Zug Zug

I don't know that i agree with that. I think it is about why you breed. If you breed primarily to make money, then the dogs' welfare is secondary and will only be provided for if it, in turn, helps to either make more money or contain financial losses. Which is not to say that the profit itself is a bad thing. But profit-making as a driving motivation or reason for being a breeder is a major driver and what leads to most of the bad breeding practices that are being canvassed in this thread. Yes the amount of money someone makes is subjective. As is how much vet care is provided, how much personal care is provided, how comfortably a dog is kept, how often it is bred from. All these things are relative. I just see them all as symptoms of the money motive. Yes there are breeders who don't make a profit but are still substandard/unethical. But they're not puppy farmers - they're just not good breeders. To me it's the business side of things that distinguishes between a bad breeder and a puppy farmer. Perhaps you're really trying to define what is a bad breeder? If so, I think that's a different discussion and on that basis I would agree with your previous post.

To me it's simple: A puppy farmer is someone who breeds dogs with the primary goal of making a profit. The issues about no play, no vet care, no testing etc are all symptoms of this basic defining issue. They would do all those things if they led to increased profit. In the same way that a sheep farmer will provide sufficient vet care (and other things) to ensure his sheep keep producing meat or wool (to make money), so a puppy farmer will provide sufficient vet care (and other things) to ensure his dogs keep producing puppies (to make money). But if it doesn't threaten the cash flow, then it doesn't happen.

How much noise do they make, compared with a normal (human) hair drier?

Muscles!!!

Seeing the state of some dogs overseas I can understand why people from those places might want to keep their distance. I notice in our local neighbourhood that quite a few people give even my very fluffy little dogs a wide berth on the footpath. We also had a Taiwanese exchange student who lived with us for a while (a few years ago) and she was even scared of our very gentle little bichon for the first few weeks. She got used to the dogs but you could tell she didn't want them near her. I figure that's fair enough - not everyone needs to love dogs do they? Cruelty - a different story altogether.

I have spoken with a few breeders in the past few months. One did shoot off a long list of requirements that was pretty off-putting. The others have been very generous in talking about their breed, what they need, etc. And during the course of those conversations (in both cases quite long chats) I gave plenty of information about my background, our home situation, what kind of dog owner I am, etc. I have no objection to answering questions and providing information, because there are things I want to know too. I prefer the style of letting it all come out of a natural discussion, because for me that seems more natural and comfortable. But if a breeder would prefer I tick boxes on a sheet of paper I don't think that would bother me greatly. Things I would be happy to be asked would include info about other pets and people in my household, breeds and dogs I've owned before, what I want the dog for (e.g. dog sports, pet etc.), do I understand what grooming is needed, holiday arrangements, fencing, and the list goes on. These are all things that are directly relevant to how well equipped and prepared I am to looking after the puppy as it grows up. I will also ask questions about testing, breeding, temperament, contracts/conditions, etc.

I have a dog who is a master sulker! Every time I have to tether her up at dog club, which is inside the clubrooms and I'm always a few metres away, she insists on turning her back on me. Never does it any other time. No question - dogs can sulk!

Yep I was going to say Italian Greyhound as well. I had one (years ago) and she was very quiet. Very active however. Much more than I had expected!

Thanks everyone - nice to know I'm not the only one. And yes I think they find stays boring - probably because stays ARE boring! Part of me thinks 'fair enough', but I really want to do this so we will stick with it.

My two are both 12 (one we're sure about, the other is a rescue but she's at least 11 because we got her as an adult over 10 years ago). Both in good nick, although the bichon is slowing down and his sight and hearing have dropped off a bit. My poodle x is showing no signs of slowing down - she is very fit and active and outruns lots of much younger dogs. I know people who have had their dogs well into the mid or late teens. I spoke to a woman a few days ago who had a bichon who didn't die until 20yo (although she admitted the last 2 years were problematic and very expensive). Who knows? I am trying to approach it this way - make them comfortable and keep having a good time but also keep my eyes peeled for anything that needs my attention. We need to take each day as it comes. Every day we have from now on is a bonus - but with the 2 breeds I have it could go for another 5 years quite easily - and I hope it does! ETA: I did shift them onto senior dog food when they were about 8 years old.

I know it can be very easy to reinfect with conjunctivitis in humans - not sure if it is the same in dogs but repeat treatments for people are not uncommon.

