Fortunate Contest

The numbers of Gouldian Finches have diminished rather rapidly during the 20th century. Their habitat has been reduced or altered. Early research showed a parasite called air sac mite, was responsible for the decline of the Gouldian. However, this idea has been ruled out. In general, The Lady Gouldian Finch is susceptible to diseases and viral infections. Their exquisite colors mean that they are easily killed by predatory animals. Fires are listed as the #1 threat to the natural populations. The total amount of Gouldian finches all told is not low, however, because they are among the most popular pet birds, and are bred in captivity for the pet trade.

Actions have been taken and are underway to implement a recovery plan to recover and conserve its natural habitats, such as building protective fencing to prevent damage by cattle. Attempts at reintroduction have so far proved unsuccessful; it was also suggested to develop management guidelines for land-holders about appropriate land management, promoting the recovery program and Gouldian Finche preservation.

Although often bred in a colony in captivity, in the wild The Gouldian is not a settlement bird. However, out of the mating time of year it assembles in flocks often a mixed flock consisting of Longtail Finches, Masked Finches and Gouldians. This is probably a defence against predation. Flocks used to consist of up to 1000″2000 individuals. During the breeding season they are usually found on rough scree slopes where vegetation is sparse. In the dry season they are more nomadic and will move to wherever there is food and water.

For example, “Come here! You dumb dog.” Why would the dog want to come back if it left for a reason and is it laughing at you for calling it dumb?

Your new puppy is now at its new home. Checking out its new home, it has its first accident. You scold the puppy, “bad dog!” It’s time to go to bed. The puppy is put on its new bed to sleep that you got especially for it. It cries and cries. You have been told to put an alarm clock beside the puppy in its bed so it will think the clock ticking is the heart beat of its mother. This doesn’t work. Next, the hot water bottle, it will think the bottle is the warmth of its mother and will be content and go to sleep. That idea doesn’t work either. You need to get some sleep but there is no way to sleep with a new puppy crying. Next plan, pick it up, cuddle and talk to it. Finally, it goes to sleep so you lay it back down in its bed. You are awakened by the pitiful whimpering of a baby. Picking up the puppy again, holding it close to you on your chest. It is now quiet and asleep. You fall asleep also.

Hurry! Get to the door. Whoops! Too late. Another accident. It’s not really the puppy’s fault. You slept in to late because you were tired from not getting enough sleep. It had to go and couldn’t get to the door quick enough. The day goes on trying to get it out each time it squats or acts like it has to go outside. Each day is a new task, both you and the puppy are learning. It has learned that going to the door and scratching on it with its paw will get him out and in when it wants. It becomes a constant thing and you are wearing yourself out going back and forth to the door. You put your foot down and say, “That’s enough, in or out?”

When it comes to playing, dogs are always ready. Most dogs love to play ball. You throw the balls, the dog runs for the ball. “Bring it here.” You say. The dog gets the ball and brings it part way back. You are now chasing the dog in order to get the ball from it. It runs around while you chase it and then it drops it when you finally get to it. You throw the ball again. The dog does the same thing. You chase him again to get the ball. You throw it one more time, the dog runs but you decide that the dog is just not getting it so you give up. The dog comes over to you with the ball and drops it at your feet. Who’s the dumb one here?

Let’s go get the mail. The dog decides it wants to help carry the mail in. You give it a piece of junk to carry. You figure the dog will chew it up anyway. It carries the mail proudly in the house and drops it on the floor. Pretty darn smart, huh? Each day it carries in a piece of mail right in the house. One day, instead of carrying the mail in the house, it decides to veer off from the back steps and take the mail in the back yard. The chase is on, catch me if you can. It’s time to have some fun with momma.

The sun is shinning through the window in the living room while you are enjoying having your morning coffee. Your dog comes in the living room with something white in its mouth. It has dad’s socks. You tell it to bring the socks to you. It comes almost within reach and then turns sharply to the left. You call the dog again. It comes almost close enough for you to touch the socks and it jerks back again. Finally, it brings the socks to you. That’s one way to get attention.

