leopuppy04

Heidii - saw your message on facebook, but never expected this You poor thing I am so sorry for your loss. Such a beautiful cat. Her time with you was way too short I am thinking of you

Ptolomy - I think you are making a habit of picking up loads of food when you are interstate Congrats again!

Well said Ness! Huge congrats to Ptolomy and Scoota - and of course Brooky and Deb too (by the sound of things, they did quite well) hey Laffi - I think we need to jet set to WA - what do you think?!

Well I'm copying some stuff for a certain someone! Does that count?! ETA: as for me - it depends on the day as to whether I'll trek out in the rain

Agree with Ptolomy. Also - what are your downs like?! Does she move forward on those?! I ran the issue of my boy coming slightly forward on the down, then sitting like your dog dogs - wham - there goes 1/2 a body length . I preferred to make it really clear for him, so I changed the down/sit cue and got a fold back down and a push up (as in step back into a sit) sit Saves a lot of stress and worry

Nope - was my week off this week.... at least I hope it was Took the dogs for a walk, but that was all I could muster . Now I'm in bed sick

One would assume they originated in spain, but realistically we have no idea. It is also said that they are related to the Pyrenean Shepherds of France also... I will try and find the Las Racosa website which also gives a bit of information. The theory as to why they are called "Australian" Shepherds would be because the first fleet that held the marino sheep (from Australia) that entered America, had these dogs on it.... therefore because the origin of this fleet was from Australia, the dogs were hence named

So why the name? From my webpage:

In the competition ring. So say my dog blew the recall. I would then withdraw from the stays (with permission from the judge) as I don't want to put them into a situation I can't control Levi - there are heaps of things you can do to improve heelwork without using your voice. Sometimes (especially in agility too!) the quieter we are the better the dogs do, because they have the ability and also realise that they have to concentrate and see what we are doing as we may change direction in a split second!

If it's your first time trialing I would always do CCD first. Reason I don't necissarily go to title the dog in CCD is coz I can't STAND heeling with a lead The class is easier and a great way to gain your confidence and your dogs'. I believe in not entering until you are very confident your dog is 110% ready for the class. I don't think it's fair on others to simply enter 'just to see'. If you aren't on a pass I generally would pull out from the stays

wow - seems they are quite slack with the postage these days which is very odd as CR is usually so prompt!

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) Have owned and researched the breed for excess of 5 years now. Just bred my first litter. 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? All round stock dog for the USA - I think around the 1800s they were first developed in US?! 3. How common is it in Australia? Steadily increasing in popularity. Particularly in the performance world. 4. What is the average lifespan? 12 - 14yrs. 5. What is the general temperament/personality? Can be reserved with strangers - differs on each individual dog, but most are quite forward/ sociable and friendly, especially with people they know. I call them class clowns. Always up for a game and full of fun. Nothing needs to be taken seriously. Boisterous/ excitable personality, LOVE to jump etc. 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? Depends on the lines/ dog. I like Active dogs so I keep mine that way - 2 x walks a day, training sessions and regular obedience, agility and social activities 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? If they are willing to put the time and effort into exercise, stimulation and training, then yes, but they aren't a breed for anyone and are still quite an active breed. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? Yes, if left with things to do such as enrichment toys, regular walks and stimulation when you are home. 9. How much grooming is required? Good brush once a week, Strip through coat when they drop coat 1-2 times per year. The more grooming you do, the easier it is to keep on top of it. 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? Can be boisterous for young kids, but not if raised with them and taught right. I think ALL dogs should and can be trained and wouldn't recommend an aussie if they weren't going to train them at all. 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? Hip Displaysia, Eye tests, CEA, MDR1 (Ivermectin Sensitivity) 12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be) Parents should have their hips scored, eyes tested annualy and relevant DNA tests (at least CEA, HC and MDR1 recommended). Check temperaments of parents and history of the breed and the lines. See as many relatives as you can to get a good idea of what their temperament and attitude might be like. The are large variations of Aussies in terms of style and attitude to life. Can't answer the question in regards to temperaments as I have not owned a BC and have owned a Kelpie x. I think it's dependant on the individual. So some are laid back and some are really active, but that is the same for ANY breed. I haven't really worked an Aussie before, but they certainly are an 'up close and personal' breed in terms of stock. In terms of agility they are more of a velcro dog wanting to work with you and beside you. If you train distance young, they cope very well. They have worked cattle in the states and do quite well with them I hear. Not difficult to train, no. Different herding style, yes. They are an extremely biddable breed and I just love them!

