persephone

there is some info if you CLICK HERE

Sounds good!

Start doing stuff at home from day one. start off with NILIF that way pup learns how to get attention/praise/human contact by doing what you want Be very careful when travelling with a young puppy over Summer ... parvo time and he may not be fully protected.

sounding good!

They would be toadstools... but as to how toxic - that is the business of your vet or a fungi expert

d Not that I know of. This site is fantastic for all things fungi . LINK For an ID , contact the Botanic Gardens Herbarium

Hopefully they will both sleep well tonight!!

We need more cute photos

YES!! Teacup Rotty ;)

Hmmmm not sure about this one . If it was one or two dogs who are not used to seeing different dogs, then it may be true..... but if it has happened on several occasions- different dogs .. then I'd agree with you - it could well be her body language . Happy to be corrected , tho I know lambs get confused by our koolies with more white on ... but they are just tiny, and going on size and movement I'd imagine dogs assess all sorts of characteristics.

He is cute , indeed!!

Oh.. only 9 kg? I would be thinking maybe staffy x? in the first photos- I was admiring the red kelpie- and wondering why the other dog was in the photo ;) apologies. Looking forward to progress reports (and thinking your poor son will have his hands full while you're away!)

What's Gus crossed with? ...he's an interesting looking dog . Ziggy looks a solid lad .. and pretty laid-back in those shots You will certainly have your hands full!

personally, I don't believe in any external heating unless it's Winter and freezing . If pups are cool, then they gravitate towards the heat source ..their Mum ..and that is a very good thing! She sounds fine , on reading these further details Relax and enjoy

I always recommend taking a pup for a check up the day after you pick it up . This way , the vet sees it 'as is' , and if there are any issues, they can be sorted straight away .

;) isn't it amazing what a bit of confidence and knowledge can do ? Well done!

Old dogs, too get surprised easily ... Some years ago we were having an Easter BBQ in the evening ,and one friend had his gorgeous old dog on lead and happily accepting praise and admiration. Old dog was snoozing under his owner's chair .. while owner was off getting food ..and a little kid came up and hugged dog ! yep .. dog snapped . Screaming kid..blood everywhere- some bad words ... A 250 km round trip to emergency to have a lip sewed back together .. and a bit of a dampener on our evening! Luckily the parents saw sense and ,although they were not happy campers, they agreed kid should not have hugged a strange dog ..as he hugged their own dog at home ... the owner of the dog was mortified ... and was going to leave the BBQ - but everyone agreed - dog was doing what dogs do .. he was woken to a headlock, and responded . No hard feelings , luckily , and kid recovered well

Can't help with number of poos, but would advise a vet check TODAY for mum and pups. She may have something wrong ..and pass it on to the pups . With the bitch wanting out of the box - could she be too hot? Bitches don't need any extra warmth... only puppies when they are not with their mum ... Hope all goes well at the vets

Excellent!! Now ... did you invite him onto the bed? If he jumps on the furniture without your express permission... he gets taken off (not called off) ... he needs to realise it's not his house/furniture /bed.. it is yours, and it is a privilege to get up there . privileges are earned ;) N I L I F

another link for you. LINK

*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