Staffyluv

My problem with Zig initially was that he was more interested in the other dogs than me or treats.. So we started with the only thing that was more interesting than other dogs - the squeaky toy. Then someone said not to feed him before class, so we missed breakfast that morning and it really didn't make much of a difference. But missing dinner the night before (and we were at training fairly early the next morning) and not having breaky made a difference. I did only have to do this for a while and once he cottoned on to the fact that treats were good, it made life easier. Our trainer also said to get at least 5 different foods (someone suggested the homebrand devon), so I tried that cabanossi, BBQ chook, cheese, ham, liver treats and it was the devon and cheese that he went for first - so that is what we use. I also find that the softer food makes for better training treats because they are easier to eat and they don't tend to choke on them (like some of the dried stuff) as much.

Ziggy was totally toy focused (tennis balls actually) when we first started training. He had no interest in food at all. We tried just about everything to get him interested in food for training and nothing worked. Until I stopped feeding him of a night and the morning before training - I only did it for about 5 weeks and then he became interested in the food because he was really hungry.. We still use our kong squeaky tennis ball because it is his absolute fave thing to train for - when we are on our own (not so good at obedience as every time it squeaks every other dog looks to see where it is coming from).. He has one that the squeaker has been removed from and is still more than happy to train for it - but again, it bothers some other owners as their dogs are pretty ball focused - hence the reason we persevered with treats. He likes to catch the treats the same as he catches his ball - that was the link I found.. If he gets to catch the treat he does better than when I am just trying to give it to him - he isn't really interested in the food if I just hand it to him. Now he works for the squeaky ball, the non squeaky ball and treats. He will also work for pats and praise.. But prefers to get something for his efforts still. The treat we found eventually worked was cheese and homebrand devon (apparently it is fit for human consumption but I have my doubts)..

He is just adorable...

This.. Our instructors told us to get at least 5 different foods and see which one the dog goes for first and use that.. I guess it is a personal thing but my dogs never get the stuff used for training treats at any other time - it is wholly used at training..

I only use cheese and homebrand devon for training - they love it and never get it at any other time (other than training). Diced up into small pieces. The night before training they get half dinner and the morning of training, the foster girl gets about half her breaky and my boy only gets about 1/3 cup kibble.. He gets less as he is learning to train without treats and just on hand command now. The foster girl gets loads of training treats as she is just starting in obedience. I take into account how much they get and adjust dinner the night of training accordingly - because I have already accounted for the extra food in the dinner and breaky before training..

American Bulldogs again.........the Jogger now this one There is no place in the community for these stupid breeds for people wanting a protective type of dog. There is nothing wrong with having a dog that offers some protective quality in fact a dog can be very effective to keep potential thieves and unwanted visitors away and help people sleep at night, but a good GSD or Rotty will achieve that nicely who are genetically safe unless provoked with a high degree of trainability......bloody Bulldogs, Mastiff's and crap like that used as protection dogs are mauling's waiting to happen......when individual dogs in these breeds have a high degree of social aggression, they are extremely hard to train and direct aggression in the right areas for the right reason which is the reason why professional's don't use these breeds in formal protection roles. There is a place for every breed (or mix) of dog out there in our society Santo66... I'd be willing to lay odds that most people that own bull breeds aren't feral types that the media will have you believe, nor are their dogs. Most bull breeds that I've met have been lovely tempered things who only want to be your friend and get cuddles... and I've met more than a few since being involved in rescue. What there is no place in our community for is the type of person who thinks that they need a big powerful and inherently dangerous dog as some sort of status symbol. Not every large bull breed type is automatically going to be likely to attack anyone - just as not every smaller breed of dog is going to be calm and happy to interact with everyone either. Those of us who are responsible owners of larger dogs can get a bit defensive when blanket statements about them are perpetuated by the media and the blissfully ignorant. The problem is that uninformed or biased reporting often results in kneejerk legislation that can affect ALL dog owners, not just those doing the wrong thing... who will keep doing the wrong thing anyway because the laws and regulations aren't policed in any effective manner. T. Excuse me......I said American Bulldog.....do you know what they are, what they are used for and the general character of them and yes, they are attractive to people who think they need a powerful inherently dangerous dog for a status symbol and that's why they buy them, not to have snuggles on the lounge. So we have had 3 AM Bulldogs attack the jogger and now this one which is going well given they are still quite a rare breed. Who needs a dog to jump the fence and bite the kid next door It's true that professionals don't use American Bulldogs, call up the K9 squad and ask them and also ask them why they don't use breeds like that It's a breed issue when certain breeds take a responsibility level above what the average owner can provide to keep their dog out of trouble and the community safe, massive difference in the level of control required between handling a people friendly Golden Retriever and an American Bulldog who wants to take everyone's head off. If you want a dog capable of defensive aggression, you need a breed and type of dog that is trainable in defence with the ability to cap drive.........these Bull breed mixtures are hard to train and control in aggression is the point I am making, likewise they are harder to rehabilitate so the uses of an aggressive dog in these breeds is limited. That highlighted statement has to be the biggest load of rubbish I have ever read, you should start a mutual admiration group with Miranda Divine. To be honest as the owner of a bull breed, I resent it and get defensive when people dump me and my boy in with the few aggressive dogs and useless owners that are out there and it is only a few.. Bull breeds are a very popular type of dog (both purebred and mixed breeds). I own a bull breed mix - he was a pound mutt and I bought him when he was 6 months old. He came first in his beginners obedience class and 3rd in his intermediate class. He is now doing advanced obedience and our instructor thinks he is amazing (so much for they can't be rehabilitated). He doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body and is non reactive to another dog if it is dominant or pushy - he simply moves away. We have people approach us to socialise their dogs with him because of his nature. He is not the only bull breed at the club with an amazing temperament - and that is just our club. I have many friends and family with bull breed dogs and not one of them would fit your description of hard to train and control. Again, it is not and never has been about breed or type of dog. There are many more good bull breed type dogs (both of purebred and mixed breeds) than there are dangerous bull breed type dogs.

