melzawelza

Sounds wonderful, thank you for the heads up! I will definitely get myself a copy.

Thanks for your response! I agree that there needs to be photos, and even more preferable - video footage. I agree people think it's sad and all but it's actually SEEING it that makes it real. However I think there is a line that is crossed where a lot of people will switch off because it upsets them TOO much, and then miss out on the message. It's a very fine line. I want it to be shocking enough that people are moved to do something, but not so shocking they won't watch it.

Thanks for the interesting comments guys - I thought they may have been a bit more lax as to what dogs pass their temperament testing when I read the comment about muzzling around small dogs. I knew that GAP are quite thorough when it comes to testing and only rehoming dogs that do not react to small dogs. Seems that the approach is quite different to here. Would you recommend my friend source a dog from these people? They seem very ethical, however the slightly more lax temperament testing has me a little concerned. Should she maybe specifically state she wants a temperament tested dog that does not have it's prey drive triggered by swf?

Hey everyone! One of my closest friends is a young film maker - currently works for ninemsn and has worked for sbs also. We were discussing puppy farms the other day and she asked me if I was passionate enough to put the work in to make a doco about it. Of course, I am, and she has said that she is 100% keen if I also want to do it. She has all the gear needed, the skills as far as how to put a documentary together, filming and editing, and some connections in that she could possibly try to sell it to sbs. I work in the animal industry as a dog trainer and have plenty of knowledge about puppy farms and dogs in general. We've pretty much decided that we are going to do this (when possible as she's currently filming a short film and my boyfriend is doing all the sound etc). I was hoping for suggestions from you guys as to what you think should go into a documentary about puppy farms, in order to try and get the message across to the general public. Some of the things I've thought could be addressed: -Discussion of the problem of pet shops -Interviews and promotion of ethical breeders and why it is preferable to source your puppy from them -Maybe teaming up with someone like Animal Liberation Victoria to see if it was possible to use some of their footage and things like "Oscar's story", or even go on a raid with them and get our own footage -Interviews with people who have found that their dogs are from puppy farms, and the behavioural issues they may face due to this -Pounds/rescue i.e where a lot of these pups end up -Genetics and breeding and why it is so important to get it right What does everyone think? What do you think is the most important thing to cover when it comes to the issue of puppy farms? I always feel that coverage is never graphic enough (think that piece by 7.30 report) but at the same time you don't want it to be so sad that people turn it off. Appreciate any input whatsoever, I hope that if we get this right then we can do our hardest to get it out there. Every little bit counts and even if only a few people see it, if it changes their attitude then it will have been worth it.

Yeah, someone like that wouldn't be my friend any longer.

I have a friend in America who was asking me for breed suggestions - I suggested a Grey as it was obvious one would be perfect for her situation. She was thrilled as she loved them and looked into it straight away. She found her local Ex-Racing Grey adoption program and asked my opinion on an article on their website RE: Muzzling. Now while I think muzzles are a great tool and think that people shouldn't be afraid to muzzle their dogs if needed, can't help but feel that this article is a little excessive. I know that the various state GAP's in Australia have all worked or are working very hard to lift laws of compulsory muzzling, this article seems to go against that idea a fair bit. It also seems to me that they suggest muzzling for an answer for many TRAINING issues. Foraging in pot plants, eating grass, eating their own poo, eating insects etc etc ...... it seems to me that they are essentially suggesting that your new greyhound should be muzzled 24/7!! A muzzle isn't the automatic answer to these problems - training is. I'd love the opinions on others on here - especially as we have so many people directly involved in GAP or other greyhound adoption associations - what do you think of this article? Is it fair, or excessive? http://virginiagreyhounds.org/artmuzzle.htm

Peta Clark is amazing - I did a two day basic animal training course with her through Richmond tafe about 2 years ago, and her knowledge and presentation style is absolutely fantastic. She was very inspiring. I wont be going to the conference as I can't afford it (spent 6 grand all up last financial year on self education) and because i don't want any of my hard earned cash going to a group that has been lobbying the government to ban PP collars and remote trainers

I'm in Wollongong - not too far... could pick up the pup.... not sure I could take it to be PTS myself even though I KNOW it's the right thing to do - I could transport it though?

