persephone

Can you muzzle him (nice comfy basket muzzle) when the cats are in close proximity..esp. the older one? yes, he could still squash em...but couldn't crunch

And then he hangs back, and is reticent to come inside... perhaps , with all the manhandling, and changing of positions.. he is a bit anxious? Dogs , IMO don't get 'sulky'..they get confused or anxious, often... What procedure does your obedience instructor use/recommend? No sorry that's not right at all. As I said in my first post he is pulling ahead of me constantly. When he is pulled ahead I stop. . I am manhandling, I am trying to get him to stop pulling! I didn't ever say you were dragging an anxious dog along - What I was commenting on is the fact that YOU keep him still while you position YOURSELF...which is confusing for a dog ,to start with ..hence he may get anxious, wondering just what he is supposed to be doing.... then this is repeated- so the dog is not being guided to walk at heel- he is learning to "pull - get stopped"- get held in position-wait for handler-walk off-pull, etc etc..." Nekhbet's explanation and suggested method sounds good let us know how you go!

Ok. This is not unusual..this is what dogs do with food.... but, for human society It is also NOT acceptable..or cute..or 'a phase' may I strongly suggest that you start on THIS as soon as possible- make sure pup is used t collar and lead , and begin. Until then... whenever you feed her..make her sit beforehand....please do not take her food away, and give it back...take away and give back... this is teasing, IMO. You can start 'taking' toys etc, first... when she has something in her mouth, get a happy voice, and ask what she has..and tell her how good she is. If she comes to you with teh object..pat her, , say "give" ,(I use "gimmee", as it can be said with a smile)..and gently remove the toy. You can offer her a tiny treat, if you want, as 'swap' Admire the toy, and tell her just how wonderful she is... get her to sit..and when she does-give toy straight back. Once only each time. All this should only take a minute..... Do it a few times a day.......... it is a pleasant thing.... she is basking in your praise for a) carrying something b) coming to SHOW you ,and c) giving up an object Do NOT run after her... it gives her the power- as she can pretty well always elude you!! It becomes a game of power....... and by the time you do catch her- she is ready to defend her prize I do it with our puppies when they can't run very well... when they are babies... and continue... so most of our dogs will willingly give up even a bone or piece of stolen meat. I am too old and fat to be chasing dogs around, retrieving dangerous or stolen items

She is a baby- and wants her mum. simple. Not separation anxiety.....that is a whole different thing! Not being 'naughty' ( in dog terms, anyway) Just being a baby, who is now suddenly alone for the first time in her life...and who is showing her distress in the only way she can. Does she have a good training/play session before you leave her? Toilet opportunity? Do you fuss over her when you leave? (if you do...then STOP ) feed/play/toilet... then a treat such as a chicken wing or turkey neck.. make sure she has a nice warm bed (maybe even a heating source) just say- bed time now..or whatever..no cuddles etc.. put her in- give her treat..and walk away,don't look back

Am I right in thinking YOU are the one moving into position alongside HIM ? And then he hangs back, and is reticent to come inside... perhaps , with all the manhandling, and changing of positions.. he is a bit anxious? Dogs , IMO don't get 'sulky'..they get confused or anxious, often... What procedure does your obedience instructor use/recommend?

Agree with poodlefan. Hope things settle quickly

Sorry she is feeling so uncomfortable I cant help with what it may be- hopefully the vet visit will put your mind at ease...

Unfortunately, unless you were present at the mating,have pedigree papers, or have DNA done, you cannot know for certain :D As you know , bitches can be mated by more than one dog- and have pups to different fathers. While she may well have been mated to a purebred staffy- an accident could well have happened as well. As you have no absolute proof ... until he is fully grown, it could be a guessing game. He does seem large. He is beautiful, and will fill your heart , big or small

Wishing Elfin a comfortable night, and a much better tomorrow!

