Souff

Fill in the space under the colourbond fence so that the lizard can't come back into your yard that way. Souff

Souff reached the end of the tether with a phobic licker last week. Diet had been changed, no grass problems, all bases covered but it was driving me crazy. What may have started out as a physical problem had become a total obsession and it sure was leading to worse physical problems for her poor feet. I sprayed her feet with WoundGard and she has now decided that licking is not her favourite pastime. Souff

$5000 is a lot more expensive than basic flea protection and a bit of the owners time. When you have to work with people who just will not get the message that this becomes a lot more than "just fleas" and it is NEGLECT of the animal's health, you really have your days where you want to take the dog away from them. In fact, I have done just that - removed the dog from their "care" until I got the skin to heal and the hair to grow back on the damaged skin. In that case I did manage to get the message through and with constant supervision the dog is still with the owner and the problems are far less. And yes, teeth do become worn down from the constant biting! These are people who should not have dogs but in many cases the law will not stop them from having a dog. Vets and people in the animal care industry know who these people are and do their best for the dog when they can but sometimes it is not enough and the only message is for the person to go down for animal cruelty. Because that is what it is, it is animal cruelty. It is often more than "just fleas". Souff

Well, it pains me unbelievably to say this, but WELL DONE to the NSW GOvernment and WELL DONE to one of my not-so-favourite watermelons (read Greens - green on the outside, red on the inside) the Hon. Ian Cohen MLC. Finally, finally, finally, a government somewhere has held an inquiry into one of the many incidents where the ugly head of self-interest and self-promotion is plainly visible and is being put way ahead of real animal welfare and working with people in a constructive manner. Yes, it is an election year for the NSW Government and the watermelons will want to be back there pulling the strings behind the former shop stewards who enjoy seats of power, so I wont send them all a letter of thanks just yet - Souff's reality radar IS still working and I am not totally blinded by the emotion of this wondrous event. Souff

Well, I hope you didn't have those little black things in your loungeroom ..... you rogue breeder you! Actually, come to think of it one of my litters spent quite a bit of time in the BED-room one cold winter, so I guess that would put you in the rogue category too. Stoopid people have got the wrong end of the stick, yet again! Souff

Hope somebody in the force can explain to Darren about how the dogs work and why this accident happened. He is not likely to learn anything very constructive out of those around him; the dog was doing its job and it siezed and held him, it is unfortunate that his legs are a bit small. Souff

Hmmm, I wonder what one has to do to become a "rogue" breeder ....

Hooley dooley, what a long thread! Getting back to the term "Multigeneration Labradoodle" it is a fair description. You can have multi-generational anythings, doesnt mean much other than to say they have some history, good or bad. It is not saying that they are purebred dogs, it is not saying anything about the quality, it merely is saying that they have been bred for a number of generations. Probably the only living thing in the world that is NOT multigenerational is something that has just bubbled out of a test tube. Souff

The media put it in the public domain and take little or no responsibility for what happens after that. The inquest is CURRENT and as I understand it is the same as a matter that is currently before the courts ... sub-judice laws usually apply. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub_judice "In law, sub judice, Latin for "under judgment," means that a particular case or matter is currently under trial or being considered by a judge or court. The term may be used synonymously with "the present case" or "the case at bar" by some lawyers. In England and Wales, Ireland,[1] New Zealand, Australia, India, Pakistan, Canada, and Israel it is generally considered inappropriate to comment publicly on cases sub judice, which can be an offence in itself, leading to contempt of court proceedings. This is particularly true in criminal cases, where publicly discussing cases sub judice may constitute interference with due process." Souff

Gayle, you make a good point. I just wish more people would consider that breeding GOOD QUALITY dogs should be the most compelling reason to breed dogs. I recently just stood and watched one beautifully put together senior citizen and reflected on the fact that she had also produced some equally good quality dogs and bitches, a couple of which are now used in breeding programs, the others are in pet homes. It is comforting to know that her good genes have been passed on. The sad thing is that many people are not breeding for quality, or breeding to improve, and when I see dog after dog that has faults which could have been bred out of their lines, I find it very depressing. Kennel blindness is part of the problem, but the greater problem is that there are too many people breeding dogs and it is the minority who are registered to breed dogs. There is very little "quality control" and ultimately the dogs suffer. Souff

