Simply Grand

Yes, it's a real shame, even when entire dogs are impounded by DAS they are released with a fine but no actual enforcement of them being desexed. And lots of strays end up at the RSPCA rather then the pound and RSPCA can't fine people so there are no consequences. And yet I'm confident none of the owners of the pregnant mums and litters that end up at RSPCA have a permit to keep an entire dog!!

oh look at him!!

Mine are Redback steel cap lace ups but we had the choice of lace up or slip on (elastic sides), some people chose slip on.

We wore leather work boots at the shelter, they held up well being worn 8 hours a day every day in all weather. Not waterproof though, in the rain your feet get wet although I think you can get waterproofing spray for leather that might help. They do take a month or so to properly break in and are uncomfortable for that time but once they are broken in they are super comfy. Probably not as good impact protection etc as hiking shoes though.

I think it is much more responsible to admit that in your current circumstances you cannot give an animal everything it needs and find another home who can than to keep struggling along with no one getting what they need. Good on you for being realistic about it Sooky :)

Hi lvdgs, It's pretty standard for breeders to sell pets on limited register, and often with a requirement they be desexed. If you want a dog on main register you will most likely have to build up a strong relationship with the breeder beforehand. Asking for a deposit depends on the individual breeder and it's up to you whether you are happy pay one or prefer to look around for a breeder who doesn't ask for one.

No matter what their side is the facts & outcome still remain the same. They were told to keep the dogs apart or they would fight. They didn't. The dogs did fight. The dogs got injured. They charged the client the vet bill. Not impressive no matter what their side or excuses are. Exactly. ETA - what of this were dogs belonging to two different owners? Owner of one dog specified that their dog must not be allowed access to other dogs. Kennel ACCEPTED THE DOG AS A CLIENT on those terms. Dog whose owners specified it must not have access to other dogs somehow did and injured "your" (the generic your) dog. I don't see how this is any different. If the kennel owner didn't want to or couldn't ensure the dogs were kept separate, say so up front, absolutely fine, I have no issue with that. But if you say you will do it you have to do it, or if something goes wrong, take responsibility for that.

Yep, definitely talk to his breeder and see if she can help, if not taking him back herself she may know someone who would be interested. She may have names of people who missed out on a puppy at the time you got him. She bred him so she should take some responsibility for what happens to him now. Otherwise yes, a breed rescue could be a good option. I'm not sure what RSPCA/pounds are like in your area with rehoming rates (anyone know?) but puppies with no issues are pretty adoptable. It depends how old you mean by puppy though, med-large breed adolescents are generally not quickly adopted.

May I ask why you are looking to rehome him? If you are having issues perhaps we can offer advice or assistance to help you keep him?

Are you worried about them attacking each other, other dogs or humans? Have you had an experience with them that has led you to feel this level of constraint is necessary? thats how every pit bull in this country should be treated. if people had followed this method dog attacks by pit types wouldnt happen. my pit bull is not aggressive toward dogs or human, i can take it to dog parks and let it loose, but if an incident happens and that dog gets in to a fight, you will never forget it. muzzle lets them drink freely and breath, dont need any thing in its mouth if its not eating something i feed it. I'm confused about what kind of dogs you actually have. You've said you have bulldogs, which to most would imply English or maybe American or Australian Bulldogs, then you said pit bull, which would imply American Pit Bull Terrier. I only ask because you are posting some strong opinions in a thread asking about the temperaments of Staffordshire Bull Terriers. It doesn't sound like your experience is actually with that breed and from your posts it sounds like you are lumping any bull breed dog in together and saying they should all be treated and will behave as an active pit fighting dog of whatever actual breed or mix would. blackun, I was saying that your response didn't seem to address what I actually asked, as per above. Nothing to do with the bone.

Oh, that clears that up then...???

Are you worried about them attacking each other, other dogs or humans? Have you had an experience with them that has led you to feel this level of constraint is necessary? thats how every pit bull in this country should be treated. if people had followed this method dog attacks by pit types wouldnt happen. my pit bull is not aggressive toward dogs or human, i can take it to dog parks and let it loose, but if an incident happens and that dog gets in to a fight, you will never forget it. muzzle lets them drink freely and breath, dont need any thing in its mouth if its not eating something i feed it. I'm confused about what kind of dogs you actually have. You've said you have bulldogs, which to most would imply English or maybe American or Australian Bulldogs, then you said pit bull, which would imply American Pit Bull Terrier. I only ask because you are posting some strong opinions in a thread asking about the temperaments of Staffordshire Bull Terriers. It doesn't sound like your experience is actually with that breed and from your posts it sounds like you are lumping any bull breed dog in together and saying they should all be treated and will behave as an active pit fighting dog of whatever actual breed or mix would.

