persephone

Have you had a look at THIS THREAD for grooming requirements ? cavs need some attention to ear cleanliness ... They certainly are more in need of daily checking/removing matts /keeping feet clean , than a short coat breed ....

How much did he eat? half a tub? A teaspoon ?

;) That's a bit like being 'a little bit' pregnant . You either are or not. :) Look at it maybe as not a dog dominating you ...but more a language barrier .The dog is getting a reward by using a paw , or a nose, or barking ..as a puppy would to another pup /its mum...Mum, stop, ,I need to suckle ...... Mum, I just need to touch you , ....Hey littermate ..I poke, you chase, ok? .... That sort of thing :) The other pup, or mum would turn & walk away , or if the behaviour kept up, would give 'THE look', maybe followed by a growl/nip. Humans are not quite fluent in dog ...so need to do other things to show dog what makes everyone happy :)

Nice, cnsunshine ..I like the car one especially :)

..or perhaps she was AI'd too early, and is now 'ready' ?

The concept of their own imminent death or that of an owner or another dog perhaps? I would suspect that there is a huge amount of irrefutable evidence that dogs understand when an owner, or another animal that they live with, is dying or has died. Dogs do grieve, do they not? As with any mammal in particular, they also understand when their own life is in danger and react accordingly, using the flight or fight response. In regards to this particular situation, it is a shame that the son chose to follow his mother's wishes. People who know they are dying do not always make rational decisions, just as people who are not dying also can make stupid decisions. In my opinion, this woman's decision was not entirely different to people who choose to have a fairly young and healthy dog put down for other nefarious reasons. They get cues that something is different but they don't understand that in the future my owner will die and I'll never see them again. Some go through periods where they behave as though they are grieving, but it's not the same grieving we do. When the fight or flight adrenal response occurs it's instinctive, it's not a cognitive process, it's hard wired. Dogs don't have theory of mind or meta-representation (yes, evidence for that) so they cannot understand that things will be different in the future and mourn that, they live in the now. Which is what I love about them :) and how I wish I could live :) </h3>

yes, of COURSEshe did :p She made you go where she wanted you to ..then relaxed . Both you and she need to learn that it is not the pup who makes decisions as to who goes where/does what ...... and this needs to be learnt ASAP , she has you right where she wants you ! :) Have you read about Nothing In Life Is Free ? I think it's a great concept ... if humans learn it properly, then a pup/dog CAN decide just how much affection/praise it gets each day .... merely for pleasing the humans !! :) Have a read ....CLICK HERE Humans merely need to learn to watch and to be patient , and the immediacy of reward ...pups/dogs learn what brings them reward .... and what brings absolutely nothing ! :)

Its called playing ..... and its fun seeing what develops :p

Yep - independent mobility does not cme easy for so many people. .Glad that one worked out :)

Brookestar .. No way did I say it is common to train one's own guide dog. It is rare .... and no where did I mention that folks read a book, then trained their dog. These were people who had guide dogs previously .... so had many years of experience , and knew what they required. There is no 'magic' in training guide dogs. I have not said once that is is 'easy to do ' The training is composite , and is done on a scale , takes a long time , and involves much blood sweat & tears. roadworks, shopping trolleys, and noisy manhole covers too :) yes, I've been there done that ..as a final 'test' walk with all the dogs I trained ..It is such a BUZZ to feel that dog's every move as it looks around, wags that tail..or shifts weight to negotiate an obstacle ...and to know that now it reliable and is ready to place with a client ... The majority of folks don't, no, they rely on the excellent standards of the providing organisation. However, there are patches of country where no one really cares if a dog guiding a vision impaired person has been trained in a big city ....or if the harness handles are home made ;) The dog does its job ... and that dog & their owner negotiate back roads & fields quite happily :) Oh, and post #37 is where you'll find a mention of the dog being owner trained ..that's all I know :)

Oops, sorry...

Brookestar...as I said , the info on owner training was posted on here ..I have no idea how accurate it is. :) it is rare, yes , but can be done ..there's no 'magic' to it . :) I know several people who trained their own dogs ....they just couldn't be bothered with all the organisational stuff ... had dogs previously , and went ahead . No doubt in places like the U.S, there are many who have selected a dog to suit, and raised/trained it to their own standard .

:) Hopefully all will continue to go well .... !!

:) was talking with my friend on the phone earlier..and all I could hear was a squeaky toy being well used...punctuated with the sound of galloping -and- bouncing-on- the- couch-being -chased by a smaller-dog- type noise!!

A blurry shot of "Regan", my friend's new slobberchops :)

The OP wanted "small breed/short coat" ...

That is an improvement - well done :) pups/dogs NEED to learn self-sufficiency ...they need to play by themselves ( obviously with provided intereactive toys) pups/dogs also get you love & attention in bucketfuls during training/walking ..because you are rewarding them for every 'right; move they make. What could be better? They have their brain switched on..are following direction, and getting rewards :) If you are doing several VERY SHORT training sessions with her each day , plus a walk or two .... she does not need to be pestering you for attention. Giving her your attention is YOUR choice ...not hers . That's what she has to learn - similar to a whinging toddler , who grabs your clothing and grizzles while you are trying to cook a meal or talk on the phone ......there are times when playing alone is a Very Good Thing.

Tris...yes... that's what they seem to be meant for - getting down & dirty & using all those muscles!! That is a happy happy dog!!

:) lovely dogs ..but maybe not the best for someone with mobility problems? have you looked twice ( or even once) at French Bulldogs ? :) They are SUCH good company ... I have only ever trained one ..and thought she was just the absolute loveliest personality :) cute photos HERE if you want a look :)

ooh .. I have but one idea have you tried taking pics with a different/new card? I suggest trying this step first , before total panic ;) Cards do become wonky .... and need replacing ... Hopefully that's all it is

fuji finepix image .. edited in Sagelight & picasa

he had a fantastic old age ... R I P gorgeous boy.

I yes.... but Most of the folks I trust would wimp out at that sort of wish....

For this scenario , indeed .

*nods*