[nickydwuk]

We will be bringing our 4 dogs with us when we finally make the move (still waiting for OH to make up his mind:rolleyes: ) Apart from having to have dog licences are there any other restrictions such as where they can be taken for walks etc...? In the UK as long as you clear up their mess and keep them on a lead they can be taken anywhere. My OH takes them for a walk on the Downs near where we live and is able to let them off the lead for a run. Can he still do this in NZ?

[Moorf]

Some places do have restrictions, in fact, a lot of places do! Many Dept of Conservation reserves and parks are off limits to dogs - even if on the lead. I believe much of this is done to protect the wildlife and many flightless birds. Sometimes they treat huge areas with poison to kill possum and dogs are banned during those times.

I find many rivers and gorges are fine for dog access and you can always check with DOC to find out if a track or area you want to take the dogs to is on the banned list etc.

There are some fantastic walks too, you just need to ask the local dog control office and they'll be happy to give you info.

There are fines upwards of $300 for being found with a dog in the wrong place (but I know many that risk it based on the theory that it's a big place and they have little chance of being caught).

Most beaches are fine for dogs, and many have "dog restricted" areas during summertime - which is fair enough I think.

There are around 5 "dog exercise" areas within Chch - not sure about other cities but I assume they all have them. Most consist of dog agility equipment and some have woods and rivers.

The usual observations re stock in fields etc applies, as does picking up the poo etc. I know the farmers round here get very twitchy when they see strange dogs around - get to know your farmer/landowning neighbours and they're usually quite happy to let you through their land if you demonstrate your are responsible owner :nice1 - we asked the main guy here and he was more than happy.

Hope that helps a little...

Where are you thinking of moving to? What breeds are the dogs? Lots of us have dogs here :yes

Moorf

[nickydwuk]

We're hopefully moving near Timaru - possibly Geraldine. We have 3 rottweilers and a border terrier. They may look fierce and dangerous but they are pussycats really :)

[jubjub]

Awww.. what cute pics...

Have a look on the website of the local council for the area you want to live, they are quite specific (normally) as to what you can and cant do. As you have more than two dogs, you will prob need to apply for another licence too, as within our council, they only allow 2 per property unless you get special permission.

Good luck, I dont envy you the bill for their airfares! (our collie was bad enough at nearly £1700!)

[veronica]

In Christchurch, we had to apply for a licence to have more than one dog, the inspector comes out and checks the place is fenced and theres enough space for the number of dogs. they also wanted to see kennels but we explained that the dogs live in the house!! no big drama though we have a largeish house on 1/4 acre but only the back garden is available for the dogs and they are both large dogs. Can't answer for other areas.

[Moorf]

Aww cuties - look Veronica - mini Chippies! (one of V's dogs is called Chippie and look like your cuties!)

[nickydwuk]

I have received quotes of between £7500 & £10000 to transport them not including vets fees - thats more than us four and our container together:eek:

[veronica]

yep sounds about right, we bought two dogs over both good sized, and it was just under 5k sterling. was worth it though.

[nickydwuk]

I have read all the restrictions from the local councils and as we hope to settle in Geraldine near Timaru I was hoping someone could tell me where we can take our dogs for a run (off the lead) without getting a fine that is away from the general public and other dogs? Or is this not possible:confused:

[Moorf]

Hi again,

I found this Policy document from Timaru council - they are the council responsible for Geraldine as you probably have already found out. Not sure if you'd seen this document as it does contain a list of areas dogs are banned from in Geraldine, along with a list of dog exercise areas.

Places are very well signposted with regards to dog access. Some require them to be on leads and some, as with a local waterfall area near Oxford are quite precise - the sign there reads, in big letters "ABSOLUTELY NO DOGS ALLOWED".

However, you'll soon find local spots where dogs can go, and other dog owners are a great source for secret spots!! Yes, there are restrictions but it's not overly restrictive ;)

Sometimes they do shut down dog areas as they put down possum poison - it's always well signposted and you are told when it's safe for them to go back in - usually 4 months or so.

Here's the doc I referred to above: http://www.timaru.govt.nz/pdf/dogs/policydocumentdogcontrolact1996doc_20897.pdf

You might also try emailing Timaru council, they might well send you a list of local places you can take your dog... or the Dept of Conservation may help.

Hope that helps a bit!

Helen

[veronica]

I notice that you say where there are not other dogs, are your dogs not sociable with others then.... will be difficult if they aren't.

[nickydwuk]

No - my dogs are really pussycats but they are big and if another dog takes a dislike to one of them it would be very difficult to stop them from retaliating. If they are off the lead at the time there would be no way of controlling them. Where we take them at present there are other dogs but not very often and we are able to put them on the lead before they get too close. It is more for their benefit as ours. We don't want to keep having to call them over and putting the leads on so restriciting the chnace for them to have a good run. There are restrictions in the UK but we have found a good place to take them - my OH is just concerned that we would not be able to find a similar place in NZ.

