Blackdogs

Wow, that's such a cute dog!

So I have this thing about browsing rescue sites. I can't realistically have any more dogs right now but it doesn't stop me from regularly browsing and fantasising about all the awesome dogs I would have if I could. Does anyone else do this? I currently have my eye on this little one http://www.petrescue.com.au/listings/222300 who sounds like just my type of dog and is bloody adorable to boot. Do you currently have your eye on a particular dog? Which dog would you have if you could? Show me your link!

I liked owning rats and parrots, but I've always wanted chickens. Just love them.

My first dog taught me that I could be unconditionally loved and that I was stronger than I thought. My second dog taught me that I could achieve my goals, the art of sociability, restraint and to take joy in life. My third dog taught me patience, self-control, humility and that I could love unconditionally. What have your dogs taught you?

Better a minute to soon than a moment too late. Dogs don't consider life and death, and unlike humans, they aren't particularly concerned with squeezing every last second out of life. All dogs know is what they are feeling at the time. When dogs are gone, they are gone. They're not regretting or pining or, most importantly, existing in pain. We hold on to them because of us, not because of them. I think it's important to consider these points when making this difficult decision.

Schipperkes are generally quite healthy and long lived. Just watch for allergies in some lines. They tend to be more active then pugs, but they are great, fun, intelligent dogs; and you don't have to forgo the curly tail!

I'd like my Schipperke to be more biddable.

Less thanks and more money, I say.

We had a variety of cross breeds as a kid, none ever stayed for long, my parents were a bit fickle - they would cave to my childish demands then ban the dog from the house and quickly get rid of it. It made for hard work forging a real relationship with them. When I was old enough I got an Australian Terrier X. She was my dog and I was old enough to bend the rules, so she came inside and slept on my bed and I loved her to death. She was my first heart dog. However, I was only allowed little dogs growing up but always wanted a big dog. When I moved out and she passed on, I got my dream dog: a Kelpie. I always thought I would have one I my life until recently, but to be honest I don't think any would compare to him. I've met many since and they're not the type of dog I'd want - then again it's hard to differentiate between innate traits and upbringing. I also have a Schipperke and it's taken a while for me to get used to her - she has a very different personality to the other dogs I've owned. I love her death now, but the bonding process was slow. I don't know if I would get another because I think she's atypical of the breed and I'm not sure the traits I love in her are breed traits. My next dog will be a German Shepherd. I've always wanted one and I think they would suit me well. I feel like there's so many breeds I want and life's too short, so I'm going to have trouble packing them in. At the end of the day, my heart lies with herding breeds and I'm sure I won't deviate too far from that.

How do you feel about strangers interacting with your dogs? Are you happy for people in the street to give them a pet? Do you enjoy talking about your dogs with them or would you prefer for yourself and your dogs to be left in peace? I have always made the assumption that other people liked strangers making a fuss of their dogs (providing they are stranger friendly dogs) but I got a sigh and a grumpy look from someone recently when I asked if I could pet their dog. The dog was friendly and loved the attention, but I didn't stay long because the owner (who was waiting for an appointment, not in a rush to go somewhere) did not look happy. How do you feel about it?

Since working with dogs all day every day, the novelty has worn off a bit, but if there's a breed I don't see often I will go out of my way ask if I can interact with it. There are some breeds I can't get enough of and I will seek those out as well. Prior to working in the animal industry I used to say hi to every dog I came in contact with and give them a pet.

A magpie once swooped down and grabbed my cat by the tail and dragged her several meters along the ground.

I'm not sure there's been many scientific studies to date on this particular subject, but I'm curious to see what people think. Do dogs have a sense of humour? If so, why do you believe so?

"I don't believe in breed specific legislation, but a breed 'X' and breed 'Y' mix will be aggressive and needs to die". The pups were euthanised.

My sister's JRT X was like this as a pup. No eye contact, not wanting to be touched, not responsive to any human interaction. She is now 9 and a bundle of nerves. She can't cope with any type of change and can be very fearful of dogs and people. She will often urinate in fear if you go to pet her and she's never had a hand raised to her. The behaviour is just intensifying with age and I may have finally convinced my sister to try her on medication. I am sure if we'd known what she was going to be like we would have returned her without question. Aside from the trials she's caused the family, she's a deeply unhappy dog.