So up goes the number of dogs not being claimed, and up goes the number of pups not being microchipped. Some governments just don't get it .... fines like these are the making of more problems. Laws were meant to serve the community, not serve the egos of idealists who want to live in a utopian place. Laws like this only serve to do one thing ... to drive the problems underground. Souff

I am not sure that this should be discussed here. This is a current inquest into a child's death and a finding has not been given. Will check with Troy. Souff

I think your pebbles and a good strong jet of water after you have picked up the poo would be the easiest and most hygienic of all, particularly in a hot humid climate. You could also use also spray some natural oils around, or just add some good old fashioned pine oil disinfectant to a bucket of water. Dog faeces are a lot less smelly if you don't feed your dog canned food, so perhaps take a look at the diet too. btw, dont flush it down the toilet - the New Zealanders have been complaining to the water board again and we all have to put it in plastic bags in the garbage bin now. Souff

Highly intuitive dog that. You need to see things through her eyes. The full moon is hanging around too. For more of this you can go to Souff the Psychic's Hotline and pay 55c per minute to hear more mumbo-jumbo just like some others do almost every day of their lives

Names are labels Souffie. True. And names like Fatso, Wombat and Slug could be emotionally very damaging so have made a mental note to use their full registered names when calling them next time. On our walk the evil one looked warningly at a babe in arms, told off a Lab who was becoming far too fresh for his own good, and then she fell in love with a handsome GSD who didnt even know she existed. It makes walks interesting when you psycho-analyse everything your dog is doing ... but as a direct result of all that psycho-watching Souff stepped in a pile of dog poo!!! Yukky!

You have validated my concerns about extra labels. Labels such as "reactive" are being used for the convenience or egos of humans. I have no problems with diagnosing a behaviour, it is likely to be caused by this or that, etc.... but I do have a serious concern with labels such as "reactive". I think I will now go and take one of my unlabelled dogs for a walk ... it is a beautiful day ... I just hope they don't feel psychologically deprived because they are just dogs. Souff

They certainly do switch from fear to attack, but the fear is still there along with the aggression. I agree, if you could monitor the heart of a dog that attacked because of fear, you would find them pounding. Adrenalin does not get rid of the fear. More labels = more complexities. Dogs do not need extra labels in today's dog-phobic society - it is up to us as owners to KNOW and MANAGE our dogs with as few labels as possible. Souff

PF, this is my point about labels. Dogs are too complex to have such sweeping labels attached to them. The snapping snarling twisting body of a fearful cornered dog is hardly frozen, nor is it passive, nor has it taken flight. It is there to fight off the one intent on capture, and will use as many teeth as it can to get you to release your grip. It is defensive. Fight or flight? The pound rangers know that some choose to fight, but at the end of the day the human has to get control. Souff

