ellz

Soooooo...today the dog had a run-in with a freshly painted wall....well, not so freshly painted, it was just on the tacky side of dry. But tacky enough to act like flypaper and attract a big golden-coloured pest. Owner wasn't amused, boss totally unimpressed, son had to take an early smoko because he had the giggles and the dog spent most of the afternoon in the bath at a local grooming parlour (might hurt the hip pocket a bit). It will be interesting to see if the dog is allowed to run free on Monday when the painters are on the premises..... :rofl:

Some progress....boss is on side. Owner......well the owner couldn't see how her dog could POSSIBLY be a nuisance to anyone and doesn't think that her dog should be confined or that it needs to be kept under control. My son did get hassled first up but it picked a bad time and he turned around and apparently roared a massive NO!!!!! at it and it slunk off like it had been physically assaulted. Chris (boss) witnessed it and is prepared to back my son if the owner gets narky.. Since then, it has followed at what it apparently feels is a safe distance and has spent most of the day licking its paws neurotically while staring at my son. The boss thinks it is plotting something from the way it is looking at them ????????

...but that is exactly the point here! First time in this thread that I've actually agreed 100% with you Willem. Corvus, my son's not a complete novice...he's not going to risk doing anything to himself or the dog that is going to lead to trouble for any party. He has been involved heavily with dogs since before he was born (in fact the earliest photo available of him is at 7months gestation helping me to show a Saluki puppy)..... The treats etc comment was very tongue in cheek. He won't even give MY dog a treat without asking me first. As for the deep heat suggestion....funnily enough, being a sportsman Deep Heat is actually his fragrance of choice and barely a day goes by where he isn't treating something with it, and I can tell you that it didn't work anyway because the dog was still overly interested. Maybe it gets turned on by the smell....who knows. The upshot is that he is VERY aware that it is an OH&S issue and he has read this thread and being a reasonably intelligent person, he has reached his own conclusions in consultation with me. He knows that as with every facet of his working life, there are procedures to follow and he also knows that his first priority is his safety. My feeling is that the owner is a pillock. Anybody who would allow their dog to roam at liberty with tradesmen coming and going through gates directly opening onto the street and with direct interaction with those strangers, is asking for trouble. I'd never dream of allowing strangers free access to my property without securing my dogs first, but that's me. From what I understand, the owner is completely oblivious to their dog's issues. And I also understand that the owner probably wouldn't take too kindly to being asked to lock their dog up so while on the outside it looks like an easy "fix", the reality might be somewhat different. I don't like to use class and status as an argument but in this case, one of Hobart's wealthiest suburbs, 3 storey house, 2 "Toorak Tractors" for taking the 4 children to their private schools and a little BMW for doing the shopping in, a very expensive "Groodle" that is absolutely brainless and needs grooming and I think you may be able to get an idea of what it would be like for a "mere tradie" to suggest that their dog needs some sort of training or control.........

I've had a chat with him and shown him this thread. They were at a different worksite today but I think he's going to mention the situation to his boss and ask him to deal with it when they are around the corner on the other worksite tomorrow. As he said, a loose dog is dangerous for lots of reasons and what if he were scared of dogs in general or had a really bad allergy to dogs? I'm happy that he has obviously been thinking things through and understands the need for his safety and that of his colleagues. He's not a small boy (rising 6'2 and 85kg) and is a State rugby representative, so not a weakling, but he also knows better than to attempt to manhandle an unfamiliar dog. He also knows the difference between goofy dog play and attempted dominance and aggressive overtures and has seen first hand situations where things have escalated badly so he wouldn't dream of attempting to train someone else's dog. I did actually manage to see the dog today (in action at the gate) and I believe what I saw was a Golden Retriever X Poodle, and not a small one either. I'm meeting with the Apprenticeship Board rep tomorrow to sign his paperwork for the apprenticeship so I might get an opportunity to ask some benign questions about what to do in various situations in order to act "by the book". In the meantime, he has pigs ears, vege snouts and a packet of Schmackos in his lunch bag. He commented that no matter how hungry he got, he wouldn't be tempted ????????

