lilmisssascha83

oh I might need to give that a go.

Again I have to agree. I do believe it is the owners fault, I know it isn't the dogs fault per say as there owners are stupid and should take responsibility of owning a dog/s. While I do try to not be nervous when I see an unattended dog it is something that is difficult at times and as RubyStar has said we are only human. Rottweilers I absolutely adore. ( I grew up with them and think they are just gorgeous. I think the same goes for German Shepherds). People usually are quite suprised that I grew up with Rotweilers as I'm quite petite and they just don't see me associating with them for some reason. I think that any dog can be aggressive etc. It doesn't matter on the breed. I've been scared out of my wits before when I was younger and a maltese came at me and then again a poodle. These are the breed of dogs that people "tend" to be afraid of. Its usually the larger breeds who have copped an unfair label.

Did you know that the unattended dog senses your fear? Better to keep a positive attitude when you see an unattended dog. You don't need to go near the dog, but should it come to you, then please say "G'day!". Keep positive and the dog will pick up on that vibe and is less likely to get defensive. Please don't get nervous just because a dog is unattended. Yeah I do try to keep calm and positive but I just don't like it as you never know if the dog is friendly or not. Have had a few bad experiences so its something I am working on though. Usually the dogs are ok but have run across a few who are unsocialised and aggressive. I also hate it when I"m walking and someone has their dog offlead and they yell out ( "don't worry he/she is friendly). Then you see the dog's posture and you aren't getting that friendly vibe. But I know they can pick up on my vibe so I do try to not look it in the eye if it approaches and stay calm. Souff

Congrats Ness and Kenzie, such beautiful work. Hope Sasha can be this good one day :-). Such great focus from Kenzie :-)

Yep I agree Megan. Sasha only gets it all cut up in small pieces but usually she has a mixture of other stuff, from liver treats, to fruit and veg. I'm lucky that she works just as well for the "boring treats" LOL. Chicken is really good I have found but its just a bit messy.

Yeah I'm like Rubystar except for me it's any dog wandering by themselves or left in an unsecure front yard with no owner in sight. I not really wary of any breed, its just any dog unattended that gets me all nervous.

LOL that's so cute. Nah my Sasha doesn't do that. Although sometimes when we watch something and puppies are on the screen making puppy noises she looks for a while. I don't know if its because she wants to make sure everyone is ok. I have noticed at dog school if a puppy yelps or makes puppy sounds, she always wants to make sure they are ok LOL and for a while whenever we watched the zoo and it had meerkats, she was just fasinated by it but nothing like this. So cute how your pup recognises the song and wants to have a look LOL.

yep was going to give the same tip as Erny. If you keep repeating it over and over, the dog will start ignorning you. Just do it was and use the food to lure her first so she knows what you want. Eventually you will be able to just do it with a hand signal and she will do it first time. Yep I wouldn't only just give her apples but if you cut one up into small pieces like I do, its fine. Same with the other fruit and veggies. I"m so glad I have a healthy dog who loves her fruit and veggies hehee.

Yep labs are great like that :-). I think this organisation is definately something to explore. Other great dogs are rotweillers. I grew up with them and I know some people are scared of their size or think they are dangerous but I have never had a bad experience with them. I think when I was 3 I thought they were horses and tried to ride ours. They were soo gentle with me and NEVER growled or snapped at me. Of course I was taken off it quick smart but the dogs were so patient. I would spend hours laying with them and probably annoying them and not one incident.

