Mummamia

Of course working on my dog to ignore this is my first reaction and will continue to do so... And yes 50/50 success so far...It's only been a couple of days... I just want to nip it in the bud asap... This will not stop his dogs from pulling at the fence and potentially opening a gap... I cannot be at home 24/7... My dogs use a dog door to do their business... Something a little more helpful would be appreciated.

Totally agree - it will only make things worse if you end up with a bad relationship with these people. Do what you can to control your dogs and prevent them getting injured, or breaking through the fence. Reinforce it, put something in front of it, whatever you need to do. What his dogs do is his problem, you just have to worry about yours.

Hi Mixed up pup... I have some left over corrugated iron and will look at how to use this... Won't be enough but it's a start... Thanks :)

I live next to areserve and only have neighbours on one side... The properties are small... I have lived here for 15 years and have always had people next door, previous owners and now renters who have owned dogs... Never had a problem... Until now... The new renters moved in 4 days ago and have 2 dogs a staffie x and a maltese. I have spoken to the male and he seems like a nice guy. He owns the staffie x and his girlfriend owns the maltese. The maltese ... he tells me bosses the staffies x around and he also informed me that it has previously taken on another dog and ended up at the vets with serious injuries. So here is my problem. The maltese seems to bark at the sound of leaves blowing. This sets off his staffie and in turn sets of my staffie... My other two just go and look... My staffie and their two are already fence fighting. My staffie ... this morning... has now started pulling at the fence pailings and has superficial injuries to her mouth... She is bleeding but at this time isn't vet worthy... When speaking with neighbour he has indicated and through observation so far he does not socialise his dogs much... as said we live next to a large reserve and he has made the comment he'll let his staffie run free out the back to give him some exercise.. I told him about our local leash free parks. 2 of which are at the end of the road... I have a personal dislike for people who do not exercise their dogs daily and then wonder why they have issues... That's another issue... I hope won't become a problem Never had this problem before... fighting at the fence... concerned it will escalate and someones dog will get hurt. My staffie has never harmed another dog but 'What if the fence pailings come off and someones dog gets the other ones'... I don't know what theirs are capable of or what could happen if they are able to connect... As the yards are small It would be shame to restrict their area. Mine would be the logical one to do this but seems unfair to my dogs... They use that side of the house to do their business... Any suggestions... other than the above? Help!!!

Agree with comment to simply not take your dogs to your friends place... All part of responsible dog ownership... A few years back the regulars from my dog park and myself stood, stared and commented in total disbelief at the woman who brought her new kitten to the dog park...

Teamwork Dog obedience... There doesn't seem to be a lot on the Northside but this one was recommended by friends who have been dog trainers for 30 years+. I haven't started yet but I intend to take my new dog there... I've never had a really smart dog before and soooo much energy. I hope to follow through with more challenging activities... You will make friends there...

Absolutely... Well said...

Good luck with complaining to council... It may if your lucky... Help in the immediate future... but not in the long run... Please keep that muzzle on your dog... A little while back in an onleash area... A friend had his rottie on leash and a little foo foo charged at him and rottie killed little foo foo in an instant... Rottie then had to be put down... Down risk your dog paying the price for the stupid people... I'm sure you've seen the leashes and collars that can warn people about letting their dog get too close... Something to think about...

I agree totally that one month is such a short time for a rescue dog... One of my rescues is still making progress after 15 months... From freezing whenever she was touched... It took about a year for her to physically respond to patting and hugging... She would allow it but didn't show she liked it... She is finally pressing against me asking for more... So many other wonderful new behaviours I could share... Rescue dogs who have come from such horrific beginnings take different amounts of time to be comfortable in a world now filled with love... It's just so new to them... I just kept telling her 'It's all good stuff from now... You are home'. Enjoy the journey with your dog it will be wonderful...

Absolutely, I still watch the video of my cattle x (since passed away) and the 'boy cat' who were the best of mates and regularly had boxing sessions, well the cat boxed and the dog ducked. They loved each others company and wrestled regularly... I haven't had any problems with a further 3 dogs and 4 cats living in harmony, as well as various fosters and visitors. I am very cautious with the initial interactions and don't take unnecessary chances. I have refused some friends from bringing their dogs in my home. Cats food is always kept up on bench and furniture has to kept in place so cats can get up easily. If you don't the cats would never get to eat. Now its cold all 5 (currently - 3 dogs, 2 cats) want to be on the bed in the room with the heater. Yeah not everyones' cup of tea but I'm happy to share... It's likely the cats will sort out the dog and they will live in harmony. He's a puppy and everything is a play toy. Accidents can happen but sounds like your doing everything right. Enjoy the show...

