colliehound

Hi there. I am wondering if you can share about the best doggy courses you have ever attended? Obedience, first aid, nutrition, grooming, general health, puppy intro, etc etc etc Or is there something you would like to attend? Eg doggy biscuit baking, how to cook your own dog food, lead making, food table building etc. I am interested in what made it good, how long was it, what did it cost and would you go again? Thanks!! Colliehound

He he he - glad I am not the only one DD. I have been known to request a "doggy bag" "chooks bag", "horse bag" - depending what it otherwise destined for the bin.

Hi Mish I had two scotch Collies (lassie) and three greyhounds. One a big boy who just wanted to go go go go go . Fortunately I walk multiples regularly - so kind of have a routine down pat. The Collies also help - anyone who needs a little extra training gets put between the Collies who keep them on the straight and narrow ha ha. My three regularly do public walks and "dine out" at Cafes, so it helps influence the rest. THought I must admit it still makes me laugh when you have 4 or 5 dogs out for the count at your feet at a cafe. People walk past and say "Good god - how FAR did you walk them"? ha ha. Raw was very good. Highly recommend. Right at the end of the dock. So a lovely view of all the expensive boats. Plus plenty of room on the end tables to let the dogs lie down. There was several small white fluffs of one sort or another, but most very well behaved and most carried.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your ideas. We ended up going to Sanctuary Cove. It was lovely. Long wide footpaths to walk the dogs on (to entrance from carpark) approx 2km. Then all 6 of us had lunch at Raw. Very very nice. So welcoming. Can highly recommend it for folks with well behaved dogs. For such a highly affluent area I was most impressed at how welcome we were. Many thanks to the lovely people at Raw. We will be back.

Can anyone tell me of a dog friendly cafe on Gold Coast? Am taking some friends to Dreamworld and will have 5 hours to kill with 5 dogs tomorrow - would value suggestions of places which are dog friendly. Markets, cafes, walks, Many thanks

These are hilarious and can only really be appreciated by other dog people hey? I agree with the vomit on fluffy surfaces - even if we have to walk three rooms to get to it - Not being able to take a shower or toilet break alone Silent but bio warfare worthy farts in bed Kisses post eating or licking something disgusting and looking hurt when I say "not a chance" RAAAAAKING their nails down your back, front, arm - what ever hurts most - in bed to dig you out from under the covers as you must be awake right??? BARKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Spectacularly talented counter surfing, pantry door opening, drawer opening etc Stealing bags of flour, sugar or oats and shaking the hell out of them on your bed. Do you KNOW how far the contents can be spread by an enthusiastic dog??? Stealing one of each shoe, boot, slipper and taking them outside JUST before it pours with rain...... Stealing knickers - but only on the days you have visitors and leaving them in a soggy pile, where you don't' see them until the moment you open the front door.......... But we love them anyway!!

Two words - dog trailer. Get a big one with as many berths as you need. A COMPLETE god send. Also get a tow bar fitted, now!! Trust me - you would pay anything to have it there when you need it. Then you can transport as many as you need, keep them cool / warm / separated etc/ Can live in there if needed, Can walk one at a time. I swear by them, We had to take 7 dogs, 4 chooks, 1 cat and god knows what else. We used black plastic to block the view between the trailer compartments, It was home to all for three nights. I even ended up spending one night in a dog compartment to keep everyone calm. You will never regret the expense even if it sits at your neighbours place for 99.9% of it's life.

I agree re BSAVA book. Two others are Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, by McCurnin and Bassert, Complete text of Veterinary Nursing by Aspinal. One that is very hard to get - but worth every cent is Canine Terminology by Spira. Very very very good. Best of luck!!!!

$12 is a bargain. I charge considerably more than that per night and am always full. Like others said - I would worry about why you were charging so little..........

Ams - I am also reasonably close by - please let me know if we can help.

This is a great thread. So many of these have made me splurk my coffee. Very funny. Only dog people would get these and appreciate that some dogs, who appear to be issue riddled are sometimes just strange. Not abused, not anxious, not impaired, just odd. i have one who positively hates skateboards, young teenage boys and roller-skates. Turns from the cutest, butter wouldn't melt dog - into a complete Cujo. Have not found a single young kid yet who hasn't stopped, picked up their board, said sorry and scuttled away. Must be a good show ha ha.

