Recent Posts by aussie6pk

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / House trained dog - peeing/marking

This is ongoing and I would greatly appreciate some input even though I see the answer as twofold...first make sure Dancer doesn't have a physical problem and if not then to restart housetraining....

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / Need help

Contact Robin McCann at robinmccann@bellsouth.net and tell her I sent you.

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / RESCUE DEBATE

I agree with jehingr, although I have never heard of a pet retailer surrendering any dog they can make money on. And if they have had the pup a while that is more reason for them to keep it since they need to recoup their investment, not cut losses.

Tina is absolutely correct. We have locked horns, that is true....but what friends haven't? She has made me stronger, better, and more compassionate. Let's all keep an open mind and one of my hubby's fave taglines is appropriate..."Teach what you know and learn what you don't"

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / RESCUE DEBATE

I thought jehingr's post was good...he agreed to disagree...does it get any better than that in a debate?

We ALL have different experiences that color our thoughts and opinions. Myself, I have fostered and placed many dogs. I've seen and heard about some mighty wicked people too. The one that stands out in my mind was the good ol' boy who was going to put a pup to sleep with a hammer...yes, a HAMMER.

I have not personally taken dogs from mills, but I have had them from collectors and byb and a myriad of people who turned them over for whatever reason. The thing is that in all of that experience it does not give me the right to think that my opinion is the only one or the best one and the day we stop learning is the day we die. Some of my best education has been from new enthusiastic people and children....aside from the dogs themselves that is.

I think that Dwain's saying what his experince is may have come across as a bit condescending which was totally unintentional, I'm sure. Needless to say it obviously hit a nerve for jehingr and so he got a little defensive. Let's put that stuff aside and keep up the debate...it's a good learning experience.

And by the way, when I said buying from a pet store was not rescue I was not responding to the initial 'bloody poo' poster, but a later post. I still don't think buying from a store is rescue, but I certainly am not putting down the initial post. She wanted help, I have my advice and then bowed out when others with no experience with that sort of thing were listened to and I was ignored. Don't ask for advice if you don't really want it....

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / RESCUE DEBATE

Great posts both to Dwain and jehingr. In response to Dwain...

So lets debate.  
 What is a Puppy Mill?

To me, and this is, of course a personal opinion, a puppy mill is a a hell on earth...the typical images of dogs (especially small dogs) stacked up in enclosures with the least amount of resources to sustain life. It's not living in any sense of the word. It's having food thrown in without bowls, it's never being allowed to roam on the grass, but rather, having their feet constantly on chicken wire or similar. It's having no human interraction, having pups every heat and then have them snatched up much too young...shall I continue? I will add two questions to Dwain's mix...

what is a backyard breeder?

What defines collector?

 When is a Rescue a Rescue?

I have been involved in Aussie Rescue for 10+ years and chose the organization because overall it's reputable and does things right. All dogs are altered, homes are screened, no same day adoptions, and it's all volunteer...meaning none of us get paid, other than being fortunate enough to meet alot of good folks who become friends...Tina Valant adopted from me many years ago). I say 'overall' because it's a huge organization, so there are politics to be played out, differences of opinion, and naturally there will be those who attempt to bilk the system. To me a Rescue does not purchase dogs, other than to pay the rescue fee incurred by shelters.

I have seen and worked with so-called rescues that make money and get into rescue for the attention it garners tham. I have also worked with a gal who called herself Rescue, but kept dogs crated 24/7 in a garage and euthanized those who she grew tired of.

Real Rescuers are tireless, have high moral standards, and screen potential adopters in a manner that borders on being invasive, they stay in touch with their adopters, and if they have foster homes they treat them with respect. They spend as much or more time educating and counseling as they do answering email, going to vets, pulling dogs from the shelters, caring for their dogs as well as any they are fostering, and the myriad of tasks they perform while trying to maintain a family life.

  
What’s the path to follow? 

Hmmm...that is a personal choice and anyone must follow their heart IMHO.

