RuralPug

Both you AND the breeder need to feel comfortable with the decision to purchase. Just because they advertise on DOL and/or show their dogs is no real indicator one way or the other, it does mean that they are registered ANKC breeders though. Not having their own online page doesn't mean anything much except that they are very unlikely to be a puppy farm. If I were you, I would spend a bit more time talking with the breeder on the phone, asking then about their expectations for the kind of care they want the puppy to have, what are the characters of the pups and what sort of written advice they give with their puppies. Also, if you have a friend or relative that you trust in Victoria, you could ask if they could visit the puppy on your behalf. I don't see any red flags in what you have said, but if you just don't feel comfortable then you could wait for a litter closer to you that you can visit before purchasing.

A good breeder will always give a diet sheet so that you know what, how much and how often to feed through the various growing stages, if pup does well on this there is no real reason to change. Once pup is an adult you can experiment with different diets. Please accept that a good breeder knows the needs of their lines best.

It sounds like you are already making progress, albeit slow. I'm not sure at all that she thinks of the office as the dungeons of hell and therefore your husband as a demon, really that is pretty unlikely! Maybe she was one day scared by a plumber?? Who knows? We are unlikely to ever know what has triggered her fear. You can take her on leash into the office, but I don't think it will result in any sudden epiphanies, nor do I think that it will cause any harm provided that you yourself are relaxed and laid back, ditto hubby. But if you try that hoping for a major change, you will probably be subconsciously anxious - in that case it may easily be counterproductive. Patience, patience, patience. Patience and demonstrating that OH really cares about dogs and is no threat is I think, your best tactic. Food givers are carers, in most dogs' eyes. If the time-out scenario is helping YOU relax, then continue with that as well. If you tense up when you notice her getting ready to bark her "Stay away from me!" threats at him and if she is picking up on that body language, it might be reinforcing her, just a thought.

I agree that a greyhound would be perfect. Those without prey drive can be found I have peripherally assisted in the rehoming of several that live amicably with dogs cats and other small pets - the trick is to have your name listed with an ethical grey rescue that does temperament test thoroughly. You just MIGHT get first shot at an unadvertised one that is the perfect match. The vast majority of available greyhounds come from the racing industry, it is actually surprising that a percentage have low prey drive, but it is true - just make sure they are sourced from a reputable breed rescue that temp tests properly. In this regard, GAP has the largest numbers, and therefore, low prey greys being a percentage of the population, the most low prey greys available in any given time span. I would be surprised if, having regularly contacted the trustworthy greyhound breed rescues (and unfortunately there are some that cannot be trusted ), you weren't able to source one within four or five months if low prey drive is the only major factor. If other factors, such as local sourcing, pattern or colour also come into it in a major way, then yes, it will take longer. An adult (4+ years) Golden Retriever from a non-working line should also suit, if budget is not a factor then a rehomed ex-show dog might be ideal. There a a couple currently listed in the DOL breeder pages, one of these might suit very well. If the GR breed club in their state has a FB page, why not message that page and ask if it is allowable to post that you are seeking a laid back adult used to kids and cats? Never any harm in asking. Although a fair few adolescents of this breed move through rescue, due to the usual puppy-buyer-didn't-realise-the-cute-puppy-needed-training-and-is-now-unmanageable syndrome sadly common in all breeds, adults are not all that common in rescue. The household involved can submit an application to GR rescue who are VERY careful in matching homes and adoptable dogs, from memory that rescue won't discuss it at all without an application. An enquiry or application is NOT a commitment to take on any dog that a rescue offers, it is a template that helps ethical rescue match homes and dogs. I urge people, in general, to contact multiple rescues with details of their needs and lifestyles in advance of that rescue advertising a particular dog. Once you do have a dog that suits you, it is of course, courteous, to contact all the others you have contacted to let them know that you are no longer looking. @ShadesOfGrey,apologies for the novel, I know that you know most of this and have found out which rescues are not ethical the hard way! It is just that I try to keep aware that this forum is open to, and read by, non-members and so I try to give advice that will help people who are testing the dog search waters for the first time.

I doubt whether the five minutes time out is going to harm her psychologically, but nor do I think that it will do anything to stop her fear of your OH. I agree that your hubby coming home needs to be associated with good feelings like food and treats! Which is why I suggested that he serve their evening meals but possibly the storm of treats will work just as well, as long as she doesn't (as you fear) associate it with her barking at him. I'm curious, though. What happens on weekends or public holidays/days off? Is it just him coming through the front door at the end of a workday or does it happen if he comes inside after an errand or watering the lawn or whatever? I imagine she eyes him sidewise and avoids him the rest of the time, is that right? Does she ever see him with one of the others in his lap while he watches TV or something? That is often reassuring to a scared dog, to see another dog being cuddled. I couldn't agree more on just be patient!! It will take time and do continue in your efforts.

And I think our friend E will say that the average Smooth is more hyper than the average Rough! I could be wrong we will wait and see!.

Coat care is not complex. Just good solid brushing, a couple of times a week. As long as your daughter is aware of what is needed and is committed that should not be a problem.

You can get laid back Rough Collies which do not have the full on working temperament and perhaps that's the way to go? Many of the pet RC's that I have met are not as demanding as, say, the average Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Kelpie etc. I think you should be safe in talking to Rough Collie breeders. A good breeder will choose the correct temperament in a puppy or if you want to be 100% sure, look for an older dog whose temperament has already stabilised. She might need to be sleeping in a queen size bed if she wants to share though ! A Shetland Sheepdog looks much like a Rough Collie, is much smaller but tend to be much more active and have a different temperament than Rough Collies. There is a 14 month old RC girl currently advertised in NSW in the breeder's pages.

