Better Late

Thanks LG, that was my main concern too. Thankfully she's right as rain bar a little diarrhoea this morning so I'm not too worried.

Bumping this as I heard chewing and thought Bonnie had gotten into the bin. On further inspection she had removed a half full packet of marshmallows and a quarter of fruitcake from my partners camping bag, this is after he assured me there was no food still in it. Really really not impressed as he keeps leaving things out that she can get into. Last week he left the rubbish bin bag on the kitchen table and we came home to garbage scattered throughout the house...just so unsafe! I let him have it today. Pretty sure she has a stomach ache now so I'm going to have to watch her to make sure she doesn't have a reaction that requires vet attention. Bloody hell.

This is what I understand my breeder has done with their current litter. I have no idea about pricing, some of these will cost a lot, others might not cost too much if anything, but dogs are in fact this persons business. Importing semen Artificial insemination Pregancy test Feeding increase during pregnancy Pregnancy check Whelping (big litter!) Post whelp health check With the pups as much as possible Feeding Imprinting Vaccinations Worming Health checks Cleaning Socialisation Desensitisation And yet when we were discussing my getting a puppy from this litter (landlord saying no was the only thing in the way), they told me that money was not the biggest hurdle as I had the passion and the drive to learn and train and grow with this dog. If that meant paying the puppy off, so be it. These are incredibly exceptional dogs and would have a price of at least $2k. In the end its not all about that paper for some :)

DAYLESFORD!? That's a bit over an hour from me! Ergh......

I would never, ever leave. My girl is like my heartbeat, she is the biggest love of my life save for my partner and I owe it to her to be there right until the very, very end.

Tell us about how you feed him. Do you put the bowl down and leave it there, even if there's something in it that he isn't touching? I would start giving him a ten minute window in which to eat, it's a very common technique. Make his dinner as per normal, set a timer on your phone for ten minutes, set his bowl down and press start on the timer. Once it goes off, remove the bowl, regardless of whats left behind, and throw that away to start a fresh the next day. He is soon going to realise that whatever is in his bowl needs to be eaten otherwise its just going to disappear, and if he has a habit of not eating *anything* sometimes then he'll figure out pretty quickly that he needs to get a wriggle on or else he goes hungry. A lot of times this can end fussiness and they work it out in a day or two. Anything longer than that and I would be off to the vet for a checkup if he's really off his food.

I don't want kids, ever. I work with them and I'm quite happy when they go home at the end of lessons :laugh: particularly if I've had a group of ten ratbag boys like I did today, sooooo tiring. Give me dogs anyday over looking after a kid full time.

I'll bite too, seeing as it was me who originally posted the thread. "Rosie is a four year old, purebred German Shepherd from working lines, and as such she will require a breed experienced home or a home who has previously or currently owns high drive dogs (GSD, Malinois etc). We are seeking a wonderful home that will provide her with structure, leadership, belly rubs, mental stimulation and an introduction to the wider world. She is an exceptionally sweet girl who would be a pleasure to have in the home. The new foster carer or adoptive owner must be prepared to put ongoing work and training into Rosie as she does display resource guarding tendencies when it comes to the person she bonds with most, and we are prepared to offer ongoing support from our current behaviourist to allow Rosie to make better choices and, in essence, relax, which is what we at BSRA ultimately want for her. As with most working line breeds she does have a very high prey drive and is not suited to a home with cats or other pocket pets, however this would certainly see her suited to either an agility or other dog sport home as her prey drive when channeled correctly will see her very easy to motivate." Liz, I commend you for taking the time to respond to this thread. I still stand by what I said in my original post, I really cannot stand the tugging at the heartstrings, sob story descriptions as in my mind it is detrimental to the dog, but these are only one persons feelings on the topic and I respect the fact you are taking everything in this thread on board, as I originally posted it to create a discussion which is what we ended up with. I do hope that Rosie finds an excellent home and I have no doubt she will with your help.

Let us know where you are located and I'm sure we can recommend an excellent behaviourist who can help you.

