Red Fox

Were the Rottweilers papered dogs bred by an experienced Rottweiler breeder who breeds to type or were they BYB's or perhaps crossbreeds?? Not sure what difference this would make? Too many dodgy unregistered breeders around breeding 'massive/awesome protection and security' dogs from whatever they can get their hands on - Rotties, Mastiffs, GSDs... And given the media's track record with identifying breeds, well.... And given the media propensity to misidentify breeds, what makes you think they wouldn't misidentify a pedigree dog? I don't doubt they would.

Were the Rottweilers papered dogs bred by an experienced Rottweiler breeder who breeds to type or were they BYB's or perhaps crossbreeds?? Not sure what difference this would make? Too many dodgy unregistered breeders around breeding 'massive/awesome protection and security' dogs from whatever they can get their hands on - Rotties, Mastiffs, GSDs... And given the media's track record with identifying breeds, well....

I had the same problem as you but a little worse. I hosed my dogs and unbeknown to me the nasty women next door stuck her head over the fence. Guess what she was accidentally hosed too. serves her right!

No, not all. But perhaps a few which is better than nothing. My neighbours know their dogs get out, they know that their dogs show aggressive behaviour towards both dogs and humans, yet they still leave the gates open and blame it on the kids. No one bothers to call the ranger any more as nothing comes of it. He comes out here, dogs run back on to property, he can't take them from their yard so leaves. These dogs have gone at my own dog on several occasions. The owners are well aware of this. Last week one of these dogs attacked two small on leash dogs as they passed the house on the opposite side of the road. No physical damage done and I doubt it was reported. Over the weekend the same dog charged at, chased, snapped and growled at my 11 year old niece as she tried to cross the road in front of my house. The poor kid was left terrified and crying, too scared to return home. This time I DID make a formal complaint - the ranger will 'talk to them'. What good will that do? Perhaps if they were given a large fine each and every time the dogs were out they might think more carefully about containing their dogs. Perhaps if that were the case it never would have reached this level?

No, but harsher punishment will make many think twice about their responsibilities as dog owners. Too many idiots get off with a slap on the wrist, don't/can't/wont contain/control their dogs. Too many victims don't bother to complain because they feel nothing will come of it. I think there needs to be a consequence to make a difference. I don't support BSL, but I do support harsher fines and consequences for serial and serious offenders - the owners, not the dogs.

People are relying on what MumtoShelley is telling them. And what she's saying (as usual) changes constantly. She's either spinning a yarn of monumental proportions or one of the best trolls this place has ever seen. Frankly I have no idea which. Yes, one persons (somewhat ever-changing) word.. From what I have gathered - the dog had a stomach upset (presumed gastro as she never saw the vet), has lost some weight and has thrown up a few times (usually after being given something rich or random by the owner or her sister). Sounds pretty average to me?? Or have I missed something??

If she's been ill with a stomach upset she needs bland food - boiled chicken, rice and sweet potato and/or pumpkin. A little bit of ginger can help too. Then slowly introduce richer foods. My Ridgeback had a nasty bout of gastro a couple of years back. It was quite some time (around 3 weeks from memory) before his normal diet could be re-introduced without upsetting his belly. If the dog is feeling the cold think about buying a snugglesafe pad for her. http://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/SNUGHEATP#.T8ncjtXPrSg They are currently on sale and stay warm for hours. I've put one in my boys crate and it's made a huge difference. I find it interesting that people are jumping up and down presuming this dog is on deaths doorstep when no-one has actually seen her.

Missy doesn't guts down her food it takes her 15-20 minutes to eat 3/4 cup of food. It doesn't matter what she does after she has eatten her farts are still rotten. She doesn't seem to be farting much on raw or scratching alot but raw is costing me alot more to feed 4 dogs, I still think theres something in black hawk thatis causing her bad farts. That probably has a lot to do with what you're feeding. The dogs probably like all the premium quality meat - but they don't need it. You should be able to pick up chicken frames, wings and necks, lamb flaps and necks, roo spine, roo mince, turkey necks/wings/drumsticks etc for approx $3-$5 per kilo. Add in some raw minced veg, the supplement you are already using, a few eggs here and there, a can of home brand sardines one night, a bit of offal another, a scoop of natural yoghurt if you have it, left over rice and pasta when it's there. Shouldn't work out too expensive at all and barely any preparation time involved - portion up your meat and freeze, same with veg then defrost as you need it. Otherwise buy up on VAN in bulk (15kg bag) soak it and mix with the appropriate ratio of roo mince. Easy as and just as cheap as mid range dry food.

