Monah

Someone is now doing a concentrated form, you only need about a half of a tiny plastic spoon provided in the container. It works out really cheap. $26. I think it may be Natures Way. I found it lasted ages but the health food shop ran out his time so I have the normal Joint Guard again. We also use cartrophen when needed and Previcox on hand for any nasties, pain etc. Dont need it very often though.

I'm not sure if there's something like that in Bunderberg. We order the ducks from the US and there're training ducks available. We also have throwers and a rifle - not sure where from. Do you want me to find out? Hi again, if you can find out, but dont go too much out of your way I found the Bundy one, Wide Bay Club. Have contacted the club via email.

Hi, where do you buy the duckies and other training tools from?? Looked on the website, very good. A bit too far for me but I think there may be something at Bundaberg? Thanks

Hmm. Can't remember properly, but I think all mine knew what ARGGHHHHH! meant first (naughty puppies!) and then good girl. The first proper command, although toilet training is exempt (sorry), that every dog I've had knows is Do Wees!! It has never let me down and all will go on command. Saves lots of time and confusion First basic command was 'come', with a treat of course i'd be pretty worried about 'jump' as a first command for a puppy. Their bones aren't really up to it at all. I always do my best to prevent pups from jumping. :D not reward them for it.

Aranyoz hi. I was trying not to mention which dog good guess. I don't know when she was weaned, she was in the house, well looked after, but no other doggies and only 3 older humans, and allowed to do ANYTHING and everything (she is spoilt here, BUT, there are rules and she abides by them very well). I'm afraid she was so bad she bit the vet on the first visit, hid behind equipment, freaked out completely at puppy pre school, and I was advised by a behaviourist to consider PTS ;) Yes, she was really bad, poor girl, and had had NO contact at all with the outside world, as apparantly the vet visited her at home and it is way out in the country so no noises etc. either. Having said that, with lots of work, socialisation, behaviourist etc., agility, obed, and flyball (full time job for 12 months) she is FANTASTIC, and I love her desperately and would love another!!!! Sorry OP for the highjack wont happen again. I hope you are doing well now with your lovely pup.

I had a singleton pup, fantastic genetics and temps. in her background, but what a bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She was 12 weeks when we got her and very very out of control, my hands bled for 2 weeks It took me over 12 months to get her 'normal', and she;s still a little fearful. Others i know with the same breed have had no problems at all. All I can think of is that the first few weeks of her life were not supervised as a mother and littermates would supervise, which is a real shame because she's wonderful. If you are keeping this pup I feel it's very important to 'get it right' at this stage, for both of you. There are many fantastic books around that deal with how a mother trains her pups and of course hopefully people on here who can help. At least you are intent on nipping this in the bud now, imagine how bad it would be after another 9 weeks which is what happend to us. Good on you for being so aware and doing the right thing. Just persevere as it's really worth it when they finally click. Mine had trouble with 'crowding', if anyone was near her or next to her ie, on a walk, or walked past her etc. she would completely freak, and also very food protective, no bite inhibition and terrified of anyone or anything behind her or too close in front. If there are any ways of teaching a pup to be comfortable with these things, it would be a good place to start. I don't have the experience of bringing one up from an early age so I'm pretty useless with advice, only know the outcomes of not doing it right.

I can also recommend Richard. He's excellent. good luck with the lab. Joint problems can come from way back in the genes. ie. if say the sire's fathers brother had a bad score. having said that, of course it is the right thing to do to breed from excellent scores to minimise the problem, but, it can sneek in regardless from somewhere else

Playing. Just make sure they are always supervised and don't let it get rough, the pup is too small.When it's larger it will give the schnauzer a run for it's money :rolleyes: They look like great friends in the video. :D

When my kids did swimming training, they had to shower first. It does help the health of the pool. I suppose the dogs need a rinse first for the same reason. So many dogs would create a dirt, grease build up. I think it's good that they are fussy. I'd rather that than a dirty place.

Hi I have been working at Devon Meadows pool on Tues & Weds for 2 months now and it has been cleaned up I take my dogs to work with me and have had no problems, yes it is clean. Sorry, bit of a thread hijack. Do any of the dogs get ear probs from the water? Are there any ways, ie. floaty collar, 'headband' etc. to help stop so much water entering the ear canal? i need help! Thanks.xxx

I'm getting a 450D. I'm happy with all the shots I've seen from the 400D, but just figure I may as well get the 450 as I wont be getting another camera for a while. We have so many cameras here For all sorts of uses. Personally, nothing has ever beaten the minolta slr I got nearly 30 years ago. I never ever even used a flash. It was terrrific and I won many competitions with it. For me, going digital, has never measured up. I'm sure it's because I'm technologically challenged. I'll just have to rectify the situation. If anyone has a 450D, can you let me know how you find it please?

