Henrietta

Great, thanks for the responses. I have heaps of ideas with how to go about dealing with this. Much of this I have done with the little mite - Bach flower essences, playing when a storm is around etc. I will look into Valium if she does continue to be distressed despite measures to try and get her calm and happy. I was reading the thread about 'Thundershirts' and body wraps with interest as well. Thankfully, storms are not really common in my area. I did not realise that storm phobia sometimes present itself for the first time in middle age/older dogs.

Hello, My parents have a 9 year old dog who has never been scared of storms up until the last couple of storms. She is quite distressed, panting and sooking and trying to be close to her people. My own little dog isn't crash hot in storms, but she has improved so much over the last couple of years. Storms do not bother her anywhere near as much as they used to and my parents' dog is now the one showing the most distress. Has anyone had this happened to their dogs? I am thinking vet check for her hearing (for increased hearing, not impairment.) It's the only thing I can possibly think of off the top of my head. Unless my Abby has 'taught' Gracie to fear storms? But the timing seems odd. Abby has been getting so much better. Edit - Perhaps this has been growing for quite some time and we missed the 'beginning' of it? We have not treated her differently, in fact, I have been really conscious of not coddling either of them, as I was trying to get the little one feeling better about storms. Thanks. Edit - stray apostrophe

That's interesting, Staranais. What are the differences in health outcomes for the dogs? So far as the studies show, pretty much no difference. The theoretical advantage is that the OVE (ovaries only) is less invasive & usually quicker, possibly making it a slightly safer surgery. The only theoretical disadvantage of OVE is that there's still a possibility of pyometra in the uterus if you give exogenous hormones to the dog or cat afterwards for another medical condition. However, the studies they've shown us have shown that in reality, there's no difference in health outcome they could detect between the two groups of dogs. Watch this space, I guess - perhaps later studies will show a distinct advantage of one procedure over the other. Thanks Staranais. I'll keep my ear out for some further research. I had an inkling that the OVE procedure may be less invasive, but I don't know enough about either to really know.

Ohh... I must try this! My little one loves icecubes in water. She paws at them, tries to get them out (sometimes successfully) and has a great time. Because they are small, we can only really play this game supervised.

That's interesting, Staranais. What are the differences in health outcomes for the dogs?

So sorry for you loss. That is a beautiful tribute.

I definitely agree here. Yes report to the council. But consider giving your area a miss and scout out some safer areas. I haven't walked around my neighbourhood for years. It's not really fair that you have to do this, but in a fight between fair and my dogs' safety the dogs' safety won. I actually find it fun to scout out new areas and rediscover areas that we haven't been for a while. But I'm a bit weird.

Yes, it's harnesses here. Whether it be a four hour drive or a four minute drive. Call me paranoid but I'd much rather spend the time strapping the dogs in (or crating, depending on the dog) than have tragedy strike in a second. I have one dog here who is absolutely 100% reliable in the car. She would sit up and look out the window and then just lay down and fall asleep and not move. Regardless of restraint. But it isn't about behaviour in the car for me, it's about safety. Have I been tempted to not harness her in on occasion? Yes, very much so. When it's late and cold and raining and you know that she will just curl up asleep on a towel, it can be tempting. But I always think, what if? The other dogs are not too bad either, but I can imagine unrestrained they could put me in some sticky situation whilst driving if they decided to have some fun. I cannot fathom how people can drive with dogs on laps or hanging out of windowns. Edit - the above dog I mention loves the car so much, that I use it as a training reward. It is the most powerful reward for her. If it's pelting down rain and I'm over being drowned on walks.... pop her in the car, go for a drive and she thinks is Christmas.

It is so great that they seem to be going with a registered purebred dog from an ethical source this time around. They may be very well open to some education on the matter of oodle names and perpetuating the myth that they are in fact 'breeds'. I had a little giggle at ex-greyhound!