Yes sometimes very nervous (sometimes whining and occasionally breaking). Solid and very comfortable at other times. Like today - in a sit stay I was miles away and another quite large dog bounded right up to her and she was rock solid didn't even look like moving. I went straight back to her to reward but she was perfectly calm. Then, other times, nothing seems wrong to me but she is very unhappy for some reason. I can't really see a clear pattern - hoping practice and consistency from me will just iron it out I guess. We need to work more on distance, I think. And different settings. So we'll be concentrating on those two things this week. I find the active exercises are a lot easier to train because you're teaching them to 'do' something. In the stay I feel like I'm training her not to do something (i.e not to break). But what I'm really trying to train is to wait calmly. So trying to focus on rewarding calmness etc. But I don't know it's a bit of a schmozzle at the moment. I'll just keep plugging on. It has been frustrating but if we stick with it I'm sure we'll get somewhere in the end.

See link to video below - our run-through at training during the week. It's good looking at videos isn't it? You get to see their tails wagging! Stays left off on purpose. Still having trouble with the stays. Sorry about the poor video quality - it looked clearer but lost something on its way into Youtube unfortunately.

I use a spot-on treatment to control fleas on my dogs. We have not seen a flea here for many, many years. This is in spite of the fact that we regularly take them out walking, do obedience training and trialling, etc. so plenty of chances to pick up fleas and bring them home. I am very happy they don't suffer from fleas and don't want to be getting slack or taking chances with them. But also wondering if I'm overdoing things by treating them regularly for fleas when they really haven't ever had them. I wonder if it is worth treating them for fleas over the winter months. We live in Adelaide. Any thoughts and experiences from others?

Thanks - God I hope it is not early signs of dementia. She is an anxious thing at times so I guess something like anxiety is pretty likely. Especially given her sudden and miraculous recovery.

Back to her normal self - no shaking and nothing unusual that I can see. Whatever had her upset yesterday seems to be long forgotten today. It's a mystery. I'll keep an eye on her but for now all good.

Sorry to hear that Erny. You're right we know our dogs best and we know when something isn't right. I wish it had turned out better for you and your girl but I agree you did what you could for her and in the end that's all we can offer isn't it? None of us have magic wands. I'm just keeping close to Zamba tonight. She is sleeping now. I'll see how she is in the morning and take it from there.

I had her anal glands cleared by the vet about 6 weeks ago when her teeth were cleaned, so I don't think it would be that. I wondered if she'd swallowed something bad. Sorry I know this is a bit silly because if I can't tell what's wrong, then none of you could possibly know. I'm just a bit worried that's all.

She is outside during the day. Both dogs were outside when I got home (thoughtless teenagers didn't bring them in with them when they got home - grrr). She might have got a fright. So hard to know.

My older poodle x girl Zamba never EVER gets sick. She is 12 years old and has never had a sick day in her life. She was fine last night and this morning. But I got home from work today and she is very, very sooky. She keeps following me around and shaking and looking worried. She won't eat and she won't leave my side. When I asked her to do some heeling (she is an obedience junkie) she did that fine and looked quite well. Used her legs and paws no probs. Moved quickly and smoothly. But as soon as we stopped she went back to shaking and sticking to me like glue. She has only ever been out of sorts like this once before - about 7-8 years ago. That day I took her to the vet and said 'I have no idea what's wrong but I know something is wrong' and they said she had a broken tail. Mind you, that didn't stop her wagging her tail frantically in the vet's office while we were waiting. She looked absolutely healthy in their waiting room. I felt like a fool taking her in there, but there really was something wrong. I'm worried about her tonight. Thinking I will take her to the vet in the morning if she's still acting strangely. The only other thing I can think of is she gets worried with thunder and lightning. But I can't hear anything like that here in Adelaide tonight. So I don't think it's that.

