Baits for wild dogs

LOCAL landholders have been given a new tool by the Queensland government to fight the wild dog menace.

New guidelines have been released to allow property owners to use livestock destroyed on their property as bait meat for wild dogs.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister John McVeigh said the Protocol for the Production of 1080 meat baits would assist landholders, wild dog committees and local governments undertaking cost-effective baiting programs.

Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said until recently animals used as bait had to be slaughtered at a standard suitable for human consumption and the meat processed to at least pet food standard.

"This increases costs unnecessarily for property owners," Mr Bennett said.

"Landholders are also able to use the skinned carcass of commercially harvested kangaroos as a source of bait meat," Mr Bennett said.

"Under the protocol all animals slaughtered for bait meat must be killed humanely."

Landholders will now be able to take meat from livestock and feral animals destroyed on their property to baiting stations to be injected with 1080 poison.

Bundaberg Regional Council's Operational Supervisor of Natural Resource Management, Nick Maclean, said land protection officers had a variety of baits available and provided advice to landholders on how to undertake a baiting program.

"Anyone wishing to undertake a 1080 baiting program has a responsibility to advise neighbours," Mr MacLean said.

"Fluoroacetate, the active ingredient in 1080, is a naturally occurring poison found in native plants so there is a high resistance in native fauna and is relatively safe."

Councillor Wayne Honor said the council's land protection team promotes wild dog control to landholders throughout the region.

"Co-ordinated baiting programs are advertised and encouraged in the lead up to spring, which is an active breeding time for dingoes and wild dogs," said Cr Honor.

Plan B for wild dog control

IN THE coming weeks, a remote ground baiting operation will begin at 12 locations across North East Victoria and Gippsland.

The locations were selected on the basis of their proximity to livestock areas affected by the impacts of wild dogs and their remoteness and limited access to traditional wild dog control practices.

The program will replace the aerial baiting that was planned but has stalled because it was not approved by the Federal Government.

National Wild Dog Management Advisory Committee chair Michael McCormack said the committee was still pushing for aerial baiting rather than doing nothing while the submission was in political limbo, but the funding would be put into ground baiting.

"It is Plan B we still have the State Government funding for the aerial baiting program, which will now be used to target remote areas through ground baiting," he said.

"Ground baiting is not taking over from aerial baiting it is certainly not as good as aerial baiting.

"The two are best used in conjunction but unfortunately we have one phase we can not do at this stage."

Mr McCormack said the committee was calling for contractors to undertake the program as wild dog controller numbers were down and they shouldn't be taken away from their current work.

He said the ground baiting program would be carried out over short periods in October and May.

"This is 10 weeks after the pups are born; they are at their most vulnerable as weaners," he said.

"We understand baits won't kill all the dogs but we are trying to diminish the number of juvenile dogs that go on to become problem dogs."

The Victorian Wild Dog Advisory Committee also recently submitted a request to bait and hunt outside the three-kilometer buffer zone in Gippsland.

"We are using one area in Gippsland as a test case," Mr McCormack said.

"We are told the decision is imminent and, if we get approval, we are ready to go on other three or four sites in north Victoria to target areas which could be a real step forward."

Carboor producer Jeff Bussell runs sheep and cattle for meat production and his property is surrounded by Crown land and timber plantations.

While he supports the roll-out of the ground baiting program, he said its cost-effectiveness would be much lower than if aerial baiting was done.

"Any baiting done properly will have an impact but aerial baiting is more effective over rugged land," he said.

"The funding would go further with aerial baiting; it is as simple as that."

The baiting announcement came as Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh revealed 116,691 fox scalps and 337 wild dog skins had been collected across Victoria in the past 12 months.

Mr Walsh said the number of scalps and skins collected proved farmers and hunters had been motivated by the bounty.

While the bounty had been successful, he said effective wild dog control required a combination of measures.

The way to off-leash dogs chase runner in Sydney park

A Sydney man says off-leash dogs have become a problem in the community after he was chased by three terriers while out for his regular run at the Greenlink Rotary Park Trail.