I do hope you find the perfect dog for your family. I was going to suggest looking at the rescue sections as well. When I got my labrador last year from a rescue organisation they were very great with what I needed. The dog was fostered in a home that had kids and felines and other dogs. They told me all about her and then I went to meet her. I then was given her on a 2 week trial period to see if we were the right fit ( which we definately are)and also a document about her favourite things, foods, if she had any training etc. Although they said she was good with kids, I would have to see that for myself as the kids weren't at the foster home when I met her. When I took her home for the trial period she was quickly introduced to a friends two year old. She was absolutely beautiful with it especially cause the two year old loves dogs and she just wanted to play with the dog. I watched the interaction carefully and she was just so lovely with her. I then have introduced her to my 3 year old niece who LOVES her to bits. My niece never comes to visit me, ( she always comes to visit the dogs LOL ) and she will play fetch etc with her. I watched that interaction closely too as I was worried the dog might be possessive over the toys as my niece wanted them all. Turns out she again was just brillant with her. Its like she just knew that. I have just had my friend over with her new baby. Now this is the first time my dog has been around a baby as far as I know. Again she was just a gem. I"m so proud of her. The baby cried a bit played with its toys ( she's just learnt to roll over) and Sasha was just brillant. Didn't take her toys, didn't run around the house. She greeted both my friend and the baby and then she just laid down at my feet. She is a 2-3 year old lab, so not a puppy puppy but still has enough playfullness and puppyness in her. Which is why I really needed to see her interact with children and I must say she has done soo well exceeding my expectations. Rescue dogs I think would be an option you could explore. The lab rescue group I spoke to are just great. And they still are happy to answer any questions I may have. They really listened when I told them what I was looking for and they have delievered the most wonderful dog. I was initally asking them about this other dog but they thought this one would have been more suited to me and they couldn't have been more right. I"m sorry the first breeder didn't listen to you and made you feel bad but I'm happy the second one did. I would explore the option of a rescue dog ( even if its not a lab, I"m lucky cause my Sasha is a little lab) and maybe explore your options a bit with assistance dogs. It may suprise you. Good luck with your search though. I know you will find the perfect dog for your family.

My thoughts are with all the dog owners in Victoria. When will people learn it's not the breed, it's the humans. Poor poor dogs. I hope this is overturned or something. Its just not right. Every dog has the capacity to hurt a person if it wants to. It doesn't matter what breed it is. It is dependant on owners training their dogs. Gah this whole thing is just stupid and shouldn't be happening. What's next? Hmm I"m going to see if the CEO of RSPCA ACT has made any comments regarding this. He himself owns a lovely pit bull.

:cry: :cry: this just broke my heart.

I want it to be a treat, not the everyday food that she gets. She never gets cooked so I think its something different, she will want to work for it more. Plus its not very nice or practical to have raw kangaroo in a treats pouch - I am vego so touching it for my dogs is bad enough. Have you tried usually carrots, apples, pears or banana's as treats? Sascha loves them and will do her training with just that as well. She loves her cabanossi but she also loves carrots, apples, pears and bananas. Whenever I take them out at dog school, people are always suprised that she will work for them just as well. LOL

I couldn't agree more. I only have the one dog. My beautiful Sasha. But she gets walked before I go to work ( includes playtime and training) and also when I come home from work, She goes to obedience training once a week and we practice what we have learnt every day. And when I have to go to work, she always has lots of toys ( which are rotated regularly), a kong toy or a marrow bone. I have spent this week at home unwell and let me just say I think she is the most well behaved dog when I'm not at home. Meanwhile the neighbour's dog has not stopped barking the WHOLE week. While she is out in the backyard I just hear the neighbour's dog bark and she does nothing. ( I think she is too tired LOL ) I have a friend who got given a gift ( a puppy from a pet shop) and she regrets it everyday. The poor pup is cute but does have a few behavioural issues. Which she has tried to sort out and be responsible for. Another person at my old work got a choc lab puppy from the pet store. He died within 3 weeks. Don't know the cause but I can imagine. I do admit that I have a soft spot for puppies and kittens ( I don't mind what breed or cross they are) but I won't ever get one from a pet shop. I did get my current dog from a rescue group which I think was the best decision I ever made. She was fostered by a family, lived with other cats and dogs before I got her and although her history is unknown ( she was at the pound and the ranger just couldn't put her down and contacted the rescue group asking if they could find her a home ) she is the most beautiful and smart dogs I have ever owned. She wasn't desexed when they got her ( but she was desexed as soon as the rescue group got her) She was health tested and temp tested. I know that if I didn't do all the things I do with her she could be destructive, she would bark all day when she was left alone so I to get annoyed with people who don't take responsibility for their dog/s. I have managed to steer a collegue at work from getting a dog. He wants one just like my dog( a lab). I sat him down and asked him why? He said they are such smart dogs and are so friendly and cute and that he could guard his house. ( LOL) I explained to him the COST of actually owning a dog. desexing, vaccinations, toilet training ( he initally wanted a puppy but didn't want to toilet train it), obedience training, food, toys, treats, bedding, etc.I also explained to him that yes I think my dog is pretty special and obedient ( most of the time LOL) but I put in alot of effort, time and energy in making sure she behaviours appropriately. He just couldn't beleive it. He just thought she came to me trained just because she was from a rescue group and a bit older. I"m like no. We also discussed pet shop animals and byb. I'm not an expert on this but when I see ads where a dog is (not desexed as it can be used for breeding) or if I ask for health records and there magically isn't any for no good reason or if I ask questions about the dog ( i.e. how is it offlead or with other dogs) and they can't tell me ( alarm bells should ring). I also steered him in the direction of this website and told him if he wants a dog he needs to seriously think about it properly. If he wants a definate purebread to contact a registered breeder. Once I totalled up figures for him, he has decided to not get a dog right now. ( as it is too costly and he doesn't have the time). All I do now is direct people to either a rescue group or to this website. I was lucky in that case cause I was able to really talk to him about it and use my dog as an example. ( thank god he listened.)

