VJB

AAwww, Bomber was beautiful. Lovely that you have so many happy memories, and got to share so many years together. It's so sad when the time comes to say goodbye. RIP Bomber :rolleyes:

It's like toddler proofing your house :rolleyes: I let a certain amount of zoomies happen, but send my dog out when it starts getting out of hand. She ends up putting us in danger as well as herself. I would move the table for now. Before too long, you will notice that they get better with their judgement and it is less of an issue. We had polished floors through most of our house, and were not really in the position to get it carpeted...(pup kept slipping and had hurt herself, though not severe) so hubby went to bunnings and got some interesting looking "bunnings carpet" on a roll. I'm not loving it style wise, but it sure beats having a major accident and then a huge vet bill

oh, what a job! Have you joined in at the GSP thread? There are others over there who are having their fair share of injuries and vet bills too. I've heard of that Honey before. A friend used it on her infected hair folicle (which required 3 surgeries)!! and it was the only thing that helped heal from deep within the wound. It's not easy keeping any dog still when dealing with paws, but I was getting the whole picture in my head as I was reading your post :rolleyes:

My vet is mobile, single, very nice, organized, clean, and not bad looking too ...... could be ideal :rofl:

Mine wiggles her bum...I can't stop looking at it. TOO CUTE. I would not think there is anything to worry about given the dog seems fine.

I can't see them either

I was using the Advance one, and a rat gnawed straight through it

Ohhhhhh wow, it's lovely, thank you so much,,,, I'm grinning from ear to ear. BEAUTIFUL Ok, so now I've looked at how to add it to my posts but am totally confused..... I have an Imac computer.... is the set up the same??? I'll keep looking for now, and I'm sure it's not that hard. Do I have to set up a photobucket account thingy?

Thank you very much, will look forward to it.

and one more...ta, if possible

I always wondered how people get these pictures on here,,,,, they are great. Not sure if I'm in the right area, but can someone possibly make one for me with my girl HEIDI. Would greatly appreciate it.

My kids asked "mmm, have you bought us KFC for dinner mum" ......... No ... I came into the lounge room where kids and dog was and OH..it was Heidi's fart! Kids laughed themselves silly after that. Oh well, it's a good way to get them off KFC from now on. And guess what Rugerfly...she's a girl too! Something that doesn't happen in your household it seems. I know.............you blame them all on Ruger don't you? good girl!

Sand pit for dogs are great. Just get one of those kids clams and fill with river sand from Bunnings. Hide treats and toys and make lots of exciting noise when teaching to dig in this place. While at Bunnings, have a look around at what you can purchase to protect your garden beds. There's bound to be something to help keep dogs out.... but I don't know what... sorry

Heidi gets fed Advance puppy and we experience very little farting. Bones and other stuff tend to make her poo's runny though, so I am careful at adding new things to her diet slowly. I'm not happy with the whole bone experience so far, raw stuff seems to get vomited up (on our bed) ... disgusting! I'm sticking with the Advance, though we went to check out boarding kennel the other day and the owners feed Royal canin. Lady gave me a sample to try, and if that doesn't work, I hope she will let me bring own food.

Yeah, I get what you mean about the age difference. I really feel for you, and the dog. Had myself a gorgeous dog before my GSP who experienced bad separation anxiety too. Ruled my life for nearly 13 yrs, and she was happy and content on the most part if we stuck to strict routine etc.... I could go on and on about that one. She came from RSPCA aged 5 months, and I struggled to understand some of her behaviors cause I never knew of her whereabouts before we got her. Good Luck and I'm thinking of you with all your frustration.

I am using a silent whistle with my 18 week old GSP and it's working great so far. Much more effective than just my voice, and has exactly the same sound each time, so there is no confusion about what I am requesting - recall NOW. Started with the hide/seek games around house and didn't take long to have it made known to her what whistle means. I took her to oval for first time today to test it out, and let her off lead. She ran across oval, and I blew the whistle, and she did a complete 360 and came running back. Of course I had very yummy treat waiting in hand. Good Luck, and I'd love to see some photo's on the GSP page

I bought one a week ago, and have been just using it around the house, playing hide/seek etc and she is responding very well,,,,, but outside the front yard, or elsewhere, I cannot risk it yet, so I'd really like to hear what others say too.

