VJB

Heidi has only ever done a wee when scared. Twice now, once with my old vet, and now with her new one. The first fear wee she did was when she was about 6 months old and I got her a toy that had a empty plastic bottle inside it. It made a crunch sound, and she ran down the driveway peeing herself as she ran. I was dumbfounded, as she'd played with empty bottles before, but I guess this one was in disguise and gave her a real fright. I have seen other dogs that wee with greeting in an excited way though.

I felt shell shocked when we got our puppy, even though I was a dog owner already. Completely forgot about the time and effort that puppies required. My entire time was all about the puppy, and I was anxious and practically screaming for someone else to say that they felt the way I felt..... and that it would get better. Yes, it does get better.

My dog cannot eat bones. Vomits every time too. I think I may have had some success with a roo tail piece once, but don't bother trying to find a suitable bone to give her because mostly they end up with her vomiting. I give her venison ears daily. She loves them, they are virtually fat free, and I never had an issue with them.

Thank you. Using the whistle saves me screaming her name "Heidi,Heidi,Heidi,Heidi,Heidi,Heidi,Heidi,Heidi,Heidi" while she's running around in zoomie mode. Sounds like I'm yodeling. :p

We took Heidi to a river the first time and she ran straight into the water. Don't really know what she thought when she first hit it, but she appears to have enjoyed it thoroughly. When we take her to the beach now, I always have my whistle with me. Before we let her off lead, I blow my whistle and give her B'cue chicken (her favourite). She then knows that there is something worth coming back for, when called. It works well, but I do prefer beaches that are not busy. When other dogs come along and play starts, I find her a little harder to distract. The beach is so much fun. Definitely take towels, and fresh water.

Fabulous photo's. Sorry your camera died. Katie is adorable.

To a dog he would smell quite different. Is the person a smoker? No, not a smoker, but he is a dog lover. Had his own Golden, but not any longer. He developed alcohol dementia and is now in a facility. He is only 40. I always put it down to the scent of the alcohol. He was a gentle man, not aggressive at all. He is the only one that she ever kept away from, and couldn't be convinced to come near him.

Heidi doesn't like one person that we know. He is an alcoholic. I cannot get her to come near him... don't quite know what she is sensing. We don't see him often, as he use to just turn up out of the blue on the odd occasion. Maybe give the treats a go like some others have suggested.

Yes, I have a pushy dog. She will have lots of tricks to try and get me off the computer. She will attempt to climb on me to make me stand up, ... if I sit again, she climbs over and over... but I try to be firm and fight her off to the best of my ability. To her, anythings worth a try. If she doesn't succeed with getting me up off a chair with her own body pushing, she will go and steal something from around the house, and run back and show me. This is all done with much body wiggling and tap dancing on her part. It kind of makes me smile as she is very cheeky, but other times she can be a pain. She will at times be rude with trying to maul loved visitors with her affection. She doesn't quite realise that not everyone wants pash rash from her. I'm sure she tries to get through doors first etc... sometimes it happens, sometimes not. She is very persistent though. Obviously it has worked in her favour in the past. She likes to push me hard out of the corner of the kitchen when I'm making toast. I have to say "EXCUSE ME"!!!!!!!!!

Heidi loves apples. I either cut them up in small pieces and throw them around the back yard or I core them, fill with peanut butter and freeze. Banana's are also eaten, but only occasionally.

I use to have a problem of my dog seeking attention, barking, climbing up, and forceful nudging with visitors when excitement takes over. These days, if someone new comes over, I usually prepare them, and myself before they enter the front gate. I need to keep the people moving, because standing around makes Heidi more crazy, in anticipation of something happening....so all visitors are quickly moves from front door area, through the house, and we sometimes don't even sit until these initial excited moments have passed, which is relatively quick these days. If we sit, they might get pashed from Heidi. Things are better these days, but those first minutes, I spend more time making sure my dog is behaving, than greeting the new visitor. First, I make sure I have some tasty treats on hand. I let her greet, and treat her for not jumping etc. Then, once we are actually settled inside, I make her lay etc, all similar to what you are doing (except I haven't got the whining). She responds well to this. Sometimes, rarely, she can try a little too hard to attention seek, and although it is not what many people will do, I use a spray bottle of water. I have only ever used this maybe twice EVER,,, but she hates the sight of it. If she is becoming a nuisance, I pick up a spray bottle,, and she backs off immediately, and her manners suddenly return. Like I said, probably not the best training technique, but it's worked wonders here. Once she's backed off, I continue with the treats for good behaviour, and before too long, those first 10 minutes have passed, novelty has worn off, and all is good. I would not use the spray bottle except for when she is being totally ridiculous. Very affectionate breed. Maybe, only maybe, this could help with the whining situation.

