MissLotus

Morning all :p We had her anal sac squeezed out at the same time, just to make sure everything was nice and clean. She is a CKC of 6 months of age, but she is tinier than most at this age. For the last month, I have given her half a cup of Optimum dry puppy food in the morning (easier to scatter that in the garden and entertain herself while I am at work) then for dinner we are feeding her roughly 100-150g of mince beef, sometimes pork or lamb, but majority of the time it is beef. I haven't given her any bones as yet, as she still looks tiny to be eating any bones withing choking on it. However the other day I was at the meat store and they are now selling the tips of the chicken wings, which looks like she can eat. So will start introducing those types of bones when I purchase them next. But when she is eating bones, it will mainly be chicken necks and carcasses. As for treats - we use variety treats that you can purchase at your local supermarket and also we have purchase some treats at happypawstreats which she loves.

No - they definitely said All-bran. When I asked them what All-bran was (not realizing they meant the cereal), they said the breakfast cereal. I was a bit taken back by their suggestion and asked them so it is OK to give them the cereal. I guess it has done the job, but not really a fan of giving Annie fibre if it's going to give her pain while going to the toilet. Is there a difference in giving your dog raw, steam, boil, mashed veggies?

Thanks Persephone. Is PSYLLIUM husks a different source of fibre? Is there any other vegetables that can be used for fibre other than pumpkin? I guess she was in pain this morning. Hopefully she will not have the same issue tonight/tomorrow. She generally does have smaller/sloppier poo... not as solid as it should be. We try to give her a variety of food. She is on puppy food in the morning and raw mince for dinner. Once in awhile I will give her raw egg for the protein and some heart.

Hi, I think you are all right about the weather. Because it hasn't been raining the last few days, when I've come home there hasn't been any accidents in her area So hopefully the weather keeps up until she fully understands the concept. She is now 6 months old. So I guess it didn't help getting her during the winter. Dogmad - the back door is left open just enough for her to go in and out as she is a bit too small to use the doggy door (we will start teaching her to use the doggy door after her stitches have healed from getting desexed). Thanks for the feed back.

Hi, I am curious if anyone feeds there dogs All Bran? I took Annie (she is 6 months) to get desexed on Friday and they notice that her poo was smaller than what it should be. I would say her poo was the width of an average finger size.. so not big at all. They advise to give her a dessert spoon of all brand because she needed some fibre in her diet to make it slightly larger. So for the next three nights I've given her some all bran, which I think may have made her poo a bit runny, however this morning... she went out for her morning toilet and she squealed while trying to do her thing. She looked like she was in pain trying to squeeze it out. But my god there was a difference in sizes, when I checked again, I thought it was her brothers poo. I think I will now cut back on the fiber and only give a dessert twice a week. This is going to sound like a very stupid question, but is it possible that the poo may be too big to squeeze out? I don't understand why she squealed...

Are there any weeds in the backyard that they have access to? I've posted some pictures of what the wandering jew weed(s) look like under General Discussion. My dog is suffering from an allergy reaction to this weed. What I have done before I could went off to the vet was coned him, which stops him from licking his area and infecting it with bacteria etc.

Evening all, I would like to know if I am doing the right thing... When I am at work for roughly 9 hours a day, she is in her play pen area with access to outside for her toilet break. What I have notice is that each time I come home there will be dried pee puddle in her area. What I have done is, reduced her area so she is force to go outside. Right now, I'm at the last stage, where it will literally just be her bedding inside and then any play area she wants, she will have to go outside. Is this the correct method of getting to go and pee outside? It's only been within the month that i've noticed pee inside. She has had her on and off moments. When I am at home, she runs outside to go to the toilet, so I am not sure why she feels the need to pee in her area when I'm not home. She is crate trained, so in the middle of the night I will stand by her play pen area and she will make her way outside to pee. I am cleaning her inside pee with some doggy odor remover. So now I am thinking, is it because it is cold and wet outside that she is too lazy to go outside? I didn't have any issues training her brother to pee outside. Any other method would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all the advices. I have heard about anal emptying.. umm.. does anyone care to give me a brief description of that before I asked the vet? No smell around her ears, just the bottom half of her body. I've just had a sniff on her upper body and she still smells like the shampoo that I'd used on Wednesday. At first, I thought she was peeing in her area and rolling in it. It's hard to see on laminated floors because it may dry up and hardly noticeable at night. So what I have done is put a plastic flooring in her area so that the wee won't dry up and I can tell if she is peeing or not. I'd just vinegar the area.. I think the strong stale pee/fishy smell is coming from her. She hasn't weed her bed for the last 2 weeks, not even a droplet, but her towel does have a feint pee smell, which I'm guessing is the left over pee when I take her out at night. Other than that, she is perfectly normal. Another thought I had, I'd figured that because it is wet outside it may be the pee smell around her legs, so I've given that and her private parts a warm wash just then to see how that goes. What I have done in her outside area was lay some pet hay around the grass for her to wee and poo. This makes it a lot easier to pick up her poo (doesn't get mushy in the ground). Maybe this is what is also causing the smell, because this has been recent and the very STRONG smell has been this week and it's been wet outside. Plus when I go to remove the straw, the same or similar odor is there, now that I think about it. So I take it that CKC don't have a very strong smell then? I don't want guest to come over and they are cringing over the smell,or there to be anything wrong with her that I am overlooking. Our second door, is also an indoor dog and he doesn't have any smell.. maybe a tinge of doggy odor due to the wet weather.