i doubt whether a 6 mth old pup has all these thoughts running thru his head. he is doing all these things, because he has not learnt the rules! Whatever methods you are using haven't been taken on board by him- hence the need for a professional's help . You are right- you have set patterns.. and as he is still a youngster, new ones shouldn't be too difficult to install! Chastising doesn't work- as you have found out....and it's hard work . Setting rules, and working on perfecting the dog's understanding of them is a better use of energy in the long run

Nowdays we just have the odd litter- maybe one a year , or less. if we need a new worker, or someone local wants a pup.. We usually don't change diet.. just feed slightly increased quantities.. don't want large pups clogging up the works ...depends on what the bitch looks like ..if she is putting everything into growing pups- then she gets more.I guess I do give them the bits with more fat on.., and mum usually adds some kitchen scraps... We have Koolies.... just farm bred workers... and they are all fit & active........bitches work until just before whelping if they want to. The bitch who had the eclampsia actually was one who survived distemper when she was a baby.... so she did well ! That may have been why she got eclampsia , too I guess.. it was about 30 yrs ago....

For around 100 years most of our bitches have delivered strong litters of working dogs...on a diet of predominately raw bones/meat...it always confounded me- In my memory- (around 50 years) there was only one case of eclampsia.......... it was nasty- but she survived. No skeletal problems, delayed whelping or anything... and dogs all worked hard, and lived into their teens.

Justin is the boss...........and it seems you are in need of urgent professional help. If you tell us whereabouts you are (city/town) - someone will probably recommend you a trainer who can come to your home, see how things are, and give you one-on-one help ,and strategies for you to implement.

Ok You are certainly trying to keep him level-headed Good for you! Do we get to see photos??? If his meal is at the end of it- or there is a kong with treats in... this would make you the GOOD guy!! :D So, use a different command .. like 'Bedtime :D' or something I never use 'come'.. It's always" bed, now'.... with our guys.

Parvo virus can be carried on dogs' feet- and infected dogs may defecate on footpaths,etc .The virus stays viable for many months... so yes, a walk down the street could , in theory, be where a pup contracts the dreaded Parvo

pete sounds cute... but not really a 'puppy' anymore Maybe he is a bit spoilt ? he sleeps for some time on the bed? And the other furniture? Does he get carried often? What obedience training do you do with him? Does he sit & wait for his food, or do tricks? pete and his owners may ned some reminders as to who pays the bills! ie: Who is the boss :D Try these two things for starters,perhaps ? ONE Two I would also be getting him to walk out to his kennel ...he has good legs, and if there is a meal or a treat/fave toy waiting for him, he will learn that it is a good thing!

She could also have an injury to her trachea.. and irritants/collars will make her want to cough

Re: lethargy- benadryl Cough mix cam make them VERY dopey .. some dogs not. Hopefully your girl is ok.

When you travel,you could try taking a small amount of grass/soil from where she toilets at home..place in an area where you thinjk she may 'go'.. and see if that makes a difference. Onething which may help- especially as she will only toilet with you present ( a habit she has learnt) is to -EVERY time she is about to, and is, urinating or defecating..use a word/command... like "toilet',or "quick,quick", or widdle..whatever- not in a firm voice.. I use a fairly happy voice.. and repeat, interspersed with "good pup",when you see any result Done EVERY time.. it should only be a short while before she makes the association. You then have a dog who will toilet on cue ....and it is a wonderful thing!! I have always done it.....it makes life so much more pleasant when travelling Oh- and she is such a baby- please don't spray citronella on her bedding .. it is strong on littlle noses, if she is forced to lie on it

snap, PRS.

Demodex mites are present from birth- and only become problematic if, for some reason, pup's immune system gets a bit sluggish :p

Good news! :p

Did the vet check under a blacklight for ringworm?

Oops- small puppies and older dogs he has probably not had a nuisance pup annoying him all the time he was doing what dogs do- trying to teach nuisance pp some manners !not his fault!! I do hope it's just a skin nick, and he's back home soon.

Maybe ,instead of paper.. use something with good fake turf over it- so the texture/look of grass is there? That 'may' make it easier to then learn to go on grass. Why get a dachsie with so many stairs in the house- poor dog.