Cosmolo

Whereabouts are you located? I do think that working her in drive in other situations would help as well as teaching an off switch at flyball- which flyball enthusiasts may frown upon as they wouldn't want to do anything to diminish drive but you can do it in a way that works with her drive rather than 'against' it so that she still gets most of what she wants but you have a more reliable dog that will switch off when required.

It sounds like flyball it "switching her on" and she doesn't have a reliable "off switch" when the flyball is over. I wouldn't recomend taking the flyball away completely but perhaps you need to do some training in drive in other places and situations and teach her a complete 'off' switch. I would be interested to know how old the dog is as i don't think the flyball has undone your training- rather explored a side of her (working in drive) that perhaps wasn't gone into as thoroughly during her training as what is now required. I'm sorry to hear about her killing a chicken but i do also think that small livestock and dogs unsupervised together can be a ticking time bomb. If she is doing flyball once a week, she may be looking for and lacking drive satisfaction at other times hence the fate of the poor chicken.

I'll be there with partner but no dog this time. Cosmo will make an appearance on the Sunday though.

If you are after a good trainer, Kathy Koppellis McLeod runs Kathy's Private dog training- RSPCA should be able to give you her number if you can't find it in the White Pages. Much cheaper than Bark Busters and much more effective. Let her know Tamara from Underdog in Melbourne recomended you.

Erny, will you be at K9 force's seminars on the 18th and 19th November? Hope to see you there. It is interesting where different paths can take us but terrific when we can work toward something we love! I'm sure you'd agree that the process can often be as rewarding as the end result. Best example of this for me would have to be doing scent detection with Cosmo during the course when she was only 5 months- the process was at times very difficult but i'm so glad to have had that experience and it made the end result that much more incredible! She won her first obedience trial a few months back- have since been incredibly busy so haven't been able to do more with her but hopefully next year will see things open up for her (and us!) in the obedience and agility rings. See you soon

Hey Erny- SM and i are thrilled to hear that you are getting into search and rescue and both think you will do an absolutely fabulous job. Wish you all the best with it.

When i was working in shelters in Perth, we regularly saw dogs with demodex and treated them with Ivomec with no known side effects or consequences. They were also on cephalexin for an intial 2 week period. This was used on all breeds, collie x's included

What breed puppy will she be getting?

I have many clients whose dogs have bitten before- dog or human and contact us for assistance. Euthanasia should be a last resort after consultation with a professional. However, although most issues can be rectified/ managed, the question needs to be asked- is this an appropriate home for those issues to be worked with/ managed? For instance if a dog has an aggression issue that is somehwat unpredictable to the owners and they have small children- that may not be an safe home to work with the issue and euthanasia may be an option.

Which shelter did you get the dog from? Only reason i ask is because we train dogs at one of the Melbourne shelters and may know the dog you have if it is from the same place? Feel free to email me if you don't want to post. [email protected]

Erny, Can only imagine how you feel at the moment. Kal was very lucky to have you as her owner, her years spent with you would have been all any dog could wish for. She was an incredibly special dog and i am both devastated yet relieved that she is now in a peaceful place. Our thoughts are very much with you and if there is anything at all we might be able to do, please just let us know. Cosmo, Otto and Jess would be happy to provide cuddles if it may be of some comfort to you. So sorry to hear of your loss. All our thoughts, TJ and SM

Try Ormond Veterinary Clinic on North Road, they run puppy classes with a few really good trainers.