Hi, I am just wondering if a Cavalier generally has a doggy odor to them? We have a 5 month old CKC's and we are in the process of toilet training her during the day we are at work (by reducing her indoor area so she is force to go to the toilet outside). For the last week or two, I'd notice when I come home she would have a strong odor.. kind of smells like stale pee. I check her pen area, but I cannot see any wet spots. So I'm just wondering if she is rolling in her pee outside or they normally have a smell? As bad as this sounds , when I flip her over for a belly rub, I normally just have a quick sniff down her private area and that does have a strong smell. And if it's just her rolling in her pee, is it bad to wash her twice a week?

Morning Erny, This is where my problem is, if she cannot smell food in my lure hand or see the food in the other hand, she will drop once (if I am lucky) or not at all, until she see's the food. I know all the above methods that everyone has mentioned works because her brother can drop just by the command. She on the other hand is motivated by food for this particular command. She can sit, stay, off, come just by the command and all have been taught by luring her with the food. So I am not sure why she is having issues dropping. I am just wondering how long do I keep trying before I give up! I know every dog have different learning abilities, but this is driving me nutters. I am doing what Jesskah has mentioned, drop twice and treat on the second (I am also trying to treat her in the drop position). I am also waiting for her to drop in her own time to say the command - this is slightly hard to do. She doesn't seem to want to offer the position to get the treat. In my experience with her brother, after he dropped on his own accord and i treated and praise, it would take him roughly 2 minutes to offer different position before he realised it was a drop that got him the treat.

Hi Katemacca, I am new to being a responsible dog owner so I hope my experience with our second dog sheds some light, being that I am still learning. We have a male 1.8 y old Maltese X, Mumble (yes it was named after the character in Happy Feet). Gorgeous dogs who loves being around people. A vocal dog towards other dogs, but in a playful manner. At times, he can show some aggression to high value food eg big bones and some possessiveness . We always had in mind that we would prefer to get a second dog, just so they can keep each other company during the day when we are at work etc, however the instructor at Puppy School advise it would be best to get one when when he was 2 years old - getting out of the puppy stage. So once Mumble was 1.5 yrs old, we took the plunge and decided to get a second puppy. A friend advised to get a female pup so there would less likely be any dominate issues between the dog and putting into factor our lifestyle and how we are still learning about dogs behavior. I think it was the best advice given. Any how, to cut the story short, we brought home Annie (CKC) at 8 weeks and boy oh boy I was not prepared for the outcome. I knew being how Mumble is, wasn't going to be easy. The first 2 weeks, he was growling at her, foaming in the mouth (due to stress) wanting nothing to do with her. So there was ALOT of one on one time with both dogs. Reassuring that Mumble was still loved etc. I was a bit worried that they would never get along. After the second week, after a bit of sniffing etc, it was a relief and a proud moment to see them playing with each other. ;) Both in the bow position etc. People had advise that if they snap and growl, it's all apart of teaching them about manners - so when I hear Mumble growl or snap, I'm not too concern that he will bite her. 2 months later to this date, they are getting along better, but they are not snuggling up to each other while they are asleep or awake, but baby steps. There is still a few growls (get out of my face growl), but not as much. Personally for me, I found it struggle having two puppies, just the fact that I had to start the whole training process again and not enough hours in the day. I'm sure I would have been fine if I wasn't working or Mumble didn't react how he did, but when you come home at 6.30pm, cook dinner, clean and clean up her pee, train both dogs etc, it's very exhausting. Not to mention that I had to section the house off, so Mumble was no longer to roam free around the house. I think for awhile I was suffering post puppy natal depression! But looking at them now, I wouldn't have changed a thing About the puppy learning something from the older one, yes.. she's learned how to BARK at birds. hehe Other than that, they are still separated during the days, so she hasn't picked up his habit of peeing outside (80% there). We are still in working progress of combining their play area. But with the theory of the older dog teaching the younger one something, that is why we are taking Mumble to socialization classes again, so she doesn't pick up any of his bad habits. About parvo - I didn't take Mumble for a walk until she was fully vaccinated. His exercise would be running in the backyard where I know it was safe and clean. Sorry, I didn't mean to babble on. Just when i saw this thread I was hoping to read people's experiences with introducing a new pup, both positive and negatives.

Ok, I will give this ago and hopefully she will follow my hand movement (without my fingertips being smothered by food). I was starting to teach her in out kitchen on the cold tiles, however I am now taking her out to the rug to practice the drops where it is nice and warm. Then when she jumps onto our couch (where she loves to sleep), I just wait for her to get into the drop position then say the word drop then pat or a treat. Fingers cross that I will succeed.

