persephone

She's beautiful Thanks for the puppy pics! I guess it's sounding normal... a baby who has been with her pack- showered with attention.. cuddled ..then put out the back and locked away. I have outside dogs- as well as inside ones so I do know it is/can be done - just believe it should be done from DAY ONE , so pup does not get this feeling of being 'cast out' , after sleeping amongst the humans... I also believe that if someone breaks into your house- having a dog in the yard is not much help A pup/young dog outside alone,and bored, will also find ways to amuse itself during the night. This may be barking/chasing possums/digging......

Oh.My.Gosh. How very cute are those two!!!!!

Once you have resized your pic- and are replying.. click on 'choose image' to find your picture on your computer. Once you've done that .. double click on it.. then on UPLOAD . Once uploaded- just click on the green +sign over in the 'manage current attachments box ..and it will be inserted in your post.

it's just practice resize the photo to perhaps 600X800 pixels..and about 80 % quality- see how that goes. I use PICASA for most of my photo stuff- or just for resizing, I use VSO You need to end up with a photo of under 200KB.

You were just a tiny duckling..and should never have been brought home. If you had've been a wood duck, we could have fed you well ..but you were a little teal ..and one that would only eat earthworms Not insects, not dog food,not cat food,nor oats,nor softened seed. Not hard boiled egg,grain bread, or mince .Not chopped greens,or corn kernels.Not earwigs..or even the weevils I painstakingly collected from teh grain bin .Not daddylonglegs, not the mealworm I found. Only earthworms- and here it is so very dry and hot that earthworms are like diamonds ..and you ate the only 4 I found I am so sorry you got separated from your family ..and sought safety on our verandah....sorry we couldn't find a family for you nearby. Tonight I sent you over the bridge- tho you probably jumped off halfway to swim the rest of the distance I'm so sorry - I just couldn't help.

get references from current landlord/housemates etc provide vacc certs and any obedience certificates/proof of training?

Good start

Just on what you said.. and obviously not an expert opinion...I would suggest that ,as he is a well covered big pup.. . and is lying on a cushiony bed.. he is hot . Maybe try him on an open weave trampoline type bed ?Hamlet sleeps on a home made one- a camp stretcher covered with shadecloth ..and just a sheet over the shadecloth in Summer- with a fan on him all night. This way air circualtes all round teh dog- dispelling body heat very effectively My dogs do that heavy breathing if they are too warm..and just before it gets to the open mouth stage ....

Buy yourself one of those water cannon things the kids use- put it on full.. and give the cat a good squirt....not just a spray.. he needs soaking and shocking!Better than dog jaws .....

I'm sorry It does sound like sooner rather than later would be the kinder thing to do.... if she is not handling food... and is unable to show her joy at things like a car ride- then a lot of enjoyment has gone forever- not to mention that eating is important. She is very tired,and you have it in your power to give her those final conscious moments where she can sigh and relax and enjoy, before she trots off over the bridge ... not easy at all..thinking of you.

That's just sad- no giggles here.

Are the neighbours aware you have dogs which may kill their cat?

That last series is gold!

You will find , that on here we can only initially react to what you write So - if you write Then I guess assumptions are made Good for you in coming here- surviving your first day (your 'initiation'..:D ) and being open to suggestion . Laycie will benefit, your little daughter will benefit, and I look forward to all the stories !

'zackly!They were being a pack

Kate- if you CLICK HERE, you will find some very good information on kids & dogs/pups. Your little girl will need to be taught that calm and quiet are what will help keep her from being scratched/chased/bounced upon

Sounds normal to me . I have never done clicker training so can't help.... he is but a baby ... and depending on breed- may be more a baby than others of the same age .....

A friend who lives in a fruit growing area kept losing chooks ... his immediate neighbours (on 'blocks') had no dogs One day, after several incidents, he took action.. and the owners received the empty dog collars ..just so they wouldn't spend time searching for their missing dogs. My Dad once shot a lab.. killing sheep We always call and spend time with food etc to try & catch a dog we see roaming ..(.being miles from anywhere- they are usually dumped/lost) if we can't, then it's a bullet. Hungry dogs will chase/kill things, unfortunately.

Lucky dog - to have been spotted by someone who knew exactly what to do !

I have emailed the paper ... suggesting they do a follow-up. story at some stage...and ascertain just how much these free/cheap puppies cost the new owners , if the vaccs/desexing etc are all done.

220 milligrams - or 200 grams of choc? That's a big chomp for a little dog ... he's in the best spot now anyway.. hopefully he'll be fine and just upset at being made to throw up .

A run need not be huge... and it can be snake proofed to a certain extent. OK... if there is room for this setup.. then why not consider a long,narrow run in teh same spot? Something to think on, too.... the more freedom/running you let your dog have- the more he will expect/need. if puppies are raised with 'down time' , regular exercise periods, daily mental exercise in the form of training ..then they adjust well to that lifestyle. pups allowed to roam/chase are a bit like street kids- they can then have trouble becoming socially acceptable

AGREED!! Laycie is now with someone who cares

I think I would be taking her to Werribee for a second opinion, anyway Don't panic yet- get someone there to do an examination..give them ALL her history, including recently prescribed drugs... and then make your decisions.

..also- what vaccinations has your puppy had ?Did the breeder advise you on a vaccination schedule..and how to avoid your puppy picking up possibly fatal diseases while vulnerable? One thing I will suggest is that you take her to your selected vet ASAP and get her thoroughly checked/have any vacc's done if needed, and , if the breeder has not done so- get some worming tablets into her ,and make sure her eyes/mouth/feet are all normal for her age/breed.