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Author
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Topic: We got a dog
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Yin
Knowflake Posts: 480
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted December 18, 2006 10:22 AM
 
I got an australian cattle dog. She is a handful. Anybody has one of those?This is what she would look like fully grown:
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Nephthys
Moderator Posts: 68
From: California
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted December 18, 2006 12:47 PM
Congratulations! What did you name her? Make her a page on Dogster!IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 480
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted December 18, 2006 02:45 PM
We named her Aussie. She turns 4 months today.
She is not completely housebroken yet 
She listens when she wants to listen.
The more I read about those dogs, the sooner I want to sign her up for obedience classes.
They are very willful and stubborn. They also have a lot of energy and are very smart - they need to have a job to do.
I am super excited though - this is my first dog ever!Does anyone have any housebreaking tips?
I cannot use paper for her designated space - she rips it apart into a million pieces. She is getting better about giving us signs that she needs to go (Or maybe I'm just getting better at reading her  ) She barks a lot and gets "upset" when I say "no" to her - she barks right back. I guess she is still testing us and trying to dominate - she would start barking like crazy if she sees anyone eating. She also nips at everybody ankles 
She herds everything too.
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Randall
Webmaster Posts: 508
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted December 20, 2006 12:53 PM
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"There is no use trying," said Alice; "one can't believe impossible things." "I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." Lewis Carroll IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 480
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted December 27, 2006 07:25 PM
Our pooch is now on Dogster.
Just follow the link: Aussie's page
Man, her ears look gigantic in the picture!IP: Logged |
artlovesdawn
unregistered
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posted January 12, 2007 07:36 AM
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Nephthys
Moderator Posts: 68
From: California
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted January 12, 2007 01:04 PM
She is really cute! Is that you holding her? Jasmine just gave her a Rosette! IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 480
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted January 22, 2007 02:02 PM
Oh wow, artlovesdawn, thank you so much for taking the time to type all that up.
Living with a dog is definitely not what I expected.
See, this is my first dog and a puppy at that. I've always had cats. Cats I know how to do - dogs are so much different!
Anyhow, I an getting used to her - I even like the doggy smell now.
She goes to puppy school every Saturday now and she is making great progress.
I will have to post more pictures of her when I get the chance.Nephthys, no, that's not me in the picture - it's somebody I work with.
I'm a girl 
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Gemini Nymph
unregistered
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posted January 23, 2007 02:12 AM
I love ACDs. They're one of my favorite breeds,a dn I've worked with them before. This is the kind of puppy I'm thinking about getting in the next year. I want a blue male myself.These are considered a feral breed. That means they aren't as "bred" as other breeds, so they retain some more "raw" canine personality traits, like aloofness, strong pack behavior, and even aggression. ACDs tend to be very independant and smart, which means they can be a handful for an owner who isn't going to be a good strong pack leader for them. Typically ACDs are "one person" dogs - they are fiercely loyal to their owner, adn suspicious of anyone else. However, most breeders either socialize their ACDs from a young age so this less apparent, or they have not maintained pure breeding lines, introducing "friendlier" blood from other breed to make freindlier pups that are easier to sell. Regardless, because ACDs are a feral breed, you cannot take your bond with them for granted- it regularly need to be reinforced, or the dog may end becoming too aloof to respect you. ACDs are know for being good problem solvers. That means they can get into things very easily, so be sure to dog-proof your house and yard. They also need a lot of mental stimulation as well as exercise - they do very well at agilty sports and learn some very complex, intelligent tricks, if you're willing to train them. ACDs often learn by your own example, and may start doign things they learn just by watching you - that is how smart these dgos can be. However, it's important you care for your ACD mental state as much as his phsyical state, because a bored ACD is going to be trouble. This is when they get destructive and prove to be better escape artists than Houdini. I think these are a great breed - I personally like feral bred more than more "civilized" dogs, because the bond they form with you is so intense and unique. They aren't bred to automatically adore you like many other breeds - you have to earn and maintain that trust. Good luck with yours! IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 480
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted January 23, 2007 08:08 AM
Hi Gemini Nymph,
A feral breed? Boy, that sounds scary.
She is quite dominant and pinning her to the floor and showing her who the boss is has become a routine now.
We have to be pretty vigilant with her too.
She does get into everything if left unsupervised.
I want to start agility training with her as soon as she is ready - I read that would be after she turns 1 year, because her bones right now aren't fully developed.Do you have any tips on how to raise an ACD? In our puppy class there is another ACD and that thing is vicious! When we get to the play time at the end of the class, the other ACD chases and barks up a storm at the other dogs. Her hair stands straight up on her neck!
I think they don't socialize her as we socialize Aussie. We go to the doggie park all the time and have her meet other dogs, which she usually tries to herd but nevertheless she plays with.
Aussie is great with people and children too, maybe just a little nippier than I would like her to be.
But yes, to agree with you, she needs a lot of discipline.
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Lindaland
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