Staffyluv

Another issue with microchipping is there are a few registries, aren't there?

I don't think she deserves to lose her pet - but she did, under the circumstances that happened.. I have to admit that I am torn on this subject.. I do feel for the old owner. But I also know that adopting a dog, thinking it is yours and then 9 days later someone turns up and says, 'that's my dog' - would be horrible.. I know, I would not have given Ziggy back, so I simply can't say that the new owners should give the dog back - but I do feel sorry for the original owner.

Sounds like everyone is making some good progress - well done.. Seeing the improvements makes all the hard work worthwhile. Zig is on the mend after a dose of KC.. He had a sore foot, so I took him to the vet and it turned out it was just a blister (no idea how he got a blister on his pad).. While we were there the vet asked how his left back leg was and I mentioned he is still carrying it after about 20 minutes of strong exercise. So after going over him again, it was discovered he has a sore spot on his spine - we are going for x-rays next Friday.. The vet thinks he may have a disc issue but we won't know until further testing. So no agility training (where he is jumping etc) until we know what is going on for sure. On a great training note, he was back at obedience today and did most of his work on a lead dragging along with him (me not holding it) - in a group of 9 dogs and not once, did he try to take off to say hello.. He has become very focused on me all of a sudden - to the point where today on a couple of stays (where he couldn't see me), he got worried and got up and come looking for me.. So we need to work on that. I think we have fixed the running off as soon as the leash comes off (but we still need to keep working on it to cement it). His heel work also needs some more work again. He is pulling a bit again and seems to have forgotten that he should sit, each time we 'stop/halt'. The instructor was less than impressed that I was using two commands (stop and sit) when at this level, he should just automatically sit - he always has, until now.. But he has been sick and as been allowed to get away with a bit, so I need to bring him back down to earth :) Another happy note for us, is Rally-O is finally starting at our club (just at club level to begin with).. We will go at 6-6.30pm on Tuesday nights and I can't wait. Zig and I had a bit of a play at it today again (we have a turn every time they set it up)... It is so much fun and we are so bad at it - there is loads of room for improvement. I love that it is all on lead, all basic training stuff (heel, sit, drop, returns, static type work and lots of turns).. It just adds to our training.. We have our training session with Steve Courtney from K9 Pro on Friday week (15th November) and I am so pumped about that.. Although, I have to admit I am not looking forward to the drive from Canberra to Kurrajong in Sydney.. Zig gets car sick and most things you can give them for car sickness, also makes them drowsy and he needs to be as bright as possible for the training session..

Morals are different in everyone's eyes - what one person thinks is morally acceptable, another may think differently (from person to person, culture to culture). Perhaps the new owners think as they followed the correct course to adopt a dog that morally they think they are the rightful owners as well?? Who knows? As I said, it is a heartbreaking situation for the original owner..

That is devastating for the original owner - I haven't said anywhere that she isn't hard done by in all this.. She is.. But the sad fact in this case, that so many seem to be overlooking, is the new owners of a dog that was considered a stray and through all the right legal channels, ended up in their home.. What about their rights?? I feel for the original owner, I really do.. The only people who did the wrong thing here are the original owner for not chipping her dog (in 7 years) and the dog sitter.. The new owners have done nothing wrong. I honestly can't imagine being in either owners position..

Pailin that is terrible.. I hope that she went to the police but I would also understand if she didn't. disintegratus - that is basically how I feel about it.. It isn't the fault of the new family that they were looking and adopted a stray, unchipped dog from the RSPCA - but on FB, the thing that got me most was people saying what horrible people they were for not giving the dog back. Why should they? No one knows their side of the story - they could have been looking for months or trying to replace a lost (or passed away) pet for kids... The one at fault here is the original owner for not chipping her dog and the pet sitter for losing the dog and not doing enough to locate it before the owner came home.. The new owners have done nothing wrong and are well within their rights to keep the dog. We all know how quickly a dog weeds its way into our hearts and homes - they have had it for nearly 2 weeks (I was smitten with Zig in a day).. Thanks everyone for the other points of view - some of you are wonderful, saying you would give the dog back and I dare say I would (if I hadn't bonded with it)... But I wouldn't feel obligated to give it back (based on what was written), it would be purely out of sympathy for the old owner..

