Aussienot

I think the bigger problem is finding a cat that gets along with dogs. Most dogs can be trained to accept and tolerate cats, particularly if raised together from puppyhood. However, in my experience some breeds tend to be less cat friendly, specifically the bull terrier types, and with some dogs it can be an uphill and losing battle. Any dog with high prey drive can present a training challenge in living with a cat; and if the cat is not "helpful", it is hard work. Supervised room sharing may be the best outcome you can achieve.

One tactic is to give him things that it are ok to destroy, rather than leaving him to find his own. (Generally, you will not like his choices) Hide some treats in crumpled newspaper in a box, and tape the box shut. Peanut butter jars, ice cream cartons, egg cartons, any safe container that you were going to trash can be turned into a cheap 'dog destractor'. The more exercise and mental work that you can give him, the less destructive he will be. And remember, with most dogs, demolition is a growth phase, not a lifestyle choice.

Nice job on the new site. It looks great and the layout is well thought out.

He was triumphantly trying to kill the toy, but did notice me grabbing my hand with some bad language, and he realised he'd screwed up so dropped it and came to me .

Can a dog bite by mistake? Dogs can be very precise with their teeth, is every bite intentional? I was training with Cody the German Shepherd this morning, and was rewarding him with a bit of tugging. He lept up, grabbed the toy, but also bit my hand. Big long toy, small hand. He had to try hard if his intention was to bite skin rather than the toy. A small skin puncture, but I think he damaged some nerves. Cody is 11 months old, high drive and energetic. He is very people friendly and has always accepted my leadership. An intentional bite would be completely out of character for him. I stopped training and crated him, and am thinking it over. Would be interested in other people's responses. Was it an accident in play, or a dog testing his boundaries?

A fair few people believe that there are magical angels out there, who have the skills, free time, space, money and desire to take their problem dog and fix them. They think their problem dog has options. Sadly, most people who do have the skills have enough dogs already. I can't image a place (rescue, foster, farm or family) where a terrified, human-aggressive, non-working working line Kelpie would be welcomed. Your friend needs to consider the safety of her family first, and do what the "breeder" of the dog did not do.

A genetic scientist once told me that any time you limit the gene pool you will end up with genetic alterations in subsequent generations. Doesn't matter what feature you are breeding for, by selecting for that particular thing you are setting up for a genetic issue. It's possible to be a 'good' outcome, but more likely will give rise to skin problems, eye problems, respitory problems, heart problems, etc. Particularly with recessive genes (limited) of particular colour (limited) it gets harder and harder to produce puppies of a heath standard that is acceptable. There are dozens of examples of breeds that have been ruined this way already.

The "Evil Sock Monster" is popular here. When I have socks with holes or excessive wear, I knot them tightly into a free form, vaguely octopus shape. It is an ever evolving toy. When one sock starts fraying, it gets removed and tossed away, and new socks are added as they wear out. Currently it is about 12 socks big.

yes, you'll have to use the same training plan as if you were house training him for 'deck training' him. You'll need to crate or otherwise contain him. The hard part is that you'll have to go outside regularly during the night to take him to the grass. Roughly every four hours at his age. Remember to praise if he does use the grass area to toilet. If he doesn't, return him to the crate and try again later.

The words 'Pit Bull' stopped meaning any actual breed or cross breed in the media long ago. To the media and to some of the public, EVERY dog that attacks is a 'Pit Bull'. Regardless of size, head shape, colour or genetic form. Perhaps the owners of that great breed should consider a name change for the breed, and leave 'Pit Bull' as media shorthand for 'bad dog'.

Anyone who might be interested in having their dog become a therapy dog can volunteer to be a helper at the next Delta evaluation day in your area. They are always in need of people to be "the crowd" and to help out in other ways on testing days. You can see what exercises are in the evaluation and see what the evaluator is looking for. You can also get ideas for practicing with your own dog before you test. It's a way of testing the waters without committing. Plus you'll get to meet the Delta volunteers in your area. You can find the details for the nearest Delta branch on their website.

These treats are amazing and natural. The chicken buttons are great for training, and the cats broke into the package to get to the tuna bits. Pawzazzpetz Also a DOL member

So many people disrespect tiny dogs and the media perpetuates this stereotype. There is a mini longhair chihuahua puppy coming to dog day care. The owner attended puppy preschool, will be starting obedience training next month. She wants her dog to be well socialised with other dogs and have positive people experiences. The dog walks with it's own feet rather than being carried. How refreshing - She is treating her toy dog like a real dog, and I think this is fantastic. I wish this type of owner was the norm, rather than the "handbag"owners.

I am possibly the least handy person I know and I managed to make one. Very similar to the way Kelpie Chick did. Use standard sizes and get the lumber store to cut it for you. Only thing I added was corner braces underneath because my dog was kamikazi on agility equipment. It's still standing and stable and square five years on. So give it a go, you might surprise yourself.

I once had, and have now lost a destro dog. It was not one or two things but the continuos onslaught of destruction that wears you down. Once I left my new $800 leather jacket on the back of a chair for 30 seconds, . . . . I had to lock myself into the bathroom because I literally was going to kill him. So I understand your vent, not saying I condone it, but I understand it. The hole left in my heart when he died was way worse than any other damage that he did. Does it help you feel any better if the behaviour is anxiety based? Hopefully it's just a case of massive overeating and not true bloat.

While you can set up human and experiential socialisation exercises yourself, finding a number of similar aged puppies and bullet proof adult dogs for dog socialisation is hard for most people to organise. Particularly with a potential show dog, he needs to learn the presence of other dogs is no big deal. He should be comfortable with strange dogs around, but not see other dogs as a trigger to to crazy and play. So, yes, if you can find a puppy class that supports that (maybe a ringcraft class?) it will help you both heaps!

