Tazar

I like this thread, no e collar bashing :)

Thanks Aidan2 :) Interesting that in the second year of testing those exhibiting the behaviour had reduced to a quarter, wonder if it would continue to drop if tested again for a third year.

That's a clever rebuttal. Use your words. You are trying to stop the dog going near the snake.I understand the premise of the training. No amount of +P or +R will guarantee 100% protection from a snake. A snake will strike out if harassed. I attended a conference presented by a toxinology professor where snake behaviour was discussed and demonstrated at length. Snakes will pursue a threat if said threat is active - they are respondent to body language. The person on a bushwalk who shrieks and dances around gets bitten. The person who stands still and lets the snake slither by not a threat and is ignored. I know which one is more representative of a dog's behaviour when they find a new 'thing'.E-collars aren't a substitute for adequate guardianship of a dog and a solid 'leave it'. If you're a person that leaves your dog in the backyard of a snake infested area unsupervised whilst you're out - thats your business but the only way to truly be certain your dog will be safe is to leave him/her inside. Why is it just e-collars that people think can be mis-used? If the collar is being "pumped up" and causing the dog distress it is not being used properly. Abuse is in the user not the tool. End of story.1) I never insinuated that e-collars were the only training tools that are misused.2) A tool need not be abused to be inhumane. Wouldn't bet it on an e-collar either. I'd bet it on having a dog safely crated inside or the provision of adequate supervision. Guess I used the head banging emoticons to convey my frustration with your post that an e collar won't stop a snake attacking a dog. Maybe ask the original poster if he wants to try one on a snake? You appear to base your e collar experience on a neighbour, who, from what you say, wrecked his dogs with an e collar. If this was the case then your neighbour clearly did not know how to use one. Keeping a dog away from a random snake, if you live or walk your dogs in an area they are prone, is not inhumane, it is common sense. My experience with snakes is if you leave them alone, they leave you alone, so teaching your dog to stay well clear is best for all. The type of stim used for general training is so low it cannot be felt by us and causes the dog no pain. Certainly more humane than a jerk on check chain, for example.

Aidan2 - do you have any further info on where I could locate these studies? thanks

Agree with Nekhbet. e Collars are a great tool, not only for avoidance training, but I have seen them used to train dogs for general obedience. Very gentle and more effective compared to many of the other methods around. Like any tool, it needs to be used correctly and by an experienced handler. Unfortunately there are lots of ignorant people who jump on the 'its cruel' bandwagon with no real understanding of how it works.

Yes Razorblade I was thinking pvc pipe. End caps are a good idea, thanks. It may be hard to span over 6 metres lengths though? More thought required :)

I have been trying to work out how I could make some of those coyote rollers....

Ha ha Hankdog, the one on the right could be the poster boy/girl for BSL.. Nasty Pitbull blows raspberry...

How cute are they :laugh:

Marie Nesnah Don't like it

I do not believe you were in the wrong. From what you have described the other owner did not have control over her dog, as she was unable to call it back...simple...

Thanks everyone, much appreciated

Hi, I am trying to find a nice plain black or brown crate cover. Something classic IYKWIM that will fit into the family/kitchen area which is large and open plan. The crate is home to a GSD so it is rather large. thanks in advance :)

Hi, I highly recommend Noel Smith at Epsom Road Vet Clinic, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale 93701900. I have been going there for over 20 years and he is excellent. I now live over an hour a way and still go to see him. cheers

Really???? No not to my taste either... Strange....

Nice looking cover :)

Thinking of you and Zig, hope they get to the bottom of it soon

Lovely, especially liked the pole dance

We have improvement :thumbsup: she went and lay in her usual (if I lay here you will have to feed me) spot this afternoon so I gave her some tuna and rice and she ate is all, not that there was much. I have just given her dinner (same thing) and she is doing her usual, you haven't given me enough. I looked in her mouth today as I had a thought as I drifted off to sleep (with her in the bed as I though she may have passed away during the night), that there may be an infection in her mouth and it is poisoning her. She has two teeth hanging out in the top of her jaw but it didn't look infected. I think it may be a day to day thing as Mita said... Again thank you for keeping us in your thoughts :)

My little girl is still not well, only ate a tiny bit of roast (no fat) last night (very unlike her), stayed asleep on her bed all day. She was wonky on her feet last night. She is still drinking water and weeing but not sure about anything else. The vet x-rayed her and said there were no blockages and her kidney, liver, etc were fine. Will have to see how she goes today I guess.....

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your words and support but I have no decision to make today :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) I have some good news, so far, levels are fine as far as pancreatitis is concerned and, they x-rayed her twice and no blockages were found. She had an anti nausea shot and is at home resting and has not vomited again. She is very flat and had no interest in circling my feet when I fed the rest of the gang tonight so she is not out of the woods yet. (She has the appetite of a Labrador usually). It only cost me $300. Her time will come later and I will remember the advice, sincerely, thank you

Hi again, Our little Cav girl is 13 years old, almost blind, has ongoing eye problems so is on Optimune, is allergic to everything she was tested for so is on and off steroids for rashes and had a bout of pancreatitis about 2 years ago. She only goes out to go tot he toilet and spends the rest of her days on her bed in either the bedroom, lounge or in front of the fire. We have had her for about 4 years now, she is a rescue. Today she has started vomiting again and I have found that the bag of puppy food in the laundry is almost gone so she I think she has been getting into it. She is at the vets and I am awaiting blood results. The vet thinks it may be pancreatitis or a blockage. Either way it is going to be expensive and I hate for things to boil down to cash but it cost over $1700 last time she was treated, she is on constant meds and prescription diet. So am I being pragmatic or a horrible, horrible person if I give her wings???

Glad to hear Ziggy is on the mend, make sure you have a little nap yourself, you would need it after all this :) Take care :)

Poxy...lol So I think I will rename her :) Just can't do the ox or oxy.