That depends who you talk to. Lately it has been common for people to describe aggressive dogs specifically as reactive, while others use it to describe any dog who barks, lunges and generally gets highly aroused by a certain stimuli, whether it be out of aggression or not. Terranik, I was afraid the answer to Whippetsmum's question would be just as you have said. Are dog owners now resorting to an "Emperor-has-no-Clothes" attitude by calling aggressive dogs something else ?????? "Reactive" really means the dog has "over-reactions". So an aggressive dog has what we would regard as an "over-reaction" to normal events compared to other dogs. But not all reactive dogs are going to continue to bark or lunge once they realise that they are not really under threat. And most reactive dogs don't have a bite history. Of course, not all dogs who bite, or bark, or lunge are having an over-reaction to normal events. When referring to actual dogs I prefer to simply describe what has actually happened, e.g the dog barks at other dogs when they are closer than 6' away, or what is likely to happen, e.g the dog is likely to bark at dogs who approach straining on a leash. Aidan, thanks for that. I think that labelling a dog "reactive" is a misnomer and does dogs a huge injustice. I like dogs that are reactive, I don't particularly like dogs that are so laid back that you need to check if they are awake. Reactive dogs to me are KEEN and ALERT dogs, not missing anything that is going on around them and ready for action. And it is up to me to control their reactions, not use it is another bluddy label. I have just been sitting watching two male dogs discussing who was going to be boss for the day .... hackles up, lips curled, ready to tell the world that they are ready to take on whatever happens. Souff says "SETTLE" ... and the hackles go down again. Lips are put back in place. "Oh buggar, we have to share again and behave ourselves" is the look on their faces. Ho hum. Out in the street when the hackles go up, the same command is issued. Sometimes you will hear some low grumbling growls of objection, like, ("I really wanted to rip his guts out here and now but you wont let me!) but the command IS obeyed and we continue the walk without incident. Souff warns people to stay away from the evil one who does not like other people or dogs once she has a lead on and is out walking. She has a past and probably doesnt deserve a future, but I really dont want to deal with any more victims. Would I call her "reactive"? Nah, that doesn't give people fair enough warning. She is just an aggressive little sh*t once she has a lead on her and it is up to ME to ensure that she is kept under control at all times, as is required by law for ALL dogs Come on peeples, stop trying to use more and more labels on dogs. If your dog is having a bad hair day and wants to kill another dog, there is not much point in pondering the whys and the wherefores, because at the end of the day you still have an aggressive dog and you still are responsible for that dog. Your dog is either aggressive or it is not. Learn the triggers, learn how to manage your dog, and stop calling it something else. Souff

Asal I hear you, I hear you. The word "generally" probably needed to be used in this article. However, if we are to make anything better, including getting a better message to dog owners, we cannot model our behaviour and rules on the behaviour of the warped and the cruel in this world. Souff

That depends who you talk to. Lately it has been common for people to describe aggressive dogs specifically as reactive, while others use it to describe any dog who barks, lunges and generally gets highly aroused by a certain stimuli, whether it be out of aggression or not. Terranik, I was afraid the answer to Whippetsmum's question would be just as you have said. Are dog owners now resorting to an "Emperor-has-no-Clothes" attitude by calling aggressive dogs something else ?????? Geez, every dog is "reactive" to some degree! If a dog is not "reactive" it is DEAD! Souff