What are YOUR expectations regarding dog welfare for the rest of your life?

I will always have my heart in rescue and continue to try to educate people in that vein.

Topic: Health, Diet And Vets / BLOODY POO

I will stop posting because it seems all it does is cause confusion. Just too many folks handing out advice.  In closing, bear this in mind...cottage cheese is a better and more digestibe source of protien.

Topic: Health, Diet And Vets / BLOODY POO

Try what I told you with the cottage cheese and yogurt with some food and rice. Dogs that are freefed tend to be pickier...try having scheduled times and then pick it up. He probably eats on the pad because that is how he was fed in the store...had no normal life so you have to teach him. Try using a plate first and build up to a bowl.

Has he been screened for giardia? Do you know what they fed at the store? Is it possible the food there was bad? It sure sounds like something going on in the intestines....there are alternatives to flagyl that can be used.

Topic: Health, Diet And Vets / BLOODY POO

From having raised a few rescue pups..okay, quite a few ....you can try a couple of things:

1. Pick a quality food and stick to it.

2. Mix it with a bit on unflavored yogurt and cottage cheese. The yogurt is good for the intestines, and the cottage cheese is almost pure protein but broken down...much easier on the tummy than meat.

3. Add a little brown rice.

4. Feed as many small meals as possible.

What color is the blood and how much is there? Is it red? If so, then it may simply be all the food changes have got pup going too much and they can have some blood just from straining.

There is a surgery for luxated patella. My Wallie had it as a pup. It's common in small dogs. the surgery is a large one and very expensive. Make sure if you go that route that you find someone with lots of experience. Your typical vet does not have a good handle on that type of surgery. If you don't get the operation, there is a good chance pup will come up lame sooner or later with that degree of luxation.

Pet store pups are NOT rescue dogs by any stretch of the imagination. They are a money-making commodity that are sold by people preying on people's emotion. If you needed a service dog you need to seek out a reliable source and then the dog would never pull you regardless of your stature.

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / House trained dog - peeing/marking

Interesting thread...I am having the same issue with my female, Dancer, and she only does it when we are not present as well. She marks in relatively the same places, but will also mark anything vertical we leave out ( like paper grocery bags). The only thing I can think of doing is to start crating her again, but if anyone has a suggestion I'd be grateful for the advice.

Topic: Puppies / Feeding 6 month old Pug

The amount of food depends on the brand you are feeding. All foods have an amount listed on the bag, so use that as a guidline and adjust as needed. At six months old twice daily should be fine, but if he is having vomiting issues maybe more small meals would work out. If he continues to vomit I'd take him to a vet. As far as acting like he is starving....has he been checked for worms? Has he had fleas? If he has he may have tapeworms which won't normally show up on a fecal float. 

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Anyone Else's Dog Not...(gross out warning)

If you're really lucky you have more than one dog and one of them is a 'groomer'.

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Crate Training

If you feed pup in the crate this will help to make it a positive thing. Also putting toys in the crate that pup gets at no other time will make them more of a treat and less of the same old thing. be sure to use toys that are safe such as a Kong or a Nylabone.....no stringy things, hooves, rawhides, or cheap rubber toys. I also suggest you prefill the Kong with their regular kibble and enough peanut butter or cheese to hold it together. Then deduct a bit of food from regular feeding. This will help keep them busy and not give them treats that may upset their tummy.

Topic: General / Breeding Dogs for the Right Reasons

I didn't watch the video, nor will I. I began this thread for a good reson and it SHOULD have been a productive, enlightening subject, but instead it turned into an extremely ugly confrontation that I asked Robert to help with. I don't see that anything was done, but I will write to him again. I still believe it's a valid topic that should be discussed, but preferably by adults that understand that people can have differing views.

