corie

I'm convinced he's not 100% cattle dog, he's definitely got the colouring and the stockiness but his floppy ears and slightly longer snout makes me think otherwise. I should've gotten shots of him yesterday sleeping in the backyard, he kept moving a couple steps down the path every hour as he tried to stay in front of the shadows :D

I think I had problems with this when I first started getting responses to this thread. A couple days ago I was doing a quick run to my neighbour's at night and decided to take my boy with me since they hadn't met him yet. On the way there and back, we ran into the same off lead bully we had met at the park. He reacted much more to him this time around - but I'm convinced it was a combination of it being dark and so the bully had surprised me, I had been in a hurry, and most of all, I was far more anxious about him meeting a dog than I had been the last time because I had been worrying about him so much. Some practise for me to find a distinction between being careful and being worried. Something's stopping me from starting clicker training - and I don't know what it is! I've sat down on a couple occasions and poked at why I don't have much of an interest in it, with no success. We're doing okay with verbal cues, I'll probably pick it up when I've got more time on my hands (my exam period starts next week). I've also been reading your posts about Jake, hankdog, I've worked through about two thirds of the reactive dogs thread. Jake's progress has unfolded in front of me like a good book! I had been considering getting a BC before this guy came along, and research into that breed taught me (and convinced me!) that mental stimulation really can be more tiring than running around. Last night I got him to show me a few moves each time before I threw him a ball, and after we went inside he just walked over to me and plopped his head on my hand and fell right asleep! I didn't even have the heart to move him. On that note, I've posted two photos of him over on this photo thread, a bit dark, but there'll definitely be more to come :)

I'm on page 15 of that thread and counting :D (well, 15 for me, I've changed my forum settings so I see more posts per page). A few of my questions have already been answered as I trawl through, and found some answers to questions I hadn't even thought about asking as well, as well as ideas on making the backyard more interesting.

Whenever I hear someone say "that'll do" I automatically remember that movie about the little piggie, Babe. I've mostly been using 'okay' too, but I've been trying to switch it to 'we're done'. Although I know someone who uses 'party!' as their release word, and it's making me want to choose something more fun like that too :D

He was pretty quiet the first week home. So far I've found that he's not a big barker, food/attention/his ball/sensing other dogs on walks, his whole body kind of just goes on high alert, ears and tail and everything up, when normally indoors his body language is completely submissive. Although I've found that he's more likely to bark when he is suddenly close to a dog that he can see. Although one of my neighbours looks after her kids' terriers on occasion, and a couple of days ago I heard the little terror yapping at the dogs who live on the other side of us, and I caught our one contributing a single bark to the chorus. I've also been trying to reinforce in his mind that the house is more 'my' territory than his :p He'll wait for me to go through doors first, and some other small things I've picked up from books/DOL forums, but I shall wait for a professional opinion to see the extent of how much it's been working! That's really, really encouraging for me to hear, thank you!! My mum's smitten with him already, and he's a far cuter furball than I was ever expecting a cattle dog to be :D Although this mostly just means that I'm always surprised by his extremely stubborn moments, heh.

That is a really, really intriguing idea. It would definitely take a while, and wolves probably wouldn't adapt to a human's modern lifestyle as they did oh so long ago (considering the issues people have with living with hybrid wolves already), but still, definitely interesting. A solution like that though, it gives no room for improvement. When people conduct a trial and then make a mistake, wouldn't it sometimes be better to try and fix the mistake, rather than to scrap the trial and start from scratch again? What if people forget protocol during the restart, and make the same mistakes again? Finding a better detection system for the illnesses common in the Cavs, or even better, finding a cure, I think that would be more beneficial all around, especially since a new scientific discovery, especially in the area of health, can have a positive affect in so many other arenas. I guess I'm trying to say something along the lines of, human innovation reaches its peak when the problem is pressing. In an idealistic world, this would be a flaw too, but I think to start talking about human nature would be a little too off topic :laugh:

If you're interested, this is a good page for some more in depth detail about the different combinations that result in different lengths of the aussie tail. Scroll down for a diagram!

