Dory the Doted One

I agree with others, I'd wait. A couple of days of alone time isn't going to scar her in anyway. Plenty of solo dogs have a lot more time on their own. If you are worried about her getting bored and destructive there are plenty of things you can do to keep her occupied while you are away. I've had dogs close together in age, and it actually made my life a lot more challenging. One of them would freak out anytime you took his companion away and would almost hurt himself trying to get out. And let's face it, sometimes you can only; or you must only take one. That is a LOT more tormenting than a day or so on their own because they are a solo puppy. And then there was the day she could no longer physically continue, nothing really wrong with him except dementia. Which meant he couldn't be with other dogs, he'd try to attack them. That was a bloody tough day.

Gawd...I did a double take. Shelle your cat looks almost like mine!

We've got a Lagotto next door and another one a few doors down. Both from the same breeder. Next door saw the other Lagotto and had to have one. We also have a Lagotto that comes to our Vet practise. They are always such happy peoples. The Lagotto's that is....the owners are pretty happy too.

I didn't think anyone was being overly critical...I actually thought everyone was finding a nice balance of compassion for kid and dog. But anyways... Most dogs usually give plenty of signals of their discomfort prior to an 'attack'. Even if those signals were from several visits ago. If we are vigilant and knowledgable we would notice our dogs discomfort and act before it ever escalated to a biting incident. Had a dog once. Did not feel very comfortable with this person who was very hands on. Used to zero in on me and the dog everytime he saw us. On the first incident my dog stiffened and then relaxed slightly. I thought to myself..."Well, he don't like that Guy". But as I thought this was likely a one off, I never said anything. Second encounter with this person...dog again stiffens and remains stiffened. I say to the Guy, "Look I don't think my dog likes you very much. I don't mind talking to you, but can you leave the dog alone". Guy didn't listen. Third Encounter. Dog stiffens and growls. I TELL this guy...do NOT touch my dog. He backed off after the growl. And I thought he had got the message as he seemed to realise that perhaps he wasn't my dogs best mate. Final encounter.....MANY MANY months later. Guy starts to walk over...he isn't more than 10m away and my dog is stiffened and growling. I tell him, DO NOT come near my dog. He is really not happy with your presence. Guy slows, but still approaches thinking he can "make friends". I insist he not do so. So he stops and starts to talk from a 'safe' distance. My dog relaxes and stops growling and 'appears' to be no longer watching this guy. Although I know he is still checking on where this guy is at periodically. He seems to be very relaxed (the dog) and no longer a concern, although I'm still aware of what is happening. The guy finishes his chat with me, and starts to walk off past me, but still at a reasonable difference. The lunge came as quite a surprise as the dog gave no warning he was about to lunge. No growling, didn't stiffen...just lunged. I'm glad I had good reflexes and was watching. And the guy got to keep his man bits, which is where the dog was aiming for. Does this mean it was an unprovoked or 'sudden' attack. Does this mean he gave NO warning. Far from it, this dog had given plenty of warning on the day and on the previous encounters. He just didn't give it directly preceding the actual lunge. It should never have got to that point anyway, but what do you do when you have no where to go and a determined idiot. My point...as I eventually get there...we should always be vigilant and make note of our dogs behaviours around any situation we take them into or they encounter. Not be paranoid, but definately be AWARE.

3 examples of active stupidity for the week.... 1. Dog can't/won't walk on a lead. Drops to the floor, spreadeagle and won't budge. Owners say...he never goes anywhere doesn't matter. He gets plenty of exercise outside with the kids, he loves the kids. She trusts him with her kids. And as a result, Owner can't understand why her neighbour goes stupid about leaving her (neighbour) kids outside alone and unsupervised with the dog. Owner...totally puzzled and actually gets a bit heated about her overprotective neighbour. (Personally, if I was the neighbour, I wouldn't be letting my kids go back over there). 2. Old dog, young children. 4 bites so far. Upset owner, what can she do, she is getting pressure from the family to do something. The question is asked, are you prepared to change things around to MANAGE this problem. Owners response, isn't there anything else I can do. I'm stunned that the dog managed to have 4 separate bite incidents and nothing was done before. In fact, the dog has never liked children...ever. And nothing was put into place when the children started to arrive. 3. He's a good dog, great with kids. He only bites when you try to do anything around his head. So where are we failing to educate? It just goes to show how tolerant dogs generally are, I'm amazed we don't hear of more biting incidents in the media.

