jackie_a1

It's ok Rev I'm patient I'll wait

Steve if I was to buy a puppy I would research. Price does not necessarily mean quality. Price is stipulated by breeder and economy a combination of both. Just because something is expensive does not mean it is superior and people should be aware of that. Most people who buy from these backyard breeders already think the combination of coat colour (blue etc) and the addition of price make the animal quality, when in reality we know it is far from. If registered breeders inflate their puppy prices merely to combat the fact that bybers have expensive pups I would find those particular breeders morally and ethically corrupt. The difference between a registered and respected breeder is they breed for temperament, soundness, quality etc. Back yard breeders breed for mainly for money.

Flick is right. They are put to sleep before they even wake so the argument of pain is irrelevant. Just as we do not feel anything during surgery nor do the animals. I still do not understand the argument of those who disagree? Is it because the dogs are being euthanised or because they are being operated on? What are the arguments that it shouldn't proceed? Because healthy animals are being euthanised? Well that happens on a daily occurrence. Or because simply there is better methods then surgically practicing on real animals? Which are? Dummies? Or simulations? All of which are not the real thing and do not give the students the confidence or basis for real surgery. It's not about getting one side of the argument to cross over to the other, it is about understanding why one side of the argument supports the side it does. Which is back to my question. Please specifically someone who opposes the surgery tell me the reasons you do? Aside from the fact you think it's morally and ethically wrong?

Hiya, I've taught Boss not to play dead but to die on command. So the whole BANG *dog drops to floor dies* routine. I taught Boss with clicker training, not sure if you're familiar with it. But basically after teaching Boss reward association with the clicker this is how I did it, (it took me roughly a week and a half but depends on the dog). I taught Boss sit first. Click. Once his sit was good taught him drop click. Once he had drop down pat began luring him to roll over on and expose his belly click. Then when he had this all down solidly I added a cue. IMPORTANT DO NOT ADD A CUE UNTILL THE DOG UNDERSTANDS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS YOU WANT HIM/HER TO DO. The cue was bang. Boss soon realised what I wanted him to do he dies straight away and rolls on his tummy. Of course it may take some dogs longer or quicker depending on their learning ability and breed. I have video but I'm not sure how to get it off my phone onto my computer. Hope that helped a bit. It's not exactly playing dead but it is dying.

Ok because it seems to be constantly brought up and I have this argument alot I'll break it down. ENGLISH STAFFY - Represents an uneducated, back yard breeder and or uneducated owner. PERIOD. A proper breeder, and or advocate of the breed will tell you it is. Staffy. Stafford, or Stafford bull terrier etc. There is NO NEED to add english staffy PURELY because if you knew the slightest thing about dogs you are able to differentiate between stafford and american stafford PERIOD. It is inappropriate to call it an english staffy. All that is, is making it lemans terms for something that is already simplified. If you cannot differentiate between an am staff and a stafford then your obviously have faeces in your eyes. When I see english staffy advertised selling anything I steer clear because I know it's not a trusted, educated, registered breeder. The 'ENGLISH' part is already in the name. No need to add it.

Best toy in the world stand by it to the very end simple cheap and effective good for dogs with high prey drives.... FLIRT POLES!! When I haven't got time to exercise the boys just spin that around for half an hour and they get their fill. Easy to make cheap and replaceable. I use the handle of an old broom stick a bit of rope from the tool box and the squeaky fluffy toys you can buy for two dollars. If they chew it up who cares throw it away and replace it. I know people who use socks, rags even real animal fur. Whatever your pooch likes to chase!

Thanks so much Rott you know I've been a fan of yours since I've joined :p Actually all of the bullie owners here have been great in helping with support and training. I'm bringing the boys to the paws walk if you're in Sydney I'd love to see you and the pooches there :D

Thanks for all your help especially you Mel I'll look into the DELTA courses there really isn't a WHOLE lot recognised here in Australia and the ones that are seem very expensive. Do you guys think it would be better for me to attend uni after completing cert four? And do you think I could possibly complete the DELTA course as well as uni? I know uni qualifies me to be an 'animal behaviourist' do you think the things I will learn there will also equip me as a trainer? Or is it just a waste of time and money?