By the way, Dog_Shouter...I have rescued and placed dogs for over 10 years and when people adopt them they are still rescued dogs. It's just that they were fortunate enough to have someone care for them and place them into appropriate homes. The people who adopt them ARE adopting a rescued dog, just not directly from a shelter. They are screened to be sure they will properly care for the dog (both with vet care and love) and have them live indoors. If it were not for rescues even more dogs would die because those of us who foster cannot keep them all. It's a sort of halfway house for the dogs so they do not die, so yes, 7 dogs does have rescued dogs and that is NOT a joke. To suggest they are not rescues just suggests that you have no concept of what rescue is about. Again, I urge you to volunteer with a local rescue. There are plenty that rescue both mixes and purebreds.

Topic: General / Breeding Dogs for the Right Reasons

Topic: General / Breeding Dogs for the Right Reasons

Okay guys...I didn't begin this as a means for people to start slamming one another and it saddens me to see that here, although it's not totally surprising. Pet people are passionate about their views. Personally I have purebreds and also have mixed as well. I have rescued/fostered/placed both as well. I primarily rescue purebreds because I know the breed which allows me to place them in appropriate homes that can provide the needs of that breed.

I do NOT believe most people want purebred dogs as stated previously (I don't recall who said that). I believe there is a place for all dogs, but I do believe the more we know the breed or breeds in the case of a mix means we can be a better owner. Each breed of dog has characteristics that are common to that particular breed and the more we know about those traits will allow us to give them what they need. For instance...Labs and hounds tend to be big chewers so we know to give them lots of safe things for that outlet. Prs dig massive holes, so if that is a problem, don't get one. Aussies need lots of stimulation, both mentally and physically, so if you want a dog to just hang out with you don't want an Aussie. This is true in mixes as well as PB, but you just have a little more research to do to seek out their traits and if it fits in with what you want and more importantly, what you can provide.

There is a place for all dogs, mixed and PB, just as there is a place for each of us. Let's try to accept that others may have a different view, and it's just that---different---not wrong.

When I began this thread it was because someone on MDS had bred their dogs at a very young age and had absolutely no knowledge of the breed. I had hoped they would see this and not continue. It was an outlet for me and an invitation to gain some knowledge. It was NOT a means for anyone to put anyone else down...if it were then I would have confronted them personally and it would have only served to make them angry and not change things one iota.

The fact is there are TONS of dogs in shelters and TONS of dogs dying every day, bith mixed and purebred. I speak of this firsthand. I have been going to shelters for years and have seen the sad and empty eyes there. I have also experienced so-called breeders who do nothing more than sell their wares, but there are also breeders who do what I do....interview prospective owners, stay in touch with them, and have a willingness to be responsible for the dogs they breed their entire life---THAT to me, is a responsible breeder.

As far as this thread goes, maybe each of you should go volunteer at a local shelter or breed rescue and it might enlighten you.

Topic: General / Breeding Dogs for the Right Reasons

You are right 7 dogs...there are good people in the ring and as Bella's mom said 'good and bad in every area of the world'. God knows I have run into some rescue folks that only rescue for the money and the attention they receive. One of my personal experiences with a local breeder/shower/handler is one I strongly disagree with. She has champions, drop dead gorgeous dogs with good temperaments overall, so why then does she insist on breeding merle to merle only to kill one in four that are unlucky enough to be excessively white? Maybe I am just simplistic, but why can't she just breed to a solid color littermate with the same genepool and not chance having pups she will only kill? I mean, it's one thing for an ignorant person to do that, but for an educated person to do that is just crazy. But then, I am all about saving dogs and know very little about breeding and I would never profess to know.

Topic: General / Breeding Dogs for the Right Reasons

I'm not familiar with the Ca law to get permitted to breed your dog, but like other laws I am sure only honest people will abide by it and the BYB, people who want their kids to see 'the miracle of birth', and those who just let their dogs run and get pregnant will all still be there. Bottom line is that the bad and ignorant will still win and we will have a gazillion homeless dogs regardless of what band-aid a government imposes.

