jesomil

Straight away thought masticatory miositis. I had a dog who had it but luckily the vet knew what it was straight away. Couldn't open jaw, swollen head muscles which then wasted away.

Thats a great idea. Thanks Dasha!! I should have just called you. Happy Birthday!!

I want to see if anyone has any ideas I havent thought of regarding fleas. The story is, I am going to Sydney for my annual family visit after Christmas and taking the dogs. I do not have a flea problem at home but where I am staying, there is a huge flea problem. The resident dog is treated monthly with Advantix but still there are lots of fleas. Before I leave home, I always put Advantix on my dogs and give them a Capstar the day before we leave to come home but still my dogs always get fleas on them. It always takes a few weeks of management at home to get them flea free once more. I dearly wish they didnt have to stay there but there is no other option. Does anyone have any further ideas to protect my dogs from becoming infested? Like a repellant spray of some sort or something natural? Thanks.

As a vet nurse, I got used to it. Every death was awful but it was part of the job. Most of the time I could hold it together but there were always some which were very emotional. When I had my Rotty PTS, it was at an afterhours clinic and they had a special room with a lounge for euthanasia. They left me for a long time with my girl and then after she had passed, they left me with her again for a long time. They were amazing with their sensitivity as my world was breaking apart.

I doubt this method would work in most situations. For alot of dogs, the interest in meeting another dog is higher than the interest in food. The video is very flawed as to proving how the method might work.

My friend has a Lab who paces instead of trots. I know that Labs are not a naturally pacing breed so I was wondering what it is that makes some of them pace. Is it the way the hindquarter angulation is set up? This dog seems to be a bit rolly in the hips as well. Is it a sign that the dog may have issues going on? Or is it just one of those things?

For a pet dog, the colour/patterns/markings are very important. I really have to like the look of a dog and would say no to a dog that didnt have the colour I was after. For a show dog, the structure is more important and I would choose the better build over colour. With working dogs, their ability is most important and colour doesnt even come into it (hence the ugly but good worker I have )

Wow, that is really good!!

Love the pics of Fly and Abby. Beautiful dogs

Great story

He is only a baby and he has alot of maturing to do. When was he desexed? He may of only just been desexed last month.

Whilst vet nursing, I saw this happen on only a few occassions. It was with a vet who had a great deal of experience but sometimes, very rarely, it goes wrong. I remember a particularly bad one where the injection blew (sp?) the vein and the poor old dog had a terrible time till it was sorted. Very sad for all concerned.

Yes, it is very possible to teach without dog going into a different mindset. I taught my last dog to do it. It is just another varient of speaking. She would bark on command but then also learnt to growl on command. All done with a swiftly wagging tail waiting for her reward.

Well done Dasha . Looking forward to seeing your photos.

Its not compulsory but usually it is needed to get the sheep packed in close enough to close the gate behind them. To get them to move out of the race again, the dog runs along to the first one then drops down to get them all moving forward.

Great photos, thanks for sharing

Hi all, Mum has just had our little dog at the vet and has been given a not so good diagnosis. I have suggested she get a second opinion from a muscle person before doing anything else. I am in Melbourne so not up to date with who is in Syney these days. I used to take the dogs to Peter Schofield. Is there anyone else? Anyone near Sydneys North? Thanks.

Because sometimes you cant. Closed mindedness is evil...

I was quite willing to pay a trainer or behaviourist but my main problem is my fear of walking him and now his obsessive need to chase as a result of me not walking him - no ammount of training is going to break his natural instinct of whats been bred into him and im feeling very guilty for trying to bring a working dog into a family home. so thats why i think its best to rehome him to a place with no kids and where he can use his working dog background and be happy. hes always been very gentle with my one year old but does have the hearding instinct and as a young pup nipped holes in my kids clothes when they would run and tease him, he grew out of that and even chewing shoes. the kid at school got in his face (on lead) while he was intently watching the ball, i dont think he meant to connect but.... I am sorry about what you have been through with the attack. You sound very stressed about the whole situation. You dont need to break his natural instinct nor is it a problem having working dogs with a young family. His behaviours are through lack of training and boundaries. It is a problem having a young working dog in any home that is lacking in mental stimulation, children have nothing to do with it. You could walk him all day and he still wouldnt be tired. He needs mental work. Work his brain for half an hour and he will be tired. There is lots you can do to satisfy him even in your own backyard. Just remember that the adolescent phase is the hardest of them all and if you get some help and change the way you manage him, you may be rewarded with a great family member. I am sorry, but it is very unlikely that anyone on the land would want him. Its a common thought that people who cant manage their working dogs can just send them to the country. The truth is though, that even though he has some annoying behaviours, he may be useless as a working dog plus there are hundreds of working dogs in pounds needing homes with less issues than your dog.

Its such a disgrace that some breeders are still producing and breeding on with dogs with poor nerve. Is it general ignorance, kennel blindness or simply beauty before brains....I dont know.

Do you need a dog specific one or would a human one do?

Alot of them are. Alot of kelpie's arent bred for 3 sheep type work. Go to a yard trial and you will see mainly kelpies. Different breeds have different strengths.

Gardiners Ck reserve behind Deakin Uni in Box Hill South is a great place. There is a 3km walking track around the reserve and it is very picturesque. There is bush and also the creek which runs through the middle. Lots of places for a picnic and the whole area is off lead. If you go on the weekend it is busier but during the week, you might come across another dog or two but thats about it. We go there most days and my boy is always in the creek.

Great photos!