mita

Me, too. Let us know. Great progress signs....including the healthy appetite! :)

Yes, I agree that your dogs' response wouldn't be at all uncommon. I said a less intimidated dog might bark more and louder when it heard the clanging bang. The US trainer who suggested it said that it took a little while for a dog to get the association. Even if it worked....I'd think the neighbours would be driven crazier by the sudden hell of a bang.

That's why I posted the link to the Code in Victoria, persephone. So the OP can see what the process requires in her state. In regard to management strategies, the OP has said she's tried many management strategies to no avail. And is considering debarking. That's not sufficient in Victoria.... the Code insists there also has to be evidence that the dog's barking is causing public nuisance.

The OP's already said she's 'tried very many methods of training to no avail'. So she is up to the last resort, debarking. Here's the Code of Practice for Debarking of Dogs in Victoria. http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/about-agriculture/legislation-regulation/animal-welfare-legislation/codes-of-practice-animal-welfare/debarking-of-dogs

Yes, good suggestion to check your State's law about debarking. If I remember correctly, Victoria is a bit more draconian than here in Q'ld. But, even here, the law insists it be the last resort. My views on debarking changed when I met a pair of dogs that had been debarked (by a vet experienced with the procedure). I didn't know they'd been debarked and commented on their sexy voices! These dogs could still express themselves in a bark, but the pitch was lower than usual and the sound wouldn't carry to the same extent as a normal bark. So I now have a positive view of it. I guess it's a question of how well.....if at all...some of the other measures work. Like, blocking your dog's view of whatever it is that triggers him to bark. Keep away from fenceline with passing parade on street outside. Put weedmat plastic along a fenceline if it's set off by a dog next door. I haven't tried a citronella collar, but others could advise. Just speaking for myself, I don't like the use of medication to stop a dog from barking. My concern about all of these, is that they're not fail-safe. Debarking is. One tip I read (but have never tried) was in a book on keeping dogs in apartments in US cities. Sounds a bit crazy.....but apparently if a frightening noise follows instantly on a dog's bark...it'll shut up after a while, because it learns that its bark sets off this scary noise. You get two pans & hide inside where the dog can't see you. As soon as it barks, give one hell of a bang. Just one. If it barks again, another bang. I guess you'd have to tip off neighbours! The aim is for the dog to finally 'decide' not to bark again, rather than hear the scary sound. I wonder, though, if there's a brave dog that actually barks more and louder when it hears the bang! :)

I had a sheltie girl with separation anxiety and got help from a dog behaviorist at UQ Vet Hospital. She explained that the sheltie was 'demanding' that I be there for her, all the time. Even though it looked like something 'sad', she was actually bossing me. So it's not surprising that your lab with SA, also breaks out into dominating the cat and 'grabbing' food. Our sheltie was a very bossy girl, too! This is what the behaviorist told us to do....and she said shelties being intelligent dogs, our girl would respond well. At that stage, we thought we had a psycho dog.... & thought the behaviorist was trying to make us feel better! To our amazement, she did respond to the strategies...and her behaviour changed. First, the dog has to learn who's the boss. So you have to train him that, to get all good things....like food, meals, treats, lead on for a walk, going in the car.... he has to obey 'Sit' calmly for a few seconds, then 'Good boy!' and he gets it. Also he must learn to 'Wait' and let you & others in the family go thro' doors and gates first. Thus he can't 'demand'.... he has to defer to you. Second, the dog has to learn that he has his own 'den' or 'day bed' where he goes to spend quiet time. ( Could be a place for him to be in those times when he goes on his 'rampage'.) Give him meals, treats, chewy toys there, so he knows it's a good place. You might like to consider combining this with crate training. Our sheltie had a day bed. But these days I'd probably use a crate (with a sheet over the top to get a cave feeling.). On that special place, put something that has your scent on it....an unwashed T-shirt, an old shoe or whatever. Get the dog some soft toys & rub your hands and feet all over them to transfer your scent. The owner's scent makes a great substitute for the owner. I've got some excellent notes from the RSPCA Qld dog trainers/behaviorists on how to crate train. Tell me, if you'd like them. Third, the dog has to learn to be 'ignored' so it knows it can't demand your attention. When you go out, totally ignore the dog for 10 minutes before leaving....not even eye contact. (When you're gone the dog should have access to the day-bed or crate-'cave' with all those items above.) When you come home, totally ignore him for 10 minutes. Turn your back if he demands or jumps up. Only when he's calm & has given up.....then call him, tell him 'Sit' and pat him them. He learns that your attention has to be earned & he can't demand it. Also, for a period of a couple of weeks, make a point of doing frequent bits of 'ignoring'....no eye contact, no talking to him. Keep an eye for when he's not trying to get your attention. Only then, call him, tell him 'Sit' and he gets a 'Good boy!' This isn't cruel....it's what the 'top dog' would do. All the family members must treat him in the ways above, so it's consistent. Not only you. It'll be very good to get him to general training, too.

