LizT

Just out of interest, what actually happens to sick puppies that are returned tp [et shops? I assume they would be PTS? I imagine the same thing that would happen if you returned a sick dog to ANY breeder?? It would be left to the decision of the people and Veterinarians in charge of that particular case. I think it would be very difficult to return a sick puppy to anyone. The desire to nuture and care for it after it has been in your family would be so strong (in most people I guess?) I imagine most people (like the people who 'chat' on this forum) would be inclined to try to help the pup in question BUT that said, most, if not ALL of the people on this forum wouldn't buy a puppy from a Pet Store. Of course a Puppy from ANY breeder can still get sick and/or have some health problems or issues, despite the best of care and intentions. It's how these individual situations, the animals and people involved are treated and handled that makes you 'ethical'.

I don't think this makes sense at all. Something is very wrong in Australia - full stop. In the UK, population of 60M approx, euthanasia rate of about 15,000 dogs per annum. Australia, population of around 21M approx, euthanasia rate of about 150,000+ dogs per annum. Hmmm, I don't think you can blame the pounds/rescues for that statistic. Blame the Australian population for not having commitment to their pets, for believing that dogs must have a litter to be nice, that it's OK to get a new puppy when they are bored with the old dog, to get rid of their dog when they have a baby, move house, change the colour of their loungeroom walls. Or that it's OK to make some quick bucks from breeding their dog with another undesexed dog - breed not an issue. Next you'll be telling me that the dogs in pounds are there because there's something wrong with them. No, I won't be "telling you" anything of the sort! As I said I found it an 'interesting point of view'. I agree with your statement about the pathetic reasons that dogs end up in pounds. I also know for a fact that people will leave a dog that has escaped their property in a pound because they are sick of paying the release fee but will then go out and get another (and I guess they hope "better" puppy instead.) I think the reason we have a higher figure for animal euthanasia is because we have a higher rate of pet ownership? This is probably due to the higher rate of home ownership and more houses with yards and less apartment living.

A couple of years ago I went to Yarra Glen Market (now no longer running there) and was turned away at the gate with my Cavalier puppy Once upon a time you could take your dogs t just about any market but today they seemed to be banned from more and more areas. Getting more difficult to solialise a puppy these days!!

Clue me!" LOL

Just 'knew' you would find "the one". He is such a cutie!

"Just pin the "Vet Bill' on the fridge. It'll put you on a "Clucky diet" LOL

Hope you're all having a great day!

Mine wouldn't sleep on their beds and preferred the couch but I got sick of all the hair on the couch (esp. as I wanted to get a new lounge suite soon) so I got some X'mats for when we aren't using them and moved their beds right next to the couch. They now sleep in their beds when we are watching telly and I'm looking at getting some new furniture soon. I know it was my own fault for letting them on the couch in the first place but the amount of hair they left behind got ridiculous so I had to be consistant and strong. It certainly is easier to make the rules straight from the start but sometimes we change our minds and situations change. They still take advantage of any available lap though! ;)

It was suggested to me recently, and I do find this point of view interesting.... that.... Pounds and Rescue groups contribute to the perpetuation of unwanted pets by finding homes for the 'rejects' and therefore increasing the demand and lessening the guilt by rehoming rather than destroying unwanted animals and lessening the effect of the statistics of unwanted and destroyed pets? An interesting point of view I thought.

My GSD was only ever on the front floor of a sedan. I can't get him to jump into the back of my Rodeo Ute so I've had to put him in the cab. That's something I still have to work on. Maybe I'll try a ramp of sorts too, problem is what do I do for the trip home? Guess I'll have to put some matting or carpet down too as it only has the black slippery plastic so if I do manage to get him in I'll have to make it pleasant for him?

Gosh I can't give "soft toys" to ANY of my dogs, Cavaliers or German Shepherd. They all end up with me picking up pieces of stuffing!! :D

Our German Shepherd started doing it at about 7 months and our Obedience Trainer thought it was delightful!? He is so gentle and at 4 years old still does it. Takes you by the wrist and leads you where you are going?? Bit slobbery though! LOL

I've known a few people who changed their "adopted" dogs names because they didn't want the name it came with. I think the key to changing is to choose a name with a similar tone and sylable amount. For eg. Banchee became Mandy. Cristian became Tristan Lara became Tara Bandit became Gambit I adopted a "name unknown" bitch and she answered to "Here Girl" so I called her "Gyrle". Good Luck and have fun.

Your description is very similar to that of my horses appearance after he decided to... First. Paw ground and bang earth very hard Second. Roll vigourously around ground. Unfortunately this was done on an ants nest and he was bitten all over and swelled up around his face, genitals (oww!) and body. An antihisamine injection brought it down but some did dry up as scabs.

I think a one month trial is a very reasonable solution. It gives you a chance to settle in with him without second guessing if you have done the right thing, takes the pressure off. Of course it will all be just fine. ;) PS. My younger Cav is Crystal but she get called Crissy AND Crystal. Answers to both !

So very true, they are made for each other. Although on occassion I've heard of puppies being described as "soft" and more suitable for say, an Elderly person or couple.

I think the issue at hand is "How to stop companion animals, such as dogs, who for hundreds of thousands of years have chosen to be the companion of man, from being "farmed" like sheep, cattle or poultry. That is what everyone, pet owners, breeders , RSPCA and oranisations like PETA should be working towards as a common goal.

