The Spotted Devil

I would make contact - things can get a bit hectic when there's a litter on the ground. Just keep it short and sweet - maybe thank them for spending time with you and confirm your previous understanding.

Field-bred or show bred? http://www.thornfield.com.au/field-vs-show.asp

Yes I was thinking the same thing - the two additional indentations appear as though they could be the points. Also, I don't understand the theory but am working with people who do - many of the contact points on dog collars can cause electrical burns (even when not in use) because of the way the hardware is engineered. When you change the way the current is delivered you don't seem to have the same issues. Sorry I can't recall the details. Left my work brain at work.

Well Im not outraged but why is it better for the RSPCA to take them and put them down when the breeders are perfectly capable of taking them to their own vets and doing the same thing? Apparently many aren't since the discovery of mass graves etc. A bullet is only humane if it's well aimed, and a bludgeoning certainly isn't humane. Mass graves dont prove anything except that they chose one spot to bury them. Actually there was a forensic report done on how the animals were euth'd. Dogs lined up in groups of 2,3 or 4. Killed by gunshots or blunt force trauma. Oh come on just because they want to say they have evidence that some were killed inhumanely that's no reason to take away someone else's right to humanely kill them or have someone of their choice do it if they want. I was at the vet about a year ago and a grey trainer came in with 8 dogs in his dog trailer to be PTS BY THE VET and when it was done they took the bods home to bury them because its cheaper than having the vet dispose of the bodies. I was at a breeders house once who killed her's by locking them in a crate and not feeding them or giving them any water - does that mean we should all have our rights taken off us? Steve you're taking my point too far. My comment was only in response to you saying that "mass graves don't prove anything..."

Well Im not outraged but why is it better for the RSPCA to take them and put them down when the breeders are perfectly capable of taking them to their own vets and doing the same thing? Apparently many aren't since the discovery of mass graves etc. A bullet is only humane if it's well aimed, and a bludgeoning certainly isn't humane. Mass graves dont prove anything except that they chose one spot to bury them. Actually there was a forensic report done on how the animals were euth'd. Dogs lined up in groups of 2,3 or 4. Killed by gunshots or blunt force trauma.

How are RSPCA stats being twisted? For a start it would be more appropriate to discuss euth % rather than raw numbers. And discuss dog numbers rather than all animals. The stats I've seen were solely euth rates not numbers of dogs in shelters. I haven't checked them but the source was cited as annual reports. I was responding to asal saying "no outcry over 58,000 dogs" and my point is that it is 15% of annual intake nationally. Not 58% like the Greyhounds. No one likes euth'ing animals. I certainly don't. But I do see some of the dogs that make it through behavioural assessments and there are a number that should never have been adopted.

How are RSPCA stats being twisted? For a start it would be more appropriate to discuss euth % rather than raw numbers. And discuss dog numbers rather than all animals.

Like Gruf I think this is a poor resolution BUT I'm sick to death of RSPCA euth stats being twisted and re-twisted. Argue the case with facts not something somebody said somewhere. It's the same with the report - everywhere on FB people say it's full of lies. Fine - tell me which part of the report and back it up. Most people haven't even bothered to read it.

Not that you want to let her bite the bed blanket but find something she likes better!

I think it will be fine. Sorry for your losses. Have you considered that new pup may tear up the bed? Because it's fun :D Will you be ok if that happens?

Well Im not outraged but why is it better for the R.... to take them and put them down when the breeders are perfectly capable of taking them to their own vets and doing the same thing? That wasn't what I was meaning, the outrage part was because of the comment section of the link. I also think that breeder/trainer/owner should be allowed to made decisions for their own dogs in that regard. --Lhok except for the fact that obviously they are not allowed to make decisions for their own dogs now. look at the outrage of the disclosure of the mass grave of less than 100 dogs in was it five years? It read shot or bludgened, if every one had been shot then there should have been no cause for outrage, well unless its now only the ..... allowed to shoot/euth stock anymore. its euth when they pull the trigger if you arent aware of that. no mass outraged at the 58,000 or so yearly put down by the r.... even to my awful maths that over 300,000 dogs? dont even look at the cats. although they incinerate them at yagoona, read somewhere many end up in land fill from other branches. doesn't compute when looked at from that angle all to much but look on the bright side. thousands less dogs born and bred to be loved by the vast majority of their owners and perfect result for peta. I'm sitting on the fence with this debate BUT I can tell you what DOES compute - 15% euth rates nationally (RSPCA published dog figures) vs 58% (Greyhound Australasia estimated dog figures). Yes there are other issues.

Can you expand on these holes please?

Yes to the interrupter but there's MUCH better ways to teach pups in a controlled class. I use play in class to teach pups to recall from distractions. Much more effective in a real world situation - a confident pup won't give two hoots about an interrupter and a worried pup can get a real fright.

Curious timing...evidence of mass grave and cattle prod footage referred to police by GRNSW. I hate this. I can clearly see both sides of the argument - the report is horrendous but of course there are decent people being caught up. I don't know what the solution is. GRNSW seem incapable of overseeing the industry that's for sure.

Breed? Photos???

I only ever feed in the pen when they're young...unless I'm training. Builds a positive association.

Reckon the blanket could end up shredded soon :D Try a cardboard box that pup can shred...or paper towel rolls. Makes a mess but so satisfying for destructo pups!

There's nothing inherently wrong with luring but you need to move on VERY quickly or else pup only performs the behaviour when they see you've got a treat. Shaping doesn't come with those issues. But the main thing is that it's also the trainer who then falls into the habit of always luring and doesn't move on. Once I broke the habit of luring my training really blossomed. Yes, I still use it very occasionally but am conscious to rapidly move on.

I don't train "No". I teach my puppies to make great choices by setting them up for success. They also learn through failure (carefully controlled) where I can control access to the reward - builds confidence, resilience and lovely all round pets. How long is puppy in the pen for? Mine would not be placed in the pen unless they had plenty of mental stimulation (training!) and appropriate exercise first. Put them in the pen with a frozen chicken frame or similar and they eat then sleep. Bedding - I use Snooza D1000 beds - not cheap but mine is on its 3rd puppy! Plus op shop blankets. My pen is metal (from Vebopet). Not very tasty! Puppies need to chew - deer antlers and raw meaty bones are popular here.

That's simply poor training. I don't lure, I don't use punishment and I don't ask my pups to learn with such high distractions up front. Layers of understanding is the key. They are expecting University level behaviours at puppy pre-school! How stupid to have high value pig ears in such a scenario.

No No No! Your pup doesn't need anything for heartworm until they are 6 months old. It is not that hard to remember, phone apps, big red crosses on a paper calendar. I use valuhart for my dogs and administer every 6 weeks. I use a paper calendar. Yes agree. I just put reminders on my computer calendar.

Yes Jennifer is great! I have another contact who works with Jennifer too. Noseworks can be taught differently too - eg Fenzi classes teach it differently to K9 Noseworks which does effect how easy it is to transition to competition.

Completely agree. But if I have what I think is a particularly drivey or challenging pup I will try to match that with someone who is capable of bringing out that dog's potential. I knocked back so many people - so definitely you have to select people based on their suitability for the breed first.

PM me swain and let me know where you are located. I can put you in touch with the right people :)

Go Murph! ***I*** Stuffed up Scottie's ORT :/ We've ALL been there one or a thousand times Murphy's owner nearly blew it - he's like a bull in a china shop and she nearly didn't trust him.