I'm not sure how to handle this, as I have limited experience with dog behaviour as such, but if she goes away happily once she's received the cuddles and pats, can you not just have people acknowledge her existence, quick pat and cuddle, then it would all be over and done with. Or is she continuing to disturb people again after the initial greetings? Depends how 'obedient' you want your dog, and at what level you are aiming for. I guess for people trailing their dogs, or showing, it would be more important to control this trait of hers. How do you greet her when you arrive home (through the front door, not from releasing from crate)...? Just wondering whether you are showing excitement when you arrive home, and she expects the same from everyone else..

I have used Calabash a few times for Heidi. Yes, they do get you in and out quickly when going out to inspect premises. I must admit, I was left feeling a little 'put out' by this, but owner did explain that she didn't want to unsettle all the dogs by taking guests through.. and I did understand that this must happen so often for them. Regardless though, it's nice to be able to view a little bit more. Other than that, I made a booking, because they are very professional, look after animals very well, with good staff, and provide all the necessities that my dog needed to stay happy and healthy. They were very thorough with instructions, and Heidi came out looking fabulous. I am also very picky when it comes to boarding, due to bad experience in the past with other kennels out Dural way... not with my current dog. PAX sounds fabulous,,,,, I will be looking her up...peace of mind is so important.

My husband ordered some supplies from them a few months back. Later that night, I was checking emails, and noticed one from vet pet direct, and it has a discount voucher. I ended up emailing them, telling them that hubby ordered without my knowledge, and asked if I could please have my discount. They replied, and refunded discount back into my bank account. I was pleased they actually did this. Can't hurt but ask.

Yep, happened here as well. It felt like a cyclone of stress entered my property and I spent more time standing in the yard outside than living a normal life. I called it the 3 day blues, similar to what happens when you have a human baby, and the novelty wears off after 3 days. You become overwhelmed and exhausted with how much attention and time is expected of you. I have several friends also experience this as well. Good news is, that is does pass, and life resumes a 'new' kind of normal. You are no doubt very busy with your 3 year old and I can just imagine the stress you are under with adding a puppy to the household. I am sure you will survive the next few weeks, and you and pup will learn a great deal from one another. Bonding will take place as you can begin to see familiar characteristics and personality coming out in your dog and you learn to read his body language. Your confidence will grow also. At the moment, you've been knocked for six. Promise, it does get better. Before you know it, a few weeks will have passed, and you will feel well on your way to enjoying your pup, and by then, you won't be able to imagine him not being there. Lots of dogs can have upset tummies when they first settle into new homes. Make sure he is drinking, and definitely go to the vet if things do not improve. This breed likes to have some mental stimulation too. A simple walk, some basic training, and some old boxes or coke bottle (make sure to remove any plastic rings around top of bottle) to run amok with should provide some entertainment. If you are feeding dry food, you can sprinkle that around your yard for him to spend some time searching for. Kongs are also great for most dogs. Keep the fillings simple to begin with. I found that if I stuffed Heidi's kong too much to begin with, she lost interest, as it was too difficult for her. Its a massive life change, but one that you won't regret. Yes, hard work to begin with, but, like others have said, "you are rewarded for your efforts". Keep up the hard yards, and you know you can always come here to ask for advice. Good Luck.

