Alkhe

Mine seems to hate being watched or monitored when she poos. So annoying when she does it in grass at the park, because if I go close to her collect it, she toddles off while squatting to finish somewhere else (and I then can't find where she finishes her business). And if I wait until she's finished to go pick it up, I can never bloody find it!

I'm happy to admit that I do buy a lot of crap for my dog I'm also the kind of person who gets guilted into donating to things :D I'm terrible when it comes to facebook updates from rescue groups, seeking donations for vet bills and things. I can never resist, so sometimes those things give me the nudge I need to actually make the donation. Perhaps the original question could have been phrased around people asking friends and family to donate to rescues/shelters/other organisations instead of buying presents for them. I often request things like that; I'd rather something like that and it makes it much easier for people who otherwise don't know what to buy but feel that they want to buy something.

I'm not really sure, actually. Perhaps red and/or apricot poodles are sought after? I've got no idea, would be interested to know what others think though. And how it differs between poodle sizes.

I got a reply from Minister Walsh in Victoria in response to one of my letters too- except I think they sent me the wrong pro forma. It was basically reassuring me that they're taking care of dangerous dogs, and that we'll all be safe and blah blah blah. I'm a public servant and have written countless replies to Ministerial correspondence - but I'm always careful to actually address what the letter writer raised! This was ridiculous. I'm sure there are pro formas that they have and use for this issue, but jesus, get the right ONE people!

A balanced and rational article in The Age this morning about Victoria's recent breed bans. This kind of reporting is what this issue really needs, rather than hysterical 'BAN THE DEED NOT THE BREED' slogan jamming at every opportunity. I'm so glad that a mainstream media journalist has published an article like this. My comment is currently being moderated, but I'm hoping there are more supportive and rational comments made over the course of the day! I do wish they'd stop using that picture whenever they do a 'dangerous dog' article though! Good dog, bad dog

Me too! I got my dog at 3 years, but she didn't really have any obedience at all and hadn't been socialised. Rather than being bouncy and lacking in manners she was petrified of everything and going for walks was terribly traumatic. I taught her basic commands at home and enrolled her in obedience when I felt she had gained enough confidence to be able to handle being around so many dogs. For us, it was more about socialising in a controlled environment as others have said, than the actual obedience. She's quite an obedient dog (and there's a difference between an obedient dog, and one that does obedience!) and very well behaved- so that wasn't really a problem for me. I stopped taking her after taking a dislike to one of the instructors and his methods and attitude. I could've probably persevered and started going back when another teacher was teaching our level, but it just dropped in my priority list and I haven't been back. We've now got a good group of dog friends that we see at the park which satisfies the need I used obedience school for, before.

One of only 3 baby pics I have, sent by her breeder. I got her when she was 3, so the years 0-3 are absent from my (extensive) picture collection. My hard drive thanks me for this With her friend, Arthur the Iggy. Extended, slow-motion licks. And immediately post-bath, eyes glowing with hatred. If she stopped rolling in dead things, she'd save us both a lot of heartache.

This conversation is reminding me of a segment I once saw on Bondi Vet. A girl took her bulldog to get desexed, and at the same time to have prosthetic testicles inserted to please her boyfriend. Apparently he couldn't bear the thought of having a male dog without balls, so they got fake ones. Unbelievable. I'm at work so am not going to see if I can find a clip on youtube (not sure whether that kind of thing would make it to youtube, but I've seen far stranger and more pointless crap on there!). But if you're interested in seeing a real douchebag, perhaps have a google!

I would've done exactly the same thing - I had my first visit to the emergency vet a few months ago after my little dog ate a mouse that had (most likely) been killed by rat poison. It was a horrible place- I saw a little dog that had been attacked and an old kelpie that was panting heavily and basically paralysed, and could hear yelps of distress and a dog screaming in pain from out the back.. I hope I never ever have to go there again. The massive bill once you set foot in the door is bad enough, but it's just such a horrible experience. Glad your little guy is ok, I completely agree that you're better safe than sorry, and you never can tell with bee stings and allergies!

Hi everyone - is it still looking like this meet up will not go ahead? I'm still in if anyone else wants to trundle down to Kepala.

I thought it was great. It was just a joke with a message as the undertone - though as I was watching it, I was actually thinking 'god, I wonder how long it's going to take for someone to complain about it on DOL' ;)

Baha, awesome! I'd love to see the girls on the job :D

Ah, good old anal glands, my old familiar friend. I would take her to the vet to check it out - the anal glands of some breeds can be positioned in such a way as to fill up more often than others, and not get naturally expressed or emptied when the dog poos. Poodles are prone to this (lucky me!), so whenever my girl starts scooting I express hers. As Aussie said, vets can express them for you or teach you how to do it. It smells, but I was so terrified and prepared for the worst that the first time I did it, I was almost pleasantly surprised! It's no worse than stinky dog poo, in my opinion, with a bit of a musky, earthy, metallic-ness chucked in there.

