moosmum

SAY NO TO MORE LAWS!! Do we acknowledge a partership with with animals in our future,or don't we? Do we have such a a god complex we think we can reject our history of interdependence? Is this going to help us to understand and live in the natural world? To manage it better than we have been doing? Do we reject the contribution made to our own advancement and development by other species?? can humanity afford to "Go it alone"? Is this a desirable out come for a species that hopes to one day comunicate with alien species? Sh*t,we are fast losing any ability to communicate with the ones we live amoung now!! If domestic animals are to have any part in the future of humanity,It should be recognised that laws targeting the ingorant will lead to greater isolation from domestic animals....Creating more ignorance. SAY NO TO MORE LAWS!! In the interests of a future that allows for a human/animal interdependence, education for all starting in our schools is essential. No more legislation.How 'bout some education? There are programs starting in our our schools,give this a chance before we drive animal ownership/partership underground. We have laws to ensure animal welfare and responsible ownership.Education will aid in their enforcement.

I think its a fluid thing too,and knowing your dogs well is the best way to avoid or sort problems before they escalate.Some times the only option is to re-home 1 or even pt if it were just a totaly D.A dog. We run 4 bitches,2 desexed now. 1 tiny girl amoung 3 big girls.(and 1 boy) There are 2 bitches who are separated at all times,to the point where I will even tie 1 in the shed ,then close the gate as welll before the other goes into the run for her turn of 12 hours each. These 2 are both very dominant,mother and daughter who were living apart from the time the daughter was 8 weeks till they were re introduced at 3 and 7 years.It was no go from the start.Neither is a problem with other females. I have broken up 2 fights with these 2 before we took the extreme precautions we now take.Once on my own in a confined space with other dogs milling around. Pleased to say even tho' I had to pull them apart with my hands I have not even come close to being bitten either time,even when I had a near strangle hold on one while the other was pushed away with my leg and commanded "BACK". Still a horrible freaky situation tho' that left me shaking! Normaly we woudln't put up with this,but its sort of "long term temporary" till the older can go back to her owner. Both these dogs have accepted my oldest girl as "boss" after the 1st challenge when they were 9 months old. In both cases I broke it up and favoured the old girl.It was realy over before I stepped in tho' and the old girl has never been a domineering type,just very confident in her place and asks only that no others try pushing her around.ie she won't take any ones bone,but shes not going to give hers up either.Shes more a peace maker. The little terrier can be a pain,but the big girls will ingnore her more obnoxious behaviour as if its beneath their effort. We have no hesitation at all leaving any of the dogs alone in the house together when we are out,as long as the trouble some 2 are separated. BUT... as my old girl ages and gets grumpy,I'm aware that she may snap at one of the more domineering types with out good reason.1 I think will handle it and move on,the other may try for dominance again.We are always aware of the dogs interactions and any changes. Never had serious issues with dogs raised and kept here from the start,and won't allow the dogs to "sort it themselves" unless its minor and over in seconds.Any thing else is considered more serious and delt with. IMHO Each case is different and you have to handle it accordingly.

Moans.groans.rumbles and mumbles. We have 1 who whistles and had 1 who would open his mouth to bark but it went on and on with out a break,more like a "Bay?" And of course the rare one who learns to realy say things. Pretty big range here when you think about it!

You can see the dog mouth the handlers arm in the first 4 seconds of the video. It is something that can be fixed quite easily and by using a lot less effort than what the handler is using / being told to use. Saying perhaps that dog is prone to turning back on the handler and biting him when the dog gets ramped up, the other guy in the video instructing says "hold him down, don't let him win", so it looks like an alpha roll type thing to teach the dog that attacking the handler will result in the dog being overpowered and will loose the battle. So in those circumstances as everyone is saying what's happening in the video is wrong, then how do you fix it "easily" Jeff, can you give us some insight how the situation should be handled correctly??? IMO the dog the is not listening,that should be being addressed 1st in this situation. Time out and no action till he settles and focuses on his handler. I would treat the mouthing as a separate issue that should have been addressed before putting the dog in that situation. I don't know how the security types would go about it to keep the bite,yet reserve it for work,but with our pups if they mouth I will give them a lot more than they want and don't let them get away from it too easily.If that doesn't work quickly I will pull them back off my hand by the scruff (not roughly) and growl in their face. Easily understood. Edited to appologise for this also,not addressed to me but I wanted to see some alternative even if its not the best. Would be interested to hear you Jeff.

