Steph M

That's very interesting, Hankdog. Almost like a learning disability might present in people too. Inability or unwillingness to deviate and accept change. Must be a clever guy though!

Wondering if Rosie would keep these on.... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/321130535427?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 Gus would, but they're small-medium!

I know not everyone is a fan of these days out, but this looks to be a lot of fun. We'll be there with bells on! (Possibly literally... ) http://www.dogsvictoria.org.au/GetInvolved/BigDayOutforDogs.aspx If I'm double posting, please let me know. I tend to do that sometimes...

She's a bloody nutter. Haha. I say that with all the love in the world. They're so velvety and soft too!!!

I've popped some photos up from Rosie's attempt at Lure Coursing on the weekend. Rosie's Lure Coursing Photos. Such a lovely group of people and so much fun to be had!

Much more concise than my ramblings.

I'd suggest you have another look at a pure-bred Lab. They're a type of dog you know well, and sound ideal for your situation. A pure-bred might be different enough that it doesn't always remind you of the dearly departed, and it will be a puppy, which is different in itself, for a long while. You might even find yourself saying "Wow! She's just like Missy!" I am biased, but a flat coat could be lovely. Gus is exuberant, friendly, sensitive, happy and loves to do his 'jobs' and be around his people. Sounds like a good mix for an assistant dog. He is low on the small-critter drive though. They are slow to mature though, but quick to learn and easy to motivate. We've also got on his back early about being gentle with kids. He seems to accept they're not toys now, which is a huge plus! He's just tipped 28kg as well. At 8 months. He can also go a few days without an outing quite happily as long as he gets people time. Definitely not an outside dog, but happy to stay home for a week so long as he has Rosie to play with. He's not really destructive either, unless you count my cauliflowers...

But then you have to mop! Hahaha! I have to admit, I don't really bother with this. Gus knows food on our plates and in our hands, or the hands of kids is not for him. His bowl, however? Go nuts. He does tend to hang back until I'm done dishing up anyway, it might be different if he didn't. And Rosie needs the OK from me anyway, it seems. It's an unofficial ok for her.

Of course, you can't kick a dog with parents who both had amazing tempraments and expect it to never react. Makes perfect sense to me that external stimulus plays a huge part in mental development, the same way it can physically affect development too. But why though? Surely this wasn't enjoyable for either of you, nor anyone else at the park? And I have to disagree with this too, sadly. Confidence building is not allowing your dog to skittle other dogs, no matter how poorly they've behaved in the past. I wouldn't be happy to see that at all. And you never know what the other dogs are capable of. I'll get back on topic....sorry everyone! Steph M Sorry we disagree on so many aspects. I can see how easy it is for an onlooker with no experience to criticise. With a reactive dog, you soon learn that everyone else who has (or had) a dog suddenly becomes an expert on dog behaviour. Firstly, I explained that a dog with perfect temperament came from one without. You're the only one who mentioned kicking a dog to bring out bad temperament. As I said, my younger one was highly reactive to everything with four legs from the moment she could go outside. I recognised that as a fear reaction that I could relate to an incident she had as a baby puppy. hankdog asked earlier if their was hope of changing a dog's personality, and I tried to explain that I didn't think it was entirely hereditary. I didn't realise how obnoxious dog-parks can be until it was too late. I unfortunately listened to too many "socialisation" experts extolling the benefits of dog-parks. Once I was in there, I had to see it through. I couldn't walk away with a dog who was even more fearful because of her experience at the dog-park than when we started. We most certainly do. I don't claim to be an expert, but allowing your dog to 'skittle' or otherwise harass or hassle other dogs is irresponsible and illegal. Taking your dog who displays her is, in my mind, poor management. And I don't agree with immersing her further into an obviously uncomfortable (albeit downright dangerous) situation. Again, not proclaiming to be an expert, but if that were my park and you were allowing your known to be DA dog off-lead, I would be very, very angry and certainly would not hesitate to report any and all incidents to the ranger. I have a dog who's afraid of lots of things, I don't push her into it and force her into things she's genuinely fearful of. We know her limits (older, bearded men being top of the list) and we avoid them where we can't make the experience a positive one. We're blessed that she just cowers behind me and doesn't react aggressively, and that she's young, responsive and pliable. We're making progress but I certainly wouldn't take her to a retirement home or similar to just throw her in the deep end to 'see it through'. I don't want to escalate her to the point where she shows aggression. She's a very, very minor case but we still adapt and accept we manage her differently. However I was actually agreeing with you RE temperament. It's all relative and as much nurture as nature, in my mind.

