RiverStar-Aura

Erny can I ask with using calendula tea, I'm tempted to try it on Kirah as I like to bath her every 8 weeks or so, and I'm thinking that if the tea doesn't strip natural oils, it might be better to use in between shampoos. She doesn't have any skin issues but she does pick up a doggy smell from being outside all the time. Does it get used as a rinse -- as in just pour it over her coat then dry her off or do I need to rinse it off her too?

My guys are also on the ProHeart injection and I use Advantix combined with Drontal every three months. I've looked into not using the heartworm injection and realised how slack I can be at remembering things like worming tablets -- although I've since discovered a fantastic app on my phone called IPetCare which notifies me when tick, worming and injections are due.

A mal's prey drive would be off the charts. Oh. Then never mind

Also, I know you've got an Akita (gorgeous breed btw) but what about a Malamute? I'm not sure how big they get, but they'd be good at pulling in a harness I'd imagine? I don't know anything about spitz, but I thought I'd make the suggestion.

My guys bark at sun down because it means dinner time. Then when it gets completely dark, Zeus barks to tell me it's his bed time and he needs to go to bed! :)

I'm going to break the niceness of this thread by saying outside. My two have kennels but they prefer their handmade box in the garage to curl up in. On the rare occasions I'm able to sneak them into my room, Zeus sleeps on a huge fluffy blanket beside my bed and Kirah in a crate. Before I had a crate for her though she used to nestle between my thighs right near my crotch; I'd end up sleeping on my back with the soles of my feet together and knees bent to accommodate her. Basically I'd lie like a squashed frog

Never to humans,. Snap in defence (just noise and no connection). Die Indian Myna scum, DIIIIIIIIIE!! :D

When Kirah's had the runs I always put her on boiled chicken breast and white rice for a few days. Her belly always seems to come good -- but her upsets are brought on by eating lizards I think. Your poor pup seems to be feeling pretty poorly if not eating -- please don't continue to try and make him eat. If he's not going to touch a bland diet of rice and boiled chicken, it's probably best to leave him be until the vet has a look. Poor boy, hope he starts feeling better soon.

I just want to throw a question out there. Why shouldn't the little terrier be at the dog park? My Kirah gets exactly like this when dogs think it's okay to treat her like a piñata and bully her -- only difference being is that I always step in and chase these dogs off. Dogs who don't bully and bat her around, she has the best time with -- she gets so excited and boings and flips around them. Why shouldn't the owners of the dogs bullying the poor terrier be made to step up and control their rudely behaved dogs? Surely it goes both ways.

Because I'm unfamiliar with Iggies and Whippets I'll sometimes get the two confused. I have met some (what I think to be) small whippets and without an Igg standing next to a Whippet, I do struggle with their sizes. How big do full grown Iggies get Dogmad?

I both love and dislike the attention when I have my guys out in public. The main issue is that Kirah, being small and cute, everyone wants to pat her -- she's wary of strangers and doesn't really want to interact with anyone other than me. Zeus on the other hand loves the attention but because he's not cute, fluffy-ish and little, he's often ignored. If anything and it was me approaching my two dogs, I'd want to know about Zeus because he's so goofy looking -- only problem with that is he's a "designer dog". Having said that, by people asking about Zeus when they do, I do not hesitate to tell them that yes, whilst he did win the pretty looks lottery, he's not a cross I'd ever wish to own again. He's a lot of hard work and definitely not for a time poor family looking for a dog to be content alone in the backyard for half the day. I dislike hearing Kirah being called Toto -- Toto was a Cairn Terrier, Kirah is an Australian Terrier, developed here in Aus. There is mostly likely Cairn in the Aussie's make-up, but the exact breeds used in their development is an unknown. Other than that, I love talking to people about Aussies because very few people know about them, and are usually very surprised to learn that they are indeed an Aussie dog, unlike the Aussie Shep.

Considering how close LMSW's dog was to the small terrier, unless it was blind, deaf and had a blocked nose, there was no way for it to not know Roscoe was around. There was barely a metre between the dogs, so I'm sure it was aware of him when he sniffed. Yes fault does lie with both owners in LMSW's case, but the little dog's reaction was extreme. Sorry to railroad your thread SG, but I felt I needed to address F82's comment. I am so glad your little Saxon is okay!!

