HugL

I regularly get asked if my dog is a GSD or Alsatian and what's the difference. I believed it went back to the war and UK's dislike of anything German so they were renamed. noisyminor, curious what the difference is that you grew up with? (Don't want to start anything controversial, just curious) Also wondering if the vet receptionist corrected her?? Strangest (and most unfortuate) dd I ever saw was "shug". Took ages and asking another obedience instructor to work it out.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. The stitches finally came out last Thursday and I went back to work today I have now contacted the council and am trying to get hold of local police to discuss this matter. Can't believe I have been around dogs for this many years and didn't know what to do. thanks again

Not sure if off topic but due to having recently been on the receiving end of a bite, who do you report to? I can understand Council if on public land but what about private property? Should you contact police? Is there a difference between attack on human and attack towards dog where human was simply in the middle? This brings me to my most recent thoughts - what happens with dog bite at a sanctioned dog show on Association's ground? Does the ruling body investigate? Does council get informed? Should report go to police? I know the above will be different depending on circumstances but, in my case, it happened on private property and I was taken to hospital in ambulance before getting any names and am now at home over 200km away. (Note: the above is for information only and please do not make any personal reference to my incident due to current investigation)

Only ever seen one and that was in Work Out World in Adelaide. Not sure if you have that franchise in Brisbane but could be a starting point.

Colorados look great but are too wide fitting for me. I now have 2 pairs of Puma cricket shoes from last season that are sleek and stylish. One has fluro green soles for when I run (and I mean RUN).

Another who's always thinking about the next one despite it being years away. (Put less thought into having kids ) As I don't like where my current breed is heading and my breeder of choice may or may not be still breeding then, I also have to consider the possiblity of another breed. AND then find the breeder!?!

My GSD does. Usually during training when sitting for a while while the instructor is talking, I put it down to boredom. I suddenly sidestep and watch him nearly fall over - he doesn't learn :laugh:

We cut the top off a large witches hat (the type roadworkers use) until it fit the bowl. Could also look at cheap pot planters or make one out of wood if you're clever - basically anything that can hold the bowl without moving around. I wouldn't buy one as most aren't good enough quality for the price. Please let us know what they end up with.

I watch how instructors treat their own dogs and find this gives good insight into their real ways. I watched a so-called "great" instructor show how to use a slipcollar on his dog when it was sitting quietly next to him with no follow up with the dog. The poor thing was totally confused before giving his owner an up-yours expression and looking away . I have seen another instructor do the same thing but it was extremely gentle on the dog & they gave follow up to the dog before continuing the conversation. Also look for how the instructor's dogs behave and respond to their owner. If they have any issues, how does the instructor deal with them or do they simply explain them away. I have joined classes based on these things and walked away from others. I now pick my instructors carefully based on what my dog & I need at the time. Good luck and don't forget to listen to your own instincts.

My husband used to do this with all his vans for work. He made the false floor out of wood and thick chipboard. Should be quite easy to do yourself with guidance from good hardware store. he would line top with leftover carpet to stop things sliding. I imagine if you use plastic crates under for storage (underbed ones) you would not need to look at complicated lifting areas or roller drawers. If you want a speccy one, have a look at 4wd shops for their setups. Might also give you the idea to do yourself. Good luck

If your owner lives near Tea Tree Gully, try their council dog obedience program. Run more for pet dogs than trialling and they have experience with numorous issues over the years. Instructors are pretty good and open to looking for new ways as well as proven ones. (I'm another not keen on Delta - too limited with methods and uses lots of food.)

Not sure if this counts. Years ago my GSDxDobe growled and wouldn't leave my bedroom late one evening. I was on my own watching TV in the lounge and assumed my GSD pup had annoyed her again so took no notice. When I went to shut my bedroom window before bed the flyscreen wasn't there. Looking outside, it was lent against the wall next to the window. This scared the bejeebers out of me and I phoned Police. To this day, I know she scared off an intruder and sadly she is no longer with us. Funny though - when the police came it was the GSD they wanted to recruit not the actual saviour

Brilliant idea! Can we get updates on how it goes please

Get a GSD! Never been asked despite all mine being raised with my own kids and all their friends. When I was pregnant, I was constantly being told to get rid of my GSD. Apparently the other dog was fine despite being a neurotic GSDxDobe???

