persephone

yet another indicator that they know there is no more "dog" in that body ...

indeed.

poor frightened little dog I hope the snake survives ....

:) :)

What a lovely poem and tribute on the first anniversary ................................

there are lots of those around, I am sure dogs who are kept as showpieces ...not given guidance/boundaries ..., for example ....

Agree ,, ill and old animals are not 'sleeping'..and I was always careful to avoid saying -"being put to sleep".. It's good you have time .... there are also these youtube videos ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=9NjFbz6vGU8

I try & let other animals see/sniff the dead one . That way they KNOW ....it might take several minutes ..but they will know that their mate is not there anymore.....

While i'm sorry you had to have them euth'd ..their lives were much compromised to start with , poor little babies. I am so glad their mum is doing well, and the other 3 appear to be happy and thriving - you've done well.

I am not saying that dogs which run/sniff etc are monsters, or undisciplined or behaving 'wrongly', at all ...every single dog owner has a different way of interacting with their dog/s To each his own :) Dogs I had in the city certainly had their swimming/mud puddle times/chasing ducks/playing -zoomies-on-the-beach times ..but walking was working ..not toileting/playing :) .guess it was all my years of training guide dogs , who needed to concentrate on what was ahead of them ,and what their owner's body language was ..no room for distractions ...at all!

Agree, we are out for a walk, for exercise, they can play all they like at home. When I was in the city ..walks were walks ..no toileting/sniffing etc unless I said . free running was different ...walks on lead were not for mucking around ....we were both there to do a brisk walk ;) as for feeding - my vet used to prescribe brown rice/different meats and veges for older dogs with arthritis ... I remember one lady with a little poodle loved the difference it made to her dog, so she went onto that food as well, and was very happy :)

he's happy and spolied , and very much loved ...what more is there ?

this can also be a fear/uncertainty reaction - he is indoors/cannot assess the danger level ... so the growl is based on this uncertainty .......maybe. From your posting, it sounds as if he does need a decent assessment , so you can then know exactly in what direction to head. JANE HARPER is often mentioned favourably on D O L ..maybe contact her?

yes- there are many such incidents ..rarely any great damage :)

a contradiction , unfortunately ..of COURSE, being a baby ,suddenly with no mum or siblings, or familiar things .... she wants to be with her family !!! if you are within sight/hearing/scenting distance, she will break her heart (and the pen) to get to you. I was always taught to start as you mean to go on , ,ie: if you work ..then bring pup home ..arrange feeding ...go to work .Puppy has no option but to stay in pen/backyard/dog run ,as you are not there to 'tempt' it. Special toys/bones/food etc are there to keep it fed/occupied..... and the routine of being alone , and you coming home ..will be learned faster ... (IMHO,anyhow) You may need to rethink the enclosures you are using ..staffies are strong,and vocal and determined ....and can probably outlast/out dig and out howl you ;) some discussion links on staffy pups :) CLICK CLICK

It sounds uncomfortable for you ... I suggest you get him assessed by a behaviourist first ......it may be that he has now reached maturity ...and because of his nature is more reactive ....?

:) ..so many toys ........

I think she's going "Nooooooooooooooo"

if you have a heap of humidity, it may not work ...Arizona would be perfect! AFAIK it scores/cuts the insect exoskeleton ..allowing the insect to dry out ..but if wet/damp ,the powder doesn't cling or do what it's supposed to, apparently . Diatoms are amazing little things alive,or fossilised, it seems :)

the handles on original flexi leashes , being firm and easy to grip was actually very nice to walk with .. no leash dangling when retracted , and no way a hand/wrist could get caught up either. I used to use it when walking to a favourite park every morning ...then use the extended leash :) (this was before 'dog parks' )

Interesting ..humans use that ginormous calf muscle to move blood ..dogs don't have a big muscle like that in their lower leg ..p'raps that helps?

it does sound awkward ... if approached by a good ranger or someone, the man may welcome some help , by the way you describe it ... Walking couldn't be pleasant for him or teh dog!

Oh, and Benz --- don't get too cranky with those trying to help ...this is D O L ..and a lot of threads involve very different opinions/points of view , education ,strong discussion, and disagreement. ;) MOST times , decent forum etiquette prevails ....and new folks get used to the back & forth .

did he do tests to see exactly which ..or take an educated guess? Hopefully the medication will do the trick , and your pup will be comfortable soon.