Allan MacLeod was jogging on the trail a couple of weeks ago when he came upon a couple walking their three terriers off-leash. MacLeod said the dogs started barking when they saw him, then all three chased him.

"I decide to stop. But when I do stop, the one that I had run past came up from behind and jumped up and bit me close to my hip," he told CBC News.

MacLeod said the pants he was wearing offered him some protection and the bite didn't break his skin. He believes the bite could have been worse if he had been wearing his normal running shorts.

"It did hurt, but it wasn't a huge dog so it's not going to rip the muscle or anything like that," he said.

"One of the first things I thought about was a small child getting bit on the face or the neck or something, where there is open skin. That dog would have caused trouble."

MacLeod did not say whether he'd file a complaint about the incident.

Rick Fraser, a bylaw enforcement officer for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, said dogs are supposed to be leashed while on public property. He said off-leash dogs are a problem on several walking trails and open fields in the area.

"We still receive complaints of individuals who walk their dogs off-leash in the Baille Ard area," said Fraser.

"We are getting some complaints about individuals who have their dog roaming off-leash at large in the soccer field in that area as well."

Fraser said people who see dogs running loose should complain to the SPCA.

BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS IN DOGS

Behaviour problems can be seen in dogs from all walks of life - not just those from Rehoming Centres - and may appear to be more common than in the past. This could be due to the way that our lifestyles have changed. Many more dogs are left alone at home whilst we are out at work and in the home they are treated as members of the family, rather than a worker or 'just a pet'. There was a time when an aggressive or problem dog would have immediately been destroyed. Fortunately these days, owners give dogs a chance and work to resolve problems before turning to rehoming or even putting the dog to sleep as a last resort.

Why do problems occur?

Problems occur for a variety of reasons. Each dog and case is different and causes can be very simple or complicated. Your dog's problem(s) could be caused by one or several of the following factors:

• Lack of socialisation - From 3-14 weeks of age, puppies need to be safely exposed to as many different and new experiences as possible to prepare them for later life. Dogs that have not had this early socialisation may grow to be fearful of people, things and places and this can lead to many problems including aggression.
• Boredom - Dogs that are bored through lack of mental stimulation might amuse themselves with destructive behaviour, for example.
• Excess energy - A lack of physical exercise can also lead to 'bad behaviour', as a dog must find other ways to get rid of his pent-up energy.
• Owner behaviour - Owners can train their dogs to behave 'badly' by accident, simply by giving attention at the wrong time.
• Unrealistic owner expectations - Because we tend to get very close to our dogs, we sometimes forget that they are still animals and may treat them more like children. We may think that they have more 'intelligence' or 'awareness' than they really do and these unfair expectations can lead to disappointment.
• Breed specific traits - Certain types and breeds of dog have been bred for hundreds of years for specific tasks, which might be incompatible with living in a typical family home.
• Bad breeding practices - Unscrupulous breeders might have indiscriminately bred their dogs purely for money, without considering temperament.
• Diet - It is thought that some dogs' behaviour may be affected by what they are fed. It is possible that diets that are too high in protein or the wrong type of protein may cause hyperactivity in certain dogs. Allergies to certain ingredients may also adversely affect behaviour.
• Inadequate or incorrect training - Without proper training, dogs can be uncontrollable.

What should you do if you have a problem with your dog's behaviour?

• Take your dog to the vet - Some behavioural problems can be caused by medical conditions or illnesses, so it is essential to rule out this possibility.
• Ask your vet to refer you to a reputable behaviourist – You and your dog will need to have a personal consultation with the behaviourist so they can accurately diagnose the problem and recommend a treatment plan for you to follow. With some problems you may need to attend follow-up consultations, or keep in contact by phone if any difficulties occur. Going to a behaviourist can be quite expensive so please make sure that you find a reputable one, such as a member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) or the UK Registry of Canine Behaviourists (UKRCB). If you have pet insurance remember to check the policy details, as you might be able to claim for the cost of consultations.
• If you have adopted a dog from Dogs Trust and are having problems with his training or behaviour, please contact the Rehoming Centre that you adopted him from for free help and advice.