Hi Ann I think it depends on breed. Friends who have approached breeders for the more "common" breeds, tend to find that breeders are not interested. When I say common I mean popular and therefore the breeder will have a litter a couple of times a year for eg. I have found most breeders I have contacted breed once every two years and don't mind at all that you keep in touch. For me - it is in itself a bit of a litmus test as I like breeders that are happy to get photos of their puppies life, for its whole life. If they don't want to know me until I have a deposit in my hand, then they and I are probably not a good match to begin with. Not saying it is right wrong or other - just that it is my style. My Collie breeder got regular photos of our dogs well before we had a puppy from her and then once we had one (or two) of her puppies we sent very regular updates. She loves it. She says it allowed her to get to know us thoroughly well before we wanted a puppy. I have two Sammy breeders that I would talk to maybe twice a year. If they are attending shows in our State I make an effort to go. It is not much, but it is enough to show I am for real and not a transient buyer that just wants any Sammy as apposed to one specifically from their lines / kennel / temperament. Hope this helps?

Sorry OP - forgot second part of your question - why? I like to get to know the breed I like to get to know the breeder/s I like to wait a few years so I know in my own heart it is for keeps I believe in Karma and the right dog finds you eventually

Years ahead here. Waited 4 years for my collies after building relationship with breeder for another 2 before that. Currently looking for a Samoyed, but waiting for him/her to find me. The breeder/dog I had my eye on had decided not to breed..........so back to looking, but not in any urgent way. Have been considering the breed and checking out breeders for about three years or so. Despite this - three greyhounds have found us in the mean time.........(failed foster care 101) I have accepted that this will always be a multi dog household. Just the number that varies.

Sadly Yes.

Wow - what a lot of reading to get to this point.......... FWIW - i am vegan but my dogs get bones, meat, etc - all as part of a "complete" "as close to nature" as practical. I don't particularly like preparing the meat, but hey - that comes with owning/living with dogs. In terms of "health" of a vegan diet for dogs - at the end of the day - vegan / vegetarian / omnivore options for dogs are possible, and well managed, can be equally acceptable in terms of nutrition, health, well being etc. However the veg*n diets do need a lot of work on the part of the owner to ensure appropriate balance (much like our own diet). Some commercial foods may well do this for us - I haven't personally looked into it. Most wouldn't choose to I expect, but don't have a problem with those who do as long as the dog is fit happy and healthy. I have one dog who will turn down a bowl of meat off cuts in favour of fruit (watermelon, pears, kiwifruit, apples, mango etc). Doesn't mean that I will only feed her fruit. I have another dog who will "Catch his own chicken" any chance he can get..........doesn't mean I either let him, or assume he doesn't like his veggies. I think like many things in life "everything in moderation". While I choose not to use, eat, buy or otherwise have things that in some way involved the death, suffering or man imposed use of an animal I don't believe that should be imposed on anyone else. Your life, your body your choice. BUT if you want to know more or why - only too happy to educate. (NOT preach). Interesting topic. In terms of research - check with Maureen at Vegan / Veg Soc of Qld, she has oodles of reference materials and may be able to assist. (and no - not all biased).

Poor old girl. I hope she finds a good loving home. Wish we could help - but way toooo many companions here for her.

It is most frustrating that companies have to continually upgrade their security because other people cannot / do not take responsibility for their actions or those they are responsible for. This is particularly in the case of RSPCA having to spend what is no doubt hundreds of thousands of dollars around the country on security - NOT on saving animals because some idiots breed without so much as a care factor beyond the bonk! I used to work for a company who ran tips (you know - the dump) and we had to continually upgrade security as kids would break in a cause chaos. Damaging equipment, smashing windows on the Donga's and putting themselves at considerable risk of injury and disease. And yet - it was OUR problem???? The dump people - rubbish...........not even a shop!! How about we go back to a time when people kept their fingers to themselves and we could all save a fortune on fences, alarms, locks, wire, etc - which as Midol said - are pretty much useless to anyone sufficiently determined!! (Child or adult) Ok - off soap box now. Makes my blood boil!

