moirat

I have a new foster dog , a foxy x, who arrived on Monday. Blitz my GSD pup (10 months) is not all that keen on other dogs coming into her space but ordinarily tolerates them and, in Dougal's case became great friends. BOY does she object to this foster and vice versa. She handled him arriving pretty well until the old Dobe (10 and shamefully antisocial) spotted him and was after him. Bonza (foster) growls when anyone pats Blitz which makes her bark and lunge at him which makes him bark and lunge at her and they end up standing nose to nose almost shouting at each other and the minute one breaks the other is off after them. I know it has oly been a couple of days but I am really more concerned about what this is doing to my dog. She is great at obedience classes and well behaved at the beach off lead and on but now I am worried her current situation may affect her sociability. Is there cause to worry? Is it likely she may start carrying on when she sees any foxy style dog? How can I help her deal with this 'intruder' and help him out at the same time?

A good question and nw having measured him alone ( without other dogs to distract and make him want to run and play) he stand at just above 28 cm (only 2 mm over). This sems strange because when I measured him when he came home I am sure he was bigger - that may also have been a none to accurate measurement, as he did tend to spend that first week or so puffed up and strutting, trying to look impressive! The standard states maximum height of 28cm so I suppose he is not that far outside, to be fair to him. But he does look huge compared to all the others. I included a photo of him with Scarlett in the pool as an example and could perhaps get something better when the kids come home, because it isnot a good angle. It is all academic though I suppose he's a darling guy, a total character, a real westie in fact!!

o So I guess I will just continue to love my little "freak"and stop trying to work out why he is like he is. Though I will always wonder I suppose.

I thought so to Poodlefan , but after talking to his breeder I was just curious! She was fairly adamant that the dogs in his lines were all within standard, she actually seemed a little offended at first. Almost like I was insulting her breeding prowess. We eventually came to understand each other. I just wondered though.

I adopted Dougal a 9 month old entire male westie in September, as he was advertised for sale due to his passion for FRESH chicken. I have no poultry so this was not a problem, he is particularly tolerant of my cats and the other dogs and generally a really nice loveable young guy who is shaping up to a very nice dog. I was given his papers and eventually tracked down his breeder, a very helpful lady who was a little distressed to hear hehad been rehomed without her knowledge. However ... Dougal is at least an inch or so over the breed standard, well proportioned for it though. I discussed his lines with his breeder and it would seem he is a rarity in his line. All his ancestors ( some very well known dogs amongst them) are all well within standard. Poor Dougal the freak !!! This got me wondering - would his growing taller than expected have anything to do with his chasing, killing and eating of chickens and geese as a very young dog? I thought of feral cats and how they grow much larger than your regular housecat, and wondered if the adrenaline, which would have to be pumping in a chicken that is being chased to death, may play a part in the extra growth he has attained. Any ideas?

When and where is the next lre coursing meeting in Qld ? I know my westies would love it. I am also interested in trying earthdog trials - any info ? Anyone?

I am sure she woiuld freak to see him being taught a lesson as only another dog can. She would hate to see her dog bullied into submission or worse but will not look at it from the other side. apparently people with little dogs freak out tooo easily. I tried to explain it like raising a child. She was taught not to be rude or a bully and how to act appropriately in public and can clearly see now children who have not. I attempt to liken the two situations. I totally enjoy obedience classes with my westies and the GSD pup and so do they. They are a pleasure to take out and I love to do it. I have an older Dobe who was not socialized so she stays home - she is happier and more relaxed at home and so am I. Iwould love her to take him along to classes as there are some at a park not too far from her place, I am sure she would like it and he would benefit the most. Bloody kids - shame I am not young enough to know everything.

Yes Poodlefan I know what you are saying. I have told her from the word go that she needs to take a strong stand with this guy as he was going to be big and the look of him is enough to worry some people. I had dramas here with him when I minded them over Xmas, and she rolled her eyes and said " I hoped you wouldn't turn into one of those 'oh my poor little dog" people when you go these little dogs. So blind in one eye and can't see out the other, the dog is going to suffer because of it. I told her one day he will pick on the wrong dog and then there will be trouble. She responded with she looked forward to another dog teaching him a lesson, how to behave. I REALLY don't think she understands at all. How can such an intelligent girl be so very lacking in common sense. She is proud to take her GSD anywhere as he is no drama and doesn't even really like to play with other dogs but will stay with her. She would like for me to come and train him for her, which if I lived closer I would do, for his sake at least, but I am an hour and a half away and it is her responsibility surely.