ok have washed my mouth out LOL. I was pretty chuffed with 2nd place. Anyone would have thought I got first place LOL

Good girl Sascha!!! Thanks she now has a blue ribbon and a red one too. Don't have any pics of the second place ribbon as of yet. Sadly I was knocked unconciousness accidently by the dog that came first. So now I have concussion and haven't been able to celebrate with my golden girl but I will. I know its only second place but I'm still so proud. It was such a crap day to have to do the exam and is it just me or do dogs play up when its' windy? So I know how hard it was for her to keep concentrating and to do everything I told her to.

Just had to brag about my girl. We had our advance obedience exam and she got placed 2nd.So proud of my girl. She got first place in beginners and now 2nd in advance. I'm so proud. So she now has the title of Good companion and we move onto the transition classes. Was so proud as we had the most awful weather rain, strong winds etc and she still did so well. Yay Sasha

Liver treats are great for training and so is cabanossi. My lab will do anything for a bit of cabanossi but she only gets them on Sundays at training day at dog school.

Sasha is a lab ( or lab x). She is a rescue dog who I adopted. We have been doing obedience just since the beginning of this year. But don't be fooled she is smart but is a playful girl so I have tried to make training fun. ( Almost a game, so she wants to learn)

Am glad that you are having a good time there with the instructors. I think it really does help when they are happy to still talk to you after class if you have any questions. Meanwhile Sasha has decided today that she doesn't know how to stand for exam. She was getting really good at it and today when we practiced she just kept walking forward and sitting. So hoping that tommorrow she just remembers what she has to do. Not to sure but she was a bit funny today when I was practicing what we have learnt. Maybe she's just having a bit of an off day.

Sorry to hi-jack but just wanted to say Thank you for this comment. I wish everybody thought this way about training. I have Sasha's advance obedience exam tommorrow. If we have to repeat then it's fine. She still struggles with Heeling and loose lead walking. She does it when we go for out normal walks and I practice heeling ( but not too long) but once we get to school she just wont do it. But will keep practicing and will continue to make training fun for her. I think you should take both dogs. In time Lola will learn. I taught Sasha drop with a cut up cabanossi. Is there a certain treat that Lola loves?

With Sasha I try to practice training everyday stuff we learn at obedience school. We have her advance exam this sunday ekkk. Also practice everyday loose lead and heel walking ( struggling with both) but she is getting better except for when she is super excited. Also practice a few tricks I have taught her. So far it's just shake ( both paws), high 5, wave and crawl. We don't compete or anything but I do try to focus a bit on her obedience training.

I love this. Thanks for sharing

Fantastic news. So glad that they have been returned home safely. Hope all goes well with the birth of the puppies.

have flocked and posted on my facebook page too. Was hoping for good news :-(. Hopefully by spreading the word in different states will make whoever took them hand them in. If the whole country is looking out for them then whoever took them will hopefully hand them in. Even though I'm not in Vic I still posted it on my facebook page as I have some friends in VIC.