I forgot to get the camera out last night until it was already dark, so these dark, grainy pictures will have to do! This is Butch (yeah, I know). Roughly 2 years old, he's been with us for two weeks. He behaves beautifully indoors but is still a bit hyper on the leash. First picture is him hiding around the corner and going 'ball?', and the second one is of him going 'ball!' :laugh:

Hi hankdog, did you mean that no barking in your dog had been a sign that he wasn't settled? Thanks for the advice! If any owner was to have a DA dog, it would probably be me most of my friends love dogs but don't have any of their own, the dogs in our area are scattered thinly across three reserves and walking trails (none of which are little dogs, so at least they won't be able to sneak up on us), and I'm not a good enough mulitasker to manage more than one dog at a time (and two cats!). I'm also studying to get into a veterinary science and since in depth animal behaviour wouldn't be part of the main syllabus, it is always something that I wanted to know more about. Be careful what you wish for! We also managed to wait in a room and later walk out of a vet visit with a great dane, a lab, and a labradoodle without any fuss, so I'm positive about our future. I'm also already halfway through Control Unleashed, was introduced to it in one of my lectures, I'm finding it a really good read so far.

So jealous JackC, I had actually been seriously looking into Aussie puppies the past few weeks, but decided finally that our life right now was more suited to an adult dog. We had been looking to get a black tri boy (with a bob tail) too! Koda is beyond adorable :D I only have some phone pictures at the moment, will definitely start posting once I get some better shots!

Just from a factual point of view - Cavalier King Charles spaniel were not bred with pugs, it was the King Charles/toy spaniel that came to be with the addition of pugs. The Cavaliers were bred specifically to regain the look of the original spaniels - the ones from the paintings - a look they had before the introduction of pugs with the King Charles. As for their health problems, it's stated from wikipedia (I know, always to be taken with a grain of salt, but there are references to the information) that it is largely the result of Cavs having a limited 'founding' gene pool, something that modern selective breeding can't control for. I agree completely that health should never be compromised when breeding for any standard. But that itself is a general statement. With the Cavalier example, MVD can't be guaranteed clear by one test before breeding, and MRI machinery for screening SM for dogs is quite uncommon (and very expensive). SM is also a progressive disease, some dogs never showing signs of SM even though they are affected, and on top of that most cavaliers already have a degree of skull malformation. So without even an absolutely clear standard yet of what categorises a Cav 'clear' for SM, it's not fair yet to say that the breeders aren't breeding for health when the technology and information isn't there yet. With your Ridgeback example - I didn't look beyond the wiki page for that documentary, but it says in there that 'The programme mistakenly claims that the ridge itself is a mild form of spina bifida'. I learnt myself the hard way to always remember to think critically about documentaries, regardless of how well it's presented. This of course doesn't mean that all the information they provide is false! Also my 'problem sellers' wasn't directed at the breeding practise (although now that you've put it that way, they can certainly be included) - it was more about people who sell dogs to pet homes when they are unsuited for them (from working lines, high energy level, dominant temperament to inexperienced owner etc), which then results in a problem dog. Edit to say that I got completely sidetracked - I definitely agree that historically, conformational breeding has led to breed-associated health issues. But I also think that breeding for health as the only criteria isn't always viable either.

Fair enough. Will update with what ends up happening :)

There was still frost on my windows when I got up this morning and I groaned :laugh: We've got several parks/ovals and walking trails to choose from though, so at least the dog population we actually come across is quite scattered.

Question though - dogs play rough, and he was let to run with other cattle dogs and kelpies before he came to us. Is it wrong to just put down his incidence with the maltese as rough play? As I said, I hadn't been throwing the ball for him, who can tell if he wasn't just redirecting his attention? We'll bee seeing a behaviouralist either way, so please don't just say 'no' if you think the possibility is there.

well.. Majority rules I guess. Looks like it's time to put down hardier grass in the backyard. Good thing we take our walks in the early morning hours. I would like to clarify thhough that with his previous owner, he didn't start either of the fights - sorry if that wasn't clear. I've seen Cosmolo and Erny around on the forums, shall contact them when not on phone for more advice/who might be located near me. Shall definitely be careful as to who I actually get to look at him, I've done my research, and since 'just letting the dogs meet' is basically how his problem started it'll be the last thing I'll be wanting to hear. I live in Melbourne's south eastern suburbs.

You forget the 'problem dog seller' :p For my own clarification - what do you mean exactly when you talk about 'a way'? Selection, breeding practises? 'What a dog is bred for' is quite a general statement - and general statements hardly ever hold up when put to practise. Working and companion animals are the obvious example. I don't think it's unfair for a family to like 'the look' of a certain breed of dog and want to bring it into their home. It's just important that that particular dog has been bred from companion animal lines. Variety isn't always a good thing, but it definitely isn't a bad thing. Interesting discussion, just my two cents :)

That she definitely is :) I swear I had added something about considering orthotics as one of the last solutions but the internet either ate it or I was imagining the conversation in my head :laugh: I'm not too educated about the specifics, but I know that there are some braces for people that act therapeutically/are used for shaping, not as a permanent fixture. Is there anything along these lines for dogs?

would love to drop by, but I live in south east melbourne and the date's smack bang in the middle of my exam period :laugh: hopefully there will be photos for me to look forward to!

