Two Best Dogs!

Found it. It's not a study, it's a dude taking photos of the local feral/wild dogs near their farm and commenting on their lives. Think it's super interesting to see how coonhounds and beagles left to roam change and revert to the "average wild dog type", but the drop ears so far remain pretty predominant: be interesting to see what Red's (^) litter looks like. Will they become more prick eared? Does the shape of the ears matter that much in terms of survival and reproduction versus the move away from patterned coats and to shades of brown?

i cannot find it but up in america there's someone on instagram who has been chronicling the changes in the wild dogs in their area. it's about 15+ years of wild dogs where the original ones were abandoned/ditched scent hounds and the like and they're quickly changing to that predominantly brown medium wild dog type. i remember thinking it interesting cause you could still see some houndy variations. they were vocal communicators, a bit heavier in set and quite a few hard large almost-drop ears.

this is why T1 will never go far in obedience. The group stays are my nightmare...because if one dog starts acting funny (a small SWF rolling about barking in a group stay a few months back comes to mind, i took T1 and myself away rather than risk THAT) or if another breaks and comes up to her (a handful of times! one quiet alarming with lots of posturing from both) then she will break too and thus fail. but if they don't break she won't break. The structured SFE we can work on, very predictable and improving...but group stays...I have to trust the other dogs will stay and I just cannot, and I get so anxious. It does bum me out something horribly though. She could be so good, but I cannot control other dogs so it is better that we do not :'( T2 is pretty good at group stays. I chalk it up to T1's guidance, but without T1's nerves. He did a group drop stay with the most dissatisfied look on his face as a poodle broke and went right up his ass for a sniff. no way Thistle could handle that, short of a fluke.

We are in the clear. Another dog not fussed by fireworks! Phew!

this might be trickier than planned! house next door has at least two dogs over for NYE. Barky-growly ones (hopefully playing!). It's got thistle all hackled up and grumbly so everyone inside a bit earlier than expected. thinking give thyme his first calm drop when is dark, get the movies on, get the kongs out (must buy a second kong!!!)

i'll be home. thistle is ok with fireworks but im expecting thyme to be alarmed. he is nervous over new surprising sounds and has a grouch when people have parties outside our house. being will be his first fireworks, im going rescue remedy + a bone or kong. if very upset, i'll bring him into my bedroom to cuddle while i read a book or something. i've been playing fireworks each day on the tv but can only go so loud and it doesn't echo/vibrate. hoping T1 will show him nothing to fear. with luck he will accept it like he did with storms.

If I see someone with more than 3 dogs regardless of size, I'm doing a 180 and leaving.

Some unnamed brand dna test for humans pulling up marginally different results on physically-identical* humans with no details as to what quality control, what methods and what databases they used is not very solid "proof" as to the resilience of dna tests for both humans and dogs. Should all stop DNA testing for disease markers as well. No more forensics, can't be reliable . Paternity tests? Out they go. They're all similar kinds of tests yknow. making sure my dog is clear of 159 genetics disease and only carries one that I can now keep an eye out for symptoms as she ages...doesn't feel like a rip off for $150 for me. I guess because she might be 25% mastiff instead of 20% mastiff? I probably shouldn't bother doing it on my pedigree ESS either. Why have a bit of fun and check his health at the same time? *identical twins do not actually share identical DNA, just very very very very very similar DNA.

It's a heart breaking link even without pictures. Poor Beau.

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-11/maximum-sentence-for-breeders-accused-of-animal-cruelty/9246914?pfmredir=sm good! Just imaging all the working breeds cramped in the cages :'( i must have been driving past the place every couple of days and never saw it :'( no idea it is there!

i got a boy to go with my girl cause everyone said it'd work best, but thinking on it i think it's his personality and breed that matters more than his gender. third dog im not so sure i'll care much on the gender and just take the one who meets the personality i would like. ...but is important if ur current dog is neutral to the gender u choose to get or not. if my girl had shown she disliked a particular gender more than another, i would not get a dog of that gender.

Thyme, @dididog's george and I did meet a cute little italian greyhound recently they waited politely for thyme to be done sniffing the ground (smells win over dogs lol) then let our dogs greet. he kept trying to sniff little ones underside but his head is too big! they didnt let the little guy rush up to our dogs, so wouldn't mind walking past them with thistle (no greet though).

