Leema

I have only one desexed dog, and didn't find a change in personality. I think it's a myth that desexing calms dogs down. Desexing often just coincides with when the dog would naturally 'calm down'. To me, desexing is not a necessity - it's your personal choice whether you want your dog to be desexed or not. There is no 'best time' for desexing. Some dogs it's 'best' to leave entire. Just because he has his balls on doesn't mean you have to let him use them.

Tails are tricky things to bandage, and I support the idea of hair curls and rolls on the tail. However, I can't help but think there may be behavioural issues associated and aggravating the tail injury. Is this dog naturally a tail biter? Naturally a spinner? Perhaps the dog needs to undergo some behavioural training to reduce these behaviours, and this mail help the tail heal and stay healed.

I take a minimal approach to vaccination. I vaccinate puppies at 6-7 weeks when they're with me, and then vaccinate again at 18 weeks, and that's it. (I'd actually prefer to drop out the 6-7 week vac, but I think most puppy buyers would be unhappy about that arrangement. I still am uncomfortable, and maybe one day I'll have the courage to NOT vaccinate at that age.) If I wanted to vaccinate even less, I'd consider giving a Parvo vaccine at 18 weeks only. Parvo is a 'puppy disease' that kills, and I wouldn't be willing to compromise protection from it.

I went for a walk through the scrub this afternoon - keeping eyes/ears out for her but no chance in hell we'd be able to 'find' her in it - she'd have to make the first move! No luck.

Thanks for your thoughts. You've given me something to think about. I might not throw Winnie out yet. :laugh:

This puppy had an enlarged head only. Its neck and downwards appeared normal.

Thanks for your reply, sandgrubber. I am asking because I have a 13 month old bitch that hasn't come into season. This is late for my breed - most come in at 8-10 months. I would like to see if she comes in, but I am having doubts about breeding her as I don't want to breed a line of bitches that are late starters. (The bitch in question is daughter to a bitch that started at ~10 months.) Thank-you to all who have voted. It seems that late starters are 'more hereditary' than the other minor-problems I mentioned. Food for thought.

I have had success stacking the dog, and click and treating when they move their body weight forward. It's fairly simple, and normally improvement is quite marked and immediate with a few repetitions. Sometimes it is difficult to see the weight shifts, and a mirror can help. For example, if you're standing in front of the dog, you can look to the side into a mirror to see the dog's weight shifts.

This makes sense. Thank-you so much! To paraphrase: "sensory homeostasis" is almost a synonym of "well socialised"? (Is this how others interpreted this?)

For people wanting a border terrier from me, I have a lot of conditions - until the dog is titled. Once the dog gains its championship title, it becomes fully their dog. To me, if they were committed enough to get those 100 points, they 'deserve' the dog to be fully theirs. Of course, this hasn't happened yet - but I have sent the contract to interested parties before. I'd be very willing to help anyone new start up, but getting a puppy I sold them to championship status is a way for them to prove themselves to me. Other people have different processes, and that's fine too.

It was in an academic conference reading. It was saying that puppies that did xyz were more likely to have 'sensory homeostasis' as adults. I've looked up a bunch of stuff trying to find the definition, but with no luck.

What is Sensory Homeostasis? (In regards to dogs.)

Just giving this a bump, for those that weren't on yesterday to see it. Thanks to those who have voted so far. I'm happy to hear experiences, too.

Dogs got their own site here: http://www.sue-eh.ca/ Yeah, but she used to have it so you could read all about one behaviour/skill set on one page - now it seems you have to go through all the levels and read bits of each page.

Every time I start a shaping session, it's up to the dog to work out what I'm wanting that session. Sometimes it's heeling, sometimes it's fronts, sometimes it's walking backwards, sometimes it's staying. But, in obedience, people normally have their hands in their middle for fronts and to their sides/hips for heeling, so there's enough context cues if your dog wanted to find them.

I'm trying to find Sue Ailsby's instructions, but her website is all different and I can't. She free shapes a front, and suggests taping a semi circle with radial lines on the floor to help yourself. First you C&T for entering the semi circle, then for entering some of the radial lines, and then for getting it centred. Then you introduce the sit. I found a video that may help... And the more advanced stage...

Just a poll. Thanks in advance. :)

I would talk to the bitch's owner and ask what she wants to do. I had a bitch once fly here on Wednesday, get mated Thursday night, and then all the stud and bitch did after that was play with one another - no further matings!! BUT 4 puppies resulted from that one mating, so the stud and the bitch must've known it was the right time and not be interested after that.

Also, can this thread please stay on topic? There are heaps of threads already talking about breeders who have poor customer relations. We don't need another one. I already know it's not hot for breeders to be rude.

Can I ask why you consider an inside dog as a huge plus? My 2 dogs are outside only dogs and are still VERY well loved; as much (if not more so) as inside dogs. Unless the family lives outside (which is the case sometimes), the dog is always going to get more attention when living inside. For puppies, I want their new family to put a lot of time into them and I don't think 'backyards' are the way to raise a dog. When I have about 15+ enquiries for every one puppy that I breed, I will exercise my right to be picky. For rescue dogs, 'it depends' on the dog's individual characteristics and preferences. For a dog that I know has lived inside most of its life, then I'll try to find it a home that does the same. I think, of all my rescues, only one sleeps outside (but is inside when they're home). Also, dogs with no hair/little hair would need warm, preferably inside, places to sleep.

I really dont see an issue with asking for price. Me either, but it's when their first question is price that I get concerned. That being said, I reply anyway (if it's an email) - mostly I don't hear back. I'll politely answer any enquiries I get on my 'not' list, but they would have to work hard (i.e. do a lot of hots!) to get me to start to consider them as a puppy buyer.

These are good. :laugh:

Neither of the dead pups had a cleft palette, that I could see. I just like to learn things, and I like to know what stuff is. :) Thanks for those that commented. The vet didn't have much to say (brought the corpse in today)... The swelling had changed shape after death, so it wasn't really accurate anymore - suggesting that it was fluid and it just got pushed around.

I've been thinking about what 'makes' or 'breaks' phone or email enquiries for dogs I rescue or breed. I was wondering how similar or different our hots and nots are... HOT: * Person enquiring has owned breed before or demonstrates knowledge of the breed. * Person uses phrases like 'member of the family', 'inside dog', or 'like my children'. * Person talks about extensive medical treatment for their past dog/cat/animal. * Person comes and visits my dogs when I don't have puppies available. * Person shows that they have done research on me by mentioning my website, or the dogs I have listed on my website. * Person has partaken in dog sports - like agility, obedience, earthdog, conformation, or any other event (or even informal event). * Person has a degree of excitement in their voice - they clearly are enthused about a new dog! NOT: * Person goes straight to asking about puppies. * Person goes straight to asking about price, or otherwise treating it as a business transaction. * Person talks about breeding and is not interested in conformation or sports. What are yours?

I'm bumping this, because I am interested in this, too. :) Are irregular or otherwise 'weird' seasons inherited?