From: betsy@rainbow.uchicago.edu (Betsy Weatherhead)
Subject: Re: ONE Australian Cattle Dog
Organization: University of Chicago
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 21:35:12 GMT


No, Kathy, I didn't take your comments as a flame, when I was glad that
that the couple looking for a dog for a woman in a wheel chair chose not
to take the Australian Cattle Dog.  I tried to describe that one particular
dog, not the breed in general.  This dog, Bandit (yes, that's his name),
was never taught by his prior owners not to bite.  He's a dog that is
full of energy and is not very responsive to reprimands.  I'm not talking
about the breed, I'm talking about this one two-year-old dog.  

You're right, with a little training he could be a great dog, but I don't
think this woman has had a dog before.  I'm fairly sure she's never raised
or trained one.  Would you agree that he sounds like a handful?  He's
two years old, nips, jumps up on people, and knows no commands, not even
sit.  She specifically didn't want a puppy because she didn't want to have
to housetrain and deal with all of the frenetic energy of a puppy. 
I would imagine it would be hard for her to administer immediate reprimands
to the biting, if she has to pull the dog onto her lap before she can
grab the muzzle and say, "No bite!"  But maybe I'm still ignorant of her
abilities.  I still don't think this was the right dog for her. 

You're also right, that dogs at any shelter would benefit enormously with
obedience training.  They'd be much easier to adopt out, and once adopted
they'd be much more likely to have a permanent loving life.  Unfortunately,
we're generally just keeping our heads above water keeping the place clean,
and the dogs fed and watered.  We're seriously understaffed.  We make about
fifteen minutes every day for each dog, and this is usually spent grooming,
exercising and giving it a little love.  Since it's generally a different
volunteer each day of the week with any one dog, training is difficult--not
impossible, but difficult.

I know you didn't see it this way, but I was actually making a little plug
for Bandit.  So many people are enamored with the breed, that I purposely
mentioned his breed so that someone who may be interested could come and
see him.  I was making his fault, namely that no one has invested time
into training him, clear. I strongly believe that all faults need to be
made clear to any prospective adopter.  But his energy, instinct and
purebreeding are all pluses.  I would recommend him highly to anyone
interested in an ACD.  He's got a lot of the qualities that make people
love about the breed.  

Kathy, by the way, I had made a mental note to e-mail you about him if
he's still there in a month or two.  I remembered from our discussions
about Zoro that you have a litter that you're expecting.  I didn't want
to lean on you at this time. 

So everyone, make no mistakes.  ACD's are great dogs.  And Bandit needs a
home.  (plug, plug, plug)



-- 
                              O             betsy@rainbow.uchicago.edu
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