10/15/13

The Week in Tweets – 2nd October

This is our (almost) weekly segment where we review the content posted on our Twitter over the course of the week. It’s a long post! So make sure you grab a coffee and prepare yourself for some serious reading.

Myrtle had a singleton son - so we got him a friend, a singleton doberman puppy!

Myrtle had a singleton son – so we got him a friend, a singleton doberman puppy!

 

Tweet of the Week

This is an old one that I didn’t get around to sharing immediately, by Terrierman. This post talks about “Noise About Lennox and Silence Over Pit Bulls“. Posted at the time when Lennox, the ‘pit bull’ in the UK was receiving a lot of media attention, Terrierman laments that so little media attention – or, indeed, any attention – is applied to the fate of the many nameless pit bulls meeting their fate due to what Terrierman describes as a saturation of the market in pit bull type dogs. It’s an excellent post.

 

Purebred Puppies

How much is that doggie in the window? The surprising economics of purchasing a purebred puppy.

Westminster, ‘show dog’, and the battle over purebred puppies.

 

Dog Rescue

We still have Bandit in foster care! Read his PetRescue profile here.

Kate our kelpie x is still looking for her forever home via PetRescue, too.

And across the seas, some special shepherds up for adoption.

From the Dogged Blog: Shelter reform on Facebook: Ur doin it wrong. It looks at the abundance of shelter gore material on rescue websites and how it does nothing for rescue. This was a close runner for tweet of the week.

Rescue community loses another animal advocate.

And on a similar note, increasing adoption will reduce ‘euthanasia stress’. Another one from Maddie’s Institute: Think income, not ‘responsibility’, when it comes to pet programs.

Wisconsin Watchdog looks at some Simple Math.

From my favourite blog, SavingPets, posts tweeted were: “Albury Council oopsie kills family pet“, “It’s your fault we kill. It’s your fault we killed Thomas.“,  “We could be heroes – a review of ABC’s Vet School“, “Overhauling the pound system – action every animal advocate can take to make a better future for pets” and “Miranda Devine’s plan for dog management – kill one million dogs“.

*headdesk* aka the reason I have very little respect for most animal rescue groups…

Just promoting a model rescue in the USA: Downtown Dog Rescue.

Why cat advocates need to stop lying.

I am very interested in the ways the public can be irresponsible when it comes to animal welfare. For example, the woman who ‘offers free kiddie pools to dog owners to keep their pets cool in the heat‘.

 

Dog Training and Behaviour

Eileen and Dogs wrote a post that very nearly became tweet of the week, as it discusses a phenonmenon that bugs me immensely. The post is: “But ‘Purely Positive’ is a LIE!“.

The art of communication: Calming Signals.

I really liked this one as well: The Myth of “Suddenly, Out of the Blue” Behaviors.

What’s important to you? – on defining your own training expectations.

Denise Fenzi on Socialization.

Temple Grandin on E-Collars and Prey Drive.

Kathy Sdao Seminar: The R in Dog Training – as described by Crystal from Reactive Champion.

Chicken Camp.

Dogs Don’t Smile.

 

Desexing and ‘Overbreeding’

Neutering Dogs: Including the use of Suprelorin dog contraceptive (Neutering) Spaying and Castration.

RSPCA and Breeders Shock Admission: Neutering six week old puppies.

Oh, Balls!

The Cronuts and Spay/Neuter Craze.

Overbreeding: Beware of Simple Answers.

 

Dog Science

Dogs with left paw preferences may be different emotionally.

What pets do children have, and which do they prefer?

New findings on shock collars: why the UK wants to ban them.

The Relationship between personality match and pet satisfaction among dog owners.

 

Dog Fun Stuff

Dog finger painting.

23 Dogs Who Are Too Adorably Stupid For Their Own Good.

A dog’s advice to humans in photos.

Dog Breed Cartoon.

 

Kids and Dogs

Dog attack fatality NSW.