Are you worried about them attacking each other, other dogs or humans? Have you had an experience with them that has led you to feel this level of constraint is necessary?

We're on our 2nd month here, including two Collie breeds (although I dont know if either is MDR1 affected) and no adverse reactions, no ticks. They had active fleas when they had the first dose and it killed them with no other treatment (other than flea bombing the house and a hydrobath with normal shampoo). I like the once a month dose, not having to worry about baths, swimming and rain in the days before and after, and no greasy residue on their coats.

If their policies concern you, find a place where they'll happily toss the bull breeds in with the SWFs I hardly think that accepting bull breeds as boarders automatically equates to running them loose with small dogs.

Re your last para: you are obviously a responsible kennel owner who recognises your limitations for the good of your business and your clients and that is an excellent way to operate. From all the stories posted here over the years, there are some that don't understand that and, as well, any industry has its good and bad players. Yes this. Alpha bet, I think it's much more professional to do as you do and say up front that is not something we deal with than to say yes we will do that then not do it. Having said that, I certainly know that when dealing with both animals and humans sh*t happens and things go wrong. However I get the impression from this situation that the kennel should have taken some financial responsibility for what happened here. The only time I've boarded two of my dogs together I specifically wanted them to be housed and run together for the comfort to each other, and correct me if I'm wrong kennel owners but suspect I'm not alone in that, so if an owner specified they wanted their dogs kept separately I think I would take it seriously and would do everything I could to make sure they were kept separate.

How did I miss all these great comments on my own question? Huski, thank you for the link to your blog, I think my thoughts are along the lines of what you are saying, it's the reward experience, not just the reward item that they work for. I absolutely think that the inclination to 'work with their human' has to be developed. Building value in what we can provide and, going back to NILIF, 'you can have stuff but you have to earn it' is beneficial to our dogs and ourselves. I also like the oxytocin study, which seems to indicate that it feels good for both us and our dogs to achieve something we ask and work together to achieve :)

DanteandMolly, I too went from being a lifelong cat owner and lover to a dog person and have found it fascinating and rewarding learning about doggy behaviour. From the sounds of it your boy was a dog being a dog doing things that come naturally to dogs. As you know though we and our dogs live our lives crossing paths with other dogs being dogs and humans being humans and sometimes they clash. And it can be really scary on both sides. It doesn't sound like you have a horrible dog by any means, the other dog is ok so it could have been much worse. However you do have a dog that needs above the average management. That is doable. As you have been, take all the advice on board then think positively and responsibly and go from there :)

Absolutely second what hankdog says. ETA - in hindsight the fencing obviously was inadequate but assuming it was in good condition and he scaled it for the first time (presumably - and do not mention here if it was not the first time!) they wouldn't have known that before. Now they do and being willing to address that, not just by going higher but by making SURE the dog cannot get out, will go a long way.

Oh she looks so little and cute healing :)

Naaaw, Bella I can't believe she's 20 weeks already! Glad to hear she and Ollie are getting along, my younger two still have a fantastic time playing together :)

Yes, the 'party' thing definitely makes a different with my dogs, they all respond to it regardless of whether they also get a food reward. Maybe it's just fun for them :) ETA - but I can imagine there are some dogs who would think you were weird, or scary, if you carried on in excitement at them.

They ride the subway in and out of the city each day to go to "work" getting their food!!! :D

I love Mya's face :laugh: "Don't put me next her, she's filthy!"

I've been reading about Premack and that makes sense, and to me ties in with NILIF type training. It's interesting to really think about what your dog actually really wants. And I understand the power of intermittent reinforcement, but why is a tiny piece of food, or a play with a toy or even just praise so worthwhile to them? I get that if I was giving them a sausage, or they thought I might give them a sausage, they might choose that over racing around or jumping on people but surely they realise that there aren't a bunch of sausages in the treat pouch we use every day with the same treats in it? I guess I'm thinking about the emotions of it and how it ties in with the MRI research that shows that dogs do appear to have feelings for humans, and maybe it isn't just reinforcement/punishment etc that shape their behaviour but actually also an emotional desire to please us.