Monah

Lovely!! You can get some great photos!! We have always had several dogs and cats together, no problems, even with rescues or visitors. I suspect it maybe because we have the cats are the kings of the castle type vibes in the house!! Even dogs who visit and are cat chasers, never go for our cats (4) and I have had both together for 49 years without anything happening, even with sighthounds, cattle dogs etc. Your lot sound wonderful!! I think the girls can be bitchy too, boys are so 'blah' whatever

yep, jointguard, nature's own do a great concentrate powder avail. from health food shops, you only need a tiny amount per day. I also use an ester C tablet per day (never just vit. c though, only ester c). and fish oil. Only have short walks too, 30 mins is plenty, as this can do a lot more damage, no jumping etc., it's all common sense really. Once you know yay or nay, you can follow through or go back to normal activity if OK. Hopefully it is not what you suspect. Good luck,

What I posted is based on all the comparative and evolution literature on dogs, not just one paper, I read about the topic extensively when I was working on dog cognition and lecturing on it. It is the general consensus of the people in this field, based on some very good evidence. Sorry, can't comment on the rest of your posts, I find it hard to understand them :cool: Me too. I am trying to understand, but, I don't! I protect my dogs. Corvus, did you say one of your dogs has 'fixed' her situation by staring and snapping at other dogs???? If so, I desperately hope you never come across a dog who will retaliate. I have a dog who is slightly fearful (genetically), but who was VERY fearful , and thanks to a wonderful behavourist and also to K9's seminar, we have come a very long way, so far in fact, that she is now too friendly (thanks guys ) Rather than experimenting with different dogs (and hares) it may be better all round to just ask the experts first. On another note, have you seen the bunnies doing agility??? incredible.

Great stuff Shell!!! :)wonderful and amazing, well done! I must be very stupid as I don't really understand the OPs post (don't comment on my stupidity!!). I only got one thing really, but I would never allow my dogs to 'sort' things out themselves. Appologies if that was nothing to do with the post. Brain fade! I find the more I try and understand the posts, the more confused I am :cool:

Westie mum, I have had this problem for many months with one dog. A dermatologist ended up fixing it (fingers crossed, no more flare ups in over a month, which is GREAT for us). We have gone the drops, cleaner, antibiotics, ear flush etc., a very very resistant bug. also found that my dog's canals were so very long that it would be lucky for the drops to get all the way down. She actually didn't have drops!! she had 2 ml per ear twice a day with an extended syringe. One bottle lasted a few days. There was improvement and one ear cleared up. We are doing very very well now, it's just wonderful!! Hope it all clears up very soon, and yes, persevere with it.

My girl is doing fantastic on an allergy vaccine,( she had skin tests, and is allergic to grasses and many trees, so this is what you do to fix it) you need to see a dermatologist, BUT, mine does not have a yeast problem and has never had a 'smell'. I guess it depends on exactly what the problem is. Good luck with it all

she is too cute. how lucky you are, and the pup too having a lovely home

As far as being good with other animals goes, I think any bred can be if you put the work in. We've had terriers, gundogs, sighthounds, working dogs, toys, and all have been great with everything. One ACD we got at 7 years and she had been told to 'skitch the cat/possum'!! and we had her sleeping with our 4 cats within about 8 months, and then on for the next 8 years. It's all in how these things are handled. Our gun dogs are fine with birds, but will chase hares, however they have never been socialised with a hare have you looked at the mature pure breds available on DOL? at least the people there usually can tell you exactly what the dog is like etc. any idea exactly what you are after?

Steve 11, that's what I've read too. No different from many breeds that have working and 'show' lines, like most working dogs (BCs, kelpies, ) even greyhounds etc, still the same dog. Secret Kei, a relative of my OH has a lovely Amstaff (Cairns) and he does tracking and agility!!! and is terrific, his best friend is the cat, they sleep together. Please tell your brother they are very capable of doing all sorts of things and maybe he will get interested in dong things with the dog, obed. is great of course, a good starting point. I agree, Salisbury is not the best

Love it!!! Fantastic, my viz only has issues with the see saw!!!! I feel renewed and cant' wait to start learning the bang game and also to keep the entry end stable. When you see it is seems so logical, but, no one has ever shown me that before. Great Nice see saw, where did you get it??

