kirsty79

I know nothing about these - what are peoples experiences / opinions? PetSafe Outdoor Bark Deterrent PBC00-11216 The unit can be hung up, attached to trees, posts and so on or placed freestanding at a maximum recommended height of up to 1.5 metres. If the unit has to be mounted above 1.5 metres, it should be angled down toward the dog's location so that the speaker faces toward the dog, without intervening physical barriers such as fences (open mesh excepted) between it and the dog. This unit can be used to reduce barking from your own dogs outdoors or to help control neighbouring dogs. It looks like a bird house so if it is used for neighbours' dogs, they will not necessarily be aware that it is helping to control the barking. An internal microphone picks up barking from up to 15 metres away and activates the ultrasonic signal. The unpleasant (but inaudible to humans) sound stops when the dog stops barking. The dog associates the unpleasant noise with its barking and reduces its barking to avoid the sound.

Wow, lots and lots of good and valid points. Thank you Further update – I got home yesterday to find a flyer in my mail box. It was about Ruby, the dog which was poisoned and sadly passed away two weeks ago. RIP Little boofer It stated (bearing in mind I have only just moved there and don’t know the full background) that Ruby’s barking had been brought to the attention of her owner, who is a struggling single mum and had to save for an anti-barking collar ($140 from the council to hire?) That complaints from the neighbours were not being ignored, the issue was trying to be resolved. Whereas, my next-door neighbour who I just met stated it had been mentioned several times and ignored regardless. Definite lack of communication either way. What really scared me was this lady has an 18 month old daughter. This piece of meat with whatever it had in, it could have been picked up by the child! It bad enough an innocent animal has suffered. Surely the sick individual who did this did not wish to be up on a possible murder charge? What on earth possess someone to do this? I just cannot fathom. Regarding my situ: I am in a rental property where dogs are not allowed inside. My partner and I both work Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm – commuting distance of an hour and a quarter each way. So, inside the house is not an option and we cannot come home during the day. However, we do have a large double garage, but the house has no insulation – would it not be desperately hot when hitting 35c here in Brissy? We could organise a covered dog run for the garden – I am leaning towards this because I don’t believe the council if contacted will think our dogs are “excessively” barking. Whenever we get back from being out, 9 times out of 10 the dogs are asleep in the sun! They don’t bark at all in the evening and night when we are at home. And it’s the occasional woof during the day, not like a solid hour of barking. I can appreciate its annoying – the house we just moved from, their poor dog was left alone all day everyday, never walked or any interaction. When left alone if would bark solidly for up to 5 hours. My two are not even in a comparison. So, I suppose my thinking is, not so much that there is a problem to solve but more protecting them from some sicko who is roaming our neighbourhood.

The muzzle I’d seen wasn’t a zapper one – I would never be able to use one on Fred or Jess! I’m too soft. It was just a normal one but allowed enough movement for food, drink etc. I really don’t want to use one to be honest. The enclosed run with a roof might be the only solution. Would be expensive I guess? At least I wouldn’t be worrying all day. I’d hoped people would cut us some slack. The dogs are inside and quiet all evening and all night so they are never making any noise when people are sleeping. Trouble is, Jessie is 12 and getting deaf – she doesn’t realise hold loud she is bless her!

Hey everyone, Advice needed pls! Me, OH and two furkids have just moved into what we thought was a better area. We met one of our neighbours for the first time yesterday – lovely lady, really nice. Chatting for a while and I explained that Fred and Jessie were a little unsettled at the moment what with the move and if they were barking during the day whilst we were at work for her to tell us. She said, actually they had been – a lot. She then explained that a couple of doors down, a less than pleasant set of neighbours had dogs that barked consistently, all the time, day and night so the other neighbours dropped them a note asking if they would kindly do something. Reasonable but the owners did nothing. The neighbours then contacted the real estate, who stated it wasn’t their problem they’d have to contact the council. So after several times of asking the owners to do something and being ignored or receiving a rude response, they went to the council. Again this was ignored. Our new neighbour then explained that 2 weeks ago, this persons dogs had been poisoned!!!! I’m absolutely appalled at this and I’m now petrified for the safety of my two. They are not consistent barkers but do bark occasionally during the day. Normally happens if there are cats, kids or birds nearby. They cannot stay inside during the day, and the garden no matter where you are is easily accessed by someone throwing something over the fence. So please, suggestions as to what I can do about their barking? I’ve seen these like “muzzles” which allow them to eat, drink and pant but not bark. I hate the idea of using these during the day, but maybe as a last resort? Does anyone have any experience? Will training teach them not to bark? I really haven’t a clue what to do!

