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She is a koolie - When I decide to tether them first up .. they have a nice walk/run with the others .. then I make sure there is a nice bed they know just near the kitchen .. so I can see them without being seen all the time . On goes a collar - tight, so it can NOT be slipped , as that is a lesson quickly learnt . Then, depending on pup - a chain or soft leash is attached ..about 2 metres. yes, they do pull for about a minute - I let them work that out for themselves ..that they ARE attached ..and yes, I do watch carefully ..but mostly there is no panic- just a 'oh damn ..I can't go any further' type reaction. Then I go outside and call them over.. make a big fuss , give them a treat/bone and a cuddle and leave them be for a couple of hours . That's it for day one.... I think making sure pup has a known bed.. a toy/treat familiar..and is in a suitable spot where they normally are not stressed is very important ! .. I do not advocate chaining etc unless owners are experienced, and dogs are a suitable temperament . Accidents can so easily happen ... we have been doing this as long as I can remember ... and are comfortable with it - also our dogs are not 'pets' as such ..and have independent natures to start with ..we have never had a problem/injury.

:p looks can be deceptive ! She takes after her mum, whose name describes her nature , "Bitch" She is showing good promise as a worker ,(spends most of her free time 'working' Bruce, the pet sheep) , so here's hoping !

Possum is around 4 mths old now ... and is starting tether training and general manners . here she is just now .. 15 minutes into her first experience of being tethered . She looks very stressed , doesn't she ? :p She had a rice cake with peanut butter, and a tummy rub... and seems happy to stay in bed for now . ( and yes, she does know she is attached to something solid! )

LOL :) these are all great!

hamlet then... hamlet grown up :)

I My guess is , having a diagnosis and deciding on surgery .. Tralee then had to find the $5000 to pay for said surgery . Not a task I envy. just a thought .. perhaps entirely off the scale ..but would amputation be a consideration in a case like this ?

I hope that you can source a vet who will do a good service to this dog. re: 'sling' and a bilateral tethering arrangement .. every thing you attach to the dog alters to the dog's range of movement/balance ..putting different muscles under stress . A tether as used - is just one other thing for the dog to negotiate ..which I feel he doesn't need. You have other dogs .. do you not have crates/small pens ? IMO a pen would be more comfy for that dog -- as then HE could choose when & where to place his feet ..or how to lie down . Too bad if he doesn't have a view ..provided he's comfortable . I will also suggest using RESCUE REMEDY on him ... this will help lessen any anxiety .

:) a bit like GP's .- in our clinic- one is good for internal medicine, one excellent for injuries , one is more understanding of MH issues .. they just can not be good at everything.

<br style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.600000381469727px; background-color: rgb(238, 242, 247); ">Glad the op. went well . Good luck with keeping her quiet now ,as she recovers ! :)

Hi..and OUCH! What training does pup get ? Do you go to an obedience /puppy school? What were his littermates like - was he the most active/outgoing? have you ever tried N I L I F ?

lovely ! Everyone looks to be having such a good time :) I love his tail !

ouch. poor pup .. Hope the surgery goes well, and that hse heals quickly

Tralee - is this the same vet you had lots of dissatisfaction with some time ago..with your bitch ? Definitely time to travel to another .....

arcane .. you may want to edit the photo showing council tag .... this is available to the public eye ..and it may mean dog can be traced also whoever added the pic in a quote may want to delete it?

Vets can do amazing things ... and I do have great respect for them - when they operate within their field of expertise I worked for a vet for many years .. and had/still have the greatest respect for his knowledge and abilities as a diagnostician and surgeon ..and for his skill in negotiating with clients. however- he was/is not wonderful in trying to help with behavioural problems , or diet stuff, for example..... vets have to acquire SO much knowledge..not only dog related ..but rodents/large animal/avian medicine- and they cannot be expected to be absolutely cognisant and correct on everything. (why there are specialists) ..so, yes she may be exactly right .... or she may not be fully aware of the growth/development of working breeds , and how joints do respond to different exercise regimes ..so she recommends jointguard 'just to be safe' ? My guess is that you explained to her his activity levels and that you were looking for a way to exercise him and settle him a bit?

This is what I was taught many many years ago when doing my guide dog training course...and I stick by it.

No, however a lot of traits/working styles/preferences, travel down the line ... I love watching pups 'working' pet sheep or poultry ..and being able to immediately spot the 'style' of their grandparents , etc.

Clyde - I think one of the BIG differences is that these dogs are working on soil/grass ..not concrete/paving , compacted gravel /;roads. We rarely have any joint issues with our dogs ..until they hit double figures ..then they slow down and are retired if they are finding things too difficult. Pups too, are tackling different substrates etc from a very young age ..ours wander from their kennel/nest at around 4 weeks ..and learn to cope with sand/undergrowth etc ..but they are self exercising only . Pups are only allowed to free run for their first 3 months ..then it's pen and chain training . Many folks here keep them penned/chained from an earlier age "to stop their feet spreading from too much running" When our pups start work, they are worked one day, rested the next ..and a lot of the time when they are 'at work' they are on a chain , watching. We would not expect a young dog to work more than a few hours a day at first .. Mind you, HOW they sometimes avoid injury is beyond me .. one 4 mth old jumped off a retaining wall .. almost 6 feet,onto a concrete verandah ... not a sign of any injury!

Why? Dog's sleeping habits are different to humans ....and a growing puppy needs to nap /rest body and mind . Once again - by training him to be busy and stay awake, you are creating a hyper dog. train him indoors with you .. train him to sit and lie quietly - with a chew toy or bone. train him to pick things up for you train him to follow you , to stop when you do ..and just 'chill' self exercise is an easy concept :) pup is provided with interactive toys that pup LIKES and is interested in . pup then learns to play alone - develops independence and also develops its thinking and movement skills with no pressure to perform. interactive toys your pup may enjoy (ours do) are things like leather footballs - plastic drink bottles with a handful of kibble inside , a length of safe cotton rope- knotted at one end ... a big cardboard box - which can be jumped on/hidden in & chewed :) a sandpit to dig in /hide treats in ... and maybe some things from HERE

Many years ago I was friends with a breeder of cavs ..and her dogs were delightful - sturdy, chasing birds/cattle ..sound in body and mind (some competed in obedience as well...) But that was around 30 years ago ...

yes, indeed - as he gets fitter, you will need to do more & more! Training him to NOT race around will , altho difficult , make him tired :) Think kids after working hard at school/homework , as opposed to hooning around with their mates :)

Not commonly .... stomach content is pretty disgusting- very acid and not pleasant. Eating herbivore manure is perfectly normal :) Our dogs just love it , too.

..not being rude.. but a sling is possibly also hurting .It would not hold the leg/foot in the same manner as his own muscle groups .. I think a full vet check before surgery is in order ... just in case.

Pigs are smart and very much characters ..I love April, and yes, I hunt feral pigs !They do so much damage

Noooooooooo Look HERE