squeak

Depends what you are looking for. Why not come along on Sunday and watch the classes and decide for yourself? Classes start at 8.30am and finish 9.30am at Waratah Park, Sutherland.

http://www.petnetwork.com.au/cgi-bin/shopp...;cart_id=838500 http://www.callicoma.com.au/training1.htm#Plastic_dumbbells

** bump ** I'd be interested to know the answer to K9 Force's question.

Perhaps email or PM Cordy - she seems to be the quaratine guru!

I think it might be area specific, but it might also be that trainers in certain areas are lead by other people to do one course over another. Some instructors (not all) that I train with seem to quietly shake their head in disbelief that I am doing the NDTF course and not the Delta course. I have tried to explain to them that just because NDTF will discuss the use of remote trainers and prong collars that doesn't mean that you must use them... it just means that you understand their use and have the option to choose to use them or not (if the situation arises). Since the preference of some instructors is for the Delta course, then that has to influence anyone else looking to do a course. Having said that, we still have some very "old school" instructors who believe in correction only and very little, if any praise. I hope that by the time that I complete the NDTF course that I will have the tools I need to become a balanced trainer (with perhaps just a slight positive lean) and be able to teach other people that perhaps being balanced in training isn't a bad thing... but I am sure that I have gone very OT.

I buy "Pure Animal Well-being" Rose Aroma mist from the vet and just spray on and brush through the coat. Smells great, but not over-powering. Here is the website if you would like to have a look. http://www.paw4pets.com/coat-and-skin-care.html

I'll be there with the scruffy hound in my avatar. Happy to help you if I can.

I'll answer this one until MrsDog comes back and corrects me! Basic obedience and tricks are a good start, as it is my understanding that these are the starting point. I believe Loretta sometimes uses a clicker when training (or that could be MrsDog!) It's a heap of fun, too.

I believe that NDTF (www.ndtf.net.au) are just about to start their first distance learning course where you can do the practical training in Sydney (Dural).

www.ndtf.net.au

Have you tried Proban It is a tablet which is given daily which kills ticks.

Not sure if this helps or not - there is a conditon called "Cold Water Tail" that labs and other gun dogs get.

If you want to try out a target stick without spending too much money, try the sparkly wands from the $2 shops - fantastic

I use Revolution (heartworm prevention & fleas) and Canex combination and love it. I particularly like the fact that Revolution will kill adult fleas on a dog - not all other heartworm/flea combinations do this - some just make the fleas sterile to stop the breeding cycle.

May I ask where abouts you are with the method? The reason I ask is that I have only just started trying this method with Stormy. She will happy take the dumbbell in her mouth... and chew it I just need to remember to wear shoes when we train... the number of times that she has dropped it on my foot is painful.

The only sensible thing to do is to phone an emergency vet and ask their advice....

Does anyone have any links to an online store which sells fibretek leads? I'd be interested in getting one at some point.

Bugger!!! Means I still have to travel down to Melbourne for one more prac block. Can I ask if they have said where they will hold the prac block if in Sydney??

I want in on that one please

The Dally is my girl, Ellie. I was the only silly one who took dogs :D As jbbb said, the course is awesome, I just hope that I can retain all of the information we were given and understand my (quickly written) notes ;) Sorry I mistook her Horus. There was a Dally boarding when I went down for my prac block two weeks prior. Perhaps I will catch you and Ellie for the next prac block???

Thanks for that. Is that dally Roxy??? I don't think that we covered focus as such... any chance you care to share???

Watcha working on with Flame? I just want my next lot of course notes.... NOW!!! Not that I'm impatient or anything :D

I'll only answer this part. To me this would be that you haven't taught/proofed for that particular command in that particular situation. My understanding is that dogs generalise very poorly, and to me this would be a new situation to a dog that has only ever had the sit command taught/reinforced/proofed with a person facing them. Time to teach the dog that sit means sit, no matter what your body position. JMHO.

NRM = No reward marker

Stormy and I love our vets. The things that are important to me are: - Stormy must like the vets. I wouldn't want to see a doctor that I don't like, so I don't think that it is any different for my dog. - 24 hour emergency vet available on premises. This is important to me since I have a "deep chested" dog who may have an increased risk of bloat. - less than a 10 min drive from home. Again something that is important if Stormy happened to bloat. - friendly, knowlegable vets and nurses who haven't (yet) laughed at me for the number of dumb questions and things that I have been in for... including a "graze" which turned out to be a hot spot. - willing to explain things to me in a language I can understand and allow plenty of time for me to ask questions - I have never felt rushed during a consultation. - although they have an appointment system, they are quite prepared to fit in their "regulars" when they can if it is something that the owner has dropped in because they are anxious or concerned about their dog. Also, if you make an appointment, you can usually get to see the vet of your preference. Can also get an appointment usually the same day or the next day. - all the vets seem to geniunely love the animals that come in. "Our" vet at the practice has even kissed Stormy :p which I think says something. - our vets are also very good at listening to what the owner has to say about their dog. They let me ramble away about things that I have noticed, which may or may not be important. Out of the jumble that usually comes out of my mouth, they are usually able to make sense of it and ask some key questions to clarify something to help figure out what might be wrong.