persephone

yep :) I think this is a part of puppy 'socialisation' which gets overlooked by a lot of people Most humans do not enjoy walking/playing in the rain, so simply do not take the pup out in it, and make it a fun and learning time. training to toilet on command, and letting puppy see rain as no barrier to being outside ... I do not mean to leave a pup outside in the wet ...no way. the owner needs to be involved, and use treats/toys/walks /games , to show pup that everything still works, and that the praise/treats still happen, even tho there's water falling out the sky :D

Suss them out :) - ask what lines they are bred from ...how all the health test results look, etc.

flickr has quite a few 'beginner' groups, with opportunity to ask questions etc ...like THIS ONE , or DPS has one .....HERE

:) :)

Fair enough . Hope we see one you are really pleased with :)

not my cup of tea ...but I can appreciate the effort taken :)

lots of bokehrama images HERE and an explanation ..interesting, and a lot of effort , apparently.

I suggest going for walks in the rain..playing fetch- whatever she likes doing :) . Teach her that rainy times can be fun, too. Our dogs don't care a hoot about rain ..and enjoy getting out & about - I think because they've never been allowed to use it as an excuse . I put on a coat /take a brolly ..and off we go.

:) Looks like it was a cold and pretty morning! .

:) They're good, aren't they ?

Hi ..these little guys are one of my favourites , tho I do not have any. there are a couple of LINKS for you to do some research ..have fun! LINK LINK

Ouch! From what I've read , she has a good surgeon ..and , being young , should heal well. keeping her quiet now - that could be interesting :p Hoping all goes well tomorrow :)

:) Good suggestion, except that scene is ,to me, what happens in Winter- bare stalks, dead leaves, patches of green in the background signifying moisture, and the little droplet after a rain shower .

:) It can do . requires a lot of experimenting , though..but that's OK..it's fun!

I hope their dog can be more comfortable soon , and that they get good treatment options :)

..and meanwhile, dog is uncomfortable ....

and that is quite possibly the reason your dog is chewing/scratching. those fleas that usually use a dog as host LOVE that spot just above the tail... it is a spot where dogs can't usually reach with their hind foot to scratch at ! So - a couple of fleas..some irritation ..an attempt from your dog to make it better ...broken skin...then perhaps some minor pain, and infection /inflammation ...poor dog tries to ease the discomfort , but it just makes it worse Unless you see a vet you will not know for sure what it is , unfortunately ..chewing etc can also be the dog trying to soothe some pain in joints etc , too. I suggest you use a flea product that works ... wash the affected area(not the whole dog- he needs some oils in his coat/skin) in the malaseb , then, when dry, use some aloe vera gel to help soothe and heal it. Unfortunately tho, if he has no protection against fleas ..all this is just band aid stuff.

I am so glad all the concerns have been addressed now, and that things are happier :)

It does depend on lots of things :) how old is the dog , and how are her teeth? How active is she? what is her weight like?How 'overweight' ? what else is in her diet?

Fishing is certainly not humane, but I'm not sure I can see how it relates to domestic violence.

a GSD with a decent coat , provided there is an area which stays dry , would be fine outside , IMO :) Provide a kennel or large cardboard box (like one that carried a fridge ) under shelter ..some chewy things, and interactive toys .. :)

Muzzle (the soft basket type like THIS )when indoors and supervised ..outdoors with old tyres/lots of edible bones , cardboard boxes - toys which make him think/work until you can get an appointmemnt with a recommended trainer/behaviourist the only one I remember reading about on DOL in QLD is Jane Harper. I hope you can get some help soon ..it must be frustrating

just on what you've written ..it almost sounds as if ,sometime, when you have approached like that, at the same time he has has a pain twinge,(maybe standing up , or when hugged) or there's been something which concerned him , and now, that posture of yours brings back those feelings? have you tried..instead of approaching him - and encouraging him to do stuff, as previously - sitting/squatting, and call him to you for a 'hello' , while he's sitting calmly ? treats/hugs ..then just go about the routine .Maybe a change like that could help? Dogs which are excited, like us, can zig when they should have zagged..and tweak a muscle or joint momentarily .