You are right in that FL does have many puppy stores. It's disgusting and many of the stores purchase from puppy mills located primarily in Missouri and are then trucked down. I tried to get a deaf pup once and they actually snuck the pup out before 6 AM and sent it to another store down south. The staff was unwilling to admit the pup was deaf and I was afraid someone would buy it without any knowledge of that and possibly abuse it for not listening.

There is a breeder here in Jax that has actually been banned from AKC for life. AKC has a investigator just for her because of her practices and what she has done to get around it is to 'offer' people a free male and 2 females and then covertly sells the pups after registering them in the people's name rather than her own. The pups are sold at various stores and flea markets to unsuspecting folks who haven't a clue about proper breeding, puppy mills, or any knowledge of the breeds they are purchasing.

I do believe there are reputable breeders out there, but they are far and few between. Just because someone shows their dog(s) doesn't mean they are reputable in any way, shape, or form. It CAN mean that, but as 7 dogs stated they are for astectics. Shows are a game played for the owner to feel good. I have been to dog shows, and I am sorry, but I do NOT believe the dogs are having fun. I believe they are happy to be out of their crates, off the grooming tables, and with a human. They are kept crated for endless hours, groomed until every single hair is in place and then have to wait in line for their turn....does that sound like fun to you?

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / A bit OVERWHELMED... Advice?

Glad to hear it's going well. Remember your attitude directly affects the dog and always end short lessons on a positive note, even if it only lasts 2 seconds. Also remember that not all states require so-called trainers to be certified and also that every breed has differing needs. If you have any hesitations after meeting the trainer be sure to act on them. I once went with a friend to a 'trainer' and I use the term VERY loosely about this person because his advice to her to get the dog to listen to her was to yank him totally off the ground by his choker...

My take on hooves...lol...just about what you said ...stinkeeeeeeeee....but the lighter colored ones do tend to stink less and the thicker ones crack less too. I haven't been able to use them in years as they really incite the dogs to fight, but ions ago when I was a 'normal' person with 2-3 dogs I used to get them all the time.

Not sure what your cats are like, but most cats will put the dog in their place if they really want to...

My crew doesn't run to the door, but I can't watch animal planet at my daughter's house because Joey tried to attack the tv..lol

Annette and the pack

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / A bit OVERWHELMED... Advice?

I also thought I'd warn you about some rope toys as well. I have heard of dogs getting blockages from chewing the strings off of them. I once had a foster dog that had to have surgery because he chewed off chunks of a rubber toy as well. Choose toys to be used unsupervised carefully.

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / A bit OVERWHELMED... Advice?

Congratulations!!

As far as disciplining, unless you find him in the act he has no clue why you are upset.

A word of caution about rawhides...they should only be given sparingly and under supervision. They can break off large pieces that can swell in their belly and cause a blockage. That's one of the reasons I suggested a Kong.

Topic: General / LOSS OF PET

WOW....they have had several dogs die...that's a tough thing.

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / A bit OVERWHELMED... Advice?

He needs to be crated. Next time it might be something that is not only of sentimental value, but might be a danger to him as well. Can you afford a dogwalker/petsitter to come in the middle of the day?

Topic: General / Breed to make a quick buck?

I suggest you do a google search on any breed rescue and look at all the 'beautiful' dogs that don't have families.

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / A bit OVERWHELMED... Advice?

Put Badger on a short lead. This will give you access when you need it. Also, make sure he gets plenty of excercise so he can calm down and listen. He will catch on to his name....might take a little time. Just keep using it.

You are at a distinct disadvantage with a Doxie....they can be pretty stubborn, so be firm but patient. I'd choose just one or 2 things at a time to work on. As far as chewing, bear in mind that an 18 month old is still a pup and also some breeds chew more than others do. Try substituting whatever he has for an appropriate chewtoy. If he is a strong chewer, don't use anything rubber. You can entice him with food in a Kong. Just be sure to deduct some from his regular diet, so getting fat isn't an issue.

Praise him only when he responds to a behavior you have asked for.

Topic: Fun / Do you have an MDS twin?