sheena

Can you use dryers everyday without damaging the hair? I know nothing about them, but my old boy with the thick curly hair swims in the morning about 8 & then takes the rest of the day to dry off enough so I can brush him. If they can be used often, then any recommendations for one that is efficient, quiet & not too expensive?

Update on this. Four storms so far. The first two I gave him 1/4 Serapax (Oxazepam) & then I got hold of some Vetalogica Vita Rapid treats & yesterday & today's storm he got a couple of those instead, about an hour before the storms. The effect on him was much the same. Clearly he is still worried, but not reacting anymore, so that's good. We havn't had a big overhead storm yet to test it out, but I guess with this hot weather, it wont be long.

You say you have tried everything? Have you tried a head halter or a specially designed front attached harness. I always have good success with the SENSE-ible one http://www.softouchconcepts.com/product/sense-ible-harness. Plus what the others have said above. Do lots & lots of training in your own back yard with yummy treats. ALWAYS take yummy treats with you & give generously for good behaviour when out walking...even if it is only a couple of seconds of good behaviour. Just make sure you are marking (clicker or voice) the exact moment the good behaviour happens. The treat comes second to the marker. I have a young border collie who is reluctant to get back in the car, probably because he sees it as the end of the fun. What used to take ten minutes now only takes about a minute & he jumps in. I throw lots of treats in, or sometimes make a treat trail & if that doesn't work, then I get someone to open the opposite door & call him in a very excited manner...this he can't resist. Good luck. It sounds like your boy is going through the teenage stage where he conveniently forgets all his training

Reading the directions it says if giving more than one tablet to divide the dose evenly twice a day. so for my guys that would be 4 tablets. Do you divide the dose or just give it as one dose?

It is in the same class as Oxazepam Alprazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines

I will get hold of some & try them. They might be good for my older boy too. At present he just goes away & hides, but I know he is stressed, just in a different way to Jaxon. Certainly worth a try...thanks

It is a bit of a catch 22 because I look upon the "all natural" ones as also being chemicals, even tho they might be in natural form. I wouldn't want to be giving something to my dog that was going to impede his natural self, but need something that will quieten him down when we get a storm. I take Oxazepam myself on rare occassions & it helps me sleep by lessoning anxiety. I am hoping it has the same effect on him

I tried him on a small 1/4 tablet of Oxazepam last night & I kept an eye on him for any side effects It wasn't a big storm, so not a big test for it's effectiveness, & it wasn't close but he just sat by the window....didn't do his usual hissyfits. He did sleep well & he is his usual bouncy self this morning

Thanks for your replies. Some very useful information there. I don't want to have to be giving him something every day, just in case we get a storm. I am going to ask my vet about using Oxazepam, mainly because I already have that in the cupboard & a bit of Googling suggests that it is safe for dogs that don't have other underlying medical problems.

My new boy has a terrible fear of storms & it is only getting worse. He is about 19 months old now. Thunder shirt doesn't work & I looked at Adaptil, but (I may be wrong) but it looks like he has to wear the collar all the time. I am thinking along the lines of something from the vets that will get him through the bad storms. Any suggestions ??

The best way to stop foxes getting into the chook pen is a low triple wire electric fence .... they don't come back!!

That is the sort of stuff of nightmares...imagine living near it !!

I was searching for something to supplement my older BC with to help with his coat. It gets regular brushing, but he swims everyday & spends a lot of time outside, so his coat is pretty dry & fading. He gets plenty of eggs & sardines etc in his diet, but he wont eat coconut oil. I came across this spot on stuff. Can anyone recommend it? Dermoscent Essential 6 Spot on Skin Care https://www.budgetpetproducts.com.au/new/product/dermoscent-essential-6-spot-on-skin-care-for-large-dogs-20-40kg/2182/

The only requirement for registering your dog on the Associate Register with Dogs NSW is that the dog is desexed

I have heard that if you lay plastic bottle of water around an area it deters dogs from peeing there, but havn't tried it. Maybe you could put up a sign for walkers to read saying something like "don't pee here".

These are really good. They emit an ultrsonic sound that is almost inaudible to humans but to dogs it makes them stop in their tracks. It wont hurt them, just makes them stop & hopefully back off. Unfortunately when you use it in the vicinity of your own dog, she will get an ear full too, but if it stops the other dog then it would be worth it. There are cheaper versions but the Dazer is the best https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/K-II-Dazer-II-Ultrasonic-Dog-Deterrent-Repeller-for-Anti-Bark-Stop-Barking-Dogs/174340925180?hash=item28978766fc:g:nuIAAOSw1K5fZFMb&frcectupt=true

Personally, I wouldn't feed chicken necks to anything other than a small breed dog due to being a choking hazard

Maybe I have missed it, but have you told us what you feed her...what is her normal everyday diet??

Whole Turkey necks are good...I get mine from Woolies

I have had border collies for 30 years & wouldn't even consider any other breed. I started with working bred dogs & the last three have been registered dogs from good breeders. I have found as puppies (ie until about 15 -18 months) they can be very naughty especially in the early months where they literally chew everthing they can get their teeth on, including parts of the house, furniture, electrical cords, toys, beds etc. Then when they reach adolesence all the past training seems to just go out the window & they really test the boundaries. But this is just the way they are & if you know that in advance, then when you get your pup you can be ready to help combat that with things like crates, CPens (which I found great) & gating them off into their own special place in the house when they can't be watched. It takes a border collie just seconds to destroy. They are higly intellegent & love to learn. Five minutes of trick training is as good as a 30 minute walk. They are super affectionate & loyal (or at least mine have been) I love them & THEY have taught ME so much about dogs. Everyone of them is different. If you are prepared to put up with their naughtiness in the early days (it doesn't pay to be too house proud) If you are prepared for them to be part of your family & train them to know the rules & boundaries in a rewarding way & walk him twice a day. Further education as in joining a dog club & doing Obedience Rally or Agility is super Oh, & you will need good fences. If you have done your homework & know what you will be in for, then go for it

The flea or tick has to bite the dog before it (the flea or tick ) dies. It is not a repellant

Looks good to me

Thanks hollee, I ended up getting this one but I bought from K9 Pro, the same one. Yes, I looked at those ones Tassie but they wanted $45 postage. I would have preferred one with pull down shutters, but oh well...I have another crate cover I can put over it if I need to. Thanks everyone

They look very similar with the drop down sides. I will make enquiries. I am also looking at the ones that K9 Pro have, though I don't think their ones have drop down flaps on the sides

I found an identical one from Pet Stock....a bit pricey but I don't care...unfortunately they are out of stock too !! https://www.petstock.com.au/product/dog/pet-gear-generation-ii-soft-collapsible-dog-crate/57248