Whoa the pei akita mix is really a strange one! Speaking of akita's there is a cross breed one in my area it so strange looking it looks like a tiny akita it is definitely in its late senior years. It's so small maybe the size of a small kelpie but looks like a mini akita, not a big head. I wish I could take a picture but not sure if that's breaking any laws? :p

Ok click add reply then if you scroll down there should be a button that says choose file. You can attach pictures from your comp there but they have to be smaller than 300K which isn't big Then you click attach and it should attach to your post Hope that helps

Rev

Also staff what qualifications do you have are you a professional trainer?

The cert four in companion animal services is very highly looked upon I was told too. Tafe qualifications are nationally recognised so it doesn't matter. I have at least three years of hands on experience that is not what I need I want the education to back what I'm learning, know so that on paper I can be respected as well. I have a friend doing the DELTA course by correspondence and she says it's great. Are the cert three and four only provided by DELTA? And say I obtain that and then what? Surely there are more courses?

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And not because pound/shelter animals are less important etc but because if they are deemed to that fate wouldn't you rather that something be learnt from their death. Other than them being put to sleep regardless and the bodies disposed of? The dogs do not suffer, they feel no pain and they are handled humanely (if they are going through the uni they have strict standards and procedures) so what is the problem? That the dogs are being operated on? Or that the dogs are being put to sleep after?

Woof there are plenty. I'm not arguing that. But wouldn't you rather if these dogs are going to be euthanised that something come of their death? Or would you rather them be left to die in the pound and be dumped in the tip? Like I said depending where the dogs come from. If they are pound/shelter dogs/animals I am all for it.

k9 Aww how cute! Can you post some pics pllleaaase hehe

Hahah mr I had to read over the title a few times to get it. Now I do

John Davey we ARE NOT carnivores. We are omnivores so if we wanted we can survive on plant matter solely obviously you need to take vitamins but we can survive. Dogs are NOT carnivores either they are facultative carnivores they can also be vegetarian (mind the spelling.) Cats are TRUE obligatory carnivores. I am in no way against killing animals for food but I had to correct you.

It's called the wheel barrow method :p Basically you grab the two HIND/BACK legs of the dogs and you walk backwards with them so they kind of look like wheel barrows. One person grabs one dog and you walk apart (obviously) the theory is the dogs can't turn around to bite you but make no mistake ANY time you are pulling two dogs apart there is ALWAYS a chance you will get bitten. It just looks like a doggie wheelbarrow very basic. It's just a safer way to pull dogs apart not guaranteed.

Loke Ill be your human model I wonder if my boys fit the type too. Although Boss is am staff cross pit he looks more am staff. Razor just looks like a mini mastiff :p

Hi all, Just a question more specifically for the already 'certified' dog trainers/handlers out there. What qualifications have you obtained and do you need for the industry. I know you don't NEED credentials essentially because everyone labels themselves as a trainer but I mean educationally what qualifications do you have and what do you recommend? What courses have you completed. I'm studying to become a dog trainer. I have done certificate two, three and now doing cert four companion animal services at tafe (which has a behaviour module etc) but then I'm looking to attend university next year and do animal science. But my friend who is doing that course now says it's a waste of time etc. So I'm wondering is it better I go to uni? Or do some training courses offered by DELTA or private colleges? What do you think and what have you done?

Okay I'll repost there

Doesn't it depend on where these animals are coming from? If they are donated from shelters and pounds and going to be put to sleep anyway why is it such a misjustice that they be operated on? They do not feel pain during surgery. And they are humanely euthanised after the students are done with the operation. I assume that the vet students all treat the animals with respect (or else why would they be doing vet science) and like someone had said earlier how will they learn surgery. No we don't kill humans to learn surgery but we don't kill humans in general now do we? At the end of the day it is sad that any animal need to be euthanised merely for population and fund control but it happens. Instead of just killing these animals and incinerating the bodies (or throwing them in a tip) why should good not come of this? The students are learning and it is preparing them for the real world, for real animals not dummies. To understand how to correctly handle a dog etc which they will need to do in future, it is letting them acquire the skills they need. NO ONE is saying because these animals are being surgically experimented on that they are LESS important or not important than any other animal. I think that is interpretation. Because they are being operated on and then put to sleep people assume that those handling them have less consideration for them? No. I am sure the vet students are very professional and respectful and as you know in THE REAL WORLD death is a huge part. Being able to do this complete process will help prepare students for the REAL WORLD. Animals die. You have to put animals to sleep. That is fact. Or would you rather them practise on dummies and when it comes to desexing your pet they make a mistake? These animals are a VALUED part of a society more so because even through their death they continue to contribute to science and humans. And that is what matters. That even in death animals help us.