I thought you guys were joking firstly about seeing if they will eat it! But, adding to their other questionable habits I suppose its pretty normal for them! Liking the idea of saving on cleaning up Fred definitely isn't ill as in something serious. He felt sorry for himself for about 5 minutes and then was off out in the garden with one of my socks! He had got too excited before food and thats why he brought it up. Does anyone have any opinions on the scrambled egg? I wasn't sure if egg is good or bad for them - but he loves my scrambled egg and it seems to settle his stomach.

Hey everyone, Fred the basset decided to decorate our living room carpet with his entire breakfast today I think he got a little too excited around food time - he seems fine bar that. Question is - when your boofer has been sick like this, do you feed them their evening meal as normal? Do you starve for 24 hours? Do you reintroduce food gently using bland foods such as baked chicken and rice? My vet back in the UK used to suggest missing the next meal or perhaps feeding them some scrambled egg. Any first hand advice would be greatly appreciated

That despite their short stumpy legs, top heavy body and big ears - Bassets are as quick as lightening on their feet.

OH doesn't get a choice - and if there isn't enough room, he can move to the sofa not the boofers :D Fred sleeps on our bed. Jessie doesn't - she is 12 and cannot get up and down on it. But she sleeps at the foot of our bed Problems: You will wake up in the middle of the night freezing because said basset hound has nicked the doona and at 30kg he is too heavy for me to shift him. Fred snores - louder than the OH in fact. Fred's favourite position - spooning my OH so I sleep on the lonely side of the bed! Be prepared to wake up to a lick on the nose, heavy breathing in your face (Urgh - doggy breath!) or worst of all, when Fred turns himself around during the night and I wake up to a basset backside inches from my face I wouldn't have it any other way - there is something very peaceful about watching your furkid snoozing, happy and safe next to you

Don't know about the OP. But we were happy to leave our shelties there. It'd be the only place where I'd leave our tibbies. And no payment of a million dollars changed hands. (If we're talking about the same place, that is.) Back O/T. I also agree that an owner is the best judge of their own dogs' behaviours. This is weird. I wasn't sure at first if the O/P was joking about Samford? The reason I ask is because if you look back at my thread, I stated the furkids had been extremely happy at a previous kennels (not naming it) but time and money had become a factor this time when booking kennels - well, that place was Samford! They seemed to really enjoy their stay there, came trotting out, happy, looking and smelling great, tails wagging as if to say "do we have to go home mum?". Fred almost walked straight past me he was that chilled! Mystiqview - have you had a bad experience or bad feedback for them?

Wow I didn’t mean to provoke such responses! Just for the record – I’m not saying all Kennels are bad!! I just wanted to share my thoughts. I can say 100% – they most definitely did not have a bath that morning, the day before, or at any time in their stay. I could tell easily by Fred’s coat and its condition. As for seeing them stressed – again it’s from personal perspective and knowing my dogs so well. There was a huge difference in their manner compared to the last time they stayed at a different kennels. I know dogs stretch after lying down. I’m not talking about stretching. I was just observing their actions. It wasn’t enthusiasm of being let out or joy in seeing us. It felt more like panic. Basically, many might feel these kennels are completely sufficient which is fair enough. My dogs are spoilt rotten – they even sleep in our bed. I want them to stay somewhere where they are spoilt rotten as well whilst we are away. Truthfully – even if the dogs had been washed and seemed happy I still would not touch this place again. If the owner cannot even muster common courtesy and be polite then my business will go elsewhere. I was paying her for a service. I didn’t ask for anything unreasonable. If she is rude to humans how on earth is she treating my dogs I have not followed up about what was used in the way of spray / powder on Fred – the woman is that rude and abrupt, I fear I might lose my temper……..

