Gayle.

My oldie got out a few years ago, and we paid the impound fee to get her out and had to have her microchipped before they'd let her go. A week later, the council fined showed up and by the time I'd done paying everything, I could have bought a brand new pedigree puppy. But it was my fault, she was grieving for her mate who'd died a couple of weeks before and I underestimated the lengths she'd go to in order to "find" her friend (she went to the vet clinic down the road which is the last place our other dog went to alive) and the staff there rang the ranger. All up, it was around $500-600 in pound fees and fines as I'd let her rego lapse. So ovewr $1000 for multiple dogs....yeah, I'd say that's about right. But we had no idea the fines were following the pound fees. They certainly didn't tell us that when we went to collect her, and I expect they don't tell anyone otherwise more people would leave their dogs there. So that is not the reason dogs are being euthanased in pounds.

Deelee, totally off topic, but have you read Dean Koontz's book A Big Little Life? It's the story of his GR Trixie and how she came into their lives (she was an ex-service dog) and how she completely changed the way they lived. If you haven't, I think you would absolutely love it. He is a HUGE fan of GR's and does a lot towards the GR Service dog charities in the US and the way he writes about Trixie coming into his life is just wonderful.

Yep, and the thought process that went into it was amazing. He had to understand that there might be a way to get her out, find the way then communicate to her how to do it. And he had to somehow understand that she could get out of the slightly bigger gap but not the narrower ones as she would have got her head stuck if she'd tried.

Here is the story, it's been posted a couple of times so apologies to those who have read it before. But it's a classic example of just how intelligent dogs are. Our Puppy Run. We built it from fence panels made up of thin vertical rods welded on crossbars (available in Bunnings and popular for childproof fencing) along with a matching gate. We sectioned off an area from the garden shed to the back fence, making a sizeable run that contained a shady tree, an insulated kennel, bedding, toys, water and plenty of soft grass for her little toosh to lie on. Three days before I was to go back to work, I road tested it by leaving my pride and joy, 9 1/2 week old Aussie Shepherd puppy Dusty in there while I went grocery shopping. Our other Aussie, Benson, had the rest of the backyard and they could see each other but not be together. I thought he was a bit too big and boisterous to leave Dusty in his company for any length of time. She screamed, cried and stamped her little white feet as I drove off down the road and was still hard at it when I got home 2 hours later. I lugged groceries inside, put them away to the sounds of a puppy tantrum in full flight, then as I was finishing up, I realised she'd stopped so I made a cuppa and sat down for a rest. Next thing I heard a happy little "yip, yip, yip" right outside the dining room window, which is a long way from the puppy run. I looked out and there was my little ball of girlie fluff merrily cavorting with her big brother. I went out, checked the run for holes, bricked up some questionable areas and popped the little screamer back in there for another go. She let me know in no uncertain terms that this wasn't very cool, and I left her to it and went back inside. Ten minutes later, I heard the same happy little puppy sounds where they weren't supposed to be coming from. Yep, she was out again. We repeated the exercise. This time she got out before I made it back into the kitchen. I checked the entire run from top to bottom, there was absolutely no way she could get out. So this time, I put her in, went around the side of the house and hid from view and watched. She ran along the fenceline inside the run. Benson walked along the fenceline outside the run, peering very intently at the gaps between the vertical rods. He tapped them with his paw every now and then, and when he got about 3/4 of the way along, he tapped his paw over and over and Dusty came running. She stuck her head through the gap, turned it sideways, squeezed her shoulders through and popped her fat little body out the other side. Freedom! I couldn't believe what I'd seen, so I went and got my husband and we both watched as they did it again. Benson was "measuring" the gaps and had found the only one she'd fit through and made sure she found the right one. When we measured the gaps with a tape measure, every one of them was 3 inches except that one she was getting out, which was 3.5 inches. You couldn't tell by looking at it, we'd never have picked it, but Benson figured it out in two hours and somehow communicated to Dusty to squeeze herself out. We lined the whole fence with wire mesh after that. Never underestimate the intelligence of our dogs.

Benson doesn't need thumbs. I'll see if I can find the story of him breaking Dusty out of the puppy run and you'll see why. Be right back.

