aussielover

we got our first dog from a petshop For our next dog, we were interested in a couple of breeds, so we contacted the NSW cannine council (DOGS NSW) and they sent us a big document theat had pretty much all their registered breeders for each breed. There was only one aussie shep breeder in NSW at the time listed, so we contacted her and were lucky enough to be able to get a puppy from her. I used to look thru the trading post at the pet ads, the only reason we ended up going to a registered breeder was because the breed we were after was quite rare at the time. If Mindy fails then she will be my next dog but i would like to keep puppy raising as well. My next dog (if Mindy becomes a guide or therapy dog) will probably be from Mindy's breeder, if I am able to get a pup from them. Otherwise I would like to get a lab from a breeder that breeds for guide dogs because their temperament and health is usually very good. Clover's breeder is no longer breeding the standard size aussies, but I know there are plenty of other great aussie breeders out there when I am ready to get my next aussie. The DOL website is good, but doesn't guarantee the breeder is actually "ethical"?

Koalathebear- you rescued elbie didn't you? So it was more likely he would have problems coming from an unknown environment. You are doing a great job with him btw! Its been great to see you work through all puppy problems and elbie has really come along way. I loved your herding video, elbie has grown so much into such a gorgeous boy, you can really see the kelpie in him now! Cocoa- perhaps ask the breeder's advice, they will be able to let you know whether the pup generally sleeps through the night or needs to toilet regularly. When they bark/cry/wail/scratch etc its probably best just to take them out to the toilet area- don't speak to them except to give the toilet command and then just pop them back in the crate. Ignore any attempts at interaction apart from praise if they do toilet. Haha all this is much easier said than done lol! I was one of the lucky ones whose pup slept through the night from the start, but we went through a bit of a rough period 2 weeks later!

He is so cute! I went thru the exact same thing with my 10 week old lab. after 2 weeks of being fantastic, she all of a sudden started barking/howling etc for upto 2 hrs at a time! after trying things such as tiring her out before bed, heater in the laundary, clothing, ticking clock, radio etc I finally decided to move her into my room. I haven't had a problem since then and she is able to sleep in the laundary now without a problem. why don't you try having him in your room (it may not make a diffrerence)? you can always move them back out when they become more settled- i found this to be around 14 weeks old. He may need to toilet as others have mentioned. Interatcing with him like that could have made things worse if he was actually attention seeking. Did you toilet him? Other than that i really can't think of anything else to help you. If you stick it out i'm sure he'll become better as he gets older, but yes, the neighbours may complain. Perhaps you'll just have to ask them nicely to be patient!

I hope it is nothing serious. My old girl developed head twitches about 2 months before she eventually died. We think she had a neurological problem but despite seeing a neurologist were we not able to diagnose exactly what was going on. She most likely had a brain tumour or a degenerative disease. It was not worth putting her thru the stress of a GA in order to do CT scans or MRIs to get a definitive diagnosis. Enjoy every precious moment with your beautiful old girl while you can. It sucks that dog don't live for longer.

Personally I wouldn't wake a sleeping puppy. If you are keeping the crate near your bed, you will be able to hear her when she wakes. I think most puppies would let you know when they need to go, they don't want to go on their bedding (assuming they have been raised well as young pups). Mine will whine or bark, but others can scratch at the door or floor etc.

We are lucky enough to have four berners in our area. They are all gorgeous dogs with beautiful natures!

While I don't really agree with the concept of a "practice baby" and would never do it myself, I think if people really do want to go down that path they may like to consider puppy raising for guide dogs or assistance dogs. This way they receive support from the organisiation, they have to devote a lot of time to the puppy and look after it properly (otherwise they can have it taken away). Also, when the time comes to have a baby, the dog will not be shoved outside but instead go on to be trained to make a difference to someone elses life. They can then choose to get a dog of their own if they wish and raise it in the way they wish it to interact with their baby. A lot people also do this as a practice puppy thing, before they get a dog of their own.

Did your dog eat a meal before have the blood taken? This can often be a cause of hyperlipidemia and is the reaosn why in people (and also dogs) we often get a fasting blood sample. The fat can interfere with some of the tests such as biochemistry that may need to be performed. schnauzers and poodles are two breeds that seem to be predisposed to this.

There is a product called woundgard you can get from vets- it has a yucky taste but its more to stop dogs from chewing on their own skin. Also, some dogs actually don't mind the taste or even like it! Its about the only thing I can think of that is specifically for dogs. I have heard people use chilli, vicks etc but its not something i would personally do. It wouldn't be very nice for the poor puppy imo and you would be better off blocking access to the tv stand if possible.

Environmental factors such as over exercise as a young pup or over feeding leading to obesity, may also contribute to the development of hip dysplasia. As there are many genes involved in the development of HD, even if the parents have perfect scores, pups may still develop it. It is more common in some breeds of large dogs, but there is alos a genetic factor as well. There should be no problem in getting a 4-5 month old puppy as long as it has been well socialised. I actually think this is a very good age to get a pup as they are a bit more mature and sensible. I have noticed a huge difference in my puppy now she is 4 months old. Of course the reason why people get younger pups (8 weeks) is that they really have to be socialised from 8-16 weeks and it would be pretty tough for a breeder to try to socialise and train 8-10 pups! andy 8 week old pups are very very cute.

I am more patient with dogs than I am with babies/kids. You can't crate a baby But you can put kids on leads, or so I've seen I am sure that while having a dog is not the same thing as having a baby, you do learn to be more patient, forgiving, and less selfish when you have a dog. These qualities would be an asset as a parent I would imagine.

