wayrod

Dogs Victoria produced a number of artiles/publications from Choosing a Puppy, caring for your dog through to activities that you can undertake with your dog, ie obedience, agility, conformation etc. I believe some of the articles are on their website. www.dogsvictoria.org.au.

As a guide: Hobart to Melbourne. Airport to Airport. $150 including purchase of new PP40 crate for puppy (up to 11kg) total weight. Geelong pick up to Adelaide airport. $190 including purchase of new PP40 crate for puppy (up to 10kg) total weight. Note: Crates can be re-sold to recoup some of the expense.

I am in Melbourne and I am aware of the GSD requirements of providing proof of hip and elbow results to register litters. What GSD registered breeders have undertaken is a positive move forward, they seem to be putting the breed before the individual. Unfortunately this is applicable for breeders of the breed that wish to register their dogs with ANKC registered bodies, this does not stop the BYB, who do not hip score or elbow score, from breeding and giving the breed a cross against their name. With hip and elbow scoring it is possible for high scoring results for all breeds not to be registered against the breed thus keeping the breed average down. Once a hip score is given it should not be able to be left out of the breed survey figures although having said that at what age should a Hip Score be undertaken. Some vets currently are not using Penn Hip, are xraying dogs younger then 12 months (still within their growth period) and sending results away for surveying and abnormally high scores are returning. There are so many variables currently occuring with hip scoring methods and corrective actions that may be on offer, that some owners and breeders are becoming increasingly confused.

It is still early days but in USA they are trying stem cell therapy to aid dogs that suffer from hip dysplasia, arthritis and similar complaints. Admittedly in its early days so information is scarce and the lifecycle of the treatment is unknown but information in the clip indicate that the subject dog has improved with the use of stem cell therapy. Details have been documented of hip dysplasia GSD on you tube below: Hopefully documented scientific documents will be available so that vets in Australia may also possibly see advantages. Note many vets in Australia will not look at this option currently until documented scientific papers are available yet they state to owners that they should have TPO or JPS at that time or miss the "window of opportunity" with little scientific evidence to support their advice. Also with hip scoring, if hip scoring is optional for undertaking and reporting then the possibility is that more dogs are tested but their results are not included if they have a higher than "normal" averages thus giving a false "breed average". If it was compulsory that hip scoring occurs and is reported, a clearer picture of the breeds overall performance on hip dysplasia is known. In fact in the short term the breed average may rise significantly, due to previously unreported dogs being added to the scheme. Imagine dogs that previously had unreported scores in the twenties or thirties or even higher being added to the scheme. Getting all the breeders and owners to agree to such a request is the hard part.

Any details of dog and owner please.

Why are you asking Wayrod, you've done the NDTF course, so you should know the answer to that Yes I have undertaken a number of courses, seminars and like in my forty+ years with dogs and having previously worked for the Min of Ed as a former Training and Development officer I know that course materials/curriculum can be and is often modified over the years to either keep abreast with current trends, practices and the like. What material is in one course may have been modified added to or parts deleted by the time the same course is next conducted, whilst still meeting the requirements of the NQF. As for the course that I did with NDTF I would have to say that legal/legislative and responsibility issues of being a dog trainer was not covered to a satisfactory level. But enough about me! I am surprised that someone would openly place on a forum that they had used prong collars when it is illegal to use this item in Victoria and has so been for a number of years.

Clarification please: The bold wording regarding prong collars please. My belief is that they are illegal to use in Victoria! POCTA Regs 2008. BTW: With either Delta or NDTF courses did either of the courses cover legal/legislative and responsibility issues of being a dog trainer.

I believe Monash University are undertaking research work in this area. Sorry but I do not have contact details. Let me know if you do happen to find out who? It will be interesting to see the medium to long term results not just for animals, similar treatments may work for people as well.

It is still early days but in USA they are trying stem cell therapy to aid dogs that suffer from hip dysplasia. Admittedly in its early days so information is scarce and the lifecycle of the treatment is unknown but information in the clip indicate that the subject dog has improved with the use of stem cell therapy. Details have been documented on you tube below: Hopefully documented scientific documents will be available so that vets in Australia may also possibly see advantages. Note many vets in Australia will not look at this option currently until documented scientific papers are available.

I suppose what they like. Did you not attend the meeting???? Unfortunately not! Work took priority! Yes it is a shame when your daily life is more important then your hobby which means somtimes you just can't get to things. My daily life is also my hobby but with only 24 hours in a day and seven days in a week you can not always be in two places at once!

I suppose what they like. Did you not attend the meeting???? Unfortunately not! Work took priority!