At what age is a child old enough to walk the dog alone?

Dog gone: Coping with grief after the death of a dog-child.

I was bitten by a dog as a kid – and nobody freaked out.

 

Other Dog Stuff

Police shootings of dogs: A disturbing trend.

40, 000 years of dogs.

WSPA Yappy Hour.

The Tragedy of Wolf Dogs.

Defending the pit bull: Experts say animals no more aggressive or prone to attack than other breeds.

You’re old and I’m broke: Conversations with my dog about surgery.

 

Other Stuff

Your immune system: Natural Born Killer.

“Dr Google” – on using the internet to research health issues and the need for critical thinking.

 

Instagram

Only a few subjects this week: Myrtle and her two puppies!

Franklin and Fonzie.

The ‘brothers’.

Drinking like a puppy should!

Franklin and friend.

Myrtle and Franklin the turtles.

6 days old and 10 days old.

Dark, but mum and bub.

Shark puppy.

Family.

Spot the hatchling.

Tried to take a picture of his mohawk. Only really obvious on the top right picture – sticking up on his neck.

Myrtle and the hatchling.

This is how he sleeps.

09/19/13

The Week In Tweets – 19th September 2013

This is our (almost) weekly segment where we review the content posted on our Twitter over the course of the week. It’s a long post! So make sure you grab a coffee and prepare yourself for some serious reading.

Kate, our current foster dog, is looking for a new home.

Kate, our current foster dog, is looking for a new home.

 

Tweet of the Week

This week, there was a clear favourite. A post from Heading For Home (a rescue group) entitled: “Passionate statistics: pie charts and companion animal rescue“. Wow! A well written and powerful post that, while not discrediting the work of rescues who ‘chip chip chip’ away on the front lines, illustrates how there are greater systematic issues that need to be addressed. If you read nothing else this week, read this! It is well worth it. Excellent reading.

 

Sheltering and Rescue

No secret: I have been a long-time fan of the Saving Pets blog. This week, I tweeted a bunch of content from them and some of them did come close to making Tweet of the Week. I loved “Microchips are like seatbelts, not gold stars” and “What could a local council spend $90,000 on?“, but also was  saddened to hear about “Thomas” and “How a shell game is killing our pets“.

From ThatMutt: the Pet overpopulation myth.

I really loved watching this video on how to maximise the sheltering process in the first 60 minutes – “The first 60 minutes: Animal Sheltering’s Critical Hour“.

As always, I like to share stories about the ‘irresponsible public’ that are clearly responsible for the killing of pets in shelters. This week, I tweeted about a Hyde County woman who opened a private shelter after the county cut the budget for their own facility.

 

Dog Training

Generally, I try to space out content so I don’t blog a lot of stuff by one author in a short period of time. However, somehow, Eileen’s fabulous content got promoted a bunch on my Twitter this week. Her posts include “Welcome!” (her first blog post), “Dog Faming” (in contrast to dog shaming), “Yes, you may comfort your [fearful] dog!“, and “The look of fear“. Eileen runs a fabulous blog that dissects many of the myths surrounding ‘force free’ trainers (or whatever you want to call them).

From Susan Garrett: The ‘It’s Yer Choice‘ game.

A video illustrating 5 Calming Signals.

From Denise Fenzi: Preparing for competition: Squishing!

Your dog isn’t being friendly. He’s an asshole. And so are you.

Dogs imitate novel human actions and store them in memory.

Finding the right dog trainer – harder than you think.

Myth: Anxiety Medication Should Only be used as a Last Resort.

Approval seeking or attention seeking?

Spay/Neuter and Breeders

From Dogs Naturally: Spay, Neuter and Joint Disease.

The plot thickens: Spay neuter effects and the health of our dogs.

How young is too young to neuter?

The Backyard Breeder Fallacy.

 

Just Dog Stuff

The amazing world of dogs in photography.

Wedding Dogs.

Children and pet loss.

Shave my newfoundland dog?

