 Lots of babies and lots of humans have passed through our household in the last 6 months and even more in the last 5 years ..
Now we will take a small brake and reflect about what we have learnt, take a step back, draw some conclusions and return a bit to some basics. One of the things I desperately want to address are to points I am trying to get across you all of you, and it does seem to often fall on deaf ears : “ Nothing is something “ “ Less is more “ And if you don’t believe me, listen to Jane - the founder of Puppy culture : https://madcapuniversity.com/.../attention-monster... As a plus, I’ve had a ton of interesting discussions on different related topics with different people and asked on of these people, a person that I admire, to write you a few words on the subject. The bond between Family and Aussie is super tight, they read us like an open book. Aussies are a rustic breed, a breed made to work closely with their personal whom they trust and admire. Like for kids, you need to be strong, confident and put down limits and rules. Be kind but firm ! You can not control them if you do not control yourself ! Diana is the new owner of a Lighthouse baby, and ai admire they way she is handling her now 2 Aussie girls, let’s listen : “ The power of STILLNESS (Even when everything in you wants to keep doing more) As a psychologist and as someone who shares a home with two working dogs (Australian Shepherds), I often think about how hard it is, for both humans and animals, to simply do nothing. These dogs are smart, fast and eager. They were bred to work, to think, to anticipate and to move. And if you can’t handle or you don’t guide that energy, it can take over. You’ll find yourself constantly trying to keep up, entertain, redirect, fix. But here’s the thing I’ve learned, both in therapy and in daily life with them: Doing nothing is a skill. And sometimes, it’s the most important one. I know it’s tempting, especially when you’re young, ambitious or naturally driven, to try and do everything. You feel like you should always be learning, producing, improving, chasing the next version of yourself. The world gives you constant access to information and possibility and it’s hard not to feel like you’re falling behind if you slow down. I see this mindset all the time in my clients. And sometimes I recognize it in myself, too. And interestingly, now I can see it in many anxious dog owners as well. Out of a lot of care, love and sometimes fear or overprotection, they overdo enrichment. They read every blog, follow every trainer, rotate toys daily, offer endless puzzle feeders, plan complex training routines etc. The intention is beautiful: they want to be good, responsible, attentive. That’s great. But when it’s driven by anxiety, it can quickly become too much both for the dog and then for the owner. What’s often really happening is this: Their own nervous system is dysregulated and they project that onto the dog. They can’t relax, so neither can the dog. They overanalyze every behavior, every reaction, every bark and constantly question, “Am I doing enough?” But here’s the truth and it applies to people and dogs alike: More stimulation doesn’t always mean more safety. Sometimes, what a dog really needs is not more to do, but permission to rest. Not another job, but a calm environment. Not your full attention 24/7, but your calm, grounded presence. Sometimes, dogs “steal” things like socks, paper, whatever they can get but not because they want the object, but because they want your attention. They want you to follow, to chase, to engage. The suggestion? Stop. Don’t give in. Pause everything. In the house, only calm behavior is accepted: lying down, chewing, resting. And here’s where it connects with humans: Your mind also tries to “steal” your attention constantly. You chase thoughts. You chase productivity. You chase comparison. You chase the idea that if you’re not doing more, you’re not doing enough. But you are. Sometimes, the most proactive thing you can do with your dog, or with your own mind is to STOP. Set up your environment for success. Remove distractions. Say no. Be firm. Be kind. In therapy, we talk a lot about mindfulness - not as a trendy buzzword, but as a practice of being in the present moment without needing to escape it. And guess what? One of the most effective mindfulness tools is allowing boredom. Letting your mind settle. Letting your nervous system slow down. Not fixing, not scrolling, not performing, just being. For my working dogs, part of their “job” is learning to do nothing. And for us? That’s part of the work too. So the next time you feel like you should be doing more - for your dog, your job, your future, just ask yourself: Is this a moment for action, or is this a moment for stillness? Because sometimes, nothing is something. And your mind, just like your dog, deserves the chance to rest.” - Diana Les