I'm sorry, I don't have answers to your other questions, but to be fair, should we not then have centers set up for our members in Morwell, Sale, Bairnsdale?? I think the only way to make it fair for all is to share it around in the two locations. It wasn't passed as the resolution was invalid. The votes and comments will be sent to the Management Committee to take on board, thats all that happend, it's possible that nothing will be changed. That's what I mean! Centres throughout the state! all to benefit the members. Currently the library is in one location, museum in one location, office in one location. Maybe it is time for a complete overhaul of the services and how the services are provided to members. Afterall we are Dogs Victoria! members spread throughout the State; not just in one or two regions. By bringing and improving the access to services to members and the general public can only help lift our profile and increase our membership base, afterall it was when we took our services (shows) away from country agricultural societies and fringe suburbs in the late 1970s early 1980s that our membership numbers started to decline. .....as for the meeting I do find it interesting that two resolutions that were not Constitutional changes on the agenda for the agm had a member from Management Committee as mover or seconder...what could members read from that!!!! BTW: Any new Life Members!

AGM can now be held within 5 months of the end of the year. This was already approved in rule 2.96 but had to be deleted in the constitution for this to occur. Could be in Feb, April, could even be in May - May most likely to make sure the AGM paperwork gets into the gazette. They need that much lead time to get the printers O/S to insert it into the gazette. I worked for the VCA for a number of years and at no stage during those years did the March gazette go out without both the Annual Reports both financial and committee reports as well as the statutory requirements for electioneering material being met. Although the magazine is now printed overseas it is possible that that the annual reporting be printed as a supplement and inserted with the magazine at the mailing house, thereby meeting the requirements of going out in the March gazette. Now members will be voting of existing members without klnowing if they have been doing a good job or if the financial status of the organisation is good or bad. To have an AGM some five months after the end of the financial year is really not good enough! especially when no changes were made to statutory requirements to be met for the future budgets going more than three months past the end of the financial year. This will require more changes of Constitution, Rules and Regs at a AGM or SGM. Any idea what happened with item 16: 16. Special resolution moved L Bleakley seconded DBrace Special resolution that Rule 2.12 which currently reads: 2.12 Privileges of Membership Subject to the restrictions and limitations prescribed and obligations imposed by or pursuant to the Rules and Regulations, the Codes of Ethics and the Codes of Practice, the privileges of membership shall be: 2.12.1 the right to vote at the Annual General Meeting and any Special General Meeting of the VCA; 2.12.2 the right of access to the VCA’s library; 2.12.3 the right to enter the Trainee Judges Training and examination program in accordance with the Regulations; 2.12.4 the right to be included on the list of Judges subject to the Regulations; 2.12.5 the right to register a prefix and to register in the pure breeds register such dogs bred or purchased by them as are eligible for such registration; 2.12.6 the right to exhibit or handle a dog at approved Exhibitions; 2.12.7 the right to nominate for or propose or second a candidate for election to the Management Committee or to any other committee of the VCA and to vote in any ballots conducted for elections to such committee; 2.12.8 the right to offer themself for appointment to other committees of the VCA; and 2.12.9 the right to compete for any prize available for competition by members of the VCA. 2.12.10 Provided that an associate or companion member shall not be entitled to the privileges granted by Sub-Rules .1, .3, .4, .5, .7 and .8 of this Rule. be amended so that it reads: 2.12 Privileges of Membership Subject to the restrictions and limitations prescribed and obligations imposed by or pursuant to the Rules and Regulations, the Codes of Ethics and the Codes of Practice, the privileges of membership shall be: 2.12.1 the right to vote at the Annual General Meeting and any Special General Meeting of the VCA; 2.12.2 the right of access to the VCA’s library; 2.12.3 the right to enter the Trainee Judges Training and examination program in accordance with the Regulations; 2.12.4 the right to be included on the list of Judges subject to the Regulations; 2.12.5 the right to register a prefix and to register in the pure breeds register such dogs bred or purchased by them as are eligible for such registration; 2.12.6 the right to exhibit or handle a dog at approved Exhibitions; 2.12.7 the right to nominate for or propose or second a candidate for election to the Management Committee or to any other committee of the VCA and to vote in any ballots conducted for elections to such committee; 2.12.8 the right to offer themself for appointment to other committees of the VCA; and 2.12.9 the right to compete for any prize available for competition by members of the VCA. 2.12.10 Provided that an ordinary or dual member who resides outside the State of Victoria shall not be entitled to the privileges granted by Sub-Rules .1, .7 and .8 of this Rule, and provided that a companion member shall not be entitled to the privileges granted by Sub-Rules .1, .3, .4, .5, .7 and .8 of this Rule. My reasons for asking are: Would have to be conditional on Item 15 being passed. Also there is a mistake in 2.12.10 in that an interstate member must apply for a prefix in the state that they reside whereas it has been left out in 2.12.10 and it appears that as an interstate member of DV they could apply via Victoria for a prefix. I believe this is contrary to ANKC Regulation Part 10.1 & 10.4 printed below: ANKC Regulation: 1. Each ANKC Member Body shall receive applications for registration of prefixes, from members residing in the State or Territory under their control, and shall forward them to the National Prefix Registrar for processing. 4. A prefix name application is accepted by the National Prefix Register subject to renewal annually, in the State or Territory in which it is registered.. Interesting that in 2.12.10 that section relating to a companion member that .6 is left out, so it could become possible for a Companion member to exhibit or handle a dog at approved Exhibitions. I suppose the definition of approved Exhibitions would have to be looked at as in the Constitution clause 1.3 (Interpretation and Definition) it currently states: Exhibition/s" includes Conformation Shows and Matches, Obedience Trials and Tracking Trials, Agility Trials, Field/Retrieving Trials and Water Tests, and any other canine activity approved by the VCA. and item 28: 28. Ordinary resolution moved Marilyn Adams seconded Erich Singer That all elements of the VCA Judges Training Scheme be conducted at both VCA venues, i.e. KCC Park and the Bulla At what cost to the membership, also if the VCA Judges Training Scheme is going to be at both locations then the VCA library should be at both venues, the VCA office should be at both venues. Bulla is central to Melbourne in comparison to KCC Park, the majority of members in a survey conducted in 2000 by gazette postage showed that membership at that time a majority of members lived on the western side of the Hume Highway, this was not made public as the VCA Office was required to be moved to Cranbourne, even though suitable sites were available within 5km of CBD. As this has been passed for all intensive purposes then centres should be available for our country members, say Ballarat, Bendigo, Wangaratta, Warrnambool. We are one organisation and we do not have the resources or membership numbers in the judges training scheme to warrant more than one location. By having more than one location the costs to administer the program increases, logisitically it creates more problems for the Judges Subcommitte and the office to administer. As the items 23-28 went against the legal opinionby the chairperson, would it now be possible for legal action to occur from any person agrieved in these motions?