My 17 year old son has just started his apprenticeship as a Painter and Decorator. Now my son isn't exactly a novice with dogs, but today he's had nothing but trouble with their client's dog. It's a large, fairly nondescript crossbred dog and has spent much of today alternatively "humping" my son's leg and getting narky with him and attempting to bite him when he tells it no and tries to stop it from acting up on him. At one stage, he and a fellow worker were carrying some heavy scaffolding and the dog went for his legs. Obviously it's an OH&S issue, I suggested that he speak to his boss and get him to ask them to keep the dog under control and away from the painters, but he's a bit worried about rocking the boat so early in his new job. I did suggest that if nothing else, maybe a quick call to Animal Control at the council might be appropriate, but he's really not wanting to create an issue. The owner is apparently quite happy to let this happen and to allow the dog to wander at liberty while the painters are there. My son said that on the few occasions when the gate was shut, the dog spent much of it's time barking at anybody who walked past and getting quite worked up at other dogs walking past. There hasn't been a serious bite attempt YET, but how far would you think it appropriate to let things go before some sort of action is taken? .

Bargain! Just managed to pick up three solid sides for $70! Considering spending the extra I had put aside on a fly screen side for it.

Sorry, I meant to add earlier. Brittanys are nice. I think some also call them the "sane Spaniel". If you're after a somewhat taller dog then they will certainly fit your requirements. Be warned though, they DO shed!!

So sorry to hear this. Definitely write to the controlling body, detailing what has happened. I daresay nothing will be done, but at least it will be on file. Definitely follow through with the breeder and claim the refund that you were offered. I know it won't be much consolation, but you do have some rights in this situation. The law says that purchases must be "fit for purpose" and your puppy clearly wasn't so if the breeder jacks up, contact Fair Trading (ACCC). Horrible situation really because animals are essentially relegated to being an "item", but the consumer law does cover you in this regard. I only wish that I had a puppy left from my recent litter that I could send you. I really feel for you and your family. This is a nightmare outcome, but probably the best choice for your puppy. Hugs to you. And please, know that not all breeders of Staffords are as seemingly uncaring and shallow. Nobody likes to admit that they are producing problems in their breeding program, but we must ALL be accountable nonetheless. RIP little puppy, your suffering is over now.

Lowchen are wonderful pets! Long haired but non shedding because it is a single coat. They don't need to be kept in a lion trim if that's not your fancy and with regular grooming are very easy to care for. Funny, portable, very affectionate. HEAPS of fun!! A big dog in a small body. Some inherited eye conditions and some can be prone to slipping patellas but that isn't just hereditary, it can be environmental. Most get on great with other breeds of dog. This is my baby "monstering" the nasty big Bull Terrier (who you can see is clearly smiling at the camera with a glint in her eye! :laugh: ).

I'm saddened but not surprised by the attitude of this breeder. I will say though that whilst the purchase price does sound excessive to some, in actual fact, if it is a Main Register puppy, $1800 isn't so bad. Average price these days for Limited Registration seems to be $1000 - 1500 and Main Registration $1500 - 2000. Of course, the money grubbers are still trying to charge more for blue and blue bred puppies. As an indication of how small the puppy is, my recent litter of three boys....the SMALLEST in the litter weighed just over 3kg at 9 weeks of age. I hope you can get some definitive answers soon and I hope the puppy turns the corner and can be brought back to full health. I also pray that if it is a genetic issue, or even an issue that could be considered environmental, that the "breeder" takes note for future litters.

:laugh: Guess where I spent last night on an impromptu whim on the loooong way home from a show?

I know Marshall's breeders really well. I've stayed in their home and enjoyed their hospitality and I know the effort they put into their breeding program and the pride they have in all of their dogs! I know if you have ANY questions or concerns, they're definitely there to help and love hearing from their puppy families anyway.

