Lablover

English Pointer for a retrieving trial dog????? Could be fun??? My brother in law had an English Pointer who was trained, just like a labrador LOL (was not trained to quarter etc), who did adequately as a pick up dog while duck hunting. Felt the cold terribly mind you and not much of a swimmer. Lovely pet, who suffered from - (controlled) epilepsy, later in life. A gundog is a fun dog - yes, but labradors rule!!!! I think it is great that you seem to be searching for a sport/interest with your dog. As others have mentioned, attend a few events.

I am looking forward, in purchasing the full conference DVD when it becomes available. http://www.iwdba.org/public/iwdbc2007home/.../summaries2007/

First of all, good on the breeders and subsequent owner, who did not think he is suitable as a stud!!!!!! Obviously he has poor nerves for whatever reason. You have your work ahead of you, but toilet training obviously was quick, as well as basic lead training. Good luck.

So many thoughts...good thoughts mind you. But sometimes, it is the dogs fault. Proof proof proof. They are not perfect, just like us...and we are supposed to be the more intelligent species. Many times, after training, ( ESPECIALLY AT TRIALS!!!) and something goes wrong during the session, I sit back and ponder...why did my dog do - whatever it did wrong and more often than not, I did not read the dog correctly. the great trainers know what their dogs are going to do, beforehand. They know their dogs weak points. Really really look at your dog..it does not lie to you. Sometimes corrections are warranted.

Its a fun age, isn't it? Where is the crate? Next to your bed?? If your dog, does not toilet, when you release it from its crate in the morning I would simply, put it back. Strange dog though, as mine always need a pee or poo at that age. If it is running about, and not needing to toilet, I woud take the opportunity, for some training.

Well......tell us, how did the clinic go, yesterday and today. By crickey, it would have been hot yesterday.

OK, I am interested. What type of scent detection???? For what purpose?

Great thread and so many excellent replies. If both sire and dam, have achieved good results by awards, it shows at the very least, they may be suitable match. History and results from around the world, has shown duds can also result, even from the best (on paper) matings. Genetic health is so important. And then we have training training and training. Smarter (what do the experts say, even the MOSTEST clever dog, has the brain power of a 7 year old human child - or is it 4- whatever) .........better drive.........good nerves............good health............. We want it all. So often I have labrador pet owners, say their dogs, are great retrievers, fantastic swimmers being one example, but will their dogs perform a water swim, twice, thrice, if the going was tough???? Fun swimming with nice entry is one thing, to do it repeatedly for the love of the game - our game mind you, is another.

While trying to locate another web site, I found this link, for chicken trainers. By crickey, the things you find on the net. http://vein.library.usyd.edu.au/links/Trainingchicken.pdf

Might as well add my mindless brags too. Bred the 2007 Australian National Retrieving trial champion. Second national win!! Woo ho. Australian retrieving dog of the year (most points overall), was sired by my older stud dog. Whoo hoooo. Yo, who went to the US for some schooling which turned into a disaster, is forgetting his ghosts somewhat. My US import is insane as ever. All other dogs well, no real health dramas this year.

In the meantime to keep the flies out, try to condition her to another type of covering. If she and your other dog are not chewers, plastic strips may help. Do you think the noise of the flap is her main concern?

Vet check, walks off the house block, training and a crate.

Apart from rare herding, playing ball at the obedience grounds or in the garden, where else do you mentally stimulate your dog? I for one would never have believed dogs suffer depression, that is until a recent bout of kennel cough affected all my five labradors. As a result they were not allowed off our property. All my dogs are high drive, but one hid in a cupboard with what I call the sads/bored to tears. Are you absolutely sure no health issues play a part. Joints? Has she always been a quiet type of dog? Dogs do not lie, and if they are not "quite" right, normally there is either a health issue lurking. That is of course if the dog is fit, heat may be affecting the dog also.

Maggiebear, Hope you do not mind me asking, but I should assume your nervy dog has been expected to cope with perceived frightening situations in the past and has coped and gone on to accept many of the dramas. I might try gently pulling her by her lead through the door. Reward every advance, but do not baby her. Might take a few tries, and another person. Does she know any obedience, it may help doing some simple commands first. Try going inside/out via the door instead of outside/in.

If there is no test or competition, where does the pressure come from??????

Small query please? Why do you feel her problems are related to having a high herding drive sire? Are her litter mates temperament similar to your retained dog?

LOL.....SOME so called behaviour experts. How many times have we been told, treat the dog like a dog. DO NOT NAG. Act fairly, consistently with good timing. Dogs do what works for them. Hey, just like us.

I'm tired, but feel like typing. If your dog is fearful it is important to be a confident and consistent owner, exposing the dog slowly and safely. Without focus......we have nothing.

With your, as you put it, "crazed" kelpie, who sounds lovely BTW, I would not bother with a marker which frightens the dog. Move on.

isiss, What type of breed is your dog? Age? History? Only dog? Active type? Generally nervy? Medically sound? Size? Any weight problem? Fitness? That will do for the moment LOL. Just a thought, if a leader of yours was throwing a thousand dollar note, to another respected leader, would you keep trying to catch it? Do not throw rewards away!!! YET!!!

Thanks Wayne and Tangwyn, Peppa's back and right rear leg symptoms are resolving well. The problem toe on her right foot also. Strange that two totally unrelated problems occurred within 24 hours. In hindsight, maybe just maybe if she had not injured her back, I would not have noticed her toe (vet thinks with her fast recovery infection from spike wound or nail bed infection) as quickly. Doubt it, as it was significant, and she would have been off to the vet fast regardless. Our vet, feels she is looking as a starter for the national, heck, the way she is improving this weekend might be a goer also!!!! We will see, as day by day recovery is quite dramatic.

Thanks also Sylvia. Do you suggest I see Barry, for her toe, which is either strained, infected or spider bitten? While unpacking and repacking today, the thought entered my head, she may have injured her toe trying to escape from the confinement crate. After all she has been known to chew a roof liner or two!!!!!

Thanks for your concern Sonic. She is using her right back leg surprisingly well. Unfortunately she is still very sore and lame on her right front leg. Gosh, I was more concerned about her back end and lumbosacral spine. The toe has me beat. It is not fractured, which is a good thing. I checked with the property owner who feels grass seeds are not a problem yet. When I gently palpate her toe, she vocalises, very unusual for Peppa who being a labrador is fairly stoic. Naturally when let outside she runs about like a looney, then quickly holds her paw off the ground. Been reading about various spiders near the Murray River. I think I will stop as it is so worriesome with skin necrosis and the many other possible consequences. She is travelling up with the other two tomorrow regardless, so I can keep an eagle eye on her. Wish I could do more today. CT scan, MRI lol lol. Tarot reader????????

Bit sad. On the last training run on Sunday, I noticed Peppa looked uncomfortable.By the time we had returned to our lodging, she would not place her BACK leg down. Off to a local country chiropractor the next morning. Stretched muscle treated. Advice - rest for 24 hours. Returned from training, after leaving Peppa quiet in a crate yesterday. She would not put her right FRONT foot down. On the way home today, dropped Peppa off at our trusted vet. Xrays taken of her foot (in case of fracture). Hip and lumbosacral spine radiographs performed for good measure. Front foot xrays clear. No grass seed puncture seen on examination. Spider bite??? Hips normal. Slight disc space narrowing. Cortico-steriod injections. Damm, a black cat must have passed, which I had not noticed, while making sure no snakes were about. Miracle if she makes it to the national this year. Oh well, life goes on.

Ha. CJ...yes. Yank was vocalising big time, at one time. Naughty boy. Of course I blame myself, as always.