Now it is time to leave the dog by itself in the house. First time will be for a short time. Your dog goes to the door as you are leaving but you tell it that it has to stay. It looks confused and pitiful standing there. You hate to leave it by itself but know you have to teach it that it will have to stay by itself some times. You are only gone a half hour. When you return the toilet paper is strung the whole length of the house. The book you had been reading, left on the couch, now looks like it has gone through a shredder. It has to be scolded. It isn’t allowed on the furniture but after leaving it the next time, you only pretend to leave. You pretend to lock the door and go outside. Opening and closing the car door so it thinks you are leaving, you go to the window and look inside. Your dog has decided to make itself at home and have a seat up on the couch. You run in the house quickly in order to catch it on the couch. Your dog is standing on the floor looking at you and wagging its tail.

Some people believe in reincarnation. Some people believe that when you are reincarnated that you come back as a dog. Some times when you talk to your dog, it seems to know what you are saying. Anything is possible but dogs are not so dumb, are they?

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Along with the two main mistakes a novice exhibitor makes, that
of holding the show lead in two hands instead of one, and of
taking tiny little mincing steps when gaiting his dog, there are
many small things, not exactly mistakes, which should be pointed
out in order to improve handling. These are not in any
particular order of importance, for when it comes right down to
fine points, they are all important.

1. When showing your dog, use a firm hand — firm but not rough.
The rough handling, if you have a hard-headed dog, should be
done at home during the training period, certainly not in the
show ring. Occasionally it may be necessary to reprimand a dog
in the ring if he seems to have forgotten all his training, but
when it is necessary, you should speak harshly to him, perhaps
using a few light taps where they will do the most good. The
gasp that goes up around the ringside whenever a dog is loudly
spanked in the ring, even though the dog is not hurt, will
convince you that I am correct.

It is necessary that you acquire a firm hand so that the dog
knows what you expect of him. A wishy-washy touch with a dog is
as bad as a wishy-washy handshake. The limp handshake might lose
you an expected friend and a too-light touch with a dog might
lose you an expected ribbon.

2. Don’t get down on both knees when you pose your dog. In order
to get out of this position you must shift all your weight to
one knee while you are bringing the other foot into position to
stand on it. Frequently you lose your balance getting out of
this position. I will admit that sitting on your heels during a
large class is better than having nothing to sit on, but in the
long run you will find the position has more drawbacks than it
has comfort.

In showing a great many breeds you will be standing upright all
of the time, but if you must get down lower, try the squat, or
try placing only one knee on the ground and keep the other leg
bent. Whichever you choose, keep your back as straight as
possible. Either of these two positions allows you to get on
your feet quickly and gracefully without the danger of losing
your balance.

3. When you are in the show ring, don’t waste your time looking
aimlessly around. While waiting for the class to begin, glance
at your dog frequently to be sure he has not assumed a grotesque
pose or that he is not getting into some mischief with another
dog while you are staring into space.

While the dog is in a show pose, check on him frequently to be
sure he has not stepped into a less attractive stance. If he is
maintaining the correct pose, don’t fuss with him. Unless there
is something that needs correcting, don’t spoil the picture your
dog is making by nervous fussing with him which will accomplish
nothing.

4. If you are showing your dog at a summer show out in the
broiling hot sun and you are entered in a very large class which
must, of necessity, take the judge a long time to do, here is a
little tip. For you, as the handler, there is no way out of it,
but you could try to cast a shadow with your body to give your
dog a little comfort while waiting for the judge.

If it is a very large class, don’t pose your dog until the judge
is just two or three dogs away from yours. Your dog will be just
a little less tired of it all when the judge gets to him, and
these little things count quite a lot in hot competition.

These four tips come from years of personal experience, and even
professional dog handlers often overlook them. Just remember
these easy pieces of advice, and your showing will go smoother
but avoiding small annoyances, and allow you to focus your
attention on the bigger issues.