:D Oh that's a shame. I agree thoroughly with settrlvr, just a thread of hope, we had a dog with a heart murmur, he lived until 15!

Well magpies are much more interesting!!! And, with her looks, she may think that's enough. She can just look absolutely gorgeous and blind the judge with her beauty

;) Oh God, that video was so gorgeous Jules!! It made me very homesick for Adelaide, the best city in the world!!! Love love love all the photos and the dogs are so well behaved! Would have been a bit different if Monah the viz had been there Looks like a great time was had by all 4 legged and two legged people. Great job Jules

I also agree to crate training them BOTH, not just the one or maybe purchase a puppy play pen,or a dog run where you could both of their beds & some toys. This will stop them from getting up to mischief.I also agree about the long walk. My dogs have a mountain of toys to play with, but if they didn't get their dailey walk they would be unbearable to live with. To be honest with you, if my OH or myself worked 10 hours a day I personally wouldn't even own a dog ( no offence ) IMO dogs need alot of your time to get the best out of them. I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but that is my honest opinion. Me too. I agree, I'm just fed up with getting flamed(chicken ). It's too late now, but older rescues or breeder re homing would probably have worked out without any problems. But, they are lovely dogs and if the OP is willing to put time and effort in, they will be great pets. Our dogs adore their crates, and I'm always up early (5am) to make sure they have around 3 to 4 hours with me before work, even if I'm really tired and just throw a ball or something. xxx

Sorry, in your last post you mentioned having them in for 2 hours in the evenings, after your dinner/showers, then putting them back outside for bed. Is this what you're thinking of doing? I'm afraid with two young dogs, only having a couple of hours a day of company, they will just get worse and worse. My neighbours cockers ate their whole laundry!! so I know what you mean. But they were also alone all day in a run until 6pm. and then 'put to bed' at 9.30pm. so hardly any human company. It's heartbreaking. We have 2 young dogs and if not supervised they will also seek and destroy, although nothing like what you have been through. I 'swim' them for about 2 hours per day and the viz also has an hour bike run, in between they have beach runs, flyball, agility, obedience and are with me all the time I'm home, and usually come out with us too. Other than that they are crated. Yes we do work all day too. I visit during breaks, luckily I work for myself You appear to already have realised that they need a lot more exercise and training. I hate to tell you but this will probably be the case ie exercise etc. for many years to come. If poss on weekends, maybe you could try having them with you and busy, all weekend, instead of 3 sessions. How long are these sessions? They really must get terribly bored. I find with ours, on particularly busy energetic days, they are still tired the day after. Hope it all works out for you and your doggies. They are lovely and I imagine very bright and clever. Good luckxxx :D The only thing constructive I can think of is having a dogwalker walk them while you are at work every day as it sounds like you are both unlikely to be able to change your timetable/rosters etc. Unfortuantely (or not :D ) Dogs, like children, change lives.

Sorry, in your last post you mentioned having them in for 2 hours in the evenings, after your dinner/showers, then putting them back outside for bed. Is this what you're thinking of doing? I'm afraid with two young dogs, only having a couple of hours a day of company, they will just get worse and worse. My neighbours cockers ate their whole laundry!! so I know what you mean. But they were also alone all day in a run until 6pm. and then 'put to bed' at 9.30pm. so hardly any human company. It's heartbreaking. We have 2 young dogs and if not supervised they will also seek and destroy, although nothing like what you have been through. I 'swim' them for about 2 hours per day and the viz also has an hour bike run, in between they have beach runs, flyball, agility, obedience and are with me all the time I'm home, and usually come out with us too. Other than that they are crated. Yes we do work all day too. I visit during breaks, luckily I work for myself You appear to already have realised that they need a lot more exercise and training. I hate to tell you but this will probably be the case ie exercise etc. for many years to come. If poss on weekends, maybe you could try having them with you and busy, all weekend, instead of 3 sessions. How long are these sessions? They really must get terribly bored. I find with ours, on particularly busy energetic days, they are still tired the day after. Hope it all works out for you and your doggies. They are lovely and I imagine very bright and clever. Good luckxxx :D The only thing constructive I can think of is having a dogwalker walk them while you are at work every day as it sounds like you are both unlikely to be able to change your timetable/rosters etc. Unfortuantely (or not :D ) Dogs, like children, change lives.

Just more hugs and kisses. So so sorry.