Ditto to all of this! The only issue I can see here is that they werent washed when it was requested! Even the whole stretching thing, just cause the dog was having good stretch really means little I know alot of the dogs at work do this when being picked up but mostly because they have been laying down asleep when I have gone into get them. ETA, The kennels are at their nosiest when a dog is coming in or leaving, they wouldnt be allowed to be noise at night or they would be promptly shut down I would think! I made the comments by comparing how the furkids were when last left at a different kennels. They came trotting out, tails wagging, kinda looking at us as if to say "oh, have you been somewhere then?" and "do we have to leave?" Looking healthy and happy. Fred and Jessie this time came out looking filthy and stressed. Thats all I was saying

The noise was full on for the 40 minutes we were there - and no dogs or people were going in or out because it was closed, and not feed time. I can absolutely appreciate the whole open/close hours - thats why I rang, apologised for being early and didn't make a fuss - just waiting in the car, not on her doorstep I just would have appreciated some manners and common courtesy.

Your tale just seems to reinforce what I always have feared. I'm sure there are ethical people out there though, as per former postings..but you certainly didn't seem to get lucky....!! Absolutely. Many of the previous responses were from Boarding Kennel dolers and I have no doubt they do fantastic jobs - I was just unlucky but its taught me a valuable lesson!

Well, I got back Saturday, and I can safely say, not only will I never leave my dogs at this kennel EVER again, but also I don't think I want to leave them full stop. OH is trying to convince me we were unfortunate and picked a bad one and that there are some fantastic kennels out there - this I have no doubt, but my heart almost broke when I saw Fred and Jessie and I'm not going through that again. So, we had driven 4 1/2 hours back from holiday and had actually made good time. We arrived at the kennels at 2.10pm, their opening hours are 8am till 11am and 3pm till 5pm (although the gate to the driveway and office was all open) I thought I would give the owner a quick call, apologise for being early but see if there was anyway we could collect Fred and Jessie early because we were back but don’t live that close to the kennels. We got a very short sharp "we're closed". We apologised and tried to explain but got the same response. Ok, that’s fine, so we thought we'd sit and wait in our car - not disturbing anyone, engine off, reading our books. Half and hour later the owner comes stomping out. Are you Fred and Jessie's owners she asked abruptly. We said yes. She said "you never made this arrangement". Confused, I asked, sorry? "You never made this arrangement” she said. I asked what arrangement? “this one” she answered. Completely baffled I explained we had arrived back unexpectedly early and just thought we’d wait. “well, I was busy doing other stuff” she said. Gritting my teeth and just wanting to get my dogs, I asked OH to go pay and I waited for the furkids. A teenage girl went to collect them and took ages. She opened the gate and I have never seen my two move so quick. The first thing that struck me was the smell, It was like they have just been sprayed with some sort of “aftershave” for dogs. I was assured they had been washed, as promised when we made the booking. I take Fred’s lead. He is that keen to escape he pulls me over, twisting my ankle slightly. I give Fred and Jessie cuddles, pull my hands away and they are caked in dirt. The dogs had NOT been bathed and something had been sprayed on them to try and mask that fact. When I dropped the boofers off, I gave the owner and couple of points written down – one was when bathed, Fred can suffer from bad skin so needs to use a sensitive shampoo. Clearly not having done this, and then sprayed god only knows what on him, he starts scratching. By the time we get home (30 mins) his neck is bleeding its so irritated. If I were a betting woman, I’m also 99% sure they were confined to one kennel for the entire 4 days – you could tell by the way they stretched their legs straight away! Also, I think the kennels were so noisy and unsettling that Fred pretty much had not slept for 4 days. We got home, he flaked out on the couch – and even slept through dinner time – something Fred never does! So, all in all, a very bad experience. Have not mentioned any names – don’t know if I am allowed to! So, future holidays – wherever I go, the boofers will go too.