I really like this I always think as a trainer the time spent away from the course or training at working on fitness and relationship building is just as important as what you teach on course. Great vids Thanks for sharing Vickie

2nd fence is certainly a good solution, and then I would gradually get rid of it. Sectioning them off from the area entirely can also help as an interim solution and 'break the habit' so to speak. If they can't practice it, they can't make the behaviour stronger. then go to the 2nd fence etc,etc. I actually whislte trained my dogs and would whistle from anywhere in the house and chuck food outside. If they were quiet, lazing on the deck etc. If I could hear them charge down to the fence, I would blow the whistle and if they came immediately, they would get REALLY good rewards, if not, into their crates for a relax time. Otherwise they just get too worked up. Took them a really short time to clue onto that and it also means I can be anywhere in the house and not hovering around the door or yelling at the dogs to be quiet etc. It also made it MORE rewarding for the dogs to ignore the barking dogs rather than racing down to the fence. I didn't want to use something that would require me to hear the dogs bark, walk down to the back yard and then punish as I felt it ineffective and the dogs could quite easily hear me coming and then stop barking... but it doesn't stop the behaviour completely. So for me, that's why I felt this solution works the best.

We picked our Beagle pup up on the w.e Shes only 8 weeks and we have a puppy kong. Even with the kong food in it shes not to interested but i would buy one. And just try some nicer smellyer food A kong is simply a toy - not the be all and end all of all food dispensing dog toys Sometimes it takes them a little while to get the idea, but most catch on eventually :D Our 12 wk old, licks it, but only 1/2 empties it... I find it takes them a little while to be able to completely empty it (only filled with yoghurt at the moment)..... but that could be coz her tongue is not big enough yet!! :p

And I do the same - mine eat their bones inside their crates. My dogs seldom get pigs ears. In fact I buy them in bulk of around 50, but that will last 3 dogs well over a year As for chews, with my 12 week old puppy she has a variety of raw meaty bones and chew toys to keep her amused. If they are teething, how about soaking some knotted towels (old ones) in chicken stock, freezing them and then giving them to your puppy to chew. the cool will help soothe the gums too. Same with the nylabone and kong - soak them in chick stock to make them 'tastier' or smear vegemite/ peanut butter/ yoghurt in them. Remember to make it nice and easy to begin with. Mine love a yoghurt/ sardine mix (makes me but they love it!!! LOL!) How about getting some old cereal boxes and putting some dry food or some bones in there and letting the pup rip that up to get their 'treasure' out. great mental stimulation and a good exercise for the gums too. Meaty bones frozen also leave less mess and help soothe a puppys gums

wow congrats on you ET AND CDX Superminty! WTG TSD with Zig!! I knew he could do it Well done Ness- Kenzie is looking great

Well done Gabby and Xena! I was coming in here to brag, but now it just seems pathetic after reading that My brag is that we're slowly making it back to the rings Had a UD run through with Leo today and it seems that he knows the tasks quite well . So trialling in August may not be such a pipe dream after all Kinta is back in the rings after puppies. I was mean and left all her toys and open packets of food scattered around the rings, but she gave me some brilliant heelwork and didn't even look at them . I even pulled out the big guns and brought along her most FAVOURITE toys! LOL

NC - miss Piggy is still looking for a home LOL B9 - I just signed myself up for a photography course

RS - you really are smitten with her aren't you I agree B9 - some great photos with the camera.... did you say it was a nikon?!!?!?

Nawww she's adorable - and she's GROWN!!! Zara, Piggy, Kinta and Uncle Leo say

LOL - Hands off RS - I''m going in first!!! I can't believe you let her sleep like that - exposing herself to the world I would have gone in and poked/ tickled Glad to see she's finding life tough!

LOL RS - she went the same time as the others (at 8wks) but not to the family originally intended Not to a DOLer

LOL - you're safe RS - she's in another home now Isn't she just adorable!!! Those photos make my heart melt!!!! Stoopid mismarks

ROFL B9 - wish I could say the same for the two still here.... Self black is the new in colour I can't upload pics here so I will have to hound Laffi to do it again for me