leopuppy04

Now what a great idea for a new trick Ptolomy ;) You might need a biger suitcase though ;)

Ditto - I love it!!!

Just having gone through a similar experience - a few things for thought: *Have you actually spoken to each of your neighbours? They may not 'own' up to it, but I found mine to be really friendly and helpful in allowing me to help fix/ solve the problem. Ask pointed questions as this will give you a thorough idea of WHAT exactly they are barking at. From your above description, it certainly doesn't sound like a true case of sep anxiety. *You are doing great for leaving him inside and rotating them outside. This is what I am doing now and will probably continue to do until I re-visit the idea of potential dog runs further down the track. *Talk to the ranger regarding your options. I spoke to the ranger in my council and he was MOST helpful, explaining thoroughly all of my options and how they would address the issue. I also sent them 'letters of recommendation' and also a brief speel about me and my dogs (what I do for a living and what my dogs do - eg they are obedience trained, compete in obedience and agility and I am a qualified dog trainer etc etc). While it's been an EXTREMELY stressful few months, I think it's ended up on the positive. My neighbours are happy with how things are progressing and while I don't think you ever SOLVE the problem completely, the barking has reduced. They also know that they can come to me and approach me should any other issues arise. I went to see each neighbour initially once a week, then once a fortnight, now once a month and later, only if anything changes etc etc. I know it's hard work, but at the end of the day, you (the dog owner) are the one that benefits (as you are able to keep your extra dogs). PM me if you want more assistance ;)

Poor Ptolomy!!! I think your expectations of the blonde one should rise a little . Did some gloves training with Leo.... dare I say it?!?!!? By george I think he's got it!!!!

Thanks for everyones thoughtful responses . Like I said, re-homing a dog is just not an option for me, unles it was a youngster who wasn't turning out, but even now, ask me to 're-home' my 7mth old pup if she wasn't turning out (thankfully she is!) and I just can't do it! But there is no way you would ever get me to re-home an adult who I have trained, trialled and spent countless hours with. sure I understand that people can, and do, but it's not for me. So that means I then need to look down the path of co-owning / selling a dog on breeders terms. Like alpha bet said, I don't think this makes me a 'careless' breeder because I decide to have a small number of dogs instead and am unable to 'run everything on'. By keeping my numbers small, I'm ensuring that each and every one of my dogs are getting the individual attention and training that they need, which is imperative if you have working dogs in the suburbs I don't see how my goals differ from many of yours, seeing as the aim is to keep the lines open for myself, but as mentioned before, this unfortunately doesn't mean that I can house each of these dogs on my property. If only my parents wanted another dog From what many of you have said, it certainly has established what I already thought and that is that I would certainly feel more comfortable putting the dog into another show home on a co-ownership contract. Certainly a male would be the preferred option to do this with. As others have said, it still might end up that there is nothing worth keeping from the litter itself! I will be in the position to 'run the dog on' until the right home came along, so that certainly is an advantage there. For those that have gone into co-ownership with another showie/ breeder, what type of contract did you sign? My foundation bitch was bought under a co-ownership, although I envisage that this may have been slightly different to what others may have written up seeing as my breeder already knew me as I already had one of her dogs (as a pet).

That the thing sol- I certainly understand your sentiments and in an ideal world I'd beable to keep something from every litter I breed but I know that undfortunately this is nit the case. So in part answer to the point you raise - my hope is that I CAN keep a pup from the litter but I cannot house the dog with me. An ideal arrangement would be that I made with my dad and that is that he cares for the dog and I take her to show. But I also understand that I can't expect this from anyone.. I know that others have done what I hope to do and would love to hear how they found the experience. I want to have my hands on said pick pup from any litter I can't keep with me and perhaps get a dog back or use later down the track at stud-so it certainly isn't breeding 'just for the hellof it' perse. I know many breeders who house some males in pet homes and just use the dogs back when they need to... But of course I worry about those idiot owners who then stab you in the back and have used the dog tonsure god knows what.... Certainly not an easy decision for me to make...

Hi Guys, Thought this was the best place to ask my question. I'm a small scale breeder (have only had one litter, so am I really a breeder ) and I never envisage to own a truck load of dogs given the amount of work, time and effort I put into their training and the multiple disciplines we compete in, as well as living in the suburbs and needing permits etc. To date, I own four dogs, with one permanently living at my parents place. I'm not really one who can re-home either (other than the youngsters), so the dogs stay with me until they cross the bridge. When we bred our first litter it was with the full intent of keeping pick of the litter, which we did, and had the rest pet-homed and de-sexed. I have been thrilled with all of their homes and the way they have developed. Probably at the end of 2011, beginning of 2012 we will be looking at breeding our homebred girl, given all health clearances etc etc. But at this stage (may change in the future) I am NOT planning on keeping a pup from this litter in my house, but perhaps selling on breeders terms/ to a showie/ co-owning etc etc. In your experience, how have people found going down a path like this? Do you find you usually have a falling out? Would you trust a 'pet' owner to responsibly care for your 'pick' at allow you to use for your breeding lines? Is it better to sell to a showie? Would you ONLY do this with a dog/bitch or vice versa? Would love to hear all of your thoughts/ opinions etc. It's the first time I'll be going down this path, and naturally, I'm really not sure how I feel about this unless the dog was going to a well - known friend/ person I could trust! Would love to hear your thoughts... hey - it might end up I keep the puppy after all coz I'm a softie