Things to do after your dog has died.

Terrier Firma Rain Boots.

Dogs 101: Greyhound.

The Amazing Skidboot (Texas Country Reporter).

 

Instagram

Adelaide Royal is better than your royal!

Yesterday the the Royal Show – Rue, Digger, Breaker, and Rue with a business card.

Rue looking intellectual at the Royal.

Myrtle – 1 week to go… Really?

 

09/10/13

The Week in Tweets – 7th September

This is our (almost) weekly segment where we review the content posted on our Twitter over the course of the week. It’s a long post! So make sure you grab a coffee and prepare yourself for some serious reading.

Before we start, I thought I’d share a video of my new chicken, Eveready, laying an egg. I recycled a shelf from a friend to fashion this nesting box and, as I put in in the coop, before I had a chance to level it, Eveready was in and fussing. So I spent 10 minutes sitting on the floor of the chicken coop filming this. She actually lays the egg soon after 6 minutes.

Eveready and her friend Duracell are ex-battery hens who were lucky enough to be saved by Edgar’s Mission. They joined us a week ago and I love them heaps already.

Now! On with the tweets:

 

Tweet of the Week

Earlier this year, I took the course ‘Canine Theriogenology for Dog Enthusiasts‘ and loved it.  They are now running the course again (thought longer – 8 week course this time), starting in October.  I highly recommend it.  And great value as it’s free!  No gimmicks, just awesome free online education about dog reproduction.  Even if you just sign up to watch the lectures it’ll be worth it – I promise.

 

Dog Breeds and Breeding

This is a close second to the tweet of the week: The scandal of marketing purebred dogs. A well articulated post by Ruffly Speaking talking about the problems associated with elitism in purebred dog breeding.

The Modern Kennel Conundrum – a look at the designer dog trend.

Judges weigh in on grooming.

“Ancient” dog breeds? Not so ancient, it turns out.

 

Dog Training

Pinch Me AKA Prong Me – this one was a close runner for Tweet of the Week.

Attack Dog to Relax Dog.

Do dogs learn faster for food than other types of rewards?

From Eileen and Dogs: “Force-free training and the continuum fallacy: defining ourselves” and “But we don’t give our kids a cookie everytime they tie their shoes!“.

On choosing dog trainers: Peer Pressure? Bite me!Describing dog training: Weasel words or clear descriptions? and Finding the Right Dog Trainer – Harder Than You Think.

Except when you can reinforce fear.

Puppy around a pole.

Those Pesky Finishes.

 

Dog Behaviour

From Patricia McConnell: Ah Youth! The initiation of play in dogs and You’ve got a friend?.

The Cumulative Effect.

Learning to Speak Dog Part 4: Reading a Dog’s Body.

What is this dog telling us? Do you see his behavioral cues?

Trigger stacking and stress hormones.

 

Dog Science

Help dog science! Undertake this survey on Perceptions of Dog Personality.

Wolves show scientists are barking up the wrong tree.

Dog genetics spur scientific spat.

Looking at Dog Brains.

 

Dog Rescue and Sheltering – The good news stories

Study: Impulsive pet adoptions as successful as planned ones.

Downtown Dog Rescue on Facebook.

Poll finds most would pay higher rates to save abandoned pets.

Tip of the week: Used tennis balls – at your services.

Dr Jeff Young – International Achievements in spay/neuter clinics.

DDR and Found Animals join forces for South LA Animals.

 

Dog Rescue and Sheltering – The rest

My Kool-Aid drinking days.

Animal Shelters – the new puppy mills.

Mom was right: It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.

Raising the bar.

Microchipped, surrendered, loved – not enough to save Tyson from the pound.

How to get a dog from a rescue group.

10 Things You Need to Foster a Dog.

American Humane Association Study and Literature Review Indicates Hundres of Thousands of ADopted Pets are Given Up, Lost or Die Each Year.

Shelter Revolution’s Mission.

