Busimann's Dog Training

01/06/2026

It is so important to give our dogs ways to work their brains as well as their bodies.

This is especially true for dogs who cannot go out for long walks to explore the world for any number of reasons, but mental stimulation is something that is massively beneficial for all dogs.

It can be as simple as some sniffing (gather items from the outside world and bring home for your dog to explore if they are unable to go out), puzzle toys for them to hunt out food, games like hide and seek, or working on tricks and training fun things.

All of these will let your dogs use their brains and can really tire them out - my dogs are Border Collies, so have lots of energy, but a 20 minute sniffing session will often be immediately followed by a good nap!

01/06/2026

A message from The Pet Professional Guild:

31/05/2026

GUIDANCE for those wishing to Lodge an Objection to Mt Alexander Shire Council - PA148/2025 Proposed Dog Breeding (puppy farm) Facility application.

You do not need to be a planning expert to lodge an objection. The most effective objections are those written in your own words and focused on issues that genuinely concern you.

Council is interested in understanding how the proposal may affect in particular local residents, the environment, rural amenity, animal welfare, and the broader community.

TIP: focus on the issues that matter most to YOU personally (noise, traffic, rural character, environmental impacts, animal welfare, etc.) rather than trying to cover every point. Council generally gives more weight to genuine individual concerns than multiple identical submissions.

Scale of the Proposed Development

The application seeks approval for a facility capable of housing up to 50 fertile breeding dogs, up to 100 puppies and up to 150 dogs on site at one time. The applicant also proposes producing up to 50 litters each year.

You may wish to comment on whether a development of this scale is appropriate within a rural community such as Elphinstone. Consider whether you believe the proposal is more akin to an intensive commercial breeding enterprise than a traditional rural land use and whether it aligns with the character of the surrounding area.

Rural Amenity and Character

The proposal includes large kennel facilities, visitor access, commercial deliveries, waste collection services, staff accommodation and 24-hour operation.

You may wish to explain how you believe the development could affect the quiet rural character of the area. If you chose to live in Elphinstone because of its rural environment, low-intensity land uses, open landscapes or peaceful setting, these are legitimate matters to raise with Council.

Noise Impacts

The application does not appear to contain an independent acoustic assessment examining the noise impacts associated with housing up to 150 dogs.

You may wish to raise concerns regarding barking, particularly given that barking in kennel environments can be cumulative in nature. Noise may occur from feeding times, movement of animals, visitors arriving on site, interaction between dogs, puppies vocalising, and general daily operations.

If you live nearby, you may wish to explain how increased noise could affect your ability to enjoy your property or impact your quality of life.

Traffic and Road Safety

The proposal anticipates visitor traffic, staff vehicle movements, veterinary visits, commercial deliveries and waste collection services.

You may wish to comment on existing road conditions in the area and whether you believe local roads are suitable for increased commercial activity. Concerns about road safety, access points, visibility, traffic volumes or the absence of an independent traffic assessment may also be relevant.

Waste Management, Odour and Environmental Impacts

The proposal relies on animal waste storage, clinical waste storage, septic systems and waste collection services.

You may wish to ask whether sufficient information has been provided to demonstrate protection of groundwater, waterways and surrounding land. Concerns regarding odour, nutrient runoff, waste management and long-term environmental impacts are all relevant planning considerations.

If you have experience with rural properties, farming activities or animal facilities, you may also wish to comment on whether the projected waste volumes appear realistic for a facility of this size.

Animal Welfare Concerns

The application proposes up to 50 breeding dogs, up to 50 litters per year and up to 150 dogs on site. It also references artificial insemination, transcervical insemination, scheduled caesarean sections and a staffing ratio of approximately one staff member per 25 fertile dogs.

You may wish to raise concerns about whether animals can receive adequate individual attention, socialisation, enrichment and welfare monitoring at the proposed scale. While compliance with minimum standards is important, Council may also consider whether the intensity of the operation raises broader welfare concerns.

You may wish to express views regarding the scale of breeding proposed and whether intensive breeding operations are consistent with community expectations regarding animal welfare.

Clause 14.01-2L – Animal Husbandry

The Mount Alexander Planning Scheme seeks to ensure that animal husbandry activities do not negatively impact local amenity or the environment.

You may wish to state that, in your view, the application has not provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that potential impacts relating to noise, odour, traffic, waste management and environmental protection can be adequately managed.

