aussielover

Wow opalgal your dog is amazing! I'm still struggling with 12!

I'm pretty sure all larger dogs would have to go in a metal crate. Definitely NO to sedatives! Sammy seems like a pretty relaxed and well behaved boy, sedatives are really only warranted as a last resort for really anxious dogs. Its not like you've NEVER left him before so I think he should be ok. Also wouldn't recommend lying about his breed. He may be a cross, but he certainly looks all doberman to the non-expert.

If your dog is borderline on height how do you work out which group they will jump in? My dog is just on the 600 line but there's really nothing in her being a 500 or 600 dog. A breeze or wet coat or even the measurer could make a difference to the outcome I think she should be 600 because she is a little taller than a standard poodle who was measured at 600. Also it doesn't really make a difference to her what height she jumps and not being in 500 would mean less chance of competing against the super fast herding breeds

A bit long winded don't you think Ok seriously though, point taken. Well bred Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not predisposed to skin issues. Interestingly we still see well-bred Labrador retrievers with a relatively higher incidence of skin disease. Parents who are fully health tested and have never had a litter affected by allergies can suddenly and out of the blue produce entire litters affected by allergies.

what a beautiful puppy!

Actually I'm looking at koolies. and maybe one Aussie kennel that has working lines.

MEH, on 04 November 2011 - 08:21 PM, said: This post has been edited by zayda_asher: 04 November 2011 - 10:18 PM This post has been edited by zayda_asher: 04 November 2011 - 10:18 PM You will find that this opinion is shared by many people including vets, vet nurses and specialists. By the way, predisposed does NOT mean that every Staffy has skin disease, so its hardly a "blanket statement:

I know a number of ethical breeders who would argue strenuously about this accusation OP - glad it's nothing major, suggest you do some research about immune systems and how to support them. You don't think staffies are over represented when it comes to skin disease? I agree that some lines of stafford are probably not affected at all. But with all the BYBing and breeding for colour in staffies, from personal experience also having been told by a specialist, I think its hard to debate than skin issues are a problem for the breed and something that should be looked at carefully before buying a pup (I know I'll be doing the same if I ever buy another lab pup). But I would be interested to hear your views on the subject, always willing to hear other people's opinions, especially those much more experienced with the breed than myself

could you just clarify how much exercise will the dog get? Most gundog breeds require at least an hour a day. Goldens, Labs, spaniels, GSPS, vizslas and weims do best with at least 2 hrs a day. Gundog can become very destructive if not given sufficient excercise and training. Setters are also very energetic and more of a "free spirit" from what I've heard

Hello??? I never said I personally think dog shows are antiquated etc. I work with dog owners every day and this is what the majority of them think dog hows are. Not all, but yes, the majority don't have a favourable opinion of dog shows. I personally think dog shows have their place and I recognise that a lot of hard work and dedication goes into breeding dogs and showing them. However, this attitude is not shared by members of the general public and nothing is being done to win them over. Extremely defensive attitudes don't help. And actually, in dog sports, you don't have to start out with a gifted dog to begin with to start gaining titles and becoming reasonably successful. Any healthy dog is capable of getting lower level titles in obedience and agility with enough dedication on the handlers part imo. Many successful agility competitors have started in the sport on recommendation of a friend.

I'm looking to get another dog in the next 2-3 years. Hopefully, by this time I will be more settled and my current dog will be at "maintenance" training level so I'll have more time to focus on puppy training (currently just starting out in agility). I have heard some performance/working kennels have up to a 2 year waiting list and although I have not yet decided on a particular breeder, I do have some in mind, although I am also considering adopting from rescue or the pound. Is it rude/annoying to contact them up to 2 years before you're ready for a puppy? Should I only contact ones that I know have a long waiting list and even then, is it rude to do this before fully deciding on whether you're going to get a pup from this breeder at all (if they think you're suitable!).

These breeds are all more active and require more exercise than a golden retriever (except maybe pointer). How about a smooth coated Saint Bernard or a Great Dane (if you like giant breeds)?

I think a smooth collie could be an excellent choice. I think Goldies and welsh springer spaniels (which are a medium size dog anyway) would require more exercise than a walk every second day. Collies are lovely but are you up for the grooming? Did you say before you were in a tick area? I would be worried about ticks in a dog with a coat this length, although I am sure others manage fine

Glad your pup is ok This is something to keep an eye on though. If it happens more than a few times I think a referral to a dermatologist would be a good idea. Staffies are predisposed to skin issues and it is best to get them diagnosed and sorted out asap. that it a one off issue for you though

Good Trainers already teach this in puppy school and basic/intermediate obedience. People won't do two types of puppy classes, and most want a puppy 'playgroup' more than anything else, you have to let them down gently that 1 hour of free-for-all is counter productive, so I'm not sure how much take-up you'd get. Particularly if you're in an area where there's established puppy schools and clubs with good reputations pre-existing. Kerrie Haynes-Lovell - sure, but she has spent many many years working with other animals as well as dogs. People who work in shelter environments as behaviourists/assessors are also good as they get a rich education in a short period of time- if they can read all the communication correctly. ;) I agree with this. Many puppy schools already teach the basics of body language. I think anything more than this can't really be taught in a theoretical approach. It would have to involve watching DVDs etc, and interactions with lots of different types of dogs, which a lot of courses and careers involving animals already offer (ie hands on experience). Not really something your "average" owner would be interested in imo. Many people struggle to make it to puppy school.

