poodlefan

The dog is onlead and you hold the lead in your hand. Lead can be attached to a collar or (from memory) a harness. You can't use a halti.

Why don't you read some of the raw feeding threads - diets that follow the 'no processed food theme' are popular with quite a few members here, including me. If you fed a pup on only kanga meat and carrots, I think you'd be seeing rickets. The chicken necks would be essential but I'd want more foods in it than that.

Still want out too be half the price Why not reduce the amount of decent kibble you feed and substitute chicken frames - they are nice and cheap. Cheap dog foods are full of fillers. I'd rather feed less of a good one if price is an issue.

Tragedies like this are the reason why I believe we need some kind of accreditation of dog trainers in Australia and soon. Jo Average thinks they all know what they are doing. Some people find out the hard way (as this poor owner has done) that it's simply not the case. If nothing else, she should get her money back. I bet the week of training wasn't cheap. Poor owner, poor dog.

flly: It's not uncommon for a pup to be a bit unsettled after coming home. What are you feeding him? I'd be putting it down and removing it after 10 minutes. I have never bothered with this. I feed my dogs when it's convenient to feed them -when I get home from work. There's so much more to a relationship based on trust and respect than this and I don't think its essential. The best way to establish and reinforce such a relationship is regular training IMO.

Incredijack: Crikey! :D What a hard lesson she's learned about shortcut methods to an obedient dog. Did she say what triggered the attack?

Yep, head for the vet. Pain may be another reason for the lack of interest in ball chasing - it's hard on a dog.

Bichons and skin issues tend to go hand in hand a fair bit. What do you feed him?

A decent solid hutch is the only answer with Baxter allowed out when Harry is securely locked up elsewhere. Harry is a dog, Baxter is a traditional prey species. Dogs of many different breeds can have high levels of prey drive and many dogs don't differentiate between fur and feather. Prevention will be a lot better than cure here.

I think you're seeing more dominance than jealousy. It's time to ensure that you call the shots. Make sure both pups get time on their own with you and start insisting on decent manners at meal times. Dogs aren't democrats. One or the other will usually be dominant. Your goal should be to ensure that it doesn't get out of hand and to set the limits of what is and is not acceptable behaviour.

6-8 would be my maximum runs. Darcy is capable of more but after a while all the courses do my head in.

I use Proban on my dogs when I travel to tick areas. Proban is an insecticide so you need to be careful combining it with other treatments. I like it because my dogs are usually swimming when we are at the coast and it covers every part of the dog. Having small dogs, I don't go through it fast either. However, long terms it's meant to be fairly hard on the liver. Permoxin used as a rinse has about a week's residual effect. That might be another option. Some people make it up into a spray and spray daily.

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes I have been seriously thinking about getting a dog trainer in. I have already call around to find out obout some in my area (Gold Coast) so If you know anyone that would be great. I really want to get this sorted.. You don't want any old dog trainer Caron. You want someone with qualfications and experience with dog aggression. If you get out the local Bark Busters franchisee they could inadvertently make it worse. It's an interesting crossbreed you've got there. Where did you get him from? Interesting. Bark busters were one of the first people I called. I got him at the animal welfare league. He's very cute. So how do go about finding the right trainer? Change the sub-heading of your thread to "Recommendations for a good behaviorist on Gold Coast" or start a new thread. There is a good veterinary behaviourist in Brisbane but the locals should be able to help you out.

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes I have been seriously thinking about getting a dog trainer in. I have already call around to find out obout some in my area (Gold Coast) so If you know anyone that would be great. I really want to get this sorted.. You don't want any old dog trainer Caron. You want someone with qualfications and experience with dog aggression. If you get out the local Bark Busters franchisee they could inadvertently make it worse. It's an interesting crossbreed you've got there. Where did you get him from?

Caron, without someone seeing Teddy, any diagnosis of his agression will be flawed. I'd suggest you book a session with a person qualified in dog behaviour (not just any dog trainer) to have them look at him. It's good to get professional help, especially nice and early. If you tell us where you are we might be able to recommend someone. Lots of pups play very roughly, including growing and mouthing but no one will be able to tell you for sure what's going on unless they see your dog.

Skwo, as you live in Sydney, keep giving the tablets. Treating heartworm is both expensive and potentially fatal to the dog.

I really like the I-click style ones with optional wrist band. Best tip I learned was to keep the treats in the same hand as the clicker. Then you can click, take a treat from the hand and give it to the dog. Replenish from bait bag as necessary.

Someone once described dogs as "opportunistic carnivores". I interpreted that to mean that while their main diet is meat, they'll eat what they can get. That sounds pretty accurate to me. Wild dogs will scavenge what they can.

More veggies and more exercise should do the trick.

Lostboys: Explains all the whining at night rather well doesn't it? How long will you be in the apartment?

Retained canines. Been there, done that. I'd not be waiting another 7 weeks to have it done though.

Yep, go out and buy a few puppy raising books. The Perfect Puppy and Puppies for Dummies are available a lot of places. Scope out your local dog club and read up on grooming Yorkies too. It takes effort to keep them looking their best.

Lost Boy: My guess is he's telling you he needs to toilet. If he wakes up, GET UP and take him to his toileting spot. Very few 8 week old pups sleep through the night. If you leave urine and faeces on your carpet he will toilet on it, so yes you have to clean it all off every time. A pet loo is a hell of a lot cheaper than new carpet. If you don't stop him toileting on the carpet fairly quickly, he'll keep doing it. You take him to his spot, stay with him until he toilets and praise him. Stay there till he does it no matter how long he takes. I'd be taking him after meals, after play, and when he wakes. A bit of play can stimulate toileting. What's the eventual plan for his toileting? You want to be doing that as soon as possible. Are you leaving him loose in the house when you're in bed? I'd be crating him. You either need to be watching him or have him locked in a secure area, preferably off the carpet. Did you discuss these toileting arrangements with the pup's breeder? You need to develop a plan as to how/where this pup will toilet as an adult and work towards it. Sharpei are not small dogs and having one toileting anywhere it likes in your apartment will create a big hygiene issue. Are you renting this apartment?

With that coat, I agree that she's probably got some terrier in her. JRT/Maltese may be a possibility. And she's a cutie!!!!

I am located in Leichhardt in Sydney. Behavioralist would be a good place to start, i'll have a look around. I'd be starting my search here I hear very good things about Dr Kersti Seksel.