There would be few Australians who do not recognise a Guide Dog and acknowledge its right to accompany its owner onto public transport and into stores or restaurants.
Neither so well known nor as identifiable are the “Hearing Dogs” which alert their hearing impaired owners to a variety of sounds.
Hearing Dogs are often smaller crossbreeds obtained from animal welfare shelters after careful assessment of their temperament and trainability.
After months of intensive training using positive reinforcement methods, the dogs are carefully matched with a hearing impaired person.
A Hearing Dog alerts its owner to sounds through the use of its body. It may run back and forth between its owner and the sound or it may physically lead the owner to the sound source.
A Hearing Dog is trained to let its owner know when:
• The phone rings
• The doorbell buzzes
• There’s a knock at the door
• The smoke alarm sounds
• The alarm clock rings
• The kitchen timer sounds
• Its owner’s name is called
In response to either a smoke alarm or alarm clock, a Hearing Dog is taught to jump onto a bed or couch and alert a sleeping person using either a nose nudge or some other form of physical contact.
Because a Hearing Dog is able to alert the owner to the presence of others nearby it is also able to assist in providing a strong sense of security.
A Hearing Dog may also relieve some of the stress associated with communicating to hearing individuals and help the hearing impaired person socialize more effectively and freely. The dog may increase self confidence and esteem as they rely less on others for basic support.
Companionship is another positive aspect of a Hearing Dog with many owners and their dogs sharing a very special bond of friendship and trust.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Have you heard of hearing dogs?
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Dog in a Ute
April 5, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The 2008 Royal Easter Show
March 20 – April 2, 2008
All creatures great and small are waiting to meet you at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show.
From baby bunnies to huge horses, animals of all shapes and sizes are making an appearance.
Get up close to the action during a performance or learn about various breeds in one of the many interactive displays including:
• Grand Parade and Horses – one of the traditional highlights of the show
• The Sunday Telegraph Animal Walk – entertaining, educational and interactive. Suitable for all ages, but particularly great for the kids
• Dairy Farmers Farmyard Nursery – hugely popular – baby bunnies, cuddly calves, little lambs and perfect piglets.
• Milking Barn and Working Dairy – interact with the animals first hand; learn about milk production and dairy farming.
• Dog and Cat Shows – over 3000 dogs strutting their stuff and lots of kittens, cats and laughter.
• Yard Dogs – watch gifted animals working and performing at the Show with demonstrations running throughout the 14 days.
• Dog Flyball – an exciting spectator sport that draws massive crowds to cheer on the dogs while they race.
• Shearing Demonstrations – fun and fast world champion shearers will be showcasing their skills every day at the show in exciting displays.
• Chook Washing – good, clean fun! Watch these cheeky chooks be preened and styled to look their very best.
The Royal Easter Show is internationally renowned for being fun, energetic and educational! So why not take the family? They’ll love you for it!
For more information click here.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Aussie workers - a dog for the job
Unlike other domesticated animals put to work or used for food production, dogs have a unique position in our lives, as faithful companion and best friend. We usually own them simply because we love them, they need serve no other purpose, however there are dogs who are trained to perform specialised tasks and whose services to man cannot be overlooked.
In Australia the most common working dogs are those that work with livestock. Australia has developed breeds of dogs, the Australian Kelpie and Australian Cattle Dog and the Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog to work in our unique climate and conditions. Of sheep dogs, the Kelpie is one of the best in the world. A good Kelpie can do the work of six men. As Australian as a kangaroo, the Australian Kelpie has a natural instinct and aptitude for the working of sheep, both in open country or in yards, and is renowned for the way in which he runs over the sheep’s backs.
A “true blue” Aussie, the Australian Cattle Dog’s prime function is the movement and control of cattle in both confined and wide, open spaces. Always alert, extremely intelligent, watchful and courageous, this breed is a tribute to the ability of the Australian stockmen who knew what they wanted in a cattle dog and set about producing it.
The rarer Stumpy was bred to do similar work to his better known cousin, the Australian Cattle Dog, and his courage and tenacity are second to none. He has a distinctive appearance that led to his unusual name as he has a gene for a natural bob tail.
Not all Australian breeds were developed to work sheep and cattle. The Australian Terrier evolved from a variety of British terriers that had been brought out to Australia by settlers. Specifically bred for Australian conditions, this hard-bitten tough little terrier was used for everything from guarding the farms and mines to hunting, and killing rats and snakes. Believed to be basically a cross between the Australian Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier, the Australian Silky Terrier was bred to fill the need for a small terrier which would be suited to life in a small house or cottage but, at the same time, would be effective in hunting and killing domestic rodents.
It is important to remember that not all working dogs can adjust well to suburban, backyard living. Extremely active dogs such as sheep and cattle dogs often become bored if they have little to occupy them. If you want a working dog as a pet, it is important to consider how well they will adapt to your environment. If you are not sure seek advice from your vet and other people experienced in dog breeds.
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