Two Best Dogs!

FYI with both a $60 discount I've been holding on to that expires today and the recent addition of coat genetics to the database - purchased the embark. Look forward to comparing it to the wisdom and also watching the dogs results change and adapt in response to new discoveries. Will share here of course!

I really must have only been at the start, only 10 or so dogs I saw! What a shame, I'd have liked to watch in person but at work so can't hang around :/ It's not often i see such a variety of types of dogs in one spot! That sounds good, more time for them to refine and amend and consult all the above parties?

Neat! I'll look out for it. Were there detector dogs involved? I collect articles on them ????

There were lots of dogs and their owners outside parliament earlier today! Was that in relation to this? I only saw one sign but couldn't read it between the people. I think maybe it was being set up or packed up though

A thread where I'm wondering if there are any new or creative ways to keep the four legged companion of mine cool without having aircon on every day all day ;) Any new technology, new takes on the traditional methods or old goodies? Keeping cool when out and about? Signed The I hate summer weather household

Didn't growl at head trainer today, even though he had moved into <1m of her and was smoking. She got all treats in my training bag for that. She also did a trick for someone yesterday. Usually she won't even sit for others, so that was nice :) Baby steps.

The most gorgeous and delightful dog ????

Got mine the same place. Very fast shipping indeed! with tracking.

That is fair enough, except that it's the first I heard about it? If that is the case, couldn't she have said such in her interviews or put out a statement? Is there a statement somewhere on clarifying that? Apologies but I remain very sceptical. Stuff like that contributes to my frustration, I do truly want to know what is going on but it is so difficult to find out details like this. I would much prefer to read the reports when they eventually come out, if ever. I bolded the bit I was thinking about specifically. I am not convinced that she can adequately promote excellence in all of those without a full set of staff on hand. The June raid had "A total of 13 Notices to Comply (NTC) were issued to the owners at the two properties. These relate to addressing animals’ health, hygiene, husbandry and food/water provisions." - I find that all quite alarming to read. As for the families who did purchase puppies (from pet stores and online sources, would it occur to them to report any issues? I confess I'm not sure how one even does report a dodgy breeder anymore), I know as much as you on that I expect. The articles mention previous complaints about puppies, cite a couple of puppy purchasers who were unhappy with their visits but as for the rest, it is vague "complaints to Strathbogie Council went unheeded" and "six years of complaints" - granted that could be anywhere from 1 complaint every year to 100s of complaints. Ideally the court case would list how many of these there were? I am in agreement there, I have absolutely no objections with Heather going after legal recourse and going to the courts. Ideally the courts would get to see all the evidence (on both sides) that the rest of us only here tidbits of. It is why I would very much like it to be done faster, so I can read all the more specific details than what was given to the press at the time of it happening. I am alright to change my opinion of some things if the data says otherwise, although I am likely to stay firm in the the animal to staff ratio isn't appropriate, and thus neither is the level of care. It is seeming you a far more willing to give the benefit of the doubt than me. And apologies Steve, I should clarify I am not meaning to accuse any of you defending her methods and (possible) misdemeanours. I was thinking more we are coming at it from different POVs (you: registered member POV, me: frustrated cranky future puppy owner who doesn't want to inadvertently buy from a puppy mill), but I can step back if I am coming across as accusatory to dol members. I think I have shared my current opinions on the situation, my views and my frustrations - anything more would be going in circles I reckon. It is seeming to me a bit silly to expect members to be accurate representations of the body they have joined, but I am ever an optimist it seems I would hope that the majority are at least meeting the bare minimum of care, and that those who go above and beyond are recognised and promoted as such. and that those who are not are a teeny tiny minority that would ideally be removed from registry bodies. Thanks Steve, all my articles just said the dog was from the raid - but not which property so in light of Heather being the main topic and not her neighbour, I had assumed it was one of hers. This is the neighbouring one then? Or are you meaning there was another raid at the same time as heather and her neighbours? I'll edit my post. There were also a few cats taken in if I recall, and something about parrots.

