megan_

I think it is more manly when a guy owns a "sissy" dog - it shows he is comfortable with who he is.

Miles Heffernan left the LDH a few days ago (due to tragic personal circumstances) so it will be interesting to see what happens.

I'm looking to buy two medium mental crates (with plastic bottoms). I want them to be of a decent quality, but they'll be used for holidays only so I'm not looking for a top shelf product. I'm also looking for waterproof covers. Any recommendations on where I can buy these online or SE Melbourne suburbs? Thanks

Steve, just so that no one gets the impression that it is all over, how much more $$$ do you guys need?

Depends on the dogs. Most people don't recommend getting two bitches - especially ones so close in age. People will post about how they have two bitches and they are great friends etc, and while this is possible, it is also possible that they'll fight. Not worth the risk in my opinion.

The OP isn't asking for help dealing with an out-of-control attack dog. She is asking for help to reduce a mini poodle x's barking. Putting it into perspective, LAT seems like a good place to start.

Short answer: no, people are obliged to keep their dog under effective control Eta: I wouldn't let my dog associate with the attacking dog as the Owner sounds irresponsible

Stonington(malvern etc) has a 3 dog limit.

They need a lot of exercise. Some breeders have posted that if you can't handle a GSD or a rotti, you can't handle a standard schnauzer. They aren't a bigger version of the mini schnauzer - they are a completely different dog. If someone is looking for an easy going dog that doesn't require much work from their owner they're very low on the list of dogs I'd recommend. Can you ask your friend how important the non-shedding thing is? Because when someone asks for one, people tend to just list the dogs that don't shed and they are all VERY different dogs. Hair is just hair and unless she has specific allergies, I wouldn't recommend someone use it as a key criteria for getting a dog. The personality, exercise needs etc should play a much more important part in breed selection IMO. Most BC's I know are very owner focused and don't really enjoy just playing with other dogs - they like to do something useful with their owner.

She chooses what to look at - not you. She looks at the TV, she looks outside, anything really. So every time she looks at something, play away.

Start practising "Look at That" at home. Hundreds of times. Let it become conditioned. This will help your dog respond in the right way when you say LAT when out and about. If you try to use it once your dog has reacted it is too late. You have to do it the millisecond they start to look (before they have reacted). If they've already reacted, I wouldn't say "Look at that" unless you're in an emergency situation (because you'll be conditioning the reaction). ETA: It took me a while to get it right. Don't be stingey on the LAT's and treats! Edit to the edit: I think tone of voice plays a big part to. When you smile and speak in a sing-songy voice, it is hard to tense up. I say "Look at that!" in a very happy, excited voice. If something else happens (eg something falls down and bangs, someone screams, I get a fright when someone walks around the corner) I say "oh, hello!" in a super-happy voice and my girl responds accordingly. Singing or humming a tune helps you relax too. Of course, I look like the local mental patient but I'll take that over a dog going nuts at the end of the leash!

Creature Comforts in Manawatu, New Zealand, are excellent, I'd recommend them to anyone. Not really a story, though. I think that's a good reply by the kennels too. people don't post about the mundane experiences ("picked up the dog and he was happy to see me. Had a great holiday"). They tend to post when something goes wrong, which is understandable. This is why you often get a skewed view on forums. The kennels that I have used in the past have been very good and have taken good care of my dogs.

Porongorup!! We used to spend every holiday there - there is a farmhouse near the foot of the hills. Very fond memories

Crate games helps associate value to the crate. You can then use it in agility to create drive (run through the tunnel to get to the crate). It also teaches good self control.

When we do agility training - one stays in the crate while the other one works. When training at home - so they each get a turn Feeding - to seperate them so they can eat in peace. They've never fought over food and I intend to keep it that way. I keep Lucy crated when children visit (which isn't often) as she has charged at them before. Safer for everyone. When we go to my Aunt's holiday house they sleep outside in their crates. If they weren't crated they'd chase possums all night.... I use a metal crate because they can unzip the soft ones. In the car they are in seatbelts. I worry about the crate become a missile as it isn't anchored.

the really sad thing is the only laws preventing her from doing this are council by laws. If she pays the $50k, she can do whatever she wants with him?

