poodlefan

Could be an insect bite. Could be an abcess. Could be a grass seed. Could be lots of things. Hopefully it's nothing serious.

Are we there yet?

They had these at the NPDT Seminars a few years ago. I know a couple of folk who use them to reward the dogs at a distance and specifically for targetting the dog away from them and rewarding only the desired behaviour (a dog can self reward from bait on a bait plate). What were you thinking of using it for?

Thanks for the advise! I know he can jump much higher (and does quite often onto the couches etc) but I want to keep that jump low until he can do it easy and without distraction.. I did get some weave poles but dont intend on using them yet, maybe slowly once or twice so he can get used to them.. He won't get used to them if you only do it once or twice. Seriously there is so much you can do to get him started that doesn't involve using obstacles that might damage him. If you have a solid lead out, he will work both sides of you using your arms to guide him and he will give you a contact behaviour on a plank flat on the ground, that's way more valuable. Most experienced agilty folk will tell you that is not teaching obstacles that takes the time but teaching how to get BETWEEN them.. that can all be done without straining a growing frame.

Looks like an agility dog in the making I would keep that tyre and any other jumps no higher than his fetlocks until he's at least 12 months old. He's still growing and you don't want to damage his joints. He probably won't jump much higher than that in competition anyway if you decide to trial. I'd not recommend weaving until he's that age either.

Inside or outside dog? Will it leave the property for socialisation and training? What sort of fencing/containment will there be?

Why is a dog that growls in response to being collided with by a strange dog "fear aggressive"? Sounds like a perfectly normal reaction to me. Being collided with by a Stafford X wouldn't tickle. And since when does every growl result in a follow through.. its a warning, not a threat in most cases.

Can I suggest that you shift from a focus on size to other characteristics. I can think of a very intelligent, quite high drive dog that would give many a Border Collie a run for its money and that is a Toy Breed - the Papillon. On the other hand, some of the breeds you mention are nothing like Border Collies and the Scottish Terrier IS a small breed. So is the Shetland Sheepdog. Why don't you describe the sort of personality you're looking for in a dog - the ones you've mentioned vary widely in that regard. I can think of a few Cocker Spaniels who'd be among the most vocal dogs I know.

Don't think I'll bother with any housework before Sunday. Just in case.

If that's the case, you've left yourself with only one option.. council. If THEY are renting, you could try talking to their landlord. They share responsiblity with you for the security of the fence.

Are you buying or renting? If I could, I'd move. Failing that, concrete the bottom of the fence line for about 30cm inside your fence.

Time for some tough love. Tell your friend to tell them if that puppy so much as sets foot in the house, she'll be taking them to the small claims court to get the money the owe her. (Which she should be hinting at anyway) Pussy footing about with morons only leaves you with sore feet. The key issue here is financial. No need to make up a bunch of scary stories about dogs. I'd not be wanting to share a house with this mob.. no way. Edited for sense.

I recall a DOLer taking her Whippet to Million Paws Walk a few years back and being reported to the Inspectors on the day for having an emaciated dog.. and more than once too!!

Dear Atheists, If the believers are right and the world ends.. you won't be here anyway. This is starting to remind me of the skit with Rowan Atkinson calling the roll in hell. ;)

Does that include expecting a completely uneventful trip to the park? Not if that's what you're expecting.

Personally I think there's more to the story than anyone was told. I've never yet heard the owner of a "problem" dog paint an accurate picture to total strangers.

Yes they can. Gee, based on that vet's treatment, I'd be looking for another vet!! Can't get blood and gives an anti-biotic injection based on what diagnosis?

Leela17: You level of control alone will not prevent problems. I hope you realise that its whether or not OTHER dog owners have effective control of their dogs that determines how many 'problems' you'll have. Some dogs are simply unsuitable for dog parks.. the very young, the very old, the timid or highly submissive and very dominant and reactive. That does't even take into account dogs with a history of serious aggression towards others. In a stable community dog park where most owners are 'knowns' many dogs won't have issues. Sadly, all it takes is one wrong dog to create a nightmare for others. Some chose to take the risk (and I take Corvus's point that there are ways to minimise it) and others don't. I'm in the "don't" category because, in my opinion, most my dogs aren't suitable to be there and I can't rely on others to make that judgement.

The decline isn't in all Breeds. The Whippet Specialities at Easter were double the number of entries for the shows 10 years ago! Book the right judge/s, have it somewhere people can find accommodation near and folk will come.

How old is the dog?

A growl is a warning as much as a threat. A dog that barges into another dog wouldn't ordinarily react to that dog's response by chasing it down and repeatedly attacking it while it offered no resistance. Whilst it may be a natural canine response from SOME dogs, the question you have to ask yourself is what place a dog like that has in a public offlead park or uncontrolled around strange dogs anywhere. I'll answer it for you - none! Most of the conflicts I see between dogs result in a whole bunch of sound and fury and not a single mark on anyone. They've learned to inhibit their bites - clearly something the aggressing dog in this situation hasn't. JD I can't believe you think there's no real risk posed by a dog that will tear chunks out of another for being told off by another dog. If I had to lay odds, I'd say the dog had form. That's would be a pretty serious first aggression incident from any dog.

I got mine from the US a couple of seasons ago. I think from memory they were from the Clean Run agility site during one of their postage free promotions. Don't know which of the Australian links are the same but it has a fairly open knit and no fabric backing. I have the same kind and they definitely let the breeze through.

I was at the Hound Show at Castle Hill the week prior & there were only 179 entries....not sure where 500 came from???? NSW Sighthound Show at Easter drew 275 and Whippet Club got 175. You have to factor in a lot of variables.. what else is on, what else will draw folk to the region, the judge and what sort of accommodation is available. Venue also matters. I don't know of any accommodation up that way that would suit what I want (dogs inside) so have never really considered showing around Newcastle. I've certainly travelled that far to show before.

Sadly however, some dog parks (the fenced ones) are utilised by some people because they CANNOT keep their dogs under control on lead OR off. Any dog that tows its owner into the park on its back legs is one to watch carefully. And they are legion. I had occasion earlier this year to be outside one of Canberra's new dog parks waiting to go on a walk around the lake. The number of dogs that lept from cars and nearly dislocated their owner's shoulders towing them towards the gate was honestly about one in two. Didn't bode well for how responsive they were to owner control off lead.

So far a few swift kicks to the stomach have worked for me. Depending on where you are, I'd also drop your dog's lead - its inhibits their ability to defend themselves. I'm a lot better at stopping aggressing dogs from getting teeth on mine than I was initially. I've had more success getting in between the dog and mine and yelling at them doesn't hurt. But I'd go the boot every time. If the owner of the other dog has issues, so be it. They shouldn't let their dog get that close in the first place.