Just a Question. So why is it that if the new owners chooses to keep the defective pup that no purchase price is refunded? And If a new owner does decide to return the pup, what do breeders do with the puppy? I just always thought that little stipulation was a bit of a cop out. Although I do understand if my toaster is broken I have to return the broken one to the store to get a refund or replacement toaster. But then, I don't get that emotionally attached to my toaster either. And I'm not gonna feel sad, bad and guilty if the toaster ended up in toaster heaven. On the other hand, whenever i have purchased a pedigree dog, I took whatever came on the chin. Fortunately I didn't get any physical problems in my dogs, cosmetic issues on a show/breeding prospect though....strangely the breeders couldn't help me there...(weren't interested, which annoyed me because they kept assuring me that it wasn't a problem and would change as he got older). I still kept him and loved him and just got another dog instead.

Man I loved the Wombles as a kid. Back before being so green was so trendy.

What else but, "Dory Dory Hallilujah". ALL of my dogs have had theme songs. And sometimes she gets various bits of quotes from Finding Nemo. "Let's Keep on swimming, swimming, swimming". Daughter just gave Oscar Kitty his theme song last night. From the movie "Shark Tales", never seen it so I had to ask her what the reference was.

After seeing so many claims knocked back or challenged and then watched people get meagre refunds. I think I would opt for a credit card (pet emergency only) rather than fork out for insurance. But then I couldn't be fagged jumping through the Insurance companies hoops (basically I'm lazy or impatient...and I hate paperwork). I've become very disappointed in the Insurance companies after watching the hassles of others.

Less stubborn, and rather more persistant. Dory sometimes does not take No for an answer. Only time I saw her be stubborn about something was the Halti...she stood there with her tail down, her head hanging and refused to budge an inch. Even though the lead was totally loose. She seemed quite unhappy that she could no longer rule the roost and determine where SHE wanted to walk. Hadn't ever had a Halti on her before, only used it a couple of times and then gave it away. She would always just stand there, very resolute that she was not going anywhere with it on. It was really quite a sulky expression (yes, totally anthropomorphic and I make no apologies

I had a dog frightened of the Clicker. Even with a soft Clicker it was no deal. He did love squeaky toys though.

What about using the camera on your phone and a quick call to the Dog Ranger? Or even a threat to that effect?

Has anyone noticed that the bed in the bottom right hand corner of the piccie says, "SCARY"?

I wouldn't discount the changes of the foster leaving as a cause. Did he seem to form a bond with the foster. Each dog that comes and goes will create a ripple effect with the existing dogs and their interactions. Just a thought.

When was the superlorin implant implanted? How do you know it is submissive peeing? What other body postures accompany this action? Are there any other events either in your life, in your backyard or in your neighbours backyard that coincides with the change? And I would still be checking for any infection or inflammation to rule out a phyiscal cause of the behaviour.

I got Dory via PetRescue, but she was also a bit of a feature on DOL in the Rescue Discussion before I got her (which I found out later). I had my list of what I wanted in a dog, one of which was a dog that wasn't too big, and wasn't too small and was a bit of a Scruff Mutt. I didn't mind her having any 'issues' as far as things the average person would find a challenge. And then I saw Dory's piccie, couldn't believe she was still available. Even better was when I went to meet her I just knew she was gonna be my new dog. I think those on DOL that are working in Rescue are a great place to start. Having recently had some contact with SA Dog Rescue, I was really impressed with the way things were co-ordinated, especially when the placement didn't work out. They were very quick to come in and collect him back again. I don't think I could have found what I was looking for quite so precisely as I did, if I had just gone down to the pound or the AWL or the RSPCA and looked for myself. I was in a house share situation and I needed to be quite precise on what I wanted. Getting a dog that is in a Foster home is the best way to do it. Dory was everything I was told she was, there was no illusions, and I knew who she was and what I was getting. And what I had to work with, which heavily influenced my choice. Plus there was no pressure or guilt if she wasn't what I was looking for.

Thanks for all the Well Wishes for Dory! She is slowly improving. She's on Antibiotics and Linctol (which she HATES, and runs whenever she sees the syringe). Her coughing has lessened, except when she gets cold or in the cold air. So last night I lifted the Water Bed Ban and she slept with me. Dory ;) the warm, comfy water bed...it is snuggy and confroms to her body. I didn't hear her cough or snuffle all night. I did find myself all squished up against the hard side at around 2am, so I shoved her over and we started the process all over again. She just wanted cuddles. It has really been stressful listening to her the last few days. And she finally ate something tonight, so she must be feeling better.

