Malamum

Some people seem to see the ability to take food off a dog as the line between a good and a bad dog. No one wants a bad dog so lots of people like to prove they have a good dog by pulling out the taking away food party trick (to steal a previous posters phrase). I have two dogs, one who is as gentle as anything and you can just reach your hand in while she is scarffing down her food and remove anything. If you tried that on the other one, the probability of being bitten is very high. I can however verbally command him to stop eating and to sit, which he will do and food can be removed at that point. The gentle ones brain switches off once she starts eating though. She won't start until she is told she can, but getting her to stop by verbal command alone is much much harder. Both were trained the same. They are just wired differently. I would never let anyone, let alone a child near either of them while they are eating.

And that rang no alarm bells?? So you never saw Mum or the littermates, have no idea what conditions the pup was raised in and have no indications of future temperament. Good one. Sounds like the "breeder" couldnt' get rid of it fast enough. Rescue cross breed pups are still the same products of a BYB with rescues providing the BYB with an outlet to dispose of pups that no one really wants. Adult rescues are a different proposition as they can be a properly assessed end product, but if you are not going to buy a pure breed pup from a registered and ethical breeder and punt on a cross breed, you may as well buy a cheapy IMHO if thats the type of pup you want. But $350 is probably less than it would cost you to take your free BYB puppy to get de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped etc.

Both of ours are joint dogs. We decided on the breed together and every decision regarding both of them has been and will continue to be a joint one. We share the feeding, grooming, walking etc. We always bath them together as it's just easier that way and we often brush them together and take an end each. When it came to training we both took Indy to puppy pre-school together but the OH had no interest in attending specific training classes. He would do his own training at home with them but would not come to classes. I took Indy on my own for a few years and then also took Kira for a while once we got her. From the dog's perspective they are both our dogs for the main part and they don't have an obvious favourite most of the time. However if they are scared or worried about something they prefer the OH and they do rank him slightly higher than me as he tends to be that bit more stricter with them than I am. He does cuddle them often but he only does it on his terms and when he wants to, which isn't every single time they get in his face. I on the other hand think they are the cutest things known to man and can't resist cuddling them often. The OH's cuddles are therefore much more highly prized than mine and if his lap is on offer they will go to him over me every time. I could modify my behaviour in order to have them value my attention more, but I'm happy with our group dynamic as it is.

Fran, you sound as if you have it covered already. I wouldn't be leaving any type of coat on her when you are not home.

I'm so sorry.

People will learn alot from Cosmolo's post, dogs do not automatically kill when they see "prey" it's a whole range of things that can set them into drive and when you understand this you can better train your dog. My dogs have killed lizards, they've chased roos, chooks would sure fascinate them, dogs they're ok with but not always.. these things I know so i take precautions for them. Though it certainly won't comfort the poor JRT or the owner. I also want to echo that that was a great post Cosmolo. Earlier in the thread someone said the two dogs "were intent on killing" but I can't remember who it was. Is that even possible? Do dogs understand the concept of life and death? I have sadly seen my dog kill two blue tongue lizards. Yes, he was intent on getting the thing scurrying around in the bushes but how can we say he was intent on killing when he has no concept of life or death. He doesn't understand what killing is, he just wants to get the thing that is moving. Someone else also mentioned that we can't expect dogs to have the same moral compass that humans do. I totally agree.

Ha ha same here. I also thought I would try that once and had images like the ones above in my head. All I got was a very mangled and chewed jar. Your little girl is much more ladylike.

So cute!

Fantastic shots of such a gorgeous subject

Great photos everyone. I'm so looking forward to being able to get started.

There is no way I can do a sample but I think it would look good as a two sided card. The front side with the logo and business name only. The backside with all the contact details and room to write an appointment time or a brief note.

I always wonder the same thing.

I agree. I am very good at ignoring begging dogs but I don't think even I could resist such an ingenious effort. :D

Am I ok to join with Kira or does missing the first few count me out?

When it's really warm our dogs just miss out on going. They love their walks but are not the types of dogs to go hyper if they don't go. A few days of them lazing around on the tiles under the air-con is not the end of the world.

No. Dogs paws are not shoes, they are living tissue and can feel heat. They are tougher than the foot of a human who wears shoes all the time but there are definitely nerve endings.

I've never been placed in a situation where it has been necessary.

Micha sounds exactly like Indy. It would be easier if he was in a degree of pain that made him not want to do things but as we manage it by not letting him exert himself too much he thinks he can still do all the things he wants to - he just pays for it that night or the next day. That's Micha all over. I could still run him over a set of jumps, or do any number of things that would be bad for his arthritis but he still loves doing, and he'd do it with gusto despite how bad it will be for him because he's still active and runs around the yard like an idiot every day. He has been getting a bit nervy and cautious lately though, he rarely wants to go upstairs (he's not allowed upstairs due to his arthritis, but sometimes goes half way to sit on the big stairwell, which he is almost scared to do now). He is terrified of getting in the hydrobath and I suspect it's because it's slippery and therefore hurts him to stand in it. And he can't go for as long a walk as he used to be able to - you can see him tiring by the thirty minute mark He's not that old - he's only eight! Indy is only 8 too.

9k is a pretty small dog so not much margin for error. I'd phone your vet and ask them.

That is so cute.

Micha sounds exactly like Indy. It would be easier if he was in a degree of pain that made him not want to do things but as we manage it by not letting him exert himself too much he thinks he can still do all the things he wants to - he just pays for it that night or the next day. He also thinks he still loves all people but then remembers at the last minute that his legs hurt sometimes and he doesn't like people he doesn't know touching him. So we now limit his interaction to people he has known all his life. It's sad as he gets so excited when he thinks he is going to be included in something.

Yeah but it's a win/win gamble isn't it - to get all the animals out early and not to have needed to. I'd much rather do that than the alternative, especially if you had a large number of animals (which many people in semi-rural areas seem to have).

Thanks guys, you have all made me feel a bit better. I'm sure with Indy he is upset about missing out on something as he has never minded being alone. He was an only dog when he was younger and was never phased about being left alone. I don't even think he likes Kira that much so I'm pretty sure he's not missing her. But he totally understands what the leash and the car means and if Kira is involved in either of those things without him you can hear him crying from about half a K away (he has a big set of lungs and boy it's loud).

For those that have multiple dogs do you always do things with them together or do you often do things individually. Our male has had arthritis for a number of years and due to this can be prone to being crabby and wary around strangers. He also can't do large amounts of vigorous exercise or he gets too sore. Because of these things we are a bit limited with what we can do with him outside our home but it's also impacting Kira as we've fallen into the habit of only doing with her what Indy can do. This is not fair to her and I plan to get her out and about more this year but I know I'm going to feel guilty about leaving Indy behind. The worst punishment you can inflict on him is to make him miss out on something and he sits out the back and cries like he is being tortured. I know he just has to suck it up and I can give him extra special snuggle time in front of the TV etc which Kira is excluded from but it's hard as I know he wants more than anything to do the things he can't. So, ease my conscience please and tell me all about the things you do with one dog while the other gets left behind.

I really enjoyed looking at everyone's photos last year so I'd like to give it a try with Kira this year. However I'm going to have to wait another two weeks or so before I can start as my broken arm means I can't hold the camera and focus it at the same time.