Well I can see how a family with small kids could end up going through a BYB or a Petshop to get a puppy! You are a very patient woman Italmum (your kids must have taught you that!). Good on you. ;) P.S. I've been reading through 'some' of this thread and you are being lead around in lil'circles, so much information. Take it in and glean what makes sense to you, then do what 'feels' right. Remember ALL the advice you got when you had your first baby (thank dog they leave you alone after you have your second, probably figure you didn't kill the first so you can handle it!) Whilst I have followed I haven't read all of this thread, so I don't know if it's been mentioned that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (as breeds go) are far easier to 'rehome' than many other breeds are. Obviously there are exceptions in everything but I'm speaking generally.

I am the opposite, I hate seeing puppies in the window as it makes me so sad to see them cooped up there day after day on display and knowing these poor pups have come from questionable breeding practices (i.e. puppyfarmers, BYB's, disreputable breeders) and then wondering what sort of homes these poor pups will end up in as so many are impulse buys That's me too Labsrule There are definitely mixed emotions when I see "Puppies in Pet Shop windows". Mostly I am very concerned for the future of these dogs and I tell myself that most people are good and the puppies will go to good homes. Then there is anger at the industry that perpetuates the breeding of these animals. I guess there is also a deep set "warm fuzzy' that comes with nice memories of looking at the 'puppies in the window' both with my parents and with my own children. I've never come across any puppies in poor conditions at a Pet Shop and whilst I DO NOT SUPPORT the sale of puppies in pet store I see that attraction. Many many people "Look, but don't buy". But obviously many people buy or there would be no call for the trade. Live animals are a draw card, that's why Zoos are popular. I'm not sure where the compromise can be found but it must be out there. Nothing is EVER as simple as YES, we do, OR, NO, we don't.

I've often wondered about the possibility of Petshops using some kind of "referral" system to registered breeders?? They could list what will be available in the coming months for example? And if they really feel the need for the "Puppies in the window" effect (I'll be honest I always love seeing puppies ALL KINDS) maybe they could have a rostered display where a breeder will bring along a litter for a day?? I guess the problem comes down to who gets the lions share of the profits?? Someone at work told me recently when they found out I had two Cavalier bitches that I could get up to $300 each for a puppy from a Pet Shop. I patiently explained the protocol of a Registered Breeder. They seemed to be enlightened.

You know, the "unwanted puppies for Christamas " is just a furfie and urban myth. It is a year round problem that doesn't get worse at Christmas. There may be more adult dogs in pounds during the holidays due to poor supervision and New Years Eve fireworks but people don't really give puppies as unwanted pets to family and friends. Sadly this type of story has been done many times over the years but somehow people still do this kind of thing.

See I'd be more inclined to 'leave a dog his bone', I'm not to sure about this giving and taking of bones etc. Instincts run deep and just because YOU may be able to take it from your dog because you have taught him to be comfortable with this action doesn't mean another family member can. It could be a recipe for disaster.

I think it has something to do with peoples belief system. If we are told something by our parents (or people we hold in esteem) as children then it usually forms our views on things. My OH won't accept that something he learnt from his father or Grandfather could possibly be either outmoded or completely wrong. That's how any form of predjudice and most religious thinking come into play. Add to this mix a personal experience and it usually sits very strongly with you. As a child I was bitten by a black Labrador therefore for no real logical reason I am not comfortable around them. Fine with Yellows and Chocolates. Completely silly and I am always going out of my way to try to rationalise this inner fear when I see one. Also sometimes we just don't find a particular brreed "pleasing to OUR eye" and go for the "type" we find pleasing. And then you meet a person with a breed you were never keen on and it turns out to be the most wonderful dog and you become a convert.

If I had a 20 month old in a dog Park I wouldn't let it "OFF LEAD"! Your child will be safer in a stroller as you can be in front of it and the back is protected. The dogs are protected from the child and visa verca. Then if you have a problem with other dogs (or children) your child is in the one place.

There are ALL BREEDS Shows there over the Easter Weekend. Definitely Monday (I'm going) but the next CAVALIER BREED SHOW is at Lancefield in June I believe?? Bit of a hike for us Eastern (and Southern ) suburb people. Incidently I've seen many a mum/parents/grandparents juggling small children and Show Dogs at events and I take my hat off to them. I know off one lady with two little girls under three who are very good around dogs as they've grown up around the Show Ring, so to speak. Sometimes I think we ALL make "RODS for our backs" by adding to our workload in some ways. As Cavaliers are definitely INDOOR MOSTLY dogs it WILL mean more work for you and your little ones will be covered in hair, but as you said, you had a Cav (Carla?) so you already know what's invloved in their care. Maybe you've just been unlucky in finding an older puppy. It could be you are after an age that a breeder would either still be holding on to, in a view to showing and seeing how it matures and that the baby puppies are usually spoken for by 8 weeks. My sister (not the one in England) wanted an adult West Highland White Terrier and I came to a dead end trying to source her one at the time after contacting Breeders etc. It just might be the timing. Also I don't think it's necessary to have kids around to socialise a puppy to be suitable for a home with children. I believe that the human interaction is the important step. This and the education and attitude of the prospective buyers.