Diva

As long as you are polite and not accusatory (not saying you would be!) she shouldn't mind, in fact she should be pleased to be advised it has happened. If breeders aren't told they can't presumably spot issues or patterns that should influence their breeding decisions. Of course, some do like to shoot the messenger. I hope you don't get that response but even if you do, you will have done the right thing. Best wishes for the surgery.

Yep

I'd take the offer up if my Belgian Shepherd was still alive, because I have little idea how much pressure she would take and it would be interesting to test in controlled circumstances. I doubt it would do her any harm even if/when she folded early. Finding a genuine bad guy she could tackle seemed to be her raison d'etre, she never got to really fulfill the desire. I'd never do it to the other dog though, even if he hadn't long since passed, it would feel like a betrayal of his genuine willingness to work against his own normal nature when I needed him, even if that does sound like anthropomorphising. Now my current three - they'd be hiding behind me.

While I don't believe in relying on pet dogs for personal protection and don't ever want to deliberately put my dog in that position, I also don't believe a dog has to be alpha or protection trained to come to the defense of its owner. Would I rely on an untested and untrained dog doing so? No. Have I had dogs that did so and definately weren't alpha types nor trained for protection. Yes. Neither was protection trained. One was a show dog. The other was a SAR dog.

As far as I know CERF is an American scheme and there are a few Australian canine ophthalmologists certified as 'ambassadors' for the program who can do certifications here. I don't know of a comparable Australian based scheme. Hopefully someone who does know will be along soon, not being a breeder I have never used it myself.

I have had two dogs who fronted up to protect me in a real life situation. I don't know how long they would have held if really pushed of course. But the interesting thing for me is how different they were as dogs. One was a Belgian Shepherd, very protective her whole life of me and anything that belonged to me. She took it to extremes, but she was a breed where such protectiveness wasn't a huge surprise. The other dog who stepped up was a male Borzoi. He was not the least interested in protecting property, he was friendly with everyone, not a guarding breed at all, generally the most unlikely candidate to step up. But he did, with excellent judgement and a keen determination. I guess my point is that sometimes it's just the dog, relying on breed choice without the necessary training is very moot IMHO.

I think that's right. I've fed them for years without a problem too, but I wouldn't feed them alone for too many meals. Not meaty enough for me for them to be the major part of the diet. I might feed them a few times a week or if more often add meat or a meatier RMB to the meal as well.

Yes they exist, I don't know who it would be in SA though. I'd probably get a second opinion from another vet. She sounds like she might have been a bit casual about it. Not that it's likely to be anything terribly serious, but it might be easily fixable.

Might also be worth have a chiro vet see him - it's not the most likely cause at his age, but I know one of mine goes a bit east west when her back is out.

Even someone who doesn't have small children may have children visiting, either yourself or the new owner will need to get to the heart of the problem for everyone's safety.

I'll try it :D

I also feed wild rabbbit and venison, which I hope helps. And sometimes fresh or tinned fish - but they aren't that keen on fish really. I have spoilt fussy dogs

But plenty of animals are 'finished' in feed lots leading up to sale in Australia too, how can I tell what is grass fed it's entire life? Asking, I have found, usually gets blank stares.

You New Zealanders are just taunting us with the green tripe recommendations, just can't get it here. I have bought some of the Ziwipeak canned tripe - doubt it is as good as the fresh variety but the dogs do love it, and they just won't touch most canned food.

Maybe they are gulping them in pieces which are too large, in which case I'd go for a bigger bone for them which they do need to break up to swallow. Turkey necks would fit the bill nicely.

1. If the dog keeps doing the same thing despite the punishment, the punishment clearly isn't working. 2. Dogs can't learn if they are in a stressed state, hitting him just makes them confused and frightened. 3. If what you (not meaning you, whitka ) really want is a better behaved dog, take the time to train the behaviours you want, or manage the dog so the bad behaviours don't have an opportunity to occur. 4. Hitting is not training. No that isn't guilt on it's face, and it isn't trying to get back at you. 5. If what you really want is to release some anger, get a punching bag and stop treating your dog like one. 5. If you don't have time or patience to train, get a stuffed dog and give your dog to someone who understands it's a living, feeling animal. 7. Your dog needs to trust you to learn. How wonderful would it be for your dog to really trust you - and how despicable that a big smart human like you thinks it's OK to beat up a lovely dog you are lucky to have. ...and if that doesn't work, somehow get them to give up the poor dog.

Are you sure it's distress and not excitement? If she is drooling too it would be a sign she is stressed, and Sky_Mel's advice is pretty good - break the car experience down into baby steps and reward calmness at each stage. If it is actual car sickness there are herbal things which can help, including ginger, but you'd need more info than I have about them. But one of mine 'sings' the whole time we are going somewhere in the car. Sound like a humpback whale doing kareoke and drives me nuts, but it's her being happy. Anyone else listening would think she was in pain.

Good suggestion, but, no. The dorsal harness is completely different in how it puts stress on the dog and the design needs to allow for attachment from the top. Oh well just a thought. I know someone who makes horse drawn vehicles, but he buys the harness. Even imports the fancy ones I think, so no help there.

What kind of gear do the sled dog people use? I know the sleds and scooters are different, but could the harness be adapted?

No, me either. But many seem to be badly run, led by vet nurses with little behavioural understanding and the advice given not so sound. So even the socialisation objective can be compromised. IMHO. Edited to add: Of course there will be some good ones, but I'd check out closely who was running it.

I'd choose club kindergarten classes, when run well, over most vet puppy schools. Just based on my own experience.

Some litter trays have roofs and swing doors, if your cat will use one of those it helps. Otherwise you are stuck with putting the tray in a place the dog finds hard to access and cleaning the tray extremely regularly. As paganman said, they seem to be irresistable to most dogs!

:D I've seen Borzoi doing dancing, and even when they aren't that good, they look spectacular.

Good luck getting a Borzoi to weave between your legs. :D Mmm, you have a point

Very exciting, I have at least one show-off who might enjoy that!