becks

I would suggest having a break for a week or two from training and then going back to basics and keeping it FUN. Reward for short stays of a few seconds, don't always keep stretching the time for the stays, I think a little bit of unpredictability does a lot of keeping the dog interested and not just thinking you are either constantly asking for more (which can cause some dogs to give up trying as they need more feedback) I have a breed that doesn't like to keep repeating the same exercise, so I have to keep things mixed up - short stays, longer stays, inbetween doing something more fun - tug games, leg weaving, quick retrieve etc and then go back to doing stays but maybe stand to the side or behind the dog, maybe I'll be waving my arms about, jumping up and down or catching a ball - all different things to keep the dog focused and to test the strength of the dogs stay without having to resort to making it longer time. My older giant was particularly found of doing a long/out of sight stay once she realised I would be spending the time hiding her favourite toy or treats, so she got a super reward for it (once released)

I do a lot of the training off lead, but if you are in a class situation or your dog hasn't yet got a good recall you can either get a lead that opens to double length and use the loop around your clicker arm (so it is out of the way) or just stand on the lead. I do find that the dog gets so focused though, that a lead isn't needed. I either have a few treats in my clicker hand (so easy to get hold of fast) as I use the none clicker hand for things like hand touching or getting the dog to follow for twists etc etc so want a treat free hand so the dog isn't just following food. Treats can also be in a treat bad at your belt. The beauty of the clicker though is that you don't need to shove treat in the dog the second you have clicked, they know click means food is coming soon, so you don't need to panic about getting it asap.

could be a disc problem, they often don't show up with a normal xray. That would be something that can come and go and get worse after exercise and stop full extention of leg for a scratch when it is flaring up.

In the last few years Hip scoring has become a recommendation to be done on giant schnauzers who are going to be bred from and a few of the breeders are starting to get their dogs done. As such, there isn't a big enough database to have a realistic average score. So I wonder what people would consider an acceptable score? How much of a variation between each hip remains acceptable before being a potential problem? How do the numerical hip scores compare to the ones in europe that refer to HD A or HD B scores? Is there any simple sites available that explain hip scoring and how it should be used? What does a 'new to hip scoring' person need to know? Does scoring help to improve hips within breeds?

These problems happen from time to time with the UK website too. At least we can backdate the insureance by 2 days to cover for problems with the site or doing it on the phone (as they are closed over the w/e). Recently though the microchip that the pups have also comes with 4 weeks petplan insurance, so I now don't need to stress so much about getting the puppy pack Petplan insurance set up just before they leave.

How are things going with him now?

Wish you had a UK branch so I could order a coat! $50 - what a bargain!!!

goldchow, can you explain what you mean by 'cools the blood'? Surely the blood can only be body temperature?

You should have gone to the world show in paris if you wanted to see poo! the grass strips were more poo then grass/soil by part way through the show

If you are worried about the cold night, bring the pups in at night and have them out in the day.

Dieting is simple - a good diet but less of it then they were on and more exercise.

It's used to treat giardia which can cause weight loss. I use Panacur for my puppies, it is very gentle on them and doesn't cause any upset like other wormers can.

Apart from the ladder and flaming bell, my Giant Schnauzer has done all the other things and they aren't difficult to train. Like with HTM and dog dancing, it is how you put it all together that makes it more special.

Webs.com is the one I use for my website (mine is paid for to get the domain and no adverts on the site) but for a basic, easy to use and free site it is the one I go back to as the others mentioned above don't make sense to me.

Rules for importing dogs into some suropean coutries (UK, Sweden etc) are cchanging from 1st Jan next year, so you would be wise to confirm details, it is basically bringing all the EU into the same way of allowing pets to travel - I'm surprised pups have been allowed in some countried before a rabies jab has been done!

What is there to be nervous about?

Why can't you leave the shampoo on for 10 minutes? Get yourself a bath helper (it has a suction cup to stick to the bath or wall and a short collar attached to it so the dog can't jump out of the bath) and then just take a clock and magazine/book into the bathroom while you wait the 10 minutes.

Do you need a crate in the loungeroom? Can't you just put pup into the bedroom crate when you need him safely contained?

Also check freecycle for pavers, they seem to come up every so often or you could put out a request for some.

So when is the 'Swayd' brand of puppy holders coming out? Maybe Swayd isn't the best brand name.....

I don't like the look of the comets, looks like they forget to put the rosette on the top. I've won some fantastic rosettes over the years and they are up on display, I also have a few really crapy ones from some goods wins inc a BIS you'd think the society could have spent a few extra $$ for nice ones for the top wins at their show.

I've heard of sulphur blocks being placed in the dogs water, but not onto food, surely the smell would put them off?

i'd also not panic over just 4 grapes!

$100 for a consult fee? You have an expensive vet!

I also have a mini schnauzer who is 8 who has one in the same position but behind her left foreleg. It is now about 10cm across and seems to have stopped getting bigger in the last 12 months. Vet and I decided to leave it be unless it causes her problems moving. The weight/plumpness of a dog has no baring on them getting these lumps.