mita

I sure didn't know the LDH exists in Brisbane until I got that brochure requesting donations. We're life members of both AWL Qld & RSPCA Qld & get their newsletters. There's been no mention of LDH in them. Nothing in the regular Brisbane City Council newsletters either. No mention on the Annual BCC Registration form for one of our dogs recently. Where will the $40 registration fee go to, now that the LDH has the pound contract? And why is the LDH asking for donations on top of that? The brochure hasn't made me any wiser about how people will find them, in Brisbane (will they still be listed as Pounds under the Council or will they be listed separately as LDH Brisbane?).

Good advice you gave that answered the OP's main question. Bit O/T but I have concerns about brochures & request for money donations sent to me by the Lost Dogs' Home as now-operators of the Brisbane pounds. Seems this went to all people whose dogs are registered with the Brisbane City Council. And that the awarding of the Brisbane pound contract to LDH is a fairly recent thing. First, the donations had to be sent to the LDH's Victorian address, which seems to blur boundaries between their operations. Second, the brochure complained about how expensive it was, now that the LDH has other pounds to run (well, why did they seek the Brisbane contract?). Third, nothing seemed to refer to any policies....like aims to expand ID'ing dogs, or aims to preserve lives of healthy. rehomeable dogs. I have no idea how much autonomy those who run the Brisbane operation will have. But this material featured a large photograph of the Victorian man who runs the LDH. In fact, I'm sending off this material to the Brisbane City Council to ask what it's all about.

I found there was a research project reported in the journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science which particularly looked at Cocker Spaniels. Carried out, at University of Cordoba, Spain. Results were that the genes which control the various coat colours also appear to predispose certain behaviours.. But, the researcher says, it's how dogs are raised that plays the biggest role in behaviour. http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2006/12/13/dogfur_ani.html

Aussie, no one took it seriously that Dougie the ex-trainee guide Lab couldn't swim. It was because it was so exceptional in a Lab that everyone in his new pet home, thought it was a hoot. :) Which is the reason for posing him with his towel at swimming lessons. I don't know.....it may have been that he simply was unfamiliar with water. Who knows, maybe it was part of his training not to encourage that aspect of being a Lab??? By the way, all the 'stuff' he did learn in his cut-off program, proved a great asset in his new home. Even his reason for 'failing' was OK in a pet home. He wanted to play with every dog he met. Now he can play , full-time, with his family's other dog.

It sounds like something you'd buy at Bakers Delight! I thought the same thing! :)

Not a show Lab, but a failed guide dog trainee Lab. This fellow couldn't swim, in his new home, so his owner gave him swimming lessons.

The pics are glorious! I love him meeting Chaos. He's been raised to be so confident around new people & other dogs!!!! And he's still only a baby. The face- on pic makes him look so pretty.

What Telida posted: People focus would be an obvious test for companion dogs. Plus what Nekhbet posted: Actually companion dogs should be tested for handleability, a good nature, good nerve and high tolerance of human contact. Too many small dogs with temperaments totally opposite to what makes a good companion dog. Both comments are spot on re assessing for companion dog suitability. And jolly good reasons why puppy-farming type breeding/raising is unsuitable for producing companion dogs. Yet a lot of the small breed puppies sold commercially, come from a background like that... Dogs & puppies intended to be companions for humans should be part of the human 'family' and lifestyle...from birth & always. I can't resist posting tibbies, in their original setting, showing people focus. Click, enlarge: 'We're with her! ' 'I'm with him!'

Wow! Rusty looks like a star after his grooming & wearing his new outfit. I'm sure the lady coming to visit him will fall in love. I've got a feeling that Max will have star quality, too, after his groom-up. Look forward to the pics!

Bit O/T, I looked at Max's pic. He sure is a happy, people-centred doggie! That's a Tibbie nature. His snout is a bit stronger than the standard. But that's of no account in terms of being a happy, loving doggie who'll be a gem as a pet. I like the way the Volunteer Notes said he happily did what was asked, & got a 'lolly'! His coat looks a little neglected.....but he'll come up a gorgeous treat with a good bath & brush. Thank you for caring for him. Rusty's very cute. You can tell he's been much loved. It will make his 'mum's' heart glad that he still will be.

Yes, and numbers of people outside NSW don't even know there's a NSW-only register. People shouldn't have to be detectives & Philadelphian lawyers to get their dogs accurately microchipped & details kept up to date. I also found a Catch 22 with getting a dog both microchipped & council-registered, for the first time, in Brisbane. The form for microchipping required that I give the dog's council registration number. The council registration form required that I give the microchip number.

I agree that the first step in problem-solving is to search out & put on the table anything that already exists. Something already could have a built-in solution... or it could need only some jiggering. The same goes for 'reasons' for backing a more 'family style' as the preferred way for breeding, raising & homing dogs & puppies. One that follows the research and puts socialisation, linked with health & temperament, at the centre. All necessary if dogs are to become sound companions in human lifestyles....& more likely to 'stick' in well-selected good homes. This type of breeding/homing already exists in the best of the work of registered breeders. RSPCA Qld, in a Feb 2011 newsletter, advised people looking for puppies/dogs, to go to 'good' breeders, or RSPCA shelters, or ethical Rescues. It'd be a good idea for Dogs NSW to set up a working party to put together a case like that... with recommendations for supporting this welfare-friendly model. And also cautioning how proposals like AWL's could have the opposite effect.

