Gwinganna

Stopping her fun when she overdoes it like you are should eventually get through. The No and being put back on lead and taken away from the fun should get through with consistent application, plus she is still young.

Good advice here. I even have Jude whos 3 and a half turn his back and cross his arms when Gypsy jumps, but I have to enforce the "ignore the jumpy puppy" rule because the kids forget and pat her when she is up on them, and visitors do too. I heard someone had a nice sign at their front door that said something like "Please totally ignore the dog unless it is sitting, then treat it calmly." They reckon it works a treat. I am getting one made.

I have not used a comb on her, but I will get one and check what type of sliker I have. I doubt you would call it soft, its pretty firm, if fine, wire. She is knot free except for 2 little ones on her belly and one on her back leg I will get out tonight. Not tight matted knots, just a bit clumpy if that makes sense. She had enough lovin last night before I got to her tummy. I wouldn't mind trying a bristle brush too to see how it goes actually. Thanks for the tips.

Thanks Wylie. I got one opinion from the vet, and the dude at Pet Cafe at Clayfield said something different.

I have a wire sort of brush as pictured for the dog as pictured. Gypsys fur is like a wool coat, but not tightly curled. It does not shed and we get her clipped regularly, but not short, she still has a puppy coat at about 4 and a bit months old. We brush her every couple of days and she gets a bath once a week to keep her pretty, maybe once every 2 weeks depending. Is this the best brush for her? She can get little knots and I imagine if we let her go for a month without a brush she would get pretty matted. The brush seems to work well, but it can be a little "harsh" if you know what I mean, which is good because ut gets the dead hair out, but I think it's a bit uncomfortable for her. Is there something more gentle that will still do the job?

Whenever she is dirty or smally, it varies.

Hopefully not Brigette Jones' dog hey? Best it's owner was a size 8 and into g-strings.

Pray she doesn't fart at the wrong moment.

I had a good exchange with the breeder on the lovemypet forum. She was raised in the house, and hustle bustle and noise leaves her completely unfazed. I never met her parents of course, but you know that Warley. She is very calm and good natured. People can't believe how young she is because she is quite contained, if you know what I mean. Playful, but not silly, well not usually :-) It's the rolling on her back thing is all I am looking at, I'm probably being pretty picky. You're right though Warley, it would be better if I had been able to observe the parents. This is the first time I have bought a dog long distance so to speak, and was the most disquieting part of it actually.

DL, don't take it that way, I think people were just commenting on the fact your story and the result from the Vet didn't seem to add up. No-one disbelieves you, it's just the vets advice seems odd in light of what you told us. I'm sure there is a very good reason, the vet saw the dog, if the vet was concerned I'm sure they could have done other tests. Glad your dog seems ok now. If you ever find out what it was, I'm sure we'd like an update.

She is 4 months soon. Still just a baby really. I just don't want to let it go too long and become an ingrained habit. Thanks for the suggestions. EDIT: the other thing is, becasue she is small and cute, people do the "Ohh look at da cute widdle puuuuuppppiiiieee, come here, oh aren't you a cutie oh yes oh yes!" and suddently you've got a grovelling wriggling idiot dog. I have started to ask people very politiely (ie, our friends etc) to please not encourage her to roll over, and if she wants a pat she has to say "please" by sitting nicely. People seem to treat small dogs differently. No one ever carried on over my old GSD like that. Big dogd get more respect, and I think that helps them act more dignified like.

No news yet clearly.

Gypsy has from the day I got her exibited submissive behavior. Good natured friendly and happy, but submissive. Not fearful around humans, but on occasion quite fearful around other, older, bigger dogs. Her first reaction is to flop on her back I figured it was because she was young and I made sure she had calm, positive meetings with other dogs, puppy pre-school etc etc but she is always very much the submissive one in a meeting. She will still flop on her back for people too - I don't know if it's becasue she LOVES tummy rubs or not, but I suspect that ongoing submissivemess is an issue. I try to ignore her when she flops. If I say sit and then go to pat-reward and praise and she flops, I turn my back. Is that the right thing to do? It doesn't seem to impact the behaviour. What's the best way to attenuate this and make he a little more confidant and less likely to flop on her back all the time? Other people think it's cute, but I think there is a root behavioral cause I would rather not encourage.

I've never fasted a dog.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article....d=0&aid=144 http://www.dogscouts.com/childrendogs.shtml It's a start anyway...