Mrsdog

Okay, so no-one cares! I'll just go and eat some worms.

We need a strategic pairs partner for "Kiss". She is a 400 dog but could jump 500 without any trouble. Already have one Novice pass and would like to give it another go if we can find a partner. Agility Dog Club on Sat 25 October (entries close 4 October) has strategic pairs. Anyone want to give it a go? People tell me to put her on the Agility List - anyone help with pointing me in this direction? Don't know where to find it. Desperately seeking a partner............ Noels.

I have a Lagotto out of the first litter born in Australia and he does not have good hips. However this was not apparent until he was over two years old and is not such a big problem as long as I watch his weight. I did have him desexed after this was diagnosed. Didn't want any accidental matings with my girls. Of course there is the added veterinary expense in controlling this condition and keeping him comfortable. Apparently his imported mother had bad hips. If I had not been doing agility with him it probably would have taken a lot longer to be noticed, and in a pet home might never have been noticed. BTW he is turning 8 on 22 July, so that is how long we have had Lagotto in Australia. My two girls are from Greydove and hip scores are on their web site for all to see. I don't think I would be satisfied with word of mouth that the parent's hips were good - I would want to see it in black and white! Of course there is no guarantee even with both parents having good hips, but the odds are definitely in your favour. Remember the old saying "random breedings get random results". Kiss has excellent hips, is a very good jumper, and actively competes in Agility, Flyball and doggy dancing. We even got first in Novice Jumping at the Sydney Royal (don't know how!). Because the Lagotto is a medium sized dog the hip problem is not as great as say your Labrador, much heavier in build. The original average hip score for the Lagotto in Australia was 14, and with reputable breeders working on it I am sure by now it is a lot lower, but I am not able to confirm a number for you. They are just such a lovely breed, easy to train, affectionate, I would recommend them to anyone. In fact there was a boy in the last Greydove litter who was just so laidback right from the start that I would have loved to see him in a home with young children. There he was in the middle of the heap of puppies, flat out on his back, with the other puppies laying all over him. I just love to watch a new puppy litter - you can see obvious character traits right from the beginning. Hope this was helpful. Noels.

Could you please count me in for the pizza order, etc. Thanks, Noels.

OK my darlings, let's look at this from an instructor's point of view: Some people come to training with their dogs, don't listen to the instructor, (not you of course) continue doing what they are doing, continue making the same old mistakes, and guess what? The dogs learn anyway. Clever old puppies, eh? Perhaps they are listening to the instructor or perhaps watching what the other dogs are doing, anyway they DO learn. So I would consider this bad training, but much better than no training at all. Remember, bad training can come from you, not just from a poor unpaid instructor at doggy school. To my way of thinking anyone who makes an effort to bring their dog for training cares about their dog and deserves all the help we are able to give. So they don't always listen, treat class like a social outing and prefer to talk when you are explaining, forget that you told them last week not to wear thongs as they are flipping in the mini foxies face, try to give hand signals with a bunch of keys in their hand, are finding it hard to bend down with the baby in the packpack (oh and then they decide to take baby out and put it on ground in middle of dogs!). There are a million stories in a dog trainer's day.......... As amazing as it may seem, all dogs will learn everything eventually, sometimes in spite of us! Can't help but love 'em. Noels.

Kiss got first place in Novice Jumping at the Sydney Royal on Monday. I still can't believe it! This qually was the last one needed for her JD title. I was so hoping for a pass but to get first place is just unbelievable. You surely wouldn't put money on a Lagotto coming in first would you? Now we need just one more pass for AD. Anyone going to Deer Bush? Noels.

OK, if there are any spots left count me in. Think you need a fluffy dog just to keep you on the straight and narrow and part of the real world! Just 'cause my gun dog doesn't look like a gundog doesn't mean we can't surprise you. Noels.

There........I've done it again......killed the thread. Think I'll go back to just reading, not posting. Noels.

