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Post by Aussienot on Mar 16, 2011 17:47:37 GMT -5
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9f5ds1PJVk&hd=1You can tell that the owners have put a massive effort into training and control, but it all goes out the window because the dogs are having too much fun. Love the Keeshonden about 7 minutes in, and some very excellent 2 on/2 offs on the A frame.
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Post by Aussienot on Mar 13, 2011 19:19:28 GMT -5
Oh, gummy bears, I didn't think about her hitting full maturity and some of her wild instincts becoming part of her personality. Yes, it could be that.
This is one of the reasons I dislike hybrids.
I had hoped with proper foundations and structure, exercise and discipline her juvenile panic attacks would fade. Tarot is the most highly trained dog I've ever owned. Her obedience is sharp, quick and precise. She has the most reliable recall of any dog I've ever trained no matter what the distraction.
She learns quickly, and like most dogs who are trained by shaping, she freely offers behaviors and works hard figure out how to earn a treat.
She is happy to be doing anything, it doesn't matter what as long as she knows what she is supposed and gets the chance to do it. Very Border Collie like that.
On the agility course she is a intense rocket, incredible jumper and fearless climber. She is intuitive about what do to which offsets my bad handling. I'll never forget the night early on when I had to push her out to a jump rather than the tunnel in front of her. I yelled Out, and gestured to the jump I wanted her to take. As soon as the word had left my mouth, I realized I'd never taught her the out. But she did it anyway.
Or the time I accidental pulled her off the dog walk with bad handling. She hit the ground in a thump, rolled over, ran back to the up-ramp and got right back on without any prompting from me. Finished it with a proper 2 on/2 off, too. I was too busy thinking she was going to be scared of the dog walk now, but give her a mission and she is fearless. Unless something fires off in her brain and she becomes Panic Puppy who can only shut down or bolt. I can't trial her in either discipline, because of her fear of new locations. She has to be somewhere four or five times before she relaxes. I never know which dog (Super Tarot or Panic Puppy) will be with me until I open the car door.
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Post by Aussienot on Mar 9, 2011 18:14:16 GMT -5
Breeder has just sent through pictures of her pick puppy: And doesn't she stack well at 6 weeks Getting excited now that I can picture her. Hope Cody and Tarot welcome a little sister. Haven't told the cat yet.
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Post by Aussienot on Mar 9, 2011 18:05:05 GMT -5
E-collars are not banned in my state NSW, or not yet anyway. They are banned in Victoria (so are prong collars) .For a while it was banned to import them, but that was reversed a few months later.
Haven't considered if an e-collar would help. She is prone to freezing/shut down under stress so it might make things worse unless I was very careful with the application. Maybe I can pair the "page" function with a calm signal. Will think about that.
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Post by Aussienot on Mar 2, 2011 23:53:38 GMT -5
Tarot has always had two problems. One is random and unpredicatable panic attacks. Hasn't had many since hitting adulthood, so I hoped these had resolved.
The other is that she cannot be contained by normal means. She can jump anything, contort and squeeze thru openings too small to see, slip out of harnesses, break crates, dig, climb, etc, etc.
Since she was four months old, I have been leaving her in a laundry room inside the garage while I am at work on the days that she doesn't come with me. Always been happy to stay there. Seperation issues have never been a problem.
Last month for reasons known only to Tarot, she managed to break a hole in the laundry room door, and enter the garage area. No big deal, and if it makes her happy to stay in the enclosed garage, I was happy. Left the laundry room door open so she had access to water and bedding.
Yesterday morning I was of two minds whether to bring her to daycare with me. She made it clear she didn't want to come with, so I put her in the garage. She started scratching and pounding on the garage door, making a horrible racket for 5:30 am. So I let her out, and tried to take her with me.
She jumped into the car when I opened the door, but whirled around and jumped out the small gap between the top of my shoulder and the roof of the car before I could get the door closed.
She bolted down the street, was in a blind panic state and not responding to learned cues.
It took quite a while to get her to come back to me. Which she finally did happily, at a dead run and gave me a big face licking as if I was the one that had left her. Seemed normal the rest of the day and had a happy day in daycare.
This morning I left her in the garage with a big marrow bone, and all seemed quiet. At noon I got a call from a neighbour that Tarot was loose. Luckily, I had help in at the daycare, and I could go home and look for her. She had managed to bend the lock and open a sliver crack in the roller door. A cat couldn't have gotten out, but she did!
She was sitting on the porch, so re-capture was not an issue. I put her in the house, and she had a drink and settled into her favourite sleeping spot. I am now back at work. She can stay inside for an afternoon, but not as an all day plan. She only likes daycare one day a week. Any more frequently and she starts hating it.