How does this breed cope in a suburban yard? If you get the right dog, very well. My Aussie lived in a townbouse with a small courtyard for a few years and coped very well. They do need to get out regularly (at least twice a day) and exercise, even if you have a larger yard. When we lived on a farm, obviously we did not take her out as much, but instead included her in activities on our property. How do they cope with livestock - i.e. horses? Good, my aussie was fine around my horse. She initially had a bit of a bark but was quite a sensible dog. I could taker her on trail rides with me. We lived next door to to a livery for a few years and she was fine with the horses. Are they good off leash (yes with training) Yes, very good generally, even without a lot of training I find most aussies want to stick close to their owners. they ar enot generally a breed to want to "run off" Are they good with small animals like smaller dogs, cats and chickens? Yes, for cats. I foster kittens and I used my dog to get them used to dogs, she was very well behaved and caring to the little kittens. She would not kill chickens, but try to herd them. She did not like smaller dogs though. What are they like with other dogs? My girl didn't like smaller dogs, I think this is because many smaller dogs were aggressive towards her and or/yapping at her when she was younger. She would growl and maybe have a bit of a go at them but not actually injure or bite them.

Mindy is not my practice baby she IS my baby

12 hrs seem like a long time. Unless your dog is well trained and behaves the way in which you desire, it is unwise to get another dog as a playmate as they can learn bad habits. Perhaps consider a dog walker or doggy daycare.

As an owner of a hairy, cream shedder (also named Honey btw ), I can definitely warn you of the PITA factor of a muddy, wet, longer haired dog. My Goldie is wash and wear, but only when she dries. And it takes a hell of a long time for her to dry!! Every morning after our run/walk at the park I have to spend about 15 minutes drying her tummy off with a towel or she will get a skin rash because the wet fur takes so long to dry on its own. Then there is the half hour I have to set aside for washing her. Followed by the hour or 2 that she takes to dry naturally, depending on the weather. I hold off for as many weeks as I can... Or take her to the local dog wash. Winter is particularly annoying. I imagine any longer haired breed, including the Samoyed, Lappie etc would be much the same. However, having owned a Keeshond, I do know though that the spitz breeds definitely don't shed as much as a GR!! ;) On saturday I spent 1.5 hrs drying a lovely old GR boy with a hair dryer. He was still not completely dry after that but the onwer came to pick him up Goldens are beautiful looking dogs, but it does take a bit of work to keep them like that!

How about a lovely labrador? They would seem to fit your requirements. If they are kept in good fit condition, they would easily be able to keep up with whatever activity (see those crazy labradors thread lol!). My puppy is very calm in the house, of course alot depends on the indiviual dog and training it receives, but any puppy is going to be a little crazy at first. If labs weren't able to be calm in the house and during the day they wouldn't be used as guide dogs. They are highly trainable and extensively used as service dogs of all types! They are extremely easy to groom and maintain, a rub with a towel is all they need after playing in the rain/mud etc. If socialised properly they are great with people and dogs ;) Finding a good breeder is very important though as is maintaining their training and a fairly strict diet. I love aussie shepherds too, and they share many of the virtues of labs, being easy to train etc however their coat is harder to maintain in my experience.

Thanks for clarifying that! I was unaware that there was a different system in QLD. 3 days is not very long imo! That sounds like a good plan- that way the dog will be collected by the owner (unlikely) or safe with the finder ;)

WOW amazing photos and a very cute dog!

You could ask your local pound if you could volunteer there. I have volunteered at a local pound and also the RSCPA however, it does become quite depressing for some people. I'm not sure where the RSPCA is in Melbourne but I am sure they would like to get more volunteers! I am also interested in learning more about fostering, though I doubt I will be able to for the next year or so because I am currently puppy raising for guide dogs. I foster kittens though which is also very rewarding and challenging, which may be something you could look into.

I would work with a behaviourist or good dog trainer if I was you. They will hopefully be able to determine the cause of this undesirable behaviour. I am not a trainer or behaviourist so i can't say for certain that it is a dominance or anxiety issue, but it could well be one of those two issues, as house soiling can occur with both of them. I would also immediately restrict his access in the house to one or two rooms. I would also remove some of his "privileges" such as being allowed on beds and other furniture in the first place. I would not take a dog that had house soiling issues to someone elses place either! Good Luck!

SO? that doesn't mean you shouldn't go through the proper procedures.

I can see why the RSPCA can't take her o rdo anything, they sometimes have a quota of pergnant animals/ litters of puppies that they can keep. I don't understand why the council will put her down immediately. That is against the law. I am doubtful that any council would actually do this. Perhaps we need to hear the whole story from the finder themselves?

The pound must hold her for 7 days (if she has no chip) and then a recsue organisiation can take her, or she can be sold etc. I don't see the problem? Why she cannot be given to the pound for the required period in case someone is looking for her? If you speak with the pound I am sure they would be more than happy to give her to you once that time period is over. Then you can send her to rescue or rehome. You may as well do things properly now to avoid troubles later on... There have been some very generous offers to care for her, which I'm sure would still stand after 7 days that the pound holds her for.

Forgot to add that puppy falls asleep at around 7-8pm but "offcial" bedtime isn't until 10pm. We tried keeping her awake until 10 but were unsuccessful because we were trying to watch TV or do homework, study etc. Maybe a late night walk? but i've heard this can make them hyper after. Also I don't particularly wish to be walking at 8-9pm at night when its freezing or wet because i am a big sook

We have some great ones in our area. Unfortunately you do get the clueless people who occaisonally come. Luckily ours are big enough that there are a number of areas that you can move away to. Most people are pretty responsible as well and do the right thing. But of course there is always a risk of an incident. None of the areas are fenced which generally keeps away dogs that are totally out of control.