A very good article. Worth sharing. As the article says we cannot de-animalize our dogs. Dogs do pick up on human energy, without doubt, but a dog's interpretation of a situation can be vastly different to the human's view of the same situation. And they definitely live only for the moment when instinct kicks in. Souff The Human Dog We may dress him like a human, but we do not treat him like one. The number one biggest mistake dog owners can make with their dogs is to treat them like humans. The human race is such a kind, compassionate species that we tend to look at our canine companions as little humans. When in reality, they are canines and have a very different thought process. This is what differentiates mankind from other species in pack societies; there must be a specific order, from the leader on down to the last follower. Everyone has a place. The leaders are the strength of the pack. The followers need the leader to guide them. This primal instinct keeps the pack secure and happy. Dogs instinctually need rules they must follow, and limits to what they are allowed to do. When dogs live with humans, the humans become the dog's pack. For the relationship to succeed, humans must become the dogs pack leader. The mistake is made when the humans in the pack only give the dog love, and the other factors are overlooked. To a dog, constant affection without rules and limits goes against every grain in a dog's instinct, as affectionate love is a human trait, not a canine trait. Affection does not make dogs happy, satisfying their instincts make them happy. You need to provide a proper emotional stability in order to achieve this, and showing you have an orderly pack with rules to follow is what the dog needs. Giving your dog affection is important for the human, and enjoyed by the dog, but must be done at the correct time. A dog is an animal and does not possess the same reasoning skills as humans. They do have emotions, but they are simple creatures with instincts, and their emotions lack the complex thought process. They feel joy when they know you are pleased, they feel sad when someone dies. However, they do not premeditate; do not plan ahead. They live for whatever is happening at the moment. Lets say for example that you are upset over something that has happened in your life. Your dog will know you are upset, but they will not know why. For example, they are not going to reason out in their head that your boyfriend just broke up with you. Their interpretation of you will be that you have unstable energy and see you as weak. On the flip side, when a human shares its affection with a dog who is in any other state of mind but a calm, submissive one, (for example aggression, obsession, shyness, skittishness, fear or hyper activeness and so on...) and you give them a hug or pat them on the head and tell them it is ok, it is comforting to the human, but feeds into that state of mind for the dog making it more intense. You are telling the dog it is ok to feel that way. While a human feels they are comforting a dog, the dog sees it as the human being weak, as you are not providing strong energy the dog can feed from. If your dog has a traumatic experience and you show them affection during that time trying to comfort them, rather than letting them work it out in their own mind and being a strong leader they can feed from, you leave them stuck in that state of mind. Later when your dog faces this traumatic situation again, you then comfort the dog, intensifying the situation even more. You are creating the problem. Dogs do not see comfort and affection in the same way we humans see it. Dogs are always looking for a strong stable being to feed from. On the same note: When a dog is constantly leaning on you, putting his paw on you, using his nose to make you pet them, and always feeling the need to be touching you in some way, this is not your dog loving you, it is your dog displaying dominant behaviors. In the dog world, space is respect. A dog that is constantly nudging you and leaning on you, is not only disrespecting you, they are being the alpha dog. Here is a video clip that shows a perfect example of humans giving a dog affection at the wrong time. This is a result of many years of being treated like a human. The dog is terrified of the thunder and fireworks she hears outside. This dog is in a weak state of mind. The humans in this clip are comforting the dog in a way humans understand, but not in a way a dog can understand. The comfort means two different things to the human and the dog. The dog sees it as everyone around her being weaker than she is. For a dog to be in a weak state of mind, then be surrounded by pack members who are in an even weaker state of mind, well this really messes up a dogs psyche and intensifies their fear. Watch the clip. While watching keep in mind how the humans feel they are comforting, and how the dog's instincts do not see it that way. Keeshond being treated like a human. I Have Instincts This also holds true for dogs who have medical issues. For example; if a dog has an operation and you feel sorry for the dog, at a time in the dog's life when it needs a strong packleader more than ever to feed from, you are instead becoming weaker in the dogs mind. If you show weakness to your dog, the dog instinctually, in his own head, takes over the role of leader whether he wants the role or not, because there must be a strong leader and an order in a dog's pack. Humans often give the dog mixed leadership signals, which throws the dog off balance, confusing his psyche, causing many of the psychological/behavioral problems we see in dogs today. Mental tension and energy build up within the dog, which lead to many of your common canine misbehaviors. Eliminating in the house, obsessive behaviors, neurotic behaviors, chewing on themselves, being overly excited, barking excessively, whining, not following their owners commands, not coming when called, running off, getting into the trash, destroying things in the house, obsessively