lanabanana

IMO the rescue organisation needs to grow some balls. I assume, in some cases of rescue there are going to be some unsavoury characters involved and oyu are going to have to be able to stand up to some bullying etc. It's not all going to be sunshine and rainbows with the types of people who abandon and abuse their pets. I am quite disappointed that anyone would give in to bullying an dhand the puppies back, specially someone who is supposedly working in rescue with what should be the best interest of the animal. Probably read it all wrong but meh...

I think the person has a point.... Because we eat them and they are raised for slaughtering, we put much less value on the type of life they should have while they are alive (sorry pigs and chooks I am talking about). IMO, I dont care if an animal is going to live to be 100, or going to be slaughtered for meat at 1...they should all have a nice life until that time comes. In regards to her statements about puppy farming, maybe if she doesn't have dogs or know much about them she doesn't place any extra value on them - regardless of what they have been raised for she perhaps sees them as similar to chickens and pigs if that makes sense. I am sure she has met some nice dogs from puppy farms, and I am sure there are plenty out there who are nice. Unfortunately, if even only one dog is damaged as a result of puppy farming, it is really not OK. We all know that not only one dog is damaged though. Same for pigs and chooks (which until reasonably recently, like 4 years ago, I was blissfully unaware how these poor animals were raised. I thought they all lived how my Aunts did, out in very large paddocks etc)

OMG he is cute! I want!

What stunning wee puppies! Can I ask a question though....as this is not a "recognised" breed, how is it any different from BYB? Not asking to "wind" anyone up, am just curious as to responses.

so they disproved the pack theory with more pack theory? Or did they simply try and disprove that dogs can actually be dominant. As for 'alphas' never needing to get physical. Uh huh. See how some alpha dogs put others in their place especially dogs that are more closely matched. And alpha rolls? Stupidity because people do not know how to use them or the context they should be for. If you think you can take on a 30 odd kg muscle ball with massive teeth and that it is a great idea then you go do that ... tell me how the scars heal up. They do ocassionally have their uses, at least the scruff and pin does, but with expert knowledge and technique not for random people to go rolling thier dogs. Not all aggression is dominance based, some of it is. Some of it also comes down to genetic and environmental factors as well. Sounds like just another wishy washy article. Not sure whether I typed what I was trying to relay incorrectly or if you can't read but the article itself was NOT trying to disprove pack heirarchy. It was merely pointing out that a lot of behaviours that HUMANS assume are dominant dog behaviours, are in fact not but are those of a dog who is unsure of his place in the pack. Also, some other information I am reminded of from reading some of these posts was that heirarchy is established in order to avoid conflict. You may think the article is wishy washy, but I found it quite interesting. Unfortunately, I cannot remember where I read it so can't post the link which is a bit annoying

LOL that is so cute, Peter and Pauline

LOL totally agree...I am always horrified when I hear of people alpha rolling their dogs. I was just saying to a freind a few weeks ago "why do you do that" and she responded "so the dog knows I am boss". I said to her, they dont know you are boss, they just know that sometimes you come up and abuse them by rolling them over, if you were the boss the dog would come up and roll of its own accord. She thought I was talkign rubbish of course, as she did when I told her rubbing the dogs nose in the wees does not teach it anything apart from the fact that wees feels horrid up ya nose

Gosh, $450 seems excessive, I could go and buy a kids toy wagon and attach a crate or something for less LOL

I understand a lot of people follow a "pack heirarchy" type set up with their dogs but I was reading an article the other day that said this does not really apply to domestic dogs, particularly the use of alpha rolls and other similar forced submission techniques (I dont use any of those anyway), and so I just wondered what others opinions were on Pack Leadership. The article stated that most behaviour attributed to dogs thinking they were the pack leader is actually the behaviour of an adolescent dog who is unsure of his standing within the pack - I find this very interesting. It went on to say that the "pack leader" or dominant dog is more likely to share his food, sleeping spot, bone etc and they are generally never aggressive being able to control the pack with just a glance. Where us the unsure member is more likely to defend his food etc etc I found this particularly interesting as it seems a lot of people do tend to assume that some (not all) aggressiveness (depending on what it is) is a dominance thing where as this article was basically saying it was not, it was an insecure dog who didnt know where he fit but was def not dominant. I will see if I can find the article again to post a link. Not sure fully what my thoughts are here yet, I have never really followed the pack leader type thing anyway but I havent been the opposite either, but I just found it really interesting. Thoughts? EDIT: I have wondered whilst musing about this if perhaps this is why my big dog is sooo tolerant of my little dog. He knows he is higher than her and is happy to put up with her - because oddly, she does stop with just one look from him.

