RL1

Hi Corvus, The dog is so excited when he knows it's time to get into the ute and full on with energy, which i think doesn't help the problem. I'm guessing he somehow feels a threat from the car behind when they are close. He also is very reactive to light flashes, reflections ect, so i think the headlights from the cars at night makes the situation worse. He's just a very focused, full on dog. Add that to the fact he doesn't get out as much as he should, that probably makes him even more excited and tense when he is taken out.

It's illegal for that very reason, it's blocking your view. I doubt it would take very long for me to be pulled over if i blocked the rear window. Plus i don't enjoy driving blind. Blocking the rear window is just not an option. The dog is tied up the front of the canopy already. Inside the canopy i have a heavy duty internal bar system that supports the rack i have on the canopy. I do agree a crate or canopy isn't good news in a major crash, but either is inside the cabin.

Hi Sheila Why would you move the dogs from the crate, inside a canopy, during bad weather ? Isn't that one purpose of a canopy ? I would've thought it wasn't safe to have a crate inside a canopy that isn't secured to the floor. What happens if you roll or have a hard hit ? The rubber mat won't stop it moving. As for the nana conversion you want, don't worry, you're almost there with a canopy on a Hilux. All you need is one of those "Grey Nomad" club stickers on the rear and you're set. ;)

Maybe. I haven't tried the muzzle idea. Not sure the one i have is suitable to be on for extended periods. Worth a try, though i think the problem is more visual.

I bought a good quality harness and the strongest tie attachment i could. I still allow him enough slack so he can move, but even with this he still will lunge and carry on. Nah, he has to go out or he'll go mental. Nope, the curtain idea has been suggested and i'll leave it at that. Exactly. I don't want a canopy on the next ute. I'm looking for other options. If i can have a crate without having to bolt it to the floor i'll go with that. Why can't i be selfish for once in my life and buy something for me ? I can assure you the dogs haven't gone without. They get the best of everything.

Yes, i want to upgrade to another ute, i just don't want to spoil it with an ugly looking, crappy old mans canopy. I'd like to buy something nice for myself, without having to take into consideration the dogs for once. You might have a point with the crate idea, but i wouldn't be keen on drilling holes and bolting it to the floor. If i could work it out so i could remove it, i'd go for that idea. You're correct. When he was inside the cabin with me, he doesn't say boo. I think he's too attached to me. As i'm driving, he's looking through the canopy at me, until he spots something interesting. Then it's back to me again. And as for the curtains ??? If i go that route, I might as well mount a fan on the dash and use an Orthopedic Seat Cushion. I'll leave the curtain idea until i'm retired.

I'm not keen on removing it now. No, i don't think curtains would sit too well. You can't really block the view, that would be illegal.

Yes, it's the same dog. I already have him inside the canopy that cost me $2800. I don't want to have to attach a crate inside that. Sorry, but to me every canopy is ugly. Someone told me about those Carryboys after i bought my top of the range ARB smooth finish, colour coded, standard roof ect ect crap crap........ I only bought it for his benefit. I now drive a wagon, not a ute

No, i refuse to put the dogs in the cabin anymore. They destroyed my last car doing that. This time i went out and spent close to $2800 on a canopy, on top of the cost of a new ute, and he still carries on like a moron in the back. I want to upgrade to another ute now, but i really don't want an ugly canopy on the back. I just don't know how to calm him down. I feel like an idiot driving around with him acting like he does everytime we take off from lights or a stop. It's also not a good image for the breed.

My dog has an annoying ( to me ), but strange behavior happening when he's in the back of the ute. Whilst moving he is fine. Whilst stopped he is fine. The problem starts as soon as the vehicle moves. Whilst stopped at traffic lights ect, he stares at the car behind. Not a second before, but as soon as i take off, he lunges towards the back and has a bit of a growl. This annoys the hell out of me. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get him out of this habit ?

Yes i've decided to forget about Ebay for a hyrdobath. Either the bath is interstate or the price is far too high for what it is. Even the asking price for some baths here on DOL have been more expensive compared to a brand new FIDO or a new super twin tub BARF shop hydrobath. The BARF shop one on Ebay at the moment is at $2026 with a day to go. The exact same model is $2499 brand new and includes the bonus ramp this month, which is exactly what my old Rotty needs. Thanks again for the replies and info.