Solving the Stray dogs

This week, a story was in the news that broke my heart and really showed me the problem with the way we treat stray and unwanted dogs in this country.

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a memo came out that police officers were no longer supposed to bring stray dogs to animal shelters, because they were too full. Instead, they could either adopt the dogs, take the dogs outside of town, or they could just shoot the dogs.

This “kill, adopt, or dump” policy was unbelievable to me. Here we are, one of the greatest countries in the world and this is what we do with our dogs? As Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” I know I wasn’t the only one outraged, and there were a lot of protests against the Harrisburg police department. But I’m sure they’re not the only ones with this policy, just the ones that became public.

In this election year, we hear the candidates always talking about how we should and shouldn’t use taxpayer money. I would say that one terrible use of taxpayer money is what we pay to euthanize 4 to 5 million unwanted dogs and cats in this country every year. In this economy, that is money that could be so much better used, both for the good of animals and humans.

When I was in Spain over the summer shooting El Líder de la Manada, I got a chance to visit Germany. I was impressed by how many things Germany is doing right with its animals. For example, it is mandatory to have your pet spayed or neutered. If you want to breed your dog, you can apply for a license, but otherwise every pet is spayed and neutered. And you know what? They don’t have the kind of stray animal problem that we have in the U.S. Their tax dollars aren’t spent on euthanizing helpless animals. They have things so under control that they are able to adopt rescue animals from other countries. Can you imagine?

The other thing that impressed me so much in Europe was how willing they were to adopt older or injured dogs. Dogs with broken legs for example, like my dog Argos. When I visit American shelters, what I hear from the workers a lot is that no one will adopt this or that dog, because he is too old or has too many physical problems. In Europe, older dogs get adopted all the time. The people don’t seem to care that the dog might only be with them for a few years or even a few months. They care more about making a home for the animal, and giving him a good quality of life for as much as he has left. That is what charity is.

I want to keep talking about this problem in this country, and I hope you do, too. I know we are a nation that loves its animals and does not want to see them treated cruelly, let alone pay for it with our taxes. We need to keep talking to the people who create the policies and argue for mandatory spay-and-neuter regulations and we need to EDUCATE. We need to educate people about the reasons to adopt older or injured dogs. We need to educate people how to teach their dogs so they can live in harmony with us. In Germany, you don’t need a special therapy dog certificate to take your dog with you. Dogs go with their owners on and off leash. People have been educated to take responsibility for their pets and it shows.

This week started with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I tweeted his quote “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” I hope we all ask ourselves this question when it comes to the animals in this country who can’t speak for themselves. Even the smallest action by us can have a huge impact for our nation’s dogs. After people spoke up in Harrisburg, police built a temporary shelter for the dogs in their vehicle maintenance center. Stray dogs will be safe there while Harrisburg works out a contract with The Humane Society. So raise your voice, it just might work.

10 Dog Behavior Problems

Most experienced dog owners are familiar with common dog behavior problems, but some may wonder why dogs exhibit these behaviors. Barking, biting, chewing and many other common dog behaviors are often misunderstood and mishandled by dog owners. Perhaps you are new to dog ownership, considering getting a dog, or just wish to better manage your dog's behavior problems. Thoroughly understanding the most common dog behavior problems is the first step to solving and preventing them. A solid foundation of obedience training will help you prevent or better control common dog behavior problems.

1. Barking 

Most dogs bark, howl and whine to some degree. Excessive barking is considered a behavior problem. Before you can correct barking, determine why your dog is vocalizing in the first place. These are the most common types of barking:

• Warning or Alert
• Playfulness/Excitement
• Attention-seeking
• Anxiety
• Boredom

Responding to Other DogsLearn to control excessive barking. Be consistent and patient. Also, consider teaching theBark/Quiet Commands. Dedication and attention to detail can go a long way.