Stop making excuses Leopuppy I have Scoota's brother living with me now. I got his CD many years ago - when there was two lots of heeling in novice and he was living with my parents. Its amazing he hasn't forgotton anything. He has picked up open COP like he has been doing it all his life. Hmm might just have to bring him out in NFC (not for competition) and see what happens. Yes but there is a BIG difference between a great trainer (being you!) and a novice trainer such as me! But yes, I really should stop making excuses - she is too good to waste in the backyard.... It's all there, I just need to refine it to my liking and enter a darn trial

great clips ptolomy - inspiring me to get off my bum and start doing some work with the baby Zara! Who really isn't so much of a baby anymore It's hard when they don't live with you!

Nope - the ASCV held the neuter class with points offered in November. I know other breed clubs are also holding it at specialty level,. I just don't understand why Vic doesn't jump on board. Very very frustrating. Given I also compete in other disciplines, I don't always have the time or ability to travel 1/2 way across australia just to get these points Poor little boy. I know his a champion without getting a title 75 pts to go.... LOL!

Here are my two hopefuls for the year... my homebred girl Zara - Pawsitive Prime Attraction. she's finally settling into herself and I hope that we can get her out a bit more this year Our main hopeful is Tahlia- Ellagant Paris All Stars - now 7 mths old but still so much a baby! Our first show in minor tonight going through the uglies!

Tried to PM you Sway but it didn't work! I have ordered some . I am happy to pick up at shows as I'll be showing a lot over the next few months, or I can come pick up from the show grounds . Let me know what date will be suitable to meet up.

Ness - Kenz just wants to make up for all the heartache that Ness gave you I'm sure what's going through her head is "see mum, this is how I KNOW you are supposed to do it! That Ness doesn't know anything!"

I'm sure others have said it (and I'm too lazy to read the posts ) but work on your foundations as these are similar and beneficial for both. I can't emphasise enough the importance of good foundations! After that I find you can train for both fairly easily. Because the agilty requires distance etc, I try and work a little more on agility first prior to getting really serious with obedience, but that's just me. I know others have been far more successful than me and have done obedience first

Very disappointed that the Vic march shows are now out and still no neuter classes. How are we supposed to show support for a class that is never offered

I only got the mag yesterday - but I'll have a look!!! Yahoo go kenz!!! She sounds like she's doing awesome ness!!! Shell be an OC in no time

Sway - PM me when you get some in please- I will be a happy customer

Leo sounds like Ness and Kinta like Kenz. I take it all back. Just did a session with Kinta tonight and she was awesome . she was definitely using her nose and was right on the marker! Goooo Kinta :D

Can u please explain further bedazzled??? That the thing Ness- i never wrried about it with Leo though it was evident I pushed him too fast too soon- so I guess I'm very once bitten, twice shy with kinta! Lol

Well I haven't really graduated to formalised seekback training just yet, but still been doing hide and seek stuff with Missy K. She does really well around the yard and will search forever to find the article. I guess my question is that sometimes - it doesnt' seem like she's using her nose - as in she'll be a few meters away from it and then turn away from the scent. Other times it's obvious she's using her nose. Anything I can try and do to encourage her to 'use' the nose, or should I just stop fluffing about and set it up as a normal exercise?

Thanks BB! I'm guessing that most people just buy it as I do then?!?!

Now that I'm showing more dogs, I'm finding I'm going through the chalk/ potato flour like it's going out of fashion! Where do you buy it in bulk? Usually I've got it from the health food store/ supermarket, Seb and Gloria, but I just empty it way too fast now..... any suggestions?

I saw that one last night.... and I've had that conversation (with my family) before when they wanted to borrow my car! Hehe - it's called Mary poppins for a reason.... cr@p just keeps on flowing out of it :D

I really need to check this thread more often I hope everyone's training has been going well! I've been taking a break from training and am now getting back into it as the silly season is almost over and the 7mth old needs taming Really makes me appreciate how much I learnt from Mr Leo being my first. I pulled him out yesterday and did some Open drop on recalls with him (Kinta thinks the drop is optional lately... no idea why)... I forgot how quick he responded to the drop cue. Kinta tends to hesitate a little! So that's our summer project along with teaching her some basic UD stuff. Tahli - well her training will be to perhaps grab hold of the tug and not my fingers. I have numerous bruises and holes in my fingers from her 'missed judgement' for the tug! OUCH! We've been working at some basic d/b retrieve work and also some shaping games How do you guys teach the kickback stand? I've never really thought about teaching it before, seeing as UDX wasn't around/ is a far off goal/ never considered before.... Like you bedazzled, I've taught mine a fold back drop and a sit where they step back into the sit... but a kick back stand might be handy too!

:) ;) ;) Love this one Me too, "just pick a system!!!" "I will do better with my next agility dog" "good for him!" :p