Stefie

Love your input, corvus - food for thought! Have bought the Steven Lindsay books when I did my course and have read a fair bit. But as you said, they're incredibly interesting but so dry and factual! You can only take it in small doses! So for now I want to get as much information as I can without having to give up my normal job that earns me my bread and butter. And I thought a distance education course, self paced is just right. Have actually emailed Steve Austin, whom I have met during the course, if he can recommend anything for me. Awaiting reply... ;)

Thank you for your input, corvus and persephone! I was always of the understanding that you have to have some sort of certificate before you can actually advertise as a professional dog behaviour consultant. I may be wrong. But I don't think that people like Steve Austin or Robert Holmes would have gotten where they are without any study! What I have learned in my dog training course was extremely interesting and gave me a good background in dog behaviour but, as persephone said, it would be good to have some theoretical knowledge and there is so much to learn! I think I have just scratched the surface! My aim is to learn the theory and then convert that into practice, watch the dogs and recognise what I have learned and react accordingly. And yes, it is of extreme importance to have good people skills! I always say, you can teach a dog anything, but humans are a much harder nut to crack...

Looking for advice and knowledge! I have completed a Dog Training Certificate with the NDTF but would like to branch off into dog behaviour consultancy. NDTF have a specialised Behaviour course but unfortunately it's not currently offered. I wondered if anyone has any experience with this Dog Behaviour course that is offered through "Courses Direct" via distance education. Courses Direct - Dog Behaviour Practitioner Certificate Or does anyone know a Behaviour course that s/he can recommend? Thanks for any help!

I couldn't do it. I'd cry every time I walk past the box! I've go mine buried in a corner of the property where they used to hang around. I know they are there enjoying themselves in their favourite spot.

This much I can definitely vouch for that they WON'T take the dog to the pound! And it would be one pampered pooch if you go by how they looked after their previous 2 dogs who both died of old age. They do have the money for the upkeep, vet costs etc. The dog would be desexed, vaccinated, everything that needs to be done would be done. They just don't want to outlay that much money in the start, which I can understand. I wouldn't do it either knowing how many beautiful dogs die in the pounds... So definitely a good home, they just have to make up their mind what they actually want.

Thank you so much, freundhund! They are some very interesting websites and I will pass them on. I don't know if they are ever going to find what they are looking for. I told her it is just about impossible to meet both parents, especially if they are rescue dogs. And now they are even saying that they can't afford $1500! I will have to have a serious talk to them that they will have to make some compromises somewhere! They can't have a PB with all bells and whistles for just a thank you! I am working hard at the moment to get them to stay away from the BYBs!

Yes thanks, espinay2! I have forwarded the links to those websites to her. There are soooo many though! How do you choose? That's why I thought I'd ask here for some recommendations!

Hello everyone! Sorry if this is not the right place. It's not often that I am hanging around in this section of DOL, am usually in the rescue section. Anyway, a friend of mine would like to get a new addition to her family (Mum, Dad and two little kids). She's looking for a female GSD pup. I have been looking at the pound sites for a while but no pups, only adults. They also would like to know both parents. So I thought the best would be to go straight to a breeder. But where do I start? Does anyone know any around in this area, i.e. Far South Coast of NSW or ACT? Or if anyone knows of any rescue pups? Doesn't have to be show quality or working line at all. The dog is just wanted as a pet.

Oh she is such a cuddly cutie! Would nearly convert me to sibes! I never know with your photos though - who is cuter, your puppies or your kids!! Here's a little "story" that you might be witnessing yourself soon! Be nice to others because . . Time WILL make a difference! One day you will no longer be the big dog... Just the old dog.... And my friend, WE are now the old dogs HOWEVER, OLD DOG IS BETTER THAN DOG-GONE.

Isn't that funny: When a puppy chases a ball we say: "not again, give me a break!" When an old dog chases a ball it's the BIG event and everyone cheers. Go Mack! :rofl: Senior Dogs Rock!

What a heart warming story! Do I see the fur growing back already?! My 14y.o. boy has been living with bone cancer for near three years now and is still happy as Larry, albeit rather slow off the mark nowadays. So there may be still plenty of good times to come for Mack! Extra brownie points for a great rescue!

What a beautiful poem, Rachel. Now I am crying again.

My beautiful BG You have been playing in heaven for one year now. soooo much...

Who says you can't have a baby and two big dogs??!!!!????? Well done! A great new family for a great dog!

Don't really want to scare the horses but I had a Red Heeler x a long time ago and she started to loose weight at age 11 in spite of eating more than she ever had in her whole life. Turned out she had a malignant tumour in her nose and the vet said that all I have been feeding was the tumour which used up all the energy in the food and left nothing for herself. I'd definitely get Zeus checked out by the vet again!

What happened to the inquiry of the woman who wanted to adopt all three of them??

Poor little sausage... :cool: Hoping with all my heart for a full recovery. Luki is very nice!

I love happy endings! Thank you for your never ending dedication, k9angel!!!

Thanks heaps for everyone's input! We can certainly work out something with that info. Some of those figures are downright frightening.

Thanks for those links! The second one is certainly very interesting, but this one just gives me a photo of a cattle dog!!?

Hi everyone! I have a friend who is regularly doing a stint in our little community radio station. To raise awareness he wants to talk about the subject of pounds in NSW, maybe even Australia wide and has asked me if I can find statistics for him about how many dogs get impounded, euthanased, reunited with their owners or rescued through rescue groups every year in NSW, any other state or the whole of Australia. I guess in this kind of a report on the radio the most drastic impression would be the immense number of dogs euthanased. I have surfed the net a fair bit now but don't seem to be able to find any figures, apart from the statistics of dogs going through the RSPCA. I am aware that there doesn't seem to be compulsory reporting of these figures by the pounds but surely there should be some estimate numbers available somewhere? Can anyone point me in the right direction where to look? Thanks!

Oh no, they're a worry these oldies but you love them all the more for the struggle they have to go through. Hope all is going well for both of them (especially Tammy!)!

My vet has been a real great help with BG, first looking after her at the clinic and then, after BG's discharge, coming to see us in her last hours in the middle of the night without even being on-call. I have the best vet that you can wish for. My sincerest thanks go out to him and his staff. Now I have received a sympathy card from my vet's team which also included the following poem which made me -again - cry shamelessly. A Pets Prayer If it should be, that I grow frail and weak And pain should keep me from my sleep Then you must do what must be done For this, the last battle can't be won. You will be sad, I understand Don't let your grief then stay your hand For this day, more than the rest your love and friendship stand the test. We've had so many happy years What is to come can hold no fears You'd not want me to suffer, so When the time comes please let me go. Take me where my need they'll tend Only, stay with me to the end And hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you will see It is a kindness you do to me Although my tail its last has waved From pain and suffering I've been saved Don't grieve it should be you Who decides this thing to do We've been so close, we two, these years Don't let your heart hold any tears. (Author unknown)

You're gone for one week today and I miss you more every day, my beautiful BG. ;) Every time I close my eyes I see your face in front of me. I hope you found some good friends up there.

Thank you for everyone's thoughts and hugs. The world is such an empty place without my BG. I am walking around like a zombie feeling guilty, wondering whether I could have saved her if I hadn't gone OS. I am not coping. I can't sleep. I miss her so much.