Anyone want to post where the pup is? then maybe someone can take it to the vet. Poor little thing.

Done!

Jed, you don't know me at all but I feel like I know you... Before this all happened to you I was an avid reader but not much of a poster. I always looked forward to every one of your posts, and felt you were the most knowledgeable person on this forum, with such a wonderful way of delivering that knowledge to everyone else. When I read what had happened and I read that it had been YOU, I was heartbroken. You would be the last person to ever deserve something like this. I followed all the threads, hoped for Magnus's return, and cried with everyone else when we discovered that he had not made it. I am still reading every day and although I don't post much I want you to know that i'm sending all the healing thoughts in the world to you. I am so sorry for your loss and wish there was a way all of us could make it better. Remember that there are probably three times as many people like me who read but don't post much, that are all thinking of you around the country too. Keep healing, Lady.

God this thread is hilarious - and in the previous thread Moselle had the audacity to ask ME if I understood the English language!! LOL

I never updated that I received my talc penetrator plus and it really is a great product, I'm very happy with it! The lemon odor block is also really nice in our bathroom.'just a slight hint of it, not too strong at all!

Moselle, you don't seem to realise that people have NO IDEA what pitties look like. I was with a young client and his doberman today - we were going for a walk and he was saying to me 'there are these two HUGE dogs at a house up here, these two massive pit bull things! they are huge!' So I said to him 'oh they don't sound like pit bulls then because pitties arent supposed to be above about 18 kilos.' And he said 'oh! No these guys look like big versions of my boy, same colour with big chunky heads!' and i said 'rottweilers?' and he said 'OH YEAH! that's what they are!!!' Like i said.... people have no idea!

Thanks guys, I will pass on your link Aidan!

Thanks for the advice, I did advise her to use some boredom buster type toys and/or a large bone etc and make sure they are reinforcing the quiet by going out to him while he is quiet etc. Hi schmoo - I am in no ways a positive only trainer. I completely disagree with closing my mind to two quadrants. I have no problems with pinch collars, remote trainers etc just like i have no problem with treats, toys, praise etc. whatever works for the dog. HOWEVER in an area I am not well versed in (anxiety/seperation behaviours) I would not be suggesting any form of punishment due to my inexperience in that particular area.

Hey guys! A friend of a friend is having issues with her dog and out mutual friend hooked us up seeing as she knows i'm working in training. However i'm fairly new to the behavioural side of things - good with obedience training and normal issues like digging, normal barking etc but this situation has me stumped. She has a 4yo lab that she got from the RSPCA a year or so ago. Loves him to death, used to have a lot of problems with him using his mouth to get his own way but has since taken a more 'leadership' role and done NILIF etc and is pretty much on top of this issue now. One thing she's always loved about the dog is that he's never been a barker. Would let off a bark or two when she left for work but that's about it. Very recently she went away for a couple of weeks and her father was looking after the dog for her. During her time away her dad actually had a stroke while he was walking the dog (He is fine now thank god!). As I understand it it was fairly full on, with him falling down etc. Luckily a passer by helped her father and her dog back to safety. The problem now is that the dog has started barking when he can't see the father. I'm talking like 20mins-half hour straight barking (not sure if he would stop after this, she told me that the father went out to him after this long, therefore reinforcing the behaviour). When he can see the father again he stops. I'm reluctant to advise her to do the usual barking type things I may suggest like a spray bottle etc as it seems that this behaviour is stemming from anxiety and I don't know enough to say for sure what would be the best plan of action? It seems to be almost definitely related to the father and the stroke due to him rarely ever barking at all previously. Maybe he is worried about the father and barking until he can see him to check that he is ok? Maybe he doesn't feel safe unless the father is close? I don't know. What would the people here suggest for this kind of behaviour?