He is totally paralysed. ETA: If my dog was paralysed from the neck down and could never walk, run, do zoomies, and couldn't even go to the toilet I'd send him over the rainbow bridge - nicest thing to do IMO. I'd afford the kangaroo the same care.

Interesting comment re: the blacks beck. In my experience, with the minis the blacks are far more full on than the salt'n'pepper! They are beautiful dogs but they need strong rules and regulations - every single day. They have to be treated as dogs - treat them as a "furkid" and you'll land up with a nightmare. There are two in my family and they are great with kids and other dogs. One lives with a busy young family and she knows she needs to fit in. She is loved but she is defintely treated like a dog - she isn't allowed on the couch, the beds etc. She gets walked with every day but she also has quiet time - and she is expected to behave. The other dog lives with a retired couple. He is adored and was allowed to do pretty much anything. He is great with the 30+ grandkids that visit all the time but had started to nip people he didn't like (two adult men). They have now gotten a lot more strict with him and he has stopped nipping people. I would hate to think what would have happened if his owners hadn't taken action.

I agree with this. There are many deaf dogs living great lives - but it takes a lot of commitment from the owner. The thing I'd worry about most is recall (but it can be trained). Sure the dog can read hand signals, but they need to be looking at you to see them. If they're focusing on the new dog that has just come into the park, that can be hard! I find it odd that some people say it shouldn't be taken into account when looking for a dog??

thanks Nek. The dog on the front page doesn't look that wrinkly to me, but some of them in the current breed list are very wrinkly indeed. For the life of me I can't understand the "I love this breed so I'll breed dogs that have to have surgery just so they can see" mentality. I put them in the same boat as BYB's deliberately breeding runts and marketing them as teacups. Putting looks/trends before health is unethical no matter which way you look at it.

yes - or "they don't have a permit". I love uncommissioned public art.

I wouldnt think so. According to Dogs Queensland the problem is caused by selecting for small eyes - no mention of the wrinkles. More wrinkles is also associated with more incidence of Shar Pei fever. Steve - if the number of wrinkle is associated with shar pei fever, then why isn't their a move to breed less wrinkles? The poor dogs seem to be suffering from the trend of breeding extremes for looks IMO. It would be interesting to see what dogs are winning in the show room. I hope it isn't the super wrinkly variety and.or dogs that have had the surgery.

mine eat in crates. So many dog fights are caused by food - not worth it IMO. Your older dog most probably puts up with it because the other is a puppy - this might not last forever. Mine live by the same rules, but that doesn't mean "what I do for one I do for the other". Fergus goes to agility training twice a week, Lucy goes once. Lucy does obedience and Fergus doesn't. They go for seperate walks at least a few times a week (with other walks being together). They train seperately. Fergus goes off leash almost every day because he has a great recall. Lucy has a great recall too, but has a high prey drive and is "spechul", so she doesn't go off leash at public parks. The same rules apply though - behave and come back when called, then you get to go off leash. Fergus complies, Lucy doesn't, so she doesn't go off leash. However, they have the same house rules. They are fed at the same time and whoever complies with my criteria first (sit and focus on me) gets their food first.

Same rules here- I don't want to upset their pack structure by giving them different rules. When I get a bigger dog, they'll all follow the same rules.

I've seen a docked dobe unable to walk across a wide plank - he was falling off the whole time. Might have nothing to do with a lack of tail though, but it just might. As someone who sometimes suffers from vertigo, I have to work very hard to balance. It slows me down and I can't turn around quickly etc. But for people who see me, they wouldn't know it is an issue, because I'm the one doing all the work to stay upright.