persephone

*nods* an 18 mth kelpie anyhow ! :p

might be just me- but a dog who has no training ..and ,I presume, has not been walked by staffyluv yet .... well, I would be very wary of taking him out on the street Do you know, staffyluv, what he's like around strange dogs/traffic/loud noises/strange people approaching? While walking is a good idea, generally , with an unknown dog , it can be an 'interesting' experience . A dog who has no real bond with you may show all sorts of reactions...and if he does not recognise you as his leader/protector ... the walk may not be very pleasant . Does he walk ok on leash? That would be a nice thing to have, even if he doesn't sit!

*nods* very different environments ..and very different behaviour ;) Forget "sit" for now .... just concentrate on NOT rewarding him for anything but having 4 feet on teh ground ..or his bum. no pushing off when he jumps... turn away if you can .. and don't say anything . any words/touch can be rewarding ... I am glad he stops eventually. Make a cake for the grumpy neighbour, apologise, and say you are working on it.... a wire crate- where he could see you would probably be much more settling for him. He has possibly never been behind a solid door before:( probably a backyard boy ..with lots of 'love' ..and absolutely no boundaries/rules/consequences....and once mature, as he is .. too hard to handle. as well as NILIF, then..start him immediately on k9 pro's triangle of temptation.... LINK IMO, before you can start trying to teach sit etc , Gus and you need to have some sort of conversation regarding who does what in the household. simple things like TOT and NILIF are a good way to start that conversation ..with no side tracking or 'right/wrong' pressure X happens, then Y is the reward - very basic stuff for the dog . Remember the family has to do it- not just you.

...and his previous owners possibly could not cope with his behaviour ... OK. of course my first recommendation is to get in a professional ;) We can give you all sorts of advice... but having someone there- to see Gus doing what he does ,and walking with you is invaluable. What I will suggest is: N I LI F The dog gets no rewards unless his behaviour is what you want ... calm/obedient/controlled/clean. he will get hugs/pats/"goodboys"/loving looks.... and CALM quiet praise . BUT only when he deserves them..not just for being handsome ,or alongside you. It is up to him to decide how much affection/reward he gets in a day ;) So .. when he's sitting/lying quietly.. he gets attention. when he comes to his name when he's quiet on the other side of the door ...for 10 seconds, even. you haven't had him long at all - I am not surprised he chewed his way out of a crate !! I will also suggest a decent wire crate ..and proper training to get him used to being in one ;) So.. what did you do at 3 am? Did he stop of his own accord? If he did that's great ! ) And then he should have been rewarded, ideally ... (but I can understand if not ) :p I will also suggest ,when indoors, having him attached to you with a longish lead ..... so he can not get into mischief without you knowing . No need to talk to him, just have him be settled and controlled and with you ..just like a handbag ;) If you went to him...... then tonight, he will possibly bark until 4 am !!..cos he 'knows' you'll turn up eventually. Any of this that is hormone related will lessen a bit some time after he's castrated ... sounds ,though, as though he has not had any training. Please get someone in to help you

Soft food .... she'll hate that . *iamgines * EB sitting down to a plateful of egg& bacon , donuts.... :p

Ouch! ..and why I never feed hard beef bones ..only non weight bearing ones. Glad she is OK now Daisy ... she's done it again :p

A diet change may help... but best to get the vet's opinion first - in case it is something different.....and not yeast.

Many many years of practice ;)

thanks for letting us see the underwater beasties !

when your name's Widget , and you are not allowed indoors during the day .... the only spot you can be close to the boss, and feel a part of things is sleeping on the old pot plant stand under a window... and when they do let you indoors .. and you go to bed, you sleep in the cat room! half the time a cat kicks you off your pillows, but then you take a cat bed .. horrible thing to do to a dog !

Good points

That's right ! Some of ours are perfect with chooks- but if they get a chance, will eat guineafowl .Others are fine with sheep .. but hate the goats ...

A rescue from interstate... a dog I 'd not seen in the flesh ... I'd be doubtful... but I'm not you ;) Also two dogs ,same age, same sex .. may not get along as well as I would like... I like the idea of getting adults - or older pups .. pups ARE a lot of work.... and adults already have their temperament/size Toss a coin... and when you are disappointed in what turns up - then you've made your choice!! ;)

Ouch ! Poor boy... All I can suggest is to keep him very lean ..and once the wound has healed, to gradually build up his general fitness . Hope all goes well , and that he doesn't have too many nose dives getting used to being a tripod ! You may also see some interesting re-learning if the leg he lifts to pee is opposite to the amputation ...as he won't have that leg to bear weight ..and will learn to either lift the other leg, or squat ... thinking of you- and him. I always worry about shoulders when zoomies involve crashes ....

*nods* ;) She's lovely!..glad you have a matching pair - cat & pug colours

I was thinking the same thing. He's dog agressive and untrained BUT he didn't attack a human. Lot's of dogs around like that! Nekhbet said this:

It's not difficult to start a new email address . Hotmail is always a prime spam target For what breed are you searching?

I think some things are taken to extremes, yes. But so much of what we humans use/ingest - in particular artificial ingredients, are just not good for dogs ... they are metabolised differently, and can cause havoc.

I must be odd.. I don't see anything to laugh at over a dog being quite unwell after eating unsuitable food ..sorry. I hope he's ok tomorrow - and I hope you find a better hiding place ;)

make it easy for her .. chicken soup is perfect (no salt) even a small amount of milk or yoghurt added to a drink of water to give it taste tonight Just to get her fluid levels up a bit . Glad she's home, and hope she sleep well.

how wonderful to read this

Nekh- horrible as it is for you..I'm glad they have you to speak to and to get whatever comfort they can, from. Without a voice of calm and reason ... it would have been a lot more traumatic, I think.

Oh, Gosh so young ...the girls will be absolutely devastated .

but whippies are such delicate and clean creatures :p