I am sorry to hear you had to tolerate that. No ok for parents to just relinquish responsibility for their kids. We had someone deliver hay tonight and he bought three little girls with him. I warned them our rooster is pretty nasty and that the goat will push them over. He was "they had better stay out of the animals way then". Naturally being kids they couldn't help but chase some of the animals - one got tossed by the goat and one attacked by the rooster ........Dads reply to their crys - "told you to stay in the truck - you will live". Gosh I love country parents..

Hi Paula - what breed is Cody?

If the dog can't find a home or you can't find a rescue group - please PM me.

I have four dogs insured via my house and contents with Suncorp. VERY happy with them. First claim was 2 hours after taking out the policy and they honoured it - no questions. Max payout is $500 a time, excess of $100 - but I have rarely found anything more expensive on the day to day things my dogs encounter. Dislocations, surgery, teeth extractions etc. (or perhaps our vet is REALLY cheap). Anyway - added beggar all to my H&C premium (for FOUR dogs) so a bargain as far as I am concerned. For the big big - might never happen things - I put a fund aside. As others have said - for many of the really expensive things - I would be unlikely to put my animals through the treatment - paid or unpaid - my animals best interests and welfare come before money or my desire for them to live regardless of quality. PLEASE NOTE - not suggesting others do/don't do anything right/wrong - simply outlining my choices. As said previously - your pet - your choices and it is not for others to add their opinions unless requested.

My situation is almost identical to OSOSwift. I too agree - do something else as a career first - then do this as your "retirement" career. If you are a normal 18yo - you still have so much life to live, things to do, places to travel, people to meet. All of this is well and truly kyboshed with the anchor of a kennel. I don't want to poop on your parade - because I love your enthusiasm - BUT - I personally wouldn't leave my dogs with someone so young. Not even if you had just graduated as a vet. Unfortunately life experience is so so so handy when you are looking after other peoples most loved pets. It also gives you the confidence to be able to say no when you need to. No you can't pay later, no your dog cannot stay, no you can't come and pick them up at midnight. It also gives you an accurate gut feel for when things "just aren't right" as you have seen a lot and learned a lot along the way. Unless you are coming into some serious money - I have no idea how you would do it - our application fee to council alone (non refundable) APPLICATION fee is $10K, that doesn't include acoustic engineer, surveyor, civil engineer etc etc etc . Approx $20K JUST to submit the app. This doesn't even turn the first sod or put the first pencil mark on the design plans. Best of luck in what ever you do - but probably start at the vet nurse, dog trainer, dog groomer, end........then see how you go - at least all of those will help down the track when you want to open your kennels as they will give you even more credibility with owners.

I agree with Liz T - is now really the best time for a dog? If you get one - for goodness sake get two. Two are so much easier than one - especially if you are short of time- they can at least keep each other company. It is easy enough to knock one dog on the head as an intruder - two not as easy. Also don't cross off longer coats on account of shedding. Shedding is NOT dependant on coat length and it is considerably easier to gather long coat than short spikes when cleaning floors, beds etc. Please also approach breeders about perhaps adopting two young or middle aged adults. Definitely do not go for puppies. They need almost exclusive attention for months and months and months while you teach and socialise them. It does not sound like you have that time at present, plus given the breeds are are considering - this is critical. Best of luck in your search.

We walk collies and greys and get the same comments as others here: * Are you a dog walker * my - that is a handful * what a big family * they are SO well behaved - can you take my kids for a while? * do you want to swap (usually a mum with several kids) * you sure you got enough?? (usually a male) * where is that rabbit that went past here a minute ago....... * you had better hold on if they see a cat..... We also get (which still astounds me) * Why did you shave those ones? (pointing to the greyhounds and assuming they are shaved Collies)............ * Are they retired (pointing to Collies assuming the coat grows back??) * OMG they are SO skinny - better watch out for RSPCA...................(ummm yeah .......they are greyhounds.......your dog is just Fat!) People never cease to amaze me.....