fetchindawgs

I had a read of the Toowoomba Chronicle article on the DWD. Who on earth was the writer ? Whoever it was made the DWD routines sound like frivolous prancing around and that the dogs needed enticing and rewards of treats the whole time to perform. Very disappointing review in my eyes. Also, the reference to the first DWD being in Toowoomba, was that the first official competition to be held under ANKC rules ? I am presuming so, as I think WA had their first in December of 2009. But...we have had competitions (unofficial) here years previous to it being recognized as an official ANKC event. We were having comps in 1999 and they were heaps of fun.

I must say looking at the photo of Oscar, I thought he was a crossbred. His weight at 10 weeks astonished me. I have just sold a litter of Golden Retriever puppies, and they weighed 2.5 kg at 3 weeks, and weighed 6 kg when they left for new homes at 8 weeks. Could I ask why this puppy is not being fed any meat ? All of our pups were accustomed to eating their top quality puppy kibble, plus chicken mince, wings and necks, beef mince, pasta, rice, veges, raw egg yolk, yoghurt and puppy milk. The owners had about two hours with me going over their diet sheet and all the other information included in their puppy pack, before taking their pups home. I would never sell a puppy off the side of the road to any buyer. Most puppy buyers had at least a 1 1/2 hour drive to see the pups and there were no quibbles from any of them about the distance, either to view or pick up a puppy. I am pleased to read that Oscar is improving, but I still question whether he is purebred, and even more so, why the breeder allowed him to go to a new home when he was so terribly underweight. Here is a photo of two of my female pups at 8 weeks (vast difference) !

Maybe......my daughter is moving to Mundaring in two weeks. She is looking for permanent p/t work, but in the meantime she might be interested in taking it on; even possibly keeping on doing it once she gets a job. Very experienced with horses. Teaches kids to ride and competed in dressage and eventing for years. I will ask her if she would be interested.

Mirawee, did you get someone to feed your horses (re the ad on cavalletti) ??

Having only done RATG once & that was before the changes, I can offer a little bit of advice. Throwers will be used. I think the competition will very likely use dummys rather than birds. The reason for this is birds cost money, whereas competitors bringing their own dummy costs the club nothing. Secondly, the clubs are trying these comps for the first time, as will several people with gundogs, many never having done retrieving before. These comps are to encourage people to try retrieving in a non threatening environment with less pressure than a real retrieving trial, so it would make sense to have people bring along their own dummy to use with their dog. It is possible that a water retrieve will be part of the comp, but is not compulsory. Your dog should heel nicely, sit at heel when you halt, stay when commanded, retrieve on command and return to present the dummy correctly. Some comps in Qld used guns during the event, but I honestly cannot remember if we did so for the event held here in W.A.

I have the original Hunters and always have. I like the higher boot and sometimes it still hasn't been far enough to stop water tipping over the edge. The Huntress are really for women with bigger calves, but as you say, they don't go as high up the leg. Why don't you ask one of the girls who we know have the boots, when they are at agility training, if you could try their boots and see if they suit you. I think from memory you have pretty slim legs RS & if so then the huntress will swim on you. I buy mine from the UK from Amazon and they are cheaper than anywhere else and also arrive in about 6 days.

Olivebaby, the last time I had a dog xrayed for hips & elbows was two years ago. I had it done at Applecross Vet & cost around $260.00 At that time Prof Wyburn was still doing assessments and it cost $100 for that. I don't know how much it is these days for the reading or who you would have to send it to, but the Vet Clinic usually does. It is not claimable on insurance.

You definitely had a working type Labrador there. Have a look at my bitch and see if you see a resemblance, she is American lines. The Labrador lines you are after are not Australian. Look for British, Irish or American field lines in the pedigree and you will get a dog that looks like your Bracken. If you would like to PM me I can give you some breeders contacts who have these lines. I know of a litter with an American sire (black) put to an Australian bitch (yellow), that should be available in about a month's time

Great swim by your little girl TSD, and the fact that she didn't try to cheat on her return is a great achievement for a young dog. I'd say having those training sessions and advice from LL has put you in good stead for trial this year. You are entering aren't you ??

By the way, did everyone note how the LABRADORS trashed their box ??? They do it every day !!!

They are receiving visitors LT. The Labs are over 6 wks old now, so going to new homes on Jan. 3rd. The Goldies go on Jan 9th. I just know I am going to be teary.

Anyone needing a puppy fix ? 7 Labrador puppies & 4 Golden Retriever puppies should do it.

If your dog is titled in retrieving you are ineligible to compete in RAT. (Even QND title). Not right.... as far as I know any dogs titled in retrieving can still compete in these events. Not many do though.