Amen, amen to the huge problems with the various microchipping data bases. And you're right, it presents problems with dogs moving interstate. First time a dog came up to us in Qld from NSW, I sent in change of microchip details & thought that was it. Months later, on a whim, I asked vet nurse to scan her microchip. Found she wasn't on the data base. Vet nurse was fantastic....she did detective work & found out something neither of us knew at that time. NSW has its own data base & she was on that. I'd sent off the change of details to a national data base. Other people told me that the data bases are 'connected', but I saw no evidence for that. I'd imagine that the Australian Veterinary Association would dearly love a standardised data-base, because vets so often are brought lost dogs for scanning. Also the national RSPCA for the same reason. And even the ANKC because show dogs are moved around the country all the time.

I've PM'ed you for a contact email, so I can run this past some good people who are not on DOL.

Another win for microchipping. But it can add on time, if vets aren't opened. So I can understand a situation where someone kept the dog overnight. But council should be informed. The Brisbane Council keeps a data base where finders and losers can call in with details of a dog. If both do, then the dog can be returned as soon as the owner can come get it. That's a pretty trouble-free and quick way of doing it. If the dog's got current rego on its collar, it's even easier. The finder tells the Council person the rego number & they get the owner's contact from their data base & call them. Then switch owner thro' to finder to arrange pick-up.

Yet this is the breeding conditions where I'd head to, for a pure-bred dog or puppy. Part of the family. It's not just sentimentality. The puppies' brains are being developed in the conditions they're raised in, from the word go. Also ,if the adult dogs are also part of the family, that's the first 'dog behaviour' models the puppies have to follow. This way of keeping & raising dogs and puppies, reduces their risk of being dumped later. Backed by evidence, too. Which means that 'welfare' organisations, like the AWL in NSW, should be doing the opposite. They should be supporting the more 'family' style, hands-on approach. Because it gets better welfare outcomes for the dogs. And I'm not arguing that it all must take place inside the house. But that any kennel set-up should be connected with the everyday home lifestyle of the owners. Most breeders I know balance this nicely, in their own ways. Here's an example of a purebred puppy being happily raised in the 'family' way, surrounded by the adult dogs. BTW the adult dog is not related to the baby puppy:

Thanks for that, Wendy. Sorry, RSPCA NSW. AWL NSW should get more input on what they're proposing.

Fern could get a job as a Dog Physiotherapist. She's giving Pickles a good work-out. :)

This is going after the wrong people. Registered breeders are hobby breeders, not puppy farmers . And there's evidence that they mainly do the right thing in caring for their dogs & raising the puppies properly. Breeding for profit is not their thing. So , frankly, the authorities should be giving them a $500 bonus for not producing animals more likely to have welfare problems!!! :) Who could afford $500 a year for a licence? The people who breed in numbers and ways that can make a profit. Doesn't matter if their outbuildings are clean & other living conditions are fine. Socialisation. 'What's that?' Saying 'no' to buyers who are not suitable. 'You joking, saying no to money?' Controlling numbers of litters. "Why? That's money in the bank!" If this goes ahead, it'll drive out the registered breeders doing the right thing by their dogs & puppies. And make an 'approved' niche for profit-makers who keep up appearances & rake in the money. What is happening with RSPCA NSW? First they make an agreement with pet stores about selling puppies. Now, they're putting pressure on the breeder group who've been found, generally, to be most all round welfare- conscious re their dogs & puppies. The world's gone mad.

You haven't spoken to my mother :D On drawing conclusions ... is it relish the camera lens has captured or delirious relief? ... who knows Your mum's anecdotal evidence, not scientific evidence. I still can't find any PIAA policy or guidelines that show they're promoting awareness of how population numbers explode in undesexed cats.. There's a buzz line that they use how everyone loves a puppy or a kitten... But they're not loved when human irresponsibility send them feral.

Yep, Lilli. Holding the cat carcass up in triumph looked like relishing what they'd done to me. Called 'drawing a conclusion'. Someone else might draw another conclusion. There's no evidence that psychic abilities exist.

There was a case, in Brisbane, where a dog was hit by a car. Details a bit blurry, but owner was a lawyer who argued the council had a responsibility to scan the microchip & inform.

[quote name='Diva' timestamp='1331080863' post='5753131 treatment must have the best interest of the dog foremost. I spent a fortune on a dog with an injured leg, not even cancer but trauma. The arguments about the money being better spent on rescue dogs, or starving children etc were all put to me, but they are meaningless in my mind. Only quality of life and my willingess to pay set the limit. Yes, it's a personal decision. Whichever way it goes, the dog's best interests come first. Someone else may simply not have the money, or may not want to put the dog thro' complex treatments (especially if age/seriousness are against a full recovery in the long term). So live and let live. One thing I've noticed, tho', is that some vets will tend to keep on treating & talking about the treating.....but not initiate a conversation about is this a fair way to go for the dog. Yet, when the owner brings up their misgivings that this is too much for the dog....the vet will then agree.

I earlier said my piece on this topic. Poor taste behaviour in that photo, irrespective of the necessity. So I also went looking to see what happens in another setting... the selling of cats in PIAA-endorsed pet stores.. But I, too, only found references to dogs, not cats, in the PIAA's policy . OT, but re dogs, it totally misses the point that what happens before & at point of sale affects what happens for dogs afterwards. Bit late when they're in a pound. There may be other information re cats, somewhere on the PIAA website, but I haven't found it yet. Best guidelines I've seen about the responsibilites of buying and keeping a cat, are on the website of a Q'ld feline association.

Oh for pity's sake... I was saying what I WASN'T doing. MY COMMENT WAS NOT DIRECTED AT YOU. Is that clear enough??? I wouldn't mind if it did. So there's no need to injure your head. :)