How does one so stupid manage to breathe?? She has always been an idiot but sadly she has the attention (be it good or bad) of the public. There will be people that believe the $hit she dribbles.

Honestly, I think it depends on the dog. My current boy would love that exercise regime but my old stafford was a lounge lizard and would have been horrified. Ollie (old lad), even as a younger dog, used to like his walks, have a bit of a run after a ball and then a walk home. Ziggy (current lad) will run and run until he lays down.. Then get back up again.

American Bulldogs again.........the Jogger now this one There is no place in the community for these stupid breeds for people wanting a protective type of dog. There is nothing wrong with having a dog that offers some protective quality in fact a dog can be very effective to keep potential thieves and unwanted visitors away and help people sleep at night, but a good GSD or Rotty will achieve that nicely who are genetically safe unless provoked with a high degree of trainability......bloody Bulldogs, Mastiff's and crap like that used as protection dogs are mauling's waiting to happen......when individual dogs in these breeds have a high degree of social aggression, they are extremely hard to train and direct aggression in the right areas for the right reason which is the reason why professional's don't use these breeds in formal protection roles. There is a place for every breed (or mix) of dog out there in our society Santo66... I'd be willing to lay odds that most people that own bull breeds aren't feral types that the media will have you believe, nor are their dogs. Most bull breeds that I've met have been lovely tempered things who only want to be your friend and get cuddles... and I've met more than a few since being involved in rescue. What there is no place in our community for is the type of person who thinks that they need a big powerful and inherently dangerous dog as some sort of status symbol. Not every large bull breed type is automatically going to be likely to attack anyone - just as not every smaller breed of dog is going to be calm and happy to interact with everyone either. Those of us who are responsible owners of larger dogs can get a bit defensive when blanket statements about them are perpetuated by the media and the blissfully ignorant. The problem is that uninformed or biased reporting often results in kneejerk legislation that can affect ALL dog owners, not just those doing the wrong thing... who will keep doing the wrong thing anyway because the laws and regulations aren't policed in any effective manner. T. That is exactly right T.. There is a place for all breeds in our community. I am a 47 year old widowed accountant and have had bull breeds most of my life. I was raised around them and apart from a dobe and rott, it's the only type of dog we had. Personally I have raised 3 bull breeds in my adult life. They have all had obedience training and gone on the be good family members. My first two Staffords were raised with my kids and were wonderful dogs. My current boy isn't raised around kids but he is fine around them. I also foster dogs for a couple of local rescues. Apart from the first boy, who was a kelpie cross, they have all been bull breeds. They have been nice dogs and with a bit of love and training have all gone to homes with kids and become awesome family members.. It isn't and never has been a BREED issue! It is about individual dogs and mostly irresponsible owners..