[Lupin]

but they are big and if another dog takes a dislike to one of them it would be very difficult to stop them from retaliating. If they are off the lead at the time there would be no way of controlling them

:exit

Sorry but as a dog owner for eleven years I find that comment pretty unnerving. A properly trained dog will respond to a voice command. Farmers and LSB owners have real problems with sheep and goats etc being attacked by out of control dogs so it might be worth your while trying to sort out the problem now.

[nickydwuk]

:exit

A properly trained dog will respond to a voice command. Farmers and LSB owners have real problems with sheep and goats etc being attacked by out of control dogs so it might be worth your while trying to sort out the problem now.

Our dogs are not out of control - our concern is that if another dog approaches them and 'has a go' at them, due to their size if they are not on the lead it may be difficult to stop them retaliating. A while ago a dog did just that to one of mine - we were really proud of him as he did not go for the other dog he just barked and growled and went to snap at it. He is now very wary of other dogs and gives them a warning growl if they get too near. They have never attacked another dog and I don't think they would.

Where we walk them is near a farm and we quite often have to walk past and through a field with cows - they have never chased them - in fact we have been chased by the cows :laugh . I just wanted to know if there were similar areas to where we go now that we could take them.

[Trigirl]

under current legislation if your dog rushes at another dog and causes it to be injured (note that your dog doesn't actually have to hurt it - causes injury can be due to the other dog running away) then you are liable for a $3k fine and your dog can be destroyed. if your dog seriously injures a person or kills any protected wildlife that fine goes up to $20k. following recent incidents that legislation can only get more strict rather than less. its well worth investing in a bit of training i think!

[veronica]

I know what you mean by avoiding other dogs and like you, as a more than one dog owner, its being careful to avoid the "pack" issue. nobody can totally control another animal/s. They do think for themselves and will obey instinct in a crisis. And they are big dogs to manage. We have a smallish rotti X and a labX huntaway who is large (and at 13 months old still a bit unruly) and they are bad enough. the best thing would probably walk them at unsociable times or buy a big enough piece of land to run them on. Having said that we often go to the beach to walk them and don't see another soul, when that happens we have a very disappointed pup, chippie the older dog is happy to play but doesn't look out for other dogs the way the younger one does. So much depends on where you end up living but if the dogs are part of your family your choice of locale will reflect that.

[Moorf]

:exit

Sorry but as a dog owner for eleven years I find that comment pretty unnerving. A properly trained dog will respond to a voice command. Farmers and LSB owners have real problems with sheep and goats etc being attacked by out of control dogs so it might be worth your while trying to sort out the problem now.

I have to agree with Lupin here. A dog that is seen to be unpredictable and unruly could be a real problem here, when a farmer allows you to walk through his land with a dog he expects the owner to be in total command.

If your dog decides to take after stock, or even, as we've been told "alters the behaviour of a herd/flock" he can, and will, shoot it. Much like the area we lived in in Scotland. I'm afraid there's no excuse. If you will be living in Geraldine or the surrounding areas you'd be wise to get the dogs training up to scratch - for the sake of your dogs as much as your own. There are lots of training classes and agility clubs which also might be a great way of meeting others in the area :nice1

We have a particularly grumpy sheep farmer living locally who is known to be "funny" about dogs that aren't working dogs. He gives me the evil eye if Summer is off the lead - even though Summer sticks to me like glue and will stop, turn, sit, down, heel etc from huge distances.. I know he's waiting for that one chance to catch her.... he's told us as much!!

As for other stretches of land we walk on I was lucky enough to meet the landowners when I worked at the local garage and I simply asked them if I could walk their tracks (not across paddocks, obviously!).

Dogs on the beaches, if you're walking them at times when the beaches aren't deserted, are often off-lead. It's a great place for dogs to socialise. Some owners are obviously wary and do walk them on lead but you can't stop other dogs coming over to "greet" them....

What sort of places do you currently walk them in the UK?

Moorf

[stu70]

Beautiful dogs you have, wow! While on the topic, could anyone provide some numbers for vet fees involved in getting all the steps done needed for a dog and a cat for the move to NZ from North America? Our vet has never done a thing like this and she will more than likely take us for a ride if we don't have some comparable figures. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[nickydwuk]

In the UK we have a range of hills near us called 'the Downs'. This is like a nature reserve but is used by the public for walking with or without dogs and some kids use areas of it for motorbiking. Part of the area is owned by a farm but has footpaths that we can use. The farmers cattle roam freely over the downs. Quite often we can walk the dogs and not see anyone - at other times we could meet walkers, runners and other dogs as well as cows...... We have never had a problem with our dogs coming when called when we see other dogs or people near by but we are aware that dogs are unpredictable so are cautious and get them on the leads when we get near others (if possible) as they are big dogs and people do get nervous and scaerd of them - I don't know why they would run a mile if you rustled a paper bag at them:)

