tdierikx

I ignore my old girl when she does the "I'm scared of thunderstorms" thing... or if she's particularly freaked, I find she settles if I put her in the bathroom with a blanky and shut the door. She seems to feel much safer in there for some reason... I can't pick up and cuddle a storm phobic 30kg Rotti/Pittie cross... just gotta make sure she's somewhere she feels safe and wait for it to pass. T.

Sharalea/Aussie Dog Squad - they are at Picton but will pickup from anywhere in Sydney... (02) 4683 2467 My dogs don't want to come home after staying there... *grin* T.

This is actually play behaviour... *grin* Not scary at all, right? T.

The only dogs I'm wary of are generally anything small that is in the owner's arms or on their lap... and anything that looks frightened or hurt. Breed doesn't actually come into the equation... That said, if a dog is wandering the streets and is in danger of being injured further, I will try to coax it to me rather than see that happen. T.

Is this the one who reckons that the RSPCA is targeting breeders of a certain religious background? T.

It's a pity you aren't in Sydney... we have a lovely female Foxy pup in rescue who absolutely adored playing with my friend's young children - one of whom has quite profound Asperger's. Feel free to PM me if you are interested in talking to us about Matilda the Foxy pup - we can do interstate adoptions... T.

The legislation says that ALL dogs that fit a particular "look" MUST be registered with council as a Restricted Breed unless written proof can be furnished declaring the dog NOT of the RB type - this has no relation to what breed mix the dog may actually be, just that it LOOKS like the pictures that have been circulated to the rangers. If they see a dog that fits the pictorial description and it is not registered as an RB, then they can seize it and put a destruction order on it. There is nothing in the legislation that mentions temperament as a redeeming factor... if it LOOKS like a duck, it IS a duck... *sigh* Right now I see a lot of councils looking at the obvious revenue raising factor this legislation allows for - and some councils are going to be VERY zealous in enforcing said legislation for that purpose... T.

I think a lot of the temperament/behaviour thing is also environmental... ie. how well trained an animal is. I had an entire male Rotti who never displayed dominance over other dogs - regardless of whether there was a bitch in season nearby, or being challenged by another intact male. I have fostered desexed young males who initially tried the dominance thing on others, but after learning that this was not acceptable behaviour (from myself AND my permanent dogs), they tended to work it out just fine. That said, I once had a female crossbreed who became more dominant after desexing - not to mention that she reacted like an intact male when there was a bitch in season nearby... humping and marking... weird! T.

My brother had to purchase his assistance dog's harness from overseas because none of the current bodies would sell him one without him paying them to take his dog and train it themselves - and possibly not assign HIS OWN dog back to him. He went the path of using a very wonderful private trainer who helped him train the dog and get his accreditation through other sources - but getting the harness was a big issue, so he had to get it from overseas. That said - if this lady's dog HAS been assigned to her through an agency like Guide Dogs Aust - then a report to them with as much detail as you know about where she lives, etc, may save her and the dog from something preventable happening in the future... T.

What about this scenario? Council seizes a mixed breed dog that they have "identified" as a Pitbull or cross of same. Council has no room to house and care for said dog as the "storage" facility is full. Council then destroys a few impounded "illegal" dogs to make room for new arrivals that are coming in by the truckfull... As dogs are regarded under the law as possessions - your only real recourse is to sue for the monetary "value" of said dog - which as a crossbreed isn't all that much. Not to mention that legal costs to mount such a case would probably outweigh the monetary "value" of said dog... I'm not seeing a winning situation here for the poor dog owner... *sigh* T.

I use a travel crate for puppies, and a harness for the bigger dogs. T.

Might be a question for the breeder? T.

Unenforceable "bylaws" set by some NSW councils are actually a "suggestion" as to the number of dogs per household. There are no actual laws to back them if you have more dogs and they try to do you for it. I'm all for owners being held fully responsible for dog attacks, and hefty fines for same. That said, they need to define what actually constitutes an "attack" under the law... dog rushing over exuberantly and a person falling over due to being startled doesn't constitute an attack IMHO... Education is a bloody great idea - on all aspects of dog ownership and responsibilities please! T.

My girls are desexed... they are still bitches... *grin* T.

My guess is no matter what you tell them, they will do what they want to with regards to running 3 bitches together... then when the inevitable happens, they will come running to you for sympathy/help... *sigh* I have 3 bitches here myself - two of them have had vicious spats in the past, and are no longer allowed to run together. The 3rd bitch gets on fine with both of the others and is not capable of challenging either of them due to mobility/stability issues - plus she is more on the submissive side rather than dominant. I also foster puppies for rescue because that is what all of my permanent girls prefer. It's a PITA to keep dogs separated and still give them equal one-on-one and exercise time - but the alternative is pts for one or both, as I know exactly what they are capable of if they get into a spat and the other dog doesn't back down. Rehoming is NOT an option under those circumstances, so I manage my dogs, and they are coping just fine with the "arrangement" now in place. T.

I had a young adult Husky decide to arrive on my doorstep (literally) at 3:30am one morning - as if he knew the crazy dog lady would help him find his way home... Had a few wandering the street, and usually either tempted them with treats or opened the car door and called them in. I tend to take strays to my regular vet, as they will scan them and contact the owner if the chip details are up to date - saves the owner impound fees - and the vet will forward to the pound if the owner can't be contacted. The actual pound is closer to me than my vet, but I'd rather the dogs not end up there if possible - not that the pound is a "bad" one, just that I'd rather they not go there if possible... T.

Having 2 large breed dogs who have done exactly the same thing, I keep them separated at all times now. It's fiddly, but the dogs have adjusted to it very well, and I no longer have to worry about huge vet bills... or worse... T.

Jase - it's never easy to say goodbye to a beloved best mate, my deepest condolences to you and your family. You will know if/when you are ready to add another dog to your family. Dogs have that special knack of reaching out and just grabbing a hold of your heart when you least expect it... Run free and healthy now sweet Jock - and say G'day to my old girl Woosie for me, OK? T.

She looks more like Isla Fisher to me... T.

*giggle* I've been tempted to do that myself... T.

I've noticed that those who prefer large "tough" looking dogs, and make nasty comments about small dogs, are usually trying to compensate for their lack of something... predominately either brains or balls... lol! T.

It takes a REAL man to own (or be owned by) a SWF... *grin* T.

Definitely get it checked by a vet - if he has a UTI then he's going to start getting very uncomfortable very soon. My brother's Lab even went off his food when he had a UTI... poor baby... T.

I used to feel the same way about little dogs... then I got involved in rescue and learned how lovely most of them are... I'm quickly becoming a convert. Seriously though, I prefer a larger dog to share my life with - much more of them to cuddle... *grin* T.

Awww... it definitely is moments like that which make your heart sing and feel that he's going to be OK eventually. Keep up the great work Jakey! T.