Did Cairns RSPCA kill Mamma Dog? Yes, and six more like her.

 

Dog Health

Why long toe nails are harmful to your dog’s health.

Researcher recognized for drug reaction discovery in dogs.

Knuckling Over.

 

Breed Specific Legislation

A tale of two dogs and the many who may follow them.

What is a ‘pit bull’?

“Raising Them Right” and “Bad Owners” – another one close to being the Tweet of the Week.

What could a local council spend $90,000 on?

 

Cops and Dogs

Cops shoot rottweiler dead.

Dog surprises officer after being freed from a fence.

El Monte Police Officer Shoots Family’s 2 -year-old Dog.

 

Other Dog Stuff

Cuddle with a beautiful border terrier puppy.

Mochi and Jolie dog watches.

Dog bite prevention in children.

Seminar! Kids and Dogs: Pitfalls and Potentials.

Easy Slip Lead – a Vet Hospital’s Most Valuable Tool when Dealing with Fearful Dogs.

The “Bait Dog” Phenomenon.

Does your border terrier sing to squeaky toys?

Australian Working Dog Alliance Conference is coming soon.

 

Other Animal Stuff

The Scrotum is Nuts.

Cats that look like male models.

From CreatureCast: Multicellularity and Picky Females.

Show me the honey! Honeyguides and humans team up at dinner time.

Cheetah chases impala antelope into tourist’s car on safari.

What honeybees can teach us about democracy.

20 Most Impressive Wildlife Photos from the National Geographic.

China’s Millionaire Pigeon Racers.

 

Just Other Stuff

Language learning begins in the womb (while this link doesn’t talk about dogs and puppy development, I did wonder what puppies may be learning in utero).

My Imaginary Well Dressed Toddler Daughter.

 

Instagram

Duracell, a new chicken.

Another day, another sleeping Myrtle picture.

Nigretta Falls, Victoria.

08/20/13

The Week In Tweets – 20th August 2013

This is our (almost) weekly segment where we review the content posted on our Twitter over the course of the week. It’s a long post! So make sure you grab a coffee and prepare yourself for some serious reading.

A recent photo of Douglas (was Jakkalberry) from our 2012 litter.

A recent photo of Douglas (was Jakkalberry) from our 2012 litter.

Tweet of the Week

From “The Truth About Pit Bulls”: It’s Not Just How They Were Raised. Really great analysis of the problems associated with blaming dog behaviour solely on their nurturing. As always, the tweet of the week is what you should read if you don’t have time to read everything else!

 

Dog Behaviour

From Crystal at Reactive Champion: Shedd Animal training Seminar: General Rules About Aggression and The 100 Treat Philosophy.

Stop Free-Feeding: How to Feed Your Dog Regular Meals.

Take the hint: How to use the 5-second rule for petting dogs.

The vet’s office: waiting room or dog park?

Do dogs try to hide theft of food?

Stress and Learning.

Are You Bribing Your Dog?

Hey, Old School Dominance Theory: School’s Out!

Top Ten Dog Behavior Myths.

 

Dog Training

From Denise Fenzi: Cisu – hand to side of head for crowding finishes and control.

Loose lead walking – 300 peck method.

Are puppy potty pads a good idea? by Lyndsay at ThatMutt.com.

Guest post: Eileen’s story on Cricket.

 

Rescue and Sheltering

Our current foster dog, Deez on PetRescue.

Homing and re-homing Fido: How many newly-adopted pets are still kept six months later?

Jutice4Max posts a comparison between kill rates at Kurri Pound and the RSPCA contract.

The Perils of Placing Marginal Dogs.

The Revolving Door: A Poverty Problem, Not a Pet Problem.

Very good sentences — and thoughts on poverty, and animals from the KC Dog Blog.

 

Dog Breeds and Breeding

Revisiting back to back breeding.

Purebred breeders under fire – Deb Harbin.

Working dog breeders in bid to change code.

A book that should be written.

