andrewang

Some people watch tv when they are bored, some people use the computer when they are bored, I like to be around dogs when I'm bored. Is that a crime? I'm sorry but I don't see where you are going with this.

Why is the Cocker Spaniel breeder the "most respected in VIC"? Do they know you are planning to take the pup OS? That's a long time to wait as there are curently 18 litters available on DOL puppy page. Why I'm getting the ECS from them is a long story. Like I said before, I'm an international student, Asian but have a huge passion for dogs. Even before I came over, I did my research and found a couple of champion breeders. Being the Champions that they are, do you think they're just gonna hand one of their precious puppies over to a dodgy Asian student? Not really. I started emailing the couple of them I narrowed down to. I told them about myself and my intentions. Response wasn't so good but some did reply me nicely. I called them up on the phone and asked if I could visit their homes to take a look at their dogs. Again response wasn't so good. I asked them if I could visit them in one of their shows. No way they can say no to that right? I visit their shows usually in KCC park (about 40 mins drive for me) and spoke directly to a couple of them, I can see a change in attitude but not entirely sure yet. I visit the shows a couple more times and became more friendly. One day I made a breakthrough, they invited me to their house to see the difference in behavior at home and away from home. I went over to have a look at the future parents of my pup to check their temperament at home, asked a couple of questions and the breeder finally asked if I wanna have one. Imagine the joy. Long story short, I didn't get myself the pup easily. It was a long and tedious journey. I've been here for 18 months. That's how long it took to gain their trust.

Some people did not read my previous posts and said I am "being incredibly selfish, one track minded and shortsighted". Let me repeat. I INTEND TO BRING THEM HOME WITH ME!! Even before I thought of getting a dog here, I asked around in the forum for the price of bringing a dog back home and I got quotes from a couple of different pet transport companies. So before accusing me of "being incredibly selfish, one track minded and shortsighted", know me better first. Couple of reasons why I wanna get a dog here are as follow: I love dogs and life without a dog now is just different. Australia produces good quality dogs. Singapore doesn't have good breeders. I'm a sucker for quality in terms of dogs. I used to own 2 german import Rottweilers because singapore rottweilers are so small. They lived a good life and pass away so now I decided to go for English Cocker Spaniels. I went to RSPCA that day because I believe fate wanted me to meet that poor fellow. (FYI, I only go for pure breed dogs but I somewhat connected with that shihtzu X) So let me ask everyone this: Would you rather a dog take a chance and hopefully find a good, permanent home, or stay in RSPCA for a couple of months and in the end be PTS?

Like I said, racism is never an issue to me. Unless someone comes up to me and say he or she doesn't like my colour/race, I couldn't care less. The main issue here is why can't I adopt? Let's do the math here, by allowing me to adopt, I reduce the amount of animal they have to care for and therefore reducing their financial strain. By not allowing adoptions, more animals will be PTS which also lead to more cost. As a not-for-profit organisation, shouldn't one of their main concerns be cutting cost? I can save a dog's life why don't they allow it? Even if let's say something bad happens to me and I have to give up the dog again, wouldn't it be better for the dog that he at least get to enjoy my company then no one adopts him and he's PTS? And saying that, how many abandoned animals in RSPCA are abandoned by overseas students? I'm sure there are way more Aussies who abandon their pets just because they don't like them anymore.

I emailed RSPCA regarding my issues with them and they did ask me to try foster care. I registered my interest and she said someone will call me regarding foster care but I never got the call. From then on, I just couldn't care less.

That was the plan actually. Flying 2 dogs home is actually "cheaper".

I'm surprised you remembered! I'm still waiting for my ECS. Already on the waiting list of one of the most respected ECS breeder in VIC. My pup should arrive Feb-March 2013. My gf and I were bored and decided to visit the RSPCA and take a look. that little fellow some how connected with us.

Racism was never an issue to me. I love Melbourne and the people here. I've met some people who are not as nice but I don't care. My issue here is why can't a adopt that poor fellow? And why can't I even play with him? It's true they have volunteers walking the dogs everyday but they can't give every single one of them alot of attention. I only wanted to help and spend some time with the dog. And if I'm RSPCA, shouldn't my main objective be rehoming all the dogs. people who made an effort to visit the place and pay the adopt fee should be given the benefit of a doubt. They are always complaining about over crowding and how they have to put down so many unwanted dogs but when I offered to take one off their hand, they rejected me. This just isn't right. I'm trying to give that dog a new life.

