Ker

This is from another forum I go to - a parenting forum. This girl is at her wits end with her dog and is willing to try anything. Please don't flame, she is asking for HELP. Can anyone recommend a GOOD behaviouralist in Brisbane for her? I don't always hate him, just now when I watched him take a dump right at the door on the veranda I had a flash of anger. Mostly it's just despair. I don't need suggestions, I'm just getting this off my chest so I can go back to loving him, but god he's difficult. I've NEVER encountered a dog like Chester and I've had a few. He p*sses on the floor, at his food bowl, on his bed (and lays back down in it). Yesterday he scratched at the door to be let in and raced in and p*ssed at my feet. No he does not have a kidney/bladder infection. He also poo's all over the house, on the veranda, on the stairs. I don't think that dogs bum has been anywhere NEAR a blade of grass for a long time. I complain to the dog wash man (Chester needs washing every week as he smells to high heaven within days) about him, the dog wash man finally believed me when he brought him to me after a wash and told me with a stunned look that 'Chester had a dag on him'. This is a very normal occurrence for Chester so I asked him what the big deal was. Dog wash man said 'this was an entire turd, stuck to his chest'. Yup, Chester had taken a dump then lay in it. Today it's raining and the smell of dog pee is everywhere, soaked into the timber floor of the veranda and wafting in through the cat flap. I'm burning incense to try and cover it. To be honest I think Chester may be either inbred or brain damaged. The guy I got him from (as a 5 year old) seemed a bit dodgy, maybe a puppy farm? I don't know, all I know is I saw this scruffy little thing and knew I had to get him away from there. I know they were breeding from him (god help them!) as he mentioned it. Chester had the looongest scrotum I'd ever seen on a dog, it practically hung to the floor. He was snipped as soon as we could. My sister joked about putting a ribbon around his neck and leaving the gate open, too bad we had him microchiped and they could find us (okay so I am joking somewhat). So that's it, my doggy vent. Do you think it's bad karma that I count the years till he's gone? Yeah okay, I thought so.

Sorry kiddo, she was a beautiful dog. I still remember when you first brought home this tiny little bundle of fur

RIP Keisha...so sorry MadWoofter.

What a stunning boy! RIP Robbie :rolleyes:

RIP Tango. What a beautiful girl!

What a gorgeous tribute...bought tears to my eyes. RIP Benny.

I'm so sorry... RIP beautiful girl. Enjoy it now, going over the

I'm so sorry He will always be in your heart. Run free and happy over the Lucky.

I had a beautiful lilac point Birman named Aspen. A few weeks ago, he was breathing funny, so I took him to the vet. Examination showed he had congestive heart failure and a heart murmur, which caused fluid on the lungs. I was given a diuretic to clear the lungs and heart tablets. At his check up a week later, he showed some improvement. He wasn't well at all this morning. I tossed up the idea of not going to work, but I had to - we were snowed under. I had to visit my nana in hospital after this, so I got home about 4.30. As soon as I opened the front door, I could hear Aspen's breathing - it was really laboured. He started howling, an awful sound and I grabbed the phone to call the vet and tell them I was bringing him in. I got him in the carrier and into the car. He continued howling and I was talking to him on the short drive to the vet, until he went silent. I started to cry and told him not to die on me, to hold on until we got to the vet. I pulled up at the vets, grabbed the carrier and ran in. There was no one at the desk so I called for help, still talking to Aspen. When the receptionist came out I said "I think my cat just died". He had. He was only 6. The vets were lovely. They got me a chair, water and tissues and let me spend as long as I needed with him. I hugged and kissed him and stroked his lovely fur. They organised cremation for me when I asked and a little later, I called to ask them to cut me off a piece of his hair. They told me it wasn't my fault and it wouldn't have mattered had I bought him in earlier. The vet said "he was very kind to you. He stopped you having to make a decision you wouldn't have been able to." She's right. I couldn't have put him down. I truly believe he waited until I'd got home, and I am so thankful for that. If I had arrived home and found him already dead, I would have been hysterical. He was obviously in real strife and yet he hung on - we both needed that last goodbye. My brave, lilac boy. I miss him already and I don't know what to tell my son. Aspen was his favourite cat and it's only a matter of time until he asks for him. I'm hoping to stall until then. I love you and miss you, my big furball boy...the house will be quieter without you...Run free and healthy across the bridge and I'll see you again when my time is up.

God, that pet rescue site is EVIL! I want to take home ALL the dogs on there, hahaha. I hd no idea that there were so many SWF's on there - when I went to Animal Welfare League a few years back, there were very few "little" dogs - mainly kelpies and Heelers. While I have nothing against them, I live in suburbia and so my yard isn't suitable for such an active dog and they are a LOT bigger than what I want. I have had cats from AWL and the satisfaction I have had saving an animal from a certain death and the love they give me is amazing. One of my rescues from Death Row is a 14 year old moggie now, and STILL going strong. Whatever dog I get won't be inside all the time, and won't be outside all the time either. I have nothing against a dog sleeping in a basket inside the house (my cats sleep inside too, although confined to one room) - I'd prefer it actually. I do have very good fencing on my house. When my son is playing outside, I would hope the dog would be more than happy to play outside with him, and I'd also love a dog that would curl up on my lap to watch TV at night. There are quite a few on Pet Rescue that I love the look of - Finn for one, melted my heart. I was looking for a desexed female, but that's simply because all my cats are (desexed) males. I can cope with another male in the house :p My daughter and I will be a bit outnumbered, but we'll cope Thank you SO much to everyone who has posted on here. I've pretty much made my mind up to go with a rescue when I'm ready. I just think I'd feel better getting a dog who's temperament is known (especially important with the kids) and I'd love to give affection and attention to one who hasn't known much as yet.

Sorry, I meant SACA...South Australian Canine Association. Duh@me. Would they be all right to call regarding a breeder? No offence to anyone who breeds/likes them, but I'm not a pug fan. Not sure why...just not to my taste. I love the little "fluffy" looking ones (yeah, yeah, I know...), although beagles aren't very fluffy. I'm not sure what it is about the beagles that I love - they just have adorable faces, as do the other dogs I mentioned. I've seen the most gorgeous little crossbreeds in a well known pet shop chain and walked away. I confess my last dog was a Maltese X Shih tzu (beautiful, gorgeous dog) from a pet shop, but when I bought her, I had not the slightest idea about puppy farms...now I do, and I can't knowingly support that trade. Anyway, thanks to all those who answered. I have some more thinking to do and PLENTY of time to get a dog. I'm not in any rush. I do miss my dog though, and so does my son.

Hi. Some time later this year, I want to buy a dog. I lost my dog early last year and haven't been ready to get one yet. I must confess I love the "DD's" but won't buy one, because I will not support puppy farms. My criteria are: Small (no larger than say, a Cocker or a beagle). VERY good with kids (I have 2). VERY good with cats (I have 3). Not requiring huge amounts of exercise (as in I don't want a dog I need to jog with, but a walk to the park with the kids would be great). I don't mind brushing and bathing, but I don't want something I have to brush twice a day. Fairly easy to train. Not destructive. So far, I have looked at a Cavalier, a Cocker, a Beagle and a West Highland. These are all dogs I like, and I will be buying from a registered breeder (will call ACA when ready to purchase), but I'd like some ideas on what these breeds are like first. Thanks! Ker.