Staff'n'Toller

It shouldn't be! It's just a blood sample that is sent to the same Laboratory that Vet Clinics send all their other samples to.

Why can't she sleep inside?

Which State do you live in? Mel.

The Vets down here in Vic who dealt with it regularly only ever recommended prong as there is no large amount pressure at any one point when the prong is on the dog. You might like to PM kimjm, she would be the expert in this case, being a Vet Nurse who is also an Animal Physiotherapist Assistant. Mel.

If you are a registered breeder then you shouldn't be looking to microchip illegally or unethically then, should you? Nevermind the Vaccinations....someone will come in and comment on the COE for Vic I'm sure. Mel.

Yeah I agree that they're expensive, but I just love mine. I have had them for at least 5 yrs and had them sharpened....ummm....once! ;) I'm not a full-time groomer but I used to do a few neighbourhood dogs and now I use them monthly on my Toller. Mel.

Roseline.

There was a Distemper outbreak here in the Greyhound fraternity in country Vic just last year. We got a memo. Do you have the details for this? Rego forms and such, or can you let us know when you have the details by putting up a thread in health? Mel.

I don't know of any that are full-time. I'm currently finishing Delta CGC Instructors Course and I can tell you it feels like it's full time! ;) Mel.

What sunscreen brand are you using? Mel.

Not sure down Geelong way but up in Melbourne that's the going rate. We only just put ours up to 77.50...that's a C5. Mel.

Surely there would be hundreds of people on Melissa Alexander's group Clickersolutions that have used Shirley Chong's method that can help you guys with your hiccups? Am I right ness? Mel.

;) for Jenny Wilcox - Paw Behaviour. I train at Berwick but it's not the best place for young pups....once you are up to young dog obedience they would be more suitable. Mel.

Miranda's and Lilli's have been the most common-sense replies I have read so far. I won't be offering training advice because in all seriousness- I wouldn't come near your case with a 10 foot pole- on the internet. You have a massively dangerous situation going on and you absolutely shouldn't be giving your 'pack' items of value until you get someone to come and assess your situation. What you think is 'sharing' is power playing, you are obviously not reading the signs and body language. You also may not be dealing with the precursors well enough. Pinning your dogs after the fight has started is worthless- it's way, way too late by then, this fight could have been building for quite some time before it got to fight stage, and you will find that your Sibe (if in fact she is the one challenging) is showing signs all day - every day of her intentions. By pinning them down you also become involved in that fight, you are joining in...nothing about that says 'boss' to dogs. You may think you're the leader, but how the dogs perceive it can be totally different, you need to go read some studies on DOG behaviour not WOLF behaviour. This one is basic but would be a good start. Pack order is fluid in domestic dogs, my Toller owns all the tennis balls, no-one challenges my old Bully girl for the best bed... I think you need Behaviourist advice rather than trainer advice, but I have no idea of who you should seek out being overseas. Mel.

I feed Eagle Pack to my Toller and I think he looks awesome on it. Now when I open up the Hills food all I can smell is corn. You can do much much worse than Eagle Pack IMHO. I feed the holistic fish. Mel.

Hi ,but tell me what is with the Vic Dog add for purchasing chips in NSW, i'm let to believe that you have to watch the dvd and register for a no.and then you are able to do the implants yourself and i'm also gathering you can do the complete registration.Please tell me if this is true or not. mjaay No you are no longer able to register with CAR- they won't accept your forms without a registered implanter ID. You must hold a BVSc. or a Cert IV in Vet Nursing AND be working under a Veterinarian to do the course. Good luck trying to get a DVD. I'm really confused as to why you're bothering to vacc or chip at all if you desperately need to do it on the cheap...why bother? You obviously don't care that much about your litter anyway if you insist on doing everthing illegally. Why are you even breeding?

You'll also need to attend a clinic to have their microchips done. Only registered implanters (Veterinarians OR Cert IV Vet Nurses with accreditation under direct supervision of the Vet) may implant chips now. Mel.

I'm a Trainer at an awesome club in Kew which is really close to Templestowe. We take dogs of all ages into our beginner courses. We have limited class sizes so you get lots of individual attention and everyone's dogs are assessed for their friendliness (and to ensure handler and dog can cope in the class) before we slot you into a group. Positive training, lovely safe grounds, all qualified instructors. Most of us are available for privates before/during/after commencing training at the club or we can do private lessons only if you prefer. We also have some pretty cool equipment and activities that our more advanced classes do. I'll PM you with the details.

A Veterinary Behaviourist has generally completed post-graduate study in Animal Behaviour +/- completed a PhD related to Animal Behaviour. They also hold a Membership in the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Animal Behaviour. It is not *only* the fact that they can dispense medication, but it is an advantage that they can and do, also that they have the background knowledge to know when physiologically more medical testing is required (i.e. MRI, blood testing). Whilst Trainers and non-Veterinary Behaviourists have insurance, or work under somebody elses, they need to exercise extreme caution when dealing with the cases you list in your first post. It is very easy to do a course and feel as though you can handle anything, and the reality is that if you are taken to court over mishandling a case, the Veterinary Behaviourist is the one who will be called as the expert opinion on your case and then you are literally up sh** creek. I should clarify though that I am not just a volunteer instructor, I have been training in private clubs for years and doing many private lessons and have done the study as well. If I can't handle it, or I choose not to handle it for many and varied reasons- it goes straight to the Vet Behaviourist- then I'm happy to have the case back after their consultation, at their discretion and under their guidance of how the dog should be managed. Mel.

Are you able to break her out of the behaviour once she is into it? Does she appear to be chasing her tail or just circling? The first question is quite important. :rolleyes: Mel.

Go to the Vet. Mel.

If you're really worried and unsure- ask for a referral to a specialist Orthopedic Vet and get them to take and read the X-Rays. Particularly if the Vet X-Rays and is unsure- go to the experts- it's your right to do that! Mel.

Try Jenny Ireland Petsinthemaking.com she brings in a few Angela Steinker books, and if you ask reeeeaaallly nicely she might be able to source it for you. Mel.

Sounds like classic stress induced displacement behaviour to me. Dog's response to the negative is to "tune out". This is not "ignoring you". This is a dog that is doing what it needs to cope. Is this a soft dog? Some dogs handle the force fetching technique.. and some don't. It might be time to try another approach. I'd certainly be trying another trainer. I know bugger all about gundog trainer but I'd be trying a clicker.. EXACTLY!! You need to totally re-assess your training technique, from conformation through to obedience, your dog doesn't want to work with you and it's up to you to re-establish rapport with her. Tollers do not respond well at all with punishment based techniques, they shut down very quickly. Mel.

Well said bloss344!