Leema

So would a universal law that made it compulsory for people with barking dogs to attend some kind of workshop on reducing dog barking work? Or perhaps only compulsory for people with barking dogs to commit to an exercise regime - but how would this be enforceable? Are our current laws too easy for dog people? For a severe suggestion on barking dog legislation: http://barkingdogs.net/modbarklaw.shtml

'Normal activity', such as sleep, is fair enough. I'm not sure what else 'normal activity' would cover? I would assume the right to relax in the backyard might be normal activity as well. I guess the overall problems with so many by laws in different councils is the lack of consistency. Would we better suited with state or national laws on barking dogs? Or is it more likely to reflect community standards when up to an individual council?

Thank-you for your response. I find it interesting that the council has specified day and night barking, but 'good' as well... I think night barkers are more of a nuisance than day barkers. That being said, there are plenty of people who work night shift and sleep during the day that are not catered to in this arrangement. Those barking times actually seem rather generous (as Jess pointed out), and it could accumulate quickly, especially if there were multiple barkers within the area (e.g. if both next doors had barkers, and they barked individually for 3 minutes each every 30 minutes at night, that is still 6 minutes of barking in a 30 minute time period... Considering that we need to sleep for 20 minutes at a time to complete our sleep cycle, then this means that it could very likely be inhibited by the actions of two dogs in this scenario.) 'Dog orchestras' are a big problem, especially when they tag-team. One of the problems with dog barking is the question of, "When is it reasonable for a dog to bark?" When there is someone walking past? Someone knocking on the door? When a cat comes in the yard? When the neighbours bang the fence? Should non-dog people ever have to put up with barking dogs, regardless of the scenario? Your council area does not seem to be adequately addressing barking dog concerns. Would you seek for there to be by laws that make for exercise and brain stimulation to be compulsory for barking dogs? Or trainers? Do you think a council should differentiate between 'genuine reason' and 'ungenuine reason'? Barking is normal, but there is no doubt that barking disturbs many people in many neighbourhoods each year. What would you like the ranger to do instead of what you've described?

The general consensus here is correct... Borders are generally more laid back, and less dog-aggressive than the typical terrier. Of course, as any breed, there are exceptions to the rule. Borders are less fiery/fiesty than cairns, on general. I don't have a problem with any of my borders barking individually, but together they cause a din! Again, they are generally laid back compared to other terrier breeds. I have never had escape artists with my borders, and didn't have diggers until my import came along and taught everyone how it's done! Now they all dig. I'm happy to answer any border questions. Sorry this is brief - I'm on my phone.

You could perhaps use the word "down" or "place" for the lazy drop, and "drop" for a more polished drop later on.

Wow, I must've posted this at a quiet time. Bump! I am asking because this is one issue that I'm struggling to reconcile the best solution for, in my mind. I have been affected by barking dogs, and my dogs' barking has affected others, and I really don't know what the solution is.

Tearies here... I am so happy that Dory, after 3 months here, was able to find such a wonderful home. Thank-you so much for posting. I am sure Dory is very grateful at the relative-comfort she now feels being home alone - thanks to your effort over the last 3 years. Thank-you for giving her the opportunity to be a happy dog.

Looking forward to seeing you and Moose around the show ring soon. Beautiful baby.

What are the current laws/by laws in your area regarding barking dogs? Are these laws adequate? What is your personal involvement with these laws, if any? If you believe this is inadequate, what would you have changed?