One of mine needs surgery too . There is a fantastic guy on the sunny coast, just near the deer sanctuary on the highway near Maroochydore. He suggested we wait and see with our dog although her xrays show her joint is no where near her socket, so he is not a surgeon who ever does surgery unless it is absolutely necc. and even tells you there can be many complications and it may not be better afterward than it was before etc. A huge decision. We have been swimming ours for 2 hours a day, giving joint supplements every day, previcox tabs 4 times a week, cartrophen injections etc. to give her the best chance of no surgery. will see in a couple of months. fingers crossed we may just get away with it. I highly highly reccommend this surgeon and know people who have worked with him and say he is really ethical, talented, excellent. Good lluck with your dog.

I agree with Kavik, patience and persistance. I'm wondering how long you thought it would take for your pup to be toilet trained? Ive had a LOT of experience with this and some take 3 months and others can just be trained within days. I know nothing about peis so they may be different, I've always heard they are very clean dogs. 8 weeks is very very young, and difficult being in an apartment. I'll just say how I have always trained all my dogs, it may not be feasible for you, I don't know your living situation. We always have the pup in a room with us, doors closed. The SECOND a pup looks uncomfortable, wanders, sniffs we take (QUICKLY) it outside (your balcony??) and say Do Wees, many times, IF the pup does go, praise praise praise. We say Good girl, yes yes, fantastic etc. in an excited voice so they know they have done well. If they do not go, that's fine, we have just misjudged the signs. But, you can never 'rest' about this and must get the dog out EVERY time. I would not go to bed if the dog has not eliminated as obviously, they are going to need to go during the night. Pups have a very small bladder/bowel and there is no way they can 'hang' on, it's not physically possible. If the pup is crying, it knew it needed to go, which is a good sign, just unfortunate that you did not realise. If you want to save your rug, either pick it up and put it away somewhere while the pup is being trained, or put the pup somewhere else. There is always a solution. If he has not gone where you want him to go after half an hour, you just have to keep taking him to the spot, at intervals of say 5 or 10 mins until he does. Then praise him greatly. He wil soon get the idea. Always make it the same door to go out of and where you can see, ie. you're in the lounge and the door in the kitchen etc. You must be in the same room. Sorry this is so long, but honestly, it is really easy to toilet train a pup, but yes it is hard work and very repetitive and you must NEVER chastise a pup for having an accident. All that will happen is that it will be afraid to go and be confused as to what you really want, and never be trained. Good luck, I really love sharpeis, they are lovely. What colour do you have? Maybe you could post a photo.

I see terrier too. Maybe one of the parents or both were already crosses?? She is cute!! ;)

Oh dear, I'm so very sorry. I never visit this section and now I know why. i'm really devastated. You poor thing, thank goodness you have lovely puppies to carry on Loo's beauty and personality and to keep you busy (very busy I should think!). Such a shame. Please take care of yourself too, how lovely that Buulii has taken over parenting. Lovely boy.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Cody is(was) beautiful. I've never lost a young dog, how devastating that must have been. happy birthday Cody, xxxxxxxxxx

Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with the others about taking your pup to obedience/having someone come to the house etc. I would never send any of mine away to be trained and at training it is mostly the TRAINER who is being trained (owner) to train the dog properly so the dog can understand what is required. YOU need just as much training as your pup. Gee, 4 months is so young, I would not expect much at that age except to be toilet trained and understand very basic commands. They need constant re enforcement for the dog to end up doing things on 'time' and fairly reliably. some dogs can take a couple of years, some are faster mainly owing to the owner putting in time, effort and consitencey. Just 10 mins a day of training by you is enough at the moment. I find it very easy (I'm NO expert) just to do it in normal circumstances, ie. WAIT when getting out of the car/going through a door, NO and OFF when needed etc. and always a good dog, pat, reward of some kind as soon as they do the thing you require. In this way they learn basic manners quite quickly. to be honest, I'm really surprised a trainer would take a young dog on a farm stay type training course. The dog will be exhausted mentally and physically and not get anything out of it, will also be stressed the first few days. Sounds more like a money making exercise to me. I too do not like the choke chain idea and would the pup be being trained with dogs who are there because they have problem behaviour? would the pup be intimidated, frightened etc?Remembering dogs can do this from quite a distance. Yours could come back with fears it never had before. Good luck with your beautiful pup. As far as puppy school being rained out, it's really up to you to carry on doing things at home and to re enforce things you have already learnt. Mine also does flyball, and she will go perfectly for ages, then, voila! decide to go and have a sniff etc!!!! don't worry what any other dogs are doing either, just about yours, they all learn at their own pace and you can't compare. I'm sure being a goldie (I've had a couple) all will be fine in the end. It may take a year or two to have a fairly reliable dog, don't be in too much of a hurry. Have fun!!!!!! Even guide dogs don't start 'proper' training until they are about 12 months old, although they are taught manners etc. of course.