poodlefan

OK, this sounds serious. Get a decent behaviouralist in. I'd not be happy with a pup displaying this kind of behaviour at this age and I'd want a qualified professional assessment of what is going on before making a decision as to the pup's future. I wonder how much the 'breeder' interacted with the litter. What prompted your aunt to buy this pup?

Let me guess, not house reared or handled a lot? Any idea how old it was when it was weaned or separated from its littermates or what the GSD is crossed with? Is the pup actually biting (ie drawing blood) or mouthing the kids? How old are the kids?

What breed is it? Where did she get i? If she got it from a decent breeder the breeder will take it back. If I was ignored, misunderstood and crated to keep me quiet, I'd probably be pretty "hyperactive" too.

Is she a barker? If she's inclined to bark at what she sees through the gate, I'd be going for a no visibility version.

Elongated soft palate perhaps.. that's the "reverse sneezing" sound.

It's easier to have a clipper with detachable blades and change blades when they get hot, rather than change clippers. I'd recommend a single speed Andis, Oster or Wahl for someone who doesn't need to do a lot of clipping. I prefer Andis. Lone Wolf - why does your Mum plan to do with her CKCS cross's coat? Is it spaniel coat because if it is, I'd recomend she buy a good coat remover like a Coat King rather than clip the dog.

Close some doors, lock away stuff you don't want him to "play" with. How much training is he getting? The more mental stimulation he gets the better. This is a sporting little spaniel you have here. Give him an outlet for his curiousity and your house will be the better off for it.

Does anyone ever wonder why dog nutrition is so complicated that we are supposed to feed only a processed diet.. and yet we manage to raise kids without it. :D When was the last time you saw a child with rickets? When was the last time you saw a nutitionist recommend children be raised on packet food. The best diet for your pup is a high quality processed diet (read a few threads here about what people recommend) OR a well researched natural diet. I've raised all my poodles on a raw diet. It's not the easiest way to feed but it suits me. I would recommend you feed some raw chicken necks or wings - good for your pup's teeth. No weaned animal needs colostrum.. especially that from another species.

What does she want to use them for? Full body clips or some trimming? What breed of dog is she planning on grooming?

You can also take your dog to the vet if you plan it and discuss it with your vet. I've seen vets clear waiting rooms to allow dog aggressive dogs in - keeps everything calm and safe. I'd suggest a visit either to or from your vet.

I can only do it in chicken wings. All dogs are very active and exercised one hour a day. Lily (Toy Poodle) 4.3 kg - 1 wing Ted (Mini) 6.3kg - 2 wings Darcy (Mini) 6.3 kg - 2 wings

I never retire or stop after a mistake. Reason is simple... most if not all of the time the errors are down to me and not the dog. Why should the dog be penalised for my handling or training? The one exception would be for a dog who breaks a start line lead out but I've never had much trouble with that. The other reason is that I don't have super high drive dogs and I want as much speed and enthusiasm as I can get. A lot of stopping and being removed from equipment can slow a dog right down. I trial as I train.. no difference. I dont think dogs get ringwise, I think they learn that the handling varies and the handler's nerves vary between training and trialling.

Vickie I can think of a couple of people who need the 7th and last ones branded on their foreheads. :D I HATE seeing dogs cop the blame for poor handling...

I think you may be talking about Thrive D??? I just had to post the following picture in response to 'what's really high in fat and irresistible to dogs".

Roxieda highly palatable good quality protein would be good too. Highly palatable foods that may assist are: Roast Chicken Cottage Cheese Scrambled Eggs with grated cheese added (my dogs go nuts for that) Beef Mince Maybe variety will help - little bits of this and that. Fussy bugger isn't he!! I have always found a bit of competition helps ... what would happen if you put his dinner down for five minutes and then gave anything left to one of the big dogs? My guys know the rule: eat it or lose it.

Sheridan: Heart breaking for you. :D What breed was he? Are you a Soft Coated Wheaten person or is my memory completely crap??

My previous dog was on a mostly BARF diet but died at age five of a kidney disease. Perhaps the kibble killed him. What was your vet's opinion?

;) Watching that on my laptop had three poodles cocking their heads at the barking and one looking behind the laptop to see where the puppy was!

I'd not being doing anything prior to visiting the vet. Leave the ear as is. It will be easier for the vet to make an accurate diagnosis or swab it if it isn't full of chemicals.

Yes, I have heard of dogs doing badly on BARF. The two causes identified were either food allergies or an unbalanced (usually poorly researched or prepared) diet. I've also heard of other stories about dogs doing badly but when more information was obtained, the diet was NOT actually a BARF one. The worst of these involve pups raised on a half baked version (usually mince and some veggies) and not getting appropriate nutrients.

Rappie: No flaming here Rappie. I think there are a variety of diets that dogs do well on. BARF certainly won't stop a dog getting PRA as at least one fanatic raw feeder has claimed in the past.

It's called the same thing in dogs as it is in people - diarrhorea. It means the same thing in dogs as it does in people - upset stomach. Similar causes too - unusual diet, stomach bugs, or symptomatic of more serious diseases. Monitor it in a dog as you would in yourself - more than a day or two of it - off for some veterinary advice.

If there is wheat, rye or barley, in Nutro or Eaglepack then no.

Is she gluten intolerant oonga?

I would predict that if you continue allow your Shih Tzu to play with large unknown dogs in a public off lead park that one day he will get badly frightened again or hurt. A dog doesn't have to mean do it but one big foot on your pup could be permanent injury. Small fluffy dogs also trigger strong prey responses in some large dogs. If a group of larger dogs single him out for chasing and if he's grabbed, then he could be in very serious trouble. Incidents happen in offlead parks all the time. A dog of that size won't get a second chance if it meets the wrong dog. Keep his play restricted to mixing with smaller dogs or don't go there at all. Parks are frequented by dogs whose owners can't control them and by dogs with aggression issues. Your dogs are displaying fear responses to situations/dogs that make them feel unsafe. What you consider to be "enjoyable" for them, clearly isn't. If you want your pup to grow up confident than don't over face him in offleash parks.. keep the interactions limited to a few dogs and to smaller ones or large dogs that you know are OK. It is not "babying" your dogs to protect them in situations where they are clearly frightened. You don't have to mollycoddle them but you can keep them safe.