mita

Ask the man to get down low & call her, with arms out at side. With a treat in one hand. Height spells dominance in the dog world & sometimes the size of a man sets off a panic in some specially submissive dogs. If she runs & doesn't come back to your OH's call, again. Tell him to get down low & call her, too. Give her big pats & praise when she comes. Somewhere I've got a list of things to do, to help build confidence in a shy or under-confident dog. I'll see if I've still got it.

I totally agree with this advice. Nothing teaches better than IGNORE for any over-the-top attention seeking behaviour. I've used a similar approach for a small tibbie who'd shriek her excitement. Worked great. As the penny dropped for her that shrieks brought ignore & quiet calm brought attention....she'd start to shriek, then REMEMBER the link. And the sound would cut out like someone turned a radio off. After a while, she did the calm quiet behaviour first because she knew the attention would follow. The trick is to be consistent. I'd never use a spray bottle with my breed of choice, either. That would only make them anxious....& not willing to come anywhere near me!!!!

I saw that program. It was great how much the dogs had come to trust their handlers. Love the way Sapper Cooper said they just 'wait for the bottom'.

Yes, I agree. My neighbour had just one grey for a number of weeks....a rescued ex-racer named Boofy. Boofy was very contented to couch surf all day, until his 'dad' came home. His present girl, Princess, is fine home alone but starts to get a bit restless towards the end of the day. But nowhere near distress.

Yes, a UQ study agreed that there's a 'critical socialisation' period for puppies between 5 and 14 weeks of age. Socialisation includes sampling the sights & sounds of everyday life. Good to see this particular study looked at offering audio-visual stimuli. And at a time when there's some restrictions on how far from 'home' a puppy can be exposed to the constant & varied sights & sounds the 'big real world' has to offer. As someone else said, this study doesn't over-ride the need for touch, smell, sights & sounds of being handled by humans around a real-life domestic setting. Exactly like alpha bet's described It's just that the study's measured how the puppies' experiences can be extended by playing videos. Good to see it providing evidence for one more strategy to go into the full 'bag' of socialisation. Beyond the anecdotal. This is one of the biggest problems for puppies coming from 'puppy farming' type situations. Ignorance about the need for rich socialisation...& total lack of it for young puppies.

PH, we have the best of all....own tibbies, live next door to greyhounds, & our tibbie used to be the small dog tester for the GAP greys. We went to a council Doggie Day recently....piles of dogs there. My tibbies started to get all excited & wagged their tails. Like they do when they see another tibbie. But it wasn't a tibbie....it was a greyhound, wearing the distinctive green collar. I asked the owner....'Is that a GAP adopted greyhound?' He said, 'Yes!' Not entirely all about me....the greyhound was compact size, very like grandma Jenny who lived next door! Mother of a Qld sprint champion. By the way, our neighbour works solid hours as a public servant & his greys are perfectly happy all day. On the dot of 5.20 pm. his lovely grey Princess, comes to the side fence, where she can see people coming from the train station. Her 'dad's' train gets in at 5.30 pm.

A lovely experience for you all. Zedley sounds like he's a 'natural' at handing out some pet therapy.

Great to hear so many people know, trust & will travel far to her. That's what counts! But I won't forget the vet I trust likewise.....Jennifer White at The Gap. So good at diagnosis, never ever over-treating, & putting much emphasis on prevention to keep the pets healthy. And jolly good at the surgical part.

I think this is wise advice. When you find a vet you thoroughly trust on all levels, it doesn't matter if you have to travel a bit. I once decided to switch to a vet clinic in my own suburb, simply because I thought it would be cllose in an emergency. That decision probably cost one of our precious dogs its life....even tho' she presented with no life-threatening condition. Fortunately, a previous vet I did trust totally, is only 3 suburbs away. So back I went, & the dogs are in great nick, thanks to her emphasis on prevention.

That's probably Samford Boarding Kennels..they have deluxe suites that have a TV Yes, I think Kissindra's thinking of Samford Pet Resort. They offer a choice between standard kennel accommodation & rooms that look like rooms in a house. Our shelties used to go there, way back, & loved it. Used to walk away with the kennel manager, wagging their tails, because they knew & liked him. They also employ their own vet, on site. If our tibs ever had to board, this would be the only place we'd send them. They have a large number of pick-up points around Brisbane.

Can I suggest you actually introduce your OH's dad to some of the GAP greyhounds? Then he'd see that size doesn't put a dint in the natures of these lovely dogs. I live next door to beautifully kept & well socialised racing greyhounds. And, tho' we own small tibetan spaniels ourselves...I just adore these dogs. They're gentle, sensible, no trouble at all....& very affectionate. Our neighbour had a lovely young male, there, just for the day yesterday. This grey is just starting his racing career. And, yes...he's so gentle, sensible & very affectionate. With the most beautiful colouring, white & honey, with the typical lovely eyes. One of the first things he did, was do a play blow to our small dogs, followed by nose kissing thro' the fence. Greyhounds stand out amongst the big dogs.....in that they carry themselves so lightly & gently. ADDED: Forgot to say that the lovely male greyhound was actually bred next door. His grandmother, Jenny, was small & finely built. Many people used to think she was a whippet.