So incredibly sad - my heart goes out to the family of the little man.

We did have an unfortunate meeting with one individual who was talking about an organised dog fight on the outskirts of Yass. Apparently it moves from farm to farm and they only know about it a few days before it is going to happen.. It is organised but it is just those that want to test their own dogs against others.. Apparently! We did tell the local police what this moron had told us at the time.. That is going back at least five or six years ago now. One of the things that I can't stand is every time there is a missing dog posted on Facebook, heaps of people post that they hope it hasn't been taken for fighting.. As if the owner isn't distressed enough about their missing pet!

That is true Jed. Our home is in a heritage area and our front fence is not allowed to be any higher than 1.2m.. There is no way, I could ever have Zig in the front yard with a 1.2m fence - he would be over it in no time. Hope the man makes a full recovery.

I was the first one to comment about the fact that her weight might be something more than neglectful owners - but I didn't take offense to your post calling her a pudding, she is.. I just wanted to explain that sometimes, no matter what we do, there can be an underlying issue and it isn't always the owners fault that these things happen. I tried for months when Ollie was sick to find out what else could be wrong, as if mast cell cancer, bladder and kidney stones weren't enough. I was constantly told to put him on a diet and he was but it made no difference at all. At one stage I think he was about 26kg from memory and equally as round as the dog in your first post. But once we did find out what was wrong and the correct dose of thyroxine was worked out, he went back to being a healthy weight. It isn't always neglect, was my point.

That is great news. Glad to hear he is doing well..

Maybe, just maybe the dog has a medical reason as to why she is so round.. My old stafford got like that after he had chemo for MCT. The vet kept telling me to stop feeding him so much - I had cut his food back to such a small amount and thought I was still doing something wrong as he kept getting bigger and bigger. Turns out, his thyroid had failed and was barely working at all. Once he was put on meds and his diet increased to a healthy level, he started to lose the excess weight and spent the rest of his life back at a healthy normal weight. Good on you for keeping her safe until her owners come home.. I could only hope that my neighbours would do that if my boofhead ever decides to test the gate.

I don't know if all vets do it but our vet only charges half price for dogs in rescue.

Ollie was my heart dog. I grew up with a few dogs, loved them all. Ollie was different, the bond was different, it felt different - than it did with the other dogs. I have Zig now and he is awesomely special, I would be devastated to lose him. He came into my life when I needed something more than I ever had before. He filled a hole in my heart that I didn't think would or could be filled. Is he another heart dog? Could I be that lucky? It isn't the same as it was with Ollie dog but he is pretty special for different reasons than Ollie was special.

My dislike probably stems from the fact that two unrestrained dogs lept off the back of a ute some years back to have a go at the dog I was walking and in the ensuring melee I broke my wrist. What don't I like? Here's my initial list: * Some tradies don't ask if they can bring their dogs to your place and have them on their trucks. They assume. That could leave my dogs going off their heads about it and pissing off my neighbours. * I do not like seeing dogs chained without shelter on the back of utes in all weather. They're not ornaments or image enhancers, they're living animals. * If left loose, they are not always supervised and I've yet to see a tradie pick up after his or her dog. I don't know these dogs vaccination status or where they've been. I don't want their shit in my front yard thanks. * It pisses me off to be passing places where tradies are working and have their dogs approach me and mine. That's a start That is perfectly understandable. My oldest son walked past a ute one day with an ACD on the back and went to pat the dog - his father pulled him away just in time... We then explained that dogs on the back of a ute are usually there for a reason and mostly they are working dogs - there to protect the tools or whatever is on the ute with them.. Lesson learned, almost the hard way.. We probably should have been watching him more closely but really didn't think about it at the time. I agree that some don't do the right thing.