Happily donning my flame proof suit here but I needed to share something that is quite possibly the stupidest thing I have ever read. It was a description posted about a dog by a rescue group and I honestly could not believe what I was reading, as in my mind it does the dog absolutely no favours at all. I'd be worried about someone reading this and taking on a dog that they have no real idea about what they're getting into. I'm not saying every rescue is like this, I know they're most certainly not, but this level of anthropomorphism is detrimental at best and a bit worrying. ""I’ve come a long way…..and have wanted to put the needs of my babies and the other puppies first in finding loving homes…..but now I have to ask for me – Is there anyone out there that could love me forever? You might remember me – my name is Rosie and I am the very proud Mum of 4 little girls – now not so little! Yes, we came from a junkyard environment, but please don’t be put off by my recent humble background – I am a pedigree GSD girl and I still hold my head high! The embedded chain that tore my neck open has been removed, and the continuous love and attention from my foster Mum and my Doctor for the last two weeks has seen my neck wound heal fairly quickly. I overheard that my ‘bills’ –whatever that is - are high – and I’m not sure whether that is a good thing or a bad thing? I do know that I have been feeling so much better – I don’t have to worry about the pain and the stress of trying to protect my babies any longer….and I have enjoyed the comfort of a real home for the first time in my life - it has been absolute heaven for me!! But, again I overheard my ‘people’ talking last night and they can’t keep me….. and while I have been through so much without a tear shed….I have to admit I cried when I heard this and was afraid that I was going to be sent back to the junkyard. I have since learned that this is not the case, that I haven’t done anything wrong - I was so worried that I had done something to make my people stop loving me – but my foster Mum told me it wasn’t me at all – she loves me dearly but cannot keep 7 dogs in the house. We had a bit of a cry together … but then I came up with a great idea!! We could ask the 3 youngest to leave! Unfortunately, my foster Mum said that wouldn’t be fair…..and as much as it saddened me – I agreed. My foster Mum promised me she would find me the perfect home with people who would love me forever ….but I am afraid – what if no one likes or wants me? I know I’m not a cute little puppy, and yes, I am 4 years old – but there is a lot of puppy left in me I promise! I’ve been told I have the most sweetest and loving nature despite the neglect I experienced, and that I am truly beautiful in appearance and in my soul. I am naturally protective of my Foster Mum as she has done so much for me….and would show the same loyalty, love and devotion to anyone who would care for me and love me back. My foster mum believes that I am a very special girl who deserves the very best of homes so she will be looking for the following for me: - A large yard for me to play in - An adult household or at least no young children or babies - Preferably one with no cats (personally I love to chase cats and I’d like to have lots of them to chase) - If you have a nice doggie that would like me….I’d love a companion. - A home where I am part of the family – which means I can be inside with you when we're not walking or playing - I can sleep beside your bed – or on it (which I prefer) - Someone who understands what I have been through…and would take pleasure in showing me that there is a whole world out there full of new people, new smells, and things like swimming in lakes and going to beaches – not sure what they are but my foster mum says I will love it - I can have lots of treats, cuddles, people food, lots of walks, sleep on your bed, on the couch and on your lap, ride shotgun in the car, tell the postman I’m watching him, chase cats and the neighbour’s cats …..oops this is my list :) My foster mum says that it is urgent that we find a foster home for me – she would prefer a foster to adopt home for me – I think that is where you come to love me overnight and want me to stay forever and ever and I really like this idea too! But I am willing to show you, while you foster me, 10,000 reasons why you will never want me to leave. So, can you help me? Pleeeease !! I have my bags packed already….I have food, my new toys, my new collar and lead, my new blankie…….I just need you! I promise I will be really, really good, and show you that despite my hardships to date, I really am a ‘special girl ‘ and have the most loving, happy, playful, and devoted nature. I am waiting to hear from you…..please call soon! Love Rosie xxxxxx" I'm on my phone right now so I won't type too much out about what really annoys me about all of this, but I'd love to know what you think.

I haven't had anything said to me directly, it wouldn't surprise me if some people thought that, but then again most of the people I have in my life know that I'm completely dog mad and want to make a career out of dog behaviour & training and my life revolves around it, lol. I wouldn't give a stuff if someone actually said that to me, because I'm completely fine with where my dog sits on the "priority scale" of my life. I'm her provider, she depends on me and I have a responsibility to her to ensure she's well cared for at all times. I absolutely don't want human kids :laugh: so she is as close to family as a four-legged entity will get, and I will always take her needs into consideration because I pretty much have a duty of care to her. I'm a fairly introverted person as it is and I live two hours away from Melbourne so I don't see people too often, so I suppose that helps me get away with being completely obsessed :D

Thanks guys. We had another great day today. There are tradies building some houses across our little culdesac so I opened the front door to do some training, she settled down really well so I moved us outside. In the past men in hi-vis have set her right off but not so today, we loose leash walked up and down the culdesac a few times and when we were down the bottom, a couple of kids came around the top corner. We did some focus work and then started walking back to the house as the kids came towards us. They gave us a nice bit of space, didn't just reach out and pat her, but just looked at us curiously. I stopped, asked Bonnie to sit, she did, and I told the kids about her fear issues and that we were doing some training to help her not be scared any more. Then we moved off. She was bloody brilliant :D

Guess I should probably pop back in for an update as Bonnie has come along in leaps and bounds since we went up to see K9Pro. It culminated in her today not 45 minutes ago tolerate four kids riding past her on bikes about a metre away from us, twice, with only a short growl each time. No barking, lunging, foaming, snapping, fire-breathing riot dog. The leash handle was on my middle finger, it was hanging loose, and she could have done anything she wanted to but she showed amazing impulse control and I'm so proud of her. She also walked on a loose leash past them about five times. Then we moved to where there is a particularly zen Husky behind a fence. She knew he was there. There was a little leash pulling and straining to get a better look, but there were NO vocalisations at all and she responded excellently when I asked her to fall back in beside me. Absolutely f*cking elated!!!

