J...

So it sounds like the chips are out, I could imagine Zee having a good munch on them and getting herself into trouble. It's really the fine dirt underneath the bluestone which is causing the problem as it tracks so much particularly with wet paws. The dogs bury bones in the edges and scrape themselves a bare patch as the dirt is obviously more comfortable to sleep on than the stones, and there is quite a prominant track from the deck through the carport and out onto the lawn. Wonder what a carport full of concrete and a couple of extra dogs beds would cost? That would fix all issues

Yep that's her, Jan's great value - such a lovely person :D

I have a carport that the dogs have access to which has a dirt floor and then bluestone over the top. I'm not a big fan of the bluestone/dirt as it's really grotty and results in dirt being tracked everywhere, and it's not great for the dogs. What I'd like to do is pull all the bluestone out and put it back on the driveway and then cover the dirt with a thick layer of woodchips which shouldn't be as dirty and hopefully a bit more dog friendly as well. Has anyone used woodchips in a similar situation? Any other suggestions as to what I can put down over the dirt which would work better? I plan to extend it out from the carport onto the edge of the lawn and then put some wood in the ground as a boundary to stop the chips escaping further onto the lawn. Thanks! Jess

Sorry to hear about Sebbi Pandii - I hope he's feeling better soon!! Darcy seems good today other than a case of the sulks when she didn't get to do any agility this morning Oh the injustice of it all!! Nice car tlc - Looks like it's in great condition!! JJ - that would be so hard. I was talking to someone yesterday at Knox about a lady who breeds Shelties but she had about 10 of them. Someone asked her if she kept one from every litter given she had so many but no she actually kept the only two litters she'd bred because she couldn't bear to part with them. :D Tez I was talking to Jan today at Warrnambool, I believe you guys know each other by phone for work? :D Hey if you want a really stable local dog for Gus to meet let me know, Darcy is just awesome with pups. How's he going - settling in well? Tenties I don't envy you unpacking. You'll feel great when it's all finally done though. Does anyone ever look at their dog and wish they could bottle and use just some of their energy levels? Zee's had a massive weekend including her first agility foundation class today and she's still going... If I could only steal just 10% of it I reckon I'd get far more housework done :D

LOL I should get a pic tlc but a black dog in a midnight blue blanket probably won't cut it. Plus Zee has gutted a $2 toy and last night's fish and chip paper (the outside 2 sheets) all over my study floor and I haven't picked them up yet and guess where Darcy was lying. :D She seems ok, no hot or touchy spots and she was ok with a gentle stretch so it's nothing major. tez I'd forgotten how wet the Knox ground gets - the bottom section is really low and it's quite uneven and was pretty soft underfoot. Great grip as the dogs can really dig in and turn but I believe it makes their job that bit harder when jumping. The tops rings were pretty much mud from rope to rope from the soccer but at least they weren't slippery - I wouldn't have run Darcy if that was the case.

Gus looks gorgeous Tez!! Great to hear he's starting to settle down into his new home - it'll take a bit. Can't wait to meet him! Miss Darcy is currently wrapped up in my new (i.e used twice!) electric throw blanket because I can't find my heat pack. Dunno whether she's sore or a bit tight in the back or just the heavy going today caused her to tip a few bars that she usually wouldn't. Anyway she's about to get a good rub down and a gentle stretch but at the moment she looks like she's in her own version of doggy heaven - spoilt much???

Thanks for the offers of crates Still not sure whether I'll need one yet but will keep you posted... JJ the offer of the trailer is incredibly generous, but I don't have a tow ball and I hate towing anything especially around the city. You'd think I'd have gotten over it with towing the horses but I still avoid it at all costs. Pandii, you haven't been ignored, I just don't live on this forum 24/7. JJ is 100% right, this is no place for a 3rd party. Tez - congrats on the new addition, how exciting!! Zee is all fine, had one accident early last week but no other issues. Hey what time does the walk start on Sunday and where is it? Do they usually have any good stalls? I'll be down there Sunday morning so it might be a good training opportunity for Zee, not to participate in the walk but do some training in amongst the chaos and noise

Most of my training is done inside at the moment, just not enough daylight of a weeknight to give my guys a decent run and train. I'm doing contacts with a travel plank, targetting, balance & strength work on a ball and disc, hand touches, crate games, general tricks, rear end work (backing up, perch work) and some heel work "doodling" with Darcy.

