Erny

Jake-K9 - Further to my previous post, I've submitted a question to the Leader Newspaper (via Community Comment) asking for clarification of what the by-law actually intends. Don't know if it will get published or not.

Ahhhhh .... yes, I see how you're reading it. I've redone the highlights to show how you saw it. The problem with words .... they can so often be read in more than just one way, which is in part what makes laws so wretched at times. Good call, Jake-K9. I don't know the answer - hope it's not a case of sneaky sneaky stuff on the part of the Council. Surely not.

Hi Bel. Sorry to hear this news. My avatar girl "Kal" was found to have had a tumour on her adrenal gland. She was 12yo at the time. Surgery was indicated and I was going to go through with it as apart from the tumour and its affects on her, she was in good health and was very young for her age. I am unable to give you any advice on it or on how it went because unfortunately, 4 days prior to the scheduled surgery, she showed symptoms that her brain was affected. There was nothing I could do and so, after a period of palliative care, I gave her the freedom of her wings before the tumour could cause her adrenal gland to rupture. If it weren't for that (or any other unexpected and devastating health issue) I think my girl would have had another 2 years in her at least - going by how she was in herself and also going by her immediate ancestors in terms of longevity of life span. I can tell you that whilst the mortality rate of these surgeries is fairly high, in my girl's case the tumour appeared to be well encapsulated. It was to have been a very pricey surgery (anticipated $6-7000.00) but I was going to proceed. There is a post-surgery period that is fairly critical as well, if I remember rightly. But in our case it was a matter of either the surgery being successful in which case she would be 100% cured OR I would lose her on the operating table. Without the surgery it was predicted that she would have about 6 months. So, I opted for the surgery, but as you've read, life had other plans that prevented this occurring. I think the choice must be yours and yours alone. You, and only you, know your dog. I would like to think that your Vet would not suggest it unless he/she felt it was a good option for your dog, but perhaps have a further chat with him/her if you remain uncertain. The surgeon who was lined up to operate on my girl was absolutely wonderful. I was scared witless of my decision to go ahead and had many moments of hesitation along the way. I was using Dr. Guy Yates who back then was at Werribee (Melbourne University Vet Hospital) and he talked me through the surgery, what to expect, the possibilities etc. etc. on more than one occasion. Bless him, because when it was found to be futile to continue with our plans for surgery and I put Kal on palliative care, Guy stuck with me and took my many calls of query and concern in the following months, even though his field of speciality was as a surgeon. I'm sorry that you are facing making this decision. In my experience I think these are the things that you need to consider objectively : Assuming surgery is successful, is your dog likely to live a good many years of quality life after to have made the experience of surgery worth it for your dog? Are you prepared for the fact that you could be up for a huge financial expense, whether your dog makes it through or not? How long is your dog likely to survive without the surgery and will the period be one of quality? Any choice you make is one that you do not deserve to be judged by others on, whichever way you go. As I mentioned, it has to be your own choice and I am sure that whatever choice you make you'll make it believing in your heart that it is the best for your dog. I wish you luck with it all and know that there are people out her who feel your pain and the absolutely rotten feeling of having to make a decision without the assistance of a crystal ball. ETA: I can only speak of my situation with my girl. Your dog's case could be different - the expense and the mortality rate could be different than those which were likely in my situation. ETA: In my girl's case, she was negative for Cushings.

I don't see how you can read it that way, Jake-K9. Refer below, my highlights ...

The way I read it, there are no penalties provided the dog is contained behind (and not beyond) property boundaries. I don't think there is any substantial change, except perhaps there is a subtlety in their new by-law that permits them to take action in the event that the dog pokes its nose through the fence; jumps up and leans over the fence; jumps up and puts its feet up on (and therefore a bit over) the fence etc.

Thanks everyone. And Ruski18 .... I agree with you. I too harbour a great reluctance to having dogs ingest chemical drugs of any kind unless it is absolutely necessary and unless the risk/harm associated with it is worth the balance of bringing a dog back to comfort and health. I have already passed on the other of the comments in this thread to my friend but I'll speak with him again and pass on the additional comments to him as well. He already knows that I err on the side of "no chemical treatments" but by the sounds of it, this flea infestation is pretty bad and is making the dog suffer. Cheers Erny

I can't really answer you on a professional basis, but I can tell you that when my boy has had the runs, it can be the 3rd day before he poops again (assuming poop has become normal). I'd not lose sleep over it tonight and just watch for it tomorrow.

When a dog is trained and proofed in stay work, it eventually shouldn't matter which leg you lead off with IMO. But in earlier days of training, when you want to set the dog up to succeed more easily, it should be the outside leg you lead off with. It is the furthest from the dog's face and therefore helps to reduce the dog's impulse to follow with you.

Most of our dog laws in Victoria are about that. Our Government seem hell bent on the "ban it for everyone" reflex to problems. That's why we have a "Nanny State" reputation.

Yes - I can. I would have been at the meeting tonight, save for the fact I only became aware of the fact that it was on and already had a couple of appointments that prevented me from getting there in time. I live in Berwick, so the drive would have been 45 - 50 minutes away. The drive wasn't a biggy - the time element was. Indeed. I don't understand how there are the numbers there are in this thread alone who can't see where this can end up leading. And then tell you that they're no longer issuing permits for 5 acre subdivisions .

