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Hi all, I would just like to say that I am withdrawing this ad. This is due to the fact that since I am home now I seem to have managed to explain to them that while their enthusiasm for their work has not gone unnoticed, they don't need to keep practising and they seem to be understanding, not that I'll be putting the house on a bet that this is the case.

That was quite interesting, but the article said that of thirteen cubs only three showed any interest in returning the ball to the person I wonder how many 13 say greyhounds or another breed of pup, that may have little or no retrieving / nurturing drive would with no training to bring back a ball. My experience has been (with Greys) that they are generally quite nonchalant when it actually comes to holding it in their mouth after they have chased and grabbed it, once the movement has gone they have very little interest. They would be more than willing to come back, but not one brought the ball back with them also I did this collectively not individually which may have had some influence on their behaviour. Having said that i have seen a retrieving nutter Grey but the owner told me that he did need to learn to retrieve.

:-) No, I had toyed with the idea of getting them to dig my vege garden but it would be several years before the plants made it to the surface.

Hi I have decided to hire out my two dogs as excavators. No charge for them as your swimming pool will be placed at their discretion. They can be a little lazy at times and will lie down on the job but don't worry your pool will most likely be finished by Christmas. They have had many years of experience but they haven't watched the ads for dial before you dig as when I enquired if they had contacted them Buster cocked his head sideways which my OH interpreted as huh????, so you may need to. Cheers

Probably because I ve had cultural diversity rammed down my throat for the last month or so, long story (Im not saying it is right just the person there probably doesn't really actually think what they are doing because it has always been that way, it is the norm). Things like that kid who mowed down all those emus with his car when they get caught that's what I loudly cheer they are deliberately being an ass...... it is not the norm in Aus to mow down emus.

Yes. I must confess I have secretly done a happy dance when I saw footage of a matador getting nailed.

It is absolutely awful, these hunters are sooooo deliberately cruel. if they just hung they are lucky, they have some very cruel "traditions" (I won't go into detail) It isn't just Galgos either there is a breed called Podencos (bit like a Pharaoh hound) that also is commonly used by them so so sad

Yes this is true if used properly but in my limited experience I found them to be very effective which means the sensation they give is quite poignant so in the wrong hands they could cause damage. If they were freely available the likelihood of them getting into the wrong hands and being used as punishment instead of as a training aid is very possible. I know any collar, harness etc can cause damage but just just the look of these collars I believe could attract the wrong person to them. I have seen the "wrong person" experience with an e collar which is why I tend to err on the side of caution.

Thanks Persphone, she was a sweetie and deserved it.

My little red cattle dog passed today. You had the first eight years of your life on a chain attached to a bare board kennel, with never a loving word said. The ground you spent that time on was grass-less. I bought you home and watched you grow through the new experiences you had. I will never forget you watching Roxie rolling on her back in the grass with a look of curiosity and puzzlement, then trying it yourself and doing again and again as you decided it really was one the fun things in life. Today was such a contrast emotionally from those days but at least the eight years you were with us enabled you to be a dog. We will miss you!

Yes you are probably right regarding assessments etc and I have seen dogs do wonderful things to/with these guys, but I think regular reviews would be absolutely essential.

Without wanting to sound mean, I hope they temperament test the kids also, when some people realize they cant do what they used to be able to do they can have an extinction burst and become violent even the most benign.

Yes it is good that people are concerned but when they are vigilante on a crusade it's nuisance at best.

Many years ago I had a stall set up at a million paws walk and underneath the table I had crate which my dog was in basking in the sun. This was before crates where common and the only people that really used them were show people and true dog people. I saw the local inspector making a hurried beeline toward me, he came around to where I was sitting, stood there and stared at my dog who was half asleep, she opened one of her eyes looked at him for a short time went meh and closed her eye again. I was asked quite abruptly "why is your dog in there", I replied "to keep the other not friendly dogs away from her". He asked "does she want to be in there" I opened the door she opened her eyes raised her head saw I was still seated, leadless, treatless and hadn't asked her to come out, so promptly put her head back down and closed her eyes. I looked at the dog that he had with him who was at the end of its lead tense tail up and constantly pacing as far as the lead would allow it and said " of all the dogs that are here she is the about the only truly relaxed one". With that he turned and walked away. Now while I don't read minds I think I would be fairly safe to say he came over with the intent to "have a go" at me about having my dog locked up in a cage, but he did see what Sasha was telling him.

They are fantastic at calming. Only the other day I was with a person who loading up to have a meltdown the moment I put the dogs lead in her hand her demeanour did a complete backflip, she ended up having a great day, magic!