minxy

Haha, glad I'm not the only one who does that! I've been looking at the RSPCA world for pets online store constantly, always updating to my cart to include more and more stuff to spoil my future pup! Now if only I could find the right dog bed!

If I didn't have a dog park 2 streets away, you'd swear there weren't any dogs in my entire suburb. I think I have seen about 4 in the year and a half we have been living here. All very standard breeds too

My cats do the exact same thing. As soon as we change their litter trays, they both do number 2's straight away. I swear they do it deliberately as the other day one of them squeezed out this tiny blob, just so she could dirty my clean tray lol.

I think it's fine to take them out for exercise if the park is empty, and then put their leash back on and leave if other dogs arrive. I don't think any dog should be deprived of exercise, but I don't think it's acceptable at all to bring a DA dog into an off leash area/dog park when it's busy, or these is no way of avoiding the other dogs.

You know, I've never understood that either. We have now changed vets as I couldn't stand the one we went to any longer (for various reasons). One of my poor cats scares easily, and one time when we were there I had her in her cage on the floor waiting. Suddenly I noticed her getting quite distressed as a ginormous cat (Can't remember what they are called, but the breed of cat that is like the size of a medium-ish dog!) started to come over to her. Well of course the two receptionists thought it was hilarious that my cat was cowering in her cage and getting upset.

Awww, she's beautiful! I especially love the 4th pic

Oooh, I vote for Miles or Noah!

he is a japanese spitz I've been taking some photos of him.. will post it later Oooh, that's exciting! Can't wait to see pics :D

hey come into the spitz thread there is a few akita owners on there they might be able to help you find a breeder Hey thanks Dogluva, I have tried there and the Akita thread but no luck unfortunately. I had an email a week ago from a breeder saying they were going to be mating soon, but I haven't had a reply yet as to whether I can be put on a waiting list. I'll give them a call on the weekend if I haven't heard back - in case they would prefer phone communication over email.

Oooh, chickens, fun! I love Vallhund's cute little legs We'd like a female Akita, but I have absolutely no idea what to call her! At first I was thinking about something that ends with a "ka" sound as our two cats are Mika and Oscar so I thought we could have a theme. But that restricts it a fair bit! I had really liked the name Nova, but OH says it reminds him too much of the radio station lol.

Oh, I have seen them from time to time offer a couple of different locations for classes, but they're all over the same way I believe. Hahaha, I liked the website too! Yup, hopefully after an Akita. Will eventually be a lot bigger than your Val, but I think they could still play nicely together, especially if they meet as pups etc. I have two cats at home, so my pup will have to get used to being bossed around by smaller animals!

Haha, well he only has to do it about 4/5 times Just thought I'd ask you about this since you are getting a puppy about the same time I should be if things go to plan, and you're not too far from me. I'm trying to find DOLers in Bris to socialise my pup with, preferably dogs that will be around the same sort of size!

Lappiemum, those photos of Blondie (?) are so taunting! Send her my way for cuddles, please?

Eek, yea that certainly makes things a bit harder! Puppy training with PR is $160 for 4 weeks (or $150 if you pay 3 days before the course starts). I have only seen ones that charge for the full course - I've seen these vary between 4-6 weeks. I think the most expensive one I've found is actually the RSPCA! They usually seem to be around the $140-150 mark though that I have seen so far.

I've done a little bit of research into it and so far I'm leaning toward Urban Dog Training - they have a couple of locations over our way. They seem to be highly recommended on here, and were the cheapest I've found so far too. And have free puppy play groups

Where abouts were you planning on going to puppy school djubre? Are you North or South Brisbane?

Why? Only one of the parents has papers - the stud if I remember correctly. I would much prefer to buy from someone who has the papers

Thanks Wuffles. I have actually heard a lot of good stories from people who have bought from interstate. Will consider it if we don't have any luck with this breeder.

Hmm it has been since the beginning of the year pretty much. Though I was initially looking at Huskies. There are only two or three registered Akita breeders in Qld that I have found. (2 of the 4/5 listed on Dogzonline aren't breeders at all). I have done a LOT of googling to find any other contacts. I am waiting back from a response from a couple that are ready to mate their bitch now, otherwise I have my name down for a breeder sending his bitch over to Qld to mate. But his pups don't come with papers which I would really, really prefer. There are a lot more options if we got one from interstate, but my OH and I can't really afford the time/money to fly over to pick a pup out etc, and neither of us want to buy a dog that we haven't met. We'll see how things go.

Fingers crossed for you. I love the tri colours

Yea, ours hasn't been mated yet either. What kind of collie are you getting?

Awww, those two little beagles are adorable. I have no idea how I'm going to pick out a puppy when they're all so damn cute!

Sorry Greytmate, I just realised I wasn't very clear. I think you misunderstood what I meant - I meant that as owners you fulfill your animals needs - i.e. you are responsible for feeding them etc. I didn't mean that pets fulfill the owners "need" to nurture something

Agreed with Raineth and Stormie above. I must admit I am guilty of calling myself and my OH 'mummy and daddy' to our two cats, but it's only a joke, and I wouldn't do it in front of anyone else! I do believe that pets can be a great basic lesson for raising kids. Animal ownership does require a lot of time and commitment, and as mentioned, you fulfill needs just as you do with a child. I don't believe it could possibly "prepare" you as such for having kids, but I do think that it helps teach some of the basic principles of being responsible for another life. I think that having to look after my pets has helped make me more patient and giving; two qualities that are extremely important when it comes to having kids.

Naww now who can resist a muddy puppy!