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From day one, our puppies are raised in a world with structure, routine, and clear expectations. In the middle of our home and family ! They learn to sleep, to self-regulate, to chew calmly, and to settle with humans nearby but not always engaged. We teach them to exist peacefully in the world. We Build Emotional Regulation Before Obedience Before “sit,” there’s stillness! Before “heel,” there’s focus! Before any commands, there’s a foundation of calm ATTENTION — and that’s what we train first! We teach puppies how to downshift, how to self-soothe, and how to move between energy and rest. Because a dog who can’t regulate their nervous system can’t truly learn. We Don’t Chase Trends. We Train for Real Life! Toys are used with us, not left around. Chews are used to reset, not distract. Play has structure. Pen time has meaning. We raise puppies who can be still — not just busy. We Choose the Puppy with You! Every family we work with gets more than a pick from a litter. They get a match! We place puppies based on temperament, energy, confidence, curiosity, and most of all—compatibility with your real life, expectations and needs. Blue eyes and flashy coats are beautiful. But a great fit is what makes a dog FAMILY! We Take the Long View Raising a well-rounded Aussie isn’t a 3-month project. It’s a partnership built on early intention and lifelong consistency with the most important, HELP FROM THE FUTURE FAMILY ! That’s why we’re here long after the puppy goes home. To guide. To troubleshoot. To remind you what matters when things feel overwhelming. Because we know the path you’re walking—and we walk it too. Structure creates freedom. Calm creates connection. We don’t raise busy dogs. We raise thinking ones. " A GOOD DOG HAS NO COLOR ! " Ana Muresan, 24.04.2025  Good night friends, community and followers X: I woke up this morning with a thought " How about I buy myself a puppy today. I wonder what I need to know ? Let me Google it ... Ah, I found an awesome kennel that seems to be super serious and up to all my standards, let me write/call them and ask them all my questions ... " Ana: " Hello. I am so happy you have found us ! Yes, we do have puppies available but no, we do not place them by coat color or eye color ... instead.... " and it takes me minutes/hours to respond to each and everyone of you that do reach out to me, answer your questions, concerns, needs, explain our way, etc.. . .. Phone closes - " Will call you tonight/tomorrow/etc, we are so excited " Wapp messages stop and then just Seen ... after all questions are answered. I am a busy person, I have a lot of layers to my life - and one of them is dedicating my time and energy to " future puppy buyers ", educating, being patient .. BUT ! If you ar an adult with an adult life and responsibilities, I do expect you to withhold your part of this " relationship " and say " Thank you I am no longer interested ", " Thank you I need more time " , " Thank you, this is not for me/ not what I am looking for " , or to be honest any message to end the conversation and at least pay a bit of respect to the time I have spent on your maybe/sometimes whim ... This is not a message for everyone, but it does translate as a " Bigger message " to the normal, everyday Puppy buyer. Please be respectful of our time - with love - a breeder.  **Blog Post: "Why We Choose the Puppy for You: A Breeder's Perspective"**
--- **About Me: Ana, The Passionate Breeder** Hello there! I'm Ana, the proud owner and breeder of Lighthouse Aussie Family. Nestled in the picturesque town of Savadisla, jud Cluj, Romania, our small family kennel is a labour of love. Breeding Australian Shepherds is more than just a hobby for me; it's a passion. We believe in quality over quantity, which is why we only have 1-2 litters a year. Every puppy is born and raised in our home, right beside our family. They're not just pets; they're family. --- **Q&A: Choosing the Right Puppy for You** Q: Why don't you let potential owners pick their own puppy based on looks? A: Great question! While every puppy is undeniably adorable, choosing a puppy should be about more than just looks. Each puppy has its own unique temperament and characteristics. As a breeder, I spend countless hours with them, understanding their individual needs and personalities. This intimate knowledge allows me to match each puppy with the perfect home, ensuring a harmonious relationship for both the puppy and the owner. Q: Why don't you just sell puppies based on color? A: Honestly, it would be easier for me to sell puppies based on colour. I might even have more "happy" customers in the short term. However, my primary concern isn't just customer satisfaction; it's the long-term happiness and well-being of the dogs. Selling based on colour alone doesn't take into account the unique personalities and temperaments of each puppy. By matching puppies with families based on compatibility, we ensure that our Aussies lead fulfilling lives and truly become cherished members of their new families. My commitment is rooted in my love for dogs and the incredible breed that the Aussie is. Q: What if I have a specific colour preference for my puppy? A: While we do take note of colour preferences, our primary focus is on ensuring the right personality fit. Sometimes, you might be matched with a puppy that isn't your preferred colour, but remember, it's the bond and compatibility that truly matter in the long run. Q: How can I trust that you'll choose the right puppy for me? A: Trust is built on communication. We take the time to talk individually with every person or family considering one of our puppies. If possible, we even encourage you to visit us, meet the dogs, and spend a day with our family. This way, we get a better understanding of your lifestyle, preferences, and what you're looking for in a furry companion. Our goal is always to ensure that both the puppy and the owner are set up for a successful, happy life together. Q: I understand the importance of matching personalities, but can I at least choose from 2-3 puppies based on their disposition