Hey Suz - waiting is awful, but at least you have him booked in and should know whether there is anything to be concerned about soon. Sending good luck wishes from this end and hoping to hear back from you in a week's time with some happy news. Take one step at a time. And happy birthday wishes to your dog in advance. There are so many of us (myself included) who understand about heart dogs, but to everyone of us, our own heart dog is more special than anyone else's could possibly be. So I do understand your feelings of attachment for your girl. Stay confident, positive and strong.

And what happens for those who back on to roads (such as what I've seen with estate homes). So, their dog isn't allowed to bark at the rear boundary either. What happens to them?

Up-dating this thread because (a) the meeting that will determine whether the Council will bring in the law they have been proposing (and what other adjuncts to that law there will be which will affect) is TONIGHT at Wyndham City Council Chambers, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee at 7pm. Refer Dog Decision Looms - Leader Newspaper This part is a worry .... ;) Holey moley ..... I can just imagine how far they'll be able to go with that when they want to seize your dogs and make you liable for suing by passer byers.

Emailed ;).

Who do I email? Honda Head Office?

Ooooooh ..... the outline shape is a bit boxier than I'd prefer, but the interior looks great and perfect for canine access (including gear). What a shame they're not bringing it out here. Not enough dog population in the country, I guess. Would be 'up there' in the price range though. But then, so are many of the luxury 4WD type vehicles these days. I been wanting a Rav 4. Actually, I would prefer a Rav 6, with all the mod-cons of course.

I edited my post because I didn't want to get Troy into trouble. I undertook one of their studies on Canine Massage. I would not do another of their studies.

I don't use spot-ons on my dog (if I treat at all, it is ONLY for those things that I have a NEED to treat for) but I believe Advocate is water resistant one hour after its application. If you didn't wash puppy until well after that I could only think it should be ok. I'm also presuming your puppy received the other of its previous regular wormers? I would not double dose, if it were me. If you're in an area where you need to be concerned about heartworm prevention, I understand you don't need to start this until pup is 6mo, so from that aspect you should be fine as well. When my boy was a pup he received the recommended worming treatments (tablets) at the prescribed times for the prescribed period. Now I worm IF I think my dog might need to be wormed. If I want to check in the interim "just in case" I get the Vet to do a worm-burden count (I just take a stool sample with me and they can check on the spot.) I live in Victoria and do not believe I have a need to administer heart worm preventative drugs. All the more especially now, when the weather is cool and the mozzie season is finished. I know it is different for tropical climates such as where you live. I don't have a flea issue, so I don't use flea preventatives. We don't have the tick issue where I live, either, so I don't use tick preventatives (although I would if I were travelling to an area where paralysis ticks were likely).

How old is your pup and what did you use for the wormer?

Perhaps he is too warm from the snooze on the lounge with you and the blanket and that this is the reason he initially chooses to be outside, at least initially. Personally, I wouldn't coat a dog such as a labrador - they are double coated by nature and the problem with a jacket is they can't escape it if they are feeling too warm. If he has a nice cosey spot (kennel) to go to which serves as protection from all weather (including drafts) then I'd suggest he'd be ok. I can only compare to Victorian weather though, but our nights get cold as well. When I was a kid we had a labrador. Those days were different and people were outside more than they were in and often there was someone at home for a good part of the day. But also in those days, dogs were predominantly outdoor dogs. Ours was. He had a wooden box with blankets and that was situated in our outdoor laundry, to which the door was always open. He was more than comfortable, warm and ok out there. Why don't you skip the snooze on the couch with the blanket (just give him a comfy mat for him to lay on) and not have him warmed up before bed-time, and see if he's still looking to go outside then? ETA: Have you had your heating going lately? That also might be the reason for him initially opting to go outside. Labradors are generally cool-weather dogs.

Hi Newfsie .... it is so nice to hear good outcome stories, no matter which 'camp' they might have originated from. Well done for your dedication and to what sounds like a wonderful turn around to success .

Ditto. At the moment, the only one they've been able to get through is the Freeze dried (as opposed to just frozen) Lamb flavour. They are working on getting customs permission to get in other flavours as well, without irradiation.

at Nekhbet. And of course, our Boganis Instructors can help you with dominance ........... this dog was specially trained and is now an expert . Boganis Modern Gentle Dog Training Happy Dominant Reinforcement Technique Note the demonstration of our SPECIAL "purely positive modern gentle training technique" (2nd person in the video) and see how it promotes a good, strong recall response. Laughter is one of our special motivational techniques ;) and as you can see in the vid, it has absolutely WONDERFUL and QUICK results . And NO tug toy needed !!!

I edited my post but not in time before you quoted the original. Only changed it because "piss off" isn't really what I mean when I say "free" to my dog. I still like "nicky whoop" although I think it more Aussie to say "Gedonwi'ya" . I'm in .

Love it! Fits in with my recent resolve to start bringing back words such as "cobber", "splendid", "oops-a-daisy", "Fred Nerk" and "youhoo". Will add "by bloody crikey [DOG!!]" to that list. Fits in perfectly . And perhaps, instead of the poshiness of "free!!" to release the dog from its command, what about "goodonya"?