Life with your dog should be easy and calm. Anything other than that and you could use some help.

Working dogs are different to other dogs. Working dogs were bred for a purpose and they are, for the most part, exceptionally clever. It is knowing how to work with the ages and stages of your dogs’ growth, and understanding how this makes them different from other dogs, that will make your life easier.

I am passionate about people having working dogs in the city. Working dogs are bred to work and when they don't have a focus, they can cause their owners many problems. Working-bred dogs such as Border Collies, Kelpies, Blue Heelers, etc are the most abandoned dog breeds. This is mainly because people can't manage their dogs; many people can't even take their dogs for a walk without drama. This makes life very uncomfortable for the owner and their family. I have a range of techniques to allow people to get a handle on their dog problems.

I think for the most part, people don’t realise that working dogs are different to other breeds of dogs.

There is a misconception that working dogs need to run all day, every day; that if they can’t be out working on the farm, then the least that can be done is to give them the whole backyard to run in, or give them a mate to play with. It is in this exact point that most problems are caused. What we need here is to allow your dog, actually show your dog, how to relax. Yes, relax.

Another problem that is expressed to me often in my work is that a client’s working-bred dog, one of the smartest dogs, fails obedience training. Well, let’s stop and look at this for a moment: in obedience training, we want the dog to come to heel, be fed, and stay at heel. Simple. Or is it?

Now think of a working dog in its work environment. Have you ever seen the dog trials at the Ekka or a similar trial? The handler stands in one spot and actually has points deducted for moving. The dog is sent away from the handler to pick up the sheep and bring them back to the handler, usually through some obstacles. Is the dog at heel? No. In fact, to tell you the truth, the dog would be totally useless to the handler and to people like me on the farm if he was at heel. It is in its breeding to travel out around the sheep (or cattle, etc) and be on balance with the handler. It is this natural instinct that makes working dogs so useful on the farm.

Here is a tip for the next time you are walking your dog: give him/her a long lead, give them space to move around a bit and feel comfortable, and then allow them naturally, with loose lead, to come back in beside you when they are comfortable.

You can also use this long lead technique when teaching your dog to come (or if it is at the point where it has stopped coming). When you call its name, ensure it comes every time, with gentle pressure on the end of the lead. Don’t call the dog unless you can make it come because it will only learn to ignore you. Praise, lots of praise, no food, when it comes.

To learn more about the ages and stages of growth of your working-bred dog and to get hands-on techniques to bring it all together, order your copy of Eric's newly released DVD today go to www.workingsheepdogshow.com.

finally:
- breathing slows or ceases
- seizures
- coma

Shave down to about one-inch length, not to the skin, so your dog will still have some protection from the sun. Again, it is essential that you know your breeds because the double coated dogs such as Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies actually have in-built insulation courtesy of their coats, which keeps them cooler in summer and warmer in winter – those breeds should never ever be clipped, apart from a tummy clip if desired.

Provide fans, cool flooring, plenty of shelter from the sun, or air-conditioning. Some long-coated cats may appreciate a clip for summer, whether it’s just the belly or a ‘Poodle’ clip.

On a hot summer day, you may also notice your cat grooming itself more than usual. Cats sweat through their paw pads to cool down, but they also lick themselves, leaving saliva on their fur, which lowers their body temperature as the saliva evaporates. Cats are extremely clever at seeking out cool places to rest during hot weather. Amusingly, you might find them in the sink, bathtub, litter tray, and pot plants, as well as the usual cool floor tiles, in front of a fan or below the air-conditioner – in fact, if you want to find the coolest spot in your house, follow the cat!

Good pet supply stores have a large range of products designed to help pets cool down in our harsh Queensland summers. These include:
- special freezer packs made for pets, automatic water fountains to encourage your pet to drink
- water bowls with iced inserts, and
- toys that can be filled – these keep your dog amused chewing at the same time as it’s cooling down with the melting iced water or frozen snack!

For dogs, there are sun-protecting rash vests as well as cooling bandanas and coats.

Purpose-built pet fans are able to be mounted onto crates, making even a trip to the vet cooler. For optimal pet comfort, there are great pet cooling beds available; some that remain moist for days so they go under the pet’s bedding, and others that are gel-style, and when filled with water, these have a memory-foam-like action to relieve pressure and are therefore especially ideal with older, arthritic pets. Any or all of these products are a great investment for the comfort of your pets throughout many summers to come. And don’t forget the pet sunscreen!

The best approach to heat exhaustion is simply to prevent it by following a few simple rules on hot days: make sure there is always access to clean water and shade, approach exercise slowly – only in the cool of early mornings or late afternoons – and retreat to air-conditioned or fanned areas at first signs of overheating.

Sadly, heat stroke may prove fatal even with emergency treatment so always take precautions throughout summer.

At Christmas, Australians purchase more pets than at any other time of the year. After Christmas, when reality sets in and the cute puppy or kitten is no longer interesting, RSPCA Qld braces itself for a flood of abandoned and surrendered pets.