I am not sure what AO is standing for? It's not that I expect DogsVic to police their members strictly, that I am baffled and frustrated that those they have previously suspended or had disciplinary action against are not listed or indicated as such and that they let her keep her status within dogsvic. Why did they remove the suspension from 2010? Let alone let her become chair of a breed club (then back down to whatever it she was at the time of the raid. i think someone discovered it was secretary or something?). If not meeting what dogs vic supposedly stands for ("Promoting excellence in dog behaviour, health, companionship, work, community acceptance and responsible dog ownership. Maintaining pure breed standards and education") I would think and hope they would remove those who are working counter to that? When people are hunting for a registered purebreed to buy, they are directed to dolz online and dogsvic. But if people like Heather are included in the list without any indication of the strikes against them...that is trust damaging because I don't understand how one is meant to avoid the registered irresponsible breeders or registered puppy mill? I think I better go have a cup of tea before I frustrate myself into circles, am not meaning to sidetrack from the discussion of Heather's puppy mill - just that everytime she comes up I am reminded of how difficult it is to ensure a puppy is responsibly bred even through the representive body.

Wow what an age! Old dogs always make me cry. 18 years with that dog, what a lucky pair!

So there is no way to find out if a dogs vic breeder has "strikes against them" and fall short of dogs vic standards? Short of asking around and hoping people are honest about other breeders (AND that what you hear isn't malicious gossip). That troubles me. It reminds me of those threads where people come in with the sick puppy from a poor-practice but registered breeder...but the kennel name is never mentioned, no way to steer clear of them for future puppy buying people. Yep me too and that photo wasn't of her dog . Is it the neighbours dog? All I could find is it was from one of the two properties.

To be fair, this news piece (and the only news piece on it??) seems to be from september. I'm not sure the time frame it goes from writ to full legal process and court judgements? Although she's pretty high profile, so hopefully an article somewhere would let us know when hearings are happening and verdicts made.

My sympathies are still completely lacking for this person, as I've not seen any evidence that she was somehow managing all these dogs in a suitably healthy and responsible manner. How do you adequately judge the health and temperament of that many dogs without a full staff? How are they appropriately socialised and exercised? Wasn't she the one "suspended" from dogs vic for 5 years after videos of dogs contained in tiny shit covered cages was leaked? Heather may request that people do not judge her on her past, but I am not so convinced. It takes a lot to get the RSPCA to actually act on tip off, that there were supposedly multiple from various sources? So this article mentions the 52 seized, but doesn't mention the ones surrendered (?due to ill health??)? So that means her neighbour's 30 dogs that were taken, 17 were seized and 13 surrendered...implying Heather surrendered 37 dogs in additions to the 52 seized? Only 30 dogs in okay enough health and living situation to be left with her? That's 119 dogs on her property alone! and the 4 dead ones, that the partner/neighbour was somehow was not aware were dead on her property. How do you lose track of 4 dead dogs?! then claim the rest are healthy? I hope this whole situation is in court faster so can see the numbers and reports...and action is taken. I would very much like to read the writ she has lodged if the article links to it? This whole situation is reducing my trust in dogs vic, which was small to begin with I'm irked that you can only find out her background through news websites and some animal rights websites. I'm frustrated that dogs vic is not transparent about breeders and issues, that their statements are vague and shallow. How come dogs vic does not list members that have been suspended previously due to things like this? How do you identify breeder's with 'strikes' against them, so to speak? Or will they quietly remove from lists, if that, then reinstate again in 5 years? How many "heather healeys" are there who have previously done such actions and been allowed to continue? I would be furious if I bought a puppy then found out it had come from someone who had previously been involved in subpar care like in 2010, let alone again in 2016. Not that I would get a puppy from someone keeping over hundred dogs without a suitable ratio of people to the dogs. Few photos were released to public. Even if, at their worse, all 100+ were "only" matted like this one from her kennels the raid: That is completely inappropriate, especially for a dogs vic show "representative". Look at those feet! That takes a lot of time and much to get to that extent, how do you not notice that?! (And Millie, who's already been adopted since and was taken from Heather the raid in a "severely malnourished state". That's one dog too many) Consider me incredibly sceptical as to her appropriate level of care for this many dogs.

