Archive for May, 2007

Dog-gone!

Rousie thought he was being abducted by aliens this morning — but it was actually the man from Virgin Blue freight! It was a very early start (and a teary one) when I dropped Rousie at the airport at 5am.

Right from the start when we got him as a pup, I knew this day would come. He was earmarked as our Casterton Auction dog from day one, but saying goodbye was still very, very tough. I bawled!
 
Ideally, John & I would’ve loved to have made the trip with him to Casterton to demo him ourselves and see him sold, but as I’d been a ‘crook-chook’ of late, it was not to be.

He’s in good hands with our mate Ian O’Connell who will demo him on the Queen’s long weekend birthday in June, and sell him at the Australian Kelpie Muster in Casterton. Ian is the record holder at the auction, selling Connie’s brother, Mick for $5,400 last year.

When buyers ask Ian for tips on working their new dogs, his answer is; ”Love them and take care of them and they’ll work well for you for life.” Simple really. I know the person who buys our Rousie will love him. He’s one of the most fun-loving, gregarious dogs we’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.

His personality, combined with his easy working ability means he’s our legend on legs.

Goodbye Rousie. You’ve been a great mate. It’s time to go out now and work in the world!

Diamond back on the payroll

Our Diamond girl didn’t have a very long maternity leave. She’s back working, shifting mobs in for footbathing for us. As she’s still got pups on her, we give her unlimited, good food and extra kitchen treats to keep her going.

She’s relishing the time away from her sharp-clawed, ravenous babies, but is keen to get back in the pen with them at the end of a work shift.

Kelpies vs Collies

It’s interesting to raise a litter of Border Collies straight after a batch of Kelpies. A lot of people like one breed over the other. But I love them both.

Connies Kelpie pups were bold and barky as a litter, compared to Diamond’s baby collies who are much more subdued. Meal times seem to be more civil with the Borders than the Kelpies.

The work style will be different too. It’s a personal preference thing, but no matter what, once you’ve had a working dog breed, you fall in love with a Kelpie or a Collie. At present, Treasure’s have one Kelpie pup for sale and three of Diamond’s pups are still available.

There are other classy collies and kelpies on offer through the Tasmanian Kelpie & Collie Collective.

How much is that doggy?

Our neighbour bought a dog for $3,000 four years ago from the Casterton Australian Kelpie Muster and he reckons it’s the best money he’s ever spent.

He didn’t have to muck about for 2 years to start a dog. Instead he got a lovely well trained dog ready to go and he’s one of the best dogs in the district. So if you want a good dog – be prepared to pay.

To give you and idea of the work that goes into a trained kelpie go to Treasure’s Training Tips on the right of this website and look in archives. You can see how Rousie has grown from a wee little pup, to a steady working dog. Don’t forget to check out www.kelpies-casterton.org

If you aren’t in the state of Victoria, it’s easy to transport dogs across the nation. If you see a dog that catches your eye in the Casterton catalogue, contact the organisers and their stock agents can help you purchase a Kelpie.

Time to go out into the world

Remember Rousie the pup? There he was in July last year … and here he is now in all his 12 month old glory.

Sadly for me and John, it’s time for him to go out in the world. We’ve booked him into the Casterton Kelpie Auction on the 9th & 10th of June 2007. What’s even more difficult for me, is Rousie making the trip without me!

I’ve been laid up with a lergie, so my wonderful friend and founder of the Kelpie Auction 11 years ago, Ian O’Connell, will demonstrate and auction Rousie on behalf of John and I. So even if you can’t meet us Treasures at the Australian Kelpie Muster, you can still meet our Rousie.

You can see his details and the other dogs listed for sale at www.kelpies-casterton.org

It’s a top weekend of festivities and fun and a great way to find a good working dog … or fella. If you are too far away to make it, you can read my fictional account of the fun and passionate people in Casterton. Simply pick up your copy of The Stockman.

How to find hunky rural Romeo

 
I often get asked dog training tips. But more frequently I get asked by my female readers where can they meet the gorgeous guys like Charlie Lewis and Nick McDonnell from my novels.

Well, its as simple as going to a rodeo, country pub or rural show.

But what about the blokes that are so busy running their farms, they don’t get out to find the girls?

Well, fellas can enter the Find a Farmer Competition, run by the Women’s Weekly.

Daggy, I know, but it seems it’s effective!

It closes in a couple of days on May 25 so check the info below:  

Calling all single farmers

If you’re a single, adventurous Aussie farmer interested in finding love, why not enter The Australian Women’s Weekly Find a Farmer a Wife 2007 campaign.

To date, The Weekly’s three hugely successful campaigns have resulted in 11 weddings, five engagements, eight babies and countless budding relationships!

To enter, mail or email your details, including your name, address and phone number, along with your age, location and type of farm, why you’re interested in taking part, plus a snapshot of yourself by Friday, May 25, 2007, to: The Australian Women’s Weekly Find a Farmer a Wife 2007, PO Box 442, Eastern Suburbs MC, NSW, 2004, or email us.

Alternatively, register your interest by calling The Weekly’s editorial co-ordinator, Nicole Hickson, on (02) 9282 8120.

If you’ve miss the deadline, you can still visit the Beaut Blokes web site. This is a concept that’s worth checking out!

Hassling Kate’s pet sheep

It’s important to have quiet sheep when training a young dog.

Pet sheep are not always ideal as they can get cunning and learn to split or run in the middle of a mob of horses to avoid the dogs.

But on the whole pets can be good as they are quiet. Here’s John putting Rousie round his sister Kate’s pet sheep (Sorry Kate!).

You can see the advantage of the pets. They feel safe sticking to John and he is in a position of control should Rousie get too wound up.

Also you can see the advantage of having a good ‘stop’ on your dog.

If things get too fast, we can stop it all by making Rousie sit. Notice John’s body language and eye contact he has with Rousie.

This foundation was all put in place months ago, away from stock on a lead.

Take a look in the archives to see how we started on Rousie as a pup.

Playtime!

Rousie is a late maturing dog. He’s still got a tonne of pup in him, despite his big dog size. It’s important we let him have ‘playtime’.

But it always must be under supervision and under control. Here he is hassling our old Gippy.

The turfy dry ploughed paddock on John’s Dad’s place was ideal to get the rev out of this young dog.

Never let your dog off and let it roam too far away from you. Your dog should have a natural ‘zone’ — in that it shouldn’t stray beyond a certain distance from you.

Call it back when it does. If it doesn’t come, go and get it and take away the playtime privilege by tying it up or putting it back on a training rope.

Our Border babies

Check out the rest of the litter.

Dog and horse news

It’s back to school for working dogs.

Edith and Whipcrack are for sale.