WE were chased a couple of weeks ago thistle was on lead and this kelpie came angling right at her! We did a 180 and speed walked the other way and it kept following us it was right up thistles ass! Was zig zagging all over the field trying to keep her calm, talking to keep her attention and walking away so she wouldn't turn and confront the dog but you could see her getting more and more worried owner was no help just standing there half heartedly calling his dog. I was getting really worried thistle would react! thankfulky others saw our dilemma and came to our rescue and shoo"d the dog away but it was no fun! Yknow if she reacted back to such a pushy dog she'd be the one in trouble even though she's under control and on lead really ruins our our confidence to walk together too

There was the perfect one in NSW but I could not afford it at the time! Ah well, as long as it shows up in the next 2 years before dog #3 ;) ;)

my current car is such a piece of junk there's no point, but I look forward to getting something like this for my next car! I longingly keep an eye on the dol car classifieds in hope for a car already kitted out.

The information that is the most mind blowing for me. I was resigned to Thistle's stiffles being so straight and her so butt high and that maybe being a problem when she is older. But apparently with some exercises we can make them less straight and get more of a natural bend in them... and that her muscles distort the ?view? of her spine, so her spine is actually relatively straight but all the muscles on her butt, shoulder and the bit behind the shoulder make her look less stable than she is? also, she's got great balance and is all tense in her neck/mouth so maybe that's why she's a bit headshy? she got a massage... Thyme is a nice healthy typical uncoordinated boy ;) he struggled with doing a rock back sit for his exercise...too much tuck sit practice ;) very informative and interesting can't wait for my written report. will start exercises...tomorrow...im beat after all that driving...

Thistle made herself comfy pretty quick and they both got a bunch of exercises to do now for their weaknesses: Thistle is cleared for weightpull and Thyme is nice healthy growing boy We also got flexibility exercises for both!

We are all heading off to meet Primal Paws for a double consult today! Wish us luck! Particularly as it is an hour drive and my phone (aka the directions) keeps randomly turning off...

Such small cans...u_u i'd kill for a nice wet dog food with minimal packaging. So much plastic and metal cans in my recycling!

Toys r us was selling this cool pool on sale for $100 so I bought it. It ended up being about 1/3rd wider than I expected and a good 20 cm deeper than expected. (was worried it wouldn't fit in the shed for a bit) I think when fully filled even Thistle will have to swim. It has a metal frame, a filter, a water-your-garden attachment and most importantly - this 3 layered tarp stuff which is very strong for both dog feet and the plastic chair I use as a platform to help them get out. We have been having lots of fun with it. Originally both were a bit hesitant, especially Thistle (video), so I started out with it only 30cm deep and have been putting them in the pool myself. It is now about 50cm deep. Today when I opened the shed and was setting up, they both put themselves in it as if to say "Hurry up lets play!". It is quite hot today. (putting himself in) favourite thing is, of course, fetch! good thing i got two floating balls now (ball?!) (ball?!!!) Video: Link (to meet local regulations and general safety for dogs, it was set up in the garage. they only access it with me around)

he is a very handsome boy! so big so fast!!!

That's horrifying. The club is not kicking her out? At least if people google her name maybe they will see this but wouldn't many take the registration at face value and assume she must be "responsible"?

Neat thanks PC. Looks like a different company? I'm talking with the other snake avoidance person about potential scenarios such as keeping any strange people really out of the picture to reduce it backfiring, explaining thistle is a non hesitating successful murderer and i'd feel really bad if she killed one of the snakes so what kind of snake safety.... The training itself will be done in a park, but the dogs have time beforehand to warm up and get used to the collar. i have asked to come along and watch a session to see the set ups and timing. they're amendable to it but now we have to find a time i am not working! one of the ppl at training last night had done the avoidance training before, not with the person i am discussing. they had one dog who was really surprised by the shock and another who blinked and shooked himself. she zapped herself on the setting the dogs would get too, i think that's a good idea i might get that done. she said it was comparable to old farm electric fencing. have to go to work now. oh there are 8 snakes and some lizards to see if they generalise. hoping we are the "only need one zap and dog avoids the rest" situation.

That'd be good to read, could you link me? being so close to a water bird reserve, snakes are on my mind more often than not

Picked them up from post office! I got a free lead too. I really like how light weight they are. The square bits For lead attachment are all rounded now. The leather side is soft and the coloured side has a lively texture and feel to it. I tested them on sand water and grass ! They both wear a medium. The collars came in bags with the story the patterns are telling on a card.