We have an early morning routine that involves the alarm going off at 5.30am, my husband stretches, makes lot of groaning, whingeing noises about getting up, I poke him in the back and tell him to get up and make the coffee, and when he does, Dusty hops into his warm spot and we both lay there and have a cuddle til he brings my coffee in. One morning last week, the alarm went off as usual and we were both still really tired so we just layed there and didn't move or make a sound. Eventually, Dusty must have got impatient and sick of waiting cos she walked around to my husbands side of the bed, poked him very firmly in the nose with her nose, then sat til he got up and straight away jumped into his spot. She apparently didn't think he was gonna move unless she gave him a reminder! Yep, they sure are smarter than us and they don't miss a trick!

Definitely from a registered breeder, not necessarily one listed on DOL though. Won't ever go the rescue route, it's just not for me. My next puppy will almost certainly be a girl. And hopefully within the next year.

There is a pet shop at Chadstome shopping centre (not PP) who had a rescue dog for sale last itme we were there. A cute little 2 yo black curly oodledoodle. He was in a big run, had plenty of space and was having a blast interacting with the people shopping there. They don't sell puppies, apparently just rescue dogs, one at a time. Hopefully to well-screened homes.

My couch belongs to a pair of supermodels. And then there were four. The supermodels were invaded by the hunks....and they weren't too happy about giving up their space on the couch! (from left to right: Kinta and Leo (belong to Leopuppy), Dusty and Benson.)

We have an old Lhasa Apso who's always been outside during the day while we're at work. She's about 15 now, will be 16 this year and she still goes out every morning and comes back inside in the evening. She's fine, if we're home on the weekend, she still wants to go out although she often comes in earlier. She's been doing it all her life and she's just used to it.

I'd suggest not two Aussie pups together at the same time. I got mine 10 months apart and that's just about perfect. They have each bonded with us in their own way.....Benson is firmly attached to my husband, despite the fact that I am the one who feeds, walks, trains, grooms him etc. and Dusty is my girl. She would walk over hot coals if I were there waiting for her. But they both know that I'm the boss and they both do as I say. Together now, they are not much more work than one. I walk them together, groom them at the same time, they go in the hydrobath together. Double the vet fees and food costs, so that is something to take into consideration.

This thread prompted me to drag out Bensons Easy Walk harness which I bought when he chewed up the Sporn one. I hadn't used it much because by then he was walking pretty good on a loose leash. But the past few weeks I've noticed Dusty wanting to be first all the time so I adjusted it for her and we've had a couple of walks with it now. I had forgotten just how effective and easy it was, and how it makes walking the dog such a pleasure. I walk two at once and to have one dog constantly straining to be in front drives me nuts. 'The lead I use is less than a metre long. Quite short in fact. The longer the lead, the further in front the dog can get before it's corrected and I prefer to correct as soon as possible.

Aside from being very scary for you, it must have been very scary and confusing for her. I hope she's OK, and may the person who let her out get what's coming to them.

Another one from left field.....and I notice there are currently some puppies available....the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. I adore these dogs, they are cute scruffers, very robust, not too big and not tiny and delicate, they have an attitude that says "look at me, I'm absolutely fabulous" in the show ring but this is the only place I've ever seen them so not sure how they'd be as a pet. They don't appear to need a lot of grooming, and they were featured in this months Dogs Vic magazine so if you could get hold of a copy you could read up on them (if they catch your interest).

Haha, yeah I agree. They have a really cool website too, and do a lot to raise awareness of dogs in need....but their food is just awful.

Wow, that's awesome! What breed is the first and last dog? It looks like a Keeshond but in the last bit, it seems to be very small. Any ideas?

I have no idea, as I said I know little about them but when a breed is regularly found in pounds, shelters and rescue, one would have to start wondering if it's really a breed that's suitable for all situations. I have seen it recommeded for all kinds of situations on here (second only to the greyhound) but it's clearly not right for some otherwise there wouldn't be so many of them in rescue.

For quite a while I was taking my dogs to the local school and giving them an off-leash run with the frisbee and wearing them out. Dusty loved it, Benson would chase the frisbee a few times then go and sit under a tree. I decided I needed more exercise myself so went back to walking them daily and discovered a 45 minute walk wears them out just as much as a 45 minute off leash run, and Benson LOVES it! He just adores walking with me, he gives my hand a lick every now and then as if he can't keep his happiness in and it is so much nicer having a pleasant walk with the two of them than standing there throwing a frisbee. So I would say do both. Regular walks and occasional ball games in the park.