2. Chewing 

Chewing is a natural action for all dogs - it's just a part of the way they are wired. However, chewing can quickly become a behavior problem if your dog causes destruction. The most common reasons dogs chew are as follows:

• Puppy Teething
• Boredom / Excess Energy
• Anxiety

Curiosity (especially puppies)Encourage your dog to chew on the right things by providing plenty of chew toys. Keep personal items away from your dog. When you are not home, keep your dog crated or confined to an area where less destruction can be caused. If you catch your dog chewing the wrong thing, quickly correct him with a sharp noise. Then, replace the item with a chew toy. One of the most important things you can do: make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise!

3. Digging

If given the chance, most dogs will do some amount of digging - it's a matter of instinct. Certain breeds, like Terriers, are more prone to digging because of their hunting histories. In general, most dogs dig for these reasons:

• Boredom or Excess Energy
• Anxiety or Fear
• Hunting Instinct
• Comfort-Seeking (such as nesting or cooling off)
• Hiding Possessions (like bones or toys)

To Escape or Gain AccessIf your dog digs up your yard, it can get pretty frustrating for you. Try and determine the cause of the digging, then work to eliminate that source. Spend more time with your dog, give him more exercise, and work on extra training. If digging is inevitable, set aside an area where your dog can learn it is "okay" to dig, like a sand box.

4. Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is one of the most commonly discussed dog behavior problems. Manifestations include vocalization, chewing, inappropriate urination and defecation, and other forms of destruction that occur when a dog is separated from his owner. Not all of these actions are the result of separation anxiety. Signs of true separation anxiety include:

Dog becomes anxious when owner prepares to leave

Misbehavior occurs in the first 15-45 minutes after owner leaves

Dog wants to follow owner around constantly

Dog tries to be touching owner whenever possibleTrue separation anxiety requires dedicated training, behavior modification and desensitization exercises. Medication may be recommended in extreme cases, but this should be a last resort.

5. Inappropriate Elimination

Inappropriate urination and defecation are among the most frustrating dog behaviors. They can damage areas of your home and make your dog unwelcome in public places or at the homes of others. It is most important that you discuss this behavior with your veterinarianfirst to rule out health problems. If no medical cause is found, try to determine the reason for the behavior, which can come down to one of the following:

• Submissive/Excitement Urination
• Territorial Marking
• Anxiety
• Attention-seeking

Lack of proper housebreakingInappropriate elimination is unavoidable in puppies, especially before 12 weeks of age. Older dogs are another story - many require serious behavior modification to rid them of the habit because you must often alter their perception of themselves.

6. Begging

Begging is a bad habit, but many dog owners unfortunately encourage it. This can lead to digestive problems and obesity. Dogs beg because they love food - but table scraps are not treats, and food is not love! Yes, it is hard to resist that longing look, but giving in "just this once" creates a problem in the long run. In a pack setting, a subordinate would never beg from alpha dogs without reprimand. When you teach your dog that begging is permitted, you jeopardize your role as pack leader. Before you sit down to eat, tell your dog to stay, preferably where he will not be able to stare at you. If necessary, confine him to another room. If he behaves, give him a special treat only after you and your family are completely finished eating.

7. Chasing

A dog's desire to chase moving things is simply a display of predatory instinct. Many dogs will chase other animals, people and cars. All of these can lead to dangerous and devastating outcomes! While you may not be able to stop your dog from trying to chase, you can take steps to prevent disaster.

Keep your dog on a leash at all times (unless directly supervised indoors).

Train your dog to come when called.

Have a dog whistle or noisemaker on hand to get your dog's attention.

Stay aware and watch for potential triggers, like joggers.Your best chance at success is to keep the chase from getting out of control. Dedicated training over the course of your dog's life will teach him to focus his attention on you first - before running off.

8. Jumping Up

Puppies jump up to reach and greet their mothers. Later, they may jump up when greeting people. Dogs may also jump up to exert dominance. A jumping dog can be annoying and even dangerous. There are many methods to stop a dog's jumping, but not all will be successful. Lifting a knee, grabbing the paws, or pushing the dog away might work for some, but for most dogs this sends the wrong message. Jumping up is often attention-seeking behavior, so any acknowledgment of your dog's actions provide a reward! The best method: simply turn away and ignore your dog. Do not make eye contact, speak, or touch your dog. Go about your business. When he relaxes and remains still, calmly reward him. It won't take long before your dog gets the message.