Going off topic but somewhat related: (and certainly not to provoke any dog trainers who have undertaken any dog trainer/instructors course/s) It is about time that one set of Curriculum and Qualifications and Regulations apply to ALL dog trainer courses being offered in Australia. Why! Because at the moment in Victoria: Anyone can open a dog training school, no experience necessary, some people even pay* for a theoretical course with little or no hands on experience throughout the course. *Some don't even have to pay because a course is recognised by the NQF the student may be entitled to Government payments to undertake the course. The ridiculous senario of undertaking a NQF course like the NDTF course or some modules in other organisations "dog training" courses that have been Nationally Recognised under the National Qualification Framework (Federal Legislation), the course is not recognised by the Department of Primary Industry in Victoria (State Legislation), who is reponsible for dog training establishments in Victoria through the Domestic Animals Act. (There is no Federal legislation that applies to dog training establishments). Unfortunately NQF do not recognise the DAA, and the DPI, administrators for the DAA do not recognise the NQF, eg. Under the Domestic Animals Act the term "qualified dog trainer" is only applicable for a person that has undertaken a course approved by a recognised organisation approved by the Victorian Minister of Agriculture. (NDTF and a few others do not meet this criteria). There is presently no such terminology recognised under the NQF! It is about time that one curriculum, qualification and regulation standard is recognised nationally for the dog training establishments within Australia.

International is slightly different to Domestic. You are normally contacted by the Airline a couple of days beforehand to give an "OK to Forward", at this stage if you do not have information provided by the animal transport forwarder in NZ, ask the person for the details. Usually they provide details of location from where to collect, (some even fax/email it to you) approximate time to collect and any items they may want you to bring (Identification) and costs associated with the collection/processing fees. I was contacted a couple of days ago by another airline for pets coming to Melbourne in middle of next week to give "OK to Forward". Note: If you are not a person that has been living in NZ and relocating to Australia with family pet, they may send you to Customs House (before releasing the pet) where they may attempt to gain money (duties/taxes) off you by treating the transportation to Australia as commercial in nature. Once arrived at home I normally give some Aussie local water and mix with their NZ provided water, I find it helps settle the stomach and lessens the possibility of stomach upsets over the next couple of days.