You may also wish to note that Council has not been provided with independent acoustic, traffic, odour or environmental assessments to support the application.

Farming Zone Considerations

The subject land is located within the Farming Zone.

You may wish to comment on whether the scale and intensity of the proposed development is consistent with the purpose of the Farming Zone, which seeks to support agriculture, maintain rural character and avoid land use conflicts.

Some residents may consider that a facility capable of housing up to 150 dogs, with purpose-built breeding infrastructure and commercial operations, is more intensive than what would ordinarily be expected in a rural landscape.

Broader Community Interest

You may wish to express concerns about the broader implications of approving a large-scale commercial dog breeding facility.

This may include concerns regarding existing pressures on animal shelters, rescue organisations, pounds and foster care networks, as well as community expectations regarding responsible breeding practices and animal welfare outcomes.

While Council is primarily assessing land use and planning matters, community expectations and public interest considerations can still be relevant to the overall assessment of the proposal.

Insufficient Information for Proper Assessment

A number of residents may be concerned that the application lacks sufficient independent expert assessment.

You may wish to state that Council should not make a decision until independent assessments addressing noise, traffic, odour, environmental impacts and cumulative amenity impacts have been provided and subjected to public scrutiny.

Concluding Your Objection

You may conclude your submission by requesting that Mount Alexander Shire Council refuse Planning Permit Application PA148/2025.

Alternatively, you may request that Council require additional independent investigations and expert assessments before any decision is made.

Most importantly, WRITE IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Objections that reflect genuine personal concerns about the proposal, the local area and the community are often more persuasive than identical form letters.

BAWCS 'caring with compassion'

31/05/2026

💚𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗗𝗢𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡💚

FLICK THE SWITCH ON YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND!

Meet adorable little pocket rocket, 6-month-old Flick, a female German Shepherd pup. Flick has had a tough start to life, her siblings and many other dogs were seized from a property and were rescued, however Flick was found much later, terrified and alone. Flick has spent the last few weeks in foster care and is now ready to find her forever home.

Flick is a bouncy, happy little girl, despite all she has been through, she has come out of her shell incredibly quickly and is determined to make the most out of every day. Flick is an active girl who has lots of energy and enthusiasm, she bounds around ready to play at any moment.

Flick is looking for an active family that will give her plenty of exercise, she would love a decent backyard to do Zoomies in and would enjoy going on regular adventures with her family. As well as physical exercise, Flick will thrive with plenty of mental stimulation through training, brain games, enrichment puzzles and food challenges to keep her quick mind working.

Flick has been working on her basic commands; she is still just a pup and has lots to learn including impulse control and to focus under distractions. Before coming into our care, Flick had received limited exposure to the outside world, she has been socialising with different people, animals and environments, this will need to continue in her new home. Flick would do well attending group obedience classes where she can learn and have exposure in a safe and controlled environment, whilst getting support from a professional trainer.

Flick loves people, she can be a little timid at first, but once she warms up, she wants all of the attention and will climb into laps for a cuddle and pat. Flick loves being wherever her people are and is already growing into a typical ‘German Shadow.’

Flick loves kids, however, can still exhibit some puppy behaviours like jumping up and mouthing, she also doesn’t realise just how quickly she is growing and like most big pups, has poor spatial awareness right now. Flick is best suited to a home where everyone is over the age of 8 and who have experience with large breed dogs.

Flick loves other dogs, she can sometimes be reactive when she sees them, completely frustrated wanting to say hello. Flick is still learning doggy manners and etiquette, she can be a little rude in her greetings, wanting to play. Flick enjoys playing rough, body slams, bitey face and all things chase are her favourite. Flick would do well with a large breed doggy brother to show her the ropes, a confident dog who isn’t afraid to tell Flick off, but who is also happy to play and can keep up with her bouncy energy.

Flick has not been tested with cats or other small pets, she is young enough to learn, but also loves the thrill of the chase. Lots of training and slow introductions would need to take place if she is to live with cats.

Flick has so much potential, she is young and enthusiastic, ready to learn and have fun! Flick needs someone committed to her ongoing training and socialisation to ensure she grows into a well-rounded adult dog, she is not suited to a first-time dog owner, she will need lots of time, effort and patience as she enters her teenage phase.