9. Biting

Dogs bite for reasons that can be traced back to instinct and pack mentality. Puppies bite and nip on other dogs and people as a means for exploring their environment and learning their place in the pack. Owners must show their puppies that mouthing and biting are not acceptable by teaching bite inhibition. Beyond puppy behavior, the motivation to bite or snap typically comes from the following:

• Fear or Defensiveness
• Protection of Property
• Pain or Sickness
• Dominance Assertion

Predatory InstinctThough some breeds are thought to be dangerous, it is my belief that breed specific legislation is not the answer. Owners and breeders are the ones who can help decrease the tendency for any type of dog to bite through proper training, socialization and breeding practices.

10. Aggression

Dog aggression is exhibited by growling, snarling, showing teeth, lunging and biting. It is important to know that any dog has the potential to become aggressive, regardless of breed or history. However, dogs with violent or abusive histories and those bred from dogs with aggressive tendencies are much more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior towards people or other dogs. Reasons for aggression are basically the same as the reasons a dog will bite or snap, but overall canine aggression is a much more serious problem. If your dog has aggressive tendencies, consult your vet first - it may stem from a health problem. Then, seek the help of an experienced dog trainer. Serious measures should be taken to keep others safe from aggressive dogs!

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FAQ : Colors of Dogs

QUESTION: What are the different colors of mixed breed dogs?

ANSWER: Genetically, the different colors of the different purebreds work together to produce some pretty interesting and somewhat predictable color variations. But, sometimes it's not so predictable.

Here are the different colors and patterns of mixed breed dogs:

Parti colors

"Parti colors" are easiest described as patterned like a holstein cow. Black and white is quite common. The base color of a parti is always white, and the darker color can range from a small area to larger areas. And, the darker color can vary - black, chocolate, brindle (described below), gold, and silver are all colors that can occur in a parti colored dog. The pup pictured to the left is an example of a chocolate parti colored puppy.

Ticking

There is also a gene responsible for Ticking on Parti colored dogs. Ticking is not evident on the pups when they are born. The ticking develops starting at about 6 weeks of age. Ticking is small spots of color in a white background (like a dalmation.)

To the right is a ticked black and white Shih Poo. At 5 weeks of age, his white areas were clean white. Ticking can be very pretty!

Brindle

Brindle is a mixture of colors, in a striped or swirled pattern. You can have a solid colored brindle, where the brindle coloring is covering the whole dog. Or, you can have a brindle parti, where white is the base color, and the brindle coloring is in patches.

Brindles have a light base color, like gold or silver, and the striping is generally either black or chocolate. The pattern is most visible when the pup is born, or when the dog is clippered short. When the coat is grown out, you really don't see the pattern, but the brindles do have more depth of color than the lighter solid colors (like gold).

Sable

Sable is a term we often use with schnoodles, yorkie poos, yorkie maltese, and cockapoos. Sable is a pattern, rather than a color. The pattern is somewhat like the pattern of a doberman pinscher, yorkie, or german shepherd.

Usually, the legs tummy, chest, beard, and eyebrows are red, apricot, cream or white. The other areas are darker in color, usually grey, or brown.

As the puppy matures, the lighter areas AND the darker areas continue to lighten.

Phantom

Phantom is a term we often use with schnoodles, pekepoos, yorkie poos, and cockapoos. The pattern is like the sable pattern, but the dark color does not fade.

The distinction between the light areas and the dark areas are very clear and clean, patterned just like a doberman pinscher.

QUESTION: Puppies into Adult Dogs How colors can dilute

ANSWER: The mature color of a puppy can differ very much from the newborn color. We can generally give you a pretty good idea of mature color when the pup is about 6-7 weeks of age. Schnoodles and Yorkie poos are sometimes born with rather faint phantom markings. The hair is often so short on the face and legs of a newborn puppy to really show off the markings. As the pup matures, these areas intensify.