Make a difference to over 1,000 extra dogs and cats that arrive at RSPCA Qld in December with the RSPCA Qld Wishbone Tree.

Groups will receive a pack of 30 ornaments that each feature a photo of a shelter animal and an accompanying story. On the back of each ornament will be a wish list for each animal e.g. $5 will provide Rover with toys and treats.

There is also an area for Guides to decorate the ornament or write a message before it is hung on the group's Christmas tree! Guides can then fundraise to provide essential items for the animals on their tree or families can make a donation. All groups that participate will receive a thank you gift and a personalised letter from one of the featured shelter animals.

For more information or to register, please call:
07 3426 9932 or 07 3426 9937or email sjohnston@rspcaqld.org.au

RSPCA Qld – Helping Animals. Enlightening People. Changing Lives.

Lori and Michael from Pet Supplies Direct in Harbour Town were the first in the state to introduce a non-profit pet shelter rehoming program and become the AWL's first external rehoming centre.

Last Christmas they rehomed their 1,000th cat! This Christmas...well you'll just have to ask them when you visit them this year. Remember, to bring your pet and have your photo taken with Santa!

Your photos will be made available for viewing online a day or so later, where you can choose and order them from the comfort of your own home.

All photos will be delivered in a beatifully decorated Santa folder.

Where: Shop C57 Harbourtown, Biggera Waters QLD

Time: 10am - 2pm

For more info please contact Lori or Michael at Pet Supplies Direct on 07)5500 - 5435, or Erica from Glamour Puss Pet Photography on 0411-451-131.

The Billabong Play Group is once again sponsoring a 'free baby animal petting farm' on Saturday afternoon, December 12th ONLY, from 3pm to 6pm.

It would introduce piglets, baby lambs, goats and young calves for close up cuddling, as well as other farm animals.

This will give children of all ages the opportunity to interact and learn about these animals.

This is a feature event of the “Treemendous” Christmas Festival, open each day from December 11th to 15th, 2pm to 9pm daily.

Inside, new 2009 displays; eighty theme decorated Christmas trees; Nativity Scene Creative Challenge; Candle Lighting; Live Music; Moreton Bay College Singers.

Outside on campus each evening, the Christmas story, a moving tableau of Christmas lights, forty five metres in length, unfolds with music and dialogue.

On Sunday evening “Follow the Star” Lantern Walks, a procession you can be part of - hundreds of flickering hand held ‘star’ lanterns to light the way; Yellow Cabs Brass Band; Moreton Bay College Singers and a cast of first Christmas characters.

Food will be on sale, including a nightly Sausage Sizzle from 5pm; Christmas Crafts; Face Painting; Gifts on Sale & Children’s Corner. Not just a collection of Christmas trees, but a total visual experience.

Where:
420 Wondall Road, Manly West, QLD, 4179

When:
Sat 12 December 2009

The Poodle Social Group meets at 8am on the last Saturday of each month at the small dog enclosure, Alexander Clark Park, Dewar Dve, LOGANHOLME, QLD.

This is a great place to socialise your poodle with other dogs of the same kind.

They can play and have fun in the safety of the dog enclosure and their owners can enjoy a coffee and a chat while the dogs play so please bring your poodle, your coffee and a chair.

Any enquiries contact Kay: 0409 121 665 or kme7@bigpond.net.au

Bring your pets down to the Coombabah Rehoming Centre for a photo with Santa this December.

Where: Shelter Road, Coombabah
Phone: 07 5509 9000

Stay tuned for further details as they become available!

Visit us at www.awlqld.com.au.

It is said that one cat can kill up to 25 creatures every year and with more than 2.2 million pet cats nationwide, the annual wildlife toll could add up to more than 55 million.

Keeping your cat indoors can also preserve your pet’s life.

“Inside cats can live until 18 or 19 and are much healthier” says President of the Manly Warringah Pittwater Branch of the Animal Welfare League Peggy Brown.

Dr Perissinotto also says cat owners should desex their pets to reduce aggression and wandering, to put a collar with a bell around you cat’s neck and to never dump unwanted cats.

Dr Llewellyn along with the WWF says the greatest threat facing native animals on Australia's islands is introduced pests and experts have gathered for an island symposium.

The week-long symposium provided an important forum to discuss the challenges Australia faces in protecting endangered species on its islands.

"Many mammal species that have become extinct on the mainland have only survived because of these island sanctuaries, which have historically provided refuge against threats on the mainland,” says Dr Llewellyn.

Bird species like the grey-headed albatross is on the verge of extinction on 2 separate islands due to introduced pests.

The documentary will provide great tourism exposure for Queensland as "so many people, millions of people do listen to him (Sir Attenborough) and are inspired by his stories and are inspired to go out there and explore it themselves,” says Daniel Gschwind, the chief executive officer of QTIC.

"It’s publicity you cannot buy and it's publicity that's incredibly worthwhile for us,” he says.

Visit the Magical Scarecrows at www.themagicalscarecrows.com