lappiemum

I share concerns. However, at least this report mentions puppy farmers. In this country they get endorsed......!

Sounds good to me! LOL

Kennel Associations could well mount some seminars which (like all seminars) presented a position. In this case, the best of the research around, about purebred dogs. Sure could do with some spreading! And they could be brave & invite an outsider like KS to present her mixed-breeding views in a panel format. (If someone with such an opposite view would accept an invitation!). BUT a conference would present numbers of positions (so long as the papers could demonstrate they were based on evidence). There you'd have presentations which would show opposite points of view. Usually places like Universities are good for mounting conferences.....because that's the job of a university, to weigh different sides up. Don't know if any Australian University would pick up that tab, tho'. Costs a lot more to get a wide range of presenters from a variety of sources. But these issues desperately need getting out into the open....via full, frank & informed debate. Actually, I've been to a number of both seminars and conferences, here and overseas It would be possible to do either - or even both (attach public seminars to a conference). For a peer reviewed conference it is best to have institution support - which is not impossible, just requires a lot of work and networking with respected academics and researchers. Hey, if the ANKC wants someone to do, pay me and I'll leave my current boring research job and go do dog stuff!

This thread is about a specific seminar at Monash University. Any outside speakers are invited to a seminar, to support the in-house staff position being presented. Dr Peter Higgins, in his capacity as PR vet for a Kennel Club, was obviously not invited. A whole list of other people who'd have an academic or stakeholder interest in the issues, were also not invited. As is the wont with seminars....which are much, much narrower than conferences. Have they asked to go on the "seminar invite/notification" list though? Would they not be like me, who did this? Should they wait for a special invitation? There's a difference between invite & notification. Seminars only invite outsiders to present work.....when that work follows on from some direction the in-house staff is taking. I have no idea if Monash University has a mailing list which notifies outside stakeholders that they are holding a seminar....& inviting them to attend, not perform (as is the wont for seminars). And, if so, I have no idea whose names are on it. My argument is that the issue they're covering is far too complex for a simple one-dimensional seminar. Should be opened up far more widely via a conference form. Good conferences are expensive to mount, however. And I don't know who'd pick up that task. ANKC? State canine bodies??

With the new rules, its unlikely that many of the minority breeds will even get the Grand Ch status. At least this is something more to aim for...(ponders a QLD move...LOL)

Report her to council for having two dogs off leash and uncontrolled in an onleash area. Unfortunately, they will not be interested in the fact that the woman is obviously a nutcase. However, you should request regular patrols of the area by council, to enforce their local regs.

SwaY sells that stuff - check out http://www.whelpingsupplies.com.au/

I don't use a clicker either - too much for me to remember (clicker, treat, command, praise.....I get confused more than the pup!). Treat and happy praise usually does it for me. have you tried the recall game yet? its lots of fun - you hide in another room and call your puppy - when they come running to find you, you make a big happy fuss (and treat if you like). We've played it many times, and Sohvi thinks whenever we call her its going to be fun...(except for that bath thing....)LOL

Yep, just send me your number and i'll give you a call tonight.

Hi Fran- There is a trick to teaching lead training - puppies do need to be taught to walk on a lead, and lappies are quite smart, so they will know when it goes on! LOL Sohvi loves her lead now, and got it very quickly, but I did have to teach her aswell - the trick is to never pull. Start by putting the lead on her, praising her as you do, and when its on, call her to you. If she coems, lots and lots of praise (make a real fuss!); if she backs away or carries on, never pull back - just hold it steady, and continue to encourage her to come to you. You say she is food orientated, so use a bait to start with if you want. Training must be gentle, not go for long each time (but repeat often) and above all, be fun and positive. Gentle corrections, with food as a reward, and yes, be persisitant. Don't go for longer than a 3 or 4 mins max each session, and give her lots of praise. If you want her to stand, guide her into that position and reward her for it - Sohvi is also a sitter, but we are getting the stand part now. If you want, PM me your number and I'll give you a call.

Mind you, those little balls of fluff grow up to be impressive themselves - I've had people cross the street to avoid me and Boof (if only they knew what a big gentle boy he is). Oh, and the barks of my lappies are pretty impressive - I imagine when Luuka is all grown up the combination of Atlas and Luuka will make any idiot think twice......!