Desensitizing them to your departure is another suggestion with anxiety issues. Pick up your keys, lock the doors, but don't actually go anywhere every time. Close the windows, put your shoes on etc,,,, all the signs that you are possibly going to leave. Do this lots, at different times throughout the day. They are such creatures of habit, and can pick up on all these signals, but by doing all of the above, you take away the "wondering if she's going"...." I better get myself worked up into an anxious state" mentality. Some say this helps, good luck, I know what your going thru, sometimes unfortunately your pet just doesn't get it. It's early days for you though, so fingers crossed

Thank you all for your replies. I will go and purchase a bag from the butcher today. I knew raw were considered best, only I had read that they can still get lodged in throat or stuck elsewhere on their way out. I don't want that to happen, but I am guessing the risk is quite small.... I hope.

It can all be very daunting having a pup... enough to grow a few grey hairs to say the least. I can say that before you know it, this faze will pass and things get a little/lot easier as you get to know your pup's personality. This happens really quick and in six weeks time, you will have a routine that works well for all and you will be amazed at how much she has developed in that time. We have only had our girl for around 8 weeks and the first few I was a nervous wreck. She was eating sticks, I didn't feel like I could go out (I'm a worry wart) and I was amongst all the toilet training etc...Crazy time, but now, its fantastic. All has settled and it still feels like only yesterday we got her. As well as the rate they grow, they become so much more capable, and toilet training is fully sorted out, she is being obedient most of the time, I know what she's most likely to get up to at certain times during the day. Keep pup entertained with lots of different types of toys, frozen doggy ice blocks, kong, sand pit/clam, play with water from hose (check water restrictions), teaching tricks, and a couple of short training a day (5 mins each time). As well as getting them use to being without you in the yard for short periods, when you are comfortable, go out for short periods so she can get use to you not being around all the time. Its best not to go out for so long that they start being destructive from being bored, as these behaviours are hard to stop once they start. Its not forever that it will be like this, even though it feels like it when you are in the thick of it!

I have been using the dried bones and lamb necks that you can purchase at pet shops and was wondering if anyone knew if these are ok to have every day. Heidi (18 weeks) loves them, but I am wondering whether the lamb necks are making her stools a bit on the sloppy side. She seems to need something decent to chew on every day, but is raw better? Pro's and con's of both would be helpful. Thank you

Hi, I was wondering if anyone uses a whistle for recall training, and if so, how affective is it. I just stumbled upon it while searching internet and its got me thinking it may save my voicebox. Neighbours think I'm yodelling when I call Heidi....... especially when I use high pitched voice and say her name 10 times quickily...... heidi,heidi,heidi,heidi,heidi YEAH, it really sounds like a yodel

Sorry to post again, but NO milk..... thats enough to give em the runs, and they don't need it.

Our pup had quite soft poo when we brought her home as well. I have heard elsewhere that it is common for this to happen when the are re-homed initially. Must be stress related, even if pup seems happy and content. It all sorted itself out within a week or so, but I did get vets advice, and a stool sample was taken too. We continue to use Advance, as this is what our breeder used, and her stools are "perfect".... even I'm happy to go hunting for them and pick them up.

Toilet training..... when your going through it, somehow feels like it will never end, but it does. We have only had Heidi for 6 weeks. She is now nearly 16 weeks old. I basically did not take my eyes off her when she was inside, and this meant following her and watching her every move, literally. One of the biggest hurdles for me was getting the rest of the household to abide by this. For every accident that happens inside, it is a missed opportunity for you to do the praising for them getting it right by going outside. Taking her up the backyard constantly..... every 10-15 mins. I know this can become very boring, I felt like my whole life was pacing the yard and not much else. Every time she did "wee wee's", I praised like crazy, even bleary eyes at 2am in morning. If they attempt to go inside, clap hands and try to distract, while calling them outside quickily saying "wee wee's. I found this to be the big break for us (getting her to go up the yard by herself, rather that me carrying her up there). We are now 2 weeks wee free in the house, and she just goes outside by herself. Gee, it makes such a difference to everything now that she can self toilet in the right area. Much less stress. Also, like others have said, PREDICTING when they usually go is another bonus for getting it worked out faster. Oh, and my bottle of Urine Off has finally arrived after problems with the posting....of course I really needed this a few weeks back. FIONA C, did you get a blacklight with yours?