Dame Aussie

Maybe get some shade cloth or something similar, thick enough, and place it over any gaps?

Woohoo! Staffy puppy Piccies!!

When our little Chi x had a couple of fits, he was like that afterwards, very exhausted, confused and wobbly. Poor Tag I really hope he doesn't have any more Kirislin

That's my boy! He just LOVES everyone and everything so if a dog walks past or a person he lieks the look of he will jump and whine out of excitement. Not an aggressive bone in his body, he just wants to lick and play, but at just over 45kg he can be a bit intimidating He is improving and is still quite young, so that's a plus! Had to add: The vertical bounce...he does this, it's gravity defying!!

Don't be scared lol! You're doing the right thing by steering her away from a pet shop! To be honest she doesn't sound ideal, but how many pet owners are these days!? Chihuahuas are definitely not the easiest dogs to own We had two chi xs when I was younger, my Mum still has them, they are 14 now. In my experience, both with my own dogs and friends, smaller dogs are harder to toilet train. I have no idea why but from what I've seen it seems to be the case. Obviously I'm happy to be proven wrong! Whilst they won't need as much exercise as some other breeds they still need to be walked daily. Any dog needs different sights and smells to be stimulated, it's cruel to just keep a little dog enclosed in the same house/yard just because it is small. I think you should tell her about all the issues that could come up, if she does no training and treats the dog like a baby I wouldn't be surprised if it turns into a wee terror, Chis may be small but boy can they be feisty!! Good luck!

http://www.danceswithdogsaustralia.com/ Thanks TerraNik

I would love to learn more about this and give it a try! Does anyone know where I could go for info in VIC?

I don't have a problem with dogs being outside dogs, my only concerns were that it is not conducive to toilet training a young pup which is what the OP was asking about. Also with such a young pup I would be paranoid about what they could get into, but then I'm just a paranoid Mum OP, obviously you are a good pet owner and I hope none of my comments made you feel unwelcome :D

He needs to be shot. That simple.

I think what the poster was referring to was that not wanting to let pup out during the night is really just one of the parts of raising a puppy and if you aren't willing to do that what elsemight be ignored? Anyway, that's how I interpreted it. I don't understand why people dont want their dogs inside, my dog is part of my family so is with us whether were inside or outside. Yeah maybe there's a bit of hair and it can smell a bit doggy before a good clean but I choose to accept those downsides.

Was just watching it, Rescue Ink are great.

Sent! So glad the Mooroobool one was rejected

I wouldn't leave a puppy of that age outside on it's own. That's just me though, and I'm sure many people do it without issues. They can just get into so much mischief when they're that small that I like to have a bit of control by keeping them inside somewhere safe.

Yep, I'd be going straight home! Hope they're safe and sound

To effectively toilet train you need to be there to take him to the desired spot whenever he needs to go, after a nap, after water or food, after play. You can't do that if he is outside on his own. Our pups have slept inside so if they need to go we can take them out. He will just go wherever as he has no direction from you yet.

Our old Boxer got scratched by a cat once, the soft flesh on his muzzle was slit right open...blood everywhere

Gosh if only we were allowed to take this approach. There are always at least 2 sides to every story - desexing in male dogs will eliminate the risk of testicular cancer but will also statistically increase their risk of bone cancer. Additionally, their fur doesn't seem to be quite as nice or glossy - it tends to get a fluffy/frizziness to it and larger dogs tend to look long and undeveloped when desexed early. This is just in my experience though. It doesn't always happen to every dog, as I do know one GSD who was desexed early due to possessive aggressive attitudes with other males (which the desexing didn't fix btw) and he is the best looking shepherd I know. That said, mentally, the owner doesn't believe he has matured properly - and regrets her decision. I really noticed a transition from child to teenager to adult, and I do wonder if the owners of desexed dogs notice that too - or to the same extent. But I wouldn't know because I have never had a desexed dog. Cropping the ears on my dog will enable him to hear better and reduce the incidence of ear infections, but people have decided that's unnecessary surgery, and I am no longer allowed to make that choice. Or the poor boxer breeder lady I always see down at the park, and almost always one of her boxers has a broken, bleeding tail, but after 20+ years with the breed, she is not allowed to have their tails docked as everyone else has decided it's a cruel procedure. To the OP though, I do not desex my male dogs, the health benefits are imo outweighed by the detrimental effects both physically and mentally. I am able to put a lot of effort into training them, and have not had any serious behavioural issues that training alone could not at least greatly reduce. He plays with other entire male dogs, and the one time some idiot brought a female in heat down to the park, I was able to keep him sitting and calm on a lead. Once we were on the other side of the park, he ignored it. But many of the dogs didn't, and ended up nearly killing themselves by running up onto the road where the bitch had just left. So I guess if you do not have the time or inclination to do training and obedience work, desexing can make it easier, but otherwise, imo, that's an unnecessary surgery. What causes her boxers to have broken bleeding tails? And why would you bring any dog that is so injured to a park? Some breeds including Boxers are prone to tail injuries which is why they were traditonally docked. They have long thin tails and when they wag them they can do damage.

No ringworm Vet just thinks they are scabs from rough play (not surprising ) or scratching, all good! Thanks for all the responses guys

This is how I feel.. But then why does a vet say 6 months. its confusing!!!! Most vets say that, they don't seem to be very open to discussuion either. Just do what you and your breeder think is the best. I wouldn't desex till 12 months.

She just stays inside when in season. When we buy our own house we will be building a run. The boys fixed so no worries with him

Mo is the same. If we try and take Lili somewhere without him he almost knocks doors down Cries/screams....it's terrible She couldn't care less if we take him out without her though They are always together in the yard, not a huge size difference though really compared to some of the littlies in here!

Most mornings I am awoken by a huge Anatolian lick on the face And I love it

Awwwwww, that's so sad But funny

Me too And an Anatolian x Maremma.... Really think you should take up these offers. Nothing looks quite as classy, ellegant and gorgeous as a blue and red merle together.

We're booked in for tomorrow They were flat out today! I'm thinking it's hot spots or just scratches/cuts, they're pretty rough when they play!! It's so hard with a dog with long hair, you just don't see anything! Thanks guys, I'll let you know how we go at the vets tomorrow!