persephone

the barley grass(foxtail) here is awful ... and sheep can also suffer from an invasion of them, and speargrass . The speargrass seeds are very long ..and have a 'tail'. they spiral their way into skin , same as they would spiral and burrow into damp soil . It is pretty amazing when one thinks about it - seeds moving/digging ! Anyhow - when the grasses are bad in this part of the world , sheep need to be removed from paddocks (and we are talking thousands of acres in one paddock).. or slashers are used to make clear paths to water. Heavy seed loads make wool prices plummet , and sheep destined for meat are also often 'condemmed' ..as the seeds can get into muscle . THIS PAGE has photos and some info on barley grass and its effects .

Yep might be following mouse holes - Ill get someone onto making sure mouse holes are spotted and filled in but Id never trust anyone or any system for being sure they arent here - never let the guard down. it's a never ending job - I know . I guess the maremmas have some protection with all that coat , thankfully . Stay safe!

I wish we could get these in OZ ! "outfox "

yes . that poor BC - ....

Steve! YOIKS. One thing - To the best of my knowledge , snakes can't dig . They use mouseholes , mostly . Some may make a 'hollow' in loose sand .. but AFAIK, that's it. our aviary has snake proof mesh ... ,and provided I keep mouse holes in the soil filled ... we have no problem , thankfully .

I just heard from a friend that she caught a snake lying a metre away from the repeller !

I knew about grass seeds and to check feet and ears. HOWEVER, i did not know they could so easily penetrate and migrate. So thank you OP for posting, and Sheena Cant believe it went all the way to his shoulder- couldnt imagine that! Also you'd be surprised about how little some dog owners know- not so much on this forum - but the general population is often not greatly informed on such things. the barley grass ones do travel fairly fast .. many times I remember helping the vet poke into a long tunnel travelling from in between pads to along the foot /up the leg . Once, a dog of ourse must have got one in her mouth .. it abscessed the salivary gland , and was not pretty . Healed up fine though :)

Might be worth getting a blood profile done - just to see how he's going ....?

I would estimate that about 95% of dog owners would not be aware of the dangers of grass seeds, unless they experience it themselves or hear about it from someone else who had the experience with their dog. So.....no....not everyone knows :) I agree - there a lot of dogs who never get near any grass with awns, like barley grass, etc .

Grass seeds can be horrible. ... they travel under the skin , cause nasty abscesses like your boy had ... ..and get in ears/throats/feet/toes... A friend has an orphan lamb who has been very ill and not able to suck .. this little one has been treated for grass seed abscesses on her jaw, her chin, and in one ear ! Glad your boy will now have relief :)

ENJOY! A sleeping puppy is a GOOD puppy ;)

i remember years ago there was a query on this - the yellow morning vomits ;) I have had dogs do it , too. The solution in these cases was to give dogs a few bikkies as a late night snack - no more morning upchucks :) Have you tried this with your dog?

Thanks for that video, jules :) Looks good!

is it totally DRUG FREE - or is it NO G.A . Do they perhaps give them a shot of something which leaves the poor dog paralysed- but conscious ? I think the worst first, sorry if the person doing it has no qualifications - steer clear .

how do they keep the dog still? A dog who wriggles at the wrong moment risks injury .... I'd be asking what restraint methods they use .

He was such a gem - do you know how long it took me to rehome him?! He was an awesome dog just very big for a lab and middle aged by the time he came to me. labs are a funny thing - folks either grab them .. or just aren't interested . I guess middle aged makes a difference.Anyhow - I am SO glad he found a home, and a job .That's such a good story :) The thing is with labs - so many people expect "guide dog" calmness and obedience ... but don't realise that labs are a whole lotta dog under that winsome smile - and understanding /patience & honesty are needed to produce that. (just never ever, ever offer me an entire young adult male lab who has been a backyard feature) NEVER AGAIN - I have had some awful experiences with them, poor dogs.

a collective AWWWWWW :) The face of that lab boy ............... *melt*

a collective AWWWWWW :) The face of that lab boy ............... *melt*

i don't think they are suitable for baby pups - Your pup is NOT a baby pup ...and I would perhaps find a different trainer ;) but .. Not sure about now ..but back in my previous life I trained many many guide and therapy dogs using chain collars - these were dogs who were working in public, and needed to be bombproof, friendly and of solid temperament :) Most were - and those that were not were born that way .

Haven't looked. Mitchell used to tremble all over - and chatter his teeth - LOUD , others in the waiting room could hear . He hated the vets .

welll- dogs CAN live happily never going to a park with other dogs :) - said partly light heartedly - there are dogs to bee seen on walks, at Club/events ..and there are organised 'playdates', where the dogs can hoon around safely . . if a dog is taught to toilet on command , then the mess can be kept to a particular spot, too - so there is no need to visit a park for that purpose ....

A thought? have you tried the obedience bit on a footpath away from a main road ? Working on a footpath can be good - as there are often cooking smells /kids/ the odd cat /folks on 'gophers' - all that stuff :)

IMO, the majority of folks use parks as a place for R&R ..and for their dogs to "play with others" . Someone expecting to work seriously and undisturbed ? A rare happening! I suggest buying/using one of these - how are folks/and their dogs to know to give you a wide berth otherwise?

What if you cut back on the walks - and do different things with him instead?

Agree - vet check on heart /joints, etc ..then probably a change in feeding .Also take him out for walks very early ,and maybe late at night when it's cooler. is there a destination he enjoys? coffee shop/beach/friend's house? that could increase his motivation :)