I love the look on his face as if he's saying, 'I'm Tigger & I'm pretty hot stuff!'. And he is, too.

I disagree. The important thing is keeping breeding records. That is what registries are actually for. Keeping proper breeding records means that responsible breeding choices can be made, because the pedigree shows who the dog's ancestors are. It also means that the dogs produced can be used for future breeding programs by other responsible breeders. People that breed unregistered dogs are irresponsible as they have no way of knowing what genetics they are breeding with and what traits they may be breeding in to their pups. What they do is a waste, as none of the dogs they breed can be used by other responsible breeders that do breed responsibly. It depends on who's doing the breeding & keeping of records And also the extent to which they're available to others breeding for the same restricted purpose. I'd expect the kinds of examples that were given would be people knowledgeable about breeding & who'd consider the tracing of dogs' ancestors as vital to breeding decisions. They'd be light years away from the Backyard Breeder who just pumps out dogs to sell. Only the 'oodle' breeders would fit into that BYB category. They do what BYB's do....but also on a larger scale. That's a competitive commercial business based solely on making profits, not on breeding for some behavioral purpose. So 'oodlers' are not likely to have any interests in expanding gene pool via sharing records or information generally.

I couldn't agree more. Your examples are spot on. I'm sure if we pulled out precisely what those 'good' breeders do.....it'd be exactly what the 'good' registered breeders did as described by the research study. I'd expect the military dogs program up here would fit that category, too. All the essentials are there....the socialisation & enrichment activities given these puppies are brilliant & there's control over breeding decisions....and detailed records kept. Excellent vet care. All in a context where the dogs are valued & much loved. Before their military training commences at 12 months of age....the puppies have the same great life that a good registered breeder gives. Well designed space for birthing....deliberate handling by humans from birth. Then, as puppies, great socialisation around the air force base...with passing people & planes! Then at 4 months....out to live with families in the community... playing with children, going to the footy. No wonder that any who fail to make the military grade at 12 months are already primed to be adopted as wonderful pets.

I've noticed the same thing. The kids can be generally good with all the basic rules....& don't intentionally hurt the dogs. BUT it's when they're being overenthusiastic....or even just giving big cuddles...that they don't notice the dog is getting a bit stroppy or unhappy. Which is why I like that AWL program. It doesn't blame kids for being happy & loving with their dogs. It just teaches them to look out for the dog's signals that it's not too thrilled!!

One possible answer to your dilemma is that what 'good' registered breeders actually do, should be made the standard for breeding any dogs. And the key things that they do, can be pulled out of the research which concluded they tended to lay the best foundations for dogs' future & welfare.

You're right...& actually the RSPCA is required to police it, if it's in the law. My head has never recovered from reading the odd things in that particular Victorian legislation. I twitch at the memory.

And the University of Qld research revealed that it was registered breeders who tend to socialise their puppies far better than unregistered breeders. This socialisation tends to lead to less behavioral problems as adults. Behaviour problems that could then lead to dumping & surrendering or even PTS. In other words, registered breeders tend to be the people who best lay down the foundations for a dog to live closely beside humans and other dogs, whether in the role of showdog or full-time companion dog, The same research pointed to another trend. Unregistered breeders tend to produce far more accidental litters. It would seem registered breeders tend to be far more on top of their game, in the decisions they make about breeding. Which augers well for registered breeders contributing to a sustainable & healthy dog population...as well as a well-socialised one.

You've met one of the graduates from that breeder's set-up. Your small dog tester for the Greyhound Adoption Program. Angel. Ex Aus Ch in showring, then desexed pet....who took all the strange greys & strange people in her stride. As another poster said....those breeders who tick all the right boxes, produce purebred dogs that can gracefully live in many worlds.

I was pleasantly surprised to see an article in the July 2010 'Australian House & Garden' magazine which made a distinction between breeders whose hobby was to develop a pure breed to its best as well as caring for the dogs' welfare AND those who were only into breeding as a means of selling dogs for profit: 'The breeders I've interviewed for this column have been helpful, enthusiastic and, above all, very caring about their animals. But, sadly, there are unscrupulous breeders out there. Given that prices for pedigree pups can be $1000 or more, it's not surprising that that so-called 'puppy farmers' are active in the market. By forcing their bitches to constantly turn out litters, failing to keep adequate records to prevent inbreeding, and keeping their animals in crowded unsanitary conditions, puppy farmers not only damage the individual dogs they breed, but also the breed itself. So how can you avoid supporting this obnoxious trade?' The remaining paragraphs are excellent, too....telling puppy buyers exactly what to look out for... & so how.to spot a good breeder. And where to get contacts to search....Kennel Clubs & Breed Clubs. Only thing missing, was to emphasize that dogs & puppies need enrichment & socialisation (according to deveopmental level). But the author, Roger Crosthwaite is to be congratulated on getting this kind of quality information into mainstream media for the general public to read.