OK... Oh please right back at you. A dog is what we want it to be regardless of what it's been originally bred for. Consider nature vs nurture and re-visit the original question posed in this thread. I do agree to a certain extent with the nature v. nurture debate, but having said that, no amount of nurturing will turn my terrier into a gundog or hound -- it's not in a terrier's predisposition. It is becoming quite clear by reading this thread that many people do not understand the terrier instinct in regards to the SBT. There has always been a LOT of focus on them as a bull breed but really, what makes them so much of a potential issue is the mix of bull and terrier. You do not mess with a terrier and yes, even my 6 kilo Aussie will take on dogs who start things -- it's what terriers do and what makes them so potentially dangerous. They are quick to jump in to finish things and not give a thought as to who or what's involved. I'll tell Kirah's story again. She was accidentally stepped on by a 50 plus kilo Bull Arab I was patting. Instead of backing away, she squeaked in shock then came up snarling and growling much to the poor Bull Arab's surprise. I was just lucky that Kirah's 'you hurt me so I'm telling you where to go' attitude didn't start the other one going because Kirah would've been a goner. I don't condone Kirah's behaviour purely because it's typical terrier behaviour and was just a lot noise on her part, however, it makes me twice as aware of her potential to take that noise further. It's how terriers are wired and they are not for the light hearted, easily walked over owner. They must have a firm hand and an unquestionable pack leader; there have been countless time Kirah's questioned my authority! It's not easy and that's because a lot of terriers are very cute and make you just want to go 'awwwww' (well I do anyway!), but that's where they get you. How is it possible for something so cute to be so feral? It's hard for me because I'm not particularly painting terriers in a good light here, but people need to understand what their instincts are. They are also rat cunning and know how to hold a grudge but it is this attitude, which really endears me to them. Terriers are such tough little buggers and their go go go, never back down attitude is amazing.

I totally agree with you, persephone Why do owners think their dogs need to play? Is the interaction between strange dogs & even adult pack members really play in the context that we as humans interpret play? Well it does depend on the park I guess. My local park has a group of regulars who have all become very close friends due to our mutual love of dogs. Our dogs have actually bonded and most likely become what I'd call a pack as there is a definite hierarchy. I object to some of the regular dogs because they'll be allowed to dominate new dogs to 'put them in their place' within the pack but I make sure I don't allow my dogs to do this. I'm also very wary when a new dog approaches the group because we are a well established pack of about 4 plus years. It's not fair on newcomers to be swamped by a pack when I KNOW it's a very high potential danger. I'll be quick to call my dogs away before they arrive and leash Zeus -- he has a dominant personality (more so just overly confident than dominant I think) but he can get very excited and aroused so I prefer not to let him loose with the unknown. Kirah likes to charge in the flop on her back which I don't mind but won't risk her flopping over to a dog who may or may not attack her. It's so much easier to control my dogs, assess the situation and act accordingly. So many owners at the park aren't like this and believe that all dogs are meant to be BFFs with each other. I don't like all humans so I can't expect my dog to like all other dogs either.

This thread reminds me of why I wished the Breeds 101 section got more traffic. It's very informative on most breeds and is a great read for owners and prospective buyers. It's such a shame it's almost a dead section of DOL now.

It's only an issue when it is neither acknowledged nor managed by the dog's owner. Oh ... Sorry. I was trying to say that a lot on DOL don't like their mentality enough to want to own a terrier themselves.

The other thing to remember is that whilst SBTs are a bull breed, they are also a terrier too, which I feel also isn't a help to their reputation. Terriers are go getting dogs with a fierce determination and an unyielding mentality. They do not back down and will rise up to any challenge, which can become a serious problem. If a terrier become involved in a kerfuffle with another dog, it's not going to matter who started it. The terrier will finish it even if it kills them in the process. Terriers are feisty by nature, but also have the ability to be fantastic companions. I've always felt that any breed you choose to live with should be researched -- if you understand their origins you'll be able to better understand their actions and how their mind works. I understand that many of you on this forum do not like the terrier mentality/attitude and whilst I love it, I fully understand why terriers are not for everyone. They are very strong-willed and stubborn and are definitely not for everyone. Having said that, hounds are not for everyone too or any group/breed of dog.

I don't think Beau is desexed going from the comment that the OP has no plans to breed them 'at this stage'.

What a horrible night for you and Harry So glad to hear that the surgery went well and fingers crossed he continues to improve!

A HUGE congrats MF!! I can't imagine how relieved you must feel -- go give your gorgeous bubba an extra snuggle from me!! :D

Hmm ... There are lots of different natural soaps available online. If you do a google search for dog soaps and select 'pages from Australia' you'll get heaps of natural ones. There's also goats milk soap that is quite good for dogs too -- very gentle.

Congrats on your DD and Elsie!! She looks stunning in those photos Zeus and I stepped into our first agility beginners class at a new club -- I'm still trying to find somewhere that we both just fit in and click. We had a go in the final class of an 8 week beginner's course and Zeus was amazing. He has such drive for the obstacles and there were comments that he looks like he's done training before! He's never seen an A Frame or tyre jump before but no hesitation to run up the frame or jump through the hoop. Only issue was with the weave poles, however, even that wasn't as disastrous as I'd expected. Definitely going back next week to join up and start the course from week one; will have to see if I can con my brother into coming along to film some of it eventually! I'm just excited that finally, after 4.5 years of trying to get Zeus into agility, it looks like I'm well on my way. I even have the paperwork filled out to have him listed on the Associate Register already :laugh:

If you can't source a soap bar, could you try diluting the shampoo or even just put enough for one wash in a travel container for him to use?

If any of your animals are itchy it doesn't necessarily mean fleas. They might have an allergic dermatitis making them itchy. There are many causes of itchiness in animals and it's not always flea related.

Well Zeus got his back feet booties and after a minute of weird walking he's running around the yard like a pro -- and no bindis! Will have to see about posting the video I made of him wearing them for the first time outside! :D