Labrador colour inheritance.

RSPCA, dog breeders at odds over proposed code changes.

Really Important Things to Remember About Your Mastiff Puppy.

Pedigree Dogs Exposed – The Blog: Jilly’s Jolly Jaunt.

Canine DNA Test Results.

The great bulldog race.

Dogtired – The Ultimate Dog Bed.


Other Dog Stuff

Emotional sounds – how do you interpret these sounds…

Your dog needs to be spayed or neutered – right?

Does it have four legs? It might be a restricted breed dog.

Keep calm and stop reacting.

Your Life As A Dog.

Dog takes on admin role at Cumbrian quarry.

Kermie Worm And Mr. Marbles Toys! (100% Safe For Dogs!).

 

Other Stuff

Rescue Road Turtles!

Goodall, Fossey & Galdikas: Great Minds.

Darryl Cunningham’s comic on homeopathy.

Sexing Domestic Chicken Before Hatch: A New Method for in Ovo Gender Identification.

CreatureCast – Individuality.

TAGteach Swimming Lesson #1.

 

Instagram

View from Hummock Hill, Whyalla.

Tired or tired of being in the car?

08/13/13

The Week in Tweets – 13th August

This is our (almost) weekly segment where we review the content posted on our Twitter over the course of the week. It’s a long post! So make sure you grab a coffee and prepare yourself for some serious reading.

 

But before we start, a quick video on Bandit (our current foster dog) and how he is going with his loose lead walking.

 

Tweet of the Week

This is an oldie, but a goodie: “Should you share that cute dog and baby photo?“.  On my daily internet travels I see a lot of dog-child photos that make me cringe, as I can see the dog is uncomfortable and the child is at risk. Dogs and Babies have this great post that I think should be distributed far and wide.

 

Dog Training & Behaviour

From Eileen at Eileen and Dogs: But It’s Unhealthy to Protect Your Dog from All Stress!

The Scoop on Dog-Friendly Dog Training.

Calming Signals.

Crating: A Life Skill.

Is attachment to pet dogs linked to their behaviour?

A workshop with Ian Dunbar: Solving “impossible” off leash, real life behaviour problems, real time.

New Illustrations – Dog Training from Doggie Drawings.

 

Dogs and Kids

Doggie Drawings illustrations on Dog & Baby Safety – For FamilyPaws.com.

I think my dog might bite my kids… And I’m glad.

 

Dog Food & Health 

A History of Commercial Dog Food.

Your Dog’s a Fat-ass. Feed it less. A Rant by Fang.

How often do dogs need Frontline or other flea-and-tick prevention?

Another from the mailbag.

Puppy classes and canine parvovirus.

 

Breeds, Breeders, and Breeding

Helen King on Structure Evaluation.

What exactly is a responsible breeder?

TAZI – A journey with the Afghan Hounds.

Changing Minds: Has selective breeding restructured some dog brains?

 

Shelters and Animal Welfare

Understanding Cause & Effect when it comes to Mandatory Spay/Neuter Laws.

How can shelters get more cats adopted?

From Maddie’s Institute: Saving animal lives: How data gets you there and Parenting blog has tough love for adoption groups.

Channel 7 Today Tonight – Moorook Animal Shelter v RSPCA.

Guilty ‘Til Proven Innocent.

No one wants to kill pets – regional NSW edition.

Special Investigation: Five suicides, one common thread: They all fell foul of the RSPCA.

 

Other Dog Stuff

Craft ACT: Amanda Stuart’s artwork.

Labrador Puppy Designer Umbrella.

Puppies And Kittens Vs. Mirrors.

 

Other Stuff

Why Ferns Have More Chromosomes Than You.

Showdown: Fox defends the den against a badger.

Sad Cat Diary.

 

Instagram

Myrtle relaxing after a track.

Bandi’ looks sad, but he put himself here for cuddles!

Myrtle still really pretty sleeper.

Why does Myrtle have two nipples so close together?