Adrienne

"Shorten your leash!" is the number one thing I say to other people when out and about (even if I don't have a dog with me). This is a very basic thing that many dog owner just don't do. It drives me crazy.

I will be socialising my pups in a fortnights time for around four weeks in Kenmore, QLD. If anyone wants to see what that looks like. It's an early morning thing (6:30 - 7:00). This is not for puppy buyers (no pups available for sale) it is just for show and share if you are local and interested in what it looks like when its being done properly. Don't bring your own dog if you have one (we eschew other dogs at this very early stage).

The Breeder would have received an email notifying of the request for ownership change (but not detailing who made the request or what the new ownership details were going to be) and asking them to approve the change. In your case, the Breeder actively approved the change and so the ownership details were updated. If the Breeder had not responded (for whatever reason), the change would have gone ahead anyway after 14 days! It's this I find concerning - that the ownership of a dog seems to be changeable on the registry without actual consent of the current owner... it can be changed in the absence of any response from the owner. I guess this covers off situations where the owner is deceased or uncontactable or geez, life's wild and there could be all kinds of legitimate reasons - but when I realised this I was alarmed.

I don't understand how this happens. When I take my pups to be vaccinated and microchipped my vets have always inserted the chip and put them on the registry themselves. I then get an email from the registry and can access the record myself and effect the change of ownership for the buyer when they pick puppy up. The two pups I have sold to people in other states have not had the ownership details changed because they are not here with me to sign the transfer forms and in that case they simply apply direct to the registry themselves to change the ownership details which results in an email from the registry to me advising an change of ownership request has been made and if there is no response form me within 14 days the applied for change will occur. The concerning thing about the email notifying a request for ownership change is that it provides no info on the proposed new owner! Scary really, it seems as though anyone with knowledge of the dogs microchip number can just request a change of ownership and so long as no-one responds in the negative then its a done deal... It would be really great and sensible if there was ONE national registry of microchip details.

How much? How often? How long does that take?

I saw your post asal last year and would have loved to put up pics of my healthy happy mummy - but my dogs aren't registered pure bred! I am becoming an ANKC member and will be entering the pure bred dog world this year - with some excitement and not a small amount of apprehension because yes, over the last 18 months have talked to quite a few breeders and have been appalled at some of the things some people have said about others. It just seems so over the top! One thing I have realised though is a good genuine dog person finds it easy to recognise another good genuine dog person when they meet one - and the only thing to discover after that is if they are good persons as well! ANKC code is pretty intrusive and militant over things which may not necessarily have to do with animal welfare and more to do the other agendas in the pure bred dog world (I am not sure what they are). I hope newer member breeders can be attracted to the ANKC to promote their breeds and demonstrate best practice and put many more great dogs on the ground and not let breeds go extinct. ANKC breeders need to be supported to not be embarrassed or ashamed about breeding dogs! I think it would be great to hear more from breeders on the forum, the archive is indeed rich and rewarding so thanks so much to all who have contributed to it!

Prior to posting, I looked up the crufts list of vulnerable breeds and it did not feature on the list and I had no luck finding criteria for appearing on the list. Are Australian terriers considered a vulnerable breed in Australia?

Some lovely dogs! I wonder why the Australian Terrier in this competition?

If you are going to tether a dog on a ute make sure it's on a very short tether, my partner lost a great dog when it was bounced out of his mate's ute going over rough ground. Devastating. If it hadn't been tethered it would have survived, but tether too long and so he was hanged.

“Acting team leader Karissa Wood said it is the fourth litter the shelter has received from the same property in 10 months.” Whaaat? I do not have any knowledge of the workings of the whole rescue/pound/lost&found animals scene but this seems really unfair and unhelpful to everyone bar the breeders of those dogs! (With support like this why would they ever bother getting their animals desexed!?) I cannot believe that a pound would accept litters and litters of puppies from the same property I can't work it out, seems mad but there must be valid reasons? And defeating a community service of the pound facilitating safe keeping of stray pets needing to be reunited with their owners is really bad/sad too.