Yep! On Sunday!

:clap:

Of course, you can't kick a dog with parents who both had amazing tempraments and expect it to never react. Makes perfect sense to me that external stimulus plays a huge part in mental development, the same way it can physically affect development too. But why though? Surely this wasn't enjoyable for either of you, nor anyone else at the park? And I have to disagree with this too, sadly. Confidence building is not allowing your dog to skittle other dogs, no matter how poorly they've behaved in the past. I wouldn't be happy to see that at all. And you never know what the other dogs are capable of. I'll get back on topic....sorry everyone!

Some of the other cool dogs who partook. There's a few more to come, but Imgur is soooo slow! Haha.

Then she wanted to go again? Rosie and Lenny, her brother

We tried our hand at lure coursing on Sunday, Rosie was pretty reserved and the noise of the lure had her a bit scared but pop her in with another dog and she's off! Will try it again, sometimes it takes her a few goes to get confident at things. Loads of fun though!! Waiting her turn Coming in for landing. Aaaaand we're done...

I'm just popping some photos up in the photo thread!

I did :laugh: we've only lost a bird in this house. I did too. A rat and some birds. Argh. The skinks and sparrows around here are often toast, much to my displeasure. I will mark them both as killers...

My flattie would be goooooone without a fence. Haha. He does think with his nose and sadly no road sense or sense of boundaries. Plus I'd be way too worried about him getting shot after playing with someones chooks etc.

Are we counting birds and lizards?

Oh dear.. I think we need to hear the story about that. --Lhok Tis the season, we lost a sparrow this week too. Rosie is a beast with birds. Lucky the parakeets just hang out in the trees out of harms way.

Yes, some of us suckers have cheese to dole out to our dogs and get told what for if we don't. No time for angry birds for me!

I have to admit I feel the same. Which is sad as generally speaking are such lovely dogs and there's so many in need!

Rosie can be a real cow down the park sometimes, her need to run is a higher value than most things, which I’m quite happy to indulge so long as she checks in and keeps an eye on her. Our park is about 2k’s for a full lap, a large, thin oval shape with a creek running down the middle. Sometimes she’ll be right at the end (just out of sight as it’s wide and straight) and I’ll think ‘ffs, I can’t get myself there fast enough to get her out of an inappropriate situation, should one arise’ Her recall was next to none when we first got her, and I worked my behind off attaching value to us, invested in a treat pouch and set off to a fenced park to feel her out and she is always incredibly good when I have a bag of kabana and cheese, though even now if I bring kibble or something less appealing you can see the change in her after she realises it’s nothing special. She just does her own thing. She is getting better by the day though, she voluntarily checks in with us now and will happily come up for a pat and some cheese and even comes away from play (most of the time…) I also find I really notice the difference if we’ve missed a few days at the park. She does really need her runs and even the cheese takes a back seat, you just gotta let her go and keep an eye on her for the first lap or so. As frustrating as this is she's so sensitive at the best of times I would never ever smack her for anything, let alone doing what I want (albeit slowly) I don't think I'd have got anywhere with either of them like this. Gus is pretty good, he’ll tend to walk next to me and not go far these days, though I think sometimes he’s not having as much fun as he used to, not as big on being social and playing but he’s just growing up I guess. Sigh! Very funny watching the two down the park. Gus wants something thrown in the water for him, less interested in other dogs and will do things purely because he’s asked and will do it for purely praise and a butt scratch. Rosie weighs it all up, and you can see her tick. She will do something ONLY when it has met her criteria. Little cow. Lucky she loves food so much! Interesting thread!

Gee. I wonder what that entails. ffs. Wonderful place and time to be a dog owner of any shape or form...

I think that's a problem for everyone! I could have done with a few more months. Let's scrap teenagerhood in favour of more puppy time!