That is such an awesome surprise :D

I'm sure you'll be fine! What breed is Anna and what breed are you thinking about for your new addition? I've never had a puppy before! So at least you'll have some experience, especially if the breed is the same. You must have done something right if she's had such a good innings :D

Am I allowed to post here if I'm on the waiting list for a puppy? The litter isn't due until 2017 (as the breeders younger bitch is being run on and this year was their older bitches last breeding year) but I have a really great rapport with the breeder and their dogs are everything I could dream of, hope for and more :D There are no guarantees as puppies are matched with the best of homes to suit their temperaments and drives, as well as the goals of the owner, but I'm developing a relationship with the breeder and they are also my behaviourist, so they are well aware of what I'm after and are amazing and super encouraging as well as having a lot of faith in me. So I really hope there's a pup that suits me in a few years...!

Jafco basket muzzles are awesome. Allow the dog to pant, bark, drink and take treats. We love ours :) they come in either black or clear. We got it from K9Pro who send you a muzzle conditioning info sheet with it to get you off on the right foot.

I love when the DOL community bands together to help out a fur baby in need! Well done everyone!

I've asked one of my good friends who lives in Happy Valley if she can either help directly or is able to find someone who can. I'll keep trying, Adelaide was my old home town so I know a few folks there.

I do hope the electric fencing works. If it doesn't then you need to swallow that lump in your throat and dish out some tough love with the run. You're not hurting her feelings, you will most likely be saving her life. Any wandering dog as you would well know could end up on the wrong end of another landowners rifle, and if its wallabies now who's to say it wont be lambs in a year or two? I'm not saying its a definite but you need to think about all the possible things that could go wrong, and secure containment will put a quick stop to any wandering. Start building a positive association with the run. Feed her in there from now on - its just like crate training but bigger! Allow the run to become 'her' space. Put a clam shell sandpit/pool in there, interactive toys, bones, pop a radio on there. You'll get there and wont have a wandering pup to stress you any longer :)

From what I understand as a future puppy buyer, the more information you give to the breeder will enable them to pick the best puppy for you and your family depending on the goals you have for your new addition. The breeder spends stacks of time with the litter and knows the puppies inside out when it comes to individual temperaments, drives etc, so they are in the perfect position to make the best informed choice for you. The experience you had with the poodle was unfortunate but it does afford you a great learning experience - ask the breeder about what they expose the pups to early on, loud noises, clam shells with plastic bottles, plastic bags, kids, all kinds of fun things as part of the desensitisation process. Do your due diligence, if you have sporting goals for your pup then have a look at the progeny getting out there from your breeder, see what they're up to, any titles etc. Good luck with your journey into puppy ownership :)

I'm not sure yet, just waiting on a call from the show organiser so we'll see what she needs me to do over the weekend, so I could be doing anything from stewarding to running around getting coffee for people. I'll wear a red bandana to make it easier!

Missed this sorry - and didn't get to the handmade. Til this month I've been at the Showgrounds every week with the cards (indoor pavilion stand): will not go back til the chooks start laying again and do fresh eggs as well as the cards (registered egg producer, not a backyard cowboy). Castlemaine Farmers with LETS and Produce Exchange, same at Maldon and also sometimes help there with the poultry stand. Sometimes Dunolly Street Market with either cards or eggs or both. Maryborough Station and/or Racetrack alternate monthly markets. Daylesford just very occasionally. Small ones: Bendigo Uniting Church market is usually good (near Aldis), Anglican Fair in the road behind them is a bit smaller/quieter but reliable. (They know I'm an atheist but still always invite me, good people at both). So it's hard to commit ahead, depends what I have and where the rain is forecast, a bit of a hit and miss diary. Just has to be organised more in the egg season, Spring-Summer-Autumn. Winter is more for cards whether hand-made or Phoenix, and a week off now and then. Booked a spot for the Ag Show in Oct but that's around $200 for a stand, need to do well to break even, might opt out. Just going to the Showgrounds for a look this coming weekend as the big Alpaca event is on for three days, fleeces and animals. And our Poultry Club auction on Sat 19 Sept. I'm in Bendigo and like to frequent the markets, I'll have to keep an eye out for you! I'll definitely come and say hello if you're at the Ag Show in October, I'm helping out at the Alpaca Show over the weekend so if you bump into a short girl with glasses rushing around its probably me :laugh:

He would have been castrated if he'd tried this with my dog and wouldn't have gotten off lightly with me, either. Revolting.

Bonnie is coming up five years old in a few weeks, we had to fully re-housetrain her when we got her in December last year as she was either a complete outdoor dog in her previous home or (as is not uncommon with rescues) plain forgot how to toilet outside in a new environment. Regardless of what time we go to bed - could be anywhere from 8pm - 12am, she's always taken out for a 'last' wee and she knows she doesn't get to come inside until she's done her business, unless she's asked voluntarily to go not too long before that. As soon as she's back inside its up on the bed, tucked into her blanket and off to the land of nod. I'm in posession of a relatively small bladder and usually get up at some stupid hour to relieve myself, after I've done so I will generally call her and take her outside to toilet...means we can have a bit of a sleep in in the mornings! Or if I'm particularly wiped and dont wake her, she will get off the bed, shake, and stand at the sliding door to be let out (we keep it closed to keep the warm air in).