Elina

wouldnt it be nice to protect the various breeds heritage

Like take voting rights away from colored people and bring slavery back to business

But seriously. If you look at many old photos of dogs, we have changed so much. We haven't really protected many breeds, we have done lots of harm. I don't think leaving tails to dogs cause anymore harm, quite opposite.

Elina, taildocking was finally banned in this country on the basis of lies and fierce lobbying by all the worlds saviours, all those people who in most cases wanted to feel uplifted by having a "cause " to pursue. Tail docking or tail banding is not cruel. this has been proven with out doubt, whether people like yourself believe it or not, when done at the correct time and by banding, not cutting. Medical evidence is available to prove this statement ask the nz. government for one.

Myself like many australians are getting sick and tired of being dictated to by ill informed politicans who are only interested in getting re elected with the help of the fringe dwellers of society who overall contribute very little meaningful things to our life style I by no means advocate any thing that would hurt any of my animals, tail banding does not. The banding methods used for tails is still being used on a daily basis in most hospitals world wide ,for extra fingers, toes etc check it out .

Hi, thanks for clearing out these facts. I haven't said even once that tail docking is cruel. Haven't I? All i have said is that there is a reason why dogs are meant to have tails.

Leg is not VITAL (sorry about my previous mistake, it's this language barrier) part for dog either. Just very crucial for balance just like tail.

Hi Elina , tails are not actually crucial for balance, otherwise all those docked doggies would be constantly falling over, and they just don't.

To OP, I am getting used to tails, but still love the look of the docked dogs I see out there. Not many left now though.

Damn, it's really hard to express myself with foreign language. But not are four legs crucial either. I have seen many dogs walking and running very well with three legs. Anyhow, what i try to say, is that there is a reason why (most) dogs born with tails. And reasons why most in this thread are saying they don't like tails are not because they are afraid the tail will get hurt, it's because it doesn't look good.

Elina, I have some questions for you:

1. Have you ever lived in the Australian countryside with dogs that like to go into holes in the ground?

2. Do you own or breed a docked breed? (one of the conditions for commenting in this thread)

3. Have you ever owned a Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)

4. Have you ever owned a dog that has broken its tail as an adult, and you had to get the breaks to heal, without success, and then after months of unsuccessful treatment, you had to get the tail amputated on the adult dog? If so, can you tell me what the temperament of the dog was like during the months of treatment, and what the dog's temperament was like after the amputation?

1. No.

2. I have had giant schnauzer.

3. No, but how on earth is this relevant?!

4. No, but i have owned dogs who have broke their legs while stepping to something sharp. That has been painful for a dog and needed many weeks care. Maybe we should cut one leg as well while docking tails. This would diminish the risk that one leg will get hurt. Leg is not VITAL (sorry about my previous mistake, it's this language barrier) part for dog either. Just very crucial for balance just like tail.

The lifestyle of dogs in Finland and other European countries is markedly different to dogs in Australia, and is due to the differences in climate and lifestyle.

Australian dogs spend a far greater amount of time OUTDOORS and many of them are very busy dogs that have no regard to the damage that they can do to tails.

Dogs in Europe spend a far greater time safely indoors in homes, and/or safely in barns, than their Australian counterparts.

Tail damage is cruel.

Amputation of a broken tail is cruel.

Tail damage is preventable.

We can prevent cruelty and if we know our dogs are at risk, then there is a case that says we have an obligation to prevent cruelty.

Souff

It is quite impossible to discuss about topic with someone, who is so fanatic of something. I haven't said that I think docking tails is cruel. I have just said that attitudes in my country has changed after 15 years. If Australian countryside is so dangerous for dogs tails, why kelpies and dingos have tails? And I have understood that most people live in cities nowadays?

We have lots of hunting dogs in Finland. I have heard of a few GSP's has had tail damages while running in a thick forrest during hunting. I could approve docking for that breed. Do you hunt with dogs?

You have not answered my questions.

Souff

My answers to your questions are very irrelevant about the matter that I just wanted to tell that maybe long tails doesn't feel so bad anymore after 15 years. Maybe that bring a little comfort to someone.

Elina, I have some questions for you:

I just told what replys I got from a country where has longer history of banning docking. Sorry, no needs to attack to me. We just have already now new generation of dog owners who are shaken that docking has been approved before. It sounds so absurd nowdays for many people.

Sorry, I didn't realise this was such a sensitive topic that I wasn't allowed to anwer this at all...

Elina, I have some questions for you:

I just told what replys I got from a country where has longer history of banning docking. Sorry, no needs to attack to me. We just have already now new generation of dog owners who are shaken that docking has been approved before. It sounds so absurd nowdays for many people.

Sorry, I didn't realise this was such a sensitive topic that I wasn't allowed to anwer this at all...

We remove vital organs from animals when they are desexed, is that also arrogance?

Well, that's totally different topic, but in my country desexing is not so popular and is usually made because of medical reasons. I have hardly ever heard that dogs under one year old would have desexed.

This was so interesting topic that I had to make an inquiry about docking in Finnish dog forum. How has attitudes changed after 15 years (docking was banned in 1996). I remember there was lots of all kinds of discussion after banning.

