Papillon Kisses

You can get 100% peanut butter at the supermarket. I think Sanitarium brand is the cheapest, but there's also Mayvers. You'll find it in the health food section. I have NEVER seen Xylitol in Australian peanut butter and I did extensive checking recently when selecting a new brand. One should always check of course, but still.

Thank you Jules. I just got Malcolm's pre-medication blood/urinalysis results from our GP vet and all were "excellent" and his Addison's Disease is well controlled, so that's good to hear. :) Apparently being less anxious might have an effect on how his Addison's is managed due to having less circulating cortisol. I'm hoping it will be for the better.

I just came across this book online and wondered if you might find it helpful: Remember Me? Loving and Caring for a Dog with Canine Cognitive Disfunction The author has some videos on her website of her dog, Cricket, displaying symptoms: What Does Canine Cognitive Disfunction Look Like?. Hope this helps. x

I think that's a great idea. Ultimately, it would seem that Thistle needs to learn how to remain calm (or be calmer) around different sorts of small dogs and in different contexts. She's shown that she can be polite around some small dogs in other contexts, so now the behaviour just needs to be generalised. The training ground is probably a more stressful or exciting environment for Thistle, so it may be harder for her to hold it all in especially at the end of a session. Edited to add: Thanks Thistle the dog! Thistle is very lucky to have you on her side too. :)

Well, I guess I should come out of lurkdom too. ;) We saw a vet behaviourist on Monday and our sweet little Chihuahua x Terrier, Malcolm, was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder and the dog version of OCD. He is starting on Prozac which I am rather scared about, but hopefully it will make him feel better. It has been a long time coming I suppose. I have done a heck of a lot of desensitisation and counter conditioning since I rescued him seven years ago, but as soon as one issue is extinguished another pops up... and his fixation with light reflections has been worsening (which is what prompted the VB consultation). I look back to when I first got him and think wow little one, we have come so very, very far and yet nowhere at the same time. Anyway, I just want to say that I love the supportive atmosphere of this thread. There are so many judgemental people out there who just don't understand, but you guys are so good to each other. I look forward to getting to know you and your dogs better. :)

I waited until others replied as it's been a while since I studied puppy development. Even so, as someone with a rescue dog who has been diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder and the dog version of OCD, I feel I must respond from that perspective. I am not at all saying your dog has an anxiety disorder or the beginnings of it by any means — I'm not qualified to make that assessment and this may well be completely normal puppy behaviour — but how we respond to puppies during their development can make a huge difference to how they are as adults. You have a puppy who is fearful at the moment, so let's be sure he has the best possible chance of becoming a confident adult within the bounds of his genetic potential. Since you are getting two completely different responses from trainers, I'd first question what their qualifications are. The pet industry is unregulated when it comes to trainers; any Joe Bloggs can open up shop. So if one or both of those trainers don't actually have qualifications in dog behaviour and psychology, but are just general obedience trainers, listen to the one who does or get expert help. This could be from a trainer who has those extra qualifications or a veterinary behaviourist. Vet behaviourists are vets who have completed additional tertiary studies to specialise in animal behaviour, just like they can do in other fields like internal medicine, surgery, etc. Vet behaviourists can be (justifiably) very expensive, but with puppies the consultations are typically a lot shorter and therefore cheaper. Maybe the "big guns" aren't needed, I'm just putting it out there as an option. I can't vouch for my dog's puppyhood as he was a rescue and only came to me at 2-3 years. But I often wonder whether he'd be a very different dog if as a puppy he had someone who was as invested in his mental health and welfare as we are, and as you seem to be for your puppy. You have such a wonderful opportunity to set him on the right path. :)

Thanks Scottsmum, the location doesn't show up in mobile view. :) I was going to suggest boarding Myf at a place which is reportedly very good with fear aggressive dogs, but your location and her lack of vaccination rules that out. Like Snook, I'd go straight to Plan B. Your friend is brushing off the seriousness of Myf's behaviour (and parvo) which could result in tragedy. I re-read your initial post and see you've asked about additional things that might help her be calm. I don't know if the ADAPTIL collar is suitable for human agression, but it might be. Best ask your vet first in case it is contraindicated.

