Shakti

@ msBex. Yep - my dog wasn't the only one with adoring eyes!!!

I will have to check and see how many we need. Any ideas on subjects?

Thanks Nekhbet - yes it is all as you say! Ben is not an anxious or confused dog but he does feel far more secure with me and acts very *loving* with me and I am certainly his pack leader but I also know that he responds well to people who are even MORE of a Pack Leader than I am. This does seem to hold true for many other dogs I have noticed and observed - hence my original question!

That was kind of where I was heading Nekhbet!

I agree - all we need are the numbers!

I was wondering if anyone else has any thoughts on this issue please. I believe my GSD loves me - he is distressed when someone attempts to take him away from me - he cries if I am out of his sight etc - and he is very obedient to me (but not as much for my husband or kids) . However....when we went to see K9-Force and also Cesar Milan, both times my dog turned adoring eyes on them and gave every appearance of being willing to follow them anywhere! My question is - does a dog love us only so long as we are their Leader and when a more calm/assertive more charismatic leader comes along they will transfer their respect to them?

I just had a phone consultation with Steve and realised just how much my lovely dog and I need a refresher course. As I do not plan a roadtrip to NSW anytime soon, I was wondering how many others would be interested in organizing a K9-Force Workshop here in Melbourne?

Thanks Tracy I will give them a call but we really want to get his enclosure up there too.

I need to get a friendly ( :D believe it or not!) Childrens Python from Melbourne to Sydney by car in the next few weeks. It has a locked enclosure and we are very happy to pay someone to take it - if anyone knows of someone who would like a cold-blooded companion on their road trip please contact me at [email protected]

Leonbergers are just e miss her every day. We are saving up to be able to buy another puppy in the near future (hopefully before the end of this year) as no other breed comes close in my opinion to the tremendous character of these beautiful dogs. (having said that - if there are any free Leos...male, female, puppy, young adult, teenager............ needing a home - pick me! pick me!!)

Hi Jeff, Just wondering if there is any news on how the study went yet?

Thanks everyone for your replies - so it would seem that hypothetically, you should get the third dog and then apply and keep your fingers crossed??

I am in a fairly rural suburb of Melbourne and was just wondering if our council's stand re two dogs and two cats maximum is a strongly worded suggestion or a legally enforceable mandate?

I have found as a newbie to Australia that it was hard to find out which registered breeders are actually not producing stable, good dogs. Breeders are understandably reluctant to bad mouth other breeders yet that does mean that sometimes those *in the know* have very valuable information which is not available to newbies. I found that asking registered breeders who they considered to be good breeders with good dogs and then compiling a shortlist of the three breeders other breeders recommended worked brilliantly for me!

I have found as a newbie to Australia that it was hard to find out which registered breeders are actually not producing stable, good dogs. Breeders are understandably reluctant to bad mouth other breeders yet that does mean that sometimes those *in the know* have very valuable information which is not available to newbies. I found that asking registered breeders who they considered to be good breeders with good dogs and then compiling a shortlist of the three breeders other breeders recommended worked brilliantly for me!

Is anyone coming to the GSD Club Fun Day at Bundoora on November 14th?

Steve - what you describe a Maremma as doing would be the extent to which I personally would be comfortable with my dog behaving! For me in my normal day-to-day life I would want a dog that is comfortable being around other people and dogs when in a public area but that is happy to put itself between me and a threat and bark a warning! Having seen several Maremmas do their *Warning bark* I believe that would deter most people. I am not posting much now as my original question has been answered by several PMS and now by Steve but the thread is proving fascinating nd I am learning a lot. Will be curious to see the results of the test Jeff. I am assuming (possibly incorrectly) that your hypothesis is that most dogs who have not done protection trainig will NOT protect their owners in the presence of a threat?

Akayla - WOW!! I would love a dog like that so much!! (not that I don't love Ben - it's just.....well,,,you know what I mean!)

I didnt read the test as being a definitive breed survey! I saw it more that people who were curious as to whether their individual dog would protect them in a dangerous situation, would have the opportunity in a carefully controlled environment, with an extremely experienced trainer/handler present to put the question to the test!

Hi Rex, He is mostly disinterested. He will stand still and allow himself to be stroked or patted if I am next to him but otherwise he is calm and aloof - certainly does not seek attention but would no more fire up than fly to the moon. If he is with another dog who is aggressive then he will fire up but on his own, absolutely not. He is the same with other dogs - prefers to ignore them - if they are wildly submissive ie puppies licking at his mouth and lying on tehir backs he will stand their attention for a while but basically he prefers to remain aloof. Having said that, a dog that is at all dominant who tries to put their chin on his back for example he will fire up at.

I so hope it goes the right way ie in favour of Bruce and his family!

Hi Fitz Kettle and the totally gorgeous Morgan, Yes I didn't ever want to run the risk of my dog injuring someone but just like you, I assumed the dog would act as a deterrent at least - ah well, good thing he trusts me to keep him safe and is a well-behaved dog! After all, every day I am his leader and need him to trust me to make decisions ......and hopefully never again will we be in the situation we were in the other day so.... All's well! and yes puppy pics can't help but lift anyone's spirits!

Jeff I think that is an incredible offer and it would be very interesting! I think it is fair to say that there are probably many people (like I WAS) who believe that their dogs will protect them and to actually have that tested BEFORE a real-life situation occus could be very very educational! I wish I could have had the opportunity to see how Ben would do in this controlled type of situation with an experienced trainer both for my own education and also for the knowledfge gained re assessing dogs. Thanks everyone for your wisdom, advice and sharing. I am considering my options for the future but my GSD is much loved and will continue to be my beloved obedient pet dog!

Rhapsodical - looking forward to hearing your breed suggestions

Dear Rex - yes!! PRECISELY!!! Your dog sounds like exactly what I needed and what I had sub-consciously assumed I had!!!