Announcements

• Dogs best for sick kids
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin January 1

  The warm eyes and wagging tail of a pet dog better reduces anxiety than toy animals or friendly people, a European study has found.

   

  Click here to read the full story or viit the dogtree forum to have your say.

• Eulogy for Mellie, Turnbull family dog
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin December 19, 2011

  Malcolm Turnbull asks why we love dogs so much after the death of his beloved family terrier, Mellie.

  Click here to read the story

• Wolf-to-dog transition 'natural'
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin December 19, 2011

  It had little to do with humans, an ancient skull suggests.

  A Canadian researcher who specialises in the biology of ancient dogs co-authored one of the most significant studies of the year in canine science: a paper detailing the world’s earliest evidence of an animal in transition from wild wolf to domesticated dog.

  Click here to read

• Catvertising takes over
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin November 16, 2011

• How smart is your dog?
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin November 9, 2011

  Participate in an exciting Australian study about dogs and our perceptions about their intelligence. The aim is to determine whether people attribute different cognitive abilities to dogs than what has been shown in the scientific literature to exist. The university researchers will also determine whether, in the case of dog owners, the attachment level of the owner to their dog affects their beliefs about dogs’ cognitive capabilities.

  Click here to access the survey

• Dogs and cancer
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin November 8, 2011

  An interesting article about dogs and cancer from the Courier Mail

  Click here to read

• Stop dog fighting in Indonesia
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin November 3, 2011

  

  Organised dog fighting is on the rise globally, and particularly in Indonesia. At a local level, the breeding, ownership, and promotion of gamebred pitbulls is at an all time high.

  Sign this petition to help put an end to this unconscionable, abusive and cruel blood sport.

• Run doggies run!
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin November 3, 2011

  Variety, the Children's Charity is dedicated to empowering Australian children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs. The funds raised from the Santa Fun Run, on November 27, will enable Variety to provide hundreds of children with specialised epquipment they urgently need. Dogs are welcome too, so you can get involved, with your hound :)

  www.varietysantafunrun.com.au for more info.

• Welcoming our new friends
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin October 23, 2011

  This month is a very exciting month for us here at dogtree, as we introduce our very first sponsor! We are very proud to be affiliated with dog food auto-delivery service, Paws For Life, a new company which will change the way you buy dog food. Paws for Life takes the pain out of shopping.  Simply select your favorite dog food,  specify your preferred delivery dates, place your order and then sit back and and relax. They deliver to your doorstep - on time, every time. Paws for Life stocks all your favorite brands, and they also have a fantastic charity program helping rescue shelters, which means you can shop and support dogs in need at the same time. Brilliant!!!  So it’s cause for celebration all round. Check out their site at www.pawsforlife.com.au

• Mirrors food study - get involved!
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin September 30, 2011

   

  

  A PhD student at Monash University is conducting a study into dog behaviour and needs your help. The study will look at whether dogs can use a mirror to find hidden food. If you have a dog at least 18 months old, and are willing to come to Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, email tiffani.howell@monash.edu for more information.

  Image: aopsan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

• PetNet TV
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin September 24, 2011

• Cesar's back in town
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin September 20, 2011

  Internationally renowned dog behaviour expert and star of The Bio Channel’s Dog Whisperer returns to Australia with a brand new seminar. Cesar will share his secrets on how to transform dogs and their owners in his new live event, being held in Sydney in November. Cesar reveals that the secret to happier, healthier relationships between humans and their canine companions starts with transforming ourselves.

  Love him or hate him, Cesar is here to stay, and he's certainly harnessed a massive following around the world, including right here in Australia. Join our discussion forum to share your thoughts - good and bad - on the controversial superstar.

• Petfest
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin September 18, 2011

  

  Anyone heading to Petfest today? Enter your pet in a fashion parade or dance lessons, take advantage of free microchipping or let your kids enjoy free pony rides, the animal farm and other activities at PetFest 2011.

  This fun day out for pet lovers and their pets will feature stalls, displays, educational activities and free entertainment.

  Entry is a gold coin donation to raise money for local pet rescue organisations.

  Holroyd Gardens is on the corner of Pitt and Walpole Streets, Merrylands.

• Help stop puppy farms
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin September 11, 2011

  A puppy farm (also known as a puppy factory or puppy mill) is an intensive dog breeding facility that is operated under conditions that fail to meet the dogs’ behavioural, social and/or physiological needs. Puppy farms are usually large-scale commercial operations, but inadequate conditions may also exist in small volume breeding establishments which may or may not be run for profit.

