Beaglelover:)

All I have to say is that the Bionic Vet shits all over Bondi Vet! Why cant we have a crazy passionate Australian vet that truly wants to make a difference, rather than a surfy vet from Bondi that has no clue on education and making a difference!

Very poor wording then, I'd expect more care from a supposedly reputable source. I can tell you the average age of dogs in this house. It means nothing in terms of their lifespan. As for the RSPCA telling you the average age of dogs pts, at best they could only tell you for the surrenders. For the unchipped/reg'd strays, they can only guess. I am sure the RSPCA would have a rough record of the age of dogs that go through their doors. I am sure out of the 250,000 dogs and cats that get put down in Aust each year, most would be under 4 years old. Even if I could find stats on this, I would be happy to use this instead.

I guess it is the 'shock value'. Putting an average number to the story has a lot more impact than just saying Aust dogs die too young. I just want to make sure it has truth in it.

If it said average age at time of death I would take it to mean average lifespan. But it doesn't say that, it just says average age. I don't think you can draw any conclusion about lifespan at all from the way that is written. You'd just have to rely on the assertion that most dogs don't live to their full age potential. Surely she has some raw data behind that. Yes I thought it was strange that she couldnt back it up, but yet she does have a lot of experience and wouldnt just make that up. I have called the RSPCA to get the stats on the average age of dogs being pts, which will also suggest that dogs are dying far too young I just added in my above post, that I confirmed with Kersti Seksel that she is indeed referring to the average lifespan of the Aust dog.

I have just spoken to Kersti Seksel and she can not supply the data findings to support her statistic. Reason why I ask all these questions is because I am writing an article about the results from lack of training, preparing, education, socialisation etc, and I believe this stat needs to be known. It will at least get people talking, as it is so shocking. Kersti said I am more then welcome to say the stat has come from her. Do you guys think this is enough to base my article on? Sorry forgot to add, I confirmed with her that she is referring to the 'lifespan'.

Hmmm must be just my computer. I will check again later. Thanks for the link

This is the paragraph... "The largest cause of death of puppies under one year of age is said to be euthanasia due to behavioural problems. Indeed, most dogs do not live to their full age potential with the average age of dogs in Australia estimated to be only 3.5 years. In fact, behaviour problems are now considered to be the number one reason for euthanasia in pets, regardless of age" I might be reading this wrong, but I take this as the 'lifespan'?

This would be interesting to read, but their home page is the only page working...

I guess it is just the 'average age' so it would vary a little. God, that is very sad! When you factor in Puppy Farms, homeless dogs and lack of knowledge it does make sense, but it is hard to believe it is only 3.5 I guess the plight of cats would be worse.

Came across this scary fact on Petrescue written by Kersti Seksel, that the average age of a dog in Aust is only 3.5 yrs old? Are there any studies to back this? I know that 250,000 dogs and cats get put down yearly in Australia, so this would add to the above statistic. Kersti Seksel is a well known figure in the vet and dog behaviour industry and I can't see her saying this without research. Are there any other studies conducted on the average age of dogs in Aust to say this is indeed true? What are your thoughts on this? If this is true, wow...how sad

Dont know if Hanrob is owned by a vet, but they are a family run business that has survived for 30 + years, so they must be doing something right. The one thing I do know is that anyone at anytime can walk in for a tour (between business hours of course), which says a lot about a boarding and training place. When I go their for their obedience classes on Saturday, the staff are always welcoming and never to busy to answer questions. All you can do is go in and have a tour of the places you like. Do not tell them you are coming, just pop by to get a true indication.

Yes, we have two cars one for human outings (nice and pretty with no dog hair) and one wagon for dog outings. Is it saying something that we use the dog wagon more then the human car!

what about...you know you are a crazy dog owner when someone rings the door bell and it sounds like a kennel and you need to push through the fur bodies to open the door!

Ohhh soooo very true!! For the love of dogs!! Here Here!!

love it!!

I am trying to prove a point to my friend that there are many crazy dog owners out there just like me who do crazy things for their dogs!! Can you please all back me up I do remember a thread a long time ago about something like... you know you are a crazy dog owner when.... but I can not find it. If anyone knows where that thread is I will be happy to show my friend that, but if not lets start a new one... You know you are a crazy dog owner when... Your house isn't carpeted--the furry fuzzballs under your feet are soft enough.

I dont know if this will work in your case, however you can train your dog to respond to a dog whistle! Nice and easy to train, it is all positive training and if your dog already has a good recall you are half way there. At the end of the day, you need to try all types of different solutions and see which ones work. Yes, you run the chance of your dog being conditioned to (1) barking for 2 seconds (2) whistle blown (3) run inside (4) treat, but this is better then long periods of barking.

Oh well!! Guess I will just have to wait and see on the 31st!

Her name is on the flyer they have on the Hanrob website. I dont want to post her name on a public forum. I hope it is the lady you know, nothing better than a nice trainer and someone that motivates you and your dog. I sure need some motivation! Oh I just found out she has like 10 years of obedience trialling behind her! Whoohoo!! They said she has won many competitions before! I personally cant wait to have a well trained pooch.

Just wondering if anyone is heading down on the 31st of July? I came across the event on their website. They must have a new trainer taking over their Saturday group classes and want to get the word out there. I am going to dress my guy up as a little devil! He soooo needs some on-going training!!

I have found in the past with my guys that "waiting" just builds tension between them, I think the less fuss I make the better. Like Wuffles has stated, I might have to get in on the action and start playing with them. Should be fun

I know in the home environment resource guarding is not the ideal, but telling off the guarder...is that giving more power to the underdog? I know I am the top dog of the pack, but will this confuse the pack hierarchy between the two dogs? The last thing I want to do is give more power to my younger dog especially in the toy department. Like you said it taught your pup not to steal things from older dogs. Maybe I am looking into it too much!

I have two dogs, both play great together with "old" toys, however my Lab will not allow my other dog to play with any new toy that I introduce to them. He growls when the other one goes anywhere near it. At this stage my other dog is backing down but I do get nervous that one-day he will fight back. I give both dogs the same new toy that is of the same value, however my Lab always wants the one he hasn’t got even though they are exactly the same. Squeaking toys are now just out of the question as they have had a tiff over one before. I was thinking maybe I can give the new toys to my Lab to play with on his own, then introduce them to my other dog once the high value of the "new" toys no longer exist with my Lab? Both love playing together with toys that have been around and hold no real value, but new toys are a problem. I know I could just say well... no more toys, but is there a way to introduce new toys?

I do not know how long ago you boarded at Hanrob, but I always provide my own bedding and toys and they are more then happy to put my creature comforts in with my furchilden Maybe it is under new management. I have used Hanrob many times and have never had a problem. Sorry to hear your bad experience I never knew about the one only 15 minutes for free, yet again I always go for the packages that have 4 hour socialisation.

I only use Hanrob!! I would trust a boarding kennel with secure fencing and housing, then a stranger in my house any day! But that is just me. Good boarding facilities allow you to pop in and have a tour at anytime (as long as it is within business hours). Hanrob does this. I would go for a tour at different boarding places and see what you think, so you can make up "your" own mind!! I know Hanrob have all types of different packages to suit your dogs needs. I always book my guy into the Pampered Pooch Package as he loves to play with other dogs, not to mention his suite he stays in!! Letting your dog stay with someone else is a big decision, so just make sure you research your options and personally go see places.