neatz

Sorry I still don't see why obedience is not working? Is it because it's not as physically challenging compared to say herding? It sounds like working is only working if its what the dog was originally bred to do and is serving a purpose for us humans. ie herding, hunting/retrieving, guard work etc Are guide dogs working (this doesn't fall in the sport category)? (sorry if this has already been mentioned)

If generations of kelpies have been selected based on their skill "working" farm animals than wouldnt it become second nature for that breed of dog to display this instinct? Therefor IMO it would be much more difficult to obedience train a dog to work with it's owner and to comply to commands that are not instinctual. And if it's not considered work in the dog sense it is bloody hard work for the owner to get their dog to the upper level of obedience.

I wasn't going to read anyone else's response before I added my own but I think this hits the nail on the head. Obedience is working the dogs brain and herding etc is working the dogs muscles. Definition of work: to exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity. Under that definition I would classify obedience to be working a dog in the mental sense.

Sorry to hijak the thread but can I get something clarified please? I am assuming people reading this know a thing or two about pitties / am staffs. Are there seperate lines that can be DNA profiled to prove Am Staff as opposed to APBT? I have tried to get info on this breed (not because I want to buy one just out of interest) and from what I have read from an American breeder is that years ago the AKC had the two breeds listed and you were able to get dual registrations ( and single registrations) until some canine body (can't remember which one) kicked up a fuss and now you can only find them as American Staffordshire BT's. This breeder also stated that they were two seperate breeds but people have been mixing the two to produce what we now know as AmStaff. Are they two seperate breeds still and can they be DNA profiled to prove that?

This probably doesn't help but my two boys did it to me when my bitch came into season. I didn't even realise the first time it happened and then I kept an eye out the next time and caught my boy try it. (whilst peeing on command and outside for a toilet break and attached to lead, I wasn't paying attention) I told the bugger off the next time he tried because I was pre-empting him cocking his leg. Then later when I went to toilet the other male he tried to do the same thing. It hasn't happened since the bitch in heat thing.

Apparantly the company that created Suprelorin is currently researching a female version. We will have to wait for that one.

" Suprelorin technology uses a powerful agonist of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) which is released slowly to shut down the release of the pituitary gonadotrophins, resulting in infertility. For male animals, testosterone is reduced to negligible levels." Like human contraceptive there is always going to be a .01% of animals that will probably fall pregnant :rolleyes:

It shouldn't affect any other behaviours apart from those that are governed by the testosterone hormone. (ie sexual drive) It is basically a chemical castration. I haven't implanted my boys yet but sounds like in most cases the outcome of behaviour modification is good. Chocolate why do you want to use it in a bitch?

Great thread for lodging data on actual cases of adverse reactions to chemicals/products etc. But do we really need another "everything is going to kill us" post. Ps Virbac make a range of shampoos that are PH correct for dogs (available from your vet). I haven't read the entire ingredient list so I'm not sure there isn't some type of carcinogen in it. I'm sure you'll point it out to me.

Possibly the reason there are statistically more reported cases of cancer is due to a greater awareness of the need to screen. Also screening techniques today as opposed to 50 years ago would have changed dramatically. Our diets and lifestyle has changed (ie we eat more and exercise less), more stress etc etc. I'm just saying....that's all.

:D Yes this is what I'm trying to avoid. As far as I know (or have been told by vet), it actually works for 6 months but can last up to 12 months in some cases. How would anyone at shows know if you had it implanted (apart from shrunken testicles which in my view is an added bonus)? Has anyone noticed loss of muscle mass or body condition at all?

Has anyone tried using this implant and what are your thoughts on it?

He doesn't get narky at me, and what I do now is say "OUT" to get them away from me because he tries to be first in line should I drop any morsel of food. I wont tolerate begging from them because I know where it will lead to. I was curious just to know what behavioural people thought about the difference in behaviour when I am actually in possesion of the food. Do you think this kind of behaviour is learnt as a puppy and should feed time be managed at the very outset when they are very young? I noticed that another blogger mentioned in another thread they had the same experience when their pup was 10 weeks old. Just curious to learn more..

Thay are seperate at meal times. Narky boy is outside and other two in seperate areas inside. They all perform a command before I allow them to eat. Will keep narky one seperate during meal prep time and for treats now. I was just curious as to know why he would be narky at meal prep time when I have their bowls on bench but not when bones are thrown out and they can help themselves. Any-one have a behavioural perspective?