  RSPCA Australia considers puppy farming to be a significant national animal welfare issue. As such, the organisation is running a campaign to help bring an end to puppy farming in Australia.

  To find out how you can help, visit their campaign website here.

  To learn more, watch the above video of a puppy farm seizure.

• Surfing bulldogs
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin September 11, 2011

  Check out this amazing video of three surf-loving bulldogs.

• Pete Murray CD giveaway!
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin September 3, 2011

  

  As spring has now sprung, the kind folks at Sony music have given us 10 copies of Pete Murray’s new album, Blue Sky Blue to give away. To be in the running for this great prize, all you have to do is send us a photo of your dog enjoying some “Blue Sky Blue” moments this week! Click here to post your photos.
  

  Entries close Sunday September 11, and resident dogtree cat Finnee will announce the winners on Monday September 12. Good luck and happy snapping!

• Happy Tails Day
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin August 28, 2011

  If you have a pet or just love animals then Friday 7 October is the pawfect time to show your love for all creatures great and small. Simply purchase merchandise from the RSPCA's exclusive Happy Tails Day range during September and October.

  You can also support the RSPCA by selling merchandise in your workplace, school or community. If you would like to sell merchandise for the RSPCA this Happy Tails Day, visit www.rspca.org.au

  This year's range of merchandise includes plush toys, lapel pins, charm bracelets, key rings and pens.

  All money raised from Happy Tails Day helps the RSPCA care for rescue animals.

• Hot Topic: Pit bulls
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin August 28, 2011

  It's been more than a week since four-year-old Ayen Chol was mauled to death by a pit bull crossbreed that was not registered. The tragic incident has sparked fierce debate about the breed, and the Victorian Government plans to change the Crimes Act allowing owners to be held criminally responsible for their dog's behaviour. Have your say here.

• Looking for friends?
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin August 28, 2011

  Be proactive Placing a classified ad is a good start, but also try directly contacting dogs who you think might be a suitable match. The Search tool is easy to use and will help you find dogs in your suburb. You can even search by size or breed to narrow down your perfect match. Click Members in the top menu bar, then type in your postcode and other requirements, like the size of the dog you are looking for, or breed. Then click Search. Browse through the results and if you see a dog you like, send them a private message outlining your doggy date proposal. Many members have arranged doggy dates with a neighbour's dog a couple of days a week, alternating between backyards. It means their dogs aren't lonely while you go off to work, and you can feel good knowing your pooch is happy socialising with her new pal.

  No members in your postcode?

  Try broadening your search. Leave all fields blank, apart from suburb or postcode. If there are no members in your area, then help us spread the word!

  We have promotional posters and business cards which we will send out to you to display in a local vet clinic, wiating room, pet shop or even a cafe notice board. If you think you can help, message us here with your name and postal address. And lastly, keep checking in to see who has joined. You never know, your dog's perfect match might be online right now!

  Best wishes Britt and Bear

• Dog Victoria's response to attack
  Posted by dogtreeAdmin August 21, 2011

  DOGS Victoria is shocked and saddened to hear about the tragic dog attack that resulted in the death of a child. It is so important to educate dog owners about their responsibility not only to their own family but to their community.

  It is the belief of the organisation that the answer to put an end to dog-related incidents is education. Dog owners need to be educated as does every person who comes into contact with a dog.
  “Every dog benefits from consistent and positive obedience training. Even small dogs can bite,” says DOGS Victoria President, Peter Frost. “However, the larger and stronger the dog, the more important it is for it to be well socialised.”
  “DOGS Victoria does not believe in judging a dog based on its breed alone. However, just as when an individual person commits a crime and goes to jail, when an individual dog displays aggressive behaviour it should be dealt with immediately,” explains Mr Frost.
  “Our organisation’s responsible breeders take into account not only a dog’s physical appearance, but genetic health as well as temperament. If a dog is not ideal in all of these categories, it should not be bred with and should be desexed to prevent any accidental breeding.”
  Before purchasing or adopting a dog, you should ask yourself if you can meet the dog’s needs. This includes not only food, water, shelter and love, but also appropriate training and fencing. If you can’t commit to the requirements of a particular breed or type of dog, then consider a different one.