[Ana&Steve]

Beautiful dogs you have, wow! While on the topic, could anyone provide some numbers for vet fees involved in getting all the steps done needed for a dog and a cat for the move to NZ from North America? Our vet has never done a thing like this and she will more than likely take us for a ride if we don't have some comparable figures. Any help will be greatly appreciated.They need to have a rabies shot and then 3 weeks later blood drawn and sent to a certain lab, i think it's in Kansas. The test is called a rabies titer. Maybe that will help your vet. BTW, the titer was $260us PER cat! so budget for it.
Ana

[Ana&Steve]

I know what you mean by avoiding other dogs and like you, as a more than one dog owner, its being careful to avoid the "pack" issue. nobody can totally control another animal/s. They do think for themselves and will obey instinct in a crisis. And they are big dogs to manage. We have a smallish rotti X and a labX huntaway who is large (and at 13 months old still a bit unruly) and they are bad enough. the best thing would probably walk them at unsociable times or buy a big enough piece of land to run them on. Having said that we often go to the beach to walk them and don't see another soul, when that happens we have a very disappointed pup, chippie the older dog is happy to play but doesn't look out for other dogs the way the younger one does. So much depends on where you end up living but if the dogs are part of your family your choice of locale will reflect that.I have seen the pack mentality overtake the sweetest dogs in the world, with very sad (and bloody) results. It's mostly caused by the the victim running away or falling. Don't want to butt in too much and tell you how to raise your kids, nickydwuk, but could you take all 4 out on a leash, and if there are other animals/distractions about, only let one off the lead at a time for a run until you can find a deserted beach to your liking?
I know we've all read about really isolated places in NZ, it's just a matter of finding them. I hope someone who knows Timaru can point you to what you are looking for.
Ana

[nickydwuk]

I have seen the pack mentality overtake the sweetest dogs in the world, with very sad (and bloody) results. It's mostly caused by the the victim running away or falling. Don't want to butt in too much and tell you how to raise your kids, nickydwuk, but could you take all 4 out on a leash, and if there are other animals/distractions about, only let one off the lead at a time for a run until you can find a deserted beach to your liking?
Ana


What we would probably do is just take two out at a time -probably early in the morning or late in the evening to begin with - until we find a suitable place where the three big ones can run together. My little border terrier normally stays on the lead as he is really fast and like most terriers once he gets a scent he is off and nothing will stop him:rolleyes: I sometimes think dogs are more trouble than kids - except they don't answer you back, demand the most expensive trainers or leave their clothes laying around (although the occasional packet from the puppy is not unusual!!!)

[Klipa]

It's good to know other people are putting as much thought into location based on their pups. We have 3....all of which are used to long off-leash runs on a daily basis....but not at all used to livestock yet....so we will have to be very careful about where we choose to walk them. I'm sure we will find some "secret" locations in time but in the meantime, they will stay on a leash unless at the beach with no cows/sheep in sight!

My solution for our little husky is to harness her up and run with her...or on a lazy day run her beside me on a harness while I ride my bike....she loves it.

I have probably spent more time looking up dog-friendly areas in our two choices of location than anything else as well as "well-fenced properties"!

As for the costs from North America....we paid just over $600 for three rabies titre tests (after the cost of the vaccinations) and will have to pay this again within 30 days of leaving. There are other costs involved but I think this is the worst as far as the vet stuff. Flights and quarantine are another story!

[Ana&Steve]

I sometimes think dogs are more trouble than kids - except they don't answer you back, demand the most expensive trainers or leave their clothes laying around (although the occasional packet from the puppy is not unusual!!!:p Now if only they could go to college to become doctors and support your retirement!
Ana

[nickydwuk]

:laugh :laugh If only ..........................

[annie abercrombie]

We have recently got a retired greyhound from Greyhounds as Pets. He is only3 years old and would be put down if not rehomed this way. He is a complete woss and is very gentle with children and cats. However, when he meets the other greyhounds for a beach run reunion, they all have to wear muzzles as when in a pack, their competitive spirit takes over and they try and nip each other. We are taking him to agility classes which is hysterical. He is 30kg and has been put in the puppy class as he has been taught NOT to sit as a racing dog. We are working on recall with him but at 60kmph - if he runs - we sure are not chasing after him!

I have noticed a large number of places he is not allowed in the summer in peak hours - 11am - 6pm that sort of timing. Lots of places he can go only on the lead.

I think the recent problems with dog biting and mauling people to death here has made everyone who does not own a dog suspicious of anything except tiny dogs.

It is certainly not as dog-tolerant as the UK I think but we didn't have a dog there so I am only basing this on other peoples' comments.