Leelaa17

So glad you are safe! What a scary situation! And he is a beautiful boy!! Never underestimate a dogs ability to 'know' people. (and other dogs for that matter). I took my GSD to the dog park one day and he is the friendlist, calm gsd you'll ever meet... he goes up to all dogs and says hi etc... yet this day we went there was a staffy and a staffy x terrier there and for some reason he wouldnt go near them... he just stood beside me.. and i said 'go on' and he looked at me and trotted off but stayed away from them... long story short... he got attacked by both of the dogs... I will NEVER... not trust his instincts ever again... and as I said - he is a very placid and lovely dog... but when he hears noises outside that hes funny about he will come and sit in front of me for about 10 minutes just to make sure I am ok. I do believe dogs know the difference between good people and bad people... they can sense their energy.

sorry. I thought she was but I wasnt sure - you will get to know that I am the most gullible person on the planet. what you say to me is what I believe. lol i apologise! :p

This complete unreliabiity around people is the reason the GSD is the dog of choice for police and security work and for guide dogs. I mean its just luck if the police point the dogs in the right direction and get out of the way when they set them loose. Are you saying that GSD will always turn around and attack their owner? :p

http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/breede...ish-terrier.asp you could possibly go to these peole - even if they dont have a litter so you can spend some time with the dogs to see if you are allergic.. and then if you realise you arent then you might be able to get one from a different state if there arent many in NSW? Does that make sense? lol I will keep looking for you.

Why am I suddenly hearing the theme from Rocky? :p Its because you always have a very informed side to these posts - people respect and more importantly LISTEN to you. You have a great insight that not a lot of others have, and you are always willing to be the dogs advocate no matter what. It is not a bad thing that we would want you in the same room as the dad... its a good thing because out of EVERYONE - YOU would probably be the only person that could ever get through to him!

I should also say that I have someone in my familly like that as well... She has owned like 2 dogs in her entire life (and they werent very well behaved, social or even stable dogs... one of them wouldnt go near anyone.. and I mean anyone - she doesnt do that now but it took her about 5 years to get over her fear of people and other dogs)... She thinks she knows everything... not necessarily about dogs but ANYTHING and you cant get into a debate with her because you. will. lose. Thats a fact - even if you are right... she wont believe you. lol and she wont admit shes wrong. I just sit there and pretend to listen to the crap she has to say and then never talk about the subject around her. I know its not that easy for some people though!

I will try but you know how hard it can be to ignore stupid... Funnily enough, although I have never met you but from reading your posts, I often imagine what it would be like to put you and him in a room together, bring up the subject and observe :p lol from reading poodlefans posts and reading about what your dad is like I think it would be EXTREMELY entertaining to watch them to go at it. I would seriously pay to see it! Of course I would be backing poodlefan! LOL - the reason being because I have two GSD and they are the most beautiful dogs... I do find, however, that you either love GSD or you hate them... there never seems to be any in-between with people. Edit: The people I have MET I should say. I stand corrected if I am completely wrong!

That is cheap! I thought it would be a ridiculous amount of money (normally blood tests are i think) but that's actually really good. Do you know whether all vets do the tests or would I need to go to a specific animal hospital or something? I think I will definitely got my dogs tested when they come up for their yearlies... which, convenitently is around the same time as each other. I don't think, however, that I wouldnt be able to not vaccinate them at all - I think I would just go insane with worry! :p