Does the ban include pure breed dogs which are deformed? Are pure breed dogs designer breed dogs? Does anyone know if any real steps are being taken within extreme breeds to improve established pure breeds away from crippling physical attributes? I heard a dog geneticist speaking on ABC radio last year calling for some breeds to just bite the bullet and get these issues sorted once and for all, said amazing things could be achieved in a very short time! Save the pure breeds - it's only the breeders who can do it, and they are hanging on to their dogs so tightly they won't let anyone else in on it. Weird.

I contacted BigDog today to give them feedback about their Roo mince and my concern about the bone chips in it being a risk for dental injury for the animals that eat it and was told they have provided this recipe for twenty years and not received one complaint about bone chips in all that time. Remarkable. I did a few searches for reviews on the product and it seems others have been concerned and as well several reviews raised an issue with their dogs vomitting yellow bile like vomit one day to two days after eating Bigdog mince (which one of my little dogs did the day after). Others dogs were becoming constipated and several had been advised by the vets that bone chips can cause internal build ups that the dogs cannot pass. Yikes. So I will go all out now with my two cents worth! I have been totally happy feeding my dogs high quality kibble (main stay of diet) along with 100% raw frozen Roo mince from Canine Country (there is nothing else in the mince - no bone, no other ingredients, no vitamins, no fortifications of any kind). It smells neutral and clean. Late last year due to supply/transport issues my local produce store did not have my preferred foods in stock and so I branched out (first with kibble) to another brand. The dogs adjusted to eating it okay though three months later I noticed both my dogs were building up a kind of scum on their teeth and I had to start brushing their teeth more frequently. I have bought my original kibble again and hope this makes a difference. Does anyone else have experience with kibble types being better or worse for teeth condition? I have found a new retailer for my preferred mince and they are offering me a discount because I will buy it a box at time. I know people say bones are important, but in my experience chicken necks are a pretty safe way to get some bone into your dogs diet without putting them at risks of dental injury, and big marrow bones are great for some enrichment licking and a bit of cartilage chewing on the lovely big soft end of them but these should be taken away as soon as they become hard and sharp and not left around for indiscriminate long term chewing. Dogs can be injured from bones! When I lived in far western NSW we shot kangaroos and fed portions of them to our dogs and from what they ate of them left to their own devices was the meat, and some (but not all) organs , they didn't want to chow down endlessly on bone! I know we live in an age in which people are now cooking for their dogs etc..but some people might take comfort in knowing a plain good quality kibble, clean single source mince and a few chook necks will see their pets happy and healthy for a life time.

I haven't been able to get hold of my fave single species dog mince for the last three weeks so caved yesterday and bought another brand. I noticed my little dogs were being kinda careful when eating it and had a close look at it....it had chips of bone all through it - like Nerd sized bone chips. I got stuck into it with my fingers and after a very messy 15mins of 'cleaning' the mince was able to give it to my dogs. I am chucking the rest. What do others think? I think this is terrible, a trip to vet for dental is expensive! It's the equivalent of serving up food with olive pits in it - OUCH!

I thought this was hilarious (check out the shop items and the prices), 11 year old faffed around with dog setting up and practicing this until I was allowed to come out and take pics of the "show". I remember playing elaborate games like this with dogs when I was a kid too. And five gold stars to little dog, she's such a good sport and loved every minute of it.

Walk the dogs! Pick non- doggy areas (eschew dog parks) and stick to the pavement. I also recommend getting out and about in the car and flipping the boot (if you have a hatch back) and watch the world go by. Your young dog can learn a lot about how you expect them to be in the world before they even hit the ground. If your older dog doesn't have great behaviours leave it at home and take pup on its own. If your older dog has great behaviours take them together and the younger one will take comfort and cues from your older dog.