This topic has been very interesting for me to read and I return regularly to see the next post... It shows clearly how a few people on the site repeatedly focus in on something they want to talk about and not comment on the original post... I understood that your original post was not an attempt to bash any breed but you were simply providing the readers with something to think about when deciding on whether to rehome dogs from the same litter... They should way up the risks... I've already been on the receiving end of this and read (with amusement mostly) as one small point can rile people up so much they miss the entire point of my 'opinion and personal experiences and make judgements on what I 'believe' and what my experiences have taught me... Good on you for standing up for yourself... Perhaps people could, rather than missing the point, begin their own thread with their own opinions on an issue and then argue amongst themselves and allow those of us with a more open mind and ability to see the big picture appreciate your personal experience...

A kill rate of 49%... 0% would be ideal wouldn't it... It could be higher it could be lower... Not in a position to know the truth about that... I agree that their testing is flawed... a dog in rescue could fail but out of rescue could be perfectly rehomeable... I volunteered for RSPCA for a few years a little while ago... I now volunteer for a specific breed rescue... Many of our dogs come from the RSPCA because the person who runs the rescue has a good relationship with them... These are the ones who RSPCA will PTS if we don't take them... and give them a chance...I only know about the specific breed I'm involved in which isn't your average popular breed... I assume if a specific breed rescue approached RSPCA they would work with them... I don't know for sure... perhaps people on this site know more... My 7 year old dog was an RSPCA dog who should never have passed their temperament test... 'Slipped through the system' I say... When she ended up as my problem I took her on and she is in the right home... That's what counts... I adopted a 9 year old cat from RSPCA 4 years ago... So they do have older animals... A little while after my 'heart dog' past away I specifically went looking for an older dog with medical and temperament issues being ok with me... So we are out there but we are a small minority... Ended up with a psychologically and physically neglected young girl who ended up being 2 years old... She's fantastic and wonderful girl who I would adopt a hundred times over... More than a year later and always still progressing... Only recently started sleeping on the bed... yay!!! I just adopted my latest foster... I don't know why they call it a 'foster failure'. After being passed on for 6 months and me falling in love with her (actually everyone knows I fell in love from the moment she came into rescue)...Perfect with my other dogs and cats... What you ganna do? A failure she is... Totally agree with your comments re:working dogs... Too many end up in lazy people homes... As you are involved with rescue you know how many dogs are out there desperate to have the right place to call home... Sometimes it's just going to be the fact that there are too many dogs to place... And so the reasons become pathetic but there you go... Reality... This is why I give respect to those who have to make the hard decisions... So happy to connect with someone else who is part of the solution... Good luck with your fosters... I just don't believe focusing on the kill rate is productive at this time... Focusing on reducing the unwanted dogs in the first place is the issue...