Hanrob in Tullamarine is very good.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I spoke to someone the other day who thought Chinese Cresteds were the most hideous dogs he'd ever seen. I don't agree with that and I doubt you would. I bet the owner of the dog you saw would consider their dog to be beautiful.

But in this case the boy he attacked WAS threatening him. He stated in the video that he 'kicked the dog'.

Swimming swimming and more swimming. No other forms of exercise. No jumping, running or walking long distances. This swimming should be controlled (not at beach, but at hydrotherapy pool) to avoid the strain of going in an out.

Regarding the bolded part, you may be surprised to know that a dog who is on leash and being approached by an off leash dog may have a very strong reaction, compared to the same dogs in a situation where both dogs are off leash. It may be in your dogs' best interest not to let them approach dogs on leash simply to avoid being hurt by an on leash dog overreacting. I hope if your dog approached an on lead dog and received a negative reaction you would not have been complaining, since it would be your own fault for letting it approach a dog on leash. I wouldn't be surprised by anything. I owned a reactive dog for 9 years, and I specialise in behaviour modification for reactive and aggressive dogs. I've lived with it, and I've seen a large spectrum of dogs with issues around other dogs and people. I also know my dog, and I've seen him around a lot of reactive and aggressive dogs. He avoids trouble. An accident is not anyone's fault, but I think people who take shy or reactive dogs to off-leash dog beaches at peak times when there are on-leash options nearby are lacking in common sense and shouldn't complain when - surprise, surprise - they run into a lot of off-leash dogs playing nicely with each other. It's not nice for their dog or for people who are rightfully using that area as it has been designated. My dog is the least of their problems, but I think this ill-placed sense of entitlement that some people have needs to be kept in check. In my area there are a range of excellent options to suit every sort of dog. I live right by this beach, but in 9 years I didn't take my reactive dog there because it wasn't fair to other users or to her. Sorry, but are you saying that I have an ill-placed sense of entitlement when I exercise my reactive dog off leash in an off leash area at a distance from other dogs and expect the other owners to ask if their dogs can interact with mine rather than letting them get in his face? My dog is highly trained in obedience and avoids other dog if they are too full on. I think the people who have a sense of entitlement in this situation are the ones who allow their dogs to run up to strange dogs without permission or who are unable to recall their dogs on request.

Because shy dogs need exercise too, and dogs should still be under effective control, according to the law, even if it's an off-leash area. There are lots of ways to exercise shy dogs, and if they are miserable being around other dogs then it's not doing them any favours to put them in that situation. My dog is definitely under effective control and I called him as soon as I realised that the other dog wasn't comfortable. But the fact is, it was high tide and that dog was having to deal with dozens of off-leash dogs in close proximity. When he was on-leash anyway, surely it would make more sense to walk through the on-leash park behind the beach? It wasn't like he was having a run around. ETA: I had a reactive dog for 9 years. Although I lived right next to this beach, I would take her elsewhere for walks. Oh? Is there a way to exercise a high energy dog that doesn't involve off-leash exercise? I could jog my dog for an hour and it wouldn't be enough. He needs to run and run fast. Who says that shy dogs are miserable around other dogs? I don't go to places where I cannot keep a distance between me and other dogs and the reactivity happens when other dogs are impolite and get in my dog's face. Any dog keeping a distance from dogs at off-leash parks should be respected whether they are on lead or not.

I used a suprelorin implant on my Kelpie and he was quite nervy whilst on it. I have no interest in desexing him. He is seven now and recently had an ultrasound of his prostate which revealed that it's actually quite small.

Yep - legislate to the lowest common denominator... *sigh* T. Agree. This is why Vic is a nanny state with many following suit. Education, not legislation, please.

Thanks guys, this gives me a bit of an idea.

I was just wondering at the costs involved with semen collection and long-term storage. Does anyone have any ideas about this?