Odour Go. It is superb! It comes in lots of different scents, is a natural disinfectant, odour neutraliser and works wonders. Google their website. Odourgo.com.au

Several injuries on me. Once Heidi was racing for the same toy that I was trying to get. I got there first, by half a second, and she lifted her head up really quickly, quicker than I lifted my head, and I got knocked out (just about, I saw stars)!. That bone on the top of her head really hurts when banged with force under my chin. This has happened twice, and now I'm very conscious of other people bending over her, because I don't want them to accidently get hit by that hard head bone of hers. I have been body slammed a few times, but she's thankfully not done this for a while. I've worked out her body language for when she intends on doing this (from over-excitement), and I have a reserve squeaky in my pocket which I throw, and she follows that instead of body slamming me. Get stood on everyday, tail whipped regularly, and scratched down my legs while sleeping in bed. Paw punched in face while sleeping. Thats about it, but I'm still alive.

Dried bones gave my dog a bad case of diarrhoea .. I also don't leave raw hides around unsupervised. Best thing is a kong so far for inside. My dog doesn't usually leave crumbs around, and cleans up after herself fairly well.

Yes, will be looking into a bit of training in a controlled environment. She has just turned 2 in May. Desexed over a year ago. I'm wondering if I've not been in too many situations whereby she has been able to be effectively 'reprimanded' by elder dogs. I just don't want her to continue to get away with it, and not recognise that when I put her back on lead, that it is because of her nonsense.... because when she is going bonkers, I first have to catch her. Hope this makes sense. I want her to connect the fact that her privileges have been taken away, but I'm not so sure that she actually gets the message. She loves her lead, and sometimes runs to me and indicates that she wants it back on.

Thank you. Yes she has been desexed.

I know its a Saturday night, and everyone's looking at the moon, but is anyone home on DOL. I know I'm being impatient for replies.

I fill up lots of silicone ice cube trays with lots of yummy stuff and freeze them. It takes Heidi a fairly long time to get all the bits out, and she loves them. I also scatter dry food around, cut up apple etc. Keeps her busy, but not sure exactly how long for.

Heidi has had some behaviour changes since turning 2 in May. Some background of the last 2 yrs. She is exercised for an hour in the morning, either free run, or leash walking. During the cooler months, she tends to require more exercise and I will generally take her for another half hour walk in the afternoon, sometimes longer. She gets exercised regardless of weather, every day without fail. I am not keen on dog parks, therefore don't tend to socialise her with many dogs, other than occasionally one on one play dates with other dogs that I am familiar with. Occasionally, she will have a romp with a couple of dogs I am not familiar with, and this usually resembles a fair amount of rough play, but all has been good. She is goofy, and can get over excited. She can also be very cheeky and I have at times in the last 2 months, had to put her back on lead when she gets carried away, and I see the other dog having a hard time dealing with her. If told off, (by other dog), she will immediately lay down and look totally submissive. There is one dog that has told her off once, (this dog likes to just play on his own, chasing birds), and she won't go within 30 metres of him. So, I guess that she has remembered not to overstep the mark, and I am pleased that she "got the message'. The other dogs she plays with are obviously fairly tolerant (thank goodness), and I wonder whether she hasn't been 'told off' enough. During the last 2 months, I have noticed several things. One being lots of marking territory on our daily walks around the neighbourhood. The other hackles, which I cannot interpret their meaning, but if I was to guess, it tends to happen when startled by a cat, or rushed at by another dog (while she is on lead).... maybe fear reaction. ?? She is an absolute sweetheart and I want to continue these play dates with other dogs, but I'd like to do so without growing grey hairs. Why has she suddenly become so super confident and challenging when faced with other dogs in a play situation. Nothing else has changed, just that she turned 2. How does one teach their dogs to play appropriately? I really want to work this one out.

Rain, hail or shine here. Heidi has a drizabone that we sometimes use, but when it's bucketing down, there is no point, especially if she is running free. On this particular day, it was pouring hard. When we got home, she wouldn't run to the front door from the garage..... incase she got wet! I don't particularly love the rainy days, but she appreciates it. Better off giving her a walk or free run, or else she is full of mischief for the entire day. Sometimes I go twice a day when it's wet. And I do love the fact that nobody is ever around on these days, so thats a bonus I guess. The funny shake off... nearly lost her whole head!

double post! sorry