persephone

at 4 mths old, she is capable, I'm sure, of ripping material, dislodging pegs, and chewing everything up ;) The pen needs to be such that she CANNOT ,EVER, find a way out. The more she learns to chew, move, undo barriers, the harder it will be to keep her contained..she will always be looking for a way out...as she has previously been rewarded for her hard work.

I am disappointed! Why can't we all have a model like Barkly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;) Excellent work , Luke W

if you are away all day- there is no way you will be able to effectively train/discourage her. the pen needs to be higher and stronger.

for Griff......

she is obviously in a pen which is not high enough, or secure enough Once she has learnt that jumping/digging will get her rewards, well, yes, she will continue to do so unless the physical barriers are improved / If you intend for her to stay in a pen ...you will need to make it much more secure (and NOT by using cardboard boxes) The more she learns how to bypass temporary obstacles- the harder it will be for you to keep her contained

..or crop the sky out!

The vitamins are a neccessity, if he is not retaining/digesting food- but they are certainly not helping a diagnosis *fingers crossed*

Sounds like a 'polite' ,submissive puppy As said- leave her be... allow her to play with pups/dogs who are gentle..and she will build up some confidence. It is not a bad behaviour at all , IMO.

I'm guessing he could hear/smell/see what was going on? he wasn't in a l room all alone?

Agree with this. Also- what is he like when walked alone? maybe start that..and then crate him in another room, away from the others? so he can gently learn some independence?

Sorry- I wouldn't muzzle him- what if the muzzle gets hooked on something? If he gets even more stressed being muzzled, and thrashes around more.. Poor Choppa.

R I P Seth .............

The collar should stay on for at least week. You will have to be vigilant in removing it often- to let her drink/eat...OR provide containers that will enable her to drink whilst wearing the E collar. A higher, narrower water container often works... the container will fit 'inside' the circle of the E collar.. and dog can rink quite well You can also ask the vet for some bitter bite stuff to spray around the wound to deter licking- tho this is often not enough ORRR if you are round to supervise, I would recommend a muzzle like this!! A dog can drink with one of these, if container is nice & * deep* and does not get disoriented and even more clumsy! The ones I have are the BEST thing I have bought for the dogs

What is your routine for toileting him? How often do you take him out? have you started training him to toilet on command? With the crate- how much time is he spending in it? How different is this crate to the other one?

HERE!

Oh dear rental accomodation, too NOoooo !! He doesn't dig while you're around, because he is happy...he is with his pack...he has company and entertainment, and is allowed indoors.... why should he dig? What does he have to use up his mental energy while you are away? Does he have interactive toys/treatballs/bones/kongs/rope toys to toss/a soccerball to chase/some juice bottles with a few bits of kibble in- to rattle ,chew and shake...??? If he has toys like this- maybe you need to rotate them.. so he doesn't become bored? what about getting him a clamshell or something as a sand pit... then burying treats /toys and teaching him to dig there? It may stop a few holes elsewhere...and he gets rewarded for it! a couple of hintshere- but as he has an injury... not practical at the moment

for Uncle Albers here...but it does have a high fat content. Excellent for working dogs- or to keep condition on in this cold weather! Oh- in tiny niblets- is excellent pig-training treat material

Sounds a structural/mechanical problem.....and all the elimination diets in the world won't help Maybe time for a visit to a big Vet Hospital... or a specialist, to see what can be done. Poor little dog.

I am SO glad you are getting some professional help! Looking forward to reading updates Oh- and a firescreen or babygate can be used to protect bookcases, etc

Good point, Erny- I always take young pups out for a run/play when we have rain/thunderstorms... I love it..and so do they eventually

lamb necks are fatty- and this is the probable cause of her upset tummy fast her today... and then light food tomorrow... I would suggest turkey necks , whole chicken frames, and kangaroo tail lengths

Kangaroo tails!! lots of protuberances, and if you get meaty ones as a meal.. no fat...heaps of sinew etc to clean teeth..... providing you don't cut the tail into smallish chunks- they are ideal!

Hi- You need to buy tougher toys- or just provide her with heaps of chewing things.. like roo tails, and pigs heads and other delightful anatomical things ;) maybe have a look here for toy ideas? toys

I agree with erny- he should not need much washing...a good comb/brushing will remove dirt, stimulate the skin, and leave the oils in his coat/skin Hamlet gets about 2 baths a year!! he gets brushed ... and rarely has an odour...

The problem with trimming an unknown breed or X.. is that the hair may never grow back the same- or it may mat more, as you will be removing the harder outer coat- and leaving t he fluff ? The clipped coat will also not be anywhere near as wind.water-proof, IMO. My recommendation is that you get some hints on proper grooming, and obtain the correct combs and brushes to suit his coat! That way, it won't take long each day... ,he will be weather proofed, still, and gorgeously shaggy!! ;)