OSoSwift

100% agree. And i don't like being considered not suitable for a puppy because I have young children, but I have had it happen and seen people write that they will not see to people with young children - so what exactly is the difference?? No difference, but again, I meant no offence to anyone!! I hate to see anyone who is a responsible pet owner miss out. On that we fully agree. I think each case is it's own. But I also agree that each breeder has the right to set the rules for their puppies. If I don't like the rules of a breeder I search until I find one who I am happy to deal with.

100% agree. And i don't like being considered not suitable for a puppy because I have young children, but I have had it happen and seen people write that they will not see to people with young children - so what exactly is the difference??

You didn't say they were not deserving of a puppy, I asked what is so bad about selling to SAHM and pensioners - my exact words! And if anyone else has good idea please feel free to share as, after all, that is what the thread is actually supposed to be about.

I don't think anyone thinks that being a SAHM is a bad thing! I think people just get upset because most people don't "choose" to work full-time, it's just that they can't afford not to. I know I'd love to be able to stay at home with my dogs more often (and be a SAHM if I had kids) but our mortgage eats up nearly one of our salaries :D We started off with an older dog from rescue because we didn't want a puppy while we were working full-time. We did get a puppy later on, but she has had the older dog to keep her company while we're gone And yes I can fully understand that, many people would love to not have to work full time. There are also many discussions regarding that side of things that could be started and get heated as well. I am quite sure that with a plan, puppies can survive and do quite well when people work full time - when my dogs were adults I worked full time and my Husband worked shift work. The dogs still got lots of attention, gained an ET and a CDX as well as getting to trialling level in agility and jumpers. The other reason I got a little narky was this topic was started to gain ideas to help someone make sure their puppy was catered for properly and wasn't lonely or stressed, it them turned into a "discussion" on breeders deciding who they sell their puppies to and how can people that do work part time, or how SAH's can afford to look after the dogs they have. These two things have absolutely nothing to do with the question that was first asked.

No-one said anyone in particular was evil and horrible - my words. The problem is what started out as a can you help with idea topic, turned into having a go at breeders that do not think the same as some individuals. I also got narky due to the fact many see being a SAHM as a bad thing. Yes I can fully aford to look after all three of my dogs.

For a start off Whipitgood never said anything about selling to people working full time - although it seems to have turned into that- She asked for help for a family memeber who has bought a puppy and works full time and as she has no experience in working full time and having a puppy, she was asking for hints and advice, rather than give some tha may be incorrect. I have one of Whipitgoods puppies and there is absolutely nothing wrong with her temperment and at times when it has been needed she can cope just fine with being left and being by herself. I think to call someones ethics into question regarding temperment just because they asked a question about keeping a puupy occupied while working full time is absolutely ridiculous!! I got one of Caths puppies, Yes at the moment I am a stay at home mum, my OH works full time so I can be at home with ,y kids-not that that is anyone elses business. When I worked full time I got to take my dogs to work anyway, so the question may have been one I asked if a family member had bought a dog and was asking with help regarding how to keep the puppy amused and not destructive. At the end of the day you find a breeder you like, you like them because they have well looked after good quality pups and you like what they do. You are also getting a puppy because they are happy with the home you will provide. How they determine that is up to them. I found a breeder who was happy to sell me a puppy even though I had young children, others told me outright no because I had a 2 yo and a 5mo, but I am sure there are many that would agree with a breeder not selling to a person with young children - but that would be okay I am sure. And by the way what is so bad about selling puppies to SAHM's and pensioners? Oh and even though I am at SAHM I also work a farm and run a small herd of beef cattle, so even though I do work it is not percieved as work by many because I do not actually go to work from 9 to 5. Each situation needs to been seen on it's own merits - that is the breeders need to decide if the are 100% happy selling to a particular home. How about re-reading the OP and answering the question or go and start you own topic about how breeders who won't sell puppies to people who work full time are evil and horrible.

