Cosmolo

Nope and i haven't even had an answer from my own council. However- they did send me a letter yesterday (which scared the hell out of me when i saw the logo on the envelope) telling me that my excess animals permit no longer needs to be renewed annually.

And thats what makes me so furious. My dogs are extremely obedient, well socialised, much loved and have never caused annoyance to ANYONE- and it counts for nothing.

Yes thats right.

thats exactly the point. and if i was you i wouldn't be bringing a dog that could fit the standard into vic even for a visit in the near future.

You can present Dna evidence in your appeal if you wish and then its up to the judge but the council won't accept it as proof prior to that point. If you knew who the dogs parents were, i'd be going and getting their Dna results as well. Unfortunately for people like me who adopted dogs from a shelter that 'may' fit the standard we have NO way of proving what breed they are or aren't. So we are screwed if a council ranger thinks our dogs meet the standard. If the dog is registered as any breed, they can't seize and destroy immediately. But they can deem the dog to be a restricted breed and require the dog to be kept as such. At that point you accept the decision and comply or take the council to VCAT. Seems different councils are doing different things- Kingston city council have only found 1 dog meeting the standard so far.

Thats my understanding of use of a NRM too- which is why i am genuinely interested in why some are so opposed to using it in certain contexts. I have used it in agility (on my own dogs, i don't teach it to clients as none of their dogs are ready/ suitable/ need one) for weavers and jumping off contacts for one dog (who was trained with running contacts and i haven't yet retrained, and may not ever) and have found it useful and helpful in those specific circumstances. I have never used it for the dog taking an incorrect obstacle or pulling off an obstacle though for the reasons mentioned. Maybe i have misunderstood- is it being suggested that any NRM use in agility will be damaging?

What does everyone feel is the difference between a dog being given a neutral verbal no reward mark, taken back to repeat an exercise and the dog being taken back to repeat the exercise without being given the verbal no reward mark?

I have colour preferences as well as preference for certain markings on dogs and may actively seek out a dog that has these in addition to all of the other characteristics. I don't think i would knock back the a puppy based on colour alone though at the same time i would always be happy to wait for the perfect puppy.

Do you have a link to the radio interview at all Erny? Its not something i had heard up until now. Surely the councils would prefer to get the money from the registrations..

It depends on the skill being taught. We provide notes and follow up and now, everyone who does it is already an existing client coming to training classes etc. We have stopped offering B+T to people who we do not know for a number of reasons.

I had read that too. My council have not responded to my queries sent last week.

Thats what most of our clients do too- boarding anyway, know us already and so add training into the mix. Just to add another perspective- sometimes the people who choose board and train want magic fixes for issues. Its not uncommon for us to receive calls requesting B+T and when we say its not appropriate for the issue in question, they want recommendations for someone who will do it.

It depends on the dog. For my dogs that i have trained since they were puppies i'd prefer them to be closer to the high end of persistent. For clients dogs,assuming they are primarily companions, preferably the opposite in most cases.

Not all of 'us' bought from backyard breeders. Some of us rescued dogs from pounds and shelters not knowing we would ever have to prove parentage. And its not just am staffs in trouble either.

In theory, it is possible to classically condition anything to have positive value, with any dog. The question is whether or not the number of repetitions required over the time frame required is practical/ possible. If a dog required 2000 repetitions or 3 months work to get used to a piece of training equipment- is this practical given the owner clearly has a problem now. There are lots of reasons why the number of repetitions required might be out of reach too- its not about handler laziness.

If you are in the north west, contact Four Paws K9 Training who is Kelpie i on this forum. Good luck

Shoot me an email Kirsten and if we can arrange a convenient time i'll come and help her. Have some cat donations i think too.

I don't know the answers i'm afraid. I wish i did though.

Yes thats right- keep my 2 active dogs in such a way that would drive them crazy. I dont think so.

I agree Greytmate. But that doesn't help the situation many responsible dog owners are in now- people who never thought they even had a pit bull or pit bull cross!

They had an anatolian shep on it as well. The scared girl would be considered to be pit bull type according to the standard.

As has been said- 2 wrongs don't make a right. Greyhounds can also be assessed and then walk without a muzzle, they can be off lead in someones backyard and can certainly be off lead and no muzzle in a house. There is NO comparison.

My dogs are registered. They are registered as what i believe them to be which is not a restricted breed. But this standard is so broad that they and MANY others may be considered to be of 'pit bull type'. So i should register them as restricted breeds and keep them as such (which would drive them crazy- never to be off lead again or walk without a muzzle) just in case someone thinks they are?? This is ridiculous.

I don't seem to be able to find one? Maybe its not up yet.

I know So much more was said but i guess time is limited.