That poor, poor puppy

Oh no SG, very definitely some wine time!

I close everything up, blinds down all day, roll up the rugs so we have nice cool wood. I have cold mats like that...for both me and the dog! They are a god send. Water EVERYWHERE. Perhaps even consider a blue shell with water, although might be a concern for your short-legged-one. Raised bedding, artificial shade with blankets via the clothes line. Frozen bottles Frozen bones I love your matched yet mismatched pair!

FYI while my poo count is decreased it does not stop furry feral visitors racing along my fence or living under my porch ????

Thanks Skip, thistle was perfectly fine to get snarky at the head jumping I reckon. She was trying to say hello to the owner. Bummed out at myself for not recognising the potential for an upset! Hopefully they can have some driveby short sniffs next week to smooth over any last misgivings. She got the same kind of cranky with ralphie and now they're bffs (once he stopped the head jumping) Must remember she really really doesn't like having her head jumped on!

It dies make me thing of meditation for dog and person alike!! Well done both of you!!!!!

Great job SG and PK! How is Mr Justice? He looks pretty happy on Instagram. We had a good and bad day. The bad was my fault, Thistle was saying hello to a lovely poodle. It started out well enough, sniffing each other's butts and all relaxed. Then Thistle went to say hello to the owner and the poodle started jumping on her head. She went stiff and moved her head away but the poodle kept being frantic. I should have called her then and there but I hesitated for some reason (i don't know why) so she had a go at the poodle when it kept jumping on her. It was one of those loud but no contact ones but easily split apart. We calmed them down, I apologised for not calling T away faster and they apologised for the frantic face jumping. Just...a personality clash? So I'm bummed out at myself for not recognising that. I know she doesn't like having her head jumped on! I should have called away while she was still winning and calm! But later at school thistle was in 10m drop stay and the same poodle had broken and ran up to her. I called her and she didn't even hesitate, came running to me! I ran backwards to encourage it and fell back on to my butt but kept calling her and she ran right into my arms. Worth the keys on my butt. Think I broke the clicker landing on it. I'll see if duct tape can help us out. We have also finally graduated from intermediate 3 to... 3.5 ???? A new class as of next week for dogs who are almost advanced level. Good timing, today is our anniversary of starting intermediate 3 ???????? mostly I feel I am getting better at recognising a dog scuffle for fair enough reasons versus worried reactivity. So both our emotional states better afterward (dogs forgive so easily!) but I still need to be more consistent and proactive in recognising her being uncomfortable ????

Amazing! :laugh:

Think you'll find people who think they're the exception to leash laws exist no matter the socioeconomic background. Claiming it's only a specific sort of people helps no-one. Their dog is amazing, they have a special bond, they dont believe dogs should be tethered, they want to show off their offleash skills, they think it will get the dog more exercise, they want to socialise their dog, they're ignorant, they're clueless, they have a big ego, their dog is a friendly precious angel, "dogs will be dogs"*, they're just lazy, it was "only the one time", they didn't think it'd happen, they do it all the time and never had a problem before, they see other people doing it and think it is ok...many and more reasons I can't think of that people seem to think that they're the one exception to leash only areas. Unfortunately. Then all dog owners get a bad rap because of the above, restrictions come in, allowances taken away. *word for word a man in an upmarket fancy suburb gave me because his angry barking offlead dog was following us down the street making little lunges and I got cranky about it because T was beginning to get upset.

I tend to spray after mowing the lawn (so every 3 weeks or so) or after a lot of rain (when I remember). I do like having my dog eat less feral cat poop.

I've had luck with a mixture of 3/4 water, 4 capfulls strong eucalyptus scented disinfectant, some oil (to keep the smell through some rain) and lavender imitation essence (250ml). Shake it about. Sometimes I add lemon. Spray where you want to deter (I just do the perimeter) Was for dog poop on my nature strip but pleasant side effect of less cat poop. Hose down the area to get rid of any residue cat poop smell as well before spraying. Needs a topping up after heavy rain. Hope you get rid of the poop