Oh I am so sorry. Yes half and hour swimming is a very very long time. We were advised only 10 min swims and less than 10 min wallks. I also would advise a specialist but can see you problem, however I regularly travel up to 4 hours each way to see 2 specialists, a real nuisance though. Our HD dog worked up to hour long swims, very slowly , and it made an enormous difference to her muscle growth. However we had to stop due to an allergic problem :D You are doing all the right things. I honestly hope all goes well, your pup is extremely beautiful :D Please let us know how you both get on with the op and with recovery. i for one will be very interested and I'm sure other DOLers would love to know. Love to your pupxxxxxx

Best wishes for Millie. What a brave girl.xxxxxxxx

Wonderful that you are investigating increasing your dog's confidence I have a wonderful beautiful dog, who is fearful and lacks confidence so much that whe would not even walk on lead without dancing backwards to see what was behind her, or freaking out if someone else was walking, dogs, cars, bikes etc. Also far too many other things to go into on here. I persevered for 3 years and now have a gorgeous, amazing wonderful dog with lots of confidence. Although she'll never be super confident like many others, she is still only a fraction off of perfect. I'm not a trainer, but have had many different breeds of dogs, shown and done basic stuff, for 40 years. With my dog, I ignored her behaviour and just carried on walking, chatting in a happy voice. Taught her to 'ignore' stuff, ie. dogs at fences etc. and praised her. By far the best thing for her confidence was agility and flyball. THe equipment was daunting to her, but I just gently persevered and she is great!!! Took a couple of years though, no quick fix. I knew that if we were going to have her for hopefully 16 years, any work done now would pay off for us all. Flyball and the proximity to other dogs, the bang of the box, etc. really cemented her confidence and she is the best flyball dog here! The trick is to get them to focus on you and not their surroundings. With my dog I used food treats, others used tuggies or a game. It is a difficult path when they are nervous, esp. when you are jugglling whether what you are doing is too much, overstimulating etc. and making it worse. If you know your dog well, you can use your own judgement. A routine, very set, also helped immensely. She always knew what was coming next, no nasty surprises. Once they are more confident, you can introduce other things into the routine. But if they never know or understand what is coming up next, it can make them even more nervous. Hopefully if you can instill some confidence in her in other things, the noises etc. wont be so much of a problem. Fingers Crossed. Scrape the chair a dozen times a day and act as if there is no noise, it's a normal part of the routine etc. I did this with the doorbell and now it is just another part of their day. I also used a fantastic behaviourist as I'd never had a dog with these issues before. I've learnt so much through this dog, and she is really amazing. Good luck. She is very lucky to have such a caring family

Hi Nixter. Please please be patient. You have a lovely puppy who will eventually fit right in and be a pleasure to own and enjoy. The first few weeks can be tough all round. It does improve though, keep that in mind. A gentle approach without 'punishment' is best. The puppy really has no understanding of what is happening and why. I'm not experienced enough in your situation to offer advice on how to settle the pup when you can't be there. I have had several small dogs (terriers) as puppies though, and they have needed around 4 small feeds a day for several weeks, so maybe if possible you could keep up the 2 visits home per day between you and your OH for a bit longer than a week. The pup will only be 8 weeks old when you stop the frequent visits, the age they normally leave the litter. Very young. it will also be quite difficult to toilet train a pup unless you can be home during these visits for at least enough time to feed, play and take the pup outside to eliminate as soon as you get home, and also after feeding and before you leave again. I find that a 'command' helps greatly. Ours is just 'do wees' said over and over, then heaps and heaps of praise afterwards. I hope you and your puppy have a fantastic time together, remember she is just a baby and she will respond well to positive encouragement (the teenage time may be a different story )xxxxxxx