Where are you located (state)?

me too! And my sister was sitting next to me just looking at me like "what is wrong with you??" i thought it was going to be a happy movie. But no. At least the cinema was dark :laugh: It's dark, yes, but I still struggle with holding in loud sobs and then the odd half-choke/snort comes out if I accidentally breathe at the same time. Sorry, ummm, nothing to see here people! :laugh: I'm also bad in any films where a dad dies or sacrifices himself for his daughter but that's just little tears not full on restrained bawling LOL. It would appear that you can add reviews to the site if something is missing. :)

So true! :laugh:

While allergies can cause itchy ears/head shaking, folliculitis can cause itchy ears as well. So it still could be folliculitis. Crusty eyes could be from allergies, the tears from weeping eyes dry to form crusts. Itchy red skin could be an allergic response. Our late papillon had hayfever/allergies which presented as a very itchy nose and sneezing. He was on half a claratyne tablet (he was big for a pap, 4.8-5kg). This dose is in line with what Sarasmum posted. He also shook his head (ears) but that may have been from his ear infections rather than the allergies, or both. You could also try a calendula tea rinse for his itchy red tummy. See the thread on this sub-forum. I know from having allergies myself that you do need to experiment with different antihistamines to see what works best. What helps one person with their symptoms may do very little for someone else. If you're concerned that your dog has been misdiagnosed or that his treatment is wrong, take him back for a follow up or get a second opinion from another vet. :)

I don't know about you, but I just FALL TO PIECES if I watch a movie where a dog is hurt, let alone dies. My six year old self still has not recovered from seeing Beethoven attacked by the bad guys and slated for death. And I don't know what on earth possessed me to watch Eight Below. But someone has come up with a brilliant solution! A movie review website to ensure you don't become a nervous wreck or blubbering mess due to cinematic doggy disaster, at least without forewarning! I present to you: Does The Dog Die

Ah ok, I'm not familiar with Pawshake but with other companies in Sydney daycare seems to be double the price of a dog walk. I forgot to add to my previous post a very well done to Team Scottie (which of course includes Scottie himself). I read through your thread and you've come such a long way, even if week 3 was a bit less successful. :)

Could you pay a vet nurse or someone else to come at midday? Ultimately cheaper than daycare. Vet nurses often do at-home vacation care though I'm not sure if they usually do lunch visits.

Persephone's link was posted today on a Facebook group I'm apart of. Oh. My. Goodness. Comments such as these: "If you don't want to be social then don't own a social breed or any pet really." Wow. Let me count the ways that person has it wrong...

If you use the search function you'll find some posts from former NDTF and Delta students.:)

Pets in the Park: http://www.petsinthepark.org.au They provide basic veterinary care to the animals of Sydney's homeless.

I'd love to be able to try out the puzzle toys before purchase. I haven't bought any because they can be a lot to spend on a toy that my dog may have no interest in using.

I bought some of the Hilde Hemmes Calendula Officionalis tea from Healthy Life for my boy who has been very itchy of late. I washed him in Aloveen then used it as a rinse. He's only scratching the two parts I forgot to rinse: his face and neck! He's stopped biting his thighs and licking his front legs, and his coat is beautiful and soft. Erny/Steve: Is it ok to give a toy dog (3.8kg) a full heaped tablespoon of spent flowers at once? If not, how long can you keep them refrigerated? And do you know if it's ok for dogs with Addison's Disease to eat? I could not find any info online about interactions with his medication (Percorten) which leads me to believe it's ok, but I can ask his vet.

Could you do immunotherapy for your dog allergy? It's been great for my grass and dust mite allergies, but they aren't so bad as to need an epi pen.

Something I've never seen in pet shops near me are the Planet Dog orbee balls. Those balls are amazing. They have raised continents on them which makes them bounce every which way which is lots of fun for the dog. They can fling it around and play fetch by themselves! They have some other cool toys too, but the orbee has got to be the best. Orbee http://www.planetdog.com/orbee-tuff-orbee-ball

Papillons can make excellent service dogs. :)

My bitza comes up as 99-100% Chihuahua, except when he's wearing his blue puffer jacket with the hood up — then he's an Italian Greyhound. One of my pictures wasn't confirmed as human shot... apparently I am 70+% chihuahua. What's that about people looking like their dogs? ???? Grandma wasn't detected as a human either, with her white bouffant 'do she came back as 96% Maltese! I guess it was either that or a Bichon! And Hubby pulling a face that legit makes him look like Dug from Up comes back as a golden retriever, lol.

Does this jacket fit closely around the arms? My chi x terrier type bitza doesn't deliberately undress himself, but he likes to curl up into a tiny ball with his front legs/paws held tightly against/under his chest, and if the armholes are too large (and most are) he actually tucks them INTO his clothes and gets stuck. I've had success with the jumper below, but it may not come small enough for those of you with very little dogs (my boy is a lean/athletic 3.8kg, 11 inch back, not sure if he's wearing the 25 or 30cm coat). It looks like your average knitted dog jumper but must be cut differently. http://www.petsplus.com.au/pet-shop.asp?id=1050

I must be confused. These already exist? Google dog sensor door. There are ones where the door unlocks and your dog can push it when it picks up the signal but it otherwise remains locked, and I've just discovered one that automatically opens when your dog walks up to it so your dog doesn't even have to push! See here: http://www.jjgroup.com.au/products/electronic-pet-doors/electric-unit/