Probably only works with boy dogs. LOL

Our club started back today and even though there were heavy showers quite a lot of people turned up, particularly new members with new puppies. Great to see so many keen people with their dogs. Was talking to one of our instructors who helps out at Sydney Dogs Home and she said there is one dog there who is VERY agressive both to other dogs and people and she won't go near him, but she passed on how this particular woman handles this dog and I just have to pass it on. Firstly I have to describe this lady - she has an enormous bosom - she grabs the dog by both front legs, pulls legs around her which forces dog's face into her bosom and marches him up to the other end and places him in his new enclosure. Dog makes no attempt to bite her (maybe he is trying to get his breath back). Now kiddies, don't try this at home. Noels.

I had entered last night's trial but Kiss came into season late so we missed out........the joys of intact females. I was so looking forward to it as we only need one more pass in both agility and jumping for a title. Problem is with me, I can't help thinking "only one more pass" and it makes me nervous, so I muck up something or other. Anyone want to trial my dog? Poor thing needs a better handler. Noels.

Sit in a chair with dog in front and throw ball short distance at first making sure that it is easy to catch. Worst case scenario for the really bad catchers you gently toss the ball just a few inches straight into the dog's mouth. Any attempt to catch gets a click and reward. An actual catch can be jackpotted and big fuss made. As you progress you let the dog stand further away and also throw to the side that the dog turns, because after all this is the angle he will be catching the ball on. This is a good drill for any dog to improve ball catching skills and speed, and of course is is easy for us to just sit in a chair. BTW keep the session short, better to do it more often for less time. Noels.

Sutherland Shire people - next beginners intake for agility is first Monday in February at 7pm. We are really promoting our agility and flyball groups this year, so all new dogs welcome. You would have to join Sutherland Shire Dog Training Club and bring along your vax certificate. I think joining fee is $25 and then it is $3 each time you attend. You can get the forms and more info off the web site. Either download the form or pick one up when you come along. BTW I was reading along thinking wonder if I could go to the next training day and how did I miss the first one - didn't realise it was 2007 until someone pointed it out. LOL Noels.

Yep, only young and "she does it in training" and you've heard that old chestnut before, sad but true. Nevermind, back to the drawing board, don't hold your breath but she will be out there doing flyball one day. Was she ever strong - think I will stick to my medium sized dogs. DeltaCharlie - nice photos. Will tell Paul (Willow's owner) to have a look at them. Thanks LJ for blanking out my face, now I'll be able to creep up on them and they'll never know! The Phantom walks.........and runs.......and does flyball, etc......... Noels.

Barb, just remember that they are not allowed to pick a trick they already know how to do. If this happens just put it back and pick another. Loretta has me putting a routine together for doggy dancing, says I have to do a demo in March. Think I have stagefright. Why did I have to get such a bossy friend? You know me - just a dabbler, not serious, oh dear............ Other thing is tracking, have you tried? Hear there is a good tracking group in Tassie. Noels.

Kiss used to vomit when crated in the car - what a problem when you get to a show and your nicely groomed dog is laying in vomit! So at my wit's end after trying all the above I decided to leave her in the back seat (at least she wouldn't be lying in the vomit) and what do you think? No more vomit! As long as she can stand up every now and then and have a look out the window she seems to be OK. Now she just sleeps most of the time and even a four-hour trip is no problem. So maybe it is different reaction for different dogs and you just have to try everything and hope something works. Good luck, nothing worse than a chucking up show dog. Noels.

Sutherland Shire is a bad tick area, of course only in the bushy areas, probably not Cronulla for instance. Also the possums carry them and they can fall off in your backyard, so nowhere is safe. A daily going over is mandatory for animals in our area. We have a goat and often get ticks off her, however they don't seem to affect her as badly as the dogs. Sometimes she even scratches them out with her horns. We all seem to be tick aware and often find that we will find a lump and always check it out even when we are patting someone else's dog! Almost forgot to mention - they get on humans also and itch like mad. We probably get them off our dogs, sharing creatures that they are. So I always look if my dogs are scratching as there might be a tick in that spot. Another sign is that the dogs drink a lot of water, maybe the tick poison raises their temperature? The joys of living in a bushy area....... Noels.

