Everythings Shiny

Our protocol is that it is offered with everything that needs anaesthetic, including sedation for grooming. If it is an older dog that we suspect has issues, we advise strongly to have it done. Anything over 8 is highly reccommended by us to have bloods done. In the end it is the owners choice, but if any of my older dogs were going into surgery, they would definitely be having Pre-GA's done.

We did an eye removal today at work, the dog in question is already home and appears to be handling it well already.

You lie to clients? Its not a lie - if you read what I wrote properly I said its for client protection. If a client trips and falls, we can be sued. Trying to explain to clients that 1) its OH&S, it stirs the grooming dogs, and makes it hard on the groomers, people get annoyed, simply stating the OH&S side of it is simple and most people understand it. Trying to explain to an owner why it upsets the dogs etc can be much harder. They don't seem to understand Also, we've had a client previous to me starting here, complain to the RSPCA as we had a noisy dog in grooming whom was "being abused by the groomer" it wasn't the case, the dog was a naturally vocal dog. After that the vets got very strict on who came into the grooming section. ETA - The OH&S issue is that our grooming section is down a flight of stairs. Definite OH&S issue. I get that it's about OH&S. I don't understand why you say it's about insurance. If they sue us, it affects our insurance - the insurance company covers us for the public liabilty or something like that. I don't know the exact insurance reason, all I know is if someone is hurt in the clinic (ie general public) it affects our insurance. I do not own the practice, I do not have any authority here. I do as I'm told and do my job, if they say it affects our insurance, then thats what it does. I don't know the first thing about vet clinic insurance and how it works. I'm guessing if the client sues the clinic, they are insured to cover that, hence the insurance would most likely be affected.

You lie to clients? Its not a lie - if you read what I wrote properly I said its for client protection. If a client trips and falls, we can be sued. Trying to explain to clients that 1) its OH&S, it stirs the grooming dogs, and makes it hard on the groomers, people get annoyed, simply stating the OH&S side of it is simple and most people understand it. Trying to explain to an owner why it upsets the dogs etc can be much harder. They don't seem to understand Also, we've had a client previous to me starting here, complain to the RSPCA as we had a noisy dog in grooming whom was "being abused by the groomer" it wasn't the case, the dog was a naturally vocal dog. After that the vets got very strict on who came into the grooming section. ETA - The OH&S issue is that our grooming section is down a flight of stairs. Definite OH&S issue.

Fido's white and bright is used by a clinic I used to work at, it was used on some really itchy dogs and the results were good. Generally done with Fido's then gone over again with aloveen to soothe the skin. Might be worth looking at

Dogs often misbehave when their owners are present. Making a groom more dangerous with sharp scissors, jumpy dog etc. People often want to stay if they know their dog is going to be difficult but the majority of the time, as soon as the owner leaves the dog settles down and is angelic - making it less stressful overall for dog and groomer. I am insured but not too sure how it all works, but I would guess the insurance thing is a furfy as clients are insured on my property to drop/collect dogs so I cant see what difference it would make. The insurance line has been used at every salon Ive worked at. My salon now is based at home in a huge barn style shed/garage, it's not flashy, but does the job. It is completely open for people to see and I do allow people to stay depending on the circumstances. If it's just a wriggly little dog and nervous owner then I prefer not, but if it is a genuinely stressed dog and calm, switched owner then I find it helps the dog. I used to be more lenient about people staying but got fed up with the dogs focus being on the owner rather than standing straight focused on me. It's especially difficult when scissoring a dogs face and the dog keeps turning to look at its owner making kissy 'good boy' noises over my shoulder :laugh: Cazstaff stayed when I groomed Buddy. I knew Caz was a 'dog person' and would be sensible and Buddy was an elderly, calm dog. I think groomers should allow people to have a look out back, but can also see that it might set all the dogs off barking if they see a strange face. I think groomers should take it case by case rather than a blanket ban. There is a local groomer here who works from home. Always meets people at the door and wont allow anyone to come in. I have a lot of their clients now due to this. Our clinic does not let clients so out in the grooming area while grooms are happening or while there is dogs in the room. Our clinic uses the insurance line not just for client protection but for the dogs being groomed, some do not like strangers and go completely off, making it hard for us down the track.

I'd opt for removal, the percentage of vision returning is too low, recovery etc will be long and hard. Eye removal is sometimes the better option. Good luck with what ever you choose.

She hates swimming, we've tried swimming her in our dam and she wouldn't do it. She is currently left home a lot, but even before when I wasn't working she was just as bad. Even taking her into the house will us she continually fidgets and drives us insane.

