megan_

Go back to basics - teach him where to toilet again, restrict access to areas not easy to cleean, watch him etc etc

I did a search and came up with about 300 posts. I'd rather give my cousin one set of information - these threads have gotten mighty bitchy sometimes!

My cousin is getting a schnauzer puppy in 2 weeks and wants to get a great crate training book, DVD or website ref. She is looking for something that balances time inside and outside the crate (so non of those ones that suggest the pup only gets let out of an hour or two a day). The pup will be used to the crate as the breeder uses it too, so hopefully there won't be too many dramas. Thanks, Megan

personally I wouldn't tell him. Also, think about the wording "a dog to show" implies that is the primary reason for getting it (to a no-showing person). Why not just say that you're looking for a dog and am waiting for the right one? ETA: The Hitler comments really annoys me though, because it is trivialising what a genocidal maniac did. The next time they say that I would reply something along the lines of "are you really comparing me to a man who murdered hundreds of thousands of people because of their race, religion and sexual preferences?

The problem with "I Bite" and "My dog will attack yours" is that it reinforces negative stereotypes about dogs (if your dog isn't DA) and people think that responsible owners who obey the laws have 'out of control" dogs while idiots who let their dog's roam have "he's just being friendly" dogs. I love the "he has kennel cough" line: a lot of owners don't seem to care if their dog gets attacked, but they would care about large vet bills and a coughing dog all night. And there are no negative stereotypes about the dog's temperament.

send her to wheredopuppiescomefrom.com (it is Australian, even though it is .com) and leostory.org (again, Australian). She can also read my girl's story: http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...c=161092&hl Let her know that is she buys from a puppy farmer she will be DIRECTLY contributing to a life of misery for the "mum".

Definitely chi in there. Knowing these BITSA results, there is most probably Amastaff and Great Dane too. BTW - where did you get his dinner jacket - adorable.

one big problem with this whole story and photos: where is Mr Bec in all of this?

Huski I thought you weren't allowed to use food in a trial? Or is she getting the food after she performs all of the exercises?

I've think we've all learnt our lesson to stay away from that topic! That and "why does the GSD have such a slopey back?"

Even if you have a highly trained dog they may start to push the boundaries and things that you take for granted (eg always doing what you want without much prodding) might not come so easily. It isn't only poorly trained pups that go through the teen years (although you will be able to get on top of it sooner). Some training might just go off. My boy had an excellent recall and we did a bit of recall training on each walk. Then one day close to the six month mark he gave me the finger and off he ran. Back to the long line and some more training and re-inforcement he was back to his good self, but it did give me a fright. That said, this was the only real "teen" incident. ETA: I believe with larger breeds it happens a bit later - 8 -12 months?

But the point is that it is more than that - while you're training your dog there are going to be mistakes. Commitment also means understanding that they will fail sometimes and you have to be there to pick up the pieces. Also at 16 weeks you may be in for some regression downt eh track. My boy was house-trained at 12 weeks and then a month later started peeing inside again.

My thoughts exactly. I think a lot of people surrendering dogs these days say "I don't have the time for him that he deserves - I'm doing it for him". They don't say "little sh*t peed on my carpet and destroyed the garden so I just want him gone".

Some changes surprised me - the schnauzer in particular. Not being a "trendy" breed, I thought it would have stayed much the same? Interesting comment about its temperament a nervous dog!

How about someone (very nicely) points out the pros and cons of having a westie. I have terriers (MS) and they are a handful. If she can't handle a few days of pee insuide and destruction, she ain't gunno like a terrier.

How about someone (very nicely) points out the pros and cons of having a westie. I have terriers (MS) and they are a handful. If she can't handle a few days of pee insuide and destruction, she ain't gunno like a terrier.

Point six is weird, if punishment has to happen every time, then clearly the punishment hasn't worked. I would be looking for a better training system, dogs never chose to be in trouble. I don't think so - if the behaviour occurs twice you punish twice - a dog might not learn after only one correction?I think the point that they're trying to make is consistency - don't let a dog get away with bad behaviour sometimes and then wonder why they do it.

When my boy was a pup he got an upset tummy and I got hte "pink medicine" - cleared him up in 24 hours. I was actually given it by the "breeder" as they said that with settling in etc this was common. What are you feeding her now? It needs to be very bland (boiled chicken breast with rice is good). Make sure she's still drinking water and active - as soon as she stops drinking or is listless straight back to the vets.

The change in food might be too much for her. If she were mine I'd cut out the raw for the time being and see if she improves. Some dogs do well on raw, some don't - the best food for your dog is the one she does well on.

The other thing to think about is ventilation - then if it is something in the air/vapours he has less chance of reacting if your house is well ventilated and has good air quality. Most furniture and carpets give off small amounts of phemaldahide (sp) but if your house is well ventilated you are okay. I had a Building Biologist measure the air quality of my house (I moved and started to get migraines) and, while my air quality was excellent, he did say that most people closed windows in winter/on very hot days and their air quality was absolute cr*p. Some pointers: * Keep at least two windows a bit open on opposite sides of the house (to get cross ventilation) * Is there any mould at all? Often you can't see it but if there is moisture in the air or you don't dry the bathroom after every use you can get it pretty easily. Mould can cause terrible reactions. Clean witha few drops of "Oil of Clove" mixed with equal parts vinegar and water. The typical place to find it is in the laundry, especially if you have a drier that isn't flued to the outside. Buy some of those hippo moisture absorber things and make sure the laundry is well ventilated. I wouldn't leave him in the bathroom either. * Make sure to use the exhaust fan when cooking. * Make sure no one is sleeping under the man hole.

the (one) great thing about canned food is that it's about 80% water so helps keep them hydrated too!

When my boy had gastro (which I know is different to your boy) the vet put him on a prescription Eukaneuba diet that was easy to digest. It worked wonders for his digestion and then I slowly moved him back to a more normal diet. Maybe he needs something like this in the interim (not as a cure but as a way of helping him with pain after eating?).

confession: I ams scared of big dogs - especially ones that are distressed. *runs off from DOL forever!*. There is no gate access - I'd have to break into their house to get to their garden or climb an 8 ft fence. If you knew me you'd know that was impossible. the storm seems to have died down a bit and I can't hear any more noise.

Maybe block him off from plants too? My two suddenly decided to each leaves off a plat that I'd had for a year (and they'd never touched it before). ETA: I'm pretty sure eucalyptus oil is poisonous of ingested, as are most essential oils. A long shot I know....

I would eliminate everything that it could possibly be - regardless of date purchased. Allergic or intolerant reactions can occur very suddenly out-of-the-blue. Both my Mum and Granny could eat shellfish until the age of about 25 - then they both almost died from eating a prawn. My Gran can't even eat something that has been prepared with a knife that has touched shellfish (ie it has gotten worse with age). I'd ditch all the cleaning chemicals bar dishwashing liquid and make friends with vinegar and bicarb.