espinay2

When I have got a pup for myself, most have been chosen for me or I chose between a few that were identified in consultation with the breeder. Note that in these cases, at least the several most recent, the breeder is a good friend and co owner and I have generally had a chance to choose after she has made her own choice. And she has had the same opportunity with me. It is a process of consultation. Early on in the piece though breeders chose pups for me including telking me there was nithing suiting my needs in particular litters. I have been happy with their decisions and mine. I do a similar thing and do advise potential owners right from the beginning that they will not get to choose, but I will tell them what pup is a available to them. It is then up to them to decide if they want that pup or not. They are involved all the way through, but the final decision is not made till around 8 weeks. At this point I decide what is staying. Then any other obligations are met (such as a co owner getting 'second pick' after me as per a contract). Then I offer to homes I feel would best suit the pups depending on my assessment of the pups and what has been learnt through multiple discussions with owners. A LOT of discussion happens and I explain why a particular pup is my choice for them. Note my breed is not that common and I have a waiting list far longer than the number of pups so I do get to pick and choose what homes I feel will suit them best. In my recent litter I had people wanting pups who represented a range of different home environments and needs. Their preferences and needs were taken into account when making decisions on what pups to offer. The suitability of the individual pups to those roles was carefully considered. I gave found that many people when choosing a pup tend to do it based on superficial reasons. A colour or distinguishing mark, cuteness factor, the one that played with them or came to them first etc. not necessarily the best basis for choosing. Sometimes these things can 'distract' someone from seeing a pup that would in fact be better suited. It is my job, as I am with the pups all day every day, to use my knowledge to guide those choices.

The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey. When it comes to dogs and kids, the free poster downloads on Sophia Yin's blog are excellent.

Leonberger would probably be my suggestion due to size and nature. Pyrenean Mountain Dogs are often used as mobility assistance dogs. Depends what you want them to do though as if you need them to reliably fetch things off the floor, then probably no. But their steady calm nature and size tends to make them good at mobility assistance. And no, a correct Pyr doesnt drool.

Dogs are 'crepuscular' which means that they are more active at dawn and dusk. This is the best time to hunt or be active in other ways. So many dogs are still naturally more active at this time. Barking at dusk is pretty common for dogs.

Maremma = mar-Emma 'Mar' pronounced like 'bar' and 'Emma' as in the name) And just to get one of my bugbears out of the way even though not on your list (as it seems it is rare a ring steward can even pronounce this....) Pyrenean Mountain Dog = pir-an-ee-an !!!!! (there is no Pyro or Knees in their name please!!!)

All of the dual sire litters I know of personally to date (all overseas though), all of the pups have ended up being from the one sire.

Wondering if this would stand up to Judicial Review? Appears to breach several principles of Administrative Law. It is an ordinary requirement of natural justice that a person bound to act judicially base his decision 'upon material which tends logically to show the existence or non-existence of facts relevant to the issue to be determined': R v Deputy Industrial Injuries Commissioner; Ex parte Moore, (1965) 1 QB 456 at 488 (affirmed in Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Pochi [1980] FCA 85; (1980) 44 FLR 41 at 66-67). While the standard of proof required in civil cases is based on 'the balance of probabilities' given it could possibly be argued that there is a degree of 'seriousness' in these cases (would need good argument here though could argue on the basis that the outcome is irreversable i.e. euthanasia of the dog) then it is possibile that Briginshaw could apply, meaning the more serious the allegation, the higher degree of probability is required (i.e. better evidence). Dixon J held that that the standard of proof should not be satisfied by 'inexact proofs, indefinite testimony, or indirect references.' (Briginshaw V Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 ). So basing a decision purely on the fact that someone has done a course and 'they say so', may not be a sufficient standard of proof under the requirements of the law, depening on how such testimony is viewed by the courts. Perhaps a challenge to the actual law, rather than its application, is what is needed.

Bummer . Though not surprised.