This is a difficult one Perry's Mum... Whilst I have my own concerns over the direction that the RSPCA have taken I do not feel at this point in time we should focus on kill rates in rescue. I do agree with due process... but what is 'Due process'... I don't agree with BSL... The issue is simply that there are too many dogs and the problem lies with people who just keep allowing them to breed for their own selfish reasons which include all Breeders, Back yard breeders and people who get a dog and do not have them desexed. And in my opinion... the worst offender "I just wanted my dog to have one litter, I love puppies'. I believe that if you don't understand and accept that your dog should be desexed or if you can't afford to desex then you should not have a dog. I believe that anyone who truly loves dogs and immerses themselves in the dog over population issue... could not continue to create more dogs... Volunteer at your local rescue and you start to understand... There is a train of thought out there that there are enough homes in Australia (eg) for every dog to have a home. However, if we remove the people who cannot have a dog for whatever reason, don't want a dog, and then remove all the people who should not have a dog we are left with so many dogs who won't get a home. How many dogs out there are in the wrong home??? A dog is a privilege and with that goes responsibility. One of the most aggravating things I find is people who say they love dogs, own them but never provide their most basic right. EXCERSISE. Animals are not ornaments. They have needs... So many suffering dogs purely because they are never receiving any stimulation. Owners wonder why they have issues with their dogs when a lot of the issues would be resolved by taking your dog out and giving it what it needs... Lazy people who own dogs give me the s###s!!! I don't always 'feel like' taking my dogs out... My 'feeling like it' has nothing to do with whether I take them'. In my experience, being involved with rescue I have come to understand that there are times when it is in the dogs best interest to be PTS... It breaks my heart and I have shed many tears for them... I could never be directly involved with that decision but have come to not accept that there will never an other solution but show some respect for those that have to make the hardest decisions. Sometimes there is no other choice. I will give you an example that will always break my heart. 15 year old dog. (very old for this breed) comes into rescue with 3 puppies in tow... Sight unseen I offer her a home. She was not very pretty, almost blind and had an attitude. I take her home and fully intend to give her, probably her first forever home. Knowing this can't be for very long. WELL! Here's me thinking I'll have a couch potato, take her for little daily walks around the block... NOT!!! Reality... Strong as… Dragged me round the neighbourhood… Banging into posts as we go… had to be cuddled to sleep… (thats ok with me). … Not cat aggressive but due to eyesight had to keep getting up so close it was ticking them off no end… Squealing when I left the house with my other dogs for their daily exercise.. Day 5, whilst walking my other dogs she jumps my 1.8 meter fences and sniffs her way to the dog park to find us… She had never been to the dog park… Fortunately doggy friends rallied and we got her home. I could not keep her safe so she went back to rescue… A week later I get a call that she has escaped from rescue and I go and find her in a field of cows… Long story short… She then starts to show her aggressive side with other dogs, due to confusion etc… For the next months, much time and attention was given to Mumma. Desperately trying to find her the right home… 15 year old dog needs forever home… Wont live too much longer… Not attractive… Aggressive with other dogs… Severe separation anxiety… Must be with you every moment of every day… Escape artist… So be prepared for this huge problem… Might cost you a fortune if you wish to prolong her life for a short while… There were no takers… I was so grateful that my offer to be with her when her time came was declined… I respect people who are able to make the hardest but the best choice for the dog… So whilst I do understand those who want every dog to live… Its just not reality… And it is NOT FAIR to the dogs… You have to love them this much… Focus on getting the desex message and responsible pet ownership message out there… Think about Mumma… It was because she was loved we could not allow her to suffer any longer…

They look great... But I have 3 to buy so out of my price range unfortunately

Nola and Spencer on Etsy have beautiful collars...This is the kind of patterns I'd like to find locally... :D

Thanks for the suggestion... Unfortunately I have no sewing talents whatsoever... If anyone I know sees this suggestion they would be laughing... Years back a friend tried to teach me to use a sewing machine... I don't think she's recovered yet...

Does anyone know where I can find handmade dog collars and harnesses. Like the ones I see on Etsy. So many beautiful choices but I would prefer not to have to pay the postage and also avoid the risk of buying overseas.

'Black Dog' make one that goes across the chest rather than down...

Check out 'Black Dog' martingale harnesses... There are ones that attach from front and back or either depending on what your preference is... very popular with the rescue group I am involved in... I'm also looking into martingale styles on Etsy... Just a bit unsure as they come from overseas...

Simply put and Well said...

Totally agree... 'Every dog deserves to be in the right home with the right owner'.... My dream for them...

Yes... Love them all equally... 3 dogs, two cats. However they all have different needs so I treat them differently...

I'm confused too. Without starting a debate about breeds. I can see both sides of this debate. I'm not sure where I referred to separate breeds. Perhaps you were referring to my comment re: Staffie, new dog and Foster... Staffy is English staffy with a bit of something else. New dog is Shar Pei I adopted over a year ago. Foster is Shar Pei. Been with me for about 5 months now. Hope this clears it up. I really, really should have kept my questions far more simple. I'll now know to do this in the future...

It is very confronting to see these images and will be painful each and every time, whether it be in front of us or in images. Because we are the ones who love and respect them and feel their torment so strongly it effects us. Animal cruelty is happening everywhere all the time in unimaginable ways. Perhaps the universe is encouraging you to get involved in being part of the solution in some way... I am thinking you may not be involved in being part of changing cruelty to animals in some way because you would have come across this before... You may already be involved but this has hit you hard... but if not there are so many wonderful organisations and so many ways you can be a part of the solution... SOOOO rewarding to get involved...being a part of seeing the changes we can make for any of our animals... Volunteering, fostering, donation of time to special events and of course financial help which everyone needs... There is no small effort... It all adds up...