This is one of the great voluntary jobs. Getting the pics and details up for rescues to scan. You have to look the dogs straight in their eyes as you put together that list. With no guarantee of a positive future. Takes emotional resilience to feel that, but to keep on with this vital job. Recently, I've had reason to be grateful to another 'lister' like you. Mislabelled tibbie spotted....who's now in an excellent home thanks to the rescue that then sprung him. But, as you say, the 'listers' know that every dog won't make it.

We nearly decided to drive down to Sandgate for just that glorious walk along the waterfront. That's so funny how you got 'picked up' by a strange BC! :)

Miss Izzy is a beauty. Great poster girl for her breed!

A decent post and reassuring for Padraic. I've also come to have great respect for many in rescue that I've dealt with. It involves them working in situations where things have gone wrong for both people and dogs. Oftentimes... horribly and badly wrong. All sorts of 'calls' have to be made, including matters of life and death. This really tests rescuers' emotional resilience as well management policies and skills. When this kind of work is done for humans, de-briefing is provided where all sorts of things relating to cases can be talked through in a non-judgmental context. And I've learned there's many ways to contribute to rescue....

I like the way the Brisbane region Million Paws Walks have split into a number of venues. Once they used to be on one location, like the old Fairfield site, or the University of Qld or the old Botanical Gardens. As it grew larger, it made sense to have a number of venues. Samford was the nearest to us this year. Our dogs have always enjoyed it.

Love it! Or Maltifrugs! :)

The people who think you're a snob , or a social climber, for owning a pedigree dog, often have wrong ideas about pedigree dogs. Like, the purebreds must be some kind of 'trophy' item, which costs more....and you own one so you'll look more special than other less-discerning folk. In other words....they know nothing about the objective reasons why you choose purebred dogs. So they go straight to the misconceptions about 'social status'. As many people have posted....most owners of purebreds can list valid reasons about the dogs that led to their choice. These reasons have been listed in posts, up to now. So it'd be boring to repeat them. But those reasons should be told to folk who have the wrong idea that purebred dog ownership must be about social status....& one means by which some people can look down on others. Like the prestige car or the designer handbag. The answer is better public relations about purebred dogs and their ownership. Lots of us do that, in everyday life, as we meet people in public with our purebreds. I've often posted that I'm forever meeting people who don't even know that 'pet people' can buy dogs from breeders who 'show'. They believe that these purebreds are for 'show' purposes only. Bit like a designer handbag with prestigious label 'on show'. Kind of belonging to the richer and more famous. :) Which couldn't be further from the truth. It's not just the 'appearance' of purebreds that's a factor in choice, but also the welfare benefits to the dogs....when experienced registered breeders follow 'good' practices relating to health, temperament, socialisation and homing support.

I go 'Frenchie' for the cute face factor with Maltese supplying the fluff. I like this program you have....where desexing parent dogs is done....so it's a last litter. Love the socialisation you provide....your babies really grow in confidence.

If you've got good objective reasons why you own a purebred .....then it's not snobbery. It's all about the dog. Snobbery is when you feel it makes you more special than others...because you own this dog. It's all about you.