With a Mali? Just get wet :p But if it's really bucketing down I drive out to the school, park under the big outdoor shelter and train some obedience. Most of the primary schools have them now, so if they don't lock the gates and you can get in it's a pretty good place to go. There seem to be a few fenced off undercover playgrounds around now too, don't think they'll be full of kiddies if it's pouring rain either - improvised agility? I'm finding puzzle toys great for keeping mine entertained too. http://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/Products?search=nina

Yeah I did and it worked brilliantly. She stopped the nuisance barking within a few days of using the collar on the lowest setting. The neighbours dogs are still going skitz every time she makes a noise in her run but she's no longer barking back - regardless of whether she has the collar on or not. For the first two weeks she wore it every day, third week randomly, now only very occasionally. I got the Dogtra YS300.

I have to say thank you so much for this, I want some for my soon to be open kennels and was not relishing spending $60 + each. Woohoo - theya re a abargain - thank you soooo much :D :D :D Yeah the price is awesome at the moment!

So give him (appropriate) things to tear to bits. Boxes are good - big ones like fridge and washing machine boxes rather than shoe boxes. Newspapers, old rags, a tree branch... Put him outside and let him go for it. Inside, confine or supervise. If the dog is given an appropriate outlet for his destruction he'll be less likely (and probably too tired) to take it out on the things you don't want him to. Also teach him a solid 'leave it' and 'out' command.

I bought the one in the second link, they're about $15 from Big W. I can't say my Mali pup was all that interested in it ...until she worked out that chomping on it made it turn on and you could pull the box out and mangle it The snugglesafe heat pads that Vetnpet have on special at the moment along with a soft toy would be better value IMO. The Snuggle pups are cute though.

Yeah, put a peg on your nose for the next 24 hours. Those farts are going to STINK... I'd probably make a point of mentioning it to the shop though. When you buy 'fresh' you should expect to get what you pay for.

Definitely a Mal. Do you know how old he is? Contact Nekhbet. She's in Vic, owns the breed and will be able to help you out.

Yes ...with a cricket stump...

Have you tried an electric bark collar? http://www.k9pro.com.au/products/Dogtra-YS300-Electronic-Anti-Bark-Collar.html I've got a young Mali with a very LOUD bark. I used the above collar on the lowest setting. Stopped her nuisance barking within a week (demand barking, bark off with the dog next door, etc) but she'll still bark straight through it when there is something 'real' to bark at such as a stranger on the property.

Yeah I just tried and it's coming up as $32.54 + $3.26 GST (+ shipping) The email says $31.97 w/coupon though.. <br class="Apple-interchange-newline">

Oohh, thanks for the heads-up. That's a great price! I'll be getting one for my boy. Just moved from a warm snuggly apartment to a big old wooden floored house, so just grabbed one of these for my pup. Great price, thanks for the link! Ah, typical. I ordered one yesterday and now they are further on sale with the "Winter Warmer" sale code W2012 if anyone was wavering on buying one (makes them $31.97) Oh really, that's CHEAP! Might get another!

It has nothing to do with the breed of the dog and everything to do with the dog/handler combination. Choose the tool and method that you are most comfortable with. It's really not a question of what is 'better', but rather what works for you and your dog. If you are confident and in control it will come through in your training, if you're unsure, nervous or worried your dog will pick up on it. So yes, in a way it is personal preference. Personally I think a front attaching harness is a 'safer' option. But would choose a prong collar and proper training over either any day.

That's a thought . have you tried providing him with lots of bedding /coat, but have him safely tethered ? he may feel more comfortable being able to move around a bit more than he can in his crate? *shrugs* Just a thought.... I like the look of that warmbodymat , and the bun warmers seem a good idea. for dog beds ..provided not any more than one thin layer is covering them . Might get one for my geriatric cat! :) Thanks for the link . Thanks for the thoughts but I'm 99% certain that it's not arthritis. He's young, fit and healthy, shows no stiffness and has no desire to stretch when let out of his crate - just wants to burrow under the doona! It only seems to be a problem when the nights drop down below around 3 degrees.. I managed to get a SnuggleSafe this week from Vet n Pet direct at 30% off. Best price I've seen anywhere http://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/Products?search=snugglesafe

I had mine made by a local fencing/construction company. Much stronger and you can specify exactly what you want. We also have one of the Pet Safe runs but don't use it, it's no-where near as sturdy. There's a guy on eBay that makes decent runs and will ship interstate. Located in Vic though. http://stores.ebay.com.au/LANCEFIELD-ALL-PET-ENCLOSURES?_trksid=p4340.l2563

LOL broken or non broken is fine by me ;-)

A B&W hot water bottle would make his day. Send her up :p

That's what I've done the previous 2 winters. Tonight there is more blankets in the crate than dog though. Two single bed sized minky blankets with a Ridgie sandwiched in between .