I am happy to show anyone around the dog daycare in Penrith NSW, as long as they make arrangements beforehand. There's nothing I'm trying to hide, but care for my current clients comes first. Yes, it does stir the dogs up to have a visitor, but I use these opportunities to practice "settle" - a couple of the Samoyeds need a lot of practice! There is a reception area window with a complete view of the facilities for the merely curious, but I like showing off the details if someone is sincerely interested.

She already knows the critera for petting - it is to sit. Now you need to raise the critera for petting to sitting, calm and quiet. Don't let her approach your friends when she is in an anxious state. You will probably need to keep her on lead. I'd walk her forward towards a person but only move forward if she is quiet. Any sign of anxiety, noise, hyperventillating, shaking, lunging, etc, turn around and walk away. Wait for calm, then approach again, and only get near to the person if she can keep it together. Yes, it will take a while, and you'll probably want to train it at first with one or two very patient friends.

She might also think about dog daycare or at least a visiting dog walker. Any sort of companionship and diversion can lessen the barking. First choice of course is keeping the dog indoors if possible while she works on the anxiety issue.

I'd say, Ok, you are going to get a puppy. Clearly you have thought about it. Let's plan for it: What are you going to give up to give the puppy 5 to 6 hours per day of undivided attention? Do you really have that much free time that needs a project? What is your schedule for socialisation of the puppy for the first 52 weeks? Where are you going to find the time to give the dog one hour of play and exercise every single day? Who will walk the dog every single day, in all kinds of weather? How are you planning to supervise every second of interaction between the dog and child? If she can answer these questions reasonably, then the family should think about getting a dog. But if they can't answer these questions, then there is no way the puppy will be happy left alone outside their home. I would stake money on the fact that any puppy unlucky enough to go into this situation will be looking for a new home within a year.

There is a new postage stamp issue available from today: adopted and adored dogs to highlight the issue of dogs needing homes. I was hoping that some of the profits would be donated to a dog re-homing cause, but there's no mention of that happening that I can find. The stamps are very cute, anyway. I will blow my budget and stock up.

Hi, From the Blue Mountains Council website, here's the list of off lead areas. There are also maps available on the council website. Haven't been to most of them, but can recommend the Lawson old golf course site, and warn away from the Bulls Camp one. Whitley Park, Blackheath Off Leash Exercise Area: Corner Wentworth and Prince George Streets Days: Monday to Sunday Times: 24 hours Old Airstrip, Blackheath Off Leash Exercise Area: Inside perimeter of runway Days: Monday to Sunday Times: 24 hours Bureau Park, Katoomba Off Leash Exercise Area: Open grassed area Days: Monday to Friday Sunrise until 10:00am then after 4:00pm Sunday All day except when a competition cricket match is being played Katoomba Falls Reserve (lower oval) Off Leash Area: Inside perimeter of oval Days: Monday to Friday Sunrise to 10:00am Weekends after 5:00pm except when a competition cricket match is being played Melrose Park, Katoomba Off Leash Exercise Area: Inside perimeter of oval Days: Monday to Friday Times: Sunrise to 4:00pm Leura Oval, Leura Off Leash Exercise Area: Inside perimeter of oval Days: Monday to Sunday Times: Sunrise to 10:00am then after 4:00pm Pitt Park (lower oval), Wentworth Falls Off Leash Area: Inside perimeter of oval Days: Monday to Friday Sunrise until 10:00am Weekends after 5:00pm Lawson Former Golf Course Off Leash Exercise Area: Please refer to map download on right Days: Everyday with no time restriction Bulls Camp, Woodford Off Leash Exercise Area: Open grassed area Days: Monday to Sunday Times: 24 hours Summerhayes Park, Winmalee Off Leash Exercise Area: Fenced area corner of Bunnal Avenue and Hawkesbury Road Days: Monday to Sunday Times: 24 hours Sun Valley Reserve Off Leash Area: Please refer to map download on right Days: Monday to Friday Sunrise until 9:00am Weekends after 6:00pm Lennox Bridge, Glenbrook Off Leash Exercise Area: Closed road loop south of Lennox Bridge Days: Monday to Sunday Times: 24 hours

in my opinion, debarking is the last possible alternative to explore when all other forms of training and behaviour modification have been exhausted. If the only alternative is put to sleep, it's certainly a kinder option than that. I have a very very anxious Samoyed in day care. She alarm barks, excitement barks, play barks, loneliness barks and attention seeking barks. The owner has spent hundreds of dollars and gone to extrordinary lengths to control the barking. After caring for the dogs for a few days, I told the owner that I wouldn't condem her if she considered debarking. The owner was so happy that someone finally understood that she almost cried. Some people think it is cruel, and similar to ear cropping or tail docking (or even desexing!) in that you are physically modifying the dog to suit a human need. I am not among them. The dog is on anxiety reducing medication and I am working on behaviour modification. She's still much better, but remains a problem barker, and if for some reason she couldn't come to daycare most days, she is is still a candidate for debarking.

I can also recommend Meadowmist. I have used them for years and their care of the dogs is wonderful.

That one would be so funny, if only it wasn't true. I once had a young woman surrender a puppy she had purchased from a pet store the day before. (at $900 for a mixed breed). They hadn't told her the puppy would toilet, and she simply wasn't prepared to deal with that aspect of ownership. She may have thought it was stuffed or something. That would be a cross breed worth developing - the non peeing breed.