I'm going O/T.....but I'm impressed with how a Qld breeder of my favoured breed has set up her 'kennels'. It's a breed which thrives well with free access to a house AND a yard to play in. She has a row of good quality cedar children's playhouses. They have steps, door, windows & a front verandah. Each 'house' is set on a little fenced block. She told me she selects which little group of dogs will call each house 'home' according to how they seem to naturally bond with each other. It gives her & the dogs the best of all worlds. She can clean them well....& easily notices anything untoward with each little group. And the dogs get used to the aspects of the home environment....in smaller form. Steps....an inside & outside, for doing different things (like sleeping & toileting). Even a little front deck to watch out on the passing parade. Great spots to welcome human visitors into for socialisation. Of course, there's another well-fenced open area, where all the dogs can have 'run-free' time. And, they also have turns at being inside the main house, getting used to household smells & noises. This 'system' is ticking every box in breeding/raising/ & keeping little purebred dogs to gracefully become both companion & show dogs. I'm presently copying her idea, in suburbia, to combine a garden 'shed' with a 'yard' enclosure built by a cat enclosure co (who does all the AWL work). That will be a 'safe' place for our 2 small pet dogs & the puss, when tradesmen are working at our suburban house.

Good on you & SIL for putting so much thought into getting a family dog. Good to know that the children are mostly good with animals. I'd add that it's not only a case of training the dog, but also of doing extra training of the children, about a dog's behaviour. And how even the best of dogs can feel exactly the same as children do, sometimes, when their brothers or sisters step over the line & annoy or hurt them. Cranky! The children need to learn to give the dog a fair go....& to recognise the signs when the dog is uncomfortable and has had too much. They also need to learn some basic rules like not interfering with their dog when its eating & not to suddenly wake their sleeping dog. The dog also needs his/her own retreat place to go to when it wants its own space & time. And the children should respect that. You can download fantastic material from the AWL Qld website....which is designed for parents to teach children how to give the family dog a fair go Called the PetSense Program. They suggest parents put the tips up on the fridge & keep reminding the children about them. There's posters, activities sheets, & charts. All free from the website: http://www.awlqld.com.au/PetSense-Program.html If anyone here is a teacher, the material can be used in schools, too.

From AWL Q'ld....& I completely agree with them. Dogs are not humans & are not stuffed toys. They behave like dogs....& aggression is a normal trait in dogs. It all depends on control & boundaries: Reading a dog's body language and respecting its personal space is not only important in keeping children safe, but it is also important in protecting our companion dogs. All too often we hear of dogs (especially small breeds which tend to feel very overwhelmed by childen) having to be euthanased or sentenced to be being muzzled in public because they have lashed out at a child, who was unwittingly causing the dog stress by poking, prodding & hugging. They add the note of reality: Even those dogs who do tolerate overbearing kids, may lose their patience eventually, lashing out in what may seem to the child and adults as an 'unprovoked' attack. The problem lies in us humans failing to understand what a dog is trying to tell us through his 'body language'. More often than not, a dog will give us ample warning signs that he is uncomfortable with a situation long before he resorts to a display of physical aggression. I own 2 'angelic' tibbies....but they are still dogs, tho' well socialised. So I keep strict control on any interactions between them and children. Very much so, when out in public.

I agree. I've just read in the latest newsletter from AWL Qld that they've put together a Pet Sense Program designed to teach children the facts about dog behaviour & how there are things that dogs don't like being done to them, by children. They say: ...children need to be taught from an early age to recognise 'safe' and 'unsafe' body language in their own & other people's dogs. The AWL wants parents, dog owners & children to use the information from this Pet Sense Kit. The learning materials, posters, activity sheets & charts can be downloaded free from the AWL Qld website. http;//www.awlqld.com.au/PetSense-Program.html The AWL advises parents to print out the rules & guidelines & pin them on the fridge, to keep reminding children about them. Maybe it'd be a good idea for dog owners to keep a sheet or two with them....so when strange children & parents rush up and do the wrong thing....take the opportunity to give them some info on how to do the right thing. For people who can't download the material, they can order a Pet Sense Resource Kit by phoning AWL Qld. Also AWL education staff will be using the material with school groups.

I just found out there's a War Museum in South Australia. Maybe Herbie's Service might be included in their Exhibits one day. So he'll never be forgotten. http://www.amosa.org.au/index.html