When she was working stock, she was on her own to do it. The yard she is in has tree lines, a horse yard and stable then her run so she can't see the others. She was fence running even with the others in the same yard as her so she's locked up in a run atm and let out twice daily for decent runs. I hate locking her up but for the short term its helping until I can work something out

Thanks! Us browncoats have to stick together ;) Currently she is on Supercoat sensitive. She has been on a numerous amount of different ones over time. I totally agree with you, Jumabaar and often wonder this, too ... I've seen quite a few problem Kelpies settle down when moved from their original home into foster care or into a different foster home simply because the handling regime is different. Elbie, one of my dogs was/is a potentially problem dog, too and at one point the treadmill was recommended for him. We didn't get one and worked with him in other ways but from what I know now especially after having worked with rescue and other Kelpies, I wouldn't recommend a tread mill or amping up exercise for an already hyper dog. As other people have pointed out, it just causes the dog to become superfit and want even more. With all the foster dogs we get through our house, we give them a lot of training before they get adopted out but the first thing they all learn is how to chill out in the house. In the evenings, the humans are on the computer and the dogs are in the study in their beds/crates/on the floor chilling. Most of the fosters are very unsettled/restless when they arrive so will be crated in the study with us. For ones who are not yet crate trained, they get tethered with a leash in the study until they learn to stay in their bed. For the food motivated ones, they get a piece of kibble each time they return to their bed and drop/lay still. Each new rescue dog that arrives here also goes through the annoying pesky, barking at other dog until it plays/engages with it routine. We do the same thing and reward the dog when it returns to its own bed and lies there quietly - otherwise it is crated or tethered. We've had nuisance barkers and hyperactive dogs - we don't take on aggressive dogs though. There have been times because of illness in the family (my own or someone else's), the dogs don't get walked for ages and they're fine. Last time I was sick in bed for a week and they all kept me company. They can run around all day but it's very much been reinforced to them that they must learn to chill out. If Serenity has trouble focusing, maybe you're still asking for a little bit too much - which was what I was doing with my dogs. Obedience classes seem to require you do get a long, melting stare from your dog when you give a 'look at me' or 'watch' command which can be too much for twitchy dogs. With mine, they get a 'yes' and a reward every time they voluntarily make eye contact. Move around and then reward for any kind of eye contact or head turn towards me. These days they will do the long, melting stare but it took time to build that up. Agility won't be a good option for Serenity until she has a bit more focus and wants the food reward more than chasing the other dogs. Both my dogs can be bolters during agility class, too but as with the other people in the class who have bolters, we learn to try to manage it by working at sufficient distance from other dogs, doing a lot of focus work before we start an exercise and having very yummy treats :p Good luck with Serenity - it must be a very upsetting time for you ETA: Sorry if you have already tried any of the above. It's just what we use with our own dogs and the crazy rescue working dogs we get given to foster Will give it a try :) Thanks :) She can't keep fish oil down unfortunately, anything slightly unusual from her diet, she vomits Today as part of my health kick I took her for a ride with my horse. It was an absolute shamozzle. She kept circling my poor horse, very tightly around him, luckily he is super quiet, but a few times as we were doing circle work, she nearly got run over as she circled right in front of Bailey as we were changing direction. Our other dog came down with us and settled behind us, Serenity eventually gave up circling us, and started circling him.

*hugs* Nic, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, lots of healing energies directed Annie's way.

I tried videoing on my iphone, but she runs to fast and the video was beyond blurry. We just bought a new camera yesterday, so when the weather is a bit cooler (I don't cope with the heat) I'll check out how it goes video wise.

Sadly, most of these dogs would end up being called 'unrehomable poundies'. It's brilliant when they do find the right job though! Good on you ES for persevering. Thanks guys :) I do love this dog, she is the sweetest girl other than her issues. She is affectionate to me, but her focus is all over the place. Her circling isn't tight circles (I'm not sure if I'm describing it correctly to be honest) she does huge laps then a few smaller ones. I was watching her run today and when she got ahead of the other dog, she did a few quick small circles then took off again.

The test would be like this - could they have reasonably foreseen that outcome? I think the answer would be YES.....they are not called choker chains without a reason, and should never be left on a dog in any situation.....I heard of another incident where a choker was left on a pup in a backyard, with the same result........just plain stupid, irresponsible, neglect, laziness and negligent.......and in both cases done by people that are seen as being dog experts or professionals As a rule here at work, if someone brings in a pet for any sort of hospitalisation, choker chained pets will not be accepted, they must come in with some other sort of restraint system.

