grabit

Sorry but i would disagree with this, (in SA at least) i have done the cert 4 course full time and the practical support offered through tafe is terrible, altough i am working in the industry with a fantastic employer i would advise you to do a cert two to get a foot in the door and then speak to your employer about going through animal industries in Qld. If i had know the trouble i would have with tafe beforehand i wouldn't have wasted my time or money!

ok please correct me if i am wrong but i was under the impression that shock collars where illegal in SA for some time now (along with prong collars) there was def a campaign by the RSPCA to make them so. If this is the case the council should not be loaning them to anybody Please don't missunderstand me to mean i don't agree with these methods of training where other options have been tried and failed. Its just that as an owner and a vet nurse that i would be VERY careful about using them without doing my research on this as i know the collars are still widely available and would not want to be charged for " animal cruelty" either

I always understood that it was an instinct to mask the smell off dog when they are hunting ....ie if the animal being hunted smells the poo of it's own species it is not alarmed however if they smell dog they are off and away.

As you may remember i recently found myself looking for somewhere to rent that would allow pets and not just one or two (I have 2x chooks 6X rabbits 1x cat 1x dog a cockatiel and 2 turtles and are on a waiting list for a new puppy also) After offering above advertised rates on several properties with no luck i was getting really worried about what was going to happen to us (I also am single mum to an 11yo daughter) I decided to write a letter of application to go with my application form and over a long weekend applied for 7 properties sending each a copy of the letter detailing my work (vet nurse), referances for my pets and that i had a policy of honesty in regards to my animals and hoped they would consider my application . To my surprise i was offered 5 of the houses two of those i was offered where advertised as "no pets". The rental availability in my area is well below one per cent and i had been told by welfare agencies and the housing trust that my animals would have to go as i didn't have a hope in hell of finding housing with that many pets sometimes it pays to think outside the box

The boarding kennels at Plympton Vet clinic are great and the dogs get lots of personal attention (on ANZAC Highway) depending on how far south you are looking I hear there are also some good ones down near mclaren vale would have to dig a name and number up for you though

Does your dog spend time outside during the day when you are at home? I have met alot dogs that freak out when they are left outside by themselves due to seperation anxiety outside=mum/dad is leaving if being outside alone is part of their routine when you are home it lessens the stress/they are less likely to notice when you are not there

It depends on your dog, but my boy has heaps of toys and there are three that he likes best, his kong, his kong wubba and his busta cube he also used to have one of those tyre toys (not sure what happened to that but must replace it) providing your dog is not a power chewer ie some bully breeds that will destroy anything in their path it is def worth the investment in good toys as they will last longer and are often designed to reward the dog in some way making them more interactive when the dog is left alone

Well, yes, that is what I was told too, re the soft tissue. My guy said he wasn't sure if she had done any replacements and he does them all the time. I'll have to ring them and find out. If that's the case, I'm better off staying here somehow and renting. Thanks (I think :D )xxxx on the better side of this i'm sure you can finda good vet in sa that would be happy to work on the follow up stuff if the surgery is done up there i would be looking into having the surgery done asap and speaking with AVSARC about doing the follow up/ liasing with the vet up there after the surgery is done.

sorry to break the news but i believe we don't do hip replacements in SA at the moment think they are currently sent to melbourne but i could be wrong. Just happen to know that one of the girls at our clinic is taking her dog there for surgery later in the year and i don't know why she would go to melbourne if the surgery was available in SA. Penny used to do some ortho work (prob does some) however her specialty is soft tissue.

Allergy is not an issue, these ppl used to have a GSD and are just trying to avoid the mountain of hair that comes when a double coated breed sheds....you know the grooming that never seems to end so a spaniel coat? or poodle coat would be more suitable for them clipping is not an issue as they have said they are happy to pay for a groomer and i have offered my services ( can't guarantee the quality as i am still learning ) I have suggested a ridgeback but i think maybe erring a little on the large side for them A standard poodle has also been suggested not sure about that one I have also considered a curly coat and portugese water dog however was under the impression they where high energy breeds so haven't sugested them a dally also falls into this catagory the other suggestion i made was a greyhound or whippet however they are concerned about the prey drive with the bunnies the rabbits are not free range or house rabbits but i spose they still want a dog who is fairly trust worthy with their other pets will they get this with a sighthound?

they can shed a bit but just not after a dog that is gonna leave mounds behind unless it is at the groomer ....its more the GSD type coat that they are trying to avoid and you don't have to sell me on the pappys ...we are awaiting our puppy

Friends of mine are going to get a dog and are doing the breed consideration thing requirements are minimal hair- smooth coated breed or non/low shedding are happy to clip and brush a couple of times a week but high shedding double coated breeds are out medium to large (not giant) breed easy going- dog will be obedience trained and must be child (over 10) and other pet friendly (as they have rabbits etc), also needs to be able to cope without walks every day of life any ideas?

That doesn't make it ok. You're the boss, you need to get in there are tell him that is not an appropriate way to approach, put him on a lead for meet and greets if you have to. I take my boy to the off lead park once a week on lead to address a problem I have with my boy who rushes forward at dogs, he has to learn what is an appropriate way and what is not an appropriate way to say hello is and he also has to learn to ignore dogs like yours which is hard work for a dominant little prat like my boy. I am in no way excusing his behaviour that is why i am seeking advice on the matter, however as i mentioned the problem seems to be significantly worse when he is on a lead. I am very aware that i am the boss and so is he, however so far "getting in there and telling him" is not working to stop the aggresion prior to it starting, so other measures are going to be required

oh well in that case he probably gets it from me

thanks for all your help guys i am going to make an appointment with the behaviorist this week, am unsure what kind of wait there is will let you know how I go.