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if ever you feel like making more, I'd be interested!

to that brand! a big favourite here too!!!! I get it from Bowhouse in Bondi, and from memory i think it's around $3.80 for 1 tub. Can't bulk buy coz I only have a small freezer on top of the fridge I also get plain minced chicken frames from Lennards chicken, $2.50 a kilo

Thanks Kavik . Tilly would love anything fast paced! I don't really know that much about agility (saw something about it on Cesar Millan's show a while ago), but I agree that Tilly would probably love it, especially if it involved jumping of some sort. She loves to jump (if she jumps on the lounge she effortlessly springs off from far away and it looks like she is just about levitating ). She also loves balancing along the top of the lounge. Now how fit and healthy does the owner need to be? What sort of people normally do agility? Is it a real mixture of young and old? Hi Fainty Girl! I started agility a month ago at Narrabeen (Northern Suburbs Dog training) and can reassure you it is a complete mix of young and old, fit and not so fit (both owners and dogs) From what you say of Tilly it sounds like she would enjoy it very much: jumping, raised dog walks, tunnels etc etc.... I've got a very hyper cocker who was going beserk at obedience - sitting still for a minute is his idea of torture! Yearly membership is 30$ i think (20$ upon renewing) and you pay 3$ each session

Stunning as usual I love the dramatic sky on the second one...

How do you think a houndhouse would fare if it was NOT under shelter? I've been struggling to get the ideal one that would provide good shelter, be waterproof etc.... I do not have a carport or verandah, so the kennel has to be pretty much a stand-alone thing. I have found most of the ones you can buy from regular pet barns etc are not very well designed. All the plastic ones are on ground level (no feet) so the minute it rains it splashes inside... And I have got 2 left hands so building something nice myself is not an option

Tempting.... but no thanks!

Thanks guys! I am already doing chicken wings, drumsticks and turkey necks (soooo gross!), I was just wondering about the pig tails for variety. Guess I'll stay clear of them as I never feed pork to my two (both English Cocker spaniels) anyway. ETA the lady who recommended them actually feed them to her pug, who I guess would be around 6/7 kgs.

I was at the park this morning and this lady was saying how great pigtails were for small dogs who tend to swallow chicken necks. They are apparently the same size but meatier and require lots of chewing. I was wondering whether they'd be safe to use on a regular basis, or would they be too fatty to be a regular treat?

Not a treat toy, but a nice chew toy is the Busy buddy bouncy bone. I got mine from Dstore and it's been very popular: http://dstore.com.au/pets/other-pet-toys/1...32,55,0,00.html the same company also has a jug-a-tug, twist'n treat ball, and a chuckle bone that dispenses treats. I just thought I'd mention this website as I found them quite cheap and super quick with deliveries. But as you have found out the most expensive toys are not always the favourites, and you could also improvise you own: * make a "xmas cracker" out of a kitchen or toilet paper roll with treats hidden inside * put some kibble in an empty slightly crunched up plastic bottle (I guess for a havanese you're better off starting with a small soft drink type bottle * organise a treasure hunt for him when you're away: treats hidden under turned plastic cups, under a towel, etc etc Have fun with your new pup!

Purely out of curiousity, I have a very stupid question: how would the e-collar work? Is the idea to interrupt the dog when he performs the unwanted behaviour (eg chase a prey) to get his attention and call him? or is it the opposite, let him run, then call him and "buzz" him if he doesn't come as a negative reinforcer?

I can only highly recommend Ian Dunbar's books, before and after you get your puppy (as well as all his other books) . You can download some of it from http://www.dogstardaily.com/ , and it really covers all the basics you need to know, toilet training, crate training, bite inhibition, socialisation etc etc

Really well done Poochmad! it sounds like Henschke is very bright and a quick learner too! When you're done with Henschke, can we swap pups pleaaaase? I thought I would highjack your thread too, regarding behaviour upon owner's return. One thing I have been having trouble with from day one is what to do with an over excited pup when I get home from work. At the moment, the "routine" is: - get home, and inside the house, where the dogs can see me (they are in the backyard, and the whole back of the house is glass sliding doors). Archie gets all excited and starts jumping on doors. - I go upstairs, change into dog-friendly clothes, and come back down. By then he is normally sitting by the door. - As soon as I move towards the door, he gets all excited again, so I normally unlock and then move away again until he calms down - this can be repeated a few times until I lose patience and decide we need to get moving. I will normally then go out, and he goes completely bonkers and runs around the backyard by himself (or with a toy in his mouth). I try to ignore him (no talking, no eye contact), but he will remain in this over excited / aroused frame of mind. - I get him to sit and stay by the back door (he complies, but barely and I can tell from his body language he is about to explode), open the door and let him in (again, goes bonkers, runs around the house etc etc) I am obviously doing something wrong, as there as been very little improvement in the 8 months I've had him... I was hoping that ignoring him until he calms down would teach him the proper etiquette, but I am afraid his excitability is much stronger than my patience Any tips from the professionals around here ?

Sounds like you're getting there Poochmad! Flyingfurball, to answer your question, I am one of the ones who forked out $595 for the initial consultation (and am due for a follow up very soon ). I did it because my pup had OCD issues (had them since I got him) that were not getting any better as he grew and I was not able to cope with these on my own, despite all the best intentions and trying to do the right thing. If it had only been a "normal" form of separation anxiety as described for Henschke, I do not think I would have bothered going to a behaviourist vet and would have tried by myself through trial and error.... I think going to someone like Dr Seksel is more justified when you are dealing with more serious issues (like OCD / aggression / extreme fearfulness etc....). It sounds like you guys will overcome it! It's the first time that I have a dog who is unsettled by darkness...