I agree Jules - we like a good rate of reinforcement, just as much as our dogs do. A lot of my confidence issues with training/trialling last year can be traced back to a not great attitude at training and some of the above type stuff being aimed at me. It's taken quite a while to get past it. Some of you guys are unbelievably lucky to have the training and people available to you that you do - I really hope you realise that.

Thanks T & T Awesome news - the breeder has agreed to take her back and rehome her from there. :D Thank dog for ethical and responsible breeders - a huge thumbs up to you!! I've said to Mum I can take her to Melbourne to get her "home", but I'm not sure if my crate is going to be big enough (36"). Does anyone happen to have a metal crate I could borrow if I need it? Work turns a blind eye to having my dogs in the wagon because they don't do any damage but they may have a big issue if M decides to start on the interior of a 6 month old car. ;) To change the subject - Has anyone been in Petstock lately - looks like they are trying to start a p*ssing match with your brother's business JJ! I would say 2/3 of that middle area has been taken up by aquarium supplies now Kind of crazy given there is now a dedicated aquarium plus PGD have a fairly big set up as well. They've lost me, I've found them not particularly friendly in the past and today was no exception. Their range for dogs and cats is now very ordinary I'll go to Colac if I need cat food and to Best Friend's if I need more than that.

Thanks again - I just want to see an answer that is best for all. I've passed on all the information but I'm just waiting until I hear where to go next and if any more assistance is required.

Thanks JJ - the Rottie Club is a great idea. And yes, she will need to go to someone with experience. I hope her breeder will step in as it will prevent a lot of heartache at a time when there is already way too much.

Pot calling the kettle black?? Colac gets Boganville around here, I lived there for 9 months or something back in 2000 - I hated it. Camperdown is one of my favourite places to live and that's saying something for someone who's moved as much as I have. On a far more serious note.... :D A family friend has an 18 mo registered Rottie bitch who is looking for a new home due to some very unfortunate circumstances. I've asked them to contact the breeder first obviously but not sure whether that will get her anywhere. I'm told she's a lovely dog, friendly but very full on with next to no training - She doesn't get out of her yard too often so I can only imagine what trouble she's getting into. I have sighted her papers, she is definitely registered, apparently working line. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best way to find her a new home, I have emailed Rottie Rescue already and have posted in the Rottie thread. Given she's not a pound dog or in foster care then I won't post her in the rescue thread. She'll take some work but sounds like she'll be worth it.

You gotta love a retreiver! Was cleaning up the back deck today and my sunglasses fell off my head, bounced down the stairs and of course ended up under the house. The top end of the house doesn't have much space under it, so it would've taken a great deal of crouched crawling to get them back, and most likely a shower!! Had a thought, called Darcy and sent her on a rescue mission for me. She headed in that general direction and then got diverted by a few smells under there but then came back to sniff my glasses at which I gave her a big "YES" and then "Pick it up" which she did Brought them back to me and didn't even put a mark on them. She got a handful of yesterday's steak for that effort. Good girl Darce!

Will that be for members only? Or as in hiring out to those outside the club who want access to equipment? Can I just clarify what you mean by your question before I answer please Jess? Sure - what I'm looking for is somewhere I can access contact equipment outside my occasional training club for proofing purposes. I'm currently fully retraining my 4 yo's contacts and I'd like to be able to proof the behaviour I want in as many places as possible before I put her back in the ring. Kepala would be ideal as they hire the area out with equipment but the contacts are not full size. Given I'm probably 3 hours from you joining is not really that feasible unfortunately.

Will that be for members only? Or as in hiring out to those outside the club who want access to equipment?