Oooh god, she is absolutely stunning :love: Those eyes! SWOON. This is an awful thing to have happened, but as pebbles said, it doesn't necessarily have to be a death sentence or dramatically reduce her quality of life or lifespan. One of my childhood pets was a Miniature Poodle and he was diagnosed with a heart murmur at approx 4 years. He lived until the ripe old age of 17, and bad arthritis was a far more serious problem toward the end than his heart condition. Though he was on medication for much of his life, apart from having his pills, you wouldn't even have known he had any health problems at all. Keep us updated on what the specialist says, and what kind of condition it is, but please don't worry too much just yet!

I've had so many brilliant days and moments, so many to treasure. The first time she ran after a ball, the first time she cuddled up to me of her own volition, rather than just being cuddled or coming to me out of fear or something else. She was such a timid, terrified little thing when I got her, there have been a lot of 'firsts' this year, as she's gained in confidence. I love days where I can just hang out with her all day and take her everywhere with me. She LOVES the car, so some weekends we're basically together constantly, out and about. I often get butterflies in my tummy and waves of love looking at her

In order to transfer mine into my name, I had to become a member of Dogs Victoria. You may not have to become a member to transfer a dog on limited register, but for main register you do. Or, you did, in March this year

Seriously one of the most stunning dogs I've ever seen. I love her collar too!

Gorgeous, he's actually got freckles! :D At first glance he definitely looks like a puppy- nothing like capturing puppy face on the oldies! This is my Mimi who's 10 - happy puppy! People always think I mean 10 months when they first meet her ;)

Exactly - it's quite odd how inconsistent his statements are sometimes. Sometimes it's "the best dog is a oodle" and sometimes it's "don't buy from pet stores" and sometimes it's "pet stores are great - thats why I bought a surprise puppy for the newscaster this morning" ... should make up his mind. Surely this has to be a bit of a step in the right direction though? If someone is breeding and raising 'oodles in their home well that's still a much better start to life than being in a pet shop where you have to defecate where you eat and sleep right? There is debate over the whole situation with BYB's (I certainly won't be going into it again anytime soon on these forums) - but the sale of live animals in petshops and spending all that crucial socialisation/bonding time away from people is undeniably bad. +1 At least acknowledging that there is an issue is a step in the right direction, and I agree that breeding and raising dogs in a home environment is better than in a cage in a shed, destined for a pet shop.

Generally its a Labrador x Golden Retriever...or more commonly these days...a golden labradore You get some who think you have a cross when you say you own a Labrador Retriever. There are a fair few out there who don't realise the full name of a Labrador Retriever! But I never actually say I own Labrador Retrievers I own Labs, good enough for me! I've not yet been able to work out why things like pet insurance and council rego drop-down breed lists have both Labrador and Labrador Retriever. I mean, I know my dog is a Labrador Retriever, but if I mark it as such are they going to think it's a Lab x Golden?? I've spent too much time pondering this question Or are they going to charge you more (or less?) if they think it's a cross? I noticed that on the insurance thing too!

Ohhh is this code for a small dog? If so, there'll be a doggy friend! (Maggie is in my sig, 4 y/o toy poodle :D)

I've never been able to make it to a meet yet, but this is one I could actually do! Sunday 11th is snap bang between a weekend away and an overseas trip Hopefully enough others can come to make it worthwhile.. I can only contribute a single dog

My boyfriend doesn't pronounce breed names wrong, as much as get breeds so, so wrong it's just .. the mind boggles. He can't tell the difference between a Lab and a GR, which I suppose is understandable ( ), though I don't understand how you can't tell the difference when they're side by side. But the other day we had a Mini Dachshund visitor, and he asked me whether she had any Rottie in her. Um.. the black and tan markings, ok, but.. Before meeting me he was scared of dogs and his only experiences were really getting chased by his neighbour's GSD as a kid, and as a result not liking dogs. He's now a complete dog tragic, but god, he's really got no idea! I'm helping him with learning breeds, but it's just so strange to me that he can't pick groupings from really broad characteristics. To him, a GSP, Bichon Frise and a BC are as similar or different to two different coloured BCs. It's like he can't recognise that 2 dogs belong to the same breed, or TYPE. Obviously these things come with familiarity and experience etc, and I spent my whole childhood poring over dog books so am pretty accurate with spotting breeds and characteristics. I guess I Just take that for granted!

Wow, that is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful dog. Love it

Hm, my immediate thought was Ian Dunbar's books, have a look here. But they're probably not the right kind of thing for an 8 year old.. They're good books to recommend to the family, though?