Wow ..... who wants to answer this one . Sorry Leelaa ..... not having a go at you but once you realise the answer to your questions, you'll see how BIG the subject actually is. In short though, "titre testing" is where the Vet draws blood and tests it to measure the antibodies that are present for at least 2 of the core diseases for which your dog has previously been vaccinated. The presence and number of antibodies indicates the dog has immunity - or more particularly (because people thing of "immunity" as meaning "can't catch it") the dog has the defence mechanism ready in its body to help fight off those diseases should it come into contact with them. Titre testing is a good way to confirm sero-conversion (Staranais taught me that term ) has occurred from the original vaccinations. In other words, that the dog's body has developed the antibodies necessary to fight off such diseases. When your dog has the immunity necessary, there's no point in adding more and more (of the same) chemicals to its body. Everytime you do, you stress the animal's immune system. Too much/unnecessary stress can actually cause it to not operate to its optimum and potentially weaken it - which is NOT what we want. There is much talk, murmuring and conjecture (I don't think it has been proven but it is hypothesised) that this could be a contributor to the dog's body turning on itself; developing other problems such as cancer; more prevalence of other illnesses. So the argument is, why load your dog up with chemicals year in year out, unnecessarily and potentially tax its system bringing about other ills/problems along the way? Even the AVA (Australian Veterinary Association) agree that vaccinating more than once every 3 years is vaccinating more than is necessary. The hitch seems to be that the drug manufacturers prescribe their vaccinations for 12 monthly use. It would apparently cost a lot of money (and would necessitate much re-experimentation on animals) for the manufacturers to be able to confidently put in writing that "once every 3 years is ok". If the Vets prescribe the medication for use outside of the label requirements, Vets could be held accountable if something were to go wrong for the person who didn't vaccinate yearly in accordance with their Vet's advice. Some suggest that it is also the recognition by both the drug company and some vets that they will see a reduction of income if people aren't coming to them for their dogs' yearly vaccinations. Whether it's the drug company hiding behind the vets or vice versa ..... I don't know :p . So for anyone who has read and believes that we are over doing it with drugs on our dogs, it has to be your own educated and common sense decision about how you think the best care for your dog should be administrated. I am not for vaccinating yearly. With what I have read and heard, I think we could afford to be much more discerning than we have been for the past several decades. When you stop to think about it, this is commonly what we apply on our dogs in the way of chemicals inside one year : 1 x C3 or C5 vaccination 4 x wormer dose (whether the dog has worms or not) 12 x spot ons to ward off/kill fleas (whether the dog has flea issues or not) 12 x chews for heart worm protection (if it isn't included as an additional chemical in the aforementioned spot-on).. Heart worm protection in some areas is necessary and warranted. But not necessarily in all areas of Australia (the colder climates are generally not congenial to the development of the heart worm to infectious stage). 12 x shampoo baths 12 x tick preventative (granted necessary for some environments). Multiply each of those out by the amount of years we expect our dogs to live and that will give you an idea of how much chemical we fill our dogs bodies up with. And then put all of that out on a table and you'd really get a grasp of just what we are doing. Then of course there's the frequent administration of antibiotics and/or cortisone when our dogs sport an injury; skin condition (which might be because of any of the above). These are great drugs, but IMO should be used judiciously rather than "just in case" as they frequently are these days. I've gone further than just answering your immediate question and I hope I've made sense to you in my answer. I'm not a Vet and I am happy to stand corrected by any of our more learned DOLvets who (and I take my hat off to them) are always a fantastic wealth of information and education to us all here. This is just my personal opinion based on my own reading and experiences, expresses in my own layperson's manner of understanding. what a fantastic answer! That was extremely informative! Thank you very much. I haven't read the rest of the comments yet so I will probably write another reply... I do see where everyone is coming from in the way of chemicals - I never really thought of it that way. I just thought that the vaccinations wore off when the year came around and you had to vaccinate them again to help their immune systems fight off parvo if they were to get it (and I know that even if dogs are vaccinated against parvo they can still get it). I give my dogs frontline plus every month (I actually had to give it to both my dogs 2 weeks after their monthly dose because they had fleas) and I also give them monthly worming chews (interceptor i think they're called - they are an all-in-one worming, including heart worm). I don't think I would be comfortable NOT giving them these monthly doses just because I am paranoid. But I am definitely going to talk to my vet about having to vaccinate them every three years - I don't want to harm my dogs just because I am afraid to ask questions!!

yeah shes the one - i havent been sitting at the dog park anymore and she was starting to get much better... then I took her on the weekend and she went absolutely mental (dont know whether this is important but she just got her stitches out from getting desexed)... i refuse to take her back to a dog park now until I talk to Steve from k9 pro - im organising for him to give her an assessment when he has the time. and true me - I wouldnt give her anything unless it was vital for her happiness.

I THINK she said tablets but I'm not one hundred percent sure? The entire night I was making sure I stayed calm and made her focus on me - which worked 98% of the time... she got sooky but as soon as I got her attention I kept trying to hold it... I think I focus on training her to focus on me at all times and then I learn other stuff it would probably be better!

I went to training with my girl last night and she was going mental at these two different dogs that kept staring at her... the trainer suggested pheromone tablets for dogs.... well she said to get them at the chemist so I dont know whether they're dog specific or you can give them people ones? Im unsure as to whether or not I want to give them to her though.. the trainer said shes used them and it just calms them a little... but I jkust dont know whether I want to use tablets for her behaviour - I mean she is psycho - very anxious all the time but she is a very happy dog (it seems)... I just dont know.. Help.