Yep unfortunately it is illegal in SA as my brother was fined for this earlier this year OMG he actually got fined? Just out of curiosity, how much was the fine? Does he still do it? Yep, but he has a bit of "history" so the police like to pick him up for whatever they can, LOL I think the fine only ended up being about $25 but we had to contest it becuase they had originally fined him $250 The officer was reported and was giving a warning eta - No he doesn't do it anymore Ahh thanks. Yea history may make it more likely to get in trouble (I have a brother with history too). Hmm May need to do some research just in case...I dont mind breaking that particular law, especially if the fine is small but might just check it up anyway. We will likely just stick to going at night though when not many people around.

Yep unfortunately it is illegal in SA as my brother was fined for this earlier this year OMG he actually got fined? Just out of curiosity, how much was the fine? Does he still do it?

It was good enough for Dorothy in Wizard of Oz a front basket. From memory she put Toto in that. I think a basket is a great idea! Oh I don't disagree, I just think I would look hilarious on a kids bike with a scruffy wee dog pokng her head out of basket

Oooo I didn't know that. We are in NSW...but TBH, I am not sure I really care whether it is against the law or not, I would probably still do it anyway. Luckily though, we go out in the dark so probably don't have to worry. The darkness hides us so we don't look like a bunch of circus freaks - me on my tiny bike and the OH on his adult bike with a seat that flips up every 5 minutes LMAO

I love that movie, one of my faves. Just beautiful!

LMAO, how much of a knob would I look like on a kids bike with a basket or a trailer I am laughing just picturing myself. Yea, the wee one loves it and is actually faster than our big dog...she also recovers much quicker than he does too. She stops panting about 2 minutes after we stop whereas Barney is still panting abou half an hour later.

My old dog Chevy used to do a number of tricks. She was taught them because she had a desire to learn. She loved to do stuff. We managed to get her to "bring us our ciggies" (I know terrible), and we did start with the light switch too but not sure where that one stopped. She did lots of other tricks too. She was taught a lot when she was about 1 or 2 years old. But her last trick she earned at 11 years old. We di it, because she loved it. Barney's only real "trick" is to give high fives. He was taught this at about 2 years as he had a habit of pawing everyone in th eface and it was quite painful. He was taught to give high fives as a way of controlling the behavious and it worked. He now only paws when you ask for a high five. Pippi doesn't do tricks...her ears dont actually serve any real purpose except to make her look cute LOL. Although she will dance, but this is something she does naturally anyway.

Some people might think this is bad for dogs, but meh. A couple of weeks ago we decided to go for a family bike ride one night after work and thought it might be fun to take the dogs. The OH takes the big dog (Barney - 40kgs) on his bike (he has a proper adult bike) and he takes the lead. The behind him follows our daughter with no dog. Bringing up the rear is me and my little Pippi (6kgs). It's a little embarrasing for me if we bike past people as I have to ride my daughters other bike, yep a kids bike so my knees almost come up to my chest as I cycle but its probably best as Pippi is so small it would be hard with an adult bike. Anyway, we bike off down our street and then into a greenbelt which has cycle paths. I was a bit concerned taking Pippi out to do this as she is just little so the first time I tried to take it very slow for her. Well, little Miss bossy britches isn't having nay of that and if I don't bike fast enough for her, she starts pulling me!!!!! This little tiny dog will race ahead and start pulling me on my bike. The first time she did it, I was in hysterics and actually couldn't peddle because I was laughing so hard that my legs went all kind of weak and there we were just flying down the path faster than I could even bike (I am very unfit). She wears a harness so no need to worry she is choking or anything. Anyway, now I have to bike really fast to stop her from pulling me. As soon as she sees the bikes now, she starts yelping an dgets really excited. When we get to the green belt now, I really put the speed on and it is so funny. She puts her little head to the ground and just flies - it's almost like her tummy is on the ground the whole time - and when I slow down she gets all upset. Last night, the OH took Barney out for a bike ride at about 11pm and we didn't go and my poor girl was so upset. Running to the front door and back yelping because she wanted to go, I felt awful. If we go for a long ride she gets a bit tired (she only has short legs so its about 3 times as far for her) and we generally end up finishing the ride by ourselves because we just go slow. I am thinking about getting a front pack for her so that when she gets tired, I can slip her in and keep up with the OH and kid - are there any such things or will I have to make one? Anyway, everytime we go out now I ended up laughing my butt off (dont think itll help with weight loss though) and just wanted to share. Might have to video it one time to show people.