Wagsalot

Hi wagsalot, will you be keeping these in stock or able to order them later?? I'm thinking of Christmas I think they are fantastic toys!!! as we are in the process of moving, I've put a halt on buying anything at all for a few months, too much to shift but I really would love to get some of these at a later date xxxxxx

hi Pappy, I've asked about clubs there and I'll be joining the PTC club. I think you are talking about the one in the city? I wont be up until around may, but I don't really like the idea of so many people at class and also my two would DIE if they were treated that way and it would send our training backwards. Can you ask Lilsmum? about obed clubs? Good luck, hope it all goes OK xxxxxx

Tassie I was never allowed a bike growing up, and cannot balance at all, had to learn in my 40's!!! and only under sufference as OH was working away and kids OS, so it was me or no one!!! Gave many people a good laugh though

Biking is one time I've never ever used treats. We, dogs too!!, have always treated bike rides as a very serious and focussed business. For them, the ride is a treat in itself. If they were to associate treats with the bike (mine are piggies!!) I think they would be much more focussed on when the treat is coming than the run itself. The last thing I'd need is them looking for a treat at an inappropriate time

All our dogs have run with the bike. I never actually 'trained' them, but used more what I'd call common sense. Firstly they need to understand certain commands, basic obedience. If they know heel, stop, sit, back etc. they will do these things willingly next to the bike. Then they need to be old enough not to do any skeletal damage. We would just ride around the house/garden etc. to get them used to being next to the bike off lead and on, and they love to be with you so stay close. None of our dogs have had any issues about it and are very keen to get going. We use a loose lead on the left and ALWAYS keep the dogs on the inside. My viz will go forever off lead and not deviate from the bike at all. (not on roads off lead) The spin loves it too. I've only had one accident when the viz stopped dead for the loo and I went flying, I should have been watching her signals, my fault!! Had tonnes of stitches Bikes are a great way of giving dogs a decent run and they love it.

Wow, what fantastic toys, definately all on my list, the girls would LOVE them!!

I'm not really sure what is meant by dogparks, so please excuse my ignorance. If it is a fenced area named as a dog park, no I've never been to one, or even seen one. My dogs go to the local off lead beach. They very rarely show any interest in other dogs there, except if other dogs rush up. My viz gets a bit frightened so I always keep her with me or call her if I suspect an over friendly dog is coming. The spin is so placid that I worry another dog will take advantage. We have never had an incident, thank goodness, and 'know' all the dogs and people who go. We also frequent an area around the corner that backs onto our airport. There are creeks and plenty of land etc. and also many sportsgrounds. I've only ever seen a couple of dogs here and mine stay with me, unless a friend is there with their dogs. Motorbikers and horse riders go too, my dogs adore the horses and will touch noses but never go behind(I allow a nose touch with permission then call them to me) I don't take any risks and am constantly on the lookout for any danger, just as I would be when driving. My relfexes are in overdrive (so much for relaxing walkies!!) I am very very worried about moving to Darwin in a couple of months as I do not 'know' the people, dogs and area. I guess we will have to start from scratch even though mine are excellent offlead. They will be on lead for ages while I size up the risks.

Me too. New people come with their lovely happy friendly outrageous bundles of joy, start walking toward me and Monah and I have to yell Keep Away!! of course that doesnt' work because their dogs love other dogs and are very friendly :D and I'm not to worry about it. Yes you minga, but mine doesn't take kindly to the advances of strangers!!!!!!!! BACK OFF!

I don't know anywhere near enough to comment with any expertise. I do think dogs under 18 months need to be carefully introduced to jumping and sports in general, all dogs should do stretching exercises before any sports, and dogs carrying extra weight, ones prone to injuries (large dogs), etc. should be very carefully cared for. No dog should eat for at least a couple of hours before or after any exercise either. I have done agility and flyball and know many many dogs of even 10 years who still compete, are very fit and LOVE the challenges and fun of sports. I believe it keeps them young, in shape, fit and happy (owners too )

NEVER To be honest, (I live in a bubble!!) I had never seen or heard of this until I joined DOL and read about it.