Jolly swagman at Holbrook has two dog friendly rooms. I have stayed and they are great. Limit of 2 dogs I think. You need to call and ask specifically for the rooms. The rules are strict but not really onerous for responsible dog folk.

Wonder if he was also charged for taking the pup rofl!! Karma (and stupidity) at work. Glad it ended well. A lot don't. Interesting the power of social media (and puppy poo) though.

Welcome to my world. Good thing the Pyrs love it. In fact they expect it. They get sulky if someone walks past and doesnt stop! We just get used to it and generally use it as an educational opportunity for the breed, purebred dogs, responsible breeding, good training and how to approach a dog properly. If we don't want the attention or hassle, we leave the dogs home ;-).

I have seen fear periods but the most obvious I have seen have been later such as around 7months. Dogs can go through multiple fear periods up until around 2 years of age and yes, it will be more obvious in some dogs than in others. As for age of pups going home, no earlier than 8 weeks (by law in many states and in regulations for registered breeders) but later will depend on the breeder and the individual situation. My last litter in addition to the pup I was keeping, I had a pup who was not going to his new home until 3 months of age. He recieved similar to my own pup - separate crate training, potty training, basic training such as walking on a lead, sit and drop etc, attendance at puppy classes and other socialization, desensitisation to sights and sounds etc. Pup is now in Melbourne training as a therapy dog and doing fantastically. He has already been on two plane trips too and is a total pro about it - very relaxed. If the pup were in a situation where it was mostly kennelled and only recieved basic attention of course the situation may be different. How the pup is managed before it leaves not the age it leaves is IMO more important.

Failing to act is an act in itself..... Yes, there appear to be some deeper issues here that may explain her inaction, but explanations are not excuses. Very saddened by this.

OK. Memo to self. Never ever do anything for fun incase of a disaster. There is doing things for fun, and then there is doing things for fun in a prepared and responsible way. A bit like bushwalkers in the Blue Mountains and elsewhere. You hear about them every year, going in unprepared, getting lost, getting killed or injured. Sure you can get lost or injured etc even when you are prepared. But if you are prepared you have a way better chance of survival/being found quickly. And you have less chance of putting other people at risk too. An experienced bushwalker/hiker knows these things and goes in prepared, even on a day hike. Boy Scout motto: "Be Prepared".

Raises so many questions. They didn't start looking for him until he was due back. So he planned to be out there for three months..with his dog. Three months supply of food for yourself and a dog is not small and I truly doubt he had that much food with him so did he plan to hunt? And as mentioned, where was his knife as surely the Bear couldn't have destroyed that even if it did destroy his camp and eat what food he had (even a destroyed camp will give you things to use. Tent guy ropes, tent pegs, pieces of tent material if the tent was destroyed to act as a tarp, fish hooks, knives etc - bears dont eat everything...). So if he planned to be out there three months, which likely would have invovled some form of hunting/gathering his own food for himself and his dog, why the need to eat the dog so early on in the piece?? Too many questions...... .....and yes, people going into these types of situations so unprepared really does make me angry. And not just because of the dog, though in many respects that simply highlights to me just how unprepared he actually was (particularly considering he killed his protector and potential hunting partner).

I note you are in Victoria, so this may be of use to you: http://www.vicaids.asn.au/sites/default/files/files/A_Guide_to_Relief_available_throughout_Victoria_January_2013.pdf For people in other States, a google should turn up similar things. Never be afraid to ask for help if you need it. I have been on a low income in the past and know it is a struggle. And how the dogs come first. And we can be so proud sometimes. But there are schemes that can be of assistance so never be afraid to use them. After all, our dogs need us to be happy and healthy. And when we are stressed, our dogs can be too :)

How long ago? Before the Limited register was introduced, Breeders did not have to register all the pups in the litter and pups sold to pet homes were usually sold unregistered/without registration papers. It was generally only those which were going to be shown or bred from that were registered. My very first Pyrenean (born in 1994) was sold to me as a pet without registration as was the norm at that time (I was given a ten generation hand written pedigree). Once the Limited register was introduced, a rule was brought in that all pups in a litter must be registered.