As a 3 time dobermann owner (and general dog-lover), I would like to thank you HeavyPaws for putting that book out of sight! :D I get so sick and tired of ignorant people making assumptions about any breed of dog - "all bull terriers are vicious/dobermanns and rottweillers are dangerous and should only be usd for guard dogs/small dogs never bite!!" etc etc You wouldn't believe how many people watch my beautiful 5 month old dobermann puppy very carefully when we are at the beach etc, just in case he attacks them or their dog - have had a few people pick up their small dogs or even take a wide berth with their bigger dogs when they see my "vicious dobermann" coming towards them (on his lead) when all he wants to do is say Hello and be friendly. Makes my blood boil Sorry, rant over - got a bit carried away there - it's a subject that never fails to get me going! ;) A a 3 time Dobe owner as well - yep you do get sick of it. WHen I had my brown male though many people thought he was a GSP or a WEIM. They would be giving him a big love up and I would say no he's a Dobe and they would visible shrink back. I always then asked them if they had felt threatened by him in any way? The answer was well no, so I then had a chance to educate. Bit harder when they are black though. I have had many a person cross the road so they didn't have to wallk past my CDX Dobe, who couldn't have cared if they were there or not. My Dobe was attacked by more jack Russels (many many of them down here, just ablout all BYB) with idiot owners than anything else. But no my Dobe was the vicious one! Luckily we don't seem to have those types of puppy raising books in our Bookshop, we have a small selection of books and then you have to order in others. The few we have seem to be okay.

I have always wondered how there came to be squirrels hooning around Perth zoo - now I know! I wondered if they couldn't escape due to the outer fence or something and that is why they were running aorund in there. HOw are Palm squirrels different to say the ones at the Perth zoo, or are they the same thing??? I am suprised you couldn't bring a ferret over to Australia because there is no shortage of them over here.

I have used these people before, They were the cheapest I could find at the time. I get the over 25kg one and split it so it is cheaper anyway than buying the smaller size. http://www.australianpettreatcompany.com.au The are the cheapest I have found for Advocate and they have the most awesome dog chew treats.

A couple of weeks ago at dog training I had one of those OMG my dog is awesome days. Whatever I threw at Lewis he id it, did it with style and blew me away. OH asked me how dog training had gone, My answer - Lewis is awesome. And he was, the next week was not as good, but hey we can't be perfect all the time I love it when it all comes together and even if it is for only a moment there is a bond where you are so totally together it is surreal. I love those little moments.

The polar fleece pj's you can get from memebrs market place in off topic, there are some that look a bit like horse rugs, and some with legs. Or you can make some if you have a sewing machine, it is reasonably easy. She is a very cute little baby.

And one of Rommi who is just so steady at working, never misses a beat. Mine do well in obedience and agility and have recently started flyball which they love. Can't wait to see pictures of your baby

Lewis working, I just love training this dog - he is like the Eveready bunny

Great to hear Jed is improving. I still think of you every day Jed and send healing vibes to you often. MALTESERS - yum!!!! I haven't had these for years and i LOVE them!!! That's it I am in for the long haul - Lasagne, Hot chocolate and MALTESERS, Cheers to all in the waiting room. **Picks up a cat, gently moves a Whippet and Cav to the side and wiggles into a tiny spot on the lounge ....aarrgghhhh....thats better, reinstates cat on lap and watches tv while eating maltesers...********

I have two and I have to say I researched a lot and they are better than I thought they would be. Mine have been brought up around cats and many other creatures ( and no GUinea pigs were eaten one day when I had a mum and 3 babies racing around out of their house) and are good with all, but I have trained this since day dot. Mine also have a really good recall but again it has been trained since day dot and is"trained" all the time. I do clicker training with mine and they love it. They are not a breed you could train using a negative method as they just wouldn't cope. I find them really easy to train, but Lewis will train all the time, Rommi is not that into it. She is a train, every three days, kind of dog and won't really push. After a period of time she has had enough. Lewis will train for an hour and want more. I have young kids - my youngest was 5 months when I got Rommi - and the dogs are very very good with them, having said that the kids are not allowed to get away with annoying the dogs or being rough with them. My Whippets are lap tarts and love everyone and will sit on anyones lap - unless mine is vacant. They are my dogs first and foremost, the are one step behind me and will listen to me over anyone else, but will cuddle with anyone - strangers or known. They are extremely good to have in the house, are not smelly dogs, don't need frequent baths - mine get done every few months or so. They don't drop a heap of hair, but do shed some. I go over mine with a zoom groom regularly so don't see much on furniture or the floor. Lewis is not a large Whippet by any stretch of the imagination, but I do think a 9 to 10 year old may have a problem lifting him onto the table while showing. I don't think lifting my bitch would be a problem though. My OH is completely smitten by them and they are great dogs and we will now always have at least one Whippet on our lounge. Oh and they do need protection from cold and really hot days - so be prepared to buy coats for them in winter because even if they are in the warmest place in the house, they will still tell you thay are too cold and need a coat on.