Hi guys, Something's been bothering me lately and I hope you guys can give me some feedback on this matter. My gf and I always wanted a dog, we had dogs back in our country and life felt different without one. We went to the RSPCA and met this cute little guy, the piece of paper on this enclosure says he's a stray but he's wayyyy too intelligent to be a stray. (When i asked him where's the ball, he picked up the tennis ball in his enclosure and pressed it against the door hoping I would throw it.) I spoke to my gf and decided to get him, so we returned the next day and boy how excited he was to see us again. I spoke to the staff about an adoption, she glanced at me from head to toe (i'm a student from singapore btw) and asked if I'm a citizen of Australia. I said no and she replied "No citizenship, no adoption, sorry". I asked why and she said I'll probably just hand the dog back to them when I return to my country. I told her I intend to bring him home with me back to singapore and she said "RSPCA policy" and walked away. Well since I have no right to adopt anything from them, I asked if I could play ball with the dog a bit before I leave and she said only people who are serious about adopting are allowed to touch the dog. I stormed off the RSPCA and vowed never to return again. I was just thinking about the dog again and I'm wondering if he's now in a good home or cremated and dumped somewhere with all the others who were unwanted.

you should ignore everyone else and get a cocker spaniel! lol

Judging from all the posts, it seems like lots of dogs can't swim! I always have the misconception that dogs are naturally good swimmers.

I'm getting a puppy soon and I've been looking up on training methods and stuff. Lots of tutorials online on crate training but never actually heard of tether training until today. Thanks for the info though.

When is the best age to start tether training? I googled it and it seems that this training is for more "energetic" dogs? How true is that?

Get a rotti. They are just misunderstood. I use to have 2 of them. Most intelligent dogs I ever had. Like many others before me have said, bring your family down to a breeder that promotes good temperament and have the breeder talk to your family and show them how a rotti behaves at home. I'm sure they'll come to their senses sooner or later. Good Luck!

The colour you have there is so unique. It's beautiful. Looks a little like border collie

do they allow removal of dew claws in Australia? I heard docking of tails aren't allowed but no idea about dew claws. can anyone help answer my question?

only way to find out is to see it for yourself

Or fight to the death with no chance of separating two dogs with that much power. I sure wouldn't risk an entire male of either of those breeds with any other entire male. The risk is just too great if they have a disagreement. I would be very surprised at anyone that would sell you a second male. What I really meant was introduce slowly meaning let them smell each other first on lease I have to add and see their initial reaction. It could have been love at first sight! Brotherly love I mean. He also did not state if he's getting a puppy or an adult, male or female. Either of the above would have produced a whole different result.

introduce slowly and carefully. constant supervision is a must. sooner or later, they will get use to each others' presence.

Isn't it a little too soon to desex your dog at 10 months? should have at least waited till he's full grown i guess.

hey guys, any idea when the next cocker spaniel show will be in Victoria?

Go to youtube.com and seach for ceasar millan dog whisperer. That guy is one hell of a dog behaviourist, some might criticise his methods but he is good.

Hmmm.... Alright. Thanks for all the feedbacks. I haven't got a dog yet, and I'm not intending to return so soon either. After I get my dog, no matter how much it cost, I'll still bring him back with me. So let's see how things go for now. Now I should look for a reputable breeder for an English Cocker Spaniel first.

Thanks so much for all the infomation. It's been really useful. No quarantine required for dogs/cats from Australia as I have read from the link provided by thundercat. The reason why I wanna get a dog here is simply because Singapore doesn't have good breeders, and so called "reputable" pet shops sell puppies at a ridiculous price. Dogs here are cheaper and have so much more quality. I can also meet the parents of the pups, which I think is very important when choosing a puppy. So I can actually do everything by myself instead of getting some travel company to handle it for me at a high price?

I intend to get an ECS while I'm here but I'm wondering how much it'll cost me to take him back with me when I return home to Singapore. How long does it usually take? Will I be able to see him immediately after I touchdown? Just want to find out all the extra expenses before I commit to a dog.