nick&erica

hi don't quote me on this but I'm pretty sure it's about 4-5 months they start teething, this may vary with breed i'm not sure, this is when my rottweiler started. I think it may take a couple/few months for it to finish, he's been going for a month now edited: because i've just been thinking about it and i'm not sure if i'm right lol.....oh well fingers crossed

Thank you both, I didn't ask this question because it's a problem with me, heck I spend all day downstairs with him nearly with my two sons, but i've never seen him do this till recently hence why I thought it might have been something other....than play. But then in saying that I have also been a little busier with my boys than normal so not having as much time with him. So obviously he's getting more excited when I am downstairs. Hmmm...it's all making sense to me now lol... I don't usually growl at him as he isn't hurting me most of the time. He's just skimming my skin, but if he gets too full on he can give a good hard nip which in my books is not on, my 2.5yr old wouldn't class a hard nip and anything less than "oh my god my dogs hurting me...mum..." and the last thing I want is my son becoming afraid of him so I will continue to growl if he nips too hard. This has only happened twice mind. I throw balls and sticks and squeekies and empty coke bottles etc etc but it's me he wants lol...so yeah that doesn't really work. Thank you though now I know that it is a submissive play thing...so no need to worry

I can't find a post which answers all my questions sorry. But just lately my boy has been acting a little differently, I think his hormones are kicking in so maybe he's challengin me again? I don't know. I'm unsure of what all the submissive signs are? And what the dominant signs are. Here is what he does sometimes with me... If I am gardening or washing clothes and wants play/attention he comes pegging at me, he doesn't come closer to me than about a meter but bounces around my feet in circles, yaps a lot (I wont say bark as it's very short, quiet, yaps) and as he yaps his puts his upper body down on the floor and sticks his bum in the air, and then bounces around me again. I ignore him as I will play with him when I want to...which is when i've finished putting a load on. (someone told me not to make him think he can demand I play with him) so when I ignore him he will come closer and nip my ankle or foot (only softly) i'll continue to ignore untill he calms down, once he's quiet and sits i'll praise and then play with him. If, for what ever reason I walk up to him when he's doing this, as I will give him a growl when he nips me, he immediately flops and rolls onto his back and stops yapping?!? I have no idea if he's trying to be dominant with me but when I growl and approach him he cowars into submission.....any suggestions? oh and he's a4 month old male rottie entire

just curious but how often and for how long is he in the workshop with your OH?

Great to hear she was well behaved with your nephews...I hope she continues this for you. My pup is about the same age and has recently given up mouthing and nipping... maybe this is about the time they start growing up... ....only I wonder whats next...

we are getting our rottweiler de-sexed. We have talked to our vet about it and she recomends atleast 6 months old, to ensure his balls have dropped etc etc 10 weeks is deffinately too young, consult your local vet. My dog is also dry humping the air a lot lol...but it's something to deal with untill he's old enough to get done. :D

yeah I definately suggest the same as sway...we also use coke bottles etc if we have any or we had a large hard plastic cup which my son kindly gave to sam....needless to say that's his favourite "toy" to chew on!

carli: sam was doing this also jumping on my back when I turned and he's a big pup and nearly knocked me over a couple of times! I didn't turn back round again unless he came round to the front of me and jumped again. I just continued to completely ignore he could jump all he wanted but wasn't even getting eye contact with me. And my arms were folded. He's soon give up and sit down...only then would I praise and continue walking. It is hard when they jump up and you have to struggle to find your balance but put your legs apart a bit get a firm stance and prepare yourself for it! lol.... my sam is still jumping a bit but now it's only in the mornings when he soooo....happy to see me... vetassisst: I have the same problem! with my OH and step daughters...my son is good as he watches me do it every day so when they get too close to him he says "ahah" and lifts his arms up and stands still untill they sit or go...and he's 2.5yrs!!! my oh and s.daughters always encourage him (unknowingly) despite me telling them exactly what they have to do and how important it is....I have no idea how to get around this! Eeek... Sas: Yes when he gets 12 months and they can find out exactly how severe he is we will be looking at our options depending (medication etc) we don't want him in any pain, he seems comfortable enough at the moment and keeping him really lean has helped a lot for his energy.

sas: Yeah we've been told to do a few things by the vet to help with it esp. over the first 12 months, he's on a strict diet, vit.c, glucosamine, and of course his serving of mackeral or sardines. Also no vigerous exercise, no going up stairs and NO JUMPING! EEk which is what he's decided he likes doing over the last 2 weeks but we're getting it under control Hopefully all these things will prevent his hips getting any worse ;)

Hmmm...it sounds like it would be good if you were able to buy trial versions of dog food before having to commit yourself to a whole bag! In saying that I bet some companies do?!? I would say yes to the food but i've only recently bought an 18 kg bag myself...so I dare say it would end up going stale sorry ;) I really hope you find something for him which he likes soon! How is bailey going with the teething? Sam is being a bit grumpy and sooky at the moment! Understandably and CHEW! Luckily we've got a dining room set down stairs which he's hooked into...luckily it was free! lol

uhhhh....I know what you mean i'm just explaining myself wrong. I don't mean importing it herself personally, I mean buying it off a retail that does import around her area....anyways It is a shame about the cans! I was actually thinking about trying some but oh well thanks for the heads up!

I know thanks...I assumed nacster got nutro kibble imported as I do. No where imports the stuff near me so a breeder I know imports it for us. I assume she would also be able to import the canned food also if I wanted it, but have not looked into it properly. I may be wrong

I just bought a child safety gate from target! Coated steel so it doesn't rust and they aint chewing through it! It works great for me as I have a toddler so it stope him getting down there without me wanting it also. I think I paid about $60! and if the area is wider than a door frame you can buy extensions.

hi chibella so sorry to hear what has happened! I pray for your dogs sake that it will not harm him. Sardines dont come boned as the bones in them are too fine so most companies opt out of doing this. It is quite easy however to de-bone most of it. If you get the sardines which have been marinated in their own brine preferably. They split in half length ways very easily and by taking the spine out most of the small bones come out with. Then it's just a case of wiping over the rest with your finger and removing the left over ones. I personally think you should stop waiting and go...go with your instincts, you will end up stressing yourself sick. Atleast this way you can put your mind at ease quicker. GL

You can get nutro choice in can form...i'm not sure whether the qual is as good and the ingredients I dare say the ingredients would be the same...but it's a thought...maybe give him some of the canned nutro if he likes untill he's better? I'm not sure what the consistency is like but it should be nice and mushy Glad to hear he's ate something though. chicken necks are sams favourite also...and mine lol....they're a good nibble you know...make sure you cook them first mind if you try them yourself lol