kirbydog

I sort of believe that you unintentionally started encouraging a behaviour that you do not want. The dog was happy in the bathroom and then you moved it into the bedroom with you in a crate. Once it started to get unsettled you started to give him attention by taking him outside. When I purchased my puppy I had him in the bedroom for the first few nights to make the transition easier for him. Now he is allowed in the house at night as long as he is quiet. If he is unsettled in any way, of you go outside to sleep in your kennel. I would not allow my daughter, who is one year old, wake me every two hours every night so why let the dog take over your life. Dogs are not humans, they do not understand the concept of compassion. The main mistake dog owners make is to be afraid to do things that may upset the dog. We do not let our children get away with unwanted behaviour, but we do let our animals to walk all over us. As harsh as this may sound, if your dog is not settling, ban it from your bedroom and put it somewhere, where it is safe and if it is having a bit of a tantrum ignore him till he stops. Encourage behaviour that you want and ignore behaviour that you want to stop. It may be a really cute puppy, but still do not let it walk all over you. Hope this helps!

My first dog would not go in his kennel for two reasons, the kennel was too big and it was sitting on the corner of the deck. He hated both. We then made the kennel smaller, so he could stand up and turn around in it and we put it right on the porch at the front door. Then he loved it. The position of the kennel is imparative. Dogs like to be where they feel they can see the owner or are in front of a door you frequently use. Old clothes are really good too. Just spend some time watching were your dog likes to lay and put the kennel there. My new puppy did not go in his kennel in the beginning or only shortly. I put an old t-shirt of mine in it and he now is in there all the time, unless he is too hot. Good luck!

I feel you. Like I said before I would love to have another one, but we need a bit more space for one more. I just love the breed they are the most precious dogs. My sister has Westies and they are stubborn as hell. Kirby is so easy to train and eager to work it is a pleasure watching him. Xray is fine. No breakage or anything. He is recovering well from surgery and was full of beans today already. Took him for a little walk, no limp. Vet is convinced it is wrist because he can feel a slight click when he moves his leg sometimes. He could get sore when he is older, but he is definitely on the road to recovery now. All is well thank god!!

Hi Bruno, I have googled this article for you. It does give you a bit of a guide. http://www.my-dog.info/dogs_and_food/feedi...eed_puppies.asp Large breeds need more energy so I think what you feed him is just fine. No dairy? Depending on size dogs should get dairy at least up to six months. I feed my pup puppy porridge or kibble with milk. My breeder has advised me to this. Anyhow I am sure you are doing the right thing. Dani

Thanks guys. I will try to take him down to the lake and let him run around and see how this goes. I find that I feel guilty about not spending enough time on him. Working mothers syndrom. There are never enough hours in the day for my daughter, my husband and my dog. My walk with him is my exercise too so I probably overdid it. Anyway I have seen an improvement in him so that is good. Tomorrow he will get desexed so he will be out of action for a while. We will see what my Vet says. Will go and see if we can teach him some more tricks to keep his mind occupied, he can roll over, shake and spin so far, but there is more too learn. The dog with the Whiskers can is my first BC. Wasn't he a good looking dog? I rescued him from a family in Canberra and he was an awesome dog. Never wandered off or did anything naughty, well allmost. Kirby is already showing the same traits so I am really excited about it. I am happy that his temperament is nothing like Monty though. Vicky how do you handle 4 BC's. I am hoping we will be able to get out of town so I can have another one, but 4? Wow

Well thanks everyone. I will definitely get the shoulder checked. He is getting better though. I read about TNS before and it is a desease in very young dogs. Kirby is too old already for it. I will keep on walking him on the lead and just 30 minutes at a time and see how this goes. He could have injured himself, but from what I have seen I think it was just too much of a good thing. His parents are no TNS carriers and had perfect hip and elbow scores. But my first BC was pedigree and he died of a desease barely 4 years old one just never ever knows. He works well and is eager too learn and our dog trainer is very happy with him. I am not letting him jump out of the car either. Just lifting him in and out so we are trying. But if I do not exercise him he just runs in the yard until he gets tired. Dani

Thanks Vickie, he has been playing with other dogs a lot on a recent holliday down the coast. I did not see him having an injury, but unfortunately he came home with a tick and had to get treatment for this. We do not have ticks in the Snowy Mountains. After this he spend time with my sister's West Highland Terriers and played all day. My Vet believes it may be the growth plates, because he could feel a lot of cartlidge there. So I am really none the wiser. Hopefull that the xray will give us an answer. Thanks for the phsio advise, that sounds like a good idea. No photos here, because I am at work. He is gorgeous though and his name is Kirby. Black/white and long haired. His coat seems to be growing every day at the moment. Dani

My 5,5 month old border has had a sore front leg for a few weeks now. My vet has advised me to minimise his exercise, which did not make a difference in his leg, but he obviously is driving us up the wall. He is getting desexed and exrayed on Thursday, but I was wondering if there is anyone who had a similar problem with their pup and what they did. My vet, who is very good by the way, thinks there might be a problem with his growing plates and I am very worried now. My first BC died after a traumatic fight against an auto immune disease and I could not bear for our new little mate having problems again as well. For any answers and suggestions I would be greatfull. Thanks!!!!