digging, chewing the furniture, tail chasing, scratching, aggression towards other dogs, animals, or humans, snapping, biting, growling, and becoming just plain old uncontrollable (just to name a few). You name it-- we can, more likely than not, trace your problem back to the way you treat your dog. In some cases it starts to appear the dog is just nuts, or psycho, and there is nothing one can do about it. This is also the number one cause of separation anxiety. In a pack, the leader is allowed to leave, however, the followers never leave the leader. If your dog is instinctually seeing you as their follower and you leave them, it causes so much mental anguish that a dog often takes it out on your house or themselves. Taking your dog for a walk is an important ritual in keeping your dog mentally stable. Dog's are walkers/travelers by instinct. Packs of dogs get up in the morning and walk. Simply having a large back yard is not going to satisfy this instinct in your dog. To your dog, your back yard is like a large cage, to where they are trapped. For a dog to be mentally stable, you as an owner must take your dog for daily walks to release not only physical energy, but also mental. The proper way to walk a dog is the dog walking either beside you or behind you, never in front of you. This may seem petty in a human's mind, however it means a lot in a dogs mind. Instinct tells a dog that the leader goes first. The dog is not to sniff the ground and relieve themselves where they please. They are to concentrate on their handler while walking. The person walking the dog decides when the dog is allowed to sniff or pee, not the dog. A lack of exercise and the mental energy a proper walk releases can cause many behavioral problems in a dog. Getting a dog to walk properly on a lead is not as hard as it may seem, yes, even for your own dog(s). Dogs pick up on the energy of their humans. They can tell if you are hyper, nervous, scared, or calm. You will be able to communicate successfully with your dog if you use your body’s energy rather than excited words. For example, if your dog does something wrong and you yell and scream at the dog or beat the dog it confuses the dog. This is not the way a pack leader corrects his followers. However, if you approach your dog in a very self-assured and calm manner to correct the dog at the moment he is doing the unwanted behavior with an assertive touch to their neck... this they understand, because you are mimicking the way dogs correct one another, with calm, self-assured body language. If you want your dog to do or stop doing something, you need to first convince yourself it will happen. Stay calm and self-assured. Your dog will pick up on your emotion. Remember, the dog must be doing the deed at the moment of correction in order for you to successfully communicate. Will You Please Be My Pack Leader? We humans have successfully domesticated the dog, but we will never be able to de-animalize a dog and remove their natural instinct. We cannot change a dog into having human characteristics. Sure, we can pretend we can, and satisfy our human wants. However this is where your behavior problems arise. While we think we are treating a dog in such a way that will make them happy, we are in fact doing just the opposite. By not satisfying a dogs natural instincts we create confused and unhappy dogs. To happily coexist with mans best friend, we need to understand our fellow canines and satisfy THEM, rather than only satisfying ourselves. Dogs do not live in the past or the future, as humans do. They live for the moment. Because a dog lives in the present, and not in the past or future, it is much easier to rehabilitate a dog than it is a human. If you begin treating your dog in a very self-assured manner, giving love to them at the right times, and correcting your dog at the right moments, you can change your dog into a happy and mentally stable dog. The more stable your dog is, the more calm and submissive he will become and the more you can give them affectionate love. It's a "win-win" situation. As the saying goes, "Treat your dog like a human and he'll treat you like a dog!" To help you learn to do this, we strongly suggest Cesar Millan DVD's and or Cesar Millan Books to every dog owner, from Chihuahua to Pit Bull. An excellent guide to communicating with, understanding, and controlling your dog. © Dog Breed Info Center® All Rights Reserved

Lanabanana Unknowingly, you were probably taught to give out the right communication to dogs, verbal or non-verbal. Almost always, young children mimic parents attitudes towards dogs, so like me, you and your child grew up safely around dogs. As a visiting child, I used to get into strife from relatives who really thought their working dogs would hurt me and I had been told, again and again, to stay away from the dogs. They gave up ticking me off after they found me sitting in the kennel sharing my sandwich with one of the dogs! However, not all children have a natural ability to communicate with animals, even when they think they love dogs. Other children fear dogs and often you will find that their parents also fear, or feared, dogs. Unwittingly many adults pass on their attitude to the child and all the wrong signals go out to the dogs. That is not to say that every dog attack is because of this, we cannot know that, but it will be in there to some degree. Do I recommend that children get into kennels with strange dogs? No. Remember the little girl in Warren? She did much the same thing that I did, and she is dead as a result. Souff

Just thinking of the old days when such dogs sometimes had names like "Fang" or "Nipper". The same people often had a black cat called "Nigger". The name often told a story ..... Oh dear, how very un_PC. Of course, we live in a more enlightened world today and go to puppy classes and such like and some don't like to think that a terrier or a spitz or a dachsie (or a cross) or a blue heeler or whatever might do what comes naturally, given the chance. Souff