Kelpie-i

I agree SSM. A few years ago when we were at the Casterton Kelpie Auctions, we met a 'gentleman' with his son who were there to buy dogs for their farm. The son, who was probably about 15 was telling us about the large pit they have at the back of their property that held the carcases (sp) of over 20 dogs that were apparently "no good". I had to wonder (mind you I was in absolute shock) as to how many of these dogs were actually "no good" and merely fell victim the idiot father who obviously had absolutely no idea how to handle/train dogs. They purchased 2 dogs at the auctions that day, one was worth $2000 and the other (for the son), a started young male for $600. I often wonder if those dogs are still alive today. On the other hand, I've met some lovely farmers who cherish the very ground their dog's walk on...these guys understand the value of a good working dog and do the best they can to ensure the dog is properly looked after and training is upheld.

I'm currently reading a book about commercial dog foods and am feeling quite ill reading it. What we think sounds innocent on the packaging, is actually quite sinister and shocking. Am seriously thinking of removing commercial food from my dogs' diets and going raw/home prepared. Although from what i was told by an expert, Eagle Pack Holistic brand is by far the lesser of the evils, I might leave them on this for emergencies only.

I wonder what will actually come of the survey? Would it be used to actually help improve matters, or is it just another way to justify allocated Govt funding that sometimes results in no follow up or action?? Farmers don't need a finger pointed at them, some need training and guidance themselves for they may not know any better.

Erny, I'll get the can opener!!

x 5 I had a westie pup growl and nip during initial touch work last night at PPS but soon settled happily. Your pup sounds as though there is something much more sinister going on. Get to a vet and get another trainer!

Great clips. My OH is a Big Bang Theory junkie. Admittedly, it's a very funny show! Also found the squirt bottle with water (the postive punisher!!) funny as well.

Pfft....he reckons Border Collies are better than Kelpies.....only for 3 sheep trials!!! What sort of dog was doing the tough job of backing of the sheep up the race.....a Kelpie of course Seriously, it was an interesting docco.

Interesting...when I worked for AQIS many years ago, we learned that the particular mosquito responsible for heartworm survives in humid conditions only. And yes that the heat/humidity factor had to be constant for some days (cannot remember the number). This is why we rarely see heartworm in places like Victoria and Tasmania. And...if I remember correctly...it was the female mosquito. I don't have any references for this info, sorry, just what I remember during the induction course.

Wow, what an experience it must have been!!! So glad it all worked out, at least now you know what to do in case of "next time".

I use just normal human grade "Rid" insect repellant (cream) for my GSD, works a treat for him. I find that some years are worse the others with regards to biting flies although he hasn't had any since we moved into a semi rural area (???) however the problem was worse in suburbia.

I don't know.....feeding dogs a vegetarian diet just doesn't sit right with me, smells like anthropomorphism.

Just a quick update on Buddy for those who may be interested. My Vet came down yesterday and gave him some accupuncture treatment. Within minutes he was sound asleep with his head on my lap....so cute! She also gave him a shot of cartrophen and suggested we up the freqency to every month with this as opposed to every 6 months as is currently. The accupuncture every 2nd month or sooner if needed. I went out and purchased a concentrated formula of glucosamine, MSM and chondroitin which I have now started him on. He is also booked in for a swimming session next week...slowly to start with. I never heard back from the lady who does the remedial massage but I know of another who is in my area and will contact her today to organise. Today he is bouncing around like a puppy (probably due to the cartrophen), still dragging his back legs a little but is sustaning movement much better. I hope that all these measures will assist him in coping with the damned arthritis. I just wish they never grew old.

Corvus, I agree with what you are saying. When the dog stops showing the aggression but shows all the evidence of avoidance and displacement behaviours, clearly not comfortable with the situation, this dog is not cured. In fact, I have seen dogs who's aggression has bounced back 10 fold after suppression. I did a workshop many years ago (nothing to do with aggression) and one of the dogs in attendance, a gorgeous GSD, was dog aggressive. The owner told me that he had been working with a trainer and that the dog was doing really well. Yet when we were out on the field, the owner did keep his distance from the others and the dog was showing all the clear signs of stress and avoidance. It would not take any food from the owner which is almost always a good indicator of high stress levels. The dog's body language was very low and he was constantly turning his head and back and eating grass as a sign of avoidance. The dog was not showing aggression but it was far from cured. Given half an opportunity, this dog would have lunged and bitten the first dog it saw. Cosmolo, I have heard that too. Brenda Aloff made a similar statement when she came out earlier this year. She stated (not verbatim), that aggression is never cured, rather it's either badly or well managed. A dog can learn to cope around the situations which triggered the aggression and show no stress signals as well as be taught to give different behaviours to that which he previously believed worked for him, but I most certainly don't think that you can ever cure it. Once behaviour is part of a dog's repertoire it stays with the dog forever, although we can add to his database of behaviours and encourage him to make the correct choices. Desensitiation is also a very important part in the rehab process since lessening that which the dog is fearful of, assists with the dog's rehab. If a dog is ever fully cured, then the aggression was either learned or mimicked and it did not come from a deep rooted problem.

