poodlefan

I'd look at more inventive ways to food (food pouches, food in throwable containers) than trying to build interest in something that doesn't rock your dog's boat. If its not motivating to the dog, its not a motivator you should use. Use what works.

I'd be checking for hormone related urinary incontinence. It's pretty common in older bitches.

Christine Zink said the same. And still it falls on deaf ears.

If you can afford a Varikennel in the appropriate size (Medium??), I'd recommend one. Not cheap but very tough and will last a very long time.

High PCV (packed cell volume) which equates to dehydration and low potassium are the two signs that Darcy has had both times. I got them to run a potassium check as soon as I fronted last time. He'd been vomitting less than an hour and went straight onto a drip. He was home 24 hours later as opposed to nearly 4 days for the first time when his condition was further advanced. I think I'm at the stage now where I can recognise HGE vomitting as opposed to an ordinary vomit. Colour me hypervigilant.

Ignorance is bliss. I'm sad to say that some people wouldn't recognise good movement if they fell over it. Even more amazingly, some folk can't see unsoundness right in front of them.

I've got a two time HGE veteran at home. HGE can be triggered by any number of causes including toxins, bacteria and viruses. On one occasion I'm pretty certain a pigs ear was the cause. If it happens again (and it can) and you end up at the vets get them to check for depleted potassium levels - its an early indicator. HGE is an illness that strikes predominately young dogs (average age between 2 and 4), can recoccur and its more common in some breeds. The sooner you get a sufferer to the vets and on a drip, the better they recover. I would also recommend you invest in a bottle of decent quality raspberry cordial (minimum 25% juice) and give that by mouth if you suspect you've got it occuring. It helps settle things down if vomitting has started.

A dog park is not a legal vacuum. Yes, the owner of the attacking dog may be legally responsible for the vet bills. The attack should be reported. Sometimes only a visit from the ranger makes dog owner face up to the fact that their dog's behaviour is a problem. The attacking dog shouldn't be offlead in dog parks and frankly, neither should a pup. Tell the pups owner to join a dog training club ASAP for some controlled socialisation.

Most poodle folk are more than happy to chat after judging. Most of the time they'll tell folk to come back a bit later on. No matter when the Group is judged, there's usually plenty of down time.

All of this suggests to me that you need professional help with a desensitising program. I also think you should consider that you're getting a fear reaction, not a frustration one. Get someone in to help you. If you're starting with the wrong analysis of what you're dealing with, you're not going to get any improvement. Corvus: Distance is also a method of lowering threat.

Inside or outside dog? How much exercise does the current dog get? Will she attend training with the new dog?

Lillynix, echoing the other "treat her like a puppy" advice I'd go one further and make a time to get up in the night and take her out. My guess is that this won't be necessary for long but if you are asleep and missing the signs that she needs to go, then getting up will solve the accident problem. Put her on lead for this.. and take her to the spot you want her to toilet. Praise like hell when she delivers.

The first ones pictured in Rysup's post are Shear Magic ones like mine. :D

I honestly dont' know why anyone is talking about prong collars when its dead easy to show the dog what's required and to keep it away from idiots who won't do what they're told in the meantime. Teaching appropriate behaviour for greeting people is a specific lesson for pet owners at my dog club. This could probably be ironed out in half an hour with a decent trainer assisting. I've seen a very talented one sort it in less than halfl that time. Getting help sure beats a frustrated owner feeling like they've lost hope with such a young dog. Save the big guns for behaviours that require them I say.

The main thing to do is to get the council to properly justify its decision. If your application is rejected, ask for it to be reconsidered. If that is rejected, ask for the full reasons for the rejection. If a single mention of anything other than your particular circumstances is made, then appeal the decision. If the word "ADF" rates a mention, write to the Mayor, your local minister and the Minister for Defence Personnel (or whatever that position is now called) and complain about unfair treatment. Work the system. Keep it up for long enough and you'll probably be posted out before a final decision is made. Squeaky wheels get oiled. Be a big enough pain in the arse and I'll bet you get it approved. :D While these matters are fresh in your mind, make notes of the conversations you had with the ranger and council - they could come in handy down the track. If all else fails, school your entire family in how to look miserable on cue, groom your dogs for photos and phone the media. If THAT doesn't work, request a transfer of housing into the Darwin Council area on the basis that its a death sentence for your dog if you don't get one.

Get some experienced professional help. There are a range of reasons for leash aggression and some of them have quite a bit to do with the owner. Someone who can come in, watch what's happening and help you train a solution is going to accelerate any remedial training. I would also recommend you read the article "Handling On Leash Aggression" here

It's a bit far from here.

Sounds like a basic lack of manners to me. Show him how you'd like him to behave and reward that. Discourage what you don't want him to do by not rewarding that. Sometimes it can be as simple as ending a game when he's being rough or walking away when he jumps on you.

It's true - Howard should never be left alone ANYWHERE near lollies! Evil Whippet!! Despite repeated warnings, a friend left some lovely fudge in the car with him not long ago. He tasted all three varieties but apparently isn't fond of caramel. ;) And people wonder why I leave shopping bags on the bonnet of the car when paying for petrol when the dogs are with me.

I think it it wise to warn people about the potential dangers of leaving dogs in cars. Howie found my bag of Clinkers when I was packing up at a show once. He opened the bag, tasted them all, ate the green and yellow ones and spat the pink ones out.

I have Shear Magic ones and am very happy with them.

Because some of us actually joined DOL to talk about dogs and didn't enjoy having to wade through the rest of the stuff to find those threads when using "view new topics". Troy offered to disable offtopic and some of us took him up on the offer. Troy: We are not worthy. ;)

I was going to suggest the same - a rinse or spray with Permoxin would deter/kill them and it doesn't penetrate the skin like spot treatments do.

I doubt anyone will want to defend those dogs.. but not all PBs are like that. I'd be interested to know more about the background, socialisation and training history and environment those dogs were raised in. I doubt we'll learn anything about that though. What a horrific attack.

So I think we have agreement that we can handle whatever the judge decides provided there's a clean loo nearby with toilet paper, soap and hand towels AND you can buy a decent coffee.