I have got over 60 replys and only one said that she would like to go back for docking. Many told that they still think that especially dopes looks better without tail but they still think docking is wrong. Almost all mentioned that it feels now ridiculous that tails has been ever docked from pet dogs. What an arrogance to cut away one vital part of the body.

Maybe there are more similar thoughts in Australia after 10 years.

Is docking banned in Australia recently?

I don't own docked breed at the moment but i bought giant schnauzer puppy in 1997 just after tail docking was banned in 1996 in Finland. It took just a while to get use to the look, but i preferred my dog as a whole package.

^Many thanks for your generous offer but we are already very close to Sydney

Do you "do" kids, too?

DH and I are going to USA for two weeks in November and leaving the girls, dog, cats, birds and fish home. We are in Perth WA. Eldest DD will be 18 and youngest 17 - just need to be supervised so they don't kill each other

Reliable house sitters would be more advantageous than unreliable nieces, nephews or friends!!

Hi Aannie,

We are leaving from Australia at the end of this month, so we can't help you I don't know if other house sitter "do" kids, but it doesn't cost anything to try.

If someone will need house sitter in Sydney in April, we would be more than happy to help.

^It seems that we could come to visit

Very kind words from Dodo Her dogs are lovely and we really loved the beautiful garden. It was very nice week in the countryside

We are still looking for a house sitting place from Sydney. At the moment we are in Melbourne.

june/july

Shame, I wouldn't have had any problems walking dogs twice a day and have very recent references.

my gates are all padlocked, so they couldn't get out.

I have 3 dogs, so expensive to put them into kennels for that long, but i would want them walked twice a day, which is a big ask for a sitter, but i would be prepared to pay .

Will look into some sites for sitters.

And when were you travelling overseas? Me and my boyfriend are looking for a house sitting place from Sydney for April, but you propably are not going anywhere with such short notice.

We have done house sittings for three dog owners who all have used house sitters also previously. They all said they haven't ever had any problems.

Clyde:

Unfortunately we have to be already in Sydney during that time period

How have you found finding accommodation in time, Elina? Many issues? Have you had to stay at a hotel anywhere when you couldn't find a housesit in time? Just curious Hope you've enjoyed your stay here!

Well, it has been quite difficult to find houses to sit since we have had certain places where we want to be in certain dates (NYE in Sydney, F1 in Melbourne etc.). Also that we can't stay in places where is cats has narrowed places.

We really can't afford hotels in Australia (we are travelling around the world, nine months in total)! We have our campervan where we can sleep and we have stayed also in hostels. I wouldn't count on just house sittings when you want to travel from place to place. Those are more like very good extra for our travels

Pity you aren't still in WA. My parents are going away for 2-3 weeks in April and she mentioned the other day about getting a house sitter rather than just leaving it all to me.

We live on 100 acres with horses, dog and aquaculture fish

ETA: And the two dogs in their house are Finnish Lapphunds

That would have been great! But yes, we are in the wrong side of the country

Elina I'm sad that you are leaving too soon! I have just paid a HUGE amount to board my three dogs and one cat for mid June to end July. I would have loved a house sitter instead, but three dogs is too many for most people.

I'm glad you are enjoying your travels! We should have a DOL Sydney dinner when you're here.

ETA although it's not house sitting, we have a spare room 30min train ride to the city on the airport line, if you need it.

Unfortunately we couldn't be able to help even if we would have stayed longer in Aus, because Tomi is really allergic to cats. Dogs are ok (even many) but cats and horses are really bad I still really appreciate your offer about the spare room. That DOL dinner sounds fun

Hi all,

we have done so far three fantastic house sittings in Australia and enjoyed very much. Now we also have excellent references House sitting is absolutely best way to see Australia. We have met many lovely dogs and their friendly owners. You really have great country

We are at the moment looking for a house to sit within 100 kilometers radius from Melbourne (or could be even further away if it ends before 27th of March). This would be from next week to at the end of March but anything shorter would be great too.

In April we need to stay in Sydney because we have to sell our car and Sydney would be best place for that (it's a campervan). We would like to find a house sitting place near public transport (because hopefully we don't have car at the end of the month ). We leave from Australia 28th of April.

Please feel free to contact

Greetings from Grampiens, Vic.

I didn't vote because I am not going to trial in obedience here in Australia. I just don't understand the whole problem here. In Finland you are allowed to use any language you want (Swedish is other official language). Many people compete in our neighbour countries as well and there is also European championship competitions etc. I haven't ever heard language would have been an issue even you can hear multiple languages in one competition. Rules are same about commands, have to be only one word.

Hello guys

Me and my boyfriend are at the moment in Sydney. We have been house sitting last month but when we leave from this current place day after tomorrow, we don't really have any plans until we get next house sitting place. We are just planning to drive coast south toward Victoria. We are wildlife buffs and would love to see as much wildlife as possible. I am sure there in this forum are many persons just like us and I would love to get recommendations of good national parks, wildlife sanctuaries etc. We love to see all kind of animals. Please feel free to add photos of those place

I start with this eastern water dragon which I saw at the Lane Cove National Park.