Of course you can change your mind.. Humans change their minds on things all the time.

They are on facebook - they have been called horrible people because they won't return the dog and now someone is trying the old, 'if it were a child'.. I actually empathize with the original owner, I really do but being someone who did adopt, I bonded quickly with Zig and seriously couldn't imagine giving him back after I had bought him into my home (with the view that he was now my dog).. Like I said, it really is a horrible situation and one I hope I am never in a position to face because I really don't think I could give the dog back (if I had bonded with it)..

Link to Story This is a sad story - the original owner didn't chip her dog. It ended up at the RSPCA and they sold it to a new family. Some on facebook are suggesting the new owners are terrible people for not giving the dog back to the original owner. As the owner of an adopted dog, I know there is no way, I would have given Zig back after even a week with him. It is a hard lesson for the original owner but I don't think the new owners should have to give the dog back..

Poor Harry (and you). Glad the surgery went well and hope he is home soon and recovers quickly.

Can't see councils paying someone a grand a week or more to sit in dog park for 8 hours a day unfortunately, otherwise people would have to pay for using the park, though that could probably have its pluses. Having never been to a dog park and warned off them, maybe someone on weekends or late afternoons who just visits once an hour or so I guess could work but then that would again require someone to employee or leave current duties. It would be a hard one for them I guess, until something really serious happens I don't think they'd do much, one of those use at own risk things. They don't have to sit there for 8 hours - random patrols would have some effect and the Council could put up signage. Its not a matter of "use at own risk' - there are laws covering attacks by out of control dogs. I go to our local leash free park a lot again at the moment and have never seen a council worker/ranger type person there ever. I think common sense is lacking in some dog owners - some really have no idea of what they should or should not do with their dogs or how to deal with situations when they arise. (Not aimed at OP at all - just a general observation, mostly at dog parks and walking around town).. When we go to the dog park, I assess the dogs that are there - nine times out of ten, we end up going into the small dog/pup side (ours is in two fenced off areas - one for big dogs and one for pups/smaller dogs) because there is never anyone in there. I only take him up for a run off lead and a chance to chase his ball - he doesn't need to be with other dogs to do this but there are very few leash free areas that we can do it and this one is fenced. We leave if someone turns up with a little dog or pup that is concerned about Zig's size playing with smaller dogs. Or we stay and play because he is so good with smaller dogs and pups if they don't mind. Yesterday we had a 6 month old poodle pup and two maltese dogs in with us and they were all having fun chasing him, chasing the ball. I tend to only let him play with dogs I know are safe these days and if there are others there, then we simply don't go in. He is my dog and my responsibility to keep him safe. What happened to the OP and their dog isn't nice at all and must have been very frightening. Reading the opening post it sounds like the first dog (offlead) was fine with the pup but when the other dog came in, it all got out of hand with over excitement.. I dare say - two staffy/pit bull types, if they were serious about getting the pup, then they would have had the pup, regardless if the owner had it in their arms or not.. The description of what happened to me sounds like out of control, over excited dogs - not a nice situation for anyone to be in, let alone, trying to 'save' a pup from the situation.

