Mrs Rusty Bucket

2G network coverage? I thought that was being phased out? It doesn't say if you have to pay the phone company for the sim either. Some of the trackers had done some sort of deal where the phone company gets a one off payment and supports the sim for data for the life of the product. Ie pets don't use a lot of data. Might be different if it had a camera attached. It would be good for people with escape artist dogs or dogs that get let out by tradesmen or meter readers.

The K9+ crates are definitely the strongest, best built. I had a vebo pet crate first. And it lasted about two years before it died from being sat on by people who broke part of the frame (Not sure the K9+ would survive that either), and having the bottom dug out by dog beating up a bob-a-lot. It folded flatter than the K9+ one which was nice, fitted in the car better when folded. But for days when the dog is in crate for extended periods - I'm much more confident about the k9+ one. It's easier to block the view of scary things, the dog stays calmer... and it's a bit more robust. And you can get new skins if you need.

Lol I actually like the stuff you post about dog training. I also recommend trainers I've seen linked from here - most of them don't post here at all. I keep a list mostly based on customer recommendations... and those customers - they have to be regular posters here, and I have to like what they say about training too. And from time to time I update the list I've got based on what people say and what I've experienced. I don't know all of them face to face, but I know some of them face to face. This particular company - there's no customers posting about them here, the website isn't real clear on what training methods they use. Alpha connected with dog training does put me off some - eg Alpha dog roll - is just a good way to get bitten. A dog volunteers submission - if you force it - you haven't got it But it would also be a clever way to get in all the Alpha top dog fans in and retrain them with the "new" better ways of doing things. Not sure about Mellymoo - comes here and posts once every three months - what is going on? I was a customer and I replied to the OP via PM. This is interesting. I guess it explains why there wasn't much follow up from Mellymoo - she got an answer even if the rest of us are still in the dark.

Lol I actually like the stuff you post about dog training. I also recommend trainers I've seen linked from here - most of them don't post here at all. I keep a list mostly based on customer recommendations... and those customers - they have to be regular posters here, and I have to like what they say about training too. And from time to time I update the list I've got based on what people say and what I've experienced. I don't know all of them face to face, but I know some of them face to face. This particular company - there's no customers posting about them here, the website isn't real clear on what training methods they use. Alpha connected with dog training does put me off some - eg Alpha dog roll - is just a good way to get bitten. A dog volunteers submission - if you force it - you haven't got it. But it would also be a clever way to get in all the Alpha top dog fans in and retrain them with the "new" better ways of doing things. Not sure about Mellymoo - comes here and posts once every three months - what is going on?

This might be true in the shade on a day less than 39'C but those Bureau temps are taken in the shade... and in the sun - a whole different story. I cover up in the sun. I wear long sleeves and trousers and a hat. I would not like to be getting around in a bikini for any period longer than about 5 minutes on any Adelaide day with the temp over about 27'C. Consider the traditional garb that Bedouins have - they cover up too. I feel a bit sad for dogs like border collies I see clipped. A lot of dogs do like being clipped and they like the lighter coat but they're not so happy in the full sun. My dog has an undercoat and top coat. But she's also short coat. She likes to do the sunbake for 10 minutes and the come inside and lie in the dark behind the couch for several hours and repeat. Most of the dogs I saw in hot places like Bali had similar coats. Same with dingos. I do feel a bit sorry for the arctic coat dogs in South Australia but I think it would be worse if the sun was on them directly. Like an uninsulated house. If the heat can't get in, it can't over heat. I used to live in a house like that - 40'C outside - 40'C inside with the AC on flat out. Not fun.

Other dogs' turns is an excellent opportunity to work on your start line stay with distractions... To do the higher level training and eventually competition - you need your dog to hold a start line stay - no matter what. Tho I think mine would fail if a cat ran by. Not something I'm going to test. So if it's not your dog's turn - you can either crate or practice stays... I love practicing stays and trying to fake my dog into breaking - because it requires no special equipment, it can be a very exciting game for her, and for her first 12 months or so - she was crap at it. Mostly cos I didn't know how to train it. Ie I'd reward lots for staying on the spot but I didn't know about "proofing" or faking her out and then what to do... (Put her back with no reward and start again).

Can I have your banking details... I'd like to make a transfer. It's not about what you have to hide or not. Everyone has stuff they should hide. And this is a bad thing? Personally I tend not to have the user name twice on any forum or social media. That way if I attract unwanted attention from bad people on one site I don't have to shut down every site. It's also good to have different password for every site.

Definitely no harness for agility training. Recall training maybe. The trouble with harnesses and loose collars and any dangly bits - is it can get caught up in the equipment and cause major injuries. So they're actually banned from competition. I run agility in a flat collar with a loop for lead clip and no tags. I would run her naked but every now and again she does something I didn't expect and it's easier for anyone to catch and hold her if she's wearing a collar. If you feel like you need a harness - maybe what you really need is more foundation training with no agility equipment?

