Gallomph

I always thought humping and marking were dominance behaviours? Can be displayed towards other dogs, but also people and the objects belonging to/smelling of those dogs and people. Maybe it's because she is in a new pack (you plus your existing dogs) and is working out her position in that pack - and the position she wants is Top Dog.

@koalathebear - when my old boy initially started having seizures, I did a lot of research. There was a fair bit of anecdotal stuff out there in google land that mentioned a link to high protein food, and I had noticed that the seizures seemed to happen when the gaps between meals were too long (but in our case, the seizures happened about 2 hours after a 'delayed' meal). The vet didn't want to medicate at that point. So I changed to Hills Kidney diet, and fed small amounts more often (3-4 times a day). He stopped having seizures for almost 5 years. They only began again when he was 16, shortly before he passed away.

Have you got a small syringe? That's what my vet told me to use for my old boy. Use some lube, of course! Use the valium as soon as possible - when you see the initial behavioural warning signs. Don't wait until the seizure full on. Hope this helps.

Great photos! You sure packed a lot into your time over there!

I put my crate sideways on the seat, then feed the seatbelt through the side bars and buckle it up. I also wedge something under the crate on the "downhill" side, so that it's sitting level.

Not usually, but one of my oldies has bad kidneys, and always drinks at night - so if I had to crate him, he would have water.

Skip: "Too many dogs and do u find your self wondering how many dog lives you have left in your time?" Yes!! So many dogs to own, and not enough time!! I'd like a Tibbie. An iggy. More Chis. A Papillion to try agility with. I'd love to have another Shih Tzu one day. A Frenchie - just looking at them makes me smile. And at the opposite end of the spectrum - A pied or harlequin Dane, and an Afghan or a Saluki.

My parent's dogs had malasezzia, it was treated by both oral meds and an anti yeast shampoo (Sebazole). When we couldn't source sebazole any longer, we ended up buying a human medicated shampoo with the same active ingredient, and diluting it to the right % (calculated by the vet). It actually ended up alot cheaper! I believe the active ingredient needs to be miconazole or ketoconazole. This site has a good overview of malasezzia: http://www.nevetdermatology.com/yeast-dermatitis-in-dogs/ efs

Here are a couple of mine: Limpet (long haired Chihuahua) trying out lure coursing for the first time (11 years old), and Squirt (short haired Chihuahua) 12 years old.

Are you sure about that measurement?? My chihuahuas feet are bigger than that! ?Maybe that's inches, not centimetres?? I have some funny little boots that I was given, they're too big for my chis, if the size is close I can post them to you. They are this type: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Ha-Guai-Blue-Dog-Boots-Blue-Rubber-Pet-Rain-Shoes-Medium-/331882691727?hash=item4d45bffc8f:g:voAAAOSw7n9XEqLA The sole of the booties are 4.8cm or 1.9 inches.

The fire extinguisher (powder type) in the eyes does work. And has the advantage that you don't have to get too close, and the dog can't see (temporarily) to renew it's attack or turn on you - it gives you a bit of time to get away. Which is fine if you happen to be at home... The problem is finding one small enough to take with you on walks. I've googled, and it seems there are a few small ones around designed for use on boats. But they were all on US websites...

Wow, go pink girl!! What a weight gain! Perhaps she should have a nickname - piglet!!!

Does he like going outside?? If so, perhaps the problem is that you are rewarding him for his behavior, rather than correcting him. i.e. he likes attention, and he likes going out for a sniff around ... and he's discovered a behaviour (jumping on the couch) that gets him both of those things. Win! :D Just a theory....

If you don't have your dogs on something that kills fleas, consider having something in your kit. One time I had to evacuate and camp with the dogs, and they all got fleas (for the first time ever). It was several itchy days before I could get hold of stuff to treat them. I guess I was lucky they didn't get ticks - that would have also been a possibility.

Does this jacket fit closely around the arms? My chi x terrier type bitza doesn't deliberately undress himself, but he likes to curl up into a tiny ball with his front legs/paws held tightly against/under his chest, and if the armholes are too large (and most are) he actually tucks them INTO his clothes and gets stuck. I have several sizes of the coats (and several sizes of chis!). Some of them fit closer around the front legs than others. There does seem to be some variation in the size of the leg holes, and my long and skinny shaped boy can sometimes get his legs out of the holes. My other 3 have more normal chest girths, and they can't.

These work on my chihuahuas. http://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/VEST#.VrKIGLJ97rc

My experience is with pigs, not dogs - but the principles are the same. 1. Oxy can make matters worse instead of better if you have a stuck pup. 2. 2nd what Steve said about causing detached placentas or sometimes bruises / clots in the umbilical cord. Oxy causes a "hard" contraction, rather than a natural series of waves. (Ask any woman who was given oxy during the birthing process!). 3. Therefore, you really need to know what you are doing. Even if it would be helpful, getting the dosage right for the weight of the bitch is critical. 4. Oxy dosages may vary between brand. Some brands have twice the concentration - therefore should be used at half the dose as other brands. You must read the label instructions! Overdosing can cause all kinds of problems - up to and including a prolapsed uterus. 5. Other things should be tried first - all of Steve's suggestions - plus - rubbing the teats or even milking the bitch (save the colostrum in case you need it for a slow starting pup) to stimulate natural oxytocin release, and getting her to lie down on her other side.

K9 natural might work for the feeds you are home to prepare? Would have to add fibre, though.

Have they considered changing to a different antibiotic? After 5 days with no response, it seems it's not working. If they still think bacterial infection is the probable cause, then possibly it's time to try another antibiotic. Of course if it's viral, antibiotics won't work...

Dry eye? The vet can do a tear production test to check for it.

Larrikin. (Larry for short?)

Chihuahuas - their ability to occupy 95% of a queen size bed!

I reckon if you think the ticks are in your yard, it would be worth considering spraying. You'd have to research the products though - for efficacy, residual effect, potential to damage plants / frogs / bees etc. Have a look at something like Prolong or Elector (available through farm supply / produce stores. I once had a problem with staff at work getting infested with tiny bush ticks when they walked through the staff car park! It turned out that some roos were lying under the shade of the car park roof during the day - and shedding ticks. I sprayed the car park area (dirt + gravel) with Prolong. The ground was heaving with them and they were swarming up my legs to get away from the spray! Anyway, it killed them. So also think about what critters may be carrying the ticks into your yard (bandicoots, possums??) and how to deter them.

I've had to evacuate 3 times due to floods and once due to fire risk. In my dog kit: crates (everything packed into one crate, for quick exit!), collars /harness/ leads, bowls (collapsible camping style ones), food (k9 natural freeze dried - long use by date and lightweight), towels, pee pads, paper towel, small spray bottle of Urine-off, food dispensing toy balls, frontline spray. I've also taken my baby gates with me, which were very useful for keeping the dogs contained while staying at a friends house. Paperwork etc is on a usb in my human emergency kit, which I keep at someone else's house, 40km away.

My 4 are aged 11, 12, 13 & 14. They all go overnight (~10.30pm til 5.30am) without a problem, and often don't want to go out in the early morning - if we're sleeping in on the weekend, they usually stir and ask to go out at about 7.30! I do go out with them before bedtime, to make sure they all pee. I have one that will even do a fake squat, in order to get back inside into the warm quickly, so I have to watch her like a hawk!