I didn't watch it through either,too much for me but IMO no excuses.Hope it was a very old vid. I do think some times the drives being bred for the work are too extreme,and don't see the benefit if they have to be curbed in such a way.

There is a National data base,cost for chip here was an extra $10. but well worth it. As long as your contact details can be made reliable,it seems the best bet.

Depends on the dogs too,we have ringlock/dog wire with about 1 acre fenced around the yard.The dogs are trained they aren't to go out side the fence unless either they are on a lead,or with us and only when called.

I would be very cautious about giving activated charcoal in this situation.It works by absorbing gases,chemicals etc in the gut.It can also absorb many nutients and medication so may absorb all the vitamin k being given.It can be a very usefull treatment for poisoning and other conditions,but as the poison would have been consumed many days ago I think its far too late for that and may do more harm than good. Sorry to throw a damper on advise when you are so desperatly searching for an thing to help. The time for charcoal would have been while the poison was still in the gut,not the blood stream. My thoughts are with you and I also hope for the best out come. ;)

Stacks On!! We went camping with the dogs once and I was woken by a weight slamming into me.A Rottie had wandered into the camp and when my 6 month pup saw it she leaped on top of me to bark at it. Scared the cr*p outof us both I think.

My oldest girl does that,she also rouses on anyone who doesn't listen when I rouse. If the big dogs are playing rough round the smaller ones she will herd the littlies under the car and make them stay there,tells me if the horses have got where they don't belong and alerts me to anything she thinks needs my attention by poking me with her nose and growling. She is Aunty scarey Lou to every one.

That would not fit the behaviour in this case,the pup had been badly injured by adult dogs previously and was very nervous around other dogs,here to gain confidence with my bitch.I missed seeing it happen but rushed out when I heard the pup scream.Was told the reason by those present at the time(visitors who owned the staffy. ) In both cases the "victim' would have been acting more like prey.I just don't see why sit on it?

Just remembered a few incidents where a dog who appeared to be "after" another animal or dog,instead of biting or attacking just sits on it? I've seen this a few times,once with a dog who had my cat cornered and last time a 1yo. staffy who sat on a dobe pup. Anyone know the significance of this behaviour?

I have to confess that the Toy poodle didn't participate in the dispatch of that rabbit. She sure was interested in digesting it though. Just showing it can be done: Thought that might be the case I've used pics on dol before tho' to "educate' about poodle.My O.H specificaly to show him a standard poodle.He thought they were all toy or mini. He was amazed!

Great pics,the differences are huge! Love seeing the poodles work. I like the reactions I see when they make some comment about poodles being pampered sissy little lap dogs and I tell them they can be highly intelligent working dogs and I think they are great. it just suprises me that so few know of that side to the breed. Very sad realy.

I keep working dogs as pets because the temperament and trainable intelligence is compatible with my life.After having a dog like that growing up,its hard to accept any thing "less". I tried non working lines and found the hard way they would not do at all for my needs when I had to stop a fugitive who had just held a family at knife point from entering my home while I was alone with 3 small children. They are personal protection dogs who have the run of house and a huge yard.They share their space with free range chooks,horses,cats and often other animals,little dogs too.They are pretty much constant companions is all I do and I love that they pick up so quickly on things. They look out not only for me but the other animals,alert me when some thing needs my attention and often try to help out. Most people comment on how affectionate they are,and find it hard to believe they are capable of being otherwise.My children were raised with them,had the usual parties etc with the dogs not needing to be confined even then.We have never had a child hurt by a dog,but a son bit the dog as a pre schooler. Some of their lines are living quite happily in cities filling the same function,some trained in P.P.some doing obedience and agility etc. They go to dog parks and are not a problem..2 huge boys have been known to ignore little dogs completely even when being attacked. They are very pampered family pets who do a job when needed.I know these dogs will not let me down. BUT... They are not for every one.Their needs for training,socialisation,mental stimulation and lots of companionshipship have to be met.To me, they are very easy to live with and train,far easier than the non working lines,since the more they are taught the better they learn.We are very familiar with this particular line now and that makes a huge difference IMO. Some are laid back and some pretty full on/ reactive,but with the early ground work while they are growing up even the reactive ones are safe family pets. I don't believe they are suited to 1st time dog owners or those who have no real committment to turning out a well rounded dog.