Serious ;) are these kennel located in Sydney? Yes, most definitely... and probably much more common than you think! That is very scary :D - surely they must be contravening some boarding kennel regulation :p - if people know about this, are these kennels being dobbed in or anything done to let unsuspecting dog owners know what is happening. If we all think we are using reputable kennels with great premises but are being deceived as these premises are for "show" only :D , then I sure as hell would like to know about it. ETA - apologies to OP for hijacking your thread over this issue, but I am shocked at this revelation :p We own and operate a kennel on the Central Coast and we make appointment times that suit us and the perspective clients.... We dont allow "drop in" access as the dogs are the very most important thing about our kennels and it can be disruptive. Most people are very happy to make an appointment time so we dont have the fur guests running around during thier inspection and appreciate that we are so strict if they choose to check in. I believe in showing EVERYTHING at an inspection even down to the cooked chicken and veges if the people want to see it......:p) We have bedrooms not cages ........and only take small medium dogs. I think it is appropriate for appointment in this day and age as we have playtime with the guests most of the morning and afternoon.......not something thats easy to manage if you have ppl popping in to look. I prefer to meet and show people around as I am the owner and the responsible person for these guests on my property. I am sure if you look at it from this point it is understandable... And I dont agree with not showing everything ...and we dont have an "out the back" section.hehehhee Thank you everyone for your replies - I have calmed down a bit now! This will only be the 3rd time I've used boarding kennels (all in different areas) and I guess I just thought the worst. I hadn't stopped and contemplated what havoc numerous visitors inspecting the kennels at anytime would cause. And now its right under my nose, I wouldn't want my fur kids staying somewhere it was possibly a free-for-all. Its all been a bit last minute organising the kennels. OH won't have pet sitter (don't get me started) and the only family I have here is a sister with a newborn and two boofers of her own to cope with. So, I felt pressured into booking somewhere asap, especially with Easter, everywhere is booked. I was also worried because I have heard a couple of negative comments about this kennels but yet another person was raving about it. I guess I will just go this Saturday for the appointment and try to use my best judgement ;)

Hey everyone, My partner and I are going away the week after Easter. The kennels locally (North Brissy) were getting booked fast and I ended up booking a boarding kennel before I'd seen it. Now, obviously I'm not going to just take the fur kids there and hope for the best! So, I rang the kennels today and asked if we could come and have a look around. Firstly, the owner / manager said we could only come and view when they were available, not their staff because they like to do inspections themselves - do they not fully trust their staff then? Between us, there were no dates available, so I asked if please could we come whilst they were away and a member of staff could show us around briefly. She said a firm no. She eventually said she could do 11am this Saturday. Surely if a good boarding kennel you should be able to pretty much show up anytime during their opening hours to look around? Unless they are hiding something? Also, call me picky, but she didn't sound overly friendly on the phone! Am I being completly paranoid??

Hi Teekay, I was in exactly in the same situ this time last year. I rescued Jessie (11 yrs old and very set in her ways) last March and we were going away 4 weeks later. If we put her in kennels she'd be going in with my 3 yr old basset (incidentially, they had several spats in their first 2 weeks together and are now the best of buds ) I was thinking all sorts. Is she going to be traumatised from being in enclosed spaces surrounded by many barking dogs? Its so similar to shelters, will she be thinking I'm giving up on her and taking her back Anyway, I took the plunge and she was absolutely fine. I went to collect them and they both pretty much looked at me as if to say "oh, have you been somewhere then?" :D Just give them extra special cuddles and a couple of biscuits that evening after picking them up and they will have forgotten all about it by the next morning!