The Barf Shop claim it won't scratch or chip at all because it's marine grade. Sales talk or the truth, who knows. That's good to know. ---------------------------------- Thanks for the info.

I'm looking at ordering a Barf Shop Twin tank hydrobath in the next few days. It's $2500, has twin tanks, heater, autofill, ect and a bonus ramp. It's HDPE, not f/glass like all other brands i've seen. I've been trying to buy a second hand one through Ebay, but the prices people are paying for used, old hydrobaths is crazy. I was bidding on a BARF shop hydrobath exactly like the above, but it's already hit the $2000 mark. Seems better to spend a bit more and buy a new one. Are there any negatives with the BARF shop brand/style ?

What sort of hydrobath did you buy BD ?

PM me and i'll give you the name and address of a vet who has a lot of experience with diagnosing, treating and operating on Rottweilers. He's doesn't have any fear of large dogs and can handle them. My rotty breeder friend takes all her dogs to him and i was forced to take my problem male rottweiler to him after two local vets in this area had no idea how to handle a large dog. I can find out which chiro the breeder uses too. Sometimes it's not a vet you need to see.

I'd recommend Fish Oil and Glucosamine. Just buy them through your local chemist. My breeder friend has had a few of her dogs on this and swears by it.

^^ Wow, 14. He's doing well. 14 is a good age for any breed i think. The breeder wasn't impressed with me getting the op done. Said it was too risky. I actually didn't have any pre op blood tests done either as the results wouldn't be back that day. Sometimes you have to trust your vets ability and take their advice over others.

It's a very sad situation. There's no easy solution. Only you'll know when the time has come. Your girl will let you know in her own way. This is the part of pet ownership that is so hard. I lost my 11.5 yr old Rotty in 2007. I had to make the decision to let her go. Worst day of my life to date was leaving her with a friend and driving off.

My old girl had to go under for an op last year for a growth on her eye lid. She didn't come out too well, which was why i was a bit concerned this time. BUT I changed vets and the difference all round is amazing. This time she had more procedures done, but came out of it 100% better. She was wide awake and walked to the car at 5pm that day. Last year she was a mess, couldn't stand up at all that night and had problems for 3.5 weeks until i changed vets. I now have found a vet who i have complete trust in her ability and knowledge. She's fantastic.

Some pics of the old girls op aftermath.

All is well. I picked her up at 5pm. She walked by herself to the car. She came through fine, no problems at all. The vet said she walking around at 3pm. What an amazing difference in her condition compared to her last anesthesia op she had done through a different local vet last year. Last year she had a lump removed from her eye lid ( i posted a thread in the photo section ) and she was a mess all night, couldn't even walk or move. This was the reason i was concerned. After seeing the state of her last year. Just goes to show there are good vets and there are crap vets. Today she had a large skin tag removed from the stomach area, another lump above the eye removed, a skin tag removed from her leg, her nails cut back and about 4 - 5 other lumps from inside cut out, in different spots. She goes back in 10 days to get stitches out. Did she have to have any of this done today ? No. Was it right to put her under ? Yes and no. Most would say no. But for my own peace of mind i wanted some of these lumps removed and was confident in the vets ability. I'll post some photos of the areas later if i can. I was a little surprised at the bill though. A good surprise really.

That rock you crawled out of is lonely. Th th th that's all !

It's a bit of both. There are some lumps i'm having cut out just to be sure, though the vet did say in her opinion they aren't cancer. Also having a few external things cut out. The vet did assure me she wouldn't put her under if she wasn't in great shape otherwise. I dropped her off at 8am with the vet nurse, but went back at 9am to have a another chat to the vet. Who are you ? Shaking your head at me. You don't know jack shit about me and what i do for my dogs.

No, most of her tail left her little behind almost 9.5 years ago. :D I'll get flamed if i list what's getting done. It's not "necessary" or "life threatening" procedures. I'll go with the blood test and take it from there. Will post a follow up tomorrow afternoon. Thanks.