pennyw74

So, if I yawn when she's a little more calm, what do you think she'll do? She was being a nightmare last night, jumping up, using her mouth to play, being very rough. She was told "no" several times in the loud voice but she was so excited. I suggested to my fiance than he yawn. It didn't work - obviously she was way past that working. He yelled in a really loud voice "no". She sat down with her head on her front paws, looking at him, looking away. She knew she was in trouble. Then she walked very slowly over to me, climbed on my lap (I was sitting on the bean bag), snuggled in and went to sleep. She didn't like being in trouble so just wanted it all to go away. You can't help but smile.

Funny you should ask. I've been yawning when she's been full of beans but it doesn't really work. She thinks it's great and wants to "eat" my yawn, so she launches at my face. I do always pat her when she's calm, though. Obviously I can't pat her when she's bouncing around.

Last lot of Izzy She can sit really well: Izzy at 11 weeks:

More of Izzy (not many more, sorry) Izzy at 10 weeks - after a bath: Sleeping on me:

More of Izzy Izzy at nine weeks:

Name: Izzy Sex: Female Date of birth: 30 November 2007 Age: 12 weeks (tomorrow) Colour: Blenheim Markings: Beauty spot above her nose and a gorgeous smudge on her top lip Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Hobbies: Sleeping, growling at empty coke bottles Loves: Chicken necks, kisses on the belly, sleeping Hates: Her collar and lead, the garage Izzy at four weeks: Izzy at six weeks with two of her sisters: Izzy at seven weeks: Izzy at eight weeks - her first day at home: Crashed: Freaky eyes:

We were advised against the plastic crates because of airflow or lack of.

It was a cat collar we had but it was still too heavy. I'm off to the shops. Her neck is about 22cm. I've seen the nice lightweight collars so I'm getting one of those.

She has a crate that she sleeps in at night. It is quite large (to cater for when she is fully grown). There is no way I can lift this crate myself.

The first collar we had, I thought was too heavy. We then tried a Martingdale collar/lead which is combined and very light. I am going to try a new collar this weekend when I get to the shops to buy her one.

Put the lead on when you're just about to give her her meal. Take it off when the meal is finished. If I put the lead on her before giving her dinner, she would probably not eat. That's how much her personality changes. I will try it, though.

We haven't really been on many trips yet, just up the street to pick me up from bus stop. What's the best place for my 12 week old Cavalier to sit when she's in the car?

I hope that's soon? I'm not one for waiting (although I do take using common sense into consideration) but that's a whole 'other' story and one which is well discussed in many threads throughout the DOLForums. In the interim you can put into place things such as a gruff "aagh" and walk away (ie play/interaction stops). If you have a play pen for her where she doesn't have free access to the whole of the house, that would be helpful. With the biting at your ankles as you walk - this is not completely uncommon. For some pups, the invitation of chasing loose flappy trouser ends is simply irresitable. Sometimes the "aagh" and a (eg cheek) scruff will do the trick. For others, I've had them wear old clothes and treat the bottom of their trousers and tops of their shoes with a "bad taste" substance, and for some that has done the trick. Using the lead to prevent it, but making sure the rewards are there (pat; good girl; etc) before she starts the nipping behaviour, can help. If she's nipped and then stopped - be careful to pause before you reward, otherwise she still might pair the reward with the behaviour that was exhibited immediately before reward delivery. Also - for her training. Try not to go too far too fast. I wouldn't even bother with "heel" at this age. Concentrate on the basics of sit, walk on loose lead and come. When they seem to be happening without too much fuss or bother, add in "drop". You can add in a release word (which is a word that later on will become to mean "you don't have to be "seated" anymore) as well, but I wouldn't be trying for stay work at this stage either. She is a baby with the attention span of a gnat. When kids first go to school, we'd hardly expect them to be able to cope with more complex mathematic skills beyond the 12 x table ..... same with pups. Teach them what they are capable of learning according to their brain development. Build on what you've taught to establish reliability. Expect more as she grows older into and through adolescence. Whilst you do want to introduce some basic obedience skills, emphasise should be on teaching her appropriate socialisation skills, and gently getting her accustomed to worldly and otherwise "novel" things. Her 12 week vaccination is this Saturday, so we'll be sorting out the pre-school thing very soon. She hates the lead, so I'm having trouble with that at the moment.

Correct, that photo was taken at 8 weeks, she's 12 weeks tomorrow. We will be taking her to puppy preschool after her vaccination. We have been referred to one from another dog owner/breeder. Yes, it's just play growling that she's doing now. She did a few little barks this morning, too.

See answers above

I know she's only playing but obviously I don't want to encourage the chewing fingers thing. Sometimes she can bite hard. She also nips at ankles and bounces around in front or chases and growls at me walking. I have done the yelping thing when she has "bitten" hard on fingers. Sometimes it works, a lot of times it doesn't. What is the best way to stop her biting and chewing? What is the best way to stop her nipping at ankles? What is the best way to stop her growling when I walk? What is the best way to stop her jumping up when I'm walking?

Once she has had her vaccinations, I won't be carrying her at all. We've just been told to carry her outside until she's allowed to walk to at least show her there is more to life than our backyard. Also, we live in a townhouse, so we have to carry her on common property, which means to and from our front door to the street. Ridiculous, I know. I am getting her a new collar this weekend. Where is the correct place for her to be in the car?

The day we brought her home, she sat on my lap and towards the end was panting. She still sits on my lap. We haven't really gone too far in the car with her, just up the street and back. She hates her collar and lead so that would make the experience even worse.

That's an excellent point. This article on calming signals tells you about yawning and lip licking that dogs use to calm themselves and those around them. Body language can make all the difference to an anxious dog. So I'll start yawning too then. I'll be sure to let you know how she goes at the vet.

A bit of success. Last night, I asked my fiance to put her in the car to pick me up after work. I told him to not pat her if she was scared but make it fun. When I got in the car, she was still quiet but her tail started wagging and I did the high pitched isn't this exciting and fun thing. She ws fine. I mean, she's not jumping around but that's good but she doesn't seem scared. We took her out again after dinner and for the first minute, she wasn't sure and wouldn't sit right down properly. She looked awkward but after that she cuddled up and closed her eyes. We drove for about 20 minutes, stopped and drove back home and she was looking out the window but still laying down. One thing, though, she kind of pants - does this mean she's thirsty? She sticks her tongue out and makes strange noises.

Perhaps I've watched too many TV shows then. It's hard to make fun trips when she's shaking. I try to make things fun for her. As soon as we take her into the garage, she tenses up.

She is very scared of the car and we carried her up the street to try and get her used to noise but she hangs on so tight and shakes.

Not sure if this was the right forum to ask this but here we go... Ok, it's Izzy's first time at the vet this Saturday coming. She'll be 12 weeks, so going for her vaccination and check up, etc. I can just see it now, tail between her legs, shaking, soooo not wanting to be there. How can I make this experience less traumatic for her and me?

Revolution does heartworm, too, so I have to use something for that, I might as well use something that does everything.

I've had Revolution recommended to me now. I might just use that with the Drontal intestinal wormer. Revolution is good, isn't it?