OMG Fran - What a shocking thing to happen - thankfully you are ok, as are the doglets. Atlas is such a good boy - and Sohvi sends her sister lappie hugs and hopes she is a-ok.(I tell you now, if anyone ever kicked my dogs it would be me that they would have to watch for, not the lappies!!! )

May do the Saturday - sunday i think is a Kepala day....

I wouldn't have thought you'd describe any spitz as "something that doesn't shed a great deal" Actually, they shed very little most of the time, certainly much less that a short haired dog, which does shed constantly. They will drop coat once or twice, and when that happens you blow it out, or get a groomer to do it. Other than that, the rest of the year you see very little fur at all - and you don't have to do the regular clips at the groomer either.

A finnish lapphund ticks all those boxes for your friend. And they come in all colours of the canine rainbow - these are pics of my three, but there are lots of other colours and markings too. And they are not over the top, non-stop spitzes - but are more than happy to do whatever activities their owners want to do. BTW - And have you directed her to Leo's story??? If in the end she does get her DD, at least get her to ask the so-called 'breeder' for all the health testing for BOTH breeds - hips, eyes, elbows, any genetic testing - esp if she is going to be spending big $$$$. Oh, and to have paperwork for it all, signed by a vet. I know that these puppy farmers have their own 'tame' vets, but at least she will have some come back if/when it all goes south.

Royal Melbourne. You're guaranteed at least a few in my breed will turn out for that one!

Two dogs on a brace lead; they actually behave better than if I have them on their own separate leads. Go figure. When Sohvi (our puppy) is big enough, I'll walk the two girls on brace, and my boy seperately. He's still quite reactive when he is with the girls (he gets excited by their excitement), but by himself when I walk him he is pretty chilled. He's not yet two, though, and the boys in his line tend not to get brains until at least 3 years...

Hmmm, am trying to decide if we go to this one.... not sure yet - is the Sat or Sunday better?

Hi - I haven't stayed here myself (as I live in Melbourne) but you could try the guys below. Accommodation Name - Rochford Rd Thoroghbreds Location - Newham (Nr Sunbury), Vic (1162 Rochford Road, Newham) Contact Details - (03) 54270931 Web Site - http://totaltravel.com Type of Accommodation - Self Contained Unit/Cottage Details - A delightful first class farm stay surrounded by fantastic scenary, close to Hanging Rock. on a working race horse stud. Choose Self Contained cottage or be spoilt at the main house with Bed and Breakfast. Dogs Welcome but must be on leash at all times, and crated inside when not attended. ideal spot if attending shows at Sunbury, or that special get away with your 4 paw pals. Rating - (Out of a possible 5 ... 5 being excellent) Also in Melbourne, at Williamstown - this would be about 25 to 30mins from Bulla, but its near the sea Again, haven't stayed there, but seen their adverts a lot Accommodation Name - North Haven By the Sea B&B Location - Williamstown, Vic (Merrett Drive) Contact Details - 0393998399 Type of Accommodation - Bed/Breakfast Details - Great large fenced back yard. Plenty of areas which are covered for sleeping. Walking tracks and park at doorstep including a dog friendly swimming beach. Rating - (Out of a possible 5 ... 5 being excellent) This review was submitted on 4-Jul-04 by Marg W2

puli's are corded for the ring. I expect the technique would not be disimilar?

Lappies still herd reindeer in Finland They also have fun herding in Australia.

I have to find the exact wording, but essentially here in Vic, if a breeder sells a puppy in good faith, (and that can be proven, ofcourse!) and something emerges post-sale, the breeding is not necessarily automatically liable. Ethics issues, however, are a different matter.

Took my babies to George for the first time on Sunday. He is very very good - very gentle, very knowedgeable. If you could bottle George, you'd be able to make millions!LOL

That's ok - one day you will all be able to do zoomies around the rainbow bridge.....

puppies see kids as puppies, and will try to do the rough and tumble. NILF is good, but some puppies are more persistant than others - read the pdf of the linked booklet in the post just before yours, and also see about having someone (professional behaviourist) come into your homes, observe your interactions and give you instructions on what to do. Each puppy is different, my girl tasha was a complete terror, my boy bear was a soft natured and gentle boy (then my girl corrupted him...LOL)