I can relate to where you are coming from but its not only retrieving that have the problem. However, I hope that it will not be novice and restricted that get cancelled, I feel I do and have done more than my fair share of helping out at trials. Before I started retrieiving I helped at many retrieving trials, and since I started doing retrieving while I only did novice, I have stayed at every restricted trial and offered to help which is a lot more than others have done. How many times have handlers sat back and watched people struggle with the equipment/birds back to the trailer or to the next run. If we all did a little to help each time some of us would not be sick of helping out. I went to the last All Age trial to help, and a big thank you to Jean and Dave who let me go down with them, think if we could get a lift with people more would perhaps help out. Big test next year, when the State and National will be held two weekends in a row and I for one will not be camping out for 2 weekends, certainly will not be taking my 3 dogs to sit in the car all day. Will help out for 1 day each weekend. Yes, thanks for reminding me that we are not the only ones that have these problems. Of course it happens in all sports. I get the feeling that some people on this forum think I am directing this at them personally. Definitely not the case, and apologies if anyone has taken offence. Many people have worked very hard at our trials, and I agree that they are wonderful and keep the sport going. Livertreats, I know you offered to help last weekend, as did three other terrific people, and yours and their willingness to work so hard was appreciated so much. This subject has been debated before, and these days especially in All Age, competitors are used to working in the field as well as work dogs. This rarely happens in the other stakes, but may have to be brought in because of the short supply of stewards. How would you feel about that ? Also, thanks to you and Rubystar for suggesting about a lift for helpers. I am sure that this could be looked at next year, and make it a safer proposition for all. Finally, I personally am not "sick" of helping. We keep doing it because we love the thing our dogs do in the field. Frustrated, yes at times. Committees are the ones that need a lot of help right now, I think, as this appears to be the most difficult area to keep people. Without the organisers ...................!!!

Strong dog smell in the house is disgusting, but even more so is the smell of urine. I have been in a couple of "breeder" houses and the smell was overpowering. How do they live with it ? Personally, I like the smell of a horse. I can bury my nose into my horse and drink in his particular "smell" anytime. Also like the smell of cows. Off that subject.......hoping both my girls are preggers. Will find out in 12 days. Fingers xx May be a puppy there for you RS ?? ;)

I don't know how the Eastern States clubs cope, but in W.A. we have an old problem popping up again in retrieving. People not willing to do their bit for the sport ! I am being blunt, because it is true. The clubs and committees that run our trials need fresh faces and newbies into the sport need to realise that they have to be involved in the behind scenes work, otherwise this sport is just going to fizzle out and die. It isn't just newbies either, there are some people who think being on a committee means a free pass to not help out at trials. As a judge and competitor, I can see it from both sides, but I have forfeited three full trials this season to judge them, plus organised the running of two other trials, and, worked in the field, often. Not just me either, but quite a few others, mostly All Age competitors, have given up weekends to work in trials they are not competing in. I think the people in this sport need a wake up call, that being, that if they don't get off their b...s and be involved, then some changes may have to occur. Namely, cancelling trials and these would be Novice & Restricted trials that would go. Sorry to bitch, but I have just had our last trial for the year which I had to organise stewards for, and it was a task in itself. I did eventually get two people for the field, for whom I am grateful, but getting a Chief steward was near impossible. Right now, I am over trialling, and could happily say "I quit", but a verbal reminder at the AGMs about everyone's responsibility to our sport, is on the cards I think.

RV could I give you a little bit of advice ? I see that Zora is teething at the moment. All the advice about teething in retrieving puppies says to stop doing any retrieves until the pup has the new set of teeth. The reason.....teething is usually painful for the pup, and they also mouth things a lot. Puppies can relate the pain during teething to picking up a dummy/dokken/wing etc. during this time and even mouth these items far too much. Last thing you need is your pup to associate retrieving with pain, so it is easier to leave off the retrieves for a while then recommence when her adult teeth are through. Practice your recalls and sits during this time instead and you could save yourself from having a hard mouth situation later on. Hope you don't mind me giving you this info.

The Lavender Farm is on Dumbarton Road which is on the Avon River, Perth side of Toodyay. You have to head for Toodyay, then turn onto the road to Northam, which is just before the town, and continue a few klm and Dumbarton Rd is on your left. Go over the bridge and turn into the first driveway on your left. There will be a depleted field as four handlers have left for the Nationals in NSW. I have cancelled our trip to NSW as both my girls came in season on Monday. That, plus the crook leg, put paid to any trip this year. Can't believe it....two years in a row of bad luck.