Ugh, how did I miss you saying you tried acupuncture Have you considered orthotics, maybe some leg braces to let her get herself around easier?

We've just adopted a new dog, he's been with us for a week. I'd love to join this, and document his first year with us! :D

she is so lovely just reading about her ordeal breaks my heart, can barely imagine what you must be going through. Have you tried some alternative therapies, just to tide her over in the meantime? Massage sessions, heat packs.. I've read about acupuncture for dogs too.

We've just adopted a two year old cattle dog. It's almost been two weeks, and he's settled really well. He's learning very quickly to not jump up at people, learning to stop pulling on the leash, is responsive to training, will release bones back to me, the cats will walk right up to him and he won't fight them for their raw food at all (although they are always fed under supervision), he'll wait for my okay before eating dinner (although will drool floods and floods while waiting). He's the smoochiest boy, will do almost anything in order to get his pats - just a typical velcro cattle dog! He already had been adopted once before us, and had two incidences of dog aggression - the first time, his new owner had let him off the leash the first day she got him and he got into a fight with a large dog. The second time, two large off leash dogs came up and attacked him, but no mention of physical injury in either case. Previous owner also said that he wasn't very affectionate ( ). His foster told me that she could see the changes in him when he came back to her, but he responds very well to his 'no' noise, and he adapted again nicely to living with her four other dogs. His foster told us that he was okay with small dogs, just the large ones he would react to. So we know to be careful when approaching new dogs. He'll perk his ears when we walk past fenced dogs and try to sniff them out, but will walk on with a tug on the leash. We've walked past an elderly neighbour with her 18 year old SWF and he had been excited, but sat quickly and got some pats. Three incidences of note - an off lead bully came up to us while on a walk, a teenager little taller than him. They had a sniff (both ends!), then there was a little growling but the owner easily called his bully away. Another day, an off lead dog a little smaller than him (can't remember what it looked like, possibly boston terrier cross) walked by us, and without any interruption on my part they went through the preliminary sniffing then just stood next to each other looking around. I also had a friend over the other day with a nine month old female maltese. I had him on lead and walked past them a couple of times, then brought them closer and allowed sniffs after he relaxed (and the maltese stopped barking). We took them both for a walk, and then came back to my backyard. The maltese was very submissive to him, but she could chase after his ball, and if she got to it first he wouldn't mind. Then there was one time where the ball had just been lying there for a while, and he had been expecting me to pick it up, and when the maltese went for it he jumped on top of her and she did that yelp/whimper thing and scampered off. He wasn't given a chance to chase her, and later on she came back and started sniffing him again. I've read that cattle dogs are not the most tolerant of other dogs, and if he prefers his people to other dogs that's completely fine. But when does standoffishness turn into aggression? I don't plan to let him off leash until he can recall from other dogs, much less need to worry about him being aggressive towards them. Our pathetic grass isn't holding up very well to our fetch sessions, so I'm gonna get him a long leash and a harness at some point to he can run a bit more at the reserve opposite our house. But I would like off lead to be a goal we'll reach in the future! We're due to start going to obedience classes in late June, early July. Do I need to be seeing a behaviouralist as well? Anything I can/should be doing at home/on his walks in the meantime?

I walked past a guy with his off leash bully today (looked like a bull arab), a polite, responsive little teenager. He loped over to us and had a little circle and sniff with mine, but backed off immediately when his owner called him to move on. I have no idea why some people are so breed prejudiced, it's so utterly ignorant I've seen a couple of your threads (because I'm looking for the same answers!), you must be so proud of Book's progress :)

Didn't see all the replies to this! I have seen the bunnings pen recommended a few times on dol, they are quite a good price. But we have some pens already that were for the cats that we don't use anymore, so if we had gone the 'pen inside a pen' option we would've used those. Good thing that I heard back from a foster, and we're currently a quarter way through the trial period with our new (already houstrained!) boy :D

No we hadn't - just visited a couple of times, and tried my best to do like the websites say and not let emotions get in the way (I failed :laugh: ) A little disappointing, but ultimately the best for the pup, the other family had much more land than us and the breeder had told me from the start that the litter came from a high drive line. Yep, regardless of price, I always keep my eye out for the '30 day Warranty'. The crate doesn't come partitioned, I was just going to tie a metal grill (clean, of course) between the bars myself. a bit off topic ... Did you put a deposit on a pup? That must be disappointing, when you have picked out your new companion .... Ah well, now you can setup a nice sturdy playpen/crate/kennel etc for the one who does join your family :)