Not sure I would be going through too much basic commands/change of position.... when my older boy had a snapped cruciate ligament, getting up or sitting down were actually painful for him (as was standing up for too long).... I think Kongs and chew toys are the way to go... If he likes soft toys, you might want to look at the Kyjen range (one of the DOLers, Wagsalot, sell them)... they are like soft puzzles, where the dog has to extract eggs / sof toys out of their nest...

That would be good, thank you. I understand there is also a good book I can purchase as well (the name escapes me at the moment). Regarding the meds, I didn't know what they were...but will look at them. What do they do and where can I get them? She is the lady I have been seeing with Archie... I'd be very interested in getting hold of these notes (and the book you mentionned) if someone has them handy somewhere As you said, it is a combination of medicine + behavioural exercises therapy that will help; I do not believe medication alone would achieve long term improvements. Prior to going on these prescription medication (which is basically a generic form of prozac), i tried Bach Flower Remedy and PetArk Calm (http://www.petark.com.au/) but to be honest I didn't notice the slightest change. But again each individual is different and reacts differently, and they might help Henschke, so they're probably worth a try. Poodlefan, I understand your point. At the same time I was wondering is something like Agility not something that would increase the bond between dog and handler (team work / dog needing leadership etc) and therefore being seen by the dog as rewarding because it is happening with his owner? This is something I wanted to do with Archie (before I got him) but that's been put on hold for now as I am trying to work on his hyper-reactivity towards other dogs. Yup, problems come in bundles in this little dog Trying to put into practice Click to calm (Emma Parson's book) with mixed results because I am such a crappy dog owner

Poochmad, I feel for you, even more so because I am going through a similar (sort of) situation with Archie... He is hyper reactive and very anxious too (even though this manifests itself not through barking but excessive pacing, turning into spinning). We have had a routine in place since we got him fairly similar to yours, with more exercise though (which he can never seem to get enough of) and a couple of "training" sessions a day. The other difference is that he doesnt have access inside/outside. Since seemed to be getting a little bit better but have gone backwards since daylight savings... I now get home after dark and this seems to be really unnerving to Archie and he is besides himself when I get home. I had to seek the help of a behaviourist vet and he is now on medication... I waited a long while before actually starting the medicine because for some irrational reason I felt bad about it, thought it was a last resort thing and was afraid it might turn him into a zombie or drastically alter his personality. No such thing in reality (I sometimes wish it would make him a bit quieter!), he is still the same dog but I believe it helps a bit, both in every day situations and with him being on his own. We are far from being perfect but I believe there is hope at the end of the tunnel. I guess he will always retain an element of anxiety/hyperactivity, that's part of his make up, but I think we can work on modifying it and reducing it to more acceptable levels. Poodlefan, what do you mean by the dog having a focus in life other than his owner? I do like the fact that spaniels are close to their owners, and when you're away from them all day you don't necessarily want them to be away from you when you are home. I should add that Archie is rarely on his own, but with Olaf, my other really balanced and placid cocker, but he doesn't seem to feed off Olaf's energy. So getting another dog is not necessarily going to cure the problem. Sorry, I am not helping but just wanted to let you know you are not alone... PS has anyone experienced a similar issue at night time? If we go out on a week-end night, Archie is fine if left inside (either free run of the house, or confined to the bathroom) but will fret if left outside (which is his everyday "territory")

Really worth a try for me! Luke, are you travelling to Sydney anytime soon to mentor me?

I would stay clear of bleach Kitty; even diluted it has a strong ammonia scent (remember dogs can pick up smells a hundred times better than us) that could make him think it is ok to wee there... White vinegar, water and bicarb sodas are your friends

My nearly one year old english cocker started salivating abnormally yesterday. I noticed it first when picking up a soft toy he'd been playing with (the toy was much more 'moist' than it normally is), and noticed a few spots of dribble on the carpet. This morning there was a huge wet spot in his bed, and he's been drooling an awful lot, with spit flying everywhere when he shakes... I guess that's another trip to the vet for us but I was wondering if others had experienced that and what the causes could be. There's been no change to his diet (1/2 Eagle Pack, 1/2 barf), I am not aware of him ingesting anything he shouldn't have and he is otherwise absolutely normal (eating, drinking, playing etc) and shows no signs of discomfort. I have checked his gum and lip folds and can't see anything unusual there either... This little dog sure knows how to keep me worried

Thank you Anniek! Started on the solid lanolin last night and he already seems better this morning...

My dog has been lame for a couple of days on one of his front legs... As he is extremely active and a bit of a daredevil I first put it on him hurting himself, but I gave him a thorough check last night and realised 2 of the pads on this particular paw were very dry and cracked quite deeply (in comparison to the other feet where they are all smooth and shiny). He spends most of his time on hard surfaces (the house and backyard are all tiled, and most of our leash walking is done on the streets). Before I take him off to the vet, would anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do to help him? Obviously I will have to reduce his walks to the minimum, and was thinking of maybe massaging vaseline onto his pads, but would that make the matter worse if he was to lick it off?

Hi Wagsalot do you know which new egg babies you're getting next week? Also, went onto the site but the tough turtle and snakes in grass do not seem to be on there? Thanks!

I think Basenjis are gorgeous but I've heard they can be a challenge too! Although it doesn't surprise me considering that they are classed as both a Spitz breed and a hound - I don't even want to think about how "interesting" training one could be! I am sure you could do it Huski (BTW love the videos of your evil beagle training)... Just think of it as a cross between a Husky and a Beagle

I have seen them on Petnetwork (who advertise on Dogzonline), hope it's not against the rules to post the link here.... http://www.petnetwork.com.au/cgi-bin/shopp...;cart_id=463256 I've used this company in the past for other items and they were pretty good

Thanks Poocow you're a star as always