Korrigan

Okay, as I said let the bloodbath begin. 1. Puppy classes and plenty of opportunities for socialisation exist here. The question was not even asked. 2. If just one rescue considers how their reply would sound to a would be adopter I would be happy 3. Covered the shring of information question with the diclaimer and asking permission. 4. Knock yourselves out, absenting mjyself fomr this forum - should have known better

LOL Mixeduppup - It's Carole who has volunteered to work with you at Coota. Not taking it personally, just thinking about how this might play with other people in the country, and came to the conclusion it would not be good.

It was not on medical grounds, we listed the vets we use, it was purely geographical. Needs were that the pup needed intense socialisation.

I'm posting here full of trepidation, because I'm sure a lot of people will misconstrue what I'm saying, will yell, disagree...whatever, here goes. Recently my attention was caught by a special needs puppy on PetRescue. I do not need another dog, however reading about this puppy and how one of his siblings was doing once rehomed I was moved to fill in an application. I asked to be able to discuss the puppy's needs fully before proceeding, since I knew this puppy would be a full time job. I thought we could offer this puppy a lot, two young(ish) retirees who were home full time, a house with two dog savvy cats in residence, two kind dogs, time and resources to devote to the puppy and so on. We were turned down. Our geographical location was described as a problem - rural NSW, too far if anything went wrong, the fact we were on an acreage was a problem too. The reply ended with good luck finding your new best friend - or something along those lines. Now, as I said, I didn't need another dog and if the puppy had better options that's great. However, it got me thinking how a reply like this might have appeared to someone else in the same country area, with no experience of rescue, and just having tried to do the right thing by applying through Pet.Rescue for a rescue as their next dog. I think the impression it would have made would be very negative indeed. If the reply had ended with sorry, we can't make a pet available to you due to where you live, because we cannot support you or the dog there, but there are several rescues in your area that you might want to contact, and here are their details. Or would you like us to forward your application to rescues in your area to save you the trouble of filling out another form? Yes, I know rescue is time poor, and not everyone gets on. Still, surely it is worth thinking about how to make things easier for the would-be adopter? Here I am, Joe Bloggs, I've just been turned down after trying to apply for my first rescue dog. I tried going for a Rescue, that didn't work, apparently hicks in the country like me can't adopt dogs, that's for fancy city folk... Maybe I get back on PetRescue, maybe I get the same treatment again. Hey, I don't need this - I remember that Farmer Fred had some crossbred puppies he wanted to get rid of, or I go on Gumtree and get a free to good home dog, or a cute puppy from the local markets or pet shop. And *they* won't treat me as if I'm a second class citizen because of where I live. Here was a perfect opportunty to grab a would-be adopter, and in marketing terms you slammed the door in the customer's face. Instead of taking someone who had already stepped into the virtual store of adoption by the hand and leading them to other alternatives, such as a local rescue. Or saying: While because of your geographical location this puppy would not be suitable for you, we would love it if you followed his journey and perhaps help with his recovery by donating... Okay maybe nine out of ten people will not donate a thing, maybe the tenth will - I would have. Someone has just put their hand up to help a rescue dog - don't throw away their goodwill. Don't slam the door in their face. You just lost the chance to chance to embrace and educate a would-be adopter. Okay, Joe Bloggs goes back to Pet.Rescue, fills in another form, gets turned down... If Joe Bloggs persists maybe eventually he stumbles over a local rescue dog, maybe he doesn't. So instead of Joe Bloggs going back and filling in yet another form, and maybe getting turned down again because of where he lives, he is asked if his form can be shared with rescues in his area. If a yard check is required, a local rescue could be asked to do it, and if suitable, that's marked on his form and Joe Bloggs doesn't have to get turned down again. If everything is in place, good fences, good home, he gets offered suitable dogs from rescues in his area. This is bolded because, natually, the last thing I am advocating is handing a dog to an unsuitable home. How much better for the dogs, and rescue as a whole if we try to bring people with something to offer (such as a great home) into the rescue world and not shut them out. We embrace and educate the would-be adopter and bring them into the dog rescue world. We don't just say, nope, not where *you* live, you're not getting one of our dogs - good luck. So, in brief, sharing intelligence such as would-be adopters' forms, with their permission, a united state-wide approach to home checks, not filling out heaps of forms, just one that will be shared among selected rescues (with permission). I keep saying this because some one will quote the Privacy Act at me, I'm sure. Maybe a form with a disclaimer on it that asks for permission to share the form with other rescues? Also making it clear on your form what you will not do: i.e. we do not do interstate adoptions, we do not allow adoptions in rural NSW, adopters must be with a hundred kilometres of Sydney - or whatever the requirement may be. This saves the rescue and the would-be adopter time and trouble. Do not slam doors in the faces of suitable would-be adopters, please, find ways to facillitate their applications and help them find rescue dogs. Okay, let the blood bath begin. Korrigan - who apprently lives in Outer Mongolia lol

Just an update on the 'indifferent' pup. Matters are improving a little and she has begun to interact with us, hubby appears to be her 'preferred' person and she is now consistently asking to be allowed on his lap for cuddles, as well as asking to come in when she's had enough of the outside world. So there's progress. Thank you to all those who gave kind and constructive advice.