There's a gene responsible for diluting mature color. Dogs with this gene begin to lighten, generally at about 6 weeks of age. This gene is responsible for the colors of blue, silver, silver beige, and cafe-au-lait. Pups with this gene are born dark. Silvers and blues are born black. Silver beiges and cafe-au-laits are born chocolate. Whether the pup gets one dose of the dilution gene (from one parent) or two doses (from both parents) is the deciding factor of how much the pup will lighten. Silvers receive two doses and blues receive one dose, along with the black gene. Cafe-au-laits (literally, coffee with milk) receive one dose, and silver beiges receive two doses. We can sometimes tell if a pup is going to lighten, right from birth. These pups have lots of white hair on the bottom of their feet, rather than their natural color.

Dog’s Gum Color and problems

Look at your dog’s gums while she is at rest. Lift your dog’s upper lip and look at the color of the gums above an upper canine tooth — the gums should be pink.

Do a capillary refill test by pressing on the gums with your finger. When you remove your finger, the gums should briefly be white but should return to their pink color within two seconds.

The appearance of the gums is very informative. If the gums are blue, the dog lacks oxygen. If they are white, the dog has lost blood, either internally or externally. If the gums are purple or gray and there is a slow capillary refill, the dog is probably in shock. If they are bright red, she may be fighting a systemic infection or may have been exposed to a toxin.

Some dogs have black-pigmented gums, which can make assessment difficult. For these dogs, you need to examine the pink tissue on the inside of the lower eyelid by gently pulling the eyelid down. In this case, you can only observe the color of the tissue — you can’t perform the capillary refill test — but colors mean the same thing in gums and inner eyelids.

Other :

Gum color and capillary refill time: a life saving symptom

Mucous Membranes in Dogs and Cats on dogscatshealth.com

Testing mucous membrane color and capillary refill time, also known as CRT, can save your pet's life. Unlike other symptoms, such as lethargy and vocalization, this symptom is a definite sign of an animal's critical condition.

There is no confusion when it comes to discolored mucous membranes, which you can see by looking at your pet's gum lines if your pet is exhibiting abnormal behavior, seems sick, or won't respond or stand up. If your pet is healthy, the gums should be pink, much like your own.

Yellow gums can indicate liver failure or disease. This might be expected if your pet has already been diagnosed with a liver condition or is on certain types of medication. White or pale gums can indicate blood loss. If there is not enough blood to circulate throughout your pet's body, or if your pet's body cannot properly circulate the blood, there will be very little color in the gum line. Brick red gums can indicate bacterial infection. This is often medically referred to as sepsis. Blue gums indicate hypoxia. This occurs when your pet cannot breathe or is not getting enough oxygen through breathing. Hypoxia could be due to any number of causes, including drowning, suffocation, unconsciousness, or lung, throat, or nasal problems. The significance of mucous membrane color is not limited to these examples, but it almost always indicates a serious health issue and should never be ignored.

Some dogs have dark or black patches on their gums. This is normal for some breeds. This dark discoloration does not develop overnight and is typically not a symptom. Even black tongues are characteristic to some breeds, such as chow chows.

Capillary refill time is the symptom that goes hand in hand with mucous membranes. CRT is, simply put, the time it takes for blood to return to the surface of mucous membranes after pressure has been lifted. This is observed by pressing your finger on the surface of the gum line until there is no color beneath your finger. When you remove the pressure, the color should resurface within 1 to 2 seconds. It can take longer for the blood supply to resurface if your pet is anesthetized or sedated, but normal, healthy animals will average a 1 second CRT.

Understanding these symptoms should increase your confidence as a pet owner. If your pet is ever injured or ill, these simple tests can alert you to a very serious problem. Always contact your veterinarian as soon as possible when your pet is sick. If your pet has discolored gums or a long CRT, your pet will probably depend on emergency care. It is a good practice to know the emergency hospitals near your house and have their phone numbers on hand. This is especially important if you are in a new area with your pet, traveling, or camping. The difference could save your pet's life.

Some dogs coloring for babies