Dory the Doted One

In the case of my ex-mother in law, you pick him up and fawn all over him every time so much as a twig snaps, because he's so scared (he wasn't). In a few short years he went from a normal dog, to a dog that shook at his own shadow and would circle in anxiety. And pee himself if someone even looked at him.

Moving back on to topic. Not that I haven't enjoyed the diversion, because I have. :laugh: I've made and appointment to see someone later in the month so we can do an assessment and see what we need to do for her. I'll keep you all posted. I'm keenly interested to see what they have to say as this is all new territory for me. Bit excited about the learning new stuff.

Diet aside, what if a person was loving their dog into a neurotic mess?

As far as the Vet advocating the diet, it wouldn't surprise me if the vet said that those were ok to feed, but to add some commercial food too. And what the owner heard was..."Wow! Excellent choice. Keep doing that!!" Seen and heard it so many times. Owners hear what they want then the flick off their ears to the stuff they don't want to. Then when you see them at the counter it's like a twilight zone episode where you wonder if you were in the same room but a different dimensions and a part of two different conversations. My lot have a similar life as yours Steph. Very 'earthy'.

Thankyou all for the discussion. Keep it coming.

Aren't extendable leads actually against council regs in some areas? Might be worthwhile checking it on your local councils website.

Thanks Guys. I started doing a look around for information and felt a bit hammered by it. I don't have a lot of opportunity to get dogs (those that will) into swimming, and we do regular walking not just for them but for me too. We did some herding on the weekend with Willow and I noticed she was a bit stiff this morning. Fine once she walked it out, but considering herding is not likely to be an activity we can do every few days her stiffness reminded me that a conditioning program might be in order. That's when I fell into a big hole of information overload. :laugh I know nothing of canine fitness for sport. But I figure just walks aren't going to cut it for the activities we have ahead of us.

Where do you start? Is there science behind it? Or is it just another fad? Does anyone have any good resources for me to read about it? And personal experiences? What about things to do post exercise/heavy work?

We've had a very trying time with Willow and her first season. Driving us mad! But her usual routine has been curtailed. The last few days have been much better. Thank goodness for activities that allow in season girls. Even if the focus and concentration span was a little lacking. She had her first lesson with Sheep Herding, took her a little bit to settle. But when she did we got some good stuff. I love having such a versatile dog!

Yes, I graphic photo warning would have been nice. That was a bit too in the face for me.

Totally covered in Sumo hair. He is seriously cuddley. A real gentleman. :D Big smooshy face. I hope you're all jealous!!! Love his big noggin. He has the kindest eyes.

LOL...could be funny. Willow being in season and Sumo being a young boy and all. :laugh: Although she'd probably be able to walk under him these days! Can't wait to smoosh his face and play with his ears. I'll wear wet weather gear. :D

For me, if I'm starting to feel guilty that I don't spend enough time with 'insert dogs name', then I have too many dogs. (Or I need to reevaluate what's important in my life and maybe ditch a few 'friends')

I've had lots of first dogs, some of them were supposed to be 'family' pets, but I always saw them as 'mine' being the one that spent endless hours with them. The first first was a Lab x named Roger Dog, I was a toddler. I loved him so much and would get very distressed when I would go out into the yard first thing in the morning and he was still off on his morning wander. I was so worried he would never come back. He was so tolerant of my boneheaded, clueless about animals family. The second first was supposed to be MY dog...naturally he was called Roger Dog the second. He was a black lab x keplie x who knows what. He didn't get to hang around too long....thanks to my siblings teasing him to the point he got a bit uncontrollable. He was the first dog I 'trained' with nothing more than a badly beaten up copy of a Willy Necker book. I had him heeling and sitting and then stupid sibs would come out and tease him to the point of nipping. I was devastated when my parents got rid of him. The third first was a German Shepherd rehomed to us by family friends. First dog I showed and trialled, largely hitching lifts to do it as my Mum was much more interested in my sisters horse hobby and Dad was always working. I managed to get an obedience title on him. :) And learnt a LOT along the way, to say he had some 'issues' would be an understatement. He was such a great dog though, and the one who got me hooked on doing dog activities like obedience and conformation shows. I had to leave him at home when I left home because my Dad wouldn't let me take him. My fourth first was my first Rottweiler, paid for in installments from wages gleaned from my first job. Also a problematic dog that I learned a lot from, and the first toe in the door of my love of Rottweilers.

