mita

BlackJaq, the photo of your dog is stunning. Beautiful!

Where's the feedback form? And I hope there's lots of space in the Comments window. Because the things that need to be said to them are presently nowhere in their paper. Not only is there nothing in the Taskforce paper about what's needed to 'make' a dog, a companion dog... but there's nothing from us pet owners' perspective, as consumers. As you said, a little back, if the changes knock so many of the registered breeders out of the game, then consumers will have less access to puppies bred by the people who are likely to produce the best socialised puppies. And it's not only socialisation that's likely best from registered breeders. Even tho' the Pedigree Dogs Exposed stuff left the idea that purebreds are unhealthier, the evidence points to purebreds being extensively studied to improve health. The breeders of my own breed of interest are currently thrilled pink, because UK research has come up with screening for late onset PRA. Same with other breeds. I've yet to see top-notch, internationally recognised health research aimed at improving the health of mixed-breed puppy farmed dogs. If anyone has influence with Dogs NSW, get them to encourage submissions from university researchers.... & from individual pet owners, because we are the consumers. All our Tibbies, except one, came from NSW registered breeders. I'd be appalled if these people were no longer able to afford what they're already doing brilliantly. Like heaps of others with other breeds.

I'll never forget the pic of Chi, in her 'pyjamas' in the foster-home she was first taken to. I think it was in Kingaroy. She looked so snug & warm, with her tiny face sticking out.

Yes, I thought the same thing.

Most p/b registered breeders would agree because they're actually doing it. The research measured it .... & the jargon gives it a name 'socialisation'. It's the one thing that sticks out a mile in developing a dog into a companion animal. The NSW Companion Animal Taskforce should've have started with it, when they wrote that paper. If it's companion animals they're talking about & wanting to 'regulate', they should say exactly what that means and what's necessary to 'produce' them. Like, if you were setting up a system to produce widgets, you first have to know what the hell widgets are & what has to be done to make them. So I'd be handing back that paper to the Taskforce, with the comment, 'You didn't answer the question. So how can you set up a system of management of companion dogs?' I noticed there was no member on the Taskforce representing research, like a representative from a University. Their first move is always to define exactly what's being spoken about & do a search of current research that might throw light on it. If someone had done that.... up would've come the UQ study showing that registered breeders are the group who tend to socialise their dogs/puppies best. And pointing to why this is so important for dogs to become companion dogs. So, first conclusion would've been to support whatever it is that this group of breeders is already doing. And make sure any changes don't get in the way of their continuing to do it. Why didn't they put someone from Sydney University on the Taskforce? Great research about dogs, from that place. Or borrow someone from UQ .... where they have the bonds between dogs & people as one of their major research areas. Monash University is another. I looked at the small bunch of References at the end of the Taskforce's paper. I couldn't see one that related to the essential question... how are dogs best bred, raised & managed so they become suitable as companion dogs.

Yes, a brave lady. And a damn good registered breeder.... as were her breeder friends who provided foster-care. One thing stood out a mile. When the situation was originally on the TV News here in Q'ld... & the dreadful fire had just happened... they showed the RSPCA taking her dogs away, temporarily. Those dogs had just been thro' hellish stress. But the Cavs in the arms of the officers & then in the van, were so trusting & friendly to the strangers who were helping them. If ever there was a test of beautifully socialised dogs, that was it. An RSPCA officer remarked that these dogs came from a respected breeder. They got that right. And on tonight's program, it was evident again. A TV crew went with Jane to be reunited with her dogs. After an enthusiastic meeting.... who did those dogs greet with interest & friendliness? The camera crew who would've been strangers to them.... & carrying strange looking equipment.

And it's still Cardigan Corgi from me. :) Very sensible, all round good dogs.

Jed. will they accept a response from a Q'ld person? If so, I will. And here's the research. Findings were clear. The tendency is for registered breeders to socialise their puppies well. So people getting puppies from the majority of registered breeders, will have little ones with the base for being a companion dog already in place. The paper says straight out, that people buying puppies from unregistered breeders will not tend to get this. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21985351 Of course, there'll be exceptions, but that's the statistically significant tendency. Overall, it means that registered breeders are already doing something very important well. So why put them in a position of no longer being able to afford showing, breeding & raising puppies. Which would reduce the numbers of well-socialised puppies available. And that would be the pet-buying public's loss. As poor socialisation is linked with the development of later behaviour problems in companion dogs, there are implications for welfare & dog management problems. And the researchers say this should be teased out & measured in later studies.

Good on you & I totally agree with your reasoning. I'm not impressed with the work of that NSW Companion Animal Taskforce. The unique contribution of registered breeders & how they go about achieving it, should've been recognised in the original paper. They're the only group in dog breeding that have solid evidence that the majority do what they do well, in how they produce dogs suitable to be companion dogs. Which means they reduce the risk of their dogs becoming welfare problems. So what they already do is fine & should be supported, not penalised so they can't afford to keep breeding.

From now on, a dog like that will be 'a May dog' to me. You're so right that passive neglect is the biggest form of pet cruelty around. And the owners tend to get off scott free while, if the dog is lucky, some compassionate people pick up the pieces... or, if not, the dog has a truly horrible decline. I wish there was a campaign to raise community awareness... & standards...about 'May dogs'. Their fate shouldn't go unnoticed & unrecorded.