I think you can get a ball park figure for most types in the open market place in any given week. anything of a large type will be 1000 - 2500; anything small with short hair will be 1800 - 2500; anything small and fluffy will be 2500 -3500; anything small and fluffy involving a poodle will be 3000 - 4500; anything med size and fluffy involving a poodle will be 4000 - 5500; Cavoodlle 4 500 (there are LOTS of them out there now). Larger Oodles are 5500 - 6 000. Anything Frenchie or bulldog will be 6 000 - 8000. This is in QLD. The gist of this is when you are looking for your dog the prices you should be expecting are out there in the public domain. A breeder really wants to know why you are interested in their pups, get talking about yourself and the home you can provide and demonstrate your credentials as a dog owner! Get asking them questions about how and why they breed and let them demonstrate to you their credentials as a breeder you would like to buy from. When it comes to price, the breeder is not going to be very far off the market price - why would they be? And if they are they can tell you why, if the difference between your expectation (market price) and actual price is too much for you just tell them. If they have had a good conversation with you and think you would be a good home to sell to they might budge on the price (breeders want their pups to go to really good homes), or you might be so impressed with their reason for having higher than market prices and decide to save a bit more and buy from them a bit down the track. Buyers need to do their research and be prepared to get on the phone and talk to the people who are breeding the type of dog they want to buy. Breeders are not shops! From my side as a breeder, if interested people just want to get straight onto price its annoying because its actually not the most important thing to me. I always advertise with a price and also make it negotiable, but I still get people asking me their first question "How negotiable are you on the price?" That's their first question! I just think well if the price is the crucial thing for you then you need to just get yourself along to Puppyshack and have a shopping experience. The point is, in the scheme of things the price is going to be in the ball park for the type of dog - if you love what you are hearing from the breeder and like their dogs very much are you going to miss out on it over a thousand bucks? Importantly this goes both ways! If I love what I am hearing from a buyer and like the home they can offer my pup very much, am I going to have my pup miss out on that home over a thousand bucks? We are buying and selling animals, it takes real people taking the time to have real conversations about the important things.... money is part of it, but NOT the most important part of it by far.

This is very difficult! I sold my last litter at the mid range of market prices and one of them was flipped. This was really upsetting to me, not for missing out on the dollars but for not having placed the pup in a home I felt was good for it. It may have gone to a great home, but I have no idea. I feel responsible to each puppy whelped in my program - responsible for giving it the best start and responsible for selling it into a good home. I also feel responsible to the buyers of my pups, I want them to have a happy, healthy and well started pup. I am now advertising my pups for at a higher (though negotiable price). I am not getting as many enquiries as before (which was overwhelming to be honest). If I consider the foundation I put into my pups and the experience the buyers have once they take them home I feel the value is there. I consider my last sales to be bargains and these current sales to be value. From a buyers perspective if they are looking out for all the right things for where their pup was whelped and how it has been raised there will be pups that are better prospects than others. I hate hearing and reading about the dreadful experiences many people have when they get their poorly raised puppy home. What a heart-breaking nightmare for pups and people alike. So I don't feel bad about the price I put on my pups - I am about what Puppyshack etc are charging and I can definitely say hands down the pups I raise have had a better start and a lot more thought put into their breeding and whelping and raising. So the prices are what the market says they are - I guess buyers need to do their homework, put in the own effort and to ensure they are buying a good prospect and not a lemon! Be patient and discerning folks. There are enough resources available to buyers of puppies to educate themselves on what to look for. Complaining about prices will not get you the pup you want - everyone is paying high prices (and if they are finding cheap puppies there is a reason for it - lots of ugly poorly bred animals out there). Look for value, you wont save money on the purchase price but you will save yourself and family a lot of heartache and money down the track.