Yaaaaaay, going to show training......woooooo. Get to see Sumo!

*limbers up her negotiating skills...readies her excuses...brainstorms some favours*

Not sure at this stage. I really, really, REALLY want to, but it depends on a family commitment and if plans change. If I get a chance to get out if it, I will. :laugh: hehehe....norty Nova.....Looks so innocent.

Willow had decided to actually come into season. So she will either be finished or over the worst by the time the shows come around. :D Aside from being a bit more cuddly and a LOT less naughty, she seems unaffected by her change in status. I'm still able to take her to training, so it will be interesting to see how she manages outside of the home routine.

So far 2 Open shows, SA Poultry (need the practice and confidence boost) and the PM Pug Club All Breeds Champ show. I have to go clothes shopping, too!

We're waiting for Willow's first season. Doesn't look like she's going to be long off it! Noticed lots of licking, looks like her bum is hanging out of baggy pants and we noticed a bit of pinkness and teeny bit of swelling around the vulva. I'm sitting here writing out entries for some shows and hoping like heck she doesn't decide to hold off much longer. Cos then it will be show cancellations, till we can get her soft crate fixed.

I have to confess that I have often introduced myself to online dog people I'm meeting in the flesh as, 'Dory's Mum' or 'Willow's Mum'. People usually then go...."Ooooh." Saves a lot of explaining and the dogs know more people than I do. :laugh:

I'm not overly fussed about people using it. I do cringe when it's used it that sicky sweet way and you can tell the dog really isn't treated like a dog. I don't use it myself. Although I did drop it once in a conversation and gave myself a stern talking to. I was refering to someone elses dog at the time...not mine. Around here they are, 'the dogs' collectively or their names individually. The cats are 'the cats'. Have been known to whisper in my dogs ears that as I paid for them, that makes them 'my bitches'. Although I think that's a bit of a misnomer, cos most day I feel like i'm theirs. :laugh:

At home, she's a naughty nightmare...she's been busy trying (and succeeeding) to work out how to foil my attempts at blocking my wool stash. She just wants to be 'doing' stuff ALL the time, which is fantastic! But very painful when you have to do other things like...cook tea...sleep... I've had to resort to crating her overnight again. Now her training, training is going great! I have to remember to not be so serious (and develop better coodination :laugh: ). Taken to writing down a journal so I can remember what we worked on, what worked, what needs work etc. I want to start trialling her at some point and I hope that can be this year. Which is bold, because most rotts I know didn't start until at least 2 years old...Willow is only 10 and half months old. She's a horror to walk on the street also, but getting better now she's no longer so cute and less people want to approach her for cuddles. Her interest in randoms while out walking is dropping as she's getting ignored by them. Here's a piccie taken of her at first day back at training....she had dashed off to go and see what the crouching person with the weird looking face was doing. :laugh: She did come back when called..on that occasion. A Better Picture of Willow Taken By Someone Who Knows Which End of a Camera is Which

Looks like Ezio is getting his coat coming in too. :) Willow has redeemed herself with a very, very good night of training. (Apart from the bit where she knicked off. But she DID think we were just going to take her tug away from her. )

I love that, "We have NO idea what you're talking about" look. :laugh: Don't get that with Willow, we just get pouty, 'you take all my fun away' look. She's not even slightly remorseful of her naughty antics. Last night I turned the drawers containing my wool around so she couldn't get to it. She spent most of the night when she thought we weren't looking, trying to figure how to get back into it. Didn't take her too long to work out where the drawers went. Working out how to open them with a couch in the way is taking much longer. :D