :laugh: http://www.ankc.org.au/Rules.aspx

I have an allergy boy as well. I just do regular bathing with Malaseb and when it really flares up and he chews a hole in himself (happens every few months) we get cortisone and antibiotics. He is still itchy, but it varies a lot. Antihistimine helped a little bit for a little while, but made him really sleepy (and he is lazy enough as it is!) and then he went back to scratching, so I haven't tried it again.

She is gorgeous :)