Weasels

Can you even register a dog if you don't have an address? I can't imagine how Sad story

No tips, but very jealous of all that space!

Thanks Livertreats! That makes sense

Fox's nails don't seem to ever need cutting, but Weez's grow like crazy. They both get the same exercise on the same surfaces. I do them myself. I only do a couple of claws at a time on the foxdog so she stays accustomed to it, but Weez is a 2-person job since a I cut his quick months ago and he hasn't yet forgotten

The only scrap (not really big enough to call a fight) I've seen at my dog park was from a dog objecting to being humped. The humper had been desexed for some years too. I don't really have any advice, (except maybe distract then reward an alternative behaviour?), but I'd recommend trying to curb it ASAP before he humps a dog that really objects to it!

I don't think that's the shade they had in mind when they named them blue heelers ;)

Poor little bat-face, i hope this will finally get him to the right home. We got Fox from Shenton Park over a year ago and he was a long-termer back then. I still check the website regularly to see if he's been adopted - i look forward to the day he is not listed any more

Hi Westralians This has been doing the rounds but just spreading the word - 'Tyler' from the Dog's Refuge Home of WA will be on The Project on Channel 10 tonight. The show starts at 18:30 but on the Home's facebook it says the segment is on about 19:05. Tyler is a long-termer at the dog's refuge, sweet and smart boy but unfortunately hit by the ugly stick. Anyway, even if you just felt like tuning in to a 'doggy' story I thought I'd let people know it's on

Dory I always read that as Dory the dotted one - I thought you had a dalmation Bad reading skills me. -- I call my younger dog (real name Diesel) Weasels because he can fit through surprisingly small spaces for his size (he's long like a weasel), and he's just generally a bit sneaky and rascally. I have about 10 nicknames for each of my dogs though Poor little foxdog gets called 'rough butt' a lot because she has a stripe of coarse hair down her back - but I don't think that would make an appropriate username...

I absolutely believe that the majority of cat owners are responsible. But IME an irresponsible cat owner is much less likely to face any conseqences than an irresponsible dog owner. No they aren't likely to attack humans but wandering cats do kill plenty of native animals, spread disease, poop in other people's yards, cause an increase in the population through unchecked matings and cause nuisance through inciting dog barking or fighting loudly amongst themselves in the middle of the night. I'm not a cat-hater despite the above I would just he happier if more were kept under control.

It could also be more a product of the time and place you grew up Sandgrubber? I find people are less and less tolerant of any inconvenience/injury that an animal (or any part of the natural world) causes them. The papers here lately have been full of articles complaining about bird swoopings and about taking revenge (sometimes pre-emptive) on sharks. I have had a few nasty throws off horses, most of them were from them being spooked, not the horses fault. The most recent one (13 years ago) well.... he was kind of a jerk horse, but he's just living out his days in the paddocks now and doesn't get ridden or go near the road, so there doesn't seem to be any reason to put him down.

I have a couple of theories: - dogs are predators, horses are prey. Our deep instinctive fear of an aggressive dog is greater than that of a horse. - A horse is a bigger commitment than a dog, so people that have them are more likly to be animal savvy and to think about why they were lashing out and rationalise it to avoid the situation in future. Dogs are easier to get rid of too, as anyone that has to find a backhoe hire on a Sunday for a dead horse can attest. I'm continually amazed at how cat owners can get away with so much (not saying they all take advantage of that of course), reinforced by the native bird I saw ripped in half on my walk this morning. Just a thought (or two)

yay Gussy! Excellent news I knew he wouldn't let kelpiekind down. Looking forward to pics!

Yay Staffyluv! Your boy sounds a lot like Weez when he came to us at 9 months old - scared of most people, didn't know any commands, pooed and peed in the house, destructive chewing, would run the other direction if you called him and prone to lying on his back with his ears flat if he was cornered. I suspect he might have been hit or at least yelled at too. We've had him for 10 months and he has come soooo far, has got his HIT and PT certificates in sheep herding, has great focus, reliable off-lead, only chews his own toys and has much more confidence (still a bit skittish with new people, but actually lets some of our friends pat him now ). So it is definitely possible! Kelpies are great little dogs with a bit of effort and I am sure your boy will settle once he learns how you house is run and gains some confidence in your routine :)

If he remains disinterested in working for food you can use a game of fetch or tug as a training reward too Ahhh yep, didn't think about vaccs I give mine a frozen kong about 5 minutes before I go out, so they are all settled in chewing/licking and barely even notice when i leave (bad for my ego, but good for them ). That would circumvent the 'reward for being crazy' problem. If he hasn't had kongs much before then I would use a combination of frozen/not frozen or some peanut butter smeared around the top so he doesn't just give up like my girl did the first time I gave her a frozen kong Licking and sucking also releases calming hormones in dogs' brains, so is perfect for separation anxiety.

*nods* an 18 mth kelpie anyhow ! :p Yeeessssss...... *looks at Weasel* .......

Ah yep, hadn't thought of that. But it could be worth the effort to find a time/place that is quiet enough for some on-lead running, since an 18 month old kelpie that is not getting exercise every day .......

Fair enough, it was just a thought Similar to what others have said, and I think is particularly true with kelpies, is that they work a lot better once they've got some physical energy burnt off. And if this poor dude has been in the pound I think a few long runs would be my first activity before I tried any focus work I think this too. I was in tears at least once after I bought each of my rescue kelpies home just because they are so ....constant! but you've done a lovely thing taking this guy in, and I think you've got some great advice above

This may not be everyone's preferred option, but is it possible to let him sleep in your room, perhaps in a crate in the corner? Since it is such early days and he is clearly upset it might be better to slowly move him into the laundry rather than just enclose him in a strange place by himself all night? And if this does stop the whining and you are getting enough sleep I'm sure you'll be in a better frame of mind to deal with all the daytime problems Edit: yes kelpies are smart and quick learners, but that can work just as well for bad habits, and it sounds like you have 18 months worth of practicing bad habits to undo

Keen to hear how she goes with it!

I agree with you saxonpup, it sounds like the dog is self-rewarding and couldn't care less what the owner's reaction is. This sounds like Weez when he started at agility, i did what you said - move away, focus work, sometimes go for abit of a run. In his case he was just barking at nothing, probablu bored and being a kelpie just wanted to work and didn't know where to direct his energy (a bc might be the same). He's pretty good now, barks a bit sometimes whle i'm working my other dog but much better

I love this idea, I would definitely buy this. I'm generally a bit wary about using shocks on dogs but avoiding the dangers of a snakebite are definitely worth a quick shock.

Tlc i've only seen skamper ramps,but you can get it a bit cheaper at the rspca online store than the link you posted (about $130 i think). I bought mine from a pet supply chain - there is a list of retailers on their wesite (http://www.skamper-ramp.com/n5_businesses_country.asp?country=australia)

Both! :D Seriously if it were me i'd go with an adolescent dog. Sometimes i feel a bit sad that i didnt see my dogs grow up, but then when i talk to friends with pups i'm really glad i missed the puppy phase But i'm sure once either dog is in your home you'd love it to pieces, it just depends on your level patience for all things puppy at this stage in your life!

If you are worried and she's new it wouldn't hurt to take her to the vet. if nothing else you can get her on their records, meet the vet if you haven't already, and they can have a look over her to make sure she's ok in general