Agree there are far too many dodgy rescues these days. And some who have just NFI as well. If you are still looking I can ask around for ethical rescues in your area to recommend to you? Are there any changes in your current criteria? Or were you looking on behalf of someone else?

Two weeks is a very short time when you are dealing with a deep seated anxiety. Be patient and remember that the way to a dog's heart is through their stomach LOL so could he possibly take over feeding duties temporarily - so that, in the evenings at least, no pup gets fed until he gets home?

OMG! I totally missed that! Dear Lord, even if it is a case necessitating eventual surgery you wouldn't do it that young! Thanks, Perse - I can read things three times and STILL miss stuff! Dementia settling, in, probably.

The reverse is often the case - far too many vets will do palate and/or nares surgery on brachy breeds when it isn't really necessary. All breeds with extremely short muzzles have brachecephalic syndrome to one extreme or another and, yes, it will sometimes need surgery. But not as often as some vets claim. Ethical breeders work had to ensure that the syndrome is moderate enough NOT to need surgery or impinge on the dog's lifestyle. Six months seem awfully young for such surgery unless it is a very extreme case. That is why a good breeder will want to be informed if one of their puppies us having problems with this. If your vet does not think that surgery is necessary, it very likely isn't. But I'm sure that @Mjosa will know of an experienced trustworthy brachy vet from whom you can get a second opinion.

@Christina77 Hi sorry, I'm slack and missed a reply. There is this girl in Mackay, I'm finding further details out. What I know so far is: "4yr old red cattle female. Desexed, chipped, needs to go to a good home with no chooks. Lovely nature, great with kids..located Mackay" Seeking contact information, I will send you a private message here as soon as I have it. Uploaded Images

BarkBusters is one of those franchises that is only as good as the local franchisee. Some are woeful, some are awesome. It does pay to ask around your local area for recommendations.

Sounds like your darling ACD was a very laid back version of he breed. Your best best would be to start asking breeders and rescues that foster (NOT shelters) for an equally laid back companion. It doesn't sound to me as though you are in a good place in your life to get a puppy, so an adult or older dog, preferably a male to blend more easily with your existing girl would be he way to go. I will ask around and see what the QLD rescues have available at the moment.

Thank you for your response. The reason I asked about how old he was when you got him was that I wondered if he had been sold too early - puppies that leave the nest before 8 weeks old don't learn dog to dog socialisation properly and it can be difficult for them to find the correct way to socialise with other dogs. Not knowing the breeder means there is one less avenue of help for you. I doubt that your parent's dog has "taught" him to be like this. It is more likely that she is trying to teach him manners but is not having much success. I am so glad you now have a recommendation for a behaviourist!

I'm just curious @channysworld How old was your spitz puppy when you first brought him home? Have you discussed this problem with his breeder and, if so, what advice did they give you? Did I miss it or have you mentioned what area of NSW that you live in, so that people can recommend a behaviourist for you? Good on you for trying to get on top of the problem!

Really your best action is to check that shire's web page for details, most shires have this listed. If it says that no more than X dogs are permitted without a permit, then you should contact the shire and ask for the details of getting a permit. If you don't like what you hear, cross that shire off your list. Looks to me like 3000 sm limits you to 2 dogs without an excess animals permit, according to this webpage.

We are not supposed to guess mixed breeds, it is against forum rules but I would think that Ivy might have been a Basenji x Staffordshire Bull Terrier with perhaps a little Kelpie. I would encourage you to read up on all of these breeds and perhaps choose the breed that matches Ivy's temperament the most. She was probably an accidental mixture, you might possibly find another that looks like her by constantly checking the rescue sites, but if what you really want is another dog that acts like she did, then your best bet of getting a similar temperament is a purebred. Good luck! to the forum.

I did this survey and encourage everyone to do the same. If you find yourself in difficulty deciding between a degree of agreement or not to a statement because in some circumstances this and in other circumstances that, then answer the question assuming the most common circumstance, and make a little note for later. At the end of the survey you will get a chance to input your thoughts so you can clarify there. There has been some comment that the group leader doing the survey is known as an anti-ANKC person, so we will wait to see how the results are tabulated. Governments WILL take notice of "research" like this - hopefully the raw data will be made publicly available to that we can interpret results for ourselves and discuss if we need to take steps (as ANKC affiliate group members) to work towards more education. Do share with your friends as well. The more who respond the better the data.

Here is an interesting article about using water bottles from a shih tzu breeder: water bottle. Rabbit drinking bottles are available in up to 800ml sizes, drinking tube is stainless steel. They are not expensive. The pet drinking fountains are expensive and most come with replaceable filters etc. I was thinking that perhaps one of the tabletop ornamental fountains (which are quite cheap) might do the trick? You will find the one pictured on ebay for under $25 but check out your local department stores and home decor stores as well. LOL how to insert a picture has changed as well! Took me a while to work it out!

I have a stainless steel dripless lid which fits on top of a bowl.. I vaguely remember buying years ago it at a show as a puppy feeder adaptor or something, so check out puppy feeders as well when searching. Another suggestion is to look at pet drinking fountains rather than bowls - stainless steel ones are available. Lapping from a small stream of water rather than out of a bowl might solve your problem.

You can find heaps of DYI instructions for building/improvising all sorts of enrichment equipment by searching on Pinterest. Be warned though - if you are like me the 15 minute window you set aside to check out the sites can turn into an hour or two!

Unique looking is a spot in description . I do hope that rescue ensures that the final adopters know exactly what they could be getting into with a Pei cross, though. Soon to enter adolescence might well be a challenge.

Aussie Shepherds might suit you. Unless you have two active handlers both willing to work daily with the pups I honestly wouldn't take on two at once if you are looking at obedience trialling. Much better to train one up to reliable standards, say 8 or 9 months minimum and then look to add a puppy. They will be the best of mates in the long run!