Hi
I'm just introducing myself! I am about to commence a Dog Training & Behaviour course with the NDTF (by distance learning) with the option of training an assist dog for hearing and sight impairment. I've done a lot of thinking and researching and the koolie is one dog I just keep coming back to. I hope I've got the right dog!!!! Anyway currently I don't have a dog (but am a slave to a cat) but I expect it will be very very soon before I have one I hope!!! Things are happening on that front!!! I was hoping to keep you guys informed of "our" progress on this journey. And I love hearing everyone's stories about their dogs - they bring such love into our lives.

Welcome to the Koolie Forum, it is an excellent place to share doggy experiences. Life just wouldn't be the same without a dog or two or three!!!

Again a big welcome.

A big warm welcome to you Blue Dog I am sure you will enjoy the contact with like minded people. I am learning so much and everyone is so helpful.

Good luck with the dog training and behaviour course, sounds like fun but also a lot of hard work.

Once you have a Koolie you will always have one (or two or three). They are just such individuals with fantastic personalities.

welcome i hope you enjoy your stay

Hey Bluedog
I know your just going to have the best time here.
I have sent a pm with our offer to assist you in locating the right Koolie for your needs.
So let us know it there is anything we can do.

I'd love to know more about the work you hope to do, is this course availabe and recognised all over Australia.?

I have always wanted to increase my knowledge of imal behaviour through a course or extra training in other services, but never had the time or the opportunity.

That you are taking the opportunity, I hope you keep us all informed on your learning journey.

Don't forget to take lots of photos, we are all rather fond of our pics.

Welcome to you bluedog! As a recent newbie here I can say this forum is really nice. Lots of freely given info and advice. I knew an animal behaviouris from Newcastle Uni, and I can tell you his dogs were a lot better behaved than mine ha ha! Good luck to you!

I am sure you will find everything you need to know about the Koolie here on this forum.
The dog obedience club I attend with my two girls has all there trainers trained by the NDTF course (we attend Australian Dog Training here in Melbourne) The trainers have all been just great as my middle child (lol) Libby suffers from dog to dog agression and they have been working with me though these problems.

Best of luck with your course, I have heard great things about it

Welcome to the forum, bluedog.

If you're looking for an objective opinion on Koolies you're probably not going to find it here as we all just L U R V E them!!! (LOL)

All dogs are great - Koolies are just that little bit better.

Smart, sensitive, affectionate, preceptive, forgiving, versatile, pretty, great with kids, great workers, fantastic companions, great 'off' switch at the end of a working day, intelligent, funny and willing to please - what's not to like?

Did I mention funny?

If only people were like that (LOL!!!).

Cheers,

Michael

Hi Bluedog

Like everyone else, welcome to the forum, I hope you have a great time and get involved in the discussions - feel free to join in the more the merrier and I hope you find your perfect little koolie soon.

You will find this a great forum, I have recently joined and find it the most enjoyable to be on. When I was looking for a high energy dog, I looked at all types of working breeds, but I was attracted to the koolies. As they are bred for their temperments and brains not on their looks.

And the bonus with koolies is you get a unique looking one and no other dog looks the same.

Good luck with the course I am so envious, but at present my time is lacking as I am training my dogs up in obedience, then agility.

Welcome again and enjoy.

For all of you that any interested this is the website for NDTF and states about their courses and everything they can teach you. They have a number of differant courses. Might be of interest to some people out there.

http://www.ndtf.net.au/new/index.html

I find with Libby that someone that is trained in dog behaviour is a great help as it helps me to understand what she is thinking and why she does what she does without guessing!!!

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome! It's nice to have a place where you can rave or rant about your dog (or life in general)!!
Thanks also Rachelle for putting the link up to the NDTF. I looked at the course content again the other day and I'm now even more nervously excited about the course!!! I think my first block should be arriving next week in the post! This is the distance learning course. I have two practical training sessions in the year. This is the first year they are having these sessions in Dural, NSW and I managed to squeeze in the last place available. Previously you had to travel to Melbourne.

You are most welcome to rank on about anything you like (within reason ;))

I have had so much help from NDTF trainers and come not recommed the trainers enough.

You should learn alot and I wish you all the best. My dog Libby has been a subject dog for students 3 times now LOL!!!

Welcome Bluedog. I totally agree with what everyone has said. This is such a nice forum.

Good luck with the training.

Libby