Done :) I come in here daily and I still get upset reading what you are going through I know the idea was thrown around here at the meeting about it being called the "Buddy's Grooming Legacy Protocol". ETA - I'm still struggling to understand how it happened It's so mind boggling

I think it's a multi dog household now, zeebie .... I wouldn't add another dog to the household now. Mums oldest dog has health issues, my oldest girl is arthritic and to be honest, I couldn't afford another dog right now. There's currently 5 dogs on the property here (we are a hobby farm) and I don't think I could go through puppy stage right now as I'm working full time and about to start a uni course at the end of the month. I'll ask for a parvo titre test to be done as soon as I get some bills paid off, her hearing and eye sight appear to be fantastic. I think her barking is an attention seeking thing (I could be totally wrong though) as when the other dogs play with her, the barking does reduce (not completely thought) so I'm not sure. This morning I let her out of her run (I'm keeping her seperate for now) and she raced around like a looney and started barking at everything, the horses, the geese, the car (parked in the yard), me making horse feeds and cattle feeds up etc. I left her bark collar on and it reduced it, but she still gave it a good crack (She'd get two barks out and it would beep, then she would stop)

Thanks guys :) Westiemum - you made me smile :) Thank you. One on one, she's completely the same, scatter brained etc. As for the static collars we have had so many different ones, this current one is a cheap one as she would still bark like a maniac with the static collars with no warning beep to them. I currently work for two different vet clinics, over the last 3 years, 8 vets have collaborated on her, and have ruled out medical issues currently being an issue (I mean her having something right now) whether she has had something previously that has caused this, who knows. We've had the USA T4 (I think thats Jean Dodds, but I can't remember), she has had in house, external lab bloods, full panels etc done. Basically whatever blood test they could throw at her, they did) I think she would be better in a one dog household, however, today she was away from the other dogs completely, and my neighbour came and asked me this arvo as I came home what was wrong as she was chucking a wobbly most of the day. He isn't often home, but has heard her from time to time, he said today she seemed to be really hammering into it. She had no contact with the other dogs, and when I got home, she looked miserable. As soon as I let her out, she cried, raced around like a maniac, played with mums dog Jimmy and went zooming around the paddocks. As for training her with the Dogtra one, we had used a collar with the remote from QLD (I can't remember what brand it was but it was very exxy) and she totally ignored the softer correcting with it and would go nuts as soon as you put it up the next level. Its fairly late here now, so I'll re-read the thread again tomorrow, as I think I've missed a few of the last posts as I'm replying now. I think there is some great suggestions here, and I am definitely taking them on board :) Thanks guys :) ETA - Zeebie - she isn't exactly food motivated, the best way to describe it is, over all the different things we've tried, she works best on food, but if she decides she doesn't want to do/listen, no amount of food in the world will convince her. Once this heatwave is over, I'll try to get some video of her, everyone is shocked watching her at how bad she is. I was reminded today of her nickname : the energiser bunny on crack.

The thought had crossed our minds lol

Chezy - she is crate trained, had to train her for working dog school etc. Have tried Rescue Remedy (we have it on hand due to a storm phobic dog) and DAP - they were my first port of call before everything else. I've contacted K9pro, so will go from there for now. Thanks for the suggestions guys :)

Thanks Huski! I'll email you now! I don't have any video of her, I'll try to get some of her though.

Kitt - we have tried food toys - the kong she is now afraid of as she got it stuck on her face, since then she wont touch toys at all. Kalya1 - I'll definitely get in contact with Steve and see what he says :)

Yeah, I've seen some like that, and Serenity is terrible to keep weight on at times ETA - she can do basic commands, sit, come etc. Stay is hard as she loses focus so easily. I've tried to find things she likes, but her attention span is worse than a child at times. I've tried to teach her calm, but have yet to find a technique that works with her. She definitely can't sit still, I sat down on the grass with my other dog Jimmy, who has his hyper moments. He came and sat next to me quietly, Serenity sat for a second, ran around in a circle, sat elsewhere, jumped up ran around again, barked at us, ran up sat on me, ran off, came back, sat next to Jimmy, ran off, came back, barked and then ran off again. All that happened in less than 30 seconds.

Erny - My last vet did blood testing and sent the Thyroid somewhere overseas (I think to the USA) all came back fine Diet now is supercoat sensitive - she has a sensitive stomach so most other diets she vomits badly with. Have tried her on super premium and they don't agree with her, have tried raw - she couldn't keep it down either.

Dancinbcs - I'll look into that thanks!

Dog mad - I'll look into that, thanks! One thing I think would work, is if she had another crazy dog to run all day with. She is happy when my guys match her, but with 5 dogs already, I'm not in the position to take another dog on.