Great article I wish more people would read it. However, I Have some issues with it: I do not excpect my dog to be attacked if she walks within 3ft of another dog (unless she is directly approaching the other dog). I don't think a dog that can't tolerate having another dog within 3 ft of it is really suitable to be at a dog event, I mean can another dog not even walk past at close proximity:confused: Also don't think its "normal" for a dog to attack a young puppy. Even my grumpy old aussie would tolerate a young pup bouncing all over her and she was not generally tolerant of other dog at all.

Most of the dog owners I know and talk to, consider showing to be antiquated and essentially a beauty pagent at best and a freak show at worst One of my friends was quite into showing but stopped due to the bitchiness. Media has a lot to do with public perception of dog shows, PDE did nothing to encourage people to buy and become interested in pedigree dogs. Also there is nothing much you can do if your dog isn't already "good enough". You can't change their conformation. It is very disheartening to be told your dog is a poor example of the breed and to have all their faults pointed out to you. Where as in dog sports people get encouraged to bring the best out in their dog, you can improve your dogs performance with hard work and dedication. I have found the agility crowd to be quite supportive and encouraging, sure there is probably a bit of bitchiness but generally not about beginners and I don't think many peopple have been told their dogs are no good at all and they should give up (although cheeky suggetsions of getting a border collie are made :D )

Stupid generalisations disgust me. You do nothing for the argument with exaggerations, generalisations and what is basically racism- besides lose credibility for your own cause. Like!!! You can't condem a whole race because a few people eat some strange things. Agree with what DerRottweiler said a while back. Killing an aninmal is killing an animal- and should absolutely be done humanely. Although of course I agree endangered species should be protected. Though I think taking away their nautral habitats as a result of deforestation, pollution and urbanisation is more harmful to them than the small number that are killed for food.

No my dog did not vocalise in any way what so ever. I fully understand the concept of prey instinct and drive. It was purely an unprovoked attack. The dog continued on in the class after the incident. I intend on making a written complaint to the club and making a formal request that this dog is appropriately muzzled and not allowed off lead at any time. I believe the owner had dropped the lead as the class was in a 1 minute sit /down stay at the time. I would also suggest that you encourage the owner to see a behavoiurist or get the club to encourage the owner to see a behaviourist, as unprovoked attacks on other dogs are not acceptable. I hope your dog is ok and recovers quickly both physically and physcologically.

Actually someone is already breeding "Roodles" (Rottx poodle) Apparently the poodle takes the "aggression" of the Rotty away... Making them the perfect family pet

Was your dog vocalising at the time you picked him up? I am afraid some dogs that are generally good natured and "would never hurt another dog" are stimulated by a squealing dog being picked up... the dog thinks it is a game or a prey item. Although I am not in anyway condonng the dogs reaction, it is something that obvoiusly needs to be dealt with - perhaps the dog had not encountered such a situation before? At least the owner recognised his dog DID do damage and has offered to pay for treatment, which is more than most people do. I'm not sure I would jump straight to a council report. I'd me more tempted to take the matter up with the owner and the club directly. The instructors should be able to tell you if the dog has ever shown aggression to another dog. If it has then the club itself have acted irresponsibly (dog should never have been off lead and not muzzled) and I would not be returning and would then consider council action. If it was the first time, you could insist that this dog is muzzled and on lead around your dog when training and the dog is assessed by a behaviourist for its risk to hurting other dogs.

Poor little guy Curious to know how they knew he was 18? Did they catch the owners or something? Was he microchipped?

I've heard you can use those ginger biscuits that you buy at the supermarket? Maybe he'll like them better? You can ask the vet for some anti-nausea tablets. We use Cerenia tablets for dog that have motion sickness.

But if its in the back and you're hit from behind you're in the same situation... Even if they're on the back seat and you are hit side on- the result isnn't going to be pretty. Obviously any car accident is bad news, there is not a lot you can do apart from driving as safely as possible and making sure your dog is kept fairly contained. The footwell is not an ideal spot because many dogs are too big to fit comfortably there. But many dogs feel safer/less car sick in this position initially. If you're only starting the car or driving around the block, I'd say the risks are minimal and the benefits (ie puppy not feeling sick, getting to like the car etc) outweight the risk

To think I let my poor innocent dobie play with Mindy... If only I'd known. Someone needs to inform Guide Dogs right away! Yup, he was lucky to escape from the encounter alive