What strategies a dog has learned has no relevence Kelpie-i. The only thing of relevence is simply if the dog exhibits a particular behaviour or it doesn't. Um yes it does Diablo, very much so. If the only thing your dog has learned is to show avoidance behaviours around other dogs through heavy use of corrections, you have not taught this dog any coping strategies for when/if he comes into a situation that he is not comfortable being in. Happens all the time since you cannot control your environment and what other dogs do. This dog is a ticking time bomb. Sorry to the OP, way off topic!

Goes off to grab all the herding DVD's.........."Hey Gabe, come and watch TV with mummy!"

Stormie, absolutely nothing wrong with giving cough medicine, but the Vet should have told them what it actually was. When my boy caught KC, I gave him Benadryl. Erny I went to the health shop today to buy some Manuka Honey.....$60 for a small jar of 25+......I nearly fell over. :D I had to leave it behind since I'd spent $65 on concentrated joint formula for Bud. Definitely next time.

I had a client call me to tell me her dog had caught KC and I asked her what the vet had given the dog. She stated some pills and a "special liquid medicine"...I replied with "Oh cough mixture!". She went a little quiet and said "Oh is that what it is...thought it smelled familiar". Seriously if we went to the doctors with a cold, we would be told to go home and rest. :D

I work with aggressive dogs and own one myself and I can tell you that there is not such thing as a 'cure'. It's all about strategic and micro management, familiarisation of triggers, conditioning new behaviours and desensitisation. Just because a dog has been corrected enough times that he learns avoidance strategies does not mean he is cured of anything.

Tony, would it be best to organise to have you guys come down for an information/training demo day (or something like that) first so that we could gage interest and also learn what is involved? It would probably give us the opportunity to chat with you and Damian face to face about setting this up.

Tony, if others were willing to assist me (God only knows I've already got my fingers in so many pies), I would love to help start up a Club here in Melbourne. Training venue would not be a problem. I run a business therefore I have absolutely no idea about how Clubs are run and what is required. Would Damian be the best person to contact about this?? Anyone out there willing to help out? BTW, watching all of your dogs perform under those circumstances was absolutely awesome! Well done to all of you!

The current world record for dock diving is 28ft. Here's a link to see the flying dog in action:

Well you can register my interest for this. I know it's a sport related topic, but maybe you might get more responses in the General section. Perhaps Troy will allow a cross post?

Any word as to whether we have any such clinics here in Vic whatevah??

I just got back from the World Dog Games and absolutely loved it!!! I'm sure there were a heap of DOLers there competing with their dogs. Congratulations to you all, it was very entertaining. I was particularly interested in the Dock Diving, I reckon one of my dogs would do love this event. Anyone know how I could get some information and if there are any clinics etc here in Victoria that will be doing Dock Diving?? For those interested, the WDG's will be shown on Channel 7. Not sure when but they did mention it today so keep an eye out.

Hey guys thanks heaps for all your suggestions. I really appreciate it. The Vet is coming here on Wednesday to start the accupuncture and give him another cartrophen injection. I will discuss a few other things with her as well. I also tried to contact a lady who does some massage therapy and have left a message on the voicemail, so hopefully I will get to talk with her about the possibility of ongoing massage etc. I am hoping that increasing the cartrophen, accupuncture and a few other things, will assist him. I think he gets adequate exercise for his condition and I will definitely get him back into swimming as soon as I have seen the vet. I will still let him 'run' with the other dogs as he certainly loves it but will bring him in after a while so that he doesn't over do it (Monah, I think he would love the idea of a yummy bribe to make him forget ) Nek, just out of curiosity, why do you say no asprin??