They do have some nice coats, but I splurged on some really nice ones from NZ for keeping Darcy warm at trials. My thing is dog toys and training stuff. Who needs a pet store when you have the internet and a credit card

Yep, Best Friends is great for pigs ears - $1.29 each which is way cheaper than anywhere else. I shouldn't go in pet stores though - spent way too much money on some new beds. A friend tells me she'll take me on a tour of the really good pet stores in Melbourne but I'm quite capable of blowing money without being led astray in Melbourne's pet stores. ;)

We don't get the holiday here but I'm taking Darcy for her usual sports check up (couldn't get her in at the same time as Zee unfortunately) so will be in Geelong in the morning as well. Dogs will be happy - I can stock up on pigs ears while I'm there

Done! I hope it helps :D Zee did brilliantly at the vets, poor little bugger is terrified at this vets for some reason and yet loves it at Highton. She was only ever chipped and vacc'd at this vets as she was desexed at a different vets. Anyway she was so scared she was shaking from the moment we went to walk in the door but she was still incredibly well behaved, thankfully everything on her U/S was clear. Her belly must be soo itchy though. Dr Kim gave her a check over and said she had a few minor issues that could be related but nothing that couldn't be fixed. Looks like whatever it was has disappeared as she's had no more accidents - touch wood!! Shannon I'm interested with Darcy but I'm not often around - but please keep me posted. :D tlc can you please let your friend know I've not forgotten about her It's just crazy busy lately and even more so now DLS has gone. :D May has trials all the way through but June is a total agility trial drought, if there is any reasonable weather on a weekend then I'll be up for it.

That would've been Ollie and Maddie Go the Vics

Bugger - fingers crossed for her next season! Could that be a remote possibility? Apparently it affected the muscles Theresa It doesn't fit with her symptoms - apparently most dogs with spey incontinence tend to dribble, particularly in their sleep, and don't even realise. Zee knows she needs to go and goes right there, regardless. But it's really hit and miss, she had one accident Sunday night and hasn't had one since (touch wood!). We've been doing lots of practise with my electric razor for her belly shave - she hated the dremel when I did Darcy's claws with it and I never even attempted to do hers. I suspect it was the high pitch. Anyway I didn't want her to be totally terrified at the vets on Tuesday. Man I love that Control Unleashed book - she's gone from refusing to go anywhere near it running to accepting it on her back belly and legs in 3 nights. I won't be doing it tlc, have fun though

You can get a special textured paint from Bunnings which is apparently expensive but makes it nice and easy. I painted a travel plank recently just using matt outdoor paint and mixing it with kids sandpit sand. I just mixed it until it sort of looked right and then kind of dabbed it on. I think I added too much sand but it still gave an ok surface - just a bit fine I reckon. I gave the travel plank two coats and then put the paint/sand mix over the top. Some have sprinkled the sand onto it instead. Either way is a lot of work for big stuff. My contact trainer (made by GSDs on here) has a better rougher texture but I didn't ask him how he did the surface on it. You can also get the chipped rubber but I would imagine it is pricey. I found it really sharp on my hands, I wondered how a dog would go doing it repetitively in a training sense as opposed to maybe 3 runs at a trial. If you decide to do it yourself mixing the sand and paint, grab a piece of scrap wood and experiment. Or start on something small like a travel plank. Better than stuffing up an A-frame. ;) Good luck with the agility

Hi Theresa :D No real answers unfortunately. Culture was negative with no growth and urinalysis is normal. Had another sample in Monday which has been tested x 2 and come back with everything within normal limits. She's booked in for an ultrasound on Tuesday morning to rule out the slight chance of a growth but her bladder feels normal on palpation. She's also booked in for a "sports" check up with Dr Kim on Wednesday just in case and I would be interested in her opinion on Do you know if your girl is up the duff yet?

What happens when you've chosen a different training path to your club? One where the rules make it quite difficult for you to train anything but their methods? Does anyone truly train totally separate from a club, particularly for agility when you don't have a full compliment of gear? And with a young dog who would obviously benefit from working under distraction? Be interested to hear people's thoughts please