chloebear

My poor dog must get so bored. I don't even know what a kong looks like, plus I would not have thought of making ice blocks. I am so glad that I discovered dogz on line but I am sure my dog would be even more grateful. I am going to pet shop when next in town. I have large breed of dog, 5 month puppy what size kong should I get?

My puppy is also a large breed about 5 months old. Glad to hear that puppies don't have to walk 30 minutes or 3 km because I don't think I would make it, we will differently be starting off small and increasing with time, so I don't have to call a ambulance.

I beleive that rubbing a dogs nose in their urine only releives the frustration of the owner and does nothing for the behaviour of the dog.

At the moment the only games we are generally playing with puppy are fetch and tug of war. I am afraid I am not very inventfull and need some new ideas, how do you play with your puppy to keep them entertained?

I have come to realise that what young children and todlers do in everyday play gets puppy very exicited. My two year old runs around waving his arms and screaming whilst he is playing. Our last dog was 4 before we had children so we didn't have this issue, I have this morning already changing our training patterns.

A big thank you to everyone that has given me advice, I will get to work on changing our training routine tomorrow to get on top of the issue before it gets serious. Now I just need to work out some games to play with Holly.......

We will start new training plan tomorrow. I must admit, when Holly stopped going towards my son I didn't give her enough praise or postive reforencement (error on my part). Erny, I throw ball for Holly to chase at least two sessions a day, should I stop this and mainly do calmer things with her.

When we where outside this afternoon, I noticed that the moment my son (2yr) was a little distance from me that Holly would race over to him then and start the mouthing, when he is directly beside me so doesn't do anything. A couple of times I saw her going towards him, so I called he name and she imediately stopped and layed on the ground (I feel more timid response to loud voice than obiedence). I don't know if this will help, but I have started to put her on the patio (outside) near our dinner table, so she can she the kids and I having our dinner before she gets her. One thing I can definately promises everyone who reads this thread is that my children are never ever outside without my supervision.

9 K9 , thanks for the post. This is the phase that I am in at the moment with my rescue dog Holly (badly neglected abused, large breed 4 months old), the problem is she is mouthing on my two year old son plus jumping on my daughter 4. I had not allowed the kids to lay on the ground and allowing the pup to jump on them, but a family member thought it was funny and allowed this behaviour, I said at the time, "I am sure it won't be so funny when one of the kids fall over and the puppy starts jumping on them thinking its a game, I bet it's going to end in tears, remember a puppy grows up" and yep it did end in tears. How do I now correct this behaviour?

In our house, don't know who likes to play ball more, me or the dog. I find it a good way to de-stress and escape from the kids.

How do I do this, so that the puppy recognises not only me, but also the kids as it's leader - Kids are 2 &4

Yep, I would be lost without DOL - Thanks to all of you wonderful people that keep on helping me, trust me it is appreciated. I have learnt so many things since becoming a member of this forum.............

The kids and I have just been outside for our afternoon play. I have noticed that Holly mouths my son (2yr old) mainly when he is running, as he flaps his arms around. Holly also jumped on my daughter 4.5yr ripping a hole in her dress. So whilst the kids where playing I put Holly onto her leash and walked around the yard with her (learning to walk on leash) we followed the kids around so that way she was still envolved in watching the kids play but unable to jump on them. Once the kids where finished running around we practice our sit, come and give commands.

Holly is 4-5 months old, due for her second vaccination. My vet is looking to desex her the week after her second vaccination. When does a puppy start having seasons, I am wanting to desex her, but I am trying to work out how I am going to transport her home after the surgery as she is a large breed and has out grown the carrier that I was using so I need to get a crate made for the back of the ute (but can I bring her home that way after surgery, or should I see if she can stay at vets for couple of extra days afterwards).

What a cutie, sorry just wanted to admire the puppy, I am still working out what nick naks to get for my puppy.

grhh - one of those days whilst reading this thread, my son just fingered painted the bathroom with his sisters blueberry bash toothpaste. Seems to be the only person who can't open the childproof locks is me!

My puppy keeps dropping her ball at my two year old sons feet, so he keeps throwing it for her (yep the dog has trained my son). She won't go into her kennel of a night unless her ball is with her.

Sadly I can't take her to obedience because of our location, childcare issues and husband working away. I think it is time that I contact K9 for some help and guidence, I read on his website about external correspondence courses, has anyone tried one?

I never thought of that!!! Plus I have no idea of what her hips are like genetically

I am not sure how to really word this one. Holly is a rescue pup, 4 months old, was very timid still is with strangers and other dogs. I know no details of her breed (large dog vet guess fully grown about 35-40 KG )but she was very badly neglected and abused. She has made a very strong bond with my two year old son we guess this is due to him being smaller making her feel safe, they play together he throws the ball etc for her and she follows him around. She has started to mouth him in the last couple of weeks but now it is getting harder bringing him to tears. She has also started to jump on my four year old daughter, plus some mouthing also putting her into tears. The children are never left unattended with Holly, I am always outside with them. To try to reduce the jumping I let Holly out of her kennel in the morning before kids go outside plus play ball with her for about 10 minutes to try to reduce her energy levels and exictment. My son is gets a allergic reaction to dog silvia on his face - not a serious harmful reaction but red, itchy blotching but with a warm bath he is fine. So this is especially why I need to get on top of this mouthing and jumping. If my son knocked over by Holly's jumping she starts to like him on the face etc - which I am sure is being done as a sign of affection. It may seem crazy that we have gotten a dog considering my sons reaction, but it only affects him if licked on face and chest. He is always outside with shirt on, plus we had taught our previous dog not to lick on face. Any advice is welcome and yes I am more than happy to put the time in to work with Holly...............she is an important part of our lives.

I would definately upgrade the chicken coop. We are currently in the process of designing ours and we are doggy and cat proofing it (not just for our dogs but also the neighbourhood strays) as the chicken coop won't be in our main fenced area. (live on acreage)

I am not a breeder, but I am sure it depends on the specific breed.

When you make your appointments at the vet, ensure that you tell the vet nurse what you are bring your puppy in for. My vet often insists on the puppy (when sick) being kept away from other dogs in the surgery so the illness is not spread untill she has assessed the risk. I take my mobil phone with me, ring the vet from outside and then they direct me to where they want puppy taken. It may seem like a hassel but it can stop the risk of infections spreading. Just think when you go to the doctors surgery at times in winter, if you weren't sick before hand you would more than likely be sick by the time you left.....My puppy recently had diahorra and it was from diet, I was over feeding her plus giving her way too much fruit, plus the wrong kind.

Good news to report, I have changed her diet, mainly dry food and yes the poo situation is under control Thanks

Holly problems now thinks I am straving her, cut her food in half with no fruit.......I still had a packet of pal puppy (I don't buy this anymore) packet says to feed her 5 1/2 cups a day - this sounds plain ridiculas even to me, purina puppy biscuits say 1 1/2 cups per day . I am looking to change to Royal Canin which I have started a thread about needing information.