I'm not. Me neither,but whats the go? No possums to keep the eyes and voices closer to the door? ;)

I have had plenty of weird experiences that tell there is more going on than some people choose to believe. No one can claim to have all the answers. All that tells me in is that there is a lot we will likely never understand,but its pretty cool anyway.

They have won a convert!

Such a shock to lose a dog so young and suddenly. I agree with Aussie lover,check the back grounds as much as you are able. I would imagine there are a lot of factors that could influence the immune system,but personaly I would have to put genetics at the top of the list and would always check on the level of line breeding. Thats not to say your breeder is at fault,There are far too many unknowns to form an opinion on who,if anyone should be held accountable. So very sorry for your loss.

4 dobes and 2 yorkies work out fine here,big and little are not the problem.I need to keep 2 female dobes separated,both very dominant girls who were not raised together and are fine with others as long as they are recognised as top dog. Also good with chooks ,cats and horses.

Hi Aussielover, I think you are doing a great job,Mindy shouldn't be too bored as she she does sound like she gets a lt of mental stimultion. As for your Mum,I had a similar attitude for years after my 1st dog died...no other dog could fill his place.It was very unfair on the dogs and I recognised that but couldn't change it. Once I finaly got over that years later,I made sure it would never happen again by keeping more than 1 dog at a time so none ever have to live up to another.They are loved for themselves and not expected to fill a hole. I think your Mum is just not ready for a dog again yet.

When members of the general public do the right thing in researching their chosen breed to be sure it will fit into their life style and look around for a breeder,most will assume that the breeders are regulated in such a way as to be constantly improving the dog.In all ways. A dog with some times centuries of selective breeding behind should be a very clearly superior specimen to a dog with accidental breeding in its whole back ground. After all,a breeder has chosen to be a custodian for their breed. When these people unfamiliar with the real dog world bring home a puppy with health or temerament issues,or simply does not fit their expectations of the breed standard as they understood it Then find they have no recourse from a breeder who proves to be less than ethical, it does nothing to improve the situation breeders are facing more and more. Its all very well saying"you didn't do your research".That does nothing to make it better.Especialy if they chose their pup from the most decorated of lines. This must realy get up the truely ethical breeders noses some thing bad! While breeders allow those unethical members to conitnue,there will always be people wanting to criticise who have grounds to do so. Maybe a constructive thread on what action is expected of the controlling registries to over come the problems, and become as near as possible,beyond reproach.

I have not often seen this behaviour in my own dogs,usualy we just see concern but one who did show this happened to have pretty extreme prey drive. Since then its hard not to think its conected.

I've had plenty of Dobes that would be fine for 1st time owners,though I do think they are happiest and show their best with lots of mental stimulation companionship and lots of affection. Of those I have now,I wouldn't recomend them for 1st time owners since they have a huge need for being an active part of their family group with the mental stimulation that brings.(and affection ) They can be very fast reacting dogs with a lot of confidence and are very intelligent with a strong protective instinct,( as opposed to aggressive),so some experience in training and socialisation is needed if they are to live the sort of lives they are best in,as protective companions in almost all we do.

I have always left my dogs indoors while I'm out from a very young age and have had few problems,none serious. It was little trouble for us to puppy proof an already child proofed home. They had a couple of toys only that were saved for those times,older dogs for company,water and their own beds.It was treated as no big deal and the dogs did not see it as a big deal either. If you can feel confident you know your dogs and their reactions when you are out,it can be done.You will slip up.We took only calculated risks so slip ups were very minor.A chewed electric cord,(Unplugged)a novel and one of them had a party with chips and apricots.Any chewed up bedding was their own and shoes etc were just not in reach.Thats for upwards of 14 dogs in the last 30 years,so its not just 'we were lucky'. We have never had a problem with toileting indoors for any longer than 5 weeks after getting a pup,but the odd wizz in the doorway when we return lasts longer. If you know your dogs and take care to manage and forsee problems,it can be done.Theres not much room for error,but you are the best judge of how practical it is for you.