LOL willem me and the dog both fit in this one http://k9softdogcrates.com.au/crates/caprice and they make a bigger one in the competition crates. I like the caprice because it comes with side covers. You can use a sheet but they have annoying habit of blowing away and aren't good for keeping bad weather out. I also have one like this that is more roomy but a palaver to set up (I have to tie drink bottles to the guy ropes and chuck them over to get the fly on... https://www.snowys.com.au/Tents-Shelters/Dome-Tents/Tanami-Delta-4-Tent.aspx?c=1&sc=1&id=80 and friends have this one - which is fast set up but doesn't fit in my car the way I have it set up. https://www.snowys.com.au/Tents-Shelters/Touring-Tents/RV3-Canvas-Touring-Tent.aspx?c=1&sc=3&id=113 Most competition people use the square oztrail gazebos - again they're hard to fit in the back of a landcruiser. Easy to fit in a station wagon with fold down seats. I don't know why they don't make them fit across the back more easily. Sigh.

depends a bit what you want the harness for. Black dog do harnesses for most situations, front attach, rear attach tracking dog, double attach training etc. Is it for walking or for car travel. http://www.blackdog.net.au/dog-harnesses There's a really nice rear attach one out of the UK with all soft padding for the dog coat - but I don't know the brand. There's some car harnesses made by "sleepypod" and I've got one made by bergman - which is a little too adjustable for my liking.

Nice update Willem I think the mental all round exhaustion - is why I like crates for breaks so much. Dog likes them too. If she's a bit frustrated sometimes she will try to get back in her crate instead of trying the exercise again. But we can both relax if she's in the crate (with the view covered up).

Yeah but in this case - the state body just copied the ANKC rules which (as best I can tell) refer to the state rules - in a very circular way. End result - supposed to register the whole litter with ANKC but don't have to give the new puppy homes any papers to prove they did register each puppy.

Mine will greet her favourite people with a bandy legged wiggle butt - getting lower and lower until she's crawling and when she arrives, she rolls over - cos she likes belly rubs and arm pit scratches and knows how to get them. I get the butt jammed up against my hands cos I do good butt rub. But when she's on the couch next to me - I will also get poked in the shoulder and then she rolls over for - belly rubs... and she will put her paw on my hand or arm and push me round until I hit the right place. Ie the soft bit of her belly, she likes better than chest rubs.

I dont have any wooden spoons. I have been a bit busy and only just read all the responses. thankyou Why is it when an occasional visitor to the forum, posts something that stirs us all up, gets lots of great responses... only comments on the one response that stirred OP up and not the rest of the valuable information provided? Fabel - what do you really want?

Dogs who might know the rules... can't process them when they're really excited or upset about something... Unless it's classically conditioned. And that takes a lot of super high value treats and repetition. Hence one excited dog going in the bedroom and one not. Either one was much more excited than the other one, or one had better training ie classically conditioned. A lot of times - naughty gets a dog attention or you joining in the game. Eg if dog goes foraging and finds a big pile of cooked chicken bones and your recall is not "classically conditioned" - you've only got one option. Chase the dog. But if that's the dog's favourite game... oh dear.

I've argued with professional dog trainers about this... What's the difference between a dog being a great actor eg to get off lead - she play bows at the nearest dog - who if get a return play bow, I (used to) let her off lead to go play. But she goes sniffing / foraging in the playground (lots of food). So I don't let her off near the playground any more. At least I get punished by her hoovering any time I do. The other day she found a whole frankfurt sausage in there. And do you think she was going to give it up to me - not a chance. Doesn't matter if I've got something better on offer like roast chicken, fresh cooked steak, roo jerky... And the look she gives me when she decides she's going hoovering... She checks, gives me a big smile and nicks off with a very special kind of bouncy I dare you to chase me run. FFS. She's definitely an opportunist. Sometimes she knows what I want - you can see her thinking about it. If I had Classic conditioned recall... I'd be ok. Sigh.

Hope it all goes well and do make a photo thread when you get your puppy home. :)

It's weird the ANKC says new owner must be provided with all documentation required by member body - I'm guessing that might be Dogswest (if the breeder is in WA)... And the DogsWest CoE - says the exact same thing... member body? Do they mean the amstaff club/association of WA? But it does seem that the buyer can be provided with a registered puppy and no papers to prove that by both CoE. Argh. Dumb.

A "rare" buyer for a "rare" blue amstaff - oops. Steve - only going off what the OP said.

Steve The $1600 is for an unpapered dog. The same breeder is offering same puppy with papers for $2800. So that means the breeder is asking $1200 for papers? When we know that ANKC issues papers for around $35 per puppy. So what I'd want to know is why would anyone want to deal with a breeder who is willing to breach ANKC code of ethics by offering unpapered puppy, and is further willing to charge so much over the cost for something they're supposed to do anyway. This alone would make me select a different breeder.

