persephone

Professionals are wonderful to have at your side - they know dogs- how they behave, and why.They can then explain it to you, and help you put more 'tools' in your dog-problem -fixing basket.

:)

OK... so , has his breeder any advice to you? Has he had a full vet check? if he has not been castrated ...a youngster full of hormones may be more prone to some behaviours ... Once again..getting him assessed by Jane Harper would be the best way to find out exactly where things have gone wrong :) THEN you know in which direction to head ...

r8chl Ok.. coming here with concerns about behaviours is a little like going to a doctor - you describe what's happening /has happened ..and , BASED ON THAT , we can make educated guesses as to why the dog is behaving that way ... Dogs needs are fairly basic ..but they MUST be fulfilled , or problems very soon develop. I don't think I lie when I say that we have all had some sort of problem with our dog/s ... sometimes it's an easy fix ... sometimes it is a long road....

..and unless you do have a LOT of time to now spend with this dog , working on your relationship, and the unacceptable behaviour , I would almost agree with him. EXCEPT giving away a dog who has snapped at people, before it has been assessed by a professional is a fairly irresponsible act It really sounds as though you have your hands way too full ..and with a new baby on the way , you will not be as free to educate your dog and your family on what needs to be done.With a partner working away and you working ..this dog is just not getting the exercise, training and company he needs .he is now adult ..and needs to be using his body and brain for some hours every single day . I do urge you to contact someone like Jane Harper - a professional who can come to your home and discuss your worries - see how the dog behaves , and then give you some options on what can be done .

That's generous , and I may just take you up on that , thank you!

I want it put on my wall...the whole wall! :p

ok. Instant favourite!!! Soft and understated and beautiful :)

My suggestion as well...there is no way I would leave a pup with free reign overnight ! I have never used a crate..but any pups of mine have been in my room ..on a light chain , overnight - and I have never had a chewer .

my old fuji finepix S8000D point/shoot . ... it has a very useful macro function :). I don't know how other macro lenses work ..but with this ..I get to within about 1- 2 cm from my subject ..and it is great fun - a hunt /stalk and capture process. Sometimes it takes a looong time to get them used to having a lens in their faces , literally. :) I love it. this one - bee fly , is breakfasting on a thistle :) It took ages to settle down and start feeding again ... fascinating little critter!

"If you can Touch it, Then It's real"

:) dogfan, I like the parsley seedheads !

Such a pretty rose :) lovely soft pink!

..a lot of truth in that , too !

I always say the opposite ..our dogs have teeth, and they will use them if they see a need. If your dogs are not pets, then do they work ? At what? .. Your self- imposed constraints ..are they because of an innate behaviour of your dogs, or just that they have never been thoroughly socialised?

maybe dingoes have changed .. in my previous life I was involved with a group who were attempting to keep the alpine dingo genes as pure as they could. To this end .. dingoes were fostered out ...and each month or so , brought together for the day ..as a socialisation thing. I never ever viewed these as 'pets'..and they weren't ,really. They certainly maintained all their own behaviours , vocalisations/oestrus cycles ..and on one of several occasions where I was 'bailed up' by one ... it was a very different experience . I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with them ...like domestic dogs..but very different . ..maybe in the past 30 odd years , breeding has changed them somewhat ....their 'wildness' and displays of behaviour was what I found wonderful ..even when it was directed my way ..with the whining growl sounding more like an angry cat than a dog , getting higher pitched as the mood changed ...

..and don't forget .The camera may be pristine on the outside ...but how many times has that shutter been pressed? Have a read HERE...It's an important thing ..for buyers especially!!!!

She must have been a wonderful little companion..

Arthritis HURTS .... seems a very sudden onset though?

I'm glad she is on the road to recovery :)

they are ..and also will probably 'alert' to raptors, strangers , strange dogs ..and they FLY ..a long way, and high.

provide something MUCH better than what they chew :) if they are chewing because of noise...or scent..or texture ..then find things which are similar? I have never had problem chewers , so can't really help. The only time I have had anything chewed, was when I left stuff where it was easily accessible .

Hope all goes well at the vets ...

:) I like his 'freckly' face

maybe check the crate as well... make sure there is PLENTY of room for him to lie with that leg stretched out fully at right angles to his body ..and that he can turn without having to bend in a tight 'U' shape ..maybe forcing him to try & twist that knee.... that knee needs to remain aligned nice & straight :) ( I have luxating patellas ..I sympathise :p) Luckily I can manage 'reasonably' well using orthotics!