~Anne~

The poor little guy. I hope he begins to improve for you.

I understand exactly where pugdaddy is coming from. In fact I have deleted almost every single link to rescue I had on my FB and I refuse all new requests to follow rescues groups. I follow a select few that I believe are great rescues that are sending the right messages to the public. There are many doing this that aren't obviously on my FB links so please don't think I am saying there are only a couple. The hero worshipping, the crazy people involved - FB has given the nutters an opportunity to bask in godlike nutcase status.

I'm confused moosmum. I never mentioned 'pedigree' and I consider pedigree to be the written or known family tree of a dog. Apart from working registries, ANKC, and a few others, there is no such history kept of other dogs. A cross breed dog does not come with any known ancestral history. There is much value in an ancestral history. The attitude is that pure bred dogs are pure and that there is a written record of their lineage. Sorry, but the point, specifically your point, is lost on me. Haredon and Wreckit, yes of course there are some that are doing it well and perhaps I generalised too broadly. We all know that this is not the majority however. I also understand that they are volunteers but being a volunteer doesn't mean lacking skills. It just means you do it without pay. I don't necessarily mean it as a criticism, simply a fact. We can't expect breeders to be doing the right thing and educated if there is no-one educating them. The most logical educator, in my view, would be the breed clubs. These clubs need support from the state associations and the state associations need support from the ANKC. The ANKC does not have this aspartame of their core business or as part of their purpose at all. They should though!

What about all those dogs who like to drink from toilet bowls. :laugh:

Tbh, I think people see the word marketing and think sales. Selling is sales. Marketing and sales are to sell. Marketing and promotion is to alter perceptions. Not sell. Instead of the word marketing, lets use the word promotion. Perhaps that will help those reading get a better idea. Moosmum, I agree about the need for an increase or sustaining quality of breeders. This should be done by state breed clubs but I rarely see an active club in this regard. In fact, most are disappointingly low on informative and educated materials and resources and their committees are largely unskilled. Pick up a newsletter from most clubs and you'll see they're killing trees for no purpose. Their websites are just as appalling. The focus is too social and informal.

Yes, I see your point. I can also understand the thinking behind keeping breeds 'unpopular' but the harsh reality is that the purebred dog is the loser with that thinking.

I hate to repeat myself but that is marketing the purebred dog! The message is that there are good husbandry practices and a rich purposeful history. Marketing and promotion is messages. Messages are to alter perceptions. The messages are determined after research and information gathering. If that is what the message should be to increase the positive perception of purebred dogs then your work is half done. Marketing is messages.

I'm not advocating marketing to sell, but to alter perceptions. The perception of purebreds is very poor. They're considered unhealthy, hard to obtain, and not worth the money. Sure, the upside is that with increased positive perception they will be in more demand but if people are more positive about purebreds then more people will become involved with them. Even having to wait for some thing can increase positive perceptions. Think of unique cars. You can order one now and you don't expect to take delivery for up to a year. It doesn't stop people ordering them though nor does this damage perceptions.

Not really surprising and known all along. It is great that there is something to start backing up what purebred owners and breeders have been saying. Is written simply as well which helps. Often I find that support and evidence is too detailed. I think the questions are a bit weighted toward the products that mercola sell. For those who are interested you can join the mailing list. The video blogs and info is really helpful and the subjects vary.

Shapeshifter - almost every example you gave in your post illustrates what I said. I typed a long and detailed response, giving examples, and it disappeared . I can't be bothered retyping it so ill do a very short version. Perception = messages. You are a consumer. You buy products not because you know everything but because of marketing messages that create a perception. It's not your free will. It's the will of marketing making you think a certain way about a product. Making you think you need it, want it, desire it. At the moment, which is what the blog has pointed out, there is a huge difference in the marketing of cross bred dogs compared to purebred dogs. Perceptions can be changed and are regularly changed through marketing and promotion. We need to change perceptions and promote and market purebred dogs so that people don't think they're riddles with health problems, so that people don't think they are over valued, so people aren't put off by questions.

It can be addressed through the creation of messages. Marketing. That is what marketing and promotion is. Creating perceptions. The breed clubs, state kennel clubs and associations, and perhaps the ANKC and other registries need to get on board. The problem is that these associations and organisations are not resourced for this or is it part of their charters I believe. Perhaps a foundation of sorts could be created that is aligned to the ANKC given that it is the national body. A levy could be charged to members that is purely for promotion of the purebred dog. I recall discussing this a million years ago on this forum. To me it is the logical way to proceed. Numbers of purebreds have dropped dramatically over the last 10 years. We could stop this if a coordinated national effort was made.

There are laws that target irresponsible owners. Sadly these are not enforced. Enforcement means money. Money means taxes. The problem is far more complex than that anyway. Perhaps search through a few threads and you'll see the history of discussion on this subject on this forum. It's great that you want to make your voice heard by the way.

Phryria, I think you missed the point entirely. Did you read the blog? The discussion isn't about being ethical or not, it's about marketing and messages.

I have just messaged you. I have a contact with law enforcement in Narrendera. Let me know if I can help.

Some really great points made. I found myself nodding again and again.

I would think yoghurt might be a good option too?

The easiest way to confirm it is to ring your local council and speak to the ranger or companion animal area.

Woohoo, I've just been told that the little dog has been found and will be reunited with John tomorrow!

If it were me, I'd speak to the more knowledgeable vet.

This info should also be added to the lost and found breads too to increase the public viewing.

Lost pets NSW on FB also has the story. I hope this poor little dog is found and they are reunited.

Thanks Teebs. Ill check. I can't recall ever getting an email from them.

I'm a member but I don't receive vouchers? Should I? Happy to pass mine on.

Buy a large syringe from the chemist, mix some salt and warm water, draw some up in the syringe and place the end in the sheath. Push the plunger, mop up with paper towels. I had to do this several times with Monte over his life. A few salt water flushes over a few days and it cleared up. This was the advice from my vet. Obviously if it doesn't clear up or gets worse or there are other symptoms, take him for a visit with your vet. I never noticed any smell though. Just dried mess around his penis, sometimes drips on the floor and the obvious moist discharge.

Really? You have more faith in this corrupt organisation than I do. Maybe you need to bold the sentence that follows and absorb both. I have faith in the laws that protect people against fraud. Public statements made fraudulently make it even easier for detection and prosecution. It doesn't matter if you support or don't support this particular organisation there is no point throwing around loose and baseless accusations. And I'll reiterate this: Sometimes I wonder what ever happened to common sense on this forum.