Cute pics! My parents' dog will come running if you peel a mandarin or chop up an apple. Or pluck a grape off the stem (NOTE - they fed her an occasional grape before they found out they were toxic - of course she misses out on them now, much to her disgust.) To this day she still comes running from the other side of the house if a grape has been plucked from the stem and she is nine now. She must have a great memory because she hasn't had a grape since she was about two! I have nicknamed her 'fruitbat' because she has ears that vaguely remind me of a bat and she likes fruit. I am very original.

Wow, I'm lucky. I've only ever had two pet-related injuries (if you can call them that, they are more like 'ouchies'.) First one was our cat when I was about 14. Hand in the wrong place at the wrong time whilst playing and I copped a chunk out of the corner of my thumb. Second was my parent's boofa. Her skull to my nose in all the excitement. It hurt, but no blood nose, no broken nose. Learnt fast to keep nose out of the way when she started to wiggle her bum which is her first gear of excitement. That's it. I can't believe it. Edit - I ran into my nan's couch in a last ditch effort to avoid walking into the dog. Big lump and bruise. Can I blame the dog for that? :D I think I must be just lucky.

I should say that this mostly true for my older girl as well. She will still invite play quite readily, but isn't like a puppy who needs to play now.

I think it depends on the personalities of the dogs. My two dogs growing up didn't really play much at all after adolescence. They had only basic training and they were never discouraged from playing. Edit - I lied a little, they would have the occasional game of chasey around the yard! My two dogs now are still playing almost like puppies and they are 9 and 4 years of age. The older one still adores playing and will play with carefully selected doggy friends. My younger dog does not like other dogs but will play very well with the 9year old. Dependent on the individual is my guess.

This dog looks very agile. :p At the photos of the Lundehund's arms and neck. I also like the Kooikerhondje.

Pont-Audemer Spaniel Barbet Segugio Italiano Monah - I hope these are right and not some sort of Google-fail. Edit - I think the Pont-Audemer Spaniel is gorgeous too!

Burgos Pointer Avierge Pointer Blue Gascony Griffon

For Monah - Because I need practice. Auvergne Pointer Griffon Nivernais Bourbonnais Pointer More to come....

Glen of Imaal Terrier - there is one breed profile listed on Dogzonline, so I think they could be classed as rare, in Australia at least. Small Munsterlander - not sure if there are any in Australia. Edit Should work now!

I have heaps of breed I'd love to post, but I don't have any pics of my own. I await with interest.

Ok, thanks for answering my question, RSG and Ellz.

They used to be. I don't know any breeders who it these days but I think it happens less often at least. I wouldn't think twice to make sure a black and tan, liver, blue or fawn doesn't make it past the first few hours. I'd be taking a serious look at how they've come about and making sure I take measure to prevent them popping up again. Out of curiosity, why wouldn't you desex and pet-home? Assuming the pups are healthy of course.

I think I am falling in love with Cavs! Georgea is just gorgeous. Edit - as is the little foster!

Great thread! I personally think the black and tan poodles (partis?) are stunning, as is the choc/tan Cav. I don't usually go for choc as a colour, but there is something about that combination - so rich.

My girl goes after a car trip mostly. Short or long. Because I drive to most of the places we walk/train at (I don't walk around my neighbourhood) I think it is just a combination of habit, excitement stimulating the gut, and she just needs to go. Sometimes she'll hold off and go on the walk, obviously she doesn't need to go until then. Edit - Come to think of it, my parents' dog has no set pattern at all. She'll go if she needs.

Well, I've only done it once to date and I don't think I could've stuffed it up more if I had tried... in terms of temperament/socialisation issues. I do, however, have a very spunky and clever dog who is perfect for my family in our family situation. With no real bad habits at home... except for maybe a penchant for barking which we closely monitor. So I have a great dog at home, but unfortunately I can't do the things I always want to do outside the home, although we still manage to have a lot of fun. And what I have learnt has made me a better owner. There is a heap of room for improvement for me starting with getting a dog from a great breeder or rescue, but I don't think I'll ever have a 100% perfect dog. I know there are some mistakes I will never repeat!