tdierikx

No dog has a jaw that "locks" - some may have stronger jaw muscles though, that can hold very tight... What Judge Judy knows about dogs you could place on a pinhead and still have plenty of room... grrr! T.

Cute puppies don't always grow up to be cute dogs... and no matter what pup you get, training is the key... T.

Obviously there isn't anything majorly serious wrong with the pup, or they'd have been on your doorstep last night when they got home from the vet... I'd play it by ear - if they are the type to cause a stink about your dogs being dangerous, noisy, or their poo smells, then maybe a goodwill gesture of something towards their bill might save the day. I'd be asking them to sign a note saying that your payment is NOT an admission of any guilt on the part of your dog though - just a neighbourly goodwill offering. T.

We have a Malt/Poodle and a Schnauzer/Poodle at NSW Animal Rescue. They are young adults and very even tempered - maybe this woman could be steered towards rescuing a dog that once came from a place like Rivergum? We also have 2 pure Poodle pups (16 weeks - white)... T.

Firstly, wait and see if the neighbour comes back to you with a real injury to their dog. The pup could have a sprain, and it could be all better by now - unless your boy was shaking the pup's leg or punctured it (in which case there would be blood), then the chances of any real injury should be low. Pups can scream the house down just in fright at being caught or startled, so don't go by the noise as to the possible extent of any injury, OK? Let the neighbour make the first move about who's paying for what - and don't agree blindly to anything. You don't want them getting the idea that it's your dog's fault and report him as a dangerous dog because their pups decided to stick it's leg under your fence to tease your dog. At most, I'd agree to half the cost of the x-ray... T.

I probably would have told the little shit to stop staring at the dog like that... but I have poor social skills with people... *grin* T.

Marcus was playing very nicely with Henry I reckon. The way that he kept lying down to be at Henry's level was lovely to watch - and I can tell you now that Marcus and Henry were actually playing quite gently... I have a 4 year old Lab and a 16 week old Lab puppy - and their play gets a whole lot rougher and noisier than that. Trouble (the older girl) will literally plant Lilly (the pup) if Lilly gets too carried away with the hanging off her ears or lips... *grin* Wait until you are treated to the full Labrador game of zoomies... that's hilarious... and fast! T.

8:30pm on Bio Channel... T.

Oh yes... she does look pretty chuffed with herself there, doesn't she? Trouble the Lab is a total crack-up at times... Here's one of Miss Prissy Pants Zeddy doing her "I'll just get my feet wet, OK" act... T.

What about dogs that are incontinent when asleep that haven't been desexed? Say in pups? Is there any reliable treatment that will work long term? I've heard that the medication can become less effective over time - a couple of years seems to be what vets I've spoken to say, then the effectiveness can be "spotty"... T.

It was very hot here on Monday, so when I got home, I broke out the clamshell with a bit of water in it... here's the result... T.

Do you think that Charlie might be able to wear some sort of little doggy back brace to protect his weak area? I'm sure one could be made for him... and it could help reduce the stresses a young and active dog may put on a weakened back... T.

I've met and cuddled Charlie - and he's just perfect in every respect... I wouldn't worry what some fat stupid cow in the street thinks... T.

k9angel may have some specific info regarding Mya and her introductions to the other dogs at her place... might be a good start to give her a call and see if Mya needs any special style of introduction to other dogs... T.

The fact that the dogs both did their protection thing without any specific training, and that they held on your command, is testament to how well settled they feel with you - you've done a great job with both of them, and they are repaying the favour methinks... Extra treats for both of them today I reckon! T.

Could it be the normal morning routines of your neighbours that have your boy barking? People getting ready to leave for work and whatnot? Or does he sit at the back door and bark for some attention from you? T.

Whenever I've had to bury anything in my yard (twice), I've put a piece of fencing mesh about 6 inches down to deter any digging if any smells come up through the ground... T.

Could also be allergic to carpet or the floor cleaning products, etc... T.

What kind of temperament does your little fellow have? If he's a nervous or timid type, he may be licking for that reason. I had a Rottie that would lick his paws obsessively if he was worried about something... T.

As long as the lump doesn't seem to have roots or feel attached to anything, I'd not panic... if it gets bigger quickly, then you need to see a vet... My old girl was covered in fatty lumps, but most of hers were pea sized... after the 2nd one came up, the vet showed me what to look for, and reassured me that if they felt like those, they weren't anything too nasty... T.

I reckon you tormented it a whole lot less that that annoying bastard that kept yelling "crikey"... ... and it was a very pretty snake - even though she was rather ticked off... T.

Hmmm... very interesting questions there Cosmolo... I don't know exactly what you mean by "bite inhibition", but if it's where you teach a dog to not bite or bite down on things (like people), then I've taught my Rottie/Pittie girl that a little too well methinks. A few times, my Lab and my Rottie/Pittie girl have gotten into a very nasty spat, and the Lab who has not been taught "bite inhibition" is the way nastier attacker, and does a lot of damage to my Rottie/Pittie. The Rottie/Pittie gets in her bites, but certainly does a hell of a lot less damage to the Lab - she's lucky to make small punctures that hardly even draw blood. Then again, the Lab goes for the front legs and shreds them, whereas the Rottie/Pittie goes for the neck and head to bite and try to hold. Neither dog has ever bitten - or tried to bite - a human... both of them know that is particularly off-limits... T.

Lilly, Clayton, Connor, Joshua, and Merlin are all pups I have fostered... I still have Lilly, but she's not up for adoption... the boys have all been adopted now...*grin* The rescue property has a swimming pool - so every now and then we grab a dog or dozen and see if they like it... T.

My dogs are loving the tugs that nikivds made for them... and my foster pup is totally fascinated with plastic bottles that she can clatter up and down the hallway. T.

1. Crates - for house and travel 2. Chuckit "tennis" balls - they are indestructible - my Lab kills the black Kongs 3. Bagless vacuum cleaner - I have a Labrador - nuff said! T.