I am also very interested in these and the best price Will watch with interest

I have 3 dogs, so I am not sure if I have enough but here goes 1 X 13yo Stafford - he does very little exercise, he follows the sun around the house, goes for the odd toddle and follows you in and out of the house. 2 X Whippets a 15mo and a 2 and a half yearold. They are with me pretty much all of the time. We have at least two distinct outside sessions where they run around and play chasey in 5 acres, Lewis runs aorund with a huge horseball in his mouth and Rommi runs around with a ball or toy of some sort in hers. They get obedience and agility training 4 to 5 days a week (Rommi isn't at the moment as she is recovering from an injury) on lead walks 4 or more days (depending on the weather). They have a large rawhide or bone everyday that takes a good hour to finish - if they manage to. They also follow me wherever I am, on the quad, in the car, walking around feeding animals, going down to "the hole" in the front paddock to run around and dig sand holes with the kids. At the moment they are warming the lounge

OKay I have been shopping, I have dip and bikkies, cheese - of various sorts, yummy choc chip bikkies, Oh and of course a packet of Tim Tams that never runs out. Unfortunately that exquisit looking genie did not come with them. Anyhoo help yourselves. I can't stay this afternoon, but I am still thinking of you and your babies every day Jed

I know this is a sad topic but that made me laugh out loud! In a strange twist, my cat does that nearly every night and I haven't rehomed her...... yet. :D Ditto - I'm showing this to Mow. Little s*** has a habit of crawling under my doona and attacking my feet! Some of these responses are just so sad. I'm trying to help a friend rehome a dog at the moment (her reasons are heartbreaking and unavoidable) and she says she feel disgusted with herself about it. I can't imagine going to a rescue group or pound and saying "my dog doesn't match my new decor" or "my puppy is digging" My cat truely did have a mental health issue - was on medication for it - and would sometimes just take off in a blind panic, up the wall or accross my face slicing my cheek and eye lids with his claws. He would sometimes go from a dead sleep to shredding me - very disconcerting during the night. I adored him, there will never be another Arnie and he died very suddenly from a suspected heart attack om my bed at not quite 12. I still miss him terribly - Some people really make you wonder. A friend of mine got 3 Guinea pigs because the child wouldn't feed them of look after them and the mother had bought them for the child. The child was 18 months old!!!!!! Working in a vet hospital you hear them all. One I do remember was a 8 or 9 year old Shihtzu who needed a teeth clean , but it didn't have any major issues with his mouth. He was booked in for the procedure but when the day came to have it done, she walked in the door and wanted him euthed because he was old and he needed to be PTS. I was quite shocked and probbed a little more (which as a general rule I didn't do) the other reason, he sometimes whinged and it annoyed her. He was such a wonderful little dog and there was no way she would consider a rehome it had to be PTS.

I don't see peeing at the park off lead as a problem. If he was on lead and I was trying to walk I would put a stop to it. I have a command already for toileting, so I would let them off, give them the toilet command, then put them back on lead and walk - or mine will toilet on lead on command. I would not let him pee all over outdoor furniture or on doorways and things because it stinks and someone has to sit in those chairs - yuk. I would not be happy if someone dog came to my house and peed all over my outdoor area/furniture.

I like Optimum, we don't have UA/Great Barko here as yet, may have to try that if it appears. They also get lots of other stuff.

Hope you are going okay today Jed, Can't stay I am working cattle all day today, so will grab one of those fanatastic coffee's and go light a candle.

Sorry I haven' posted sooner - it appears that "Bone Food" isn't available any more - It was some years ago that I last saw it. That was it's name it was a mixture of Calcium, phospherous and other vitamins and things to help good bone density and growth. Someone may know of something similar. Hope your girl is drinking now.

Still thinking of you Jed, each and everyday. Baby steps....... *** So much yummy food, yummo. Moves a cat gently to one side, grabs a Cav for a snuggle, and sits down with a HUGE plate of food and cupcakes and applecrumble and..... Fends Cav of food and puts Cav near Whippet for a snuggle until has eaten yummy food.***** I think I will hang around for a while such good food and company - who wouldn't want to stick around in here.

So sorry to hear of your loss of Rex. My memory of him was winning BIS at the Dobe National - Hansome boy he was. He sounds like a true Dobe, A goof, lovable, good looking, smart and well everything else you can think of really. They are never with us long enough. Some fantastic photos and memories of your special boy.