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I think the prevalence of Oodles has a lot to do with it. People who have never owned dogs get them because they are like living stuffed toys & treat them accordingly. Most of them are small enough to pick up when there’s any issue, so the owners don’t feel the need to actually train them. I have a number of friends who fit that description as do 80% of dogs I see on the street. That said, you’d likely judge me poorly too if you saw me on the street. My 6 month old 22kg RR is a stubborn gregarious beast who despite having never being allowed to meet dogs onlead, rarely offleash, and being trained with various “aversive” tools to loose leash walk, is still a reactive “frustrated greeter”. I continue to train her and am optimistic that as she matures the penny will drop. She walks well otherwise & isn’t aggressive, just gets overexcited. My last dog was not very interested in other dogs so it’s been a frustrating process. I do have a front pull harness so that my family can walk her (I use a slip lead or martingale), as it is the only tool that will easily prevent her from lunging now she’s big, but attached to the back and used as a normal harness it’s a nightmare. Handy for long lead training though.

I agree the day crating is not ideal. When I posted this topic, we were going through the aftermath of poor Dolly having been hospitalised/sedated at the vet twice in one week (first scheduled, other not). She was acting out quite a bit, but has calmed significantly now (sedation seems to affect her like an ADHD child!) so I’m swinging back to the yard again. We’ve accepted the possibility of her landscaping even after some puppy proofing, so I’ll just try and get her used to being alone out there. thanks!

Unfortunately I have to head back into the office this week and I'm a bit stuck on what to do with Dolly, our fast growing Ridgeback psycho puppy. It's for only a couple of days a week and I can be flexible enough so that, worst case, she will only be home alone for 4 hours until one of my daughters comes home. At first she seemed to be ok chilling outside while I have been working from home so I thought that was a solution, but then she discovered the joys of gardening, and with the door locked has been whining and barking so that's not an option.That also makes me concerned about leaving her locked in the kitchen- I'm not convinced she wont get up to some unexpected destruction. She's a force of nature! So I guess I'm left with the option of her crate. She's doing great overnight and will happily go in there at nighttime with no issues, but will only take naps in the daytime. Putting her in there before she's sleepy and keeping her in there after she wakes, she will throw a full tanty- Kongs etc dont interest he much. She is an easily overstimulated puppy, who I really struggle to get to focus. Any suggestions as to what I can do to help her chill out in there for longer than a nap? I wish I had more time to work on this, but my boss is being a pain about me going back in NOW.

Thanks! I'll chat to the vet and breeder about all this, I think I have a bit better understanding now. And I finally managed to upload some pics (I forgot how!). She is SOOOOOOOOOOO adorable!!! We are all in love. But its been a million years since I have had a puppy ... wowsers! I'm exhausted! She's coming along great though.

Hi, last week I brought home our gorgeous 11week old Ridgeback puppy, Dolly from her breeder and (aside from our broken sleep & bitten ankles haha), she’s most amazing pup. We love her soooo much! She’s up to date with her 2 vaccinations- had most recent one a week ago and I was told that she wouldn’t need anymore shots for another year so no need to restrict her. I have also read this same info here on Dol. However, I’ve just booked an introductory check up with my vet and they’ve told me that she WILL need another shot at 16 weeks. I’m confused! Can anyone give me any insight?

I'd love to be able to take my dog on public transport. Or into my office block at work. But aside from that, I'm lucky, I live in a very dog friendly area. Lots of offlead/onlead parks & no problem taking her in shops, sitting outside cafes/pubs etc. Many of the pubs around here now even allow dogs inside! I don't understand why it can't be like that everywhere in Australia. I do agree though, with getting dogs exposed early to those kind of environments. I'm in the inner city and I'd guess that the reason most dogs are relaxed & well behaved when in public, is because they are used to it. (Not that there aren't exceptions!!) As a result they are welcome in shops, cafes etc.

Wow. I was quoted $700 by my vet! (Though there is a big difference in size between a Cav & a GR)

The space thing should not be an issue. There are plenty of dogs in Europe and the US, as two examples, that live in apartments and they're not all small dogs. It's the quality of life not the quantity of space. Yes, my set up sounds like a similar size to you (if not smaller) & we have a golden retriever who copes just fine. It just takes planning to make sure they get enough exercise outside the home. BUT... I've just started working full time again & with her getting older (she's 9 now), it's much more of a juggling act (no more jogging together = twice the time for us both to get exercised before work). I'm arranging a dog walker a couple of days a week to break up her day. I reckon, once you do a bit more breed research (don't get a working breed!) & are aware of the extra work you'll be taking on, you can do it. But I'd recommend an older dog not a puppy & dont worry about the bonding thing - ours was 2 when we got her & she was my shadow from day 1.

I had one as a kid/teen & she was amazing! Sweet happy fun family dog. Really easy to live with, she was my best friend & companion. :D We considered getting another one last time, but to be honest, I wasn't up for the fur (I then adopted a goldie, so I'm not sure what happened there! :laugh: ). And they are barkers. Still, I can't recommend them enough as a family dog. Always up for anything & so sweet. :)

I adopted my gorgeous girl from GRR, & they were so very lovely to deal with. They found me the perfect dog. They get a lot of enquiries and care a lot about their dogs, I know they have a number of criteria that prospective adopters need to fulfil- the fence height being one. I don't think that's a bad thing.

I just put my dog back on a course last week- we are past 5 days 5 pills & she's not had leakage since day 4. (& how hilarious it's like viagra for dogs!! :laugh: )

Very good points raised. I'd strongly advise against getting a dog with problems with small children. Dealing with the dog's problems (which, trust me, can't always be fixed like Annie's) can be a very tough call when you have a small baby/toddler and another dog. You don't want to make life that hard for you and your family. I did it when my kids were little & I bitterly regretted it. My current dog is a blissfully easy family dog who has no issues. She's the best dog in the world for us. I'd just wait for the right dog to come along.

My dog is very easy to live with, very biddable & is on lead 90% of the time, so I'll admit it, her recall is a bit crap under distraction. The problem is that aside from trigger situations (which I am very alert to and ready to respond), she will always come if I call- though it may take longer if she's found something to sniff or check out. The only time she's offlead is at the park, so I'm fine with that. And now that she's older, even if she sees something worth bolting for (a seagull or sky writing) she doesn't get too far before she decides it's not worth the effort & comes back. :laugh: If ever I have had someone babysit her, they are told to never let her off lead outside fenced areas. I'm highly tuned to her triggers, but I don't trust anyone else to be.

I'm starting back to 5 days 9-5 & getting mummy guilt, for both the kids and the dog!! :laugh: My dog gets a 5-6km early morning (6am) jog about 3 times a week, a short run & fetch the other 2 days. I am lucky kids get home between 4 & 5 & I'm thinking of getting a dog walker a couple of days. Honey is getting on now (9 in feb), so seems ok with things.

I think sometimes the work you put into a difficult dog creates not just a bond but a sort of codependency. The intensity of the relationship can be overwhelming. I've gone from a highly difficult dog to an easy dog & while I found it a relief & immediately bonded with my new dog, it did take me a while to adjust. The dogs had wildly different approaches & needs. Perhaps you are expecting too much? I know my easy dog is just happy to coexist with me (as long as she can be near me & get pats!), she's so relaxed & sweet & well, just there! My old dog required much more work on all fronts and her energy dominated the house (she was a staffy x). I can see how you could miss that & feel something is missing. :)