I'm with Sutherland Shire Dog Training Club and our training fields are just past the swimming pool on the Old Princes Highway, Sutherland. (Waratah Park). Obedience is Sunday morning, Monday and Wednesday evenings. Agility beginners Monday evening 7pm and Wednesday evening for triallers (already competing). Flyball is Monday evening 7pm. It is not a good idea to let your dog do much jumping before it is twelve months old, but you can surely do some foundation training - the earlier the better as young dogs just soak up knowledge and usually have no fear (unless you let something happen to scare them). If you are in the area just come along and get some easy things to do and you will be just so far ahead. Also I am big on attention exercises - once you have your dogs attention everything you want them to learn is much easier. Noels.

Just one small warning - Flyball is addictive! Once you see how much your dog is enjoying himself the buzz will rub off on you. Good luck, have fun. Noels.

And how is my "twin" getting on? All geared up for bigger and better things in 2008 I see. We have trick training incorporated into our canine mans best friend course. People really enjoy it and of course it can lead onto other things like doggy dancing. I am all for anything which is fun and doing tricks with your dog is just the BEST fun. I have a bucket full of tricks and people put their hand in and get whatever trick they personally have to work on. There have been a few funny combinations: the big guy with the tatts and staffy who pulled out the "Dance" card (mind you he surprised us all by teaching his dog to dance) and the guy with the big shepherd who got "Jump through your arms" and boy was that impressive seeing such a large dog jump through the owner's arms. Then there was the lady with the rotty who got "dead dog" - absolutely horrified "my dog is a guard dog - can't have the intruders just saying bang and my dog falling down". She actually went on to do the best "dead dog" trick I have ever seen. Oh I could go on, there's a million tales in the big city - but I just might leave you to get your own stories. Once you start trick training there will be a million of them. Variety is the spice of life and my other favourite saying "At the end of my life let me only regret the things I HAVE done! Noels.

Dogs should be twelve months old and have a "reasonable" recall. First part of training is done on lead anyway. The very first thing you need to know is which way your dog turns. Is he left or right-handed? Most dogs turn to the right but there are quite a few "lefties". Place a ball on the ground and send doggie to get it - you will soon work out which way he/she prefers. Don't know any flyball clubs near Matraville. We have two dogs coming to Sutherland from Elizabeth Bay. St. George would be closer for you at Penshurst. Anyway, you would be very welcome at any of the clubs to come along and have a look. Just look up the Australian Flyball Association website and choose where you want to go and which training night/day would suit you. This Saturday evening there is a mock comp at Castle Hill showground for beginner dogs. If you are not doing anything you might like to come along and have a look. Noels.

Good on you! We need new flyball groups. Do you know that flyball is the fastest growing dogsport in the world today? Our flyball group is relatively new, entering our first comp in March 2007, and we now have 20 AFA registered dogs. Not all up to competition standard, but look out world - here we come! Don't have a particularly fast team yet and still have a lot to learn but are we ever having a good time. We have entered two teams in the Nationals at Canberra 23/24 February. This is expected to attract 40 teams, with two overseas judges, eight judges in all at last count and three rings. That is just so exciting. I thought I read somewhere that there will be a team from Tasmania and one from South Australia - is that yours? So good luck and welcome. Noels.

Whoops, just looked it up on DOL breed pages - it is Polish Lowland Sheepdog. Still think it is awfully cute................ Noels.

There you go - multicultural, that's what we are! LOL While I'm at the Canberra Royal I am going to have a look at a PON. What's that you may well ask? Well, proper name Polish Lowland Herding Dog (I think?) It is a medium size, sturdy dog. I like a medium size dog. Google it up, really so cute. Thinking about it.......... Noels.

I used to run 10k with my Dalmatians, and then they were looking for more. So like they say "horses for courses". Some dogs can run all day but in short bursts and these might not want a prolonged run - herding breeds for instance. 4k would seem to be a reasonable distance for a lot of breeds, but certainly not for dogs under 12 months of age. BTW all that running didn't do my knees a lot of good! Noels.