SparkyTansy

WTF? it's anything up to 30 characters including spaces and the prefix... I'm afraid whoever told the breeder that (or if the breeder told you that) they are mistaken.

I remember when I got my papers changed into my name through dogs west, they changed the spelling of spartans name from LLADRO to ILADRO I wasn't happy but didn't bother changing it cos I'm lazy and it took months to get his papers in the first place!

Perhaps one of the GAP programmes might be willing to give you their process for fosters. I know there is a range of things that the foster carers must go through and report on.

Perhaps if he is taken to the local ranger instead, and informed of the owners address, they might take more notice having to pay to bail him out.

This is a sore spot with me... My cat went missing two years ago (she slipped out the door after being kept in for two weeks having just moved) and i called all the coucils, pounds, cat refuge etc and did posters and letterbox drop in the area around the house and from the house I had just moved from (they were within 5 minutes of each other)... she didn't turn up. I think about her every day and wish she was safe. There were no busy roads nearby and as much as it hurt I would always look for her around the roads... I had the very caring people call me a few times from the cat refuge where i got her from, to find out if she had been found... I was heartbroken as it was the first cat i had such a close connection to. For all i know, she could be alive and well, her microchip with my contact details sitting just beneath her skin, unscanned, while they are all blissfully unaware that she is someones much loved pet. Edited - time goes fast, it's been two years.

My friend went back to Uni after completing a teaching degree to become a vet. She did a year of something (I can't remember what!) and then got into vet. She's entering her final year in 2012. She told me it's a very hard slog, full time study for five years, very little opportunity to work due to demanding study and exams, and she hates being so poor! Be very sure you want to do Vet before you start down the path MG She doesnt' regret it, but she did say it ruins your life for 5 years!

Spartan and James had horror puppyhoods (English Setters) and then stopped being evil puppies at around 12-16 months. Spartan has never been overly active and was an "old man" when he reached about 4 years. James is more active, but due to his HD cannot overexert himself so I don't really know how active he would have been. Spartan's body has finally caught up with his brain turning 9 this year - I think he loves that he has to do nothing but sleep and eat. The Weims are another story... Ari is nothing like any of the other weims I've owned, who all become well behaved around 18m-2 years but she is still going strong with silly antics and high energy and she is 4. Her mother is the same, though, at the age of 9 she is still hunting roos and rabbits. lulu is slightly more laid back and she doesnt' get this from her mother. she is cheeky and a real clown but she is not half as destructive as Ari. I'm willing to be she'll "grow up" around 2 or 3. As for slowing down, probably around 10 or 11.

I'd say she'd need to be more aggressive with her tactics for changing the food for the benefit of the dog. The dog will eventually eat when it realises that is all it is going to get. if the vet thinks it is Thyroid related and has given pills, I'm assuming the dog has had it's thyroid tested to give a proper diagnosis?

It is unusual. Regular contact slowed down with my puppy buyers when the puppies hit weaning age and work increased!! But I was sure to maintain at least minimal contact and I also sent them a receipt as proof of payment of a deposit. Do you have any proof you paid the deposit and correspondance from them?

I've been told the best cure is their first season.

FHRP describes the Gundogs well - it's always best to look at their history and what they were bred to do. Setters I feel are all rather misunderstood... They are not "dumb" but rather independant thinkers due to the far ranging nature of the work they were originally bred to do. They often made decisions themselves in the field and this reflects in their... stubborness today! They are quite happy to make their own decisions, including whether it is a reasonable request to return to their master when called Agree with what is said about the utility gundogs, and to break it down further, Weims were bred not just for field but to work and live very closely with humans... as a result they hunt close, slow and steady. They are aloof with strangers and need socialisation in order to tolerate other dogs.

My old boy's sire sired his final litter at 11years... I know of another dog who didn't have a decent sample at the age of 5. get it checked is the best option.

6th feb soooooooo long to wait!!

ha ha!!! I'm sure it will warm up CC I wish it'd cool down althoguh I'd rather the dry heat compared to the humid conditions from yesterday

I really enjoy the ag shows, but there are only a couple in WA - there used to be more but some have dried up over the years. Still, when there is an Ag show on, there are no other shows on anyway so it's ag show or no show at all!

