megan_

Could be from an ethical, registered breeder for all we know. Plenty of people don't leave collars on their dogs (strangulation risk), plently of chipped dogs register as unchipped (chips moves), plenty of pregnant dogs are young - they are bred young. Th reason why rescuers give the same generic advice is because they know how to comply with the law and actually save dogs. Not because they churn out the same advice without thinking.

Joel - - the dog isn't at risk of euthanasia just because it is at the pound. The person who called the pound obviously has things mixed up. A dog that is handed into the pound as a stray (and not as a surrender) does not get put down immediately ANYWHERE in Australia. It is against the law. The person handing in the dog can put their name against the dog and pick it up if the owner doesn't come forward. The reason why your suggestion above isn't followed (and doesn't comply with the vast majority of councils' rules) is because people get descriptions of dogs mixed up and owners need to be able to see the dogs in order to identify them (after all, there are hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of brindle staffy x's that are in pounds across the country). Teh law is in place for a reason - to give people a chance to pick up their dog (the waiting period is too short IMO, but I would like to think that if someone picked up my dogs they would hand them in so that I could find them). Just because a scan shows no chip doesn't mean that the dog isn't chipped. Chips are notorious for moving around. The age of the dog is just a guess by a vet. Many vets are not experienced in breed and age identification. If this thread had been posted in the rescue section - where people are used to dealing with strays and have saved thousands and thousands of dogs from being put down - the advice would have been very straight forward. Hand the dog into the pound. Wait for the waiting period. Pick dog up. As per RSG, I would hate to think what would happen if my girl got out. She has been abused in the past and is very scared of strangers. She is a mini schnauzer so one day in the rain and she'd look awful. If someone found her and posted how scared she was and how awful she looked on here I'm sure there would be a mob who would condemn me as an owner and try to find her a "good" home without actually doing the right thing.

She needs to go to the pound and serve her time. That is a legal requirement. If she were my dog and sopmeone didn't hand her in I'd be furious. The pound will not put her down until she has served her time - that is a legal requirement. A rescue group is not legally allowed to take a stray and rehome them without following this process. Someone can put her name against her. Then, once she has served her time, someone can spring her from the pound. She is then legally their dog and they can do whatever they want with her and the pups. It is very simple really - similar scenarios happen in rescue every day

I agree with your sentiments, but most pet people need simple, straight forward advice - not sophisticated insights into dog's behaviour. A simple mantra like "calm, assertive leader" is something that people understand. Re: the couch thing, I used to think the same as you. However, I have very well behaved dogs and, because they were allowed on my couch and slept in my bed, I'm sure there were no boundaries from their perspective. Since making them sleep in their crates and not jump on the couch, Lucy's confidence has grown a lot. She no longer sees me as the nice lady who hands out food and cuddles, but the one in charge (so she doesn't need to panic when we're out and about, I'll take care of things). Not letting the dog on the couch is a simple boundary that most people and dogs understand.

Give her a nice place to sit off the couch too - direct her there and praise.

that makes sense now.

I know that the rescues always suggest putting a price on a dog. People value something if they have paid for it. If it is for free some people think "I'll give it a go and hand it into the pound if I don't want it anymore". I don't know what they're going to do if this dog is found. Someone got the dog for free and then on-sold it - all legal?

I hope she's kneeling down!

I have heard of dogs breaking teeth on them? Mine loved them but I couldn't deal with the smell!

is the dog desexed?

I wish our ranger would do this!

SK - I wish I owned a large dog so that I could do that. Lucy (a mini schnauzer) doesn't like dogs in her face, but no one seems scared of her! In fact, many people say ti would be good if she taught their puppy a lesson. Yeah, I want to re-inforce DA in my dog so that your out-of-control dog can be taught a lesson! I now tell people that she has been abused and is very scared. That seems to give them enough of a jolt to get their dog away.

In every council in Vic, you dog has to be on leash unless: i) on private, secure property (ie your dog isn't allowed on your front lawn unleashed unless there is a secure fence out the front) ii) at a designated off leash area. It still has to behave even if it is in an off leash area - we don't have "dog parks" in Victoria. I wish they would be more specific regarding "effective control". I wish those signs were in simple English: * Your dog must come to you when called - every time. * You must call your dog away from other dogs and people. You must ask their permission first before allowing your dog to approach them (they never specify this rule. So in order to comply, people just never call their dog!).

SK - it is my understanding that a dog that is the wrong colour, has a missing tooth etc can be sold on the limited register.

I find if you go at the crack of dawn (7am at the moment) many parks are empty. I go to Brighton Beach at that time and we have it to ourselves.

Agree - I think it is really good for dogs to learn to be among people without interacting with them (so they don't bound up to people all the time). FWIW - whenever I am alwking my dogs I always give people a wide berth (longer than the lenght of their lead) so that they aren't "forced" to interact with my dogs. Most people give a big "thank you" for this.

I find the problem isn't my dogs or my control over them, but other people whose actions and dogs I don't have any control over. I've been at dog parks when the instant a dog has walked in the gate, it's grabbed another dog and attacked it. I've seen owners of dogs who are having a fight or attacking another dog brush it off as "oh he's just doing what dogs do" and countless other examples where people have shown a lack of control to the detriment of the other dogs in the park. If I knew other owners were going to do the right thing with their dogs, I would consider using dog parks. Husky, the parks in brisbane seem to be very different to the parks in Melbourne. My local park is a bunch of unfenced ovals - there is not gate. I agree that a small, enclosed area is a very bad idea.

It is a big "depends". My local off leash area is unfenced (which I think causes less tension with dogs) and I only use it at off peak times. I leave immediately if certain dogs come into the park. I have a tiny back yard and my dogs would have a very poor quality of life IMO if they didn't get some time to actually stretch their legs.

Wishing Sid the best. There are some great off leash parks, and some nightmare ones. Can I ask which park this happened at?

Best Friend's has fenced camping sites.

I'd see a good behaviourist. In the meantime, I would give them all the space that they need, feed them and then leave them alone. This may sound cruel but it is the kindest thing and they will come to you in time. This is the method that I used with my ex-puppy farm breeding bitch (who spend day 1 in her crate, to afraid to even eat!). I was told it by a rescuer who has helped hundreds of ex-breeding dogs that have been kept in less than ideal situations. Within a month (which may seem like a long time but isn't in the scheme of things) Lucy would come and sit with me on her own. Once I got the the stage of my dog being able to actually come to me and be comfortable around me, I consulted a behaviourist. Best money I have spent. Ever. I personally wouldn't be taking a very fearful dog to a club just yet - way to much crowding and excitement. Just let them take their own time.... ETA: Behaviourists aren't just for aggressive dogs. I can't stress that enough! My girl just froze when she was scared, but her quality of life is sooooooo much better now that we both got professional help.

yes - and the dogs love to pick up those bags. Mine ahve finally learn to leave them!

CW_EW: Take the day off work, spend 24/7 spying on the area and follow them home. Let them do this for a whole week and collect and store the poo. Then drop it off at thier home.

Thanks. I have only ever seen an aggressive whippet once - but she has an owner who treats her like a baby so it is no real surprise. I know many people with 2 mini schnauzers and they seem to get along well, even though they are terriorists.

what about the sight houds? I have heard when they are drive they don't get along. Do they live together well in a pet/house situation?