Me and my boyfriend are looking for a house sitting place at the moment especially from Victoria (and NSW), but we are coming to Queensland as well. If you or anyone else is interested visit: www.finnishhousesitter.wordpress.com

It's really interesting how in Germany and Finland it seems that if you don't walk your dog regularly you will have someone 'knocking on your door' but when it was mooted here there were a lot of objections to that, based on minority factors such as old dogs that can't walk or disabled owners that can't walk, I assume that it works in these other countries because these factors are taken into account?

Maybe someone can answer from these countries what happens when they knock on your door? Do the authorities take extenuating circumstances (such as disability of owner or dog) when looking into why the dog isn't being walked? How are things like problem barking managed over there?

Thanks to our overseas contributors by the way you are offering a great perspective

I have to say, I don't know for sure how these goes. I don't have any experience. I though am quite sure owners disability is not an excuse. Sure you have to get someone to walk your dog if you can't do it by yourself. Basically authorities can't take anyone's dog in to the custody unless things are really bad. They can just give guidelines and warnings. But most Finns respect authorieties quite well. And nobody wants that your neighbour think that you don't care of your dog :p

Problem barking, hmm... Do you mean in apartment or in suburb? In apartment it is a matter of the deputy landlord. Neighbours can complain to him/her and in worst case you can get an eviction note. In suburbs things are more complicated and in worst cases neighbours have seen each others in the court house. But usually animal welfare organisations doesn't have anything to do with those.

*Edit* I just read here the other thread about problems with dogs barking outside. Most dogs in Finland sleeps inside during days and nights so that is not usually problem.

Occasionally they would be at home while we're at work, then we'd come home, give them a quick play and feed and go out to dinner or to sports training. I know that you will probably be shocked at that but people who have met my dogs can confirm that they are both happy, well socialised and adaptable...

I don't be shocked Sure I have to do sometimes just like that as well, but I always feel bad about it ;) But I have active Border Collies and they are used to have a lots of activities. They don't want to just spend time with use while we watch TV, they think it's boring. This is of course also matter of breed as well. Many breeds are happy with much lesser activites, but I have to chosen bc's and I go for at leas a one hour walk even it is raining hard or there is -15 degrees. Somethimes I do think how grazy that is :p

Do more people work fulltime in Australia than European countries? I wouldn't have a clue, just wondering if that could make a difference. I know about 90% of my friends work fulltime and have to in order to afford their mortgage/rent... walking a dog 3 or 4 times every day would be very difficult and prohibitive... before work, after work and after dinner? What if you played sport or went out to dinner or had friends over or had another hobby? ;)

We are hoping to spend our honeymoon in Finland and surrounding countries at the end of the year... so I'm sure it will be interesting

I don't understand what is so difficult to take dogs for a walks three times a day? For me it has been self-evidence since I have dogs in apartment. Me and my friens all have dogs in apartment and work fulltime. None of us can't unfurtunately take dogs to work. I take dogs out before work. That is very short walk, just 15 minutes or something like that. After work it is time for a longer walk, usually 1-2 hours. Then last walk is before I go to bed, also short walk just like during the morning. That is the normal day rutine. We also do obedience and agility often and many times spend whole evening outside with my friends and dogs. Dog owners who cares about their dogs don't usually hand around in cafes after work if they work fulltime.

"What if you played sport"

Why would you take a dog if you don't have time for it?

"...or went out to dinner"

Does it take whole evening? Why can't you choose to go on your day off?

"or had friends over"

Sorry, I don't understand? Of course you say that you have to walk your dog first and tell them what time they can come over.

"or had another hobby?"

Again, why would you take dog if you don't have time for it? If you want another hobby, then I hope there is someone else in your family, who will walk your dog. If I would have a big yard, then you maybe wouldn't need to do the first and last walk of the day, but of course dogs need to have at least one good walking adventure every day.

I hope you will enjoy Finland in your honeymoon :p Which are the other where countries you are going?

Oh and Elina I forgot to say how good it is to have you on DOL. I don't think we have many Scandinavian members. Hope you stick around and we hear much more from you and see more of your gorgeous dogs! :D

Thanks for your comment. I am not going anywhere Though because writing in English is not yet as easy as in Finnish, it keeps me not interfering to many threads.

Very interesting thread Elina!!! Makes me want to move to Europe Only problem is my family is in Greece, Italy and Slovenia which is probably not so good with dogs as the Baltic states.

Thanks, climate is not so great, but otherwise Europe is quite nice Greece, Italy and Slovenia has very good dog culture, I think. I have been only in Italy, but there was lots of dogs in busy streets of Venice and many of them off-lead walking with their owners.

Then small correction: Finland does not belong to Baltic States. Finland is just part of the Northern Europe. Dog culture in Baltic Countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) is very different compared to Finland. Those are economically really poor countries and it is also seen in their dog culture. Finns rescue lots of dogs from Estonia where abandoned dogs are living in really poor conditions (especially winter is horrible for dogs, since they live mostly outdoor) but they refuse to euthanize animals.