poochmad

The same as this, except I vacuum daily (Roomba is a godsend). The dogs are groomed fortnightly, their beds are washed up to 2 times per week and I don't allow them on furnishings. I burn candles and I clean up any messes immediately and thankfully, having adult dogs, this isn't very often. Airing your house is also very important. A Roomba sounds like a great idea...but I need one to go upstairs. Also, I think the dogs would go nuts if that came on each day, it would probably get chewed and peed on (the dogs are inside/outside dogs).

Hi. I live in Goulburn and yes, they do have an obedience club here. I never took our dog/s because the training seemed a bit old fashioned - they still used choke chains and some of the methods I didn't agree with, i.e. yanking young puppies around. In saying that, when I was there to observe the dog showing group (which are very good), there was a new trainer who was slowly making changes for the better, instilling more 'modern' ways to train, i.e. flat collars, rewards, etc. Agility was also being provided but not loose leads as the training is done at the showgrounds and does not have the facilities to let dogs off lead. This was a couple of years ago now; it could be different now.

Um...not sure why you would think that 'DOL' would react like that - in the 5 years I've been a member, I've never seen that reaction. I must have missed that when it occurred... ************ Keisha09, good on you to report the dog to the council, I've done that myself and the loose dog is now carefully locked up behind gates that were mended. These days you can give information anonymously so no fear of 'retribution'.

I can't offer you any advice/input, but can offer you sympathy and empathy. So sorry that you and your BT are going through this. Feel free to unload here all you want.

Brookestar, where did you get your information from? I can't see any reference to it on their website nor on their Facebook page and am curious how you came across it. Can you please share the link if it's online? Ta. Also, can you please not use capital letters in your post as it comes across as shouting. Making the words bold has the same effect. Ta. :) ETA: the reason I'm asking is because I like to have all the facts before making a decision.

Not only did I document the dogs routines - i.e. feeding, grooming, etc, but also documented their quirks and behaviours. It came to about 6 pages long, but had everything in it. We also left $200 for emergencies and they were good with giving us back receipts and change. In answer to your questions below. What would you do before engaging the sitter? 1) meet them - abosolutely - don't do what we did and meet them, a couple of days before you leave!! 2) ask for police clearance check? - for peace of mind, good idea. 3) ask for references so you can contact them? - who gives bad references, really? 4) negotiate the rules? - rules are non-negotiable. It's your house and they are your pets.

My female Jindi, steals socks as well. I don't find it annoying though, we think it's cute. It would probably be annoying if she put holes in them though.

Shesa, so very sorry for your loss. Run free, Skye.

Judging by the photo of your dog, which I think is a RR (?), I would get a large sized one. I don't know what size ours is, but you can unzip it and use it as one piece if need be; we just unzip it to plug the dog seat belts int. Ours takes up the entire back seat and is in mint condition even after 6 years. Money well spent.

Thanks for sharing - will definitely check it out. I love happy endings. :)

Agree. I care about the poor dog - what a horrible and stressful way to die, can't imagine it. I also care about the person who did this - something they have to live with for the rest of their life. As somone pointed out, this is empathy. I think it would have been an awful discovery, no wonder they are in counselling. Neither of these two things make me a bad person. It just means I can look at the situation and feel for both components; another word is compassion. *** However, I think this topic will just go round and round in circles. There are people like me who feel sorry about the poor dog and who also have concern about the person involved and then there are the people who don't care about the person, they are focused solely on the dog, which I understand as well. Neither side will relent.

Pers, I think you and I are on the same wave length...that's what I thought too! :laugh:

We have wooden floors which helps with the dog smell; these are vacuumed weekly. The front door is opened as much as possible allowing the screen door to do its job and we have candles going pretty much all the time. Also the dog beds are washed regularly as well as the pooches. Both my sister and mother who are fussy, comment that the house does not smell like dog at all.

What I find really interesting about the whole thing is that Guide Dogs have been very open about what happened - they didn't need to say anything...it wasn't like it occurred in a public car park and had witnesses. By being upfront and honest about what's happened they've opened themselves up to negative comments/feedback - I hope that this doesn't stop people from supporting the association.

We just use Windex window cleaner and a soft cloth to get rid of the slobber down the inside of the door. *** When I saw the heading in the 'view new content' filter, I had to double check that the topic was in 'general dog discussion' and not in the graphic news section due to how I read the subject heading. But that could be because I haven't had a coffee yet.

Glad the police have him. It would be interesting to know his reasons. Thank god your dog alerted you to him. What a good boy!

Personally, I think you are better having them inside with you rather than out. If he does come back, they will let you know and at least they are protected from him in case he tries something stupid.

I would definitely call the police, especially since you are so isolated.

Agree. The whole thing is disturbing. Perhaps you could call the police and they could do a 'drive by'...who knows, maybe he's already known to the police. Do you live in a rural area or suburbs?

OHHH No! He was sent on way! but knowing he was likely nearby at his shed was not a nice thought.Big dog or not. Phew! You had me going there! :laugh: I would have called the police. Someone wandering about with that type of weapon sounds mentally unstable...goodness knows what they've been up to...

Did you say he had a tomahawk?? And you let him stay at your place? Cripes, you're either very trusting or have a really big dog and scary OH!

I just asked my husband his thoughts on this topic and he is in agreement with you guys, that the person should be sacked. As he pointed out, not only did the dog suffer a horrible death, but a lot of money would have been spent on the dog's training and someone has missed out on getting their guide dog. He also thinks that someone who is responsible for dogs as part of their profession, leaving a dog in the car, which everyone knows is a no-no, is inexcusable and shouldn't be working in that profession. ETA: while I can understand his reasoning, I still feel the person has had enough of a punishment and will have to live with this for the rest of their life. While it was a horrible incident, it was an accident and not done intentionally. If they had a record of doing such things, then that would be a different story.

Reverend Jo - suggest you start a new thread about your topic. On topic, if the person isn't sacked, I'd be surprised if they don't resign. Can you imagine the other workers there? Whispering and looking at them, giving funny looks whenever there is contact, the person's reactions to notices of changes, knowing it's happening because of them. I'm sure the same high emotions being portrayed on here would be even higher at the work place.

She's adorable Jules, you must be so happy! :)

Yes, the bed is shared with my husband. He's squished onto his side and Jindi and I have half the bed on the other side. :D