Below is link to AQIS for information on bringing in pets from Canada. Hope this helps! http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/cat-dogs/count...at4?name=Canada

Anyone can have more than one prefix, you are not allowed to have more than one prefix for the same breed with the same owners. eg. if prefix "Smith" has A Jones and B Jones as members for Golden Retrievers then prefix "Smitha" can not be owned by A Jones and B Jones as members for Golden Retrievers. But if it is owned by A Jones, B Jones and C Jones as members for Golden Retrievers then it would be allowable.

Showing ID to the likes of the ANKC is presenting your membership card, like you do when you register attendance at AGM's of the VCA. In fact as long as you have your membership number you can make application for anything. The prefixes on DOL are one thing (may not necessarily be owned by the people using them) but if they are prefixes issued by the ANKC then its should be drawn to the attention of the ANKC for actioning as the ANKC database system: When a member is suspended or the like, there is a flag/warning section on the ANKC computer system that is supposed to be placed on the members records, which is highlighted when any dealings with the member comes up? This should include prefixes, registrations, transfers etc, in fact anything to do with the member. You may recall in 2004 at the AGM the VCA resolved that Kennel Prefix Memberships were to be no longer available for new memberships and that they can only have individul ordinary memberships meaning that any actions relating to a member are supposedly easier to track. As for "I think you need to show Drivers licence, supply residential address, and a mailing address if you use one. Does anyone know how I can push for this to be done?" The best way to achieve this would be make a motion/ Special Resolution to an AGM/SGM of members (Special Resolution as the VCA Management Committee have to abide by this decision whereas an ordinary resolution they only have to take it under advisement.) If you want this to go national then word the motion/SR so that the VCA must take it to the next ANKC meeting with the endorsement that it has been passed by Members of the VCA. If you place it on the agenda for the VCA Management Committee they make the decision; ie they have the final say, which may not be what you would like. Unfortunately you only get 1 AGM per year and if there is no SGM the resolution/s may have to wait one year to have it voted upon.

As mentioned 12 weeks but just a reminder that you can or someone in NZ on your behalf can do some of the leg work to cut costs but you cannot send the dog yourself you need to go through an accredited pet transport company in NZ to undertake the lodgement for you. Currently Qantas/Air New Zealand in Melbourne is charging around $66.00 for a collection fee and Virgin around $88.00. The other fees for Customs/Aqis is paid in NZ although lately crates have been coming off flights (both airlines) to customers with their seals still intact, so am unsure what sort of inspection takes place.

It was after 3.00pm. GS from the Champ Show wasn't held until after 1.30pm just when it began to heat up, not so good for the babies but I was more than happy with BPIG at her 2nd show.

Recently brought my Collie pup total weight 13kg (including PP40 crate) Syd/Mel (Airport to airport) $66.00 similar size pup and crate 13kg Per/Mel (Airport to airport) $155.00 Unfortunately Roma is about 6.5 hours drive from either Rockhampton or Brisbane and pet transport companies will charge you for their time and petrol to do a 13 hour round trip. If you could get someone to do the drive (maybe offer the owner, or a DOL'er in the area, if they are willing, some extra $$$ for petrol money and time for this service for you) additionally it may only cost you around $150 for flights plus crate. A cheaper alternative.

Wouldn't the Minister for Agriculture who oversees the relevant legislation have the ability to take away/suspend pending investigation, the powers given to the RSPCA whether it is on a temporary basis or permanent basis. It can occur with the Local Government Minister sacking democratically elected councils so I am sure that the Min of Ag has similar ability. Ultimately, the State Parliament can review the appropriate sections of the relevant legislation if there is a big enough uproar. The squeakiest wheel receives the most attention.

I prefer the air line crates. Get one from the air line you are flying the pup over with. Most airlines only stock PP20 or PP40 size crates, anything larger you have to go elsewhere and pay retail prices.

Unfortunately airlines (Qantas and Virgin) do not ask to sight vaccinations certificates either, so the possibilities of biosecurity issues occurring on domestic air travel can also occur. When you last used an animal transport company did they require to sight current vaccination certificates? or only if the pet/s were boarding?. New Zealand are reviewing their biosecurity procedures at the moment, one part is investigating all animals (domestic and international) being transported will be required to show/have current vaccination certificates for travel. Once it happens in NZ it may quickly happen in Australia.

You have to make a decision of which puppy/dog will fit into your household the best and for the purpose that you are purchasing it, whether it be for a showdog, obedience dog or a pet, you are not going to love it any the less. Socialisation is one component as is breed, colour etc. You can only be guided by your gut feeling. If you are offered two pups of different ages from a particular breeder and can not make a decision, then maybe its time to look at another breeder. Even if it is for a comparison. Don't be hastened into making a decision. Your decision will last a life time.