persephone

Sorry- but I cannot see how being charged at by an aggro dog and pulling your dog out the way makes you distrust chain collars????? Is it because she froze? Was she freezing prior to attacking? Or?

Hi- sorry you have reached this stage. If it were me- my dog would have his wings by now. I prefer to see my dog happy and as comfortable as I can make him. Once my dogs have been uncomfortable..and cannot do all they want to do, then it is time to let them go, and remember their last days as happy ones! When I look into their eyes, I would like to still see a spark... not eyes dulled with pain and effort. It is hard.. but If you love someone/thing, then letting them go is the final declaration of that love.

An Answer to your question... No. Dogs are made to eat bones and flesh. If you give your dogs bones too big to fit in their mouths- bones they need to chomp& chew... there should not be a problem. Try turkey necks/wings - they are still soft enough to not cause problems.. but large enough to be chewed feed the pups seperately- so they don't feel a need to gulp...and don't 'hover' and make them anxious .

could well have been the marrow out of the bone maybe hava a look at your supermarket for bags of dog bones? or ask your butcher? Ours have the boned beef ribs/lamb flaps..all sorts! You can buy chicken frames/carcasses from the supermarket, or a chicken supplier.

Instead of shanks- which are hard. try brisket or flaps or chicken carcasses or turkey necks perhaps

Sounds normal soft gums...especially at this age, as the baby teeth start to loosen slightly, may bleed after eating hard things.

May I suggest acupuncture? I have seen it work wonders on a (much younger) dog with painful lower spine probs

It all depends on the amount of expertise of the HANDLER Any training aid- collar, halter,lead needs to be used in a certain way. Most pups/dogs would pull on a lead. They automatically do it :cool: You say your pup is a puller.......... what method have you used to try and correct this? It is the handler's responsibility to study WHY this occurs, and then seek help for methods to show the dog another way of walking. each pup/dog is different... and not every method is comfortable for every handler I cannot advise you to use either.they are very different tools. I have trained many dogs in chain collars..and quite a few in haltis. Haltis are a very controlling tool... and I believe should only be used after training and assessment.

Glad she is more comfortable now

Why do you need mince? Your boy is plenty old enough to eat chunks/strips of meat---or soft bones with meat on (and it will give him a way to use up some energy!)

A couple of our working dogs need a muzzle in the yards...they get a bit nippy We say "come, put your helmet on"...and they are quite happy Our dogs are like 4kelpie's..the sheep work is great distraction..we just pop the muzzle on..and off they go. There are a few half hearted attempts to rub off the nasty thing... but work is much more interesting !

Good planning- unfortunately, sometimes a dog can still access a small bait If you are muzzling your dog in the 'bush'..please do NOT let it offlead!(keeping it onlead is safer in all respects) If it comes across a feral dog, or a stroppy kangaroo, it will have no defence. If it pushes thru scrub or old wire, muzzles can get hooked up If baits are done correctly ( which only happens sometmes ) they are buried and tagged... with uneaten ones collected and disposed of. Unfortunately, so many folks just drive round their property scattering poisoned chicken wingtips or eggs will-nilly Non- target species then collect the baits, and can transport them far from the intended area Camping with dogs requires a lot of pre planning and thought. Firstly - those nylon tube things are fine for dogs likely to bite whilst being vet treated or similar. for SHORT TERM use..as they do not allow a dog to pant and keep cool ;) Horrible things, IMO. The wire ones- depending on type, can be excellent. ..allowing the dog to open their jaw, pant & drink...but can be very open mesh...I haven't any experience with these ... The plastic 'basket' muzzle is one which I've used on my dogs.. soft. light, allows for good depth so as to let dog pant & drink... and , properly fitted, and with the extra slide in/out end piece, means no scrounging :p

...and it is how pups learn their manners

Not that I know of.... I agree with this

Sounds as if he is marking all his 'new' territory.

If someone is home with the dog, there are several things I can think of.. restricting the dog's access to only rooms with people in! using an 'umbilical' leash.. a 6 foot leash, attached to a human at all times. taking dog out every hour..and praising when he toilets Using a 'belly band'.. which is like a boob tube thingy..when the dog pees..it stays in the bellyband and is a bit uncomfortable It is a matter of being continually vigilant..and not allowing the dog a chance to make a mistake! it will be intensive work for a little while

...and I will say again...the more she learns NOW how to jump/climb, and solve the problems you give her by the use of boxes, etc... the more trouble you will have with her later, with any fence ..as she is learning that perseverance pays off What is the size difference in your two dogs?will she be larger than him in a few months?

Ah- ok

so, you don't have a secure yard? Where is your other dog during the day?

If she has dry food, and is sleeping in a heated house/room, she may well need water overnight.

Sounds like her colitis is playing up with the diet change???

Upset tummy, sore mouth, sore throat.. teeth problems...fever... could be any one of a few things

A hot dog- gulping icewater/crushed ice..I can understand the problem. Frozen kongs, 'iceblocks' ,etc... licked/chewed slowly...nowhere near the risk, IMO.

our dogs never have anal gland probs- they eat everything- bones/organs/some fur/wool/hair/ears..... plain meat/eggs and a smidge of sardine would definitely not provide any bulking/hardening constituents.

If she cannot do the things she enjoys, and is not eating well... you need to decide WHO you are keeping her alive for... is for you, or is it for her ? If she is generally happy and comfortable, then no need to decide just yet. If she is in pain, uncomfortable, and very restricted... then a decision needs to be made as to how much more suffering you will allow. it is very hard. I have done it many times...and I think it actually gets harder