I have often heard in rhe past that one of the problems with stud dogs in 'pet homes' is that they are often told off for mounting and that this affects their performance, and was often told never to tell them off (just 'move them on') so their future performance was not affected. I don't think it would necessarily affect every dog, but certainly in some situations do think that it could.

You can get Greyhound products here: http://www.groomersparadise.com/ CC Products here: http://chrischristensenaustralia.com.au/

Used them not long after they first started. Sent swabs (swab kit from them then swabbed by vet) for two tests each for two dogs (DM and CMR). Never got any results after 2 years of asking for them and lots of promises that I would have them 'soon'. Turns out they likely couldnt even do the test for CMR even though they told me they could. Kept trying to bill me for them though.

To date dogs such as explosives detection dogs etc have been retired/rehomed by our Defence Force without issue and I know some people who have one as a pet, but not the 'Military Working Dogs' which are very high drive and trained in bitework etc and what this article is specifically referring to. As Nekhbet mentions these are SERIOUS dogs. VERY high liability if anything goes wrong with these in a 'pet' home. They are now looking to home some of the 'milder' dogs in this role after extensive retraining - and only with their former handlers who know how to handle them. Some will still never be suitable for 'civilian' life. Note the RAAF also has a system where young dogs/pups that 'wash out' because they are not suitable for the role can be purchased by the public. The RAAF has its own breeding program and kennels for MWD at RAAF Amberley in Qld.Expolsive detection dogs etc however are often rescues or others which have been selected from various places for the role.They have very different training requirements to RAAF MWD so they need very different dogs.

Something to keep in mind may be if the vet who desexed her didn't do a 'normal' spey (for example did an ovary sparing spay), She will still show hormones and cycle but not be fertile. It is not overly common, but some do do this. Breathe though, not the end of the world. Best bet IMO is to talk to vet now, see if he can determine if she is speyed or not and discuss howhe may do this (ultrasound, progesterone tests etc) and get her speyed in the next week or two if she is not. I do agree it can be difficult sometimes (years ago I had a rescue we thought was entire and did not find she was desexed till she was opened up! But at least we knew and she was none the worse for wear for doing it.) I don't recommend letting her have puppies if she is pregnant.

Patience and Humility. Still trying to practice those and they do give me a reminder from time to time.....

Some of my 'favourites' :D : Already mentioned the CC Fusion Groom Grip Pin Brush (I like the longer pins). polished tips means less 'grab' on the coat which creates less breakage. For combs, Greyhound make the best IMO. For a 'slicker' type brush, you really can't beat a Les Poochs Brush I use a Pro Brush F/F for my dogs. Again polished tips mean less breakage and the design is ergonomic. Well worth the money. Dogs seem 'happier' to have this brush used on them. Good equipment is worth its weight in gold.

What works as a livestock guardian really depends on the level of the threat. Here in Australia we actually have on average a fairly low threat level, even when at its worst. So many people can get by using Donkeys or Alpaca etc as their only assistance if foxes or the odd feral/wild dog are the problem. With higher threat levels (and in some places worldwide, significantly higher) the only thing that will help is dogs and Alpaca or Donkey's may be fair game (even here in Australia I have heard reports/seen pictures of Alpaca herds decimated by dog packs), and in some places even one or two dogs is not enough (in the US for instance, in some places where wolves have been reintroduced, dogs working in small numbers are being easily killed as they are overwhelmed by the pack. Donkeys wouldnt stand a chance). I have seen pictures of Donkeys and dogs working together to protect a flock (when I say work together I say that the Donkeys and dogs live harmoniously with the flock and the Donkeys play some role as 'alarm' and 'backup' though they themselves are being protected by the dogs too). In places like the Pyrenees in France, Donkeys are a common sight and used as pack and transport animals etc often by the shepherds who also employ dogs to guard their flocks. While better able to protect themselves than the sheep are, they are not effective in protecting a flock and are protected by the dogs themselves.