First dog I ever bought for myself came from a registered, but not ethical breeder. Although they did do the basic breed tests, their dogs were kept in pretty awful conditions. I got him because no one else would sell me a dog of his breed because I had never owned one before, despite having owned and titled a GSD from a very young age. And depsite the fact that I told them I wanted an obedience dog/show dog. I was after more of an obedience dog than show dog. He sucked at both due to a less than sterling temperament, but he got my foot in the door. I was always very disappointed that depsite saying I could provide references, and that I had been a long standing instructor at our obedience club that they STILL wouldn't sell me a dog because I had never owned one before. I stayed with that breed for over 10 years, and got a few dogs from various breeders with various levels of ethics...they cared for their dogs better though. Now I have Dory who is a Rescue Dog, and I'm very very happy. I still have dreams of another pedigree dog at some point, haven't decided what or from where yet.

I've got two Lagoottos that live near me, one of them next door. We have a couple of Novia Scotias as clients...they love it when you get the breed right. Saw a German Pinscher on a road trip to Vic...they were stunned when I knew what their dog was. Just saw a Welsh Terrier this morning, I forgot how cool they are. Annnnd.....a PUREBRED Shih Tzu....rare as hens teeth...(well, sort of) Oh...Forgot about the Skye Terrier.

She's gotta take some cough medicine which she hates...she went and ran and hide behind my daughter when she saw me with the syringe. And she is on antibiotics too. Had to listen to her cough get progressively worse at work today. Cough Meds have helped heaps. I really hope none of your dogs have got it or get it. She's all tucked up into bed now. After wrestling with Oscar the Shark Slayer (kitty).

Hey Guys.... So at 12.30am lastnight, Dory starts coughing and retching. At first I thought it was the Pate the BF gave her....or maybe the Cheese. He loves to spoil her. And that she was trying to chuck. But...it would seem she has KC, at this stage. Boss gave her a prelim check and none of her glands are up, she hasn't had any bones. But she has been getting progressivley worse as the day unfolds. Would you tell others that your dog has socialised with that yours have KC? It surprised the heck out of me...in all my years...this is only the second time I've had to deal with KC, and that involves lots of shows and trials not to mention dog training. She has only been exposed to other dogs at PPS and at a DOL meet. I'm not blaming anyone...who can know? The damn thing is infective when they aren't even showing signs they are sick. Fortunately she hasn't been around other dogs since PPS, so hopefully she hasn't spread it around. Meanwhile...I'm worried for her. It's horrible hearing her coughing and retching.

That would make more sense! LOL. Working on the otherside of the desk...it bugs the ever lovin's out of me that people let their dogs go all feral with no respect for my eardrums or the personal space of other animals. Fortunately that is a rare event, we are a small clinic and we try not to double book appointments, and our regular appointment interval is quite generous. So it rarely happens. Still can't understand the cat thing...why would you even drive around with an unrestrained cat in the car?

Not blaming anyone. Just thought I'd better let people know that she has come down with it, because she hasn't really been out and about that much with other dogs. I'm inclined to believe it was PPS rather than the meet, although it was the last class and none of them had been ill prevously. But then I know a couple of them have been out and about. Who knows, really. I just hope everyone elses dogs are okay. I'm sitting here at work listening to her get worse and worse.

Megan...This is true. I never thought of it from that perspective. My very first dog I trained when I was 11yrs old was a DA GSD...no one ever suggested a muzzle. I just used to keeping my eyes peeled, a habit that hasn't left me whenever I'm around a group of dogs. And I always took it as my responsiblity to keep my DA dogs under control at all times. Ahh how the world has changed. Skitch...I would still take my DA dog to a park. So long as I could see all around me, who was coming and going. And I would always be sure to leave long in advance of anyone else coming in. (Thankfully I don't have a DA dog at the moment). And I wouldn't consider someone else's property necessarily a safe haven to relax and let such a dog run free either. Only because I've seen situations where the next door neighbours 'farm dog' has popped over for a visit. Safest just to keep the eyes peeled and be high alert at all times. But that is me. My belief is that only I can manage and control what me and my dog do...the rest is just disaster management. I think sometimes if we get to uptight and don't stay calm, yet alert we actually excacerbate a situation..or even create the very thing we were hoping to prevent. My very first DA dog would never have been able to make some friends if I had shared the absolute attitudes that some people here seem to foster. I always gave him a chance...but he gave CLEAR signals as to where he was at, and took him away before anything could go wrong. But that WAS a very different world to the one we have today.

Oops...I often approach peoples animals in the waiting room...and as I check the appointment schedule, you can usually tell if it might have something contagious or not. I would like the animals that come here to have as postive experience as possible...and the clients to know that we care about their pets enjoying their visit too. I don't force myself on anyone, I ask if it is okay...and sometimes all I do is approach and then crouch down in as non-threatening way as possible, so I can chat to the client and their dog not feel threatened by some strange 'half person' behind a counter. Sadly we do have an amazing number of clients that don't put their cats in cages...I cannot figure that one out...and get snippy if you suggest that they might lend a cage for the duration of the visit.