Leelaa - firstly, I think you've been great looking for advice here and actually responding to it. Slightly sloppy poos are not normal, and I hope that perhaps changing her diet can help her have more solid stools. The thing with dogs is that different dogs do better on different foods, and that's just the way it is. I have a foster greyhound, "Rowdy", here who I was feeding Advance dry food. This dry food has done very well for the foster greys I've had before and after, but it just didn't agree with Rowdy. Initially I thought it was just the stress of changing house and environments and that it would settle down. It was only when the foster program let me run out of dry food and I had to feed him my food that I saw a massive change. Rowdy went from a farty dog with smelly, loose stools to lovely poos almost overnight. I feed my dog a raw diet (aiming for approximately 80% meat, 10% offal, and 10% bone) and this suited Rowdy a lot better. His poos were nice and not smelly (the smell was getting to me more than the consistency). With my dogs, I can always tell when I do feed them dry food (for example, when I go away, etc). Their stools get softer and smellier. On a raw diet, they are quite small, quite compact, quite dry, and they disintegrate into nothing in my garden in a couple of days. I also find it more cost effective. I only have small dogs, but they cost me about 10c-60c in food a day. That being said, I know plenty of dogs that get the trots from offal content of raw food, so that's not always a winner either. And I probably just made your diet choices all the harder. :D Yes, feeding large meals all at once can be linked to bloat. Smaller meals are better. The fact that your dogs are slow eaters is good, and that you're conscious of exercise is good too.

did you mean 'deed not the breed'? lol Yes, sorry. Edited now.

I think the world would be a better place is more people didn't want to have dogs and kids in the same household. If families don't think that they can adequately supervise all interactions between dog-and-child, then I think not getting a dog is for the best. As for breed things, we all know that it's deed not the breed. I have heard of far more dog bites by labradors IRL (i.e. dogs or people I personally know) due to food aggression than I have heard about dog bites by any other breed. That's not to say labradors are bad, but I think that the illusion of 'the perfect dog' around labradors is very harmful for dogs and people alike.

You would not allow someone to have their keys in their pocket during a trial? You would ask someone to take their jewelry off? I've never heard of such a thing.

My only other suggestion would be - can you wear something subtly-noisey? Bangles on your wrist, or a buckle that clicks on your shoe? Keep your keys in your pocket? All these could help him orientate without seeing you. However, I much prefer teaching him to target your leg - just thought I'd throw this out there, too.

"The Perfect Puppy" by Gwen Bailey: http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780600617228/The-Perfect-Puppy And another vote for "Before you get your puppy" and "After you get your puppy" by Ian Dunbar.

I find puppies are better the more tired they are.

Sorry I didn't get to go... I was so tired... I was in bed by 8:15pm! How did it go?

Gosh, how much time do you have? Personally, I am a dog owner, lover, and breeder with an interest in Border Terriers (and a mild interest in some other breeds). I show my dogs, I partake in dog sports (though I dabble in agility and dancing, I have only entered my dogs in earthdog, tracking, and obedience). In a volunteer capacity, I worked at the RSPCA and with the Delta Dog Safe Program. Professionally, both of these volunteering roles led to employment. I started as a kennel hand (a glorified cleaner) at the RSPCA, which slowly got me through to doing less cleaning and more nice-doggy-stuff. I quit this job (sadly) after gaining the role of coordinator with the Delta Dog Safe Program SA. Qualifications wise, I have a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Health Science... Not of much use in the dog world!

Many pounds will not sign over animals to be euthed to medical practice. I wish they would. I wouldn't have an issue with these animals being practiced on before being euthed - it seems a good use of resources.

I vaccinate with C3 at 7 weeks.

Hm, I might go Thursday for fun. I'm sure I'll be the only border terrier person there if you want to say hi.

Another theory is that black dogs in shelters are harder to see the details of and so people are less likely to feel attached to a black dog. Difficulty in photographing black dogs also contributes to this problem.

I train my dogs to gait on the cue "gait". I C&T dogs looking forward (not at me), and moving forward (not crabbing), and moving appropriately (not galloping or walking). I guess you could train a really good "gait" or "forward" cue which could also be used as a 'reminder' if the dog gets distracted (i.e. you can recue).

Sent her a message. Heather's not very good with her phone and works weird shifts, but I'm sure she'll get in touch with you soon.

I believe that all dogs are in a foster situation at the moment (i.e. there is no dogs at risk of being 'taken away' by the council or other groups). Some dogs, like those being held by DBT, are in temporary care searching for more long-term care. I have an elkhound here, doing well, very tolerant of the terrier chaos, and very happy to be having a nap in her crate at the moment. A lovely temperament. I went for the short drive with Miss Squish and the other elkies we picked up were similarly lovely, as well. Lovely dogs all around and hopefully a more permanent solution can be found for all of them. Meanwhile, they're safe and sound.