Just thought I would add to this There was no thought to breed when I got my first kelpie- we had washing pulled off the line, holes dug to the other side of the planet, I was gently herded around the yard (and dobbed on when I did something wrong). So we had to change quite a few things to adapt to her. So you either need to research a breed that suits your lifestyle or be prepared to change your lifestyle to suit it- and furthermore be prepared to have some destruction along the way. Not many people do actually change their lifestyle..... and end up with clothes being torn off the line and holes being dug lol I wouldn't have given up my first kelpie for anything, but I know it want easy on my mum!! Well that's true because I had to drastically change my lifestyle to fit with two GSD. As I said I have never had big breeds and didnt know what they needed and it was a very spur of the moment thing to go out and get Max - and when I realised the things he needed I changed my lfiestyle for him. It can work - no matter what dog you get - but as Woofen said - you need to either be prepared to get a dog that will suit your lifestyle.... or be prepared to change your lifestyle for the breed.

what do people think about two gsd that have 'played with' countless birds and killed a rabbit? Ive alwasy wanted a cat (I think my dad would MURDER me if I actually got one) but I ahve always wanted one but I am hesitant because of my boy and girl........

I'm sorry to sound dumb but what is titre testing? And what is wrong with vaccinating your dogs every year? I thought you had to do that to protect them from parvo?..... sorry!! Justy dont really understand whats happening right now. lol

She is beautiful! Great to hear your boy has taken her under his wing!

Hi Jason, Welcome to DOL! The one thing that I think everyone will tell you is to get a dog that suits your lifestyle - get a dog you need, not a dog you want. The reason being is because if you get a kelpie and work 12hrs a day and cannot give it two walks a day etc then that isnt going to be good for your dog. Think about how much exercise you can give it and how much time you can spend with it and how your staffy will get along with it... and decide that way. I have always had small dogs - throughout my life, my first two dogs (one of them passed last yr and the other is still going strong at 16yrs old) were chinese crested x cavalier. Beautiful small dogs. My partner was obsessed with GSD... he absolutely adored them and wanted one... I had never had a big dog before but I love ALL dogs so Iw as up for it.. we brought Max home (he is now one and a half) and I literally fell in love with him. He is the love of my life. Then we got another GSD Jenna who is my pride and joy (even thought she is mental lol). two GSD and I am telling you now... I will never have any other breed of dog. I love German Shepherds' loyalty, intelligence, energy, love and trust. They are beautiful dogs.

One of GSD has caught so many birds in his one and a half years - I can't even count anymore... but he has never actually tried to eat them - he always just wants to play... He killed one of my rabbits once when the little one got out and he ripped it apart - but he was simply just trying to play with it because it hadn't been eaten at all... he just wanted to play and then when my little one stopped moving he decided it was boring and stopped... I have never had a cat but I would love to get one and I have been hesitant to because of my experience with Max and Jenna... im not sure whether or not they would take very well to a cat or not... However I do agree with what everyone else is saying - dogs canq normally discern between whats a play thing/food and what is their friend. For example - my 7month old Jenna has a serious (very serious) problem with strange dogs... she absolutely hates them... yet when we moved in with my dad and his two much older dogs she never not once had a problem. she was able to tell which was 'friend' and which was 'foe' (in her eyes of course).

Hi guys, Just wondering if anyone was interested in picking a dog park and meeting up with fellow people there in the Sydney area? A few years ago they started one up that went to Rouse Hill - I don't know whether or not that is too far for people. There is a nice dog park in Cherrybrook (near Castle Hill) - if that is more suitable for people? How does weekends sound? We can pick specific dates and times to meet... And if anyone has any other ideas on different dog parks that would suit the majority better? Let me know if you are keen!

Hi guys, My partner and I have recently decided to go do the Million Paws Walk for the first time this year with our two GSD's, Max and Jenna. And we were wondering if anyone else from DOL is going? Perhaps we could get a team together or just simply meet up and meet everyone? Up to you guys.. I dunno

bullmastiffs are actually quite lazy dogs. (from my experience). they aren't like boxers who have so much energy... of course I don't agree with a 6 year old being the 'master' or 'pack leader' because I just don't think hes old enough yet... but if the mother was willing to give the dog a go and help with the training etc I think it could easily work.

I havent been in the situation but I can honestly say I really believe I would never put my dogs in that situation. ever. I just couldnt do it. and that stupid pr*ck. im sorry but I wish he had gotten eaten. hope the dog doesnt have to suffer going back to the f**khead.

I said this same thing in another thread - it is these d**kheads that own these specific breeds SPECIFICALLY for an ego boost because they think they are tough and they've got a 'tough dog'. its effing horrible. this poor dog. all for an ego boost.

to be perfectly honest... i LOOOOOVEEE the doggy smell... (I know I'm weird)... my two gsd have this specific smell and I just adore it... it smells like love this is in my opinion. whenever I get into my car to go to work and I can smell the dogs smell in their I take a big whiff because it - believe it or not - calms me and makes me feel happy. LOL im a bit loopy I dont.. however... like wet-dog smell.

and everyone else of course!!!