Not even sure if my dog is resource guarding. So many terms get thrown around in here but I read a thread about it and was curious to find out more. I have a male 6m.o. who from day one when I got him would on occasion growl when it came to food time. Mainly as I am preparing food in the food bowls which I have placed on the kitchen bench. As the three dogs are waiting, he will occasionally lock his gaze on my other boy who is nearly 1yo. As soon as he locks gaze it's about 3-5 seconds and he will lunge into an attack. I have to say "OUT" as I am preparing food in a firm voice to usher them away from me to keep the peace. Also if I am eating a sandwich and the 3 dogs are sitting near me waiting in the chance of getting some, the same thing will happen. I have to pre-emptively tell him off before he gets agro and get them all to "DROP" or "OUT" in the firmest/loudest voice to keep him in check. The bitch who is 1.5 y.o generally doesn't get picked on but she asserts herself more than my 1yo boy who is the smallest dog of all three. So anyway I thought my dog was resource guarding, so to test the theory I threw out a couple of handfulls of kibble whilst I could supervise and step in if need be. I saw the boy who gets picked on take a piece of kibble within an inch of the aggressors face while he was eating. Nothing happened, he didn't even care. Also when I throw chicken frames and bones outside they all grab a bone and eat fairly close to each other. The 6 m.o will even finish eating first and just walk past the other two still eating and just glance at them or sniff around to see if there is any more left elsewhere. It seems it only occurs when I am preparing the food and they are waiting for it. :rolleyes:

I feed raw fish. Mainly fresh sardines. Make sure you remove any sharp prongs on outside first.

Does anyone know if there is a typical pattern with a dog that resource guards? Ie would a dog that turns on another whilst waiting for food to be dished up at dinner time be this way in all situations? If in scenario B you tossed a hand full of kibble and allowed a free for all between dogs would the same dog allow another to eat kibble within inches of it's face or would the behaviour be displayed in this instance as well?

look in yellow pages and you will find house/pet minders that can stay at your place over night. there a heaps

I am in northern suburbs of Melbourne. Don't advertise but look after friends animals. Happy to help you out. Can't house sit but will feed, water ,pick up droppings etc I have 3 dogs of my own. Worked as a vet nurse previously so can medicate etc. PM me if you want to talk further or want my mobile.

So true. One of my dogs broke into the laundry one day and gorged on kibble. Vet said to lock her in a crate, give her a tablespoon of oil every 2 hours and if she hadnt pooped by 6 pm to give her a can of Pal and 'she'll shit for a week'. Vet was right Thanks for advice, I will go past her place tonight and suss out the situation some more. (with can of PAL in tow)

My friend rang me this morning asking what she can do to help her dog with constipation. I haven't had to deal with this before with mine, but I'm sure I have seen on here before suggestions for home remedies. Any suggestions?? Thanks in advance

You nearly have me in tears. I struggled to make the decision to euthanase my dog last year after her illness deteriorated. It's heart wrenching watching them suffer yet something makes you want to keep hanging on to them. I cancelled my dogs vet appointment three times and had to hang up from not being able to talk through tears when the receptionist asked me what she was coming in for. It was such a sad time in my life but eventually you will feel better. I wont go on with what I think about this breeder cos I wouldn't be able to keep it nice. If this breeder is registered, write a letter of complaint to their governing body and have them dealt with. If they are claiming to have good hip scores then they should prove it otherwise they are misleading people and that is not fair.

Thanks for feedback guys. I have previously had no dramas mixing dogs in the past but generally they have been dogs I know. For example mixing my dogs with my brothers girlfriends dogs when we shared a house together. In this case I knew the temperament of all dogs concerned and had no dramas. The only problem I have with this Dobe is that I don't know him. I will be viewing him this Sat arvo and see if it's worth bringing him into the mix. Will let you know how I go.

Hi Monah, it seems like we are leading double lives. Glad you have been there and done that to tell me what can go wrong! I have been in touch with someone in here who knows this dog so I will consider what they tell me and will view the dog based on what I find out.

I have put my details forward for a puppy from a breeder and was sent an email re this dog to try and re-home it. I spoke with the owner and in all ways apart from the nipping incident it sounds ok. I thought being a young dog it would be more pliable and with training and heaps of exercise we could work on this behaviour. Having said that, my gut is giving me a bit of an uneasy feeling. It could all end up being perfectly fine and I will have a fantastic dog on my hands or I could end up with heartbreak and guilt if one of my dogs or another person gets hurt.