during my visit? A: It's a common request, and I completely understand where you're coming from. You might spend 30 minutes or so with the puppies, observing their behaviours and trying to gauge their personalities. However, it's essential to remember that during your visit, both you and the puppies are in an excited state. You're thinking, "puppies! puppies! puppies!" and they're equally thrilled, thinking, "human! human! human!" In that short window of time, it's challenging to truly understand each puppy's unique disposition. Once the initial excitement settles, their individual quirks and personalities emerge. Me, as breeder, have spent weeks observing them, understanding who's the playful one, who's more reserved, who's the leader of the pack, and so on. I know their personalities inside out, which is why I believe in matching you with the perfect puppy. It's not about limiting choices; it's about ensuring the best fit for both the puppy and the owner. Q: Why do you feel so confident in choosing the right puppy for families? A: As a breeder, I'm not just around the puppies; I'm deeply involved in their day-to-day lives. I witness their character developments, understand their likes and dislikes, and even recognize what they might fear. This intimate knowledge isn't something that can be gained in a short visit. When potential owners share what they're looking for in a dog, I can immediately visualise which puppy would be the best fit for that lifestyle and environment. It's a bit like piecing together a puzzle. The reward? Seeing how seamlessly the puppy integrates into its new family. There's nothing more heartwarming than hearing stories of how "my pups" (even when they're almost grown, they'll always be my pups) enrich the lives of their families. Every photo I receive, every update I get, brings a smile to my face. It's a testament to the love and care that goes into ensuring each puppy finds its perfect forever home. -- In conclusion, our approach is rooted in love, understanding, and a deep commitment to the well-being of both our puppies and their future families. I’m not just breeder; I’m a matchmaker, ensuring that every Lighthouse Aussie finds its perfect forever home. When Socialisation and activities are sometimes to much : Stop Stacking Stressors !!!
Five Action Items for Breeders and Puppy Owners Jane Messineo Lindquist, Puppy Culture 19 Sep 2023 | 10 minute read https://madcapuniversity.com/blogs/articles-and-product-reviews/socialization-and-emotional-fallout You’re not Perfect, Puppies Aren’t Perfect, and That’s OK.* Don't ever think that everything will go right - growing together, learning and adapting is part of the journey. It helps to be prepared tho ! Acces the link to read more on :
More about co-owning a puppy! What is co-owning for us ? Because often we get asked to explain coownership I thought writing an article on the subject would be helpful. * this article refers to normal Pet homes that maybe would be open to co-owning a puppy with us, not to proven Show homes or Breeders ! So, to get back to the point. Why do we need co-owners ? This is quite simple. Realistically we can not hold on to all the puppies we like and consider Show Quality puppies. We do keep some, but often we sell Show Quality puppies as Pets. If we believe in the quality of one dog, in the pedigree, the temperament and MOST IMPORTANT we feel we would have a good relationship with the future owners we ask them for cowonership. This helps us have a wider base of dogs. And helps the dogs have their own families. In our vision responsible breeding can not be done without Coowners - and so we need you in our life ! This would mean the dog is a Pet in his/hers family, and the breeding rights are owned by us. All our puppies are sold as Pet's, but there are some that we might like în co-own and we discuss this prior with the family. A Show Prospect puppy will have to be examined by us around 12 months of age ( us coming to the owners, or the owners visiting us ). If we do like how the puppy has developed, and the family is still open to co-own - then we can move forward. If we agree to this then all the expenses that have to do with a Show dog are on us/the breeder. Any shows, handler fees, photos, travels, hip/elbow examination, eye tests, genetic tests, etc are covered by us. And as said before the breeding rights to said dog belong to us. For males : - breeder can use the Stud Dog on any of the Bitches in their breeding program ( owned or co-owned ) without and stud fees. If asked for an outside female, the breeder will forward a part of the breeding fee to the owner ( this will be discussed at that time, depending on circumstances ) - owner has no obligation to do anything related to Show or Breeding, but should try to be compliant with his time For female: - females in co-own would have 2-3 litters at home with the breeder. - females can stay with us in boarding for free whenever the owners need this help - it also helps the female to get use to our house environment and be relaxed with us. - we would NEVER continue with a breeding with a female that we see is not feeling ok in our home environment - a part of the profit from the litter will be forwarded to the female owners ( to be discussed depending on circumstances ) - we only consider co-owning females that are in a town/region close to us. Ana Muresan, Lighthouse Aussies, 06.03.2023 When planing for a puppy, of course one of the first things that come to mind are : breed and looks.