I believe that the happiness of a dog left alone when it's owners are at work is hugely dependent on what the owners do with the dog when they are home. If your dog is inside and part of the family when you are home, doing stuff with you, going places with you etc. etc. then on workdays, they will come to know that THEIR job is being in the backyard. My dogs tend to sleep most of the day, I know because they get turfed out when I have a day off so I can clean up and they barely make a sound. If I go out to see them, they are invariably curled up snoozing in the sun or the shade or in their shelter. They prefer being outside during the day because that's where they've always been.

This suggestion is a bit left field, but I came up with it when browsing the puppy listings here on DOL. Manchester Terrier. The size is right, they are very short coated, they look to be fairly sturdy dogs....not sure on the temperament but being a terrier, you can be sure they'd sound the alarm. Not saying they're the breed for you but might be worth looking into.

Shar Peis seem to feature quite regularly in the rescue section here. Not sure why as there are a couple of Shar Pei fans here who will recommend them as being the perfect dog for just about any situation, but obviosly they aren't or there wouldn't be so many in rescue. But if you like them, they might be right for you. I don't really know much about them. Do you like Cavalier King Charles spaniels? They are friendly, happy little dogs that are easy to live with and not a huge amount of grooming. Although there is some, but I reckon you could knock it over in 10 minutes 2-3 times a week. Do you plan on giving the dog daily exercise, if so, for how long and what type? And what about dog hobbies.....any thoughts on joining an obedience club or maybe agility when the dog is older? Another breed that comes to mind is a whippet. They are attractive dogs, but not everyones cup of tea and they are quite calm once past the puppy stage. And all the ones I have met have been friendly and sociable. They might not be too good outdoors in winter though, unless they had a warm shelteed area and a jacket, as they don't have a lot of fur or fat for warmth. My dogs keep each other company but I got one as a puppy then when he was almost a year old we got another puppy and that was about perfect as they are great mates and are never lonely. Neither of them are destructive, but I doubt it's because there's two of them, I think it's just because that's the way they are.

There's a lady at my obedience club who breeds flatcoats and she brings a gorgoeus girl named Lily to the club. She is so pretty and such a sweet natured girl with a rock solid temperament. I would happily have one if Lily is typical of the breed.

I found when Benson was pulling, he pulled so hard that I couldn't train him to not pull because that required getting him into the correct position and praising him for being there, but when he was so determined to wrench my arm out of it's socket, the last thing I felt like doing was offering praise and it was absolutely impossible for me to get him beside me anyway. The tool, and I tried a lot of them although not a prong as they aren't legal here, enabled me to get him in the correct position and reward him for being there. It also allowed me to have a relaxed and enjoyable walk with him, which isn't at all possible when you have a dog hellbent on getting there first. Walking with your dog is a good bonding experience, being violently towed by your dog just makes you hate taking him anywhere. He doesn't pull anymore, he walks sedately beside me and gives me signals when he'd like to stop and have a sniff of something. He's delightful to take out now, we no longer use a no-pull tool, just a limited slip collar as I don't leave collars on my dogs all the time, and I can just slip these ones over their heads when I need to. Getting him to the point where he is now was due to using head collars, no-pull harnesses and teaching him that it was better to walk beside me.

I believe that in flyball, the hurdles for each team are set at a height suitable for the shortest dog in the team. So flyball teams look for small FAST dogs so they can get a height advantage with their hurdles. Hence the smallest dog on the team is called the height dog, because they are the ones who set the height of the jumps. I think small smart fast dogs are highly sought after by flybal teams.

When we went to meet baby Benson at his breeders, she had taught the three remaining pups to sit and all three of them would present themselves in front of her, and sit then look up expectantly for a treat. I should have realised then I was getting a smart little devil. When he was about 6 months old, my husband was doing some work in the backyard and he yelled out to me that he needed me QUICK! I raced out, only to be told that Benson was nicking off with the bag of screws he was using and despite chasing him around the yard, he couldn't get them back. I stood there and said "Benson! Give!" and he walked over and dropped the bag of screws ever so carefully into my hand. And I swear he smirked at my husband at the same time. They are not only clever, they are funny into the bargain.