Looks like I will have to build a concrete floored, roofed and reinforced kennel for her (to break out of . . . .) Was thinking of doing this anyway but didn't want to spend the money.
Sigh. Might also have to talk to the vet about anti anxiety drugs.
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Post by Aussienot on Feb 11, 2011 19:46:34 GMT -5
Here is mom Saffron (she's a redhead like me) with some of the pups: and here is dad Tyler I have already ordered a heap of training dummies and mock birds for training. Of course, I have order enough to sell and am just keeping a dozen or so for personal use. I think it is a bit crazy to take on more commitment, but somehow I will make it work. Excited about getting into positive reinforcement retrieve training. Will bore everyone to death with it. Now, just six weeks to wait.
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Post by Aussienot on Feb 10, 2011 16:23:27 GMT -5
Yes! A Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Still just a little widget at this point, but eyes should just be open.
Mom Saffron is a titled retrieving dog, has actually hunted, and is a dual NZ and Aus Champion. Dad Tyler was the National Retrieving Champion two years ago, and is a dual UK and Aus Champion.
So the breeder is confident that one of the 6 girls in the litter of nine (thank you Tyler for throwing so many girls!) will be able to be a field and show champion for me.
They are an uncommon breed in Australia. Only four breeders that I know of. Fewer than 100 in the country. I will try to post some pictures tomorrow.
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Post by Aussienot on Feb 9, 2011 17:28:51 GMT -5
Very warm, it is one of those three. Still six weeks to go. You should be a detective.
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Post by Aussienot on Feb 8, 2011 17:30:09 GMT -5
I googled state dogs, and got a list of state mamals. Only a few states have state dogs, but there are state cats breeds and state horse breeds. Who knew?
Most of the state dogs I won't own for quids, but one of them stands out.
Best clue yet, it a three word name.
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Post by Aussienot on Feb 6, 2011 15:53:36 GMT -5
Nope, not a spaniel. Bigger. At one point in the breed history it was called a Ducking Dog. It is the official state dog - never knew there were State Dogs- of its state of origin.
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Post by Aussienot on Feb 5, 2011 0:22:59 GMT -5
You are getting warmer with the spaniels, it is a gun dog breed.
Actually, I have a friend who breeds Portuguese Water Dogs. She owned them before they were trendy. Two litters of pups currently. She will be pissed that I didn't get one off her. Just cant handle a dog that needs clipping. I'll have to ask her about the water thing.
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Post by Aussienot on Feb 1, 2011 22:55:09 GMT -5
Jr. Texas Taffy Dog Treats Recalled Over Salmonella Fears
Linda Doell Feb 1st 2011 at 9:30AM Filed under: Recalls, Consumer Ally, In the News
Merrick Pet Care recalled its Jr. Texas Taffy dog treats sold nationwide in stores, including Petco and Agway, because they may be contaminated with salmonella, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
So far no illnesses have been reported, the FDA said. Humans who handle the dog treats -- essentially beef jerky for pooches -- also risk a potentially life-threatening infection. Symptoms for infected pets include lethargy, fever, diarrhea and vomiting. Humans can develop infections with many of the same symptoms.
Dog treats affected by the recall have the item number 27077 and UPC code 02280827077. The recall is for all lots, including lot 10364. Consumers can return the dog treats to the store for a refund. Call Merrick Pet Care at (800) 664-7387 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Last summer Merrick recalled another of its dog treats after a sample tested positive for salmonella. The incident was among a spate of pet food recalls last year that included Iams and Eukanuba brands.
edited to add - Reason 427 not to feed your dog overly processed junk.
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Post by Aussienot on Feb 1, 2011 15:38:43 GMT -5
Most people think of one most common color, but they come in three shades of similar colors.
Loves water.
Not a terrier or hound
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Post by Aussienot on Jan 30, 2011 15:50:23 GMT -5
Some more clues:
No "oodle" involved, perhaps the anti-oodle. Medium size Short wavy oily double coat
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Post by Aussienot on Jan 29, 2011 2:48:35 GMT -5
I'm in the mood to play a guessing game. Hopefully people will jump in with guesses.
My new puppy was born 3 days ago (on Australia Day, which is not a clue). Can you guess the breed?
1. It was developed in America.
2. One of the few breeds that hasn't split into show and working lines. Dogs are expected to do what they were bred for, and "'honorable'' scars are not faulted in the show ring.
3. It's not a rare breed, but it hasn't been spoiled by popularity either.
Any guesses yet? I have a few more clues in mind and two more months to kill before I get her.
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