Anyone looking for bargains in the Oztrail Gazebo range, check out http://www.snowys.com.au I purchased my Oztrail Compact Deluxe for $179 with free shipping through most of Australia. And that in itself is a bargain because for most purchases I'm looking at a minimum of $70 postage/freight for anything with a bit of size or weight to it being sent to Tasmania.

I've just attacked my Bull Terrier and my Stafford baby with both clippers and rotary sander (I have a Rok from Mitre 10, fraction of the price of a "real" Dremel but just as effective). Both fidgeted with the clippers (the Bull Terrier took two of us to get one foot done) and I think it's the tugging that upsets them. Neither had had nails done with the Rok before, but after the initial checking out, BOTH (one 3 and one 5 months) stood perfectly still and let me get on with it. Result, two dogs worth of nicely blunted nails so no more nail gouges and no more stocking runs!!!

Try Jeanne Skudder (Penita) in Northern Tasmania on (03) 6391 1658 / 0419 113 830 I think she may even have puppies available now.

I don't take deposits and I don't take "pre-payments" of any kind. I don't want a purchaser to be "locked into" purchasing one of my puppies and neither do I want to be forced to sell a puppy if for any reason the purchaser comes up short in some regard prior to the puppy leaving my care.

I can't see where the breeder has misled you. All looks and sounds perfectly fine to me. There is no set time frame for puppies to be registered, as long as they are registered within the first 18 months of their lives. My current litter are 11 weeks old and I haven't even thought about registering them yet. It will cost me more to do so, but that's my problem.

Actually to be honest, I can still see the "funky" ear in that first photo anyway....it didn't change, the puppy just grew. It's still not brilliant in the latest shot. Teething may still cause it to go awry again too so be prepared.

LOTG, I'm with you all the way. When the boys own eyes and personalities, it'll make the down days seem less important. THEN you'll know why you do what you do!

My babies are 4.5 weeks now and on four solid (or milky) meals per day. Their mum is really just a babysitter now and is more than happy to spend as much time away from the babies as she can get. I'd normally not be weaning puppies this young but I'm being led by mum and she has definitely had enough! They tend to grab her for the odd comfort feed but really could be on their own now. I'm leaving her with them though because she can teach the little monsters some manners and they snuggle with her at night now that I have turned the heatpad off!

*passes LOTG a Strepsil*

Pupdate ... 2 weeks old and growing like weeds!

Hahaha....he is a bit.....not even 2 weeks old and already developing a Stafford grin! He has been officially christened....Ronan. Registered name will be Ellz Kiss Me I'm Irish I'm also breaking all of my own rules about not choosing early, not choosing by colour, select the best, etc etc Ronan is staying! My first Stafford was a red dog. My late husband adored him. I spent years trying to breed another red dog and even using red bloodlines, doubling up on red bloodlines and doing just about everything else possible, I never actually succeeded. Long story alert......... This litter is my first since 2009 and my first since Wade died. My bitch is a stripey brindle, the sire is black brindle who has produced black, brindle and pied. The first two boys born were obviously dark brindle with a white collar and white feet and a brindle with a white chest. The last boy was born a good few hours later and I wasn't expecting another puppy because Petal had popped the two out, cleaned them up and had settled down quietly to love them. I heard a puppy squealing so got up to investigate (I was on the bottom of my bed with the trolley Petal was in, a matter of a metre away). Petal had a very soggy puppy in front of her which she was rolling around licking and it looked as though it was covered in blood. Except......the blood wasn't coming off on my hand when I picked the puppy up and my foggy brain realised that there were two puppies in front of Petal....the "bloody one" and the dark one and that a puppy was STILL squealing!!!! So, the first realisation was that there were actually THREE puppies, and then the fog lifted slightly enough for me to realise that I had finally bred a RED!!!!!! So, as silly as it sounds, I truly believe that this little boy was sent by Wade, so that I finally got my red and by my beloved and much missed Woger, so that I had another Stafford boy to love!!! Oh and as Rocky's (the sire's) owner pointed out, to make it even more like fate, the first time any of us set eye on Rocky, it was the day Woger got his title, and Rocky was Res Cc and RUBOB behind him. And Wade was there........

Oh hai :)