I love my dogs. I don't necessarily love other people's dogs and I certainly don't expect other people to love mine. Its a work place, not doggy day care. Unless you're the business owner or work in an animal related business, I think dogs should stay home. I really don't think dogs and office buildings are a good combinatino. Dogs requiring nursing might be a bit different but why should people be expected to tolerate the presence of your dogs where they work. (I feel a bit the same about kids actually ) One person SHOULD be able to "ruin it" for all - it's not a majority vote that matters in such cases. A single voice in this instance should be listened to. No different to other workplace issues where what the majority think is OK makes an individual very uncomfortable. And as for tradies dogs - don't start me. : Do tell HW, I am interested to know about the tradies dogs? The ones that come here are lovely - I guess it would be the same as the general population of dogs and owners. Some are idiots and some are not?? We have the pleasure of a lovely BC girl who is about 8 years old now (I have known Lexi since she was a puppy) and a small ACD boy who goes nuts when he comes to visit us and lays eyes on Zig through the gate. I also have a client with a poodle who brings him over when she comes. Then again, my office is appointment only - I don't get people just showing up with dogs all over the place... So I only ever have one client at a time here.

I think I paid about $240 for Ziggy to be desexed when he was 6 months old and weighed about 12kg. That fee included consult, hospitalisation, take home meds, fluids and he had dissolving stitches (so we didn't have to go back for that).. I have said it before but you may not have seen my reply so will just explain why vets charge different amounts for the same procedure.. Depending on the practice, do they rent or are they buying the premises (this cost can be large for some, depending on the location), how many employees and other overheads (the bigger the practice the more overheads, so sometimes they will charge more to cover costs). Some vets may choose to use specific brands of products (that they prefer to use) that may be a bit more expensive than say generic branded products - so they would have to charge extra because they cost them more. Leasing or buying their equipment can make some charge more or less.. Practice owners have to cover various costs that can differ greatly from one practice to another.. I would think that a $150 surgery may not include things like fluids and overnight pain meds - most vets (I think) give a 24 injection for pain after such surgeries (well ours does). Just my opinion.

Ziggy's works.. His title is 'Official Meet & Greeter' at Moore Accounting Office worker boy 2.2013 by Jodie Moore Photos, on Flickr I have quite a few tradies as clients and they have dogs who come and play with Zig, while we talk about business..

I am so sorry. I honestly can't imagine going through something like that. A lady here in town posted on the local buy, swap and sell page to warn others - her dogs had been badly beaten. Neither made a noise and one had to have teeth removed because they were broken from the beating. The news this afternoon discusses a 3 month old SBT decapitated in a yard, after a domestic dispute. I will never understand how any one can be cruel to kids or animals - the most defenceless of all.

Agree with Melza, without seeing it, we can speculate all we like but what sounds like aggression to one person, may sound like him just being a boofhead and trying to get your attention to someone else. When I first read your post, my first thought was that is what Ziggy does when he has just dug a hole in the back yard - he comes and tells me about it, all excited.. Or if the cat next door is coming into the yard - he barks and carries on (to some he may seem like he is going to attack the cat but he is just excited to see her). When Zig plays with my son, he barks, jumps around, head down, bum up, tail wagging.. He plays rough with my son (he is 22) but when Zig plays with me, he isn't as rough and he doesn't even pull on the tug toy as much with me as he does with my boy. However, if you are unsure about your dog then you need help, professional help to learn how to read your dog and if it is aggression, to sort it out. Good luck

Zig near bends himself in half he wags his rear end that hard when I come home after collecting the mail from the mail box (at the front of our house).. He had to stay with my son on Sunday, while I took the foster to obedience first (for a whole hour). Then my son bought Zig out to me at the obedience grounds and you would think that I had left him for months. He is very vocal, lots of woo wooing and piggy snorts and snuffles.. So everyone knew what was going on. He had lots of people that know him in fits of giggles with his antics on Sunday..

Took Zippy to her first day of beginners obedience and she did really well.. We have a boxer breeder there and I asked her opinion on Zipp and she said that she couldn't see any boxer but she sees staffy. Staffy cross it is!.. Zig had an awesome first day in advanced class - it is so much harder and faster than intermediate.. We had a bit off lead run after training and we had a comment on how they can't wait until their dog is as well trained as Zig - such a proud moment He still has a long way to go but when he is good, he is so very good.. He is still very much dog focused but his focus on me has improved so much that even the trainers have commented on it a couple of times now. Things like his focus on you is great, keep up the talk with him, he focuses so much when you do that. You two have a great relationship... It just makes it all worthwhile when people notice.. I adore my boy so much and to think at one stage I doubted I could do anything with him..