Working Dog Lover

My friend has a Staffy/Maltese. She's the size of a Maltese with the Maltese coat texture but she's brindle and has the exuberant Staffy temperament. Awesome little dog.

I use the Tailrunner harness and leash. Love how it has small bags that fit on the waist band to hold poo bags and phone etc. https://www.facebook.com/TailRunners/

That's the first time I've heard of anything like that,it's really intriguing, wonder if you have any further reading material on additives and maternal immunity I could read. I'd appreciate that very much, knowledge is power.

My 11 year old ACD is on it and it's doing him a lot of good. He still loves running with me so it allows him to keep doing that comfortably - a slow easy 9km on soft trails last week with no issues or soreness. Better results for him in my experience than Joint Guard or Cartrophen injections. I know two other people who have used it with similarly good results, and one person who didn't find it very effective at all - but they didn't dose correctly. The one common theme is what a pain in the butt it is to dispense with that silly little long spoon and getting the right number of balls on it. I get my kids to do it so it no longer bothers me. I've been told there's a similar product for people, keen to try that one for my creaky joints.

I use a Tailrunner leash and waistband, they have an option for a two dog model, haven't looked at it closely but it may suit your purposes. Aussie business too. https://www.facebook.com/TailRunners/

Interesting study - although Bravecto isn't registered for use against demodex mites, nothing to stop you using it for its flea and tick control properties, and see if it helps. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25881320

This is a real hard core Doxie. 50k in 7 and a bit hours is better than most people could do.

I recently euthanased a dog for a client. She wanted to be there for the dog closing his eyes, but didn't want to be there when he actually passed. We anaesthetised the dog in her arms and when he was fast asleep, she kissed him and left, then we gave him the euthanasia solution. That may be an option for you?

I've not dealt with Phil Thomas cos I don't breed, sorry. Just know of him as a reproductive specialist in a specialist practice. Have been to a few of his talks and he is very knowledgeable about all things reproductive so would expect he'd be competent at AI.

Phil Thomas from QVS would be a good starting contact. http://www.qldvetspecialists.com.au/reproduction

At least they're at puppy pre-school, that's a good start.

Not for me, thanks. Three of my four dogs have had a professional clean under anaesthesia, the fourth will be done early 2015. http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2010/april/anesthesia_free_dentistry-7324

My friend had exactly the same issue with her two female kelpies, it was chaos and her husband was bitten trying to separate the warring dogs. Cam Day resolved the problem for them and the dogs are doing great, it's a much more harmonious household. He's doing a Brisbane North visit on Dec 10 and has reduced travelling fees on that day. Worth considering.

I've known quite a few people to be very happy with Dr Inar Swift at QVS - http://www.qldvetspecialists.com.au/veterinarians

Melinda, I'm on the northside of Brisbane and have two Whippies of my own, I can temporary foster care this dog if it means she stays out of a pound. I homeschool my kids and also work a lot from home so plenty of company for her. I have also fostered for rescue groups so not inexperienced. Feel free to pm me.

I have seen dogs walking through the Eumundi markets, but it's crowded and hot, and I'm not sure how much fun it is for the dogs. Ginger factory I know wouldn't allow dogs, it's basically a gift store and cafe. I've never been to the Crystal Palace but by the sounds of it, it would be much the same. Can always give them a call though. Coolum beach is dog friendly, you can take them on leash on the surf beach, but north of the caravan park there's a huge stretch of gorgeous beach where dogs can run off leash. We go there often. Would love to know where you're staying. We spend a week in Coolum often, there's a great dog friendly house there near the dog beach but always looking for other alternatives. Enjoy your holiday. :-)

Melinda10786, I messaged you but you may not have noticed - can you please let me know where the park is with the sign about the yellow ribbon? Thanks very much

I've been to one of his seminars on separation anxiety, it was very good, very sensible information based on science. I too have personal knowledge of what he advised. Some friends sought his advice with an aggression/anxiety issue that was causing havoc in their two dog family. He consulted by phone due to distance, and the result is that their life is so much better, they're no longer having to break up dog fights in their lounge room and the dogs are much less anxious. They weren't going to call him because they'd already had a visit from a local trainer and were disappointed in his approach results, but eventually decided they needed to do something else. They're very happy with what he did for them.

Thanks for the responses guys, I personally won't be writing this particular article, but have passed the info on to journalists who are keen to make it a leading news story. Will keep you updated on publication date.

'Morning I'm looking for someone in Queensland, preferably Brisbane, who has a yellow collar or ribbon on their dog as described in the Yellow Dog Project. http://www.theyellowdogproject.com/The_Yellow_Dog_Project/Home.html I'd like to chat with them, and have some photographs taken, for a newspaper article on the project, to inform the general public about what it means when a dog has a yellow ribbon. Appreciate your help. :)

I have one of those harnesses, and I put it on my kelpie when we go running - I like how it doesn't have a horizontal strap across the front of the shoulders potentially affecting forward movement of his front legs. Sophia Yin, an American vet behaviourist who runs with her dog, recommends them. I don't think it's a magic wand, it's just another tool, you still need to teach your dog to walk nicely beside you. If you look at the video, you'll see that the handler stops, waits for the dog to come back beside them, then rewards them. You can do that with a flat collar, head halter or whatever; you don't need this specific harness to do it. My kelpie will still occasionally pull when he's wearing it if I'm not running fast enough. I like it for running because if he sees a kangaroo and decides to take me for a couple of fast kilometres, he's not pulling on his face like a halter, or on his neck like a flat collar would.

Glen Richards is a vet, and is managing director of the whole Greencross company.

I know of one issued recently so the owner of the dog could apply for registration fees to be refunded, as her dog was just re-registered the day before it was euthanased. Whether it's a "legal" document or not, in my view it has the same importance as a desexing certificate - confirmation from a veterinary professional that an animal has undergone a procedure.

That I don't know. Just offering an alternative view from someone on the inside who knows more than I, but I'm not sure how a death certificate could be issued "in error". Will be an interesting story to follow.

No idea, Raineth, that's all I've got but the person who told me it is in a position to know and in my experience they are honest. Time will tell. Edited to add: it wouldn't be the first time an animal has been transferred between owners and the microchip details weren't changed.