To adopt Flick, please complete an adoption application via our website www.gsrv.com.au or email [email protected] if you are already on our waiting list.

MC: 956000019716128
PER: RE146569

31/05/2026

31/05/2026

What if your dog is already trying to communicate?
Just not in a way most people recognise.

Heard of whale eye before?
Excellent if you have.

But we need to be careful that it isn't misread simply because a dog is looking sideways.
Same, same, but different.

Whale eye tends to involve more than just the visible white. There’s often tension too.

Tighter skin.
Tighter muscles.
Wider looking eyes.

Dilated pupils are another tricky one.

Not all dilated pupils are negative.

Have you ever played a game your dog loved or watched them lock onto a ball you're about to throw?

Those glossy dark circles can literally expand in front of your eyes.
Pretty cool to see.

On the other hand, if you've ever been faced with a dog that is about to tell someone to "back off", you may recognise that exact same change.

Context matters.

Then there’s blinking.

It doesn't need to be dramatically increased, although sometimes it is.

Even a subtle increase can be worth noting.

A cue to pause.
Look around.
Look at your dog.
Check out the situation.

Eyes are a gift.

Both in the sight they give.
And most definitely the insight.

31/05/2026

31/05/2026

I can. But I’m not going to.

I don’t want your dog to shrink away while I insist on ruffling their hair up.
They don’t need me to touch them to prove “I’m safe”.

What they actually need is for me to keep my hands in my pocket and wait for some signals of consent.

We have a tactile “obsession” when it comes to dogs.

Maybe it starts when they’re puppies and their squidginess draws our hands in.
100% their fur and wee fat rolls combined are irresistible.
From there though, it can become a habit.

We see a person up the street we haven’t seen for a while, stop for a chat and our hand goes down to pat while we say “Aww whose this wee girl”.
That’s how easy these habits grow.

They’re ingrained.

How about we start to normalise not touching?
And start normalising watching for consent.

31/05/2026

It is and ISN’T the dog.
“Yeah, but he reacted TO the dog.”

Yes.
He absolutely did.
But there is a much bigger picture here.

“I just want him to stop.
How do I stop the reaction?”

I know you’re trying your hardest.
I know how exhausting this can feel.
And I know sometimes it feels like you’re constantly scanning and waiting for the next reaction.

But sometimes we need to widen the scope.

Trigger stacking is not just seeing three stressful things in a row.
It is the slow and sometimes chronic accumulation of stress.

“He’s only stressed when he sees a dog.”
No.
He really isn’t.

Biology doesn’t work that way.

Think about yourself for a moment.
How do YOU feel after an argument with someone?
That stress can stay with you for hours.
Sometimes days.

Then perhaps the next morning you miss the bus.
You’re late for work.
That night you still relax and you can forget about a good nights sleep, that's not happening.

Stress lingers.

And dogs are no different.

With dogs, people sometimes only look at the last 3 seconds of behaviour while completely missing the previous 12, 24 or even 72 hours.

Poor sleep.
Neighbourhood noise.
Pain or discomfort.
Frustration.
Repeated arousal.

It ALL compounds.

Trigger stacking matters because stress can accumulate.
Dogs don’t always start every situation from the same emotional baseline.

There is no zero on that dial to keep returning to.

Some days their coping ability is already reduced long before the visible reaction happens.

Not every reaction starts in “that” moment.
With “that” dog.

31/05/2026

So I ignore?
No, but you’re ignoring exactly what you DO want.

Excitement gets a lot of attention sometimes.
Insistent behaviour gets responses from us.
Barking?
That usually gets an immediate response because it’s louder.

Over time, some dogs start learning “Bigger behaviour works better.”
Because to them, it can.

This is where ignoring comes into it.

Have you been ignoring the best bits your dog shows you?

We focus so much on what we well and truly know we don’t want, and yet when they show us what we want?
We ignore it.
We don’t even notice it.
We don’t mean to but it’s a habit we are now cycling around in.

We’re focused SO much on stopping the behaviour we don’t want, that we let those tiny slivers of stillness, position, or engagement just slip away.

They are THE moments.

We need to open our eyes more.
They will be showing you what you actually want more of.

It may not be in the context we need it to be in yet, but it will be there.

Mark it.

Reward it.

But above all else, don’t ignore those precious wee moments when they DO show you exactly what you want.