westiemum

Yep thats my understanding too. Given Australia is the most backward country on the planet when it comes to dog socialisation (which of course creates its own problems) so I suspect other countries do it far better than us so can have different rules and expectations. Loved the UK and taking my friends dog to the pub with us who sat quietly under our feet all night. Here? There would be pandamonium!

Thanks all - brilliant. xx

I was just thinking... has anyone come across a pee pad where there is the base then an absorbent disposable pad and the grass on top? The disposable pad to catch the wee would make it much easier to manage (my hands aren't fabulous these days).

LOL! Great suggestions as always - thanks all. While I really like the idea for long days when I'm away and the westies can't come with me (and they usually do) I take your point about the 'no maintenance crowd'. Suspect my kickstarter addiction is also playing a part here . And the KMart solution is a good one to see if my fussy Sarah will wee on fake grass anyway. Thanks guys.

Thank you all very much. You're all basically confirming what I thought which some other really good ideas and perspectives. Kajirin thats a good summary of the situation here and I agree with your interpretation of the Act - its pretty specific and black and white with little to no wriggle room - so I suspect that fighting the order will be a waste of time. While as SG suggests there might be grounds for a contest, I suspect costs, stress of a challenge and associated heartache (and this family have a new baby born late November and this incident happened literally a week or two after the birth) will be prohibitive - but its probably still worth asking the question. Thanks RP - very sensible as usual - and yes you are absolutely right - it does fit the letter of the law and some dogs wouldn't have bitten defensively in these circumstances. Anyway please keep the advice and discussion coming and then I'll get back to them on the weekend. Thanks tons everyone - you've been really helpful.

Hi DOL Brains trust, OK - first off please no judgements. My aim is simply to help this family and dog with good advice if I possibly can. The circumstances are: Recently, a Kelpie was at home in SA while a children's party was going on. He bit a child on the nose and marked her forehead and medical attention was required and a skin graft was applied to her nose. He hasn't a history of biting anyone in the past that I know of. He was in a noisy environment with lots of kids. It happened in a walkway where he had no escape and was lying down. Apparently a 3 year old child fell towards him as he was getting up and he bit the child on the nose and marked the forehead (he did not proactively bite the child as council alleges) There was a new baby in the house who this dog is very protective towards. The father of the child who got bitten was supposed to be supervising but obviously didn't. The home owner and the owner of the dog made the report to council to attempt to do the right thing (although I'm not sure if she misunderstood section 56). She does not believe that it was an unprovoked attack as council alleges in the documentation (and nor does her vet). Unfortunately Council has come back with an intention to issue a dangerous dog control order While the owner is happy to comply with the majority of the conditions of the order (she has already bought a muzzle and a crate and sought the advice of a behaviourist, will put up warning signs etc etc), the two conditions she is not happy about are: 1. wearing a muzzle in public and in particular 2. Physical restraint at all times when not at home. She feels as a Kelpie this will now subject the dog to a pretty miserable life where he can't run and exercise outside a suburban back yard. And he's a Kelpie, a working dog. DOLers she's an incredibly sensible woman who is upset that her dog bit a child. But she has already consulted a behaviourist and her vet believes it was an inhibited provoked bite and if the dog had meant to really attack the vet believes that the injuries would probably have been much more severe. While there can be no guarantees, we genuinely don't believe the dog is dangerous. They are now considering rehoming him as a Kelpie cooped up on a suburban block who can't exercise ... well is not only going to be very unhappy but IMO may now become a problem dog. They have until 12 January to respond to the council. One part of me thinks they're probably lucky that a destruction order wasn't issued. On the other hand the Act is very specific and the letter from council to the owner quotes the Act which demands all prescribed requirements or none (I think). The only thing I think they can do is try and get the whole thing withdrawn - and I think they have none and buckleys of that as the fact is that the dog did bite a child. But having said that the application of the Act appears to be somewhat heavy handed: From the Act: A council or the Board may make an order in relation to a dog under this Division if satisfied that—... (b) in the case of a Control (Dangerous Dog) Order— (i) the dog— (A) is dangerous; and (B) has attacked, harassed or chased a person or an animal or bird, or is likely to do so, in circumstances that would constitute an offence against this or any other Act; or (ii) the dog is subject to an order made under a law of another jurisdiction that corresponds with a Control (Dangerous Dog) Order; I suppose the whole thing will turn on a definition of 'attack' and what the 'circumstances are that constitute an offence' - and I doubt given how specific the Act is that they'll be successful in trying to argue against that. So in thinking it through, a country re-home might be best for the dog and for them. For anyone who is so inclined here's the Act and its sections 50 -54 which are relevant. Section 57 applies if she rehomes. Anyway, its another sad one. I think I know which way this will need to play out. But I'd be incredibly grateful for any advice from the DOL brains trust. I now now have a sad family on my hands with a very sad child who is likely to lose her beloved dog (I want to say because a neglectful parent didn't supervise a three year old around a strange dog but I won't ). Thanks DOLers. Any advice appreciated - we don't have a lot of time