RS the N & R trials were on Saturday. I managed to run my boy in restricted with lots of help with the dog and someone else firing the gun for me. Heeling next to crutches was a whole new experience for him but he was so good. Overall, really please with how he went and he placed 3rd, so not too bad. The AA was on Sunday and there was no way I was handling the dogs. I had three separate handlers running my three dogs, all having never run them before, and not even having the same commands as me. The Goldie knew her handler but this was a first for both, and despite using some different commands, and, the wrong whistle, my girl placed 3rd in the event. My black lab had never run for anyone else before but she did an excellent job and finished the trial in 6th, and my old boy did well, but went out on the second run. Just showed me that they can do the work with others and made me feel so good about my dogs and my training.

Sorry to hear you injured yourself! Or rather the girls injuring you! Are you heading to the trial this weekend still? Do you know where it is being held yet? If it isn't too far, I was thinking of heading to it to watch and lend a hand if needed. Happy Birthday for last week, Em! Ouch, sorry it was a dokken you lost, RV. Hope your dad gets it out for you! Speaking of lost dokkens, I've misplaced my pintail. I find it hard to believe I've misplaced it because it's yuuuuuuge, but I can't find it I also ordered a new whistle, one of those Roy Gonia Mega Whistles. Is there a trick to making it work? I blow in it and nothing I feel like such a dufus asking that! Hi RS. Hubby & I are still going to the trials this weekend and hope that someone can have a go at running my dogs. The trial is between Toodyay and Northam on the Katrine Road. It is about 1 km from the river bridge and on the right hand side of the road (pink ribbon at gate). I'm sure they would love you to help too, as they seem to be short of workers for Saturday, at least. Where did you girls get your dokkens ? Here or America, and how much all up with postage ? I have to replace a borrowed one that was chewed slightly by one of my treasures.

Hey LL great to hear from you. Heard via Pru that you weren't going to the Nationals & sorry to hear that. Would be wonderful to catch up again if you're able to. I am injured at the moment. Monday the two girls hooned behind me and slammed into my left leg. Of course I was in a paddock by myself & quite a distance from the car. Thought my knee was dislocated so had to drag myself along the ground to get to my car. Turns out it is a torn cruciate ligament but can't put any weight on my leg and have crutches. With two trials this weekend, I might be getting someone else to handle my dogs, but there is no way I'm missing the Nationals again, so OH and I will be flying over next week regardless. Might be interesting doing a walkup !!!!

How is LL ? I haven't phoned her for a couple of months and haven't seen a post from her in ages. Is her health ok ? Was hoping to see her at the Nationals but don't know if she is still going.

Hi again, Been away for a couple of weeks with the dogs. Went to sunny Qld. My kids thought they'd struck a heatwave as it was so much hotter than home. Also, their grasses were about a metre tall and very thick. Nothing like that in W.A. Ticks were really bad, and grass seeds in abundance. I was getting seeds out of coats a week after exposure, and, found a dead tick on one of the dogs when I got home. I did treat them prior to leaving W.A., and washed them the day we left Qld. Didn't have any success in trials, but had some very positive work from all three in different runs. Have come to the conclusion that ES dogs don't know how to do a d/rise; something mine are good at. Had a visiting judge last weekend for two days events, and my wild child got 2nd in restricted. The older dogs did some great work in their stake, but I rue the day they invented doublefall's in retrieving. Oh well back to training ! The old fella finished the AA stake, so am just pleased he is still able to do a full day's trialing still.

Mirawee, make sure you try several pieces of music and try them whilst heeling your dog to see if they suit the steps/movement of the dog. It is amazing how many people get the music wrong. Secondly, if you are doing HTM then your dog needs to be excellent at heeling. So many people go into this event thinking it is going to be so easy, but they are doing their dog and themselves a disservice if the heeling is not up to scratch. The other thing that is very noticeable in these events is, which dogs actually enjoy it and wag their tails and look happy whilst doing their heeling. My first Starters in HTM I used a whole song which went for 2m 20 seconds, so don't be afraid to use a longer piece of music (none of mine have been under 2 min). You can teach a couple of easy tricks first up which you can use in your routine, but keep it simple and mostly do different types of heeling with your dog in it. Hope this helps.

Rubystar, you should be giving it a go in Novice with Ruby before the season finishes. From what I have heard, she is going really well. You will find that the retrieves themselves don't get any harder, as they are limited to 100 metres maximum length, but as the season progresses the terrain changes with the rainfall, and there is more cover to contend with. This can sometimes make it a bit harder for the dogs. My suggestion is to give it a go and have some fun. Go out there thinking "I am going to have a great time today with my lovely, keen, Labrador". She will enjoy it, and it will give you something to base your training on as you go along. Just enter and don't overthink it either before the event or during it. Deep breaths and relax. There are far less trained dogs than Ruby competing in Novice right now; so go and enjoy.