And after that ? What do you do ? You go online and look for a puppy -> What you should do is go online and look for a breeder. Why ? Because a true, dedicated, committed breeder will guide you, be there for you and help you with the information you need to make the right decision. Keep in mind such a decision is one you make for the next 15 years or so. So not only will it affect you, but your family, your kids, other animals, life style, your time, house, sports, activities. Does looks vs. character matter? Oh yes. Why? Because each puppy, like each person is different. You may be a loaner with no dog experience, you may be a young family with a small child, you may own a cat/dog. So if you are active and get the low energy puppy. Who doesn't want to be your jogging partener ? Or if you have a small child and you get the puppy who is the independent and exporer -and doesn't really like cuddles? What if you are a loner and you need a cuddle partener and the puppy is just not that into that ! You have another dog and you want a companion ? Think about more than looks: - what is your activity level - how much time do you spend away from home ( could be a positive or negative in both ways - a cuddler is more prone to separation anxiety and you would probably need to me proactive in teaching him/her to be alone ) - where do you live ? Do you have an environment around you that is dog friendly. Puppy schools/ trainer/groomer/pet hotel. - do you have kids ? How old are they ? Or are you planning on kids in the future - do you have other animals - how much dog experience do you have - what is the life you would envision with your dog And now think about the puppy: - what energy level would suit you - would you like the puppy to be friendly with everyone or be more family/friends oriented - would you like a dog that cuddles next to you all day, or one that is independent and expores more, who needs more challenges - food or toy motivated, or again interested more in petting and closeness to his/hers owner. - do you plan to have more dogs/cats. Or do you already have other pets - think about what would suit them as well- are they older, what is their activity level ? - take into account that some dogs have hearding instincts and may act on them. And in the end, after all this is in your mind. And you have taken everything into account Only then see if the color of the coat or eyes is really that important to you!! With love, Ana Muresan at Lighthouse Aussies, 08.02.2023 Hey everyone,
First of all I want to thank you for expressing interest in our puppies. Before we embark on this journey together I feel I must share some info with you ! We are a small kennel and we only plan to have 1-2 litters / year. This is most important for us because each and every litter needs attention and dedication. The puppies are born in our house and are raised beside our family. We consider each puppy to be unique in characteristics, and we dedicate the time spent together with them knowing their temperament and needs. What does this mean? It means that our puppies are not chosen by color or from pictures. We talk individually with ever person/family that considers having one of our babies. If the distance permits it we encourage you to come and visit us and the dogs. Meet them, spend a day with us and see if it is what you imagined. Our puppies are raised with the Puppy Culture program. This means that from the 3rd day of life and until they leave for their new home we work with them on different levels. Socialisation, sound/surface/etc habituation, clicker training, crate training, attention, recall, leash training, etc. We also provide a video course + book for the future owners to help them understand the next steps in puppy raising. On top of all this, communication between us and you is key. Preparing the house, the accessories and everything you need to make your puppy feel at home when he/she arrives ! As I have said before, puppies are raised in our home with our children and are used to everyday life and activities! Yes, Australians Shepherds can be a high drive bread. And this is why we like to pair puppies by character and temperament. For the ones that understand romanian, here is a video about Puppy culture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhv0HfNTVXc and about bringing a new puppy into your home: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDAn3DE2ilQ&t=4436s Pet puppies/ Co-owning/ Show puppies: Another important aspect of our breeding is that the majority of puppies are placed as Pet Quality puppies. What does this mean? This means that puppies are without Breeding of Show rights. All puppy pedigrees will remain with the breeder until the puppy is sterilised/castrated. The Pet Quality referes to nothing else but the pure paperwork that comes with the baby - it does NOT mean in any way that the puppy is less healthy or perfect ! They are, again, all the same in our eyes. Why do we do this ? Because the majority of people coming to us are not breeders or have any experience about aussies or breeding and we consider it important to hold the rains to the future of our breed tight and under supervision. Co-ownership situations occur when we feel a puppy of a high quality can go to a family that is located near us or to a breeder/handler which whom we are able to comunicate closely. What does co-ownership mean ? It means that the breeding and show rights for the puppy are ours and the puppy is just a normal Pet puppy. IF we consider that the puppy is Show Quality when he/she has matured, then we will take the puppy to shows and do all the necessary measures for breeding. Selling Show Quality puppies is a difficult choice, and we take it very very seriously. So if you are looking for something like this, you would have to be patient and colaborate closely with us ! Mail: [email protected] Phone: 004 0749210020 Fb: https://www.facebook.com/Aussies.of.Cluj Insta: https://www.instagram.com/lighthouseaussies/ Nothing is Something !
Teaching them everything also means we teach them to do nothing. I recommend all of you read this. Regardles of if you have a puppy or not, let it sink in and remember it when the time comes ! Thank you Puppy Culture for everything you do! https://madcapuniversity.com/blogs/articles-and-product-reviews/attention-monster-puppies Jane Messineo Lindquist, Puppy Culture |
Ana Muresan at Lighthouse AussiesProud to be owned by Aussies Archives
April 2025
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