I agree with what everyone says, and also with the person who said by picking the dog up you are just reinforcing the behaviour.

Aww some beautiful stories. I used the "I think" regarding Pippi as I feel kinda bad to say she is mine after Chevy. I feel if I openly say Pippi is my "heart dog" I am somehow smearing Chevy's memory and the special bond we also had. However after reading some of these stories and thoughts on it, I can def say it about my Pippi. When they are inside (they are outside when we go to work) we are always together. She sits on my lap and will just look up at me with her beautiful two tone eyes and sometimes we just sit there staring at each other. We are going away over summer for a couple of weeks and they are going to a kennel and I am horribly worried about Pippi. I love Barney to pieces as well but I just am not worried about him being in the kennel where as with Pippi I have come up with various scenarios as to what might happen or how she could escape and just the thought of these things happening really gets me going - my OH told me to STFU about it she would be fine. I don't want anything to happent o either of my dogs but if soemthing were to happen to Pippi, I would just be heart broken. I am always raving about my likkle Pippi and how gorgeous she is, and how much I love her. I have even decided that the day she becomes the only dog, we are going to keep it that way so I can just lavish her with love. I still feel awful because Chevy was very very special to me too and just such a beautiful dog and I feel awful for Barney even thoug I love him to bits and would do anything for him, but Pippi and I do some to have this absolute connection. I even said to my OH before I heard the term "heart dog" that Pippi and I have a special bond and she is my girl and he gave me a$$holes for not loving Barney anymore (just in joking) LOL Anyway, beautiful stories and stuff guys. Thanks for clarifying your opinions on the term etc

Aww that sounds realyl special. I have to admit, I have tried not to love my wee Pippi quite so much. We got her about 5 weeks after my special girl Chevy was PTS at 12. I got Chevy when she was only 5 weeks old and I was 17. She went through a lot of firsts with me, baby, move away from home and she just made it for first move overseas. I just though no dog will ever come close to being like my special girl. Then along came the Pipster. Our first little dog after being anti-little dog. She is by far the naughtiest dog weve ever had, the hardest to train and also the sweetest with the best cuddles. I am sooo in love with her its ridiculous. She gives everyone wonderful greetings when we get home, and she will go and have a cuddle with the kid or the OH, but otherwise its her ma she wants to be with. I love my big boy too, adore him in fact. But I do feel like Pippi and I have a very special bond and tbh, I feel a bit guilty when I think of Chevy as I just feel like she should have been the only special dog... If that makes sense

That is awful - you poor thing! I refuse to have rat bait in my house (we caught all our mice in a bucket with water) in case my dogs got it. The OH did buy some and put it out, and I went round and collected it up and the bait is hidden on top of the kitchen cupboards (not in them) wrapped in about 5 plastic bags because I am paranoid it might somehow get in the cupboard ) I am sending get wel wishes hard and fast to your dogs.

Our bigger older dog will either sit or lie on top of our little younger dog...usually when shes being especially annoying and he pins her then starts biting her and its like hes saying "there is nothing you can do little lady" And sometimes our little dog sits on our big dog...fully though. If he is laying down she climbs up on top and sits on his back

Cool thanks. I don't belong on any other dog forums so have never heard it before. I go on a couple of "general topic" forums that have pet areas but no specific doggy people. I think my wee Pippi might be my heart dog then....although I feel bad for saying it as I always assumed that my first dog was that.

Probably a silly question but I have only ever seen this phrase here so want to confirm I am correctly guessing what it is. I assume it is your soul mate dog but not sure?????? Thanks in advance

hey lana, he sounds like he could be great. what we could do is phase the shoot so that we get the calm stuff early on when he's still relaxed and the cutaways to him woofing and being energetic afterwards. do you reckon he'd be able to sit still a couple of times for about 30 - 40 seconds? mutts are awesome in my opinion anyway, and i'm sure the crew would be giving him heaps of cuddles as it is. He will definitely sit still for 30 to 40 seconds - especially if there is a piece of food on offer (though he may drool LOL) I will send you a pm for a bit of a chat as I am def interested in him being involved but not 100% sure he would be "trained" enough for your needs