persephone

a brand new - price tag still on , $30 jacket for under $5 at the opshop :)

Thanks for that link - have shared it where it can help. :)

..and I am presuming you researched Shibas VERY well before getting this pup ? in case you have not - PLEASE ensure your balcony is ROOFED -shibas are amongst the most agile of dogs , and can jump & climb remarkably well. they are also expert at thinking thru problems on their own...being a spitz breed, they can be independent thinkers , which can make expecting 'obedience' a bit frustrating . I love these dogs - never owned one though . :) some of her sniffing may be due to the breed being originally a hunting breed.. :)

Oh My ;) a perfectly normal inquisitive puppy is what you have :) A dog's nose is how it learns about its world. They sniff everything . Everything . There is SO much for a puppy to sniff/learn about !! Human sweat /dust/ food crumbs/droplets of all sorts of things ... particles on your shoe soles transferred to the floor ...cleaning products ... :) You might enjoy reading this : CLICK HERE if your puppy is confined to indoors and a balcony - she will probably appreciate much MORE sniffing exercise -- bet she loves to be taken out into the big world to sniff the air , the car, everything passing by as you carry or walk her :) ! She might LOVE one of these, too : SNUFFLE MAT Also remember - puppies don't have fingertips to learn about textures and temperatures - they use their mouths! :)

:) the RUN is where the following should ONLY happen ;) the frozen chicken frames get chewed the food dispensing tough toy gets played with the cardboard boxes get trashed the doggy iceblocks , filled with treats & fruit slices get devoured ... That sort of thing ;)

A lot of adult dogs find puppy play exhausting and wearing ... perhaps restrict her park time to time when not many other dogs are around, and when you can do some more training with her ? I am wondering if she was maybe separated from her Mum /litter a bit early, and didn't ever learn all her manners ? This can happen, and does make it tricky!

Please don't desex her so early ... she is still a baby , and will benefit from the hormones and I suggest you start attending some obedience calasses nearby :) She is playing as dogs/pups will play ..and treating the children as if they are other dogs .have a GOOD read of the e-book here ... http://www.safekidssafedogs.com/and also have a look at the following .http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/210028-german-shepherd-puppy-biting-desperate/http://leemakennels.com/blog/dog-behaviour/dog-training-dog-behaviour/how-to-stop-puppy-biting/

What a face :D

It's starting to sink in there's no going back. I feel pretty crappy, for the last 10 years we've always had money put aside incase anything like this happened, I never thought we'd have multiple big vet bills/doctors bills in such a short space of time. It's a really bitter sweet feeling gaining a new baby and at the same time sacrificing so much. but ... ( yes, but) isn't it wonderful that there is a home and caring for her ..just when she needs it - and there should be no guilt for you .We can only do what we can .

oh, Anne . Nothing will stop you feeling shattered ... I wish you peaceful goodbyes over the next few days , lots of memories , and the knowledge that Olivia has had your love and support . know that I'm thinking of you ....

That's good news !

Been tghinking of you today .. hope you're OK , and that the surgery went well .

A lovely update - although sad ...

Thanks for that - have shared the info. Glad your guys are OK !!

"vewwy, vewwy quiet ".... :)

Hehehe Edit - what is a lab x poodle called? mowgliandme is doing the right thing and NOT posting the name these crosses are known by :) from memory the board rules ask that AxB is used- not the 'designer' name .

I'll get this out of the way first ;) reputable breeder and cross bred dog are usually not found in the same sentence. ;) here are some links which will hopefully prove really useful for you - and your very lucky puppy!! good for you in wanting to spend time in educating yourselves and the new puppy ! LINK LINK LINK LINK oh - and toilet on command is the BEST thing , next to a really good recall :)) I always train as a baby puppy ... and then, use it when I take dog out before bed - before getting in the car , that sort of thing ..so that a bed time treat or a car ride is the reward . Nothing happens unless toilet is seen to be complete!! Don just about squeezes out a few drops before he tells me he's finished , and ready for bed/and his apple ! :)

That sounds a good plan - she is hopefully a great new addition to their family !! :)

..and please update us on whatever decision you make - we're all thinking of you & your family ...

Poor Chloe Not sure if this is even do-able ..but can the femur be trimmed , and then let a muscular joint form ? My vet used to do this for bad HD cases .. a small incision over the joint ..lots of fiddly work , and dog going home - no femoral head , bandages/plaster or anything , that night ...

may I suggest fencing off the cat stands - so Jindi cannot get near them - put them inside a little enclosure of their own.

oh - and with so much extra weight - be cautious when exercising - just slow walks .. a couple /few each day, rather than one long one . he has lots of extra strain on his joints and heart .... be a kind despot !

:) We are too kind to our dogs . feed less of what he gets each day . You may be happier feeding this in two very small snacks each day :) use things like apple /sweet potato / lean chicken as treats VERY TINY pieces . NO fatty treats like marrow bones/pigs ears ... start teaching him new things - or get him some new toys to give him a new interest.....

Molly is the only one I've ever had who is so light footed & agile that she can be on a table without us hearing a thing!!