Lovely :D If you organise a beach meet I might bring my two. I don't take them at the moment due to Louis issues, but with people I know and can do the proper introductions with I think he would be ok Welcome back RV :D When do we see all your photos? Congratulations everyone on the past few days achievements makes me feel very lazy with my two, but they did have a nice lake walk at the weekend and a swim at home Boxagirl - How is Bondi doing now ? CC speaking of photos - did you keep any of the photos from that weekend at RV's house? I'm curious if there are any nice or funny ones of Lulu on top of that sand heap!

Excellent thanks Mirawee i will appreciate the help as the owner of three of the dogs i show's ankle is still pretty stuffed not sure she will be up to running depends how it heals etc I will provide shelter, food and drink ;) anyone else is welcome to come along too even if just to watch I have clarified too i have had some judges point its liek sorry was that an out and back a circle a triangle??? The worst is poor RallyVally she probably has to clarify everything since she can't even watch the ring beforehand cos she's first!

How very interesting pebbles. The reason the owners were out socialising him was because he had a 'scared' moment in the ring the weekend before, which hadn't happened before and I put down to a fear period. The judge stood directly in front of him and started at him before approaching front on. Now while many judges do this and dogs usually learn, it scared him. I do wish judges would approach dogs in the same manner as the obedience trial judges. He was withdrawn due to his behaviour however his sister was awarded Minor in Group - the judge liked both puppies.

LizT! I always thought it was due to coat type, as often the Longhair weims aren't born with stripes, but the fauves have such a different coat type to the danes and the weims that theory is out of the window!!

The owners of a puppy i show (and bred) took the puppy down to the market to get some socialisation in big crowds. he was doing perfectly fine, until someone grabbed him from behind to pet him, and then when the owners asked for the person to please come around so the dog could see him, and to stroke him under the chin, the moron said that he had GSPs and "knew what he was doing"... of course, the trembling puppy told a different story

Why don't you come down to a couple of shows with Gibbs in the new year, just to watch and learn. Gibbs will be around lots of dogs (always a good thing!) and you can watch what is going on. Judges aren't scary (ok, some are), and if you tell the steward it's your first time showing, they are really kind. I think that obedience judges look scarier so I know how you feel watching from the outside

If you want him shown SG you could see if one of us would do it or get a junior handler they are normally more than willing and it gives them experience. or come to some open shows as they tend to be smaller (trainee judges) and you can often take a few shots if you feel it wasn't done properly. i used these to learn and build up confidence :D Or there are enough of us on here who would take him in the ring for you the first time or two if you want to give it a go That is what we have done with Taavi - E has been told she is showing him at his last Baby show on NYE but we have got him to the stage that he isn't too naughty in the ring now :D Hehehehe i love watching naughty puppies in the ring it makes my day. i can not wait to a friend's litter is old enough to show they are only 3 weeks but i will have another baby rotti to show man thats 7 dogs at one show LOZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I may need help in the near future ok CCD. shows how much i know i thought CD was the first one ok so she knows sit on command, drop on command though can be lazy so i need to proof this, she walks nicely on lead so i need to proof that to heel hmmmmm could be fun her stay is terrible :p :lol: well its sometimes there. recalls most of the time :p Emery you are crazy. i showed 6 Weimaraners at one show once - I was a mess by the end of it... Also with tracking Emery lauren does tracking I'm sure she'd help you out with what you need to know, but the tracking club do an open day/info day at the beginning of the season. In the meantime you can teach some tracking games just teach her to use her nose to find stuff. If there is a toy she loves use it only for tracking, hide it in the garden or house and tell her to find it. You can also get a sock or something with your scent on it, drag a path to a hiding place. encourage her to use her nose on the ground to find it. I quite enjoyed this method for teaching good heel position... still working on mine though

MG you are not short of people willing to help or handle for you if you want to see Gibbs from the outside of the ring first. Quite a few of us know how important it is to have new people in showing and want to make it as pleasant as possible. Anyway, I have seen that there are a big number of very supportive lab people helping out new showies.I think there are more pleasant experiences for new people than not... but it's always the nasty ones you hear about...

we got up to 5 touches It does wonders for focus Edited to add quote referring to mirawees post cos I was too slow!!

WA congrats to you also - as I said soemwhere else, it's fab to see Lappies recognised in such a competitive group as well.