Sounds like she needs to work on her fences to make her yard more secure. That would be the first and most important thing to focus on in my opinion. Until that is sorted out it will not be safe leaving her dog in the backyard alone. Once that issue has been addressed, she will need to focus on the dog's energy and anxiety issues (I'm making a leap here by guessing these are what is causing the escape behaviour and the barking). Hard to know, but I have a dog that originally came from a pound and she was a real houdini and her behaviour has been similar to what you describe. We had to work hard to contain her (there was never any question how she wound up in the pound to begin with), and then continue working hard to keep her occupied and well trained and stimulated through her life. I would suggest lots of exercise and obedience training, to keep the dog's mind and body busy and hopefully help get the dog a bit tired. Then also some cool things to do in the backyard while your friend is at work - kongs, toys, someone calling in at lunch time if possible, that kind of thing. Your comment that it is only while she is at work and 'not a lifestyle' confused me a bit. If the dog does this every time she is at work, I would call that a lifestyle. The neighbours probably will too. Your friend will need to jump on the barking and escape problems because they could become a real issue for the neighbours. And then the neighbours, in turn, might become a real issue for your friend.

Name: Zamba Nickname: Zug Zug Breed: Poodle x we think Gender: Female Age: 11.5 years Picture: See below Where did you get them from? Animal Welfare League How often do you exercise your dog? 4-5 times a week Do they know any commands? Lots - some I taught her, the rest she taught me! Compete in any dog sports? Obedience trials - we have our CCD and CD titles and are just starting to compete in open class this year. Favourite treat: Denta bones Favourite toy: A ball or squeaky dumbbell but only to play fetch with Funny habits or quirks: She sniffs everyone's knees. She bounces up and down in front of you to say she's happy. What's their personality like? Bonkers and very very funny. She is only now starting to show signs of sense/dignity some of the time. Do they get along well with other dogs? Dogs she knows - yes. New dogs - she is often aggressive. Are they scared of anything? Other dogs. Lightning and thunder. Being alone. She is a bit anxious. What training methods do you use? Positive reinforcement? Corrections? Positive with food. Name: Mozart Nickname: Little buddy Breed: Bichon Frise Gender: Male Age: 12 years Picture: See below Where did you get them from? Pet shop (never again - long story) How often do you exercise your dog? 2-3 times a week (he loves the first half of the walk, a bit slow for the second half) Do they know any commands? Yes - but he can be a bit selectively (and actually) deaf Compete in any dog sports? No Favourite treat: Denta bones Favourite toy: He's not a real toy lover. He likes people. And other dogs to play with. Funny habits or quirks: He still turns into a bouncy puppy from time to time and starts skipping around in circles. Very, very cute. What's their personality like? Loving, gentle, calm (mostly). Loves a pat more than anything in the world. Very sweet-natured. Not a mean bone in his body anywhere. Not one. Do they get along well with other dogs? Extremely well. It seems impossible for other dogs not to love him. Even dogs that look a bit dodgy seem to be seduced by him and they just go all soft and friendly when he gets close to them. He has the magic touch. Are they scared of anything? No - very easy-going. What training methods do you use? Positive reinforcement? Corrections? Positive - food and cuddles.

My bichon had a very similar reaction to his first spot on treatment when he was a young dog, a bit over 11 years ago. It was awful - looked very similar to the photo you posted here. Worst thing was he had been shaking his head and scratching and I had just thought he didn't like the cold liquid on him so didn't do anything until I saw how bad it was the next day. Poor little thing - I felt awful. The vet took photos and sent them to the company. I changed brands to something that was recommended as being very mild and suitable for puppies - no more problems. I can use spot on treatments on him now with no problems and we currently use Advocate with no reaction. But I watch closely and if I ever saw him shaking his head or scratching I'd wash it straight off.

I leave coats on my two if the maximum is going to be 16 degrees or less. Heat pad during the day - what a lucky boy! Don't tell my two they'll want one too.

I have had a dog step in to defend me against another dog once. It was awful - it turned into a bad dog fight between my lovely old whippet cross and a german shepherd who was probably about 18 months old and in its physical prime (dud owner couldn't hold onto him). She was really badly hurt and nearly died. I was only 12 years old. She was 13. Luckily she lived (only just). I don't care if they don't defend me. I just want a loving happy dog. I was walking one of my current dogs one night about 7 years ago and 2 big black dogs came up to us in the dark and started circling us. Very scary. But it was me that defended us, not my dog. I actually picked her up and yelled at the other 2 dogs 'She's mine you can bugger off you're not having her' and luckily that's exactly what they did! It took a while for my heart rate to come back down to normal. I had been seriously attacked by a large dog about 5 years before that so was acutely aware of what could go wrong. Just an instinctive thing on the day.