This seems like a young dog being told to pull its head in by another dog. Off leash areas are the pits for most dogs and their owners and I never go to them. I do run my dogs off leash ... very early in the morning or at night at select spots. But really, a dog loves a good walk on leash with its person! If young pups are not exposed to normal adult dogs unrelated to them they can fail to learn boundaries and respect lessons which are communicated as a matter of course between canines. I watch with my heart in my mouth when one of my mother dogs free ranges with pups unrelated to her, having only been around their mother and litter mates they run with open hearts (and mouths) towards the new big dog with their tails wagging thinking its a free for all and they get a rude surprise! They learn pretty quick to approach with respect and deference - which is appropriate. The dog does play with them, but on her terms and on her invitation and they love it. The invitation to approach her and play with her is unmistakable, she wags her tail, she play bows and she lays on the ground and and gives them soft open throated breathing and gruffs. She lets them "dominate" her after she has "dominated" them. Its all very structured and bounded and its over when she has had enough and then it's back to "Okay, leave me alone I am not interested anymore." and Lo! the pup who thinks they want more - they get a very short sharp growl and some teeth flashing. People need to understand that "friendly" behaviour is actually often completely disrespectful to other dogs. My other mother dog is the friendliest dog I have ever owned, she is honestly a friend to all she meets, and her behaviour with other dogs is completely appropriate - deferential and appeasing until she gets acceptance and then she is full of joy and play. She knows how to get what she wants by displaying all the right behaviours at the right time.

I raise puppies. In the beginning I would tell people who were helping me socialise my pups, "Don't let them bite you." and the people would admonish the puppy. I changed the directive to "Please keep your hands out of my dogs mouths." This is the number one thing I have to tell people in the community who want to pat puppies. It amazes me that a person would stand their fingers and hands being chewed on, as if that's cute or "what puppies do". Its not cute, and the person is communicating to the puppy I have no boundaries and no expectations of you." Puppies mouth and bite things to find out about the world and to play with each other. Its important for them to do with each other - it is inappropriate for them to do with humans. They will learn excellent bite inhibition and respect from each other and from their mother. I know it is often displayed in ads for puppies that they are raised in a busy household with kids etc ... but I suspect that many pups from very early are experiencing gumming, sucking, and biting their humans whilst being handled or played with. At first it doesn't matter to the people because it doesn't hurt and even feels kinda nice for a while but it is bad socialisation. By the time they are six or seven weeks old they are greeting people and interacting with people through their mouths and it hurts! And then you have to train them not to.

I agree that these dogs have a great life with their owners. Its what dogs are good for - being companions in life!

Eschew all dog parks! Your dog would rather have a nice long ramble on the leash with you than being in a dog park. They are dangerous and magnets for ignorant dog owners.

Hi there, I am a very strong advocate for early socialisation! It makes such a big difference to puppies development. The benefits of early socialisation far outweigh the risk of disease. If you live in an area with Parvo cases then go to an area that is cleaner. And importantly socialisation does not mean getting to know other canines...its about getting to know the world and other people. I start socialising my pups from 4 weeks of age in other peoples homes who do not own dogs. I start them in the community at this time also by having them in the back of my car and flipping the boot where we all hang watching traffic and collecting tickles from kind people. I will also have one under my arm at the cafe ordering coffee etc and they hear the noise of people chatting and the coffee machine hissing. From six weeks they hit the ground with a collar and leash and I take them on a little loop in my community. We do this rain hail or shine every day until they leave for their new homes. I never take them to dog parks and we stick to the pavement. These pups are accustomed to traffic noise, buses and trucks, people of all shapes and sizes, travelling in my car, being crated in my car and being alone for short periods. You can also do a lot of socialisation at home in your yard using bikes, trolleys, umbrellas, basically let your puppy be around everything you can and importantly, concentrate when you are doing this - you need to be mindful what your purpose is which is to be with the puppy when they are experiencing something novel to them. You support them by being calm and friendly to them and ensuring that people and other animals interact appropriately with them. Puppy owners please don't forgo exposing your infant pup to the world, take them eveywhere you can as soon as you get them.