persephone

ooh , NOICE!!

I agree with this . All I can think of is to speak with the neighbour, and/or get a second fence , and a run for Vinnie to stay in when alone . better be in a run than be chewed up

fordogs ..what BIG feet you have!!!!

I plonked Don on the outside table and hypnotised him :p ... some are fuzzy (my camera action) left F, right F left R ,right R

sounds as if he is looking to expand his territory/collection ...be very careful..and put up some sort of second fence in your yard . if there is an incident while you are not there ,it could be nasty

what else do they get aside from raw muscle meat? ( and a chicken neck)? What size/age are they...you said they are fat enough ..so do they get enough exercise, or are they equipped with big brown food seeking eyes? :D

YES!! eddie - I also lived in teh suburbs for some time with outside only dogs years ago ...us kids would play with teh dog a lot ..and spend hours in the yard family gardened /grew food, so were outside a lot. I think dog was happy to have some peace at night!! Things have changed much ...and many of the owners on D O L who work full time spend a HUGE amount of 'spare' time training their dogs /doing dog sports /herding/hiking..all sorts of things .Training is also done in the house /around the shopping centres..all over! Do I think you're cruel? nope. Uninformed ? Somewhat :) a GSD is a largeish dog , with an undercoat that needs a lot of grooming, and which falls out . have a read about them here http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/175982-german-shepherd-dog/ nowdays, too- lines of dogs are different from a few generations ago ...and you may find them different to teh ones your family had in the UK ;) http://www.dolforums...n-shepherd-dog/ there is much discussion, breed traits, health, training needs ..all sorts of good stuff! enjoy :)

these had only just been put into that paddock - hopefully they will put some meat on their bones, poor girls . their owner is not the most caring ......

..I know I say about inside dogs ... we also do have working sheepdogs who live outside ...BUT they are part of a large working family/pack ... As babies, they are inside often to get used to the sights & sounds, and to bond/learn 'calm' ; As adults they enjoy spending time with us gardening/hunting feral cats etc ..and of course, when there is work ..they are with their boss all day running/mustering etc .They are well occupied!! . Being on chains at night and when we need them to be - they have kongs, drink bottles filled with food , lots of bones - and ,luckily, are allowed to dig themselves dens in the sand and bark at kangaroos/foxes/things that go bump in the night .We don't have the worries of suburban life, thank goodness !

....and I just found this article in case you needed some verification .. http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_BackyardDogs.php

so good to read :)

Eddie ..good for you in throwing the question in here. ( and by training, I am hoping this refers to you ;) you cannot teach a dog , unless you know your dog , and what makes it WANT to do the things you ask :) Dogs are pack animals ..so , while they can stay alone when people work - they NEED people contact to LEARN how to behave. Dogs are not automatically good inside, or with strangers, or kids. All this is hard work on the part of an owner - a LOT like bringing up a toddler , really . if a toddler is left in their room alone a lot of the day , they are going to miss out out on so many things which will make them a social and well behaved individual - do you agree? often, a dog left outside at night will find LOTS of ways to entertain itself --- like digging/chewing/barking at noises/howling/chasing cats/possums/birds/rats etc . There are outside dogs , for sure ..however, they do need extra training/company and opportunities to do stuff , so as to stop them going crazy . If you do reading on here - you will find there ARE ways of having a dog sleeping indoors ,and being a part of your family.... the thing is, before you get a puppy , there is much about dogs to learn :) An example .. a puppy who is trained consistently to sleep/be calm in a pen/crate can then learn all about "inside" , and "family" ..and pick up good manners .I pup kept outdoors, and allowed inside occasionally may well be the one who races in, jumps on things, grabs items , then poos on teh floor be patient - allow yourselves to think 'outside the box' ....and let us know which breed you are considering?

that sounds positive ...perhaps she has never been hungry ..and has not had to work for her food, or had opportunity to taste smell other things at all? it would still concern me that she is so tiny , tho.

Poor little thing. What does the vet say ?

found this: Rupture of Cranial Cruciate Ligament of the Stifle Definition: Tearing or disruption of the cranial cruciate ligament as a result of twisting or rotary movement. Incidence: Not uncommon. Seen more in older bulls and in heavy cows, especially when first put out on pasture after being restricted. Often cows are in late pregnancy. Clinical Signs: Sudden onset of lameness. Lameness is moderate to severe. Early, if animal is tractable, may elicit a positive drawer-forward test. If problem is chronic in nature, may be difficult to demonstrate. See moderate to severe distension of femoral tibial joint capsules. Audible or palpable crepitus maybe felt on movement or rotation of the hock joint. Tibial tuberosity maybe more prominent. Differential Diagnosis: Collateral ligament rupture, meniscal damage, acute gonitis, degenerative joint disease, patellar fracture, and distal epiphyseal fracture of the femur. Clinical signs especially a positive drawer-forward sign are extremely useful as are arthrocentesis and radiography. Treatment: Rest, TLC. Analgesics in the acute state but overall very little in the heavy animal. Modified Paatsama procedures have been performed in lighter animals. Prognosis: unfavorable and this http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080327171031.htm seems it is not only heavy beef breeds which can suffer!

:) good work!

WooHoo ... looking forward to seeing lots of photos :)

a round 14 weeks I think??

he floats along, doesn't he ?

Not so much ... and I think with bitches, each cycle without a pregnancy leaves a thickening in the uterus ..and if this breaks down, it allows bacteria to grow .... something like that, anyhow.

The op to remove uterus/cervix and leave ovaries is possible, for sure . However , bitches will still show "in season behaviours" and attract males - things owners are pleased to NOT have in a dog who has had an ovarohysterectomy .

https://www.dropbox.com/s/p96dv7oe6m5sm2v/003.MOV

love this!! :D thankyou