I am on limited income (due to clients not paying in a reasonable time). I have taken to growing food, eating stuff that is only in season (because it is cheaper) and making things stretch.. I grow my own lettuce, tomatoes (when they come on, strawberries, rocket, herbs, capsicum, pumpkin, cucumber and peas).. I will be adding more as time goes on. I just got some baby chickens for free off a friend - it will be a while before they are laying but you could always get some from the people that save battery hens, who are still laying (just not laying enough for commercial purposes, so they get rid of them). Free eggs for some pellets and kitchen scraps is a good trade off for chickens. Making pizza night at home - we make pizza on pita bread or on the stove top (chefs toolbox have an awesome recipe for stove top pizza). Most of the one pot dishes I make can have a can of beans, lentils or chickpeas added to it the next night or before freezing for another time. 2 minute noodles never hurt anyone - we ate them at least once a week when we were saving for a house (young kids and all many years ago). Make sweets at home for the kids, it is better for them anyway. Same with iceblocks, home made juice iceblocks are heaps better than the bought ones. Cheap bacon in the dairy section goes a long way, when you make bacon and egg rolls for dinner on Friday nights. Picnics for kids, home made sandwiches and a bottle of cheap fizzy, with some watermelon or fruit salad at the park, is a cheap way of getting out and about and not costing much. Buying in bulk with friends in the same position is also a good idea. Buying bulk lots of toilet paper, washing powder etc. Cleaning can be done just as well with bicarb soda and white vinegar, as with all the expensive cleaners. If something that the whole family likes is on special, buy a bit more and have it a couple of times that week. We got little cocktail avocados on special last week ($2.50 for 6) - so we have had avo on toast, avo in salads etc all week.

I think if you are dog savvy and know the breed/type of dog that you are wanting to adopt, then you could be OK getting a dog from a pound. I think if you are wanting to save a life, then rescue is probably a better option for the general,public. The dog will have been temperament tested, desexed, wormed, vaccinated, microchipped and even probably some training to help with any issues the dog may have.. I took my last foster girl along to Zig's training club and she did so well, she came first in her group.. Getting a dog through rescue, gives the rescue a chance to get another one out of the pound.. To me the only other option is a reputable breeder...

Thanks for that, will go and have a look.. The stand is one thing that Zig gets mixed up with.. I think it is my hand signal but can't be sure. He does it most of the time but now and then, it is like he forgets and just sits down..

That is great - don't give up, it will work - eventually.. If he loses interest, cut the class short and leave - always leave on a high note.. I used to make this mistake with Zig all the time - thinking that longer training was better, it isn't. The more fun it is, the more they want to do it, the more they pay you attention waiting for what is coming next. Walk him out of the group when he barks (he wants to be in the group) and when he is quiet, start walking back towards the group. If he starts to bark again, walk away. He will pick up that if he wants to be there, he needs to be quiet. This takes time, time and more time and loads of walking in and out of the group.. Distraction is another thing that will work in your favour. Use your cue word to get his attention (mine is ready) and shove a treat when he sits to look at you. Teach him some static work, so you can do that while listening in class when they are not doing anything.. (Ask your instructor or look it up on the net - static work keeps them busy and quiet on the spot). So you will be in the group, listening but working (and he will be quiet)..

Wot they said. And if the other dog is a bull breed type which has 'locked on' bashing it on the head with anything won't do a thing except make it more determined to hold on. Yep and yep.. Prevention is best - try to avoid situations where it may happen. Train and socialise your dog the best you can. Only hang with other trained and socialised dogs and their owners.. Years ago we had a meet and greet with our old SBT (male) and a some friends SBT (female).. The cow of a dog jumped right on his face and wouldn't let go. Her owner was a solid lass and she jumped on her - this did nothing at all. Here was a little 14kg staffy bitch with a 100kg+ woman on top of her and she still didn't let go. She kept a hold of her to stop her from shaking her head from side to side (which would have ensured much more damage to my lad).. Eventually she did and we pulled my boy out. Then her owner dived on her again to stop her from coming back.. I swear she only let go to catch her breath.. Ollie had a few puncture wounds but was OK.. It is a scary thing to be involved in.

