tdierikx

Here's what we were sent... T.

I've boarded my dogs with the local vet on occasion... worth looking into, as they have staff there all day that would probably love playing with Archie on a regular babsis. T.

I rescued a baby fruit bat from it's dead mother when I was in my teens and living up near Murwillumbah... kept it in a tea chest in my bedroom for a while... *grin*... note - don't try to mount a horse while holding a squawking baby fruit bat - the horse won't like it much... lol! Kids will do all sorts of strange things - I was notorious for bringing home all sorts of animals - snakes, the fruit bat, an octopus, a rabbit, baby swallows, a galah, pigeons, seagulls, etc. At one stage I shared my room with 2 carpet snakes, the fruit bat, a rabbit, and a budgie - all loose and coexisting just fine. Drove my mother nuts! I was jealous when one of my friends found a Puggle (baby Echidna) and raised it to an age it could be taken to the wildlife sanctuary. I hope the little boy recovers well. T.

I have a disabled dog... but nothing like poor Sassy. When Pickles first came into care, it was under the proviso that she may not come good enough to have a decent quality of life. Her disablity involves not having much feeling in all 4 legs, meaning that she really has to concentrate on walking rather than it being a natural instinct - she actually had to learn to walk. She still walks like Steady Eddie, but her sheer determination to enjoy life to the fullest means that she's doing just fine so far. I probably would have made the decision to give Sassy her wings long ago. Her issues are so severe that it seems cruel to have her battling so hard all the time. T.

Hahaha! It's great that your pugs like cameras... we should be able to get some really nice pics of them then... No more sleeps! Today is the day!! Woohoo!!! T.

Still not enough pics of the gorgeous Roo... I think we need very regular insertions of photos actually... she is absolutely stunning! Those big dark eyes just look right into your soul, don't they? I think I'm in luuurve... *sigh* As for check chains - I love them - they work very well when used correctly. I've had arguments with training groups about using one with my dogs over the years, but I usually get my own way once I've demonstrated that I DO know how to use one. The only one of my dogs I haven't used a check chain with is Pickles, and that's because she's disabled and has super sensitive spots on her neck that preclude the use of any type of collar. She has done some obedience training on a harness with positive effect - but she's a completely stubborn little turd regardless most of the time. I'm just happy if she heels nicely - I don't care if she will or won't sit or drop on command - it's difficult for her to do so due to her disability. Harper hasn't had any formal type of training yet, but she will soon (once we fix my current spinal injury issues), and I will be using a check chain for her too. T.

Are these the pups you asked for help with in the rescue forums? You can't legally enforce the actual desexing once the pups are gone from your care - whether or not it's been pre paid by the new owner. They can simply just not turn up for the desexing if they wish. If they had gone to reputable rescue, then this would never have been an issue, as reputable rescue wouldn't have even advertised them for adoption until they had been desexed. T.

Way to go Charlie... you keep on proving 'em wrong little man! T.

I tend to yell "ta ta" and start walking in the opposite direction if any of my dogs decides they are going to deviate from behaviour I find acceptable... they have always come to me then. Chasing is a great game to a dog... but running at my age is undignified... lol! 2 of my dogs have pretty exceptional recall, but the 2 younger ones are still learning. T.

I'm really looking forward to catching up with some of the wondrful people I've met previously... and meeting some new ones... *grin* T.

Roo is a simply stunning girl... I'd love to see more pics of her as often as you care to post them, OK? T.

Girl 1... :heart: T.

The lovely Canterbury staff are wondering if we can try working our magic for 2 more dogs they have in care... Celine and Bruiser... Will try to get over there during a break in the weather and see what we can do... T.

I'll try to get there on your day Tapua... if I have any leave left with work... I would so love to meet you and your dogs. Sammy is such a wonderful little ambassador for your breeding program... *grin* T.

I'm thinking along the lines of a gradual desensitisation to the object of the dog's aggression - just having a skateboard sitting there doing nothing and letting the dog get used to it on his own terms. T.

This is actually the last thing a dog so heavily into habits needs, and Roo has those habits. That and Roo is panicking before you leave :laugh: yeah people's advice ... yeaaaah ... please don't go following a million different things, we will make Roo better just don't worry and be patient. I told you your behaviorist will not like me and my ideas, not because they don't work it's because of idealistic rivalries that tend to exist in dog training. It's your dog, your money, your life, if you're not happy don't feel guilty or pressured to do something you dont like or doesnt work. If she chews the crate give her something to chew on in there then. Put her squeaker in there remember in the car she started squeaking away to placate herself? A couple of toys or a sacrificial one you dont mind chewed to bits will help redirect her onto that instead. My 10 year old bitch still needs something to chew on in the car so I gave her sacrificial toys, no more whinging and carnage :laugh: If she hasn't burst out of that crate she's doing fine, actually the fact she's chewing and pawing means she's trying to find a productive way to release her anxiety. So, nothing else to do in there, chew crate. Give her a toy to redirect that on like a huge cheap rope smeared with peanut butter to get her started etc. And you can keep opinions like this to yourself. Jelly has given up her entire life for this dog so far, it's time she takes it back and the dog settles down into a nice, calm, state. If you want to speak like this direct it to me and see what reply you really get. Well said Nekh! T.

Awww... isn't she purty! T.

Damned if you do, and damned if you don't... errr! It's nice to see a study that looked at both extremes and what issues could possibly arise from each. T.

I had a Rotti once with Von Willebrands... and now I insist on a scrape test on all of my dogs before they have any surgery. Probably not the best indicator of actual Von Willebrands, but definitely lets the vets know if they need to use different anaesthetics for a bad clotting factor in the dog. T.

Is it bad of me to think of Cazstaff when I look at Annie? t.

We got an introduction letter too... and I'm still not convinced... T.

lokelani - have you tried putting some tinned sardines or mackerel in oil in Bosco's dinner? That can help with dry skin... and you don't need a lot of it... T.

So which of your dogs are going to the Royal Easter Show Tapua? And what day are they on? I have to go on Easter Sunday to see my friend's Weim compete, but could stretch to coming to see your lovely dogs on the day they are showing as well. T.

If the dog has issues with skateboards, I'm wondering whether it might be an idea to buy him a skateboard and see if he can learn that they aren't scary or in need of killing. Maybe just put one down in his house and let the dog have his way with it until he realises that it's not going to do him any harm. Worth a try? What I'd do is just put the skateboard down in a hall or room and then walk the dog into the room/hall, and see what he does when he sees a stationary skateboard. Let him sniff it, push it around, whatever. Don't push him near it or indicate that it's there, just see how he reacts to it being there and see how his curiosity at the "new thing" develops. Who knows, maybe the dog can be taught to ride a skateboard himself eventually... *grin* T.

Jelly - please just follow Nekhbet's advice re Roo, OK? Too many opinions here, and Nekh has actually been the only one to step up and physically give you help. The more trainers with different approaches you listen to, the more confused you and Roo will become. Nekh's advice hasn't steered you or Roo wrong yet, has it? It's taken some time fo Roo to get where she is right now, and it's going to take time to undo her learned behaviours - but I reckon you'll get there faster without involving different trainers with different methods. Give Nekh's advice some time, and I'm willing to bet that you will see the best results with Roo. Training Roo is as much about training you as it is about training her. T.