Hey guys! A friend of a friend is having issues with her dog and out mutual friend hooked us up seeing as she knows i'm working in training. However i'm fairly new to the behavioural side of things - good with obedience training and normal issues like digging, normal barking etc but this situation has me stumped. She has a 4yo lab that she got from the RSPCA a year or so ago. Loves him to death, used to have a lot of problems with him using his mouth to get his own way but has since taken a more 'leadership' role and done NILIF etc and is pretty much on top of this issue now. One thing she's always loved about the dog is that he's never been a barker. Would let off a bark or two when she left for work but that's about it. Very recently she went away for a couple of weeks and her father was looking after the dog for her. During her time away her dad actually had a stroke while he was walking the dog (He is fine now thank god!). As I understand it it was fairly full on, with him falling down etc. Luckily a passer by helped her father and her dog back to safety. The problem now is that the dog has started barking when he can't see the father. I'm talking like 20mins-half hour straight barking (not sure if he would stop after this, she told me that the father went out to him after this long, therefore reinforcing the behaviour). When he can see the father again he stops. I'm reluctant to advise her to do the usual barking type things I may suggest like a spray bottle etc as it seems that this behaviour is stemming from anxiety and I don't know enough to say for sure what would be the best plan of action? It seems to be almost definitely related to the father and the stroke due to him rarely ever barking at all previously. Maybe he is worried about the father and barking until he can see him to check that he is ok? Maybe he doesn't feel safe unless the father is close? I don't know. What would the people here suggest for this kind of behaviour? cross posting here from training to hopefully get a few more ideas.

This thread is great and very timely for me!! In the last couple of weeks i've decided I want to get a 'dog' tattoo. I didn't want a picture of a dog, or the typical dog paw, and was perplexed as to what to get. And I decided around a week ago that I would get a quote. I hadn't had a chance to start looking yet! DOL is the best. haha. So far I love (and would consider) : "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion"

f***ing website won't let me sign up!! Will try again later to register my disgust. shame on him

Does anyone have any recommendations for brands of e-collars and containment fences?

Hey Aidan, Thanks so much for that, will PM you.

Hi guys! I have a client moving to Tasmania in around six months to a rural property. Their golden retriever has managed to get out twice and killed guinea pigs and chooks in their current street. She is a wonderful dog owner and very responsible, and was heartbroken to tell me that she would consider rehoming him before moving if he couldn't be trained out of it, as she was worried about him being shot when chasing stock. I discussed training techniques we can use such as teaching him to satisfy his prey drive with her on a real fur tug, but also said that this alone probably wouldn't be enough, and usually the use of e-collars in conjuction to this gets the best results. We can't, however, use them in NSW. So i told her i'd find out the legalities as to e-collars in TAS. We both agreed the best plan of action would be for her to use an electronic containment device at the new property for the most safety, as well as some training techniques. She was so excited and relieved to hear about the invisible fences, as she said it would mean she wouldn't have to re-home him for his own safety. So my questions are: Can you legally use remote training collars in TAS and if that is the case are there any trainers you would recommend her going to see once she moves in order to learn to use them efficiently to attempt to train her dog out of prey drive satisfying behaviours? And can you legally use electronic containment devices (invisible fences) legally in TAS and are there only certain brands that are legal? If so which brands would you recommend and/or people to install them? Thanks!

I'm in sydney but anyone with spare stuff the AWL in GC is brilliant. I met someone who manages it just recently and we discussed rescue a lot and the stuff his shelter is doing is brilliant. A worthy cause!!!

I ordered some! Got a very quick response to my enquiry... I sent the payment on the 1st but didn't hear ANYTHING from them until I emailed them myself asking if they got the payment and if they had sent the product yesterday the 8th!! Not great customer service, as I had no idea if the money had got there or if the items had been shipped. They replied to my email when I asked them to clarify though. Hopefully it arrives soon, as I paid on the 1st and now it's the 9th! I'll be annoyed if I have to wait through the weekend too.