That is great, sandgrubber. I like the idea to place copies of the book in places where children encounter books. Like local public libraries & school libraries. You're right, sheena. Here it is advertised by Random House, Australia. And with a description of the content: http://www.randomhouse.com.au/books/tish-rabe/cat-in-the-hat-if-i-ran-the-dog-show-9780857511140.aspx

There's a great saying> 'If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got.' Very handy when persuading someone to shift to another way

Yes, DD, the staff were quite chuffed. The maintenance section was also in charge of space allocation ... & were notorious for being brick walls when anyone needed some extra room space, no matter how small. But when asked to provide a 'home-room' for the therapy dogs, they found one in a flash. It was said 4 paws & a tail brought great influence at that place.

Tic, those photos are wonderful. When our tibbie, Angel, did pet therapy at a children's hospital, the researcher in charge told us something interesting. When the program was evaluated .... it turned out that the doctors, nurses & hospital staff loved the visits by the dogs, as much as the children! The hospital maintenance men, who were not noted for being bleeding hearts, went all out to design a little 'rest-room' garden with picket fences & gates for the dogs.... & a couple of small trees specially for the boy dogs.

Good on you & your mum & aunt & others for volunteering for a long stretch in bringing the JR's to the general public. From your civil post, I'd be guessing you'd be the last person to be rude. And it goes two ways .... anyone wanting to connect, rather than just look, undisturbed, can say 'Excuse me' & 'Hello', too.

Yes, and sorry if I gave another impression. The point for me was to give a rescue group or breeder a bit of extra cash and a plug, but it would only be a cameo appearance, not the point of the show. No worries. It was me who just assumed it was a panel-type show. The later posts from people who'd actually seen it seemed to say the point is more towards comedy.

I've not seen Can of Worms... we tend to watch the ABC & SBS. So I don't know the tone. But anyone being invited with their dogs would need to know if the intention is to just mine the dogs presence for laughs. Rather than being mainly informative.

What about side-stepping the contentious stuff about suitability of puppies? As the question is about reducing stress & soothing anxiety.... how about getting some adult dogs who do just that. The Dogs Victoria has a Pet Therapy team. Last time I looked they had quite a mix of breeds. Or some folk from Delta pet therapy dogs.... who use their own pet dogs. These dogs would also be unfazed by being in a busy situation with strangers around. It could be mentioned what's the best way to get a puppy/dog that is well socialised & friendly with people.

Cardigan Corgi (the small-medium dog to be having when you're not having a Tibetan Spaniel :) ) Sensible, good natured, all rounder. Great housedog ... but great playing in the garden and going for walks.

Says they're a Siberian Husky rescue. http://alphadog.org.au/ Also have a Facebook page as Alphadog Animalarmy which mentions his standing for the Senate. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alphadog/133822506120

Just adding. We'd take 3 Tibbies to the Park Days for Dogs arranged by the Council. The Tibbie girls would be very self-possessed as usual, not taking notice of other dogs. But they'd alway pick out one that they'd be happy to be around. One year it was a huge p/b Rottie called Bob, who just oozed confident good nature with a big grin & a gently wagging tail. I agreed with them!

LOL Corvus Totally agree, Lhok. Squeaking wheel gets the oil and all that. If anyone has an agenda they believe is worthwhile, they can't whinge if they aren't going to spruik it, while someone else spruiks theirs which might be the opposite or they may not agree with. All well said, DD, Corvus & Lhok. Get balance into it. Pedigree dogs & their benefits to the world of welfare and human companionship, need to be put out there. What amazes me is that registered breeders & their pedigree dogs are the only ones with solid research behind what they contribute as companion dogs.... yet they're so often out of the public eye on why this is so. So instead of a battle-field mentality... & on the basis of those strengths... do some influencing with the Oscar's Law folk to fill in the big gap in their aims. That is, how dogs can be best be brought into this world & raised so they're at lesser risk of adding to the dog welfare problem. Grumpette, I just saw your post how your breed represented itself at the Show. You did exactly what I'd be hoping for... & other breed clubs taking part, too.. But why should I be surprised about the Rottie Club of Victoria. I've never stopped praising them over the years. Like for: .Best article on the importance of socialisation & how it's done.... on their website. .Best radio interview where a representative of the club explained the above, succinctly & clearly. .Best response from a club spokesperson after a 'Rottie' was implicated in an attack. .Best featuring of how adult dogs turns out when well-socialised, via Rotties in the Dogs Vic pet therapy program (among other breeds). .Best example of how show-dogs can be superb as companion pets, via the 'show' Rotties (& other breeds) used in that program.

Good idea!

I don't know the specific details of this case. But it seems both those sentences highlight the Council's reasoning. There's presently, in the Rescue Forum, a case where all worked together on behalf of a 15 yr old dog in awful condition in a near Sydney Pound. Pound staff, rescuers, a person willing to offer a home (pending an vet assessment) & plain good people who offered to help financially (if needed). All agreed with the vet assessment that the conditions were beyond help. And pound staff & others made sure there was a peaceful, dignified PTS with the sweet natured dog being cuddled. In cases like this, someone has to make the call on what's merciful. And that call depends on the details of each case. The details of this Logan case are not spelled out in that article. So not possible to evaluate their call.

http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/breeders/american-staffordshire-terrier.asp