Good point because 'puppy farm' suggests a place... rather than what people do in keeping/breeding/raising puppies and dogs in ways that are not acceptable in terms of the animals' welfare, health and future well-being. Just my opinion, but I think 'puppy farming' is a bundle of poor breeding/care/socialisation/homing, practices. Can be done by a range of people and types of locations. Also across numbers of dogs, except that larger numbers have the potential to magnify the associated problems. And those practices could be set out in a checklist.

I know next to nothing about that littlie, RP....except its name means Pocket Dog. I've seen a few articles speculating how & where these dogs might have come from. There's a video someone's put up on the Net. I'll see if I can find it... Here's an article that speculates the Maltese Pocket Dog was connected with the Chihuahuas of Mexico....based on facts they both have a 'soft spot' in their skull & the connections of trading routes. http://www.chihuahua.classykennels.com/history.html Another article that speculates that the Chihuahua originated in Europe & points to the similar Pocket Dog of Malta. http://www.chihuahua.it/HistoryChihuahua.asp It's odd there's not much info to pull up about these Pocket Dogs currently in Malta. More available on the 2 hunting dogs. Wish I knew someone there, connected with the little dogs....like, if they're still bred.

Does anyone idolize the alternative? What sort of dog does he own? Padraic, do not go away! You have a knack... :) I saw on TV Tony A and his family at home. Their dog was smallish, a bit shaggy and white. Have no idea what it was. I'm wondering, too, who else the 16 yr old niece might 'idolise'. Might be some other types of dogs to choose from. Or maybe take a shortcut and accompany her to a Dog Show or two....where there are small to small-medium dogs. Then let the dogs themselves work the magic....by-passing politician-owners entirely. With many a registered breeder willing to answer her questions.

A fair point. And a checklist should be drawn up for any adoption of a puppy or a dog to anyone. Doesn't matter whether it's a FIFO worker or not. Like, reasonable continuity of care, for starters. A family situation or couple situation where there's at least one person maintaining the familiar 'home front' & routines would be fine, by me. I've known a family situation where the dad was 3 weeks out and 1 week home (actually doing university admin in a developing country). They adopted a dog, with no problems. If a single person was going to use a kennel situation for one week in and one week out....it'd have to be an older dog (IMO)...and a lot would depend on the type of care at the kennels. Not to mention the temperament of the dog! I can't see every breeder agreeing to that as a start to a life with a new owner. Lot of 'if's' to work thro'. If other family or friends were providing the week 'out' care, that'd have to be looked into, too. Working thro' a checklist of what's important for the dog's welfare, can only work if the potential adopter is honest about their circumstances. But that's so, for all adoptions.

Research tells about statistical trends in a group. It does not predict for individuals. So, while it'd be useful to have a look at any trends among FIFO workers, I'd still have to look at this issue of adopting a puppy on a case by case basis. Can you give me the reference to the study (studies) you're referring to, which led to the conclusion about FIFO workers you've quoted ?

The more I read most of the replies, it keeps coming down to 'depends on actual circumstances', for me. I think people have described very well the possible circumstances ....which would influence either a 'yes' or a 'no', in each case.

I've also heard good things about Jane Harper. Also RSPCA Qld's Behaviour Training Unit has behaviourists available in their Behaviour Helpline. No....it's not for dobbing someone in. It's a service where pet owners can run past a current problem. With face to face services, too. I used it recently re a problem about settling a new dog with cats. I found the person attentive, friendly and helpful. Shall PM the phone no.

I honestly couldn't come up with a 'yes' or 'no' answer, because I don't know the circumstances. But you've made some fair points.

O/T, if it's 'snobbery', then it's not 'intellectual'. The 'intellectual' has to be objective. I agree with you that there can be a kind of snobbery about owning a certain breed or 'produced' mix....that's only based on a personal sense of being 'in' a current fashion. A US registered breeder told us how she was sitting behind two trendy New York ladies when the tibbies came into the ring at Westminster Dog Show. One said to the other, 'These are tibetan spaniels. They're very 'in', at the moment, because anything to do with buddhism is 'in'. The breeder said she went cold!

I know I am off topic but I am fairly new so forgive my ignorance, but what sort of dogs do prostitutes traditionally own? Padraic, you made my day. Best post in the whole thread. :)