Georgia Toy Australian Shepherds

18/08/2024

We have had a few cases of mycotoxin poisoning recently. Its not a poisoning that folks are generally familiar with, so we thought we'd share the information to raise awareness.-

Ingestion of mouldy food from the bin or a compost pile puts dogs, cats, horses, livestock, and even wildlife at risk for toxicity due to tremorgenic mycotoxins. These toxins may be found in MOULDY bread, pasta, cheese, nuts, or other decaying matter like compost. Clinical signs include vomiting, agitation, incoordination, tremors, seizures, and elevated body temperature. A specific mycotoxin called aflatoxin can even cause liver failure. Be sure to keep mouldy food and compost out of your pets reach!

08/08/2024

I truly believe that if Steve Irwin were alive today, he would have a dedicated group of people who hated him for how he treated animals.

Steve always treated every species he worked with, as the species they were, not forcing them to change their nature.

More and more I find myself trying to convince people to "let the dog go outside, it's okay if they get a little dirty" or "your snake is arboreal and can't just be confined to a small tub." Or "Your working breed dog is not happy being still and lazy in your one bedroom apartment with nothing to keep them active and thinking."

It seems in this next generation of animal husbandry, we're deciding that all animals are now going to become (and be treated as) our little babies.

Now, is it okay to refer to your furry, feathered, scaly friend as such? Of course!
Is it okay to treat them as human babies...absolutely not at all.

As we see this change taking place, so to do we see more and more stressed out animals. Ones with a lack of structure and mental enrichment...but tons and tons of random toys and bags of treats.

What Steve Irwin did is create an environment that was enriching for the animals he had. Not attempt to force the animals to adjust to his environment.

Taking your Border Collie or herding, working, hunting, breed on a 10 minute walk (as long as you remember, it's not raining or just not feeling upto it) once a day, is not cutting it.

Locking your pyrenees or Shepherd breed in a kennel all day and then keeping'em in a small apartment, but still expecting the dog to be still and always cuddling...not cutting it.

Keeping your African grey parrot in a small enclosure with a few items that you've not replaced...is not cutting it.

When you bring an animal into your life. It is so important to understand what that animal is and have a structured enrichment routine and appropriate setup for the breed/species before you take in the animal.

Anything less than what your animal needs is a disservice to your best friend.

Be kind to your animals, enrich their lives (in a way that's appropriate for them). Keep them thinking. Keep them exploring. Give them understanding and structure and you will keep them happy.

04/08/2024

Pictures of our puppies in their homes as adults & young adults 🐾❤️

03/08/2024

Thank you
He is happy, healthy,loved, and very smart.
No amount of money could buy him.
He has us wrapped around his little paw

Dudley weighted in this morning at the vet at 9.15 lbs.
He is doing awesome!

02/08/2024

Hi from Dublin and Indigo Blue! We are traveling with our parents and having a terrific time in Chattanooga. My folks say we are the very best traveling buddies. Hope you are doing well❤️
You are a Wonderful Breeder! Yes they are beautiful and have a terrific disposition ❤️. Thank you❤️

25/07/2024

We do not have enough holding fees for an August breeding (Ready to go home December). If we do not receive 4 firm commitments (that is a $200. Non -refundable that can be rolled over 1 time to another litter) we will wait. Please be assured we are doing what is right for the breed and our pack. Please do not commit to me and several other breeders at the same time, it is just not fair to any of us as we plan our litters around serious future Aussie parents. The $200. Holding fee that you forfeit is not enough to cover planning our litters around if you back out! Call for more information, Barks & Wags, Rhyse 706-621-3879

21/07/2024

Summer is a great time for backyard BBQs. Grilling, fruit trays, salads, mixed drinks, and desserts are delicious for us but may not be safe for our furry friends. Foods to be on the lookout for include grapes/raisins, onions/garlic, chocolate, foods containing xylitol, alcohol, corn on the cob, and meat bones. Be on the lookout for hidden dangers during your next get-together to keep your furry friends safe.

17/07/2024

We are planning a breeding for August! This would mean the puppies would be born in October & ready to go the end of December. Please get your pre-deposits in now! We are planning only 5 more litters (maybe less)depending on the girls before we all retire! Phone interview required for new parents 706-621-3879.
Barks & Wags, Rhyse

12/07/2024

On this momentous day, we celebrate the incredible life of our Momma Rhyse. May her birthday be a reflection of the love, laughter, and joy she brings to everyone around her. Wishing her a year filled with adventure, growth, and limitless happiness! 🐾🐾🥳

02/07/2024

15/06/2024

“A dog is not a thing. A thing is replaceable. A dog is not. A thing is disposable. A dog is not. A thing doesn’t have a heart. A dog’s heart is bigger than any “thing” you can ever own.”
Elizabeth Parker - Paw Prints in the Sand.

Boris Mikhailovich Kustodiev - Portrait of Yulia Yevstafievna Kustodieva (the artist’s wife), 1903.

14/06/2024

Due to the high volume of puppies in the shelters, we will not have any available puppies until we have a sufficient number of people on our waitlist. Applications are being accepted.
Barks & Wags, Rhyse & the kids

14/06/2024

READ THIS!

Let's talk about this photo. It's cute, except it's not. I see a dog who cannot get up without telling the child to get off. How do you think a dog is going to do that?

The 7 Golden Toddler Dog Rules:
#1: If a dog walks away from you, you DO NOT FOLLOW.
#2: Always leave room for the dog to walk away from you.
---that right there is 90+% of dog bites eliminated---
#3: We do not climb on the dog.
#4: We do not grab or pull on the dog.
#5: We do not hit or throw anything at the dog.
#6: We do not touch the dog's food.
#7: We do not go into the dog's kennel.

I promise these are not overly difficult concepts for littles, nor will they rob a kid of their bond with the family dog. It will deepen that bond, while keeping everyone safe.

"Oh, it looks like Moose is walking away from you. She is saying she wants a break. Let's play with this instead!"

"It's Moose's dinner time! Let's give her space to enjoy her yummies."

"That is Moose's room(kennel) and only she is allowed to go in there."

"If Moose wanted a break, could she walk away from you right now? No she really couldn't. Let's move away from the play house. You can keep playing but now she can leave when she wants a break."

In conclusion, ***parent your child or your dog will do it for you, and you will not like how they do it.***

28/05/2024

This looks interesting!

Puppy Brain: How Our Dogs Learn, Think, and Love

18/05/2024

Aussies are a double coated breed 🐾❤️