Often get is he a GSD or Alsatian. So far all have been receptive and thankful for the explanation. Most regular - Oh my gosh he's BIG! Well he is a GSD. Occasionally - Will he eat me? No he just finished breakfast/lunch/dinner (depending on time) He must need a lot of exercise. No, he's lazy and obviously didn't read the handbook. Finally to the one lady who grabbed her child while saying "Nasty dog, mean dog", I tightened the lead and replied "Nasty child, mean child". The look on her face was priceless!!

teekay, lighten up! I was trying for a mental image of a GSD on the lap of a petite female. (Sorry I couldn't find any pictures) We live in the country surrounded by farm dogs and haven't seen this before. I am also sick of the prejudice against any dog bigger than a DD and judging from your photos, maybe you understand?

I'm NOT getting rid of my dog - he's the best behaved member of the family! On the other hand I frequently tell my daughters & hubby that I want to trade them for something better.

While I don't support all her points, I do agree with her point about dogs at cafes. We visited Adelaide few weeks ago, staying at Glenelg and went for a couple of walks along Jetty Rd. We were shocked by the number of dogs (ALL little) that were on owners laps while eating. We even saw a Jack Russell on male owner's lap while sitting on lounge outside a hotel drinking. Not to mention same man & dog at cafe next morning eating together. Think next time we'll take our GSD and see what reaction that gets - not that I think my lap or plate of food will be big enough! :laugh:

Saw this on the news last night. Don't know if they edited the guy to just get what they wanted but I would support him from being banned from owning any animal (and perhaps steralise him too). Being a South Aussie, I am curious how DogsVic and DogsNSW got comments recorded when the incident occurred in SA? Come on DogSA, stop hiding and actually use this to promote training and dogsports. We need good to come out of these bad situations or it just gives anti-big dog supporters more ammo to throw at us large breed good owners.

I look for trainers who are open to ideas and not anti anything. They should have a wealth of knowledge but aren't afraid to admit they need to seek advise themselves if they don't know an answer. I don't care how many courses they've done, I get more by watching how they treat their own dog. I don't like chiefs - they like to be in charge while the indians actually get the job done.

I have a blue book and list all judges I've been under with a comment. Highlight means they like my dog & enter under them again. Only have one red cross for a judge that approached my dog muttering "why bother doing this" before dumping me big time. Don't think he knew he said it out loud.

Pet shops are far worse for getting breeds wrong. During puppy classes, I remember having many "guess the breed" games with other instructors. We finally settled on kelpie x and asked the owner. We knew it was petshop puppy when told it was a GSDx - paws were about 2cm long at 6mths and it was less than knee high. Only breed mix up I get with my dog is asked "Is it a GSD or alsation, oh and what's the difference?"

I'm another who talks to the dog. Quite often a more intelligent converstion than with hubby or daughters! Is it weird to admit he talks back. Both hubby & I heard him distinctly call me mum (or maybe it was a yawn). Only today we were walking up the driveway and I asked him to wait for me. He said why and sounded just like my daughters. My response was automatic - cos I told you so. Glad we were alone :laugh:

Anyone who has come across feral cats knows they are far from "companion animals". Is cat owners realised how bad the problem is right now they would keep their pets confined at all times. And yes, our cat was confined. He lived to old age, was affectionate and we never had to worry why he hadn't come "home". We now have at least 3 around us and I would rather foxes who keep their distance. I would hate to unexpectly come across a cat that has backed itself into a corner - they are viscious!! This photo looks like the typical group of mates showing off their day and I don't think it was meant to go public. While I don't agree with this bragging, I am just grateful there is one less feral around.

I'm another who double/triple checks before posting. Got sick of handwriting so made up a master to photocopy. Breeder went through a period of getting show & obedience titles on both parents and I ran out of room on master. Eventually had time to re-do and then we moved so out of date again! I have only had 1 call from a secretary. I entered an obedience trial at a club I used to belong to and knew trial manager, President and most of the instructors so abbreviated breed. Was asked what GSD stood for so have never done that again. Was also informed I hadn't put club on form. Said the club wasn't affiliated but she insisted on knowing the club. After telling her, she rudely told me I couldn't trial under that club ... der!! However, I appreciated the tough job secretaries do and with the attitude some people have around the ring I understand why they get annoyed. Keep up the good work