He had two because he was double figures (10) :)

Thanks guys, I think he was too precious to ever be forgotten.. I will probably revive this thread every year forever :)

Two years ago today we said goodbye little buddy.. Miss you face as much today as the day we said goodbye. Ollie 2 years old Ollie dog by jamoore photos, on Flickr Ollie at his 10th birthday party (4.5 years before he died) Ollies 10th birthday by jamoore photos, on Flickr

I totally ignore it.. We have had a couple of foster dogs that did the whole spastic thing when we got home. I just walk in my door, put my bag down, put the keys on the key board and walk to the kitchen.. Once they are calm, they get a hello and a pat. My boy used to do it when we first got him but now he sits on the mat inside the door and waits until we do the bag, keys and then he walks forward for a hello.. Consistency is the key - always do the same thing when you come home. They soon learn this is the procedure for homecoming.

It is 2 years tomorrow since Ollie dog went to the bridge and I see him and hear him here all the time.. It is funny, he was always being told to get out of the fridge - if the kids (or us) had the door open, his little head would be in there. The other day, I turned around and the kid had the door to the fridge open and I swear, I saw his little black butt sticking out - I was about to tell Zig to get out of the fridge and realised that Zig was sound asleep on the lounge.. When Zig walks through the house, he walks high on the pads of his feet, so doesn't make much sound on the floorboards. Ollie used to make the tick, tick sound, where his nails hit the floor boards.. I hear this sound a lot. There has been loads of times, in the kitchen especially, where I have said something to Zig only to find he is not there.. Zig sleeps on the same spot on my bed that Ollie slept on. He also sits on the same spot on the lounge that Ollie used to sit on. Ollie used to climb up on one chair (there are two chairs) at the windows and look out - Zig climbs on the same chair.. We still have a couple of Ollie's old toys and Zig won't play with them.. They are so different but there are so many similarities as well.. Although I miss Ollie so much, sometimes it really does feel like he is still here.

Remember what I am discussing is mostly AT obedience - the no talk, hand signal stuff.. In the real world, where you come across other dogs and situations - you do whatever works for you. I tend to block Zig a lot - stand in front of him, so he can't see or get near what is coming towards us. Then his excitement level doesn't become hard to handle.

I really think it depends on the dog, where you are at with training and the situation. I use words a lot (more than I should apparently for our level at training).. We spend a lot of time with hand signals and not talking to the dogs now. But I can't help myself, I talk to him all the time :) (and get pulled up on it). We also don't use treats in training anymore but I still do when we train at home or when we are out at the park (we use a ball because he isn't interested in food at all). Dogs should be rewarded for doing the right thing and if you need to treat and talk all the time to get what you want, then do it. I was talking from an obedience level perspective - at training we (and in the ring) we simply don't talk to the dogs, we only use hand signals and praise is kept back until the end of the exercise. I find I can get Zig to do so much more before he gets his tennis ball now. Once upon a time, it was a simple heel pattern - maybe a slow, fast, normal pace forward, left, right and left about for example. Now I can get him to do that with stands, stops, drops, stays included in the pattern. It takes time and loads of repetition and being consistent all the time to get what we need from them.

Not a breeder so can't comment on what to do sorry.. However, who in their right mind would pay $5000 for something that another vet would do for $1700?? Hope you get it sorted so every one is happy.

If his tummy is inflamed from being upset, then this is maybe why you saw some blood or it could be from his bowel (again inflamed from the runs).. Zig gets yoghurt with probiotics and a couple of times a week he also gets one of my chewable Blackmores probiotics.. They are in a blue box and with the vitamins in Woolies.. Human grade is fine for dogs. I would be bringing his food back to one type and if he goes OK with that for a while, then intro another food.. Bland as possible to start with - chicken and rice to help his tummy rest. Mashed pumpkin is another thing that is nice and soft on sore tummies. There is obviously something upsetting him and the only way to find out is eliminate nearly everything and then add foods back after a few weeks, then just add back one at a time.. The culprit food will show itself.