I had a phone call from my daughter who lives in Brisbane. She has a 5 year old desexed male GSD, well mannered and generally no trouble anywhere, and she has "her little man" a mastiffx staffy ?. He is 2 (desexed) and quite the problem child - She had the GSD ( a failed security dog given to her at 18months old so already well trained) before her boyfriend moved in and he wanted a puppy so off to a puppy warehouse they went and came home with this guy, he has received very little in the way of formal obedience instruction. He is lovable but most times totally over the top, a mad licker and plays very rough. He was in disgrace for tearing out the newly planted palms in their back yard when she rang me first off asking "why is he so naughty?" we discussed his behaviour and I told her that they need to make an effort to exercise him everyday as he sounded bored. As they both work this sounded like it would end up in the too hard basket. She rang yesterday very proud of the fact they had been taking the dogs to an off lead park near by. He is having a great time and so much less trouble at night. Only problem with this is, he singles out the weakest dog at the park and picks on it the whole time they are there. Boyfriend argued with one owner that he wasn't dangerous because he wasn't mouthing the other dog, however when a 45 kg dog is "playing with a 5-10 kg dog the other owners are rightly concerned. I know I keep an eye on him when he comes here and tries to "play" with my westies. Needless to say they have received rousing rounds of abuse from the other owners. What do they do now. I suggested looking for a time when there are no other dogs at the park but this is not addressing the problem - I told her when he behaves badly to get him back on lead asap and work on "leave it" with him, perhaps taking him to obedience classes would be good for him.. but they are soo too soft with him. It would crush her if he were reported as dangerous and being a bull breed cross she is concerned about resulting BSL .Any suggestion for me for her, please?

Is it likely that the two are connected?

Thanks for the encouraging words. It is good to have reassurance. Bloody Google, too much information for the uninitiated. I am please to hear that it may be possible to breed from her in the future. At least now I have an idea of what to keep my eyes out for in the future.

Well that is a bit more encouraging, my vet did say he thought she should be right but then I had to do google it this morning and got myself all worked up. Red Mal I don't know why this person would say that, I initially laughed that statement off, but then of course on the way home from the vet my mind was running at a thousand thoughts a minute and it occurred to me that perhaps this is why she was sold. Regardless I am just pleased things were spotted when they were and she is on the mend.

Life is one little drama after another in the dog world isn't it!!! My 3 year old westie bitch was in season in May and despite AI treatments she failed to conceive. A bit dissappointed but we battled on. 3 days ago i noticed her shivering, I put it down to the horrid cold weather and she kept her jacket on day and night. She kept shaking and I commented to Oh she seemed odd and quite snappy at the other dogs( most out of character). Lo and behold yesterday while searching through an old bag of dolls clothes (looking for a jumper with a long neck for her), she climbed onto my lap and I noticed a mucky bloody discahrge - off to the vet- Open pyometra. She seems much brighter this morning after a shot of antibiotics and pain relief ( and course of antibiotics to have here at home) but I have to wonder how likely it is to reoccur or if it is in her best interest to have her speyed. I had planned on a litter from my Mary (RIP) this year however ... when this girl came in to season shortly after Mary passed away I thought here was some karma. If it is necessary I will do what is best for her but that brings me to 3 of my 4 westies desexed - not such a great start to my breeding plans, and there is probably no way I can talk OH into another . AAAARRRGGGHHH the frustration of it all. A westie breeder said to me a little while ago noone would sell me a breedable bitch unless there was something wrong with it. Is it possible to get pet health records from her previous vet? What to do?

hugs to you charmbug. I am sorry to hear of your loss. I feel your pain as I lost my Mary three days ago. Best of luck with your search for a new pup

Thanks Annes I know it was, I think I just needed to get it out.