Thanks for all your advice. BaielyWei - that makes me feel so much better that she is now 6.5 and just mastered it. Mine's just turn 5 months old. Jesskah - thank you for making me aware of my body movements. I have made a conscious effort of when I say "drop" to be in different position, but I use my hand so she can follow it down. She will follow my hand once or twice without the food, then she catches on that there is no food so she will not drop. I am trying to watch her and catch her in the act so I can say Drop and praise her. Is there anything wrong if she is already in her drop position and I come over and just say "drop" and praise her? Will I be confusing her in anyway? I am trying to eliminate treating her with food, so she knows drop isn't going to get her food.

Evening all, Is it wrong of me to use all sorts of different methods to teach her the "drop" command? - lure her down with the food - watch her until she goes into the drop position - when she is lying down, say "drop" and treat her It's getting a bit frustrating and I feel as if i am failing as an Owner. I've used the same technique with her brother in the past and there wasn't any issues. It got to the point where I placed her dinner in front of her waiting for her to offer that position, 15 min later, I had to use kibbles to lure her down in a drop position . I don't think she has any other issues with picking up other commands.

Hi Piper, thanks for your advice. I have tried watching her for about 30 minutes but all she does is sit and stare at me, as if she knows that I am going to ask her to do something. I think I will have to be patient and just keep watching her until she gives me the action before I say the command, but maybe on the rug instead of the tiles. Ideally I would like to use the command "drop", just because her brother knows this command too. Would it be bad if I still try the word "drop" for a week or two, but introduce the clicker as you have mentioned? Wait for the action, click, command then treat? I sometimes have the food near by, instead of having it in my hands, while getting her to drop. If she doesn't drop by the cue of my hand, I sometimes just rub the food on my finger tips so she can go into a drop, but I think you may be right, I think the treat may be there to lure her one second too long. Unfortunately when training is involved, she doesn't like toys to be her reward, she rather the food or cuddles. So at times, when I can use my hand cue to get her to drop, I would give her a pat instead of food. I am trying my very best to minimize the food treats.

Hi, I know there is another thread about the drop position a few topics below, however mine is reverse. I've been training my lil girl the drop position from a sit position by using food and luring her down into the drop position. I have used the hand signal as the drop and once she is in the position I would treat her with my other hand. The problem I am having is that if she can't smell food in my hand that i use to signal, she will not drop. If i just use the command "drop" she looks at me. She only does it when there is food. How can I take the food away from the equation and get her to drop with just the command? I don't think I am doing anything wrong as the puppy school teacher is saying everything I am doing is correct... just keep treating her in the other hand... but it's been about 2 months now and still no progress. Could it be that I am training her on cold tiles at home? I never had this much problem with her brother. Someone suggested when she is just lying there on the ground, to say the command and treat her. I want her to get the "drop" before i teach her to "roll" Any advice would be great.

Shellectra - what was your toilet training methods? I am very curious myself. My Maltese was crate and house train within the first few months of getting him. Our Cavy on the other hand, is a bit of a slow learner. Just when I think she's got it, she relapses. No pee in the house when we are home, but as soon as I get home, there is a puddle at the door (maybe from excitement), but then there is the issue with the crate at night (which I have a thread for). For me, it's like having a baby. Waking up each 2 hours to take her to the toilet just to make sure she doesn't get into the habit of peeing in her crate. You are very lucky

Is there any in Melbourne in the south eastern suburbs? Would love to take my two dogs (1.5yrs & 4 months) to one, mainly just to socialize and get a bit of exercise.

...and it is how pups learn their manners Oh that is good news then Sorry, I've never had two dogs at the same time, so I am not sure what is normal behavior for the two. No, Mumble hasn't bitten Annie since we've gotten her, just a few snaps towards her, but no physical biting that I can see. She has a habit of being playful and in his face first thing in the morning which he does not like. I've notice that he barks at birds and not towards her. But at the time the neighbor complained, she was doing renovations to her house. I think problem solved. Put them two together and assemble my mesh lid to the pen and hope for the best Thanks.

I'm 90% sure they will be OK during the day together without food, but then there is another problem with the neighbor. She's complained that Mumble has been barking constantly (this isn't the case as I have spoken to other neighbors) but someone suggested to scatter food in the yard. Even if they are together and i scatter normal food, he will not growl at her. Annie is 4.5 months old.

I couldn't resist... picture of her.

Picture from inside the rumpus room. one dog on each side. The one on the right is Annie's side and the one on the left is Mumble's side. Hope that clears some confusion to them going in and out.

This is how both dogs have access inside and out. Door is left open.

Outside area, you can see that it's divided in two.

Her play area is in an awkward shape, more of a triangle shape. Don't worry guys, those cardboard boxes will be gone as I am getting mesh and hanging them from the ceiling down. Just got to find the right clips to secure them on the pen.