Hi all, After RPs great question I went back to the developers and here's their reply just through: Dear , Thanks for your mail and feedback. Yes, we are aware of the possibility of the dog getting wet. But in most cases it's only a bit on the dog's feet (unless you have a very small dog). We considered installing a sensor to avoid this but we decided against it as the extra cost and engineering efforts would not have been worth the benefit. The average flush is only 10 seconds every 2-4 hours. If you are interested to order a Woofloo then please order directly at our website at www.woofloo.com/shop Because our Kickstarter campaign ends. Hmn... Rabanne I think you might be on to something given the info which has come back. My Sarah hates getting her feet wet too - but I'm imagining that you could change the flush timing down to as little as once or twice a day - and here, even in winter it would dry overnight. And cos of how the backyard here is configured (on 2 levels with very steep steps) it still might be a good thing for her and me if I don't have to navigate those steps in the dark. Will give it some more thought. Thanks guys

Good thought RP - I'll go back and ask them how that works. Cheers.

Hi DOL brains trust, Just came across this on kickstarter (yes I know... I'm a kickstarter addict! LOL!) What do you think for those of us with tiny backyards, tiered backyards, courtyards, balconies, apartment dwellers etc? I'm seriously thinking of giving it a go with my very old westie Sarah. I have an ideal spot next to a tap on the top tier of my little backyard that might make life much easier for her and for me! (She can't manage the steps down to the lawn so I need to carry her down quite a few times per day). Thoughts? ETA: Love the 'male add-on! LOL!

Another latecomer who can't believe she missed the beautiful Bubby's passing. It seems like only yesterday he was a new puppy - and I've loved his antics and your stories over the years. I hope time is healing your hearts, while Bubby watches over you all. RIP with my Mac Bubby.

They sure are! And what fun they'll be having. And my friend Judy will be loving looking after all them. Bless her!

Well I can't believe it. Its two years today since Mac departed for a pain free existence in heaven. While the pain is pretty much gone, the tears are still there as I write and post this. He was the most beautiful westie in the whole wide world - and such a goofball! He had this way of snuggling under my chin - I can still feel it. RIP my gorgeous little man and look after Judy, our great friend who joined you last July - a wonderful 'westie' woman from South Durras in NSW who was the start of my westie obsession all those years ago in 1996. I've attached a gorgeous photo of Mac with Hailey just after she got her wheels (www.haileyswheelsforlife.com.au). Hailey was Mac's first love, after he got out of the puppy farm and before he came to me.

Moonlight Cinema allows dogs - Andy and Sarah love it cos apart from sleeping on me for hours while I watch the movie they get icecream!

Treat your dog Australia - https://www.facebook.com/pg/TreatYourDogAustralia/about/ Terrific products and the best service ever, bar none. For example, I now live a bit over an hour south of Adelaide and I got a call today to let me know they would be here on Friday if they could help me with anything. Seriously blown away.

So sorry B - Ive just caught up - run free with the Macs little girl.

Big hugs and RIP Loki,

If you are still looking for a home for the doggy wheelchair, suggest you contact Hailey's Wheels for LIfe, a charity which distributes mobility aides for disabled dogs, cats etc. They are highly reputable and do a great job and may know of a dog and owner in need. Link here or here.

Sarah and Andy are insanely jealous of the wee dug's travels and wardrobe! I'm now under significant pressure to upgrade Miss Sarah's jumpers and coats! What a great website. Thanks for posting B. Is she also on FB do you know?

Yep while stating the obvious to us, its still a good very sound article. And anything which increases our sense of community in an increasingly isolated age has to be a good thing.

I bought an Onkaparinga heated throw for my Mum a couple of years back - and she and Mark her cat love it. And she hasn't had any problems with it - touch wood!

Love the Sleepypod/Clickit products but I think the Ezydog are better value overall, and have good reviews. So thats what I'll order.

miss2 is it a complete or partial tear? And how old is Spud? I believe that makes a difference. My old Mac ruptured his ACL some years ago (about age 7 from memory), and I went with surgery straight away as it was a complete tear - and while the vet gave me other options, where the tear is complete I doubt you'll get as good a result without surgery. But thats just my opinion. And when he did his second one we went straight to surgery as well and had good results. I agree with RMS's comments as well - its also hard keeping dogs contained and quiet for long enough for the non-surgery route to be effective. Good luck with Spud.

Yep this is what I do too - because I buy in bulk I freeze up to 20 or so kgs of raw dog food at a time so it stays in the freezer for some time before use - in combination with a supplier who absolutely promises me that he only uses human grade meats.

The best stuff I've ever used fro my oldies is 4cyte. The difference its currently making to my 16 year old westie Sarah (and me ) is phenomenal. I used to use Joint guard for Mac which I thought was good, but I've found 4cyte much better. So I think a combination of Jumabaar and 4cyte is really worth a go. (Wish Jumbabaar was in my neck of the woods!)

Yes if I recall after some debate we came up great wording for a sticker. I'd certainly buy a couple if they became availble again.