megan_

It might not be hte actual behaviour that is the problem - it might be a clingy dog, and some people struggle to cope with that and they might be an active family and they can't meet a clingy dog's needs. However, if the dog lived with a little old lady she might be delighted at having a constant companion. There are certain types of dogs that I just couldn't live with. It doesn't make me a lesser dog owner to admit that.

mumsy I certainly wouldn't show my friend this thread :-). There have been a lot of negative assumptions about her motivation etc and if I was her and read it I'd be p*ssed off and that certainly wouldn't help the situation. Some people seem to think that responsible rehoming is the same as dumping a dog at the pound. The end result for the dog couldn't be more different.

A lot of judgement here. One of my dogs follows me around (even to the loo) but it works to my advantage with training. I like it. Some people prefer independant dogs - what is wrong with that? Why the assumption that the "dog is the only one putting any effort in"?

Have you given that feedback to the clubs? If people stopped coming or stopped spending money in droves then I'd imagine that decision would be overturned quickly. I don't show but I went to a workshop that was on at the same time at KCC. I bought a coffee and a fruit salad and I landed up throwing both away...and they weren't cheap either.

So we want it to happen, we just don't want to see it?

I see this point, especially after going and watching some of the presentations from the PHD students - results/conclusions being stated but really often the numbers of dogs used in various studies are soooooo limited that they are not a true representation. However this one seems okay, just seems strange that these types of surveys are left to a random online - with an online survey info can be added by anyone.... where there is either minimal or no experience ... Surely there is a way for this info to go to "professionals" i.e. those that advertise in newspapers, have independent websites, advertise in telephones..... Plenty of people have elevated opinion of their status as a dog trainer..... Often online surveys are used to identify macro trends, and then someone uses this to then do more traditional, resource and cost intensive data collection. The internet is a really cost effective and easy way to get a lot of data. Re: the comment about people being able to explain themselves, it is hard to use descriptions/explanations in statistical research (how do you categorise and measure it?). The survey obviously is looking for the trends, rather than "what is the reason that X uses Y over X?". That may or may not come later. It is a bit "damned if you do, damned if you don't" because if people don't participate then there will be less research into dog behaviour and training.

I can't understand why people use language like "throw the dog away". The OP never suggested that her friend would do this. It is easy to say that a dog is for life, but sometimes an owner doesn't have the skills to deal with the dog's issues and someone else might - why deny the dog the right owner just so that you can feel like a martyr?

While I don't agree in just letting dogs sort it out themselves, sometimes by taking aggressive action a safe situation can turn into a very unsafe one. One of my dogs is reactive and I want her to be less reactive, not more. Personally, after much trial and error, I know keep calm, walk away and keep my dogs attention. I also try to throw some food on the ground for an approaching dog. This won't stop a dog that is intent on attacking, but pretty much nothing will. ETA: I hate, hate, hate wandering dogs. However, most don't actually want to kill your dog. It is worth keeping that in mind. For many years I got really angry, blocked, used something as a weapon etc and it just made things worse.

How much time is spent 1:1 with the newest dog? How much time is spent training and doing things together?

Thanks. She doesn't look much shorter than them!

So someone needs TP be attacked first? How do you shoot an attacking dog without shooting the attacked? Attacks happen in micro seconds. Action needs to be taken before an attack happens. This is why I'm weary about what dogs my little ones meet, too many "dog savvy"'m people have no idea about body language and think everything other than a full-on attack is fine...

Yip - dog is definitely running towards the officer

Doggylovers - have you tried the "look at that" game?

I thought the normal price was $70 for 20kgs, $5 delivery?

Slightly OT, but I wouldn't put a social dog on lead if I saw two off leas dogs running full pelt at her - she can't evade if she wants to and this alone could cause a fight

I have dogs and I don't have kids but I certainly don't hate them. That said, there are some vitriolic children haters out there but I don't believe having a pet influences that. I don't understand it either - everyone was once a child. I also struggle with the "I like well behaved kids, not brats" too. Pushing boundaries is part of growing up. Even the most angelic children that I know have done one or two naughty things. Babies cry. Everyone just needs to get over it.

Norty girl pulling her tongue at the boxer! More pics of her with the Giants please

Should he have waited for an all out brawl before shooting? Could land up shooting the innocent dog then, or even a person. Sime fact is most strays don't get shot, so protocols seem to beacon place

If he has a skin allergy and you brush him he might associate you with pain? A general health check up is always a good idea when their personality changes.

It would also depend on what state you're in. For example, i believe that in WA there is no mandatory chipping, so this isn't always routinely checked as some pounds/shelters don't have the scanners. If there is no chip it would be very hard to tell that the dog had been stolen.

Enter emergency contacts starting with "ICE" (in case of emergency). Emergency services know to look these up. Remember that in some emergencies you might not be able to do the ringing yourself.

If I was the beagle's owner and my dog landed up being attacked while an officer "rang someone else to deal with the dogs" I'd be ropeable. Police struggle to keep up with crime, now they need to be experts on canine behavior too? Did anyone even read alyosha's background on these dogs?

They where closed early January. I dont know if this was reflected on the website? Also, the training in drive courses are being reformulated and they'll only be available in march, I think. Steve also gets regular emails from most past clients with weekly/monthly updates so I'm not surprised the odd email goes astray _it has happened to me and I just resend with a note. Everything I've ordered has arrived. Australia post are shocking and if you order anything of value get the insurance option.

Have you tried "Look at That" with him?

South central is hardly first world though