Thanks for the replies - definitely food for thought there. Just to fill in some background, she was never going to be a working dog, her breeders did not feel she would make the grade and therefore would be better suited as a pet. I suspect they already knew she was a bit 'different' as they said frankly she would be very difficult to place on a working property, or place in general. I thought they simply didn't know of any pet homes and/or knowing we had lost our old dog and were grieving were trying to be helpful by giving us this pup. The other thing is we have been long time Akita people, and Akitas certainly are challenging in their way, and independent minded. In fact before she arrived I warned my hubby that he was likely to feel be a bit overwhelmed with this pup needing lots and lots of in your face attention compared to our past Akita puppies. Hard to explain, but if you've ever shared your life with an Akita you'll get what I'm trying to explain. So normal independment mindedness would have been fine, but this total indifference is quite odd. To the person who said I sounded as if I was oozing with disappointment, you're right on the money. This year I have lost my hand-raised cat, a beloved dog and my 31 year old horse - it hasn't been a great year and a nice happy puppy would have been great to have around. We will rule out any health issues of course, and have a chat to a vet. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and advice

For all sorts of complicated reasons we have ended up with a Kelpie puppy. Had her for 10 days now. She is a female from working lines - cartainly not our first choice for a pet dog, but it's a long story and we agreed to take her on. She is around 8 weeks and very healthy - that's the good news. The bad news is I have never met a puppy this aloof/indifferent to people. We are currently minding her sister, and have met her brother and they are both normal happy friendly wriggly bum puppies - just gorgeous. So it does not appear to be her upbringing or bloodlines. Our girl could not care less about us or any other person. She does play with the other puppies and with our older dog. The three Kelpie puppies have been raised identically, but temperament wise they and our girl are chalk and cheese. This puppy does not even wag her tail. For example if I take the two sisters walking around the property, our little guest will happily run back to me, while our own girl will sit down, look at me perhaps and then go off on her own and check back in later when she's ready. We have done some rudimentary training - sit, shake, drop and she's ok about it, but again really not focussed on people at all. I have never had a Kelpie - is this something that occurs with some members of the breed? At this point I would dearly love to swap her for one of the 'normal' puppies from the litter but that is just not possible. Help! We have dogs for life, for companionship and they're part of the family, but this is already shaping up to be a match made in hell. We lost a much loved dog 4 months ago and were going to take our time getting another. It breaks my heart to think of all the lovely rescue dogs out there we could have helped and instead have ended up with a puppy that does not seem interested in being a member of the family or bonding in any fashion. Anyone else been through this? Would love to hear advice/thoughts etc. Desperate here.

Many thanks for the replies. The video taping is a great idea. No chance he is getting anything from any flea treatments - but thanks for the thought. Internet is a bit dodgy around here, so sorry for not getting back sooner. Tank you again Carole

Hi, just wondered if anyone had experience with a similar problem. Our Akita (desexed male 9 years) has started with what I can only describe as head tremors. At first they were so slight I thought I was imagining things, but they are getting worse. He has been to 2 vets, but since the tremors don't happen on command the vets can't see what I'm seeing at home. A bit of background - we are currently travelling around, staying in pet friendly accommodation in NSW. The tremors however started in their slight form quite some months ago, and are getting more obvious as time goes on. I'm not sure if they are simply some kind of 'nervous tick' in response to new environments, but they did start when we were at home. This morning when he woke up the twitching and tremors were very obvious, and they do seem to be worse when he wakes up. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions I'd love to hear them. If they are simply a nervous reaction (we have tablets prescribed by one vet for 'nervousness') that's something we can deal with, but if they are possibly the sign of some other more serious condition that needs treatment we need to know so we can act. Korrigan

QUESTIONS 1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) Had Akitas as an owner for around 19 years 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? From Japan, been a hunting dog for large game, and was also I believe a dog fighting dog 3. How common is it in Australia? Not very 4. What is the average lifespan? Not sure, maybe a breeder could answer this 5. What is the general temperament/personality? The right Akita is an absolute joy. They're independent, stubborn, bored silly by many things, don't generally like other dogs, can be over dominant if they don;t have a pack leader. But also loyal, affectionate, love their people, chat to you regularly and love to communicate. Very special dogs 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? Around half an hour. could probably take more per day, but rather depends on the dog 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? No, absolutely not 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? Generally yes, but can depend on the dog, have a boy who hates to be alone 9. How much grooming is required? Lots and lots. They blow their coats twice a year and shed in between times. As much time vacuuming as grooming. If you want an akita in the house - learn to love hair 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? Yes, not recommended because of their size and strength, however my first Akita was so gentle she could be trusted around the blind, people with disabilities, the elderly, small babies etc. Loved toddlers and was especially drawn to them (would chat to them). But current boof head boy is just too clumsy to be trusted in the same way. 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? Maybe a breeder could answer this 12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be) I would ask for eye and hip tests, and if I didn't know the breeders, also look carefully at the temperament of the parents and puppies. Again maybe a breeder could answer this.

Hi, hope someone here can answer a question on Japanese Spitz - should they have runny eyes as puppies and stains below their eyes? I am assuming not, but would be interested from hearing from breeders/owners who know the breed. Many thanks Korrigan