What Raineth said. Very interesting about the Weimaraner colour. And apologies for my crap spelling. So when they talk about "blue heelers" - is that anything to do with the blue gene in the article or something else again. Especially the blue that stumpy tails get? I know cattle dogs can have a bunch of problems with deafness and other genetic stuff too.

Let me see 24 hour a day carer for bitch and puppies... times 8 weeks just for the puppies... never mind caring for the bitch over her life time and the pregnancy... If you were hiring people to do that - You'd probably need at least three shifts with a small overlap for hand over... perhaps less at night but still, things can go wrong at night... Maybe we will say 16 hours a day... and multiply that out by minimum wage - no oncosts like sick leave or super. So minimum wage is $17.29, casual is +25% on that, 16 hours, 8 weeks, 7 days a week (can't be bothered working out Sunday loading). $19364.80 or for 10 puppies, or just under $2000 each - and we haven't been near a vet or health test or dog food yet. So your average ANKC breeder who is breeding for the betterment and joy of the breed - is not even making minimum wage selling puppies from a litter of 10 at $2K each. Don't even get me started on what the rescues are doing. You say they get the dogs for free, but if they had to pay someone to do what they do... That's why volunteers are so important. There's no profit in it.

Blue in the bully breeds is connected to health problems - especially skin rashes and mange and immunity problems. Blue in Weimeranas - not connected to health problems. Strictly not true - Weimaraners, like many blue dogs, can suffer from thyroid issues. Can you reduce the health risk by buying a different colour Weim? I thought blue was it - but I could be wrong. I don't see as many skin problems with them.

Blue in the bully breeds is connected to health problems - especially skin rashes and mange and immunity problems. Blue in Weimeranas - not connected to health problems. Merle in the herding dogs - can be connected with blindness and deafness. If only one parent is merle - you might be ok, but if there's two merle - because the breeder didn't know any better, there's a high risk of problems in the puppies. Merle is really pretty but it can come with problems. And all white boxers have health problems. There are some really pretty poodles called "parti colours" - I don't know if they're connected to health problems, but in some countries - the breed standard requires "solid colours" and other countries - it doesn't. So it pays to find out why people dislike your colour preference. Personally - I have a preference for blue heelers over red heelers and for a symmetrical mask over an asymmetric eye patch, but colour isn't top of my list when choosing a puppy. You can choose by colour first when you're picking wall paper but it's not such a good idea when picking a dog - unless you're avoiding known health risks. I like to pick by: breed first - I like most of the breed tendencies that cattle dogs have. I've lived with a few of them so I'm familiar. I've also lived with Aussie terrors and SBT but they don't appeal to me in the same way. Like you said - everyone has a preference. Then the personality of the dog. the one I have now is from Animal Welfare League - so I didn't get to meet her parents but if I could have, I would have - parent dogs are a good guide to the personality traits you're likely to get in the puppy. I picked the friendly puppy. If I was getting a puppy from a breeder - I'd go find the club, or meet some at a dog show and ask for advice. I'm not that bothered if they get first prize but I do like they care about the breed enough to know all about them and how to breed dogs of good quality with minimum health problems (eg checking ancestral history doing dna tests on potential pairings to avoid problems in the puppies). If your parents are ANKC registered breeders - they should be able to give you lots of info on how to choose and they might even be able to tell you why "blue" in the bully breeds is a bad idea. Ie explain the colour goes with health problems in some breeds. Did you ask them? What did they say? I agree about staying away from breeders where all their dogs live outside in small dog runs all the time and they have lots and lots of breeding bitches, and lots of different breeds. Some of these are ANKC registered but I have trouble understanding how the puppies get enough people time to be pleasant at your place. Some of them don't get enough dog to (adult) dog time to be nice around other dogs either. And I think if a breeder isn't breeding to the breed standard - they should be looking to change it if they think it's wrong. Or breeding something else. Hope you find the right puppy for you, close to where you live and get great support from the breeder.

These are the Amstaff breeders listed with Dogsonline for WA. They're all supposed to be ANKC registered, and all ANKC registered breeders must register all puppies. They can put them on "limited" register if you're sure you're not interested in breeding. http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/breeders/american-staffordshire-terrier.asp?state=WA&Submit=Go There's also an American Staffordshire Terrier club in WA. I think the breed club is always a great place to start if you want a nice healthy dog. They all know everything about each other and often who is buying too. You go make friends - see who you get along with - if you like their dogs and the breeder likes you, you can organise to buy. Pretty sure you'd get one for a better price than $2800. Best to get local if you can - because if you have any problems with training, food, health - you can contact the breeder and ask for help. Some breeders will even take back the dogs they bred (for a fee) while you go on holidays - but I wouldn't make them promise that. Personally if I wanted a blue dog - I'd get a weimerana. I'd avoid blue in the Amstaff or SBT - too many itchy problems. I'd also avoid one with a white nose - because it's harder to stop those dogs getting sunburnt noses and skin cancer. PS what about this one? No papers, staffy mix maybe, but oh so cute. https://www.petrescue.com.au/listings/397039