Thanks everyone for your advice. Our old girl was back on her tins and kibble last night. Tail perked back up, wolfed it down and there's been no vomiting since As for Fred, he has scratched his neck folds of skin red raw. I will do flea patrol tonight but If its that or an allergy, would that still cause his skin to have that distinct smell? If its a yeast infection, this is like the 3rd he has got it in a year. Is that normal? It has been EXTREMELY wet and humid here in Petrie so maybe thats irritating him. Does anyone have any suggestions how I can soothe his skin? He gets groomed once every 3 to 4 weeks with his special shampoo. I didn't think I should increase that because surely the drier we keep his skin the better?? Or are my good intentions going astray again?

Thanks Persephone. I had thought, you know what she's 12, very sprightly, and has been very happy on the tinned and dry kibble, perhaps I should not change her diet. Maybe my good intentions weren't the best idea! Think I shall take the advice and go back to her normal. Her tummy is definitely more sensitive that Fred's

My dog vomits if he has chicken necks, they just dont agree with him, in fact he will vomit after any bones. I have just accepted that he cant tolerate them. Cant offer you any advice, just thought I would mention it happens to my dog too and he is only 11 months old. Its good to know I'm not the only one Fred loves the chicken necks but he has cast iron guts. Maybe Jessie is a bit more sensitive

So, I have two boofers, Fred the basset (3) and Jessie Heinz 57 (12), both from shelters. When they came to me they were fed tinned wet and dry kibble - Pedigree and so for ease / budget I continued. Truthfully, they have been in excellent condition until just recently. Fred has begun scratching – continuously. And Jessie hasn’t got great teeth (although that is partly age as well). Since joining Dol I’ve leant so much (and realised there is still so much I don’t know!) and last week I made the decision to convert the furkids to a completely natural raw diet to improve their conditioning and health. I was previously told by vets in the UK, if ever changing a dogs food / diet, to do it gradually in case of an upset stomach. So, I continued feeding as normal in the morning and then introduced some chicken necks and carrots for the evening meal. Have done this for two days now. Both mornings we have come out and found very small piles of orange vomit – 2 yesterday and 4 this morning. We’re pretty sure its Jessie. Is this usual in diet change? Am I doing something wrong? Should I go back to usual tins and dry? Any advice appreciated

That is around the corner-2/3kms-from the Dakabin RSPCA depot. They could have at least left her there That was exactly my thought Scarlet - the RSPCA Dakabin is barely a stones-throw away. This has happened just down the road from me and makes me feel sick that I am living amongst these disgusting excuse for humans.

Indeed!! absorption may take a while to reach dangerous levels/become symptomatic. Just a thought- but may well be worth checking!! You hit the nail on the head Sandra - the first question I asked the pest control company,is it safe around dogs. They said "its safe", and I can't believe I didn't even stop and question it. I hadn't looked at it from that point of view. Think I best ring and find out what was used, and I won't be making assumptions next time I was hoping that fasting Fred would be ok. Its very unusual for him to be ill and so this is the first time we've had to miss his meals. He did not look impressed this morning . Bassets are greedy at the best of times, but by the look of his face you'd thinking he'd gone without food for at least a week!

No spraying of anything in our garden except for pest control which was done almost a month ago. The carpets were cleaned about the same time. Possible the neighbours though -I hadn't thought of that - they just got new tenants. I will go round and ask them tonight. I'm also going to do a thorough inspection of the back yard when I get home. What about Frogs or toads? I've noticed a fair few lurking in the garden. I don't think Fred would lick them but you never know! He was quite lively this morning so I'm hoping just a one-off. Will keep a close eye on him tonight. Does anyone have any tips / thoughts on my second question? It was torture not giving him his breakfast this morning! Am I doing the wrong thing?

This is so weird. So Jessie is back to her spritely self. However last night, we fed Fred the basset as per usual and about 10 minutes later he'd brought up the entire contents of his stomach on our newly steam cleaned carpets. Ironically, we have the rental agents coming in next week for an inspection - its almost like Fred knew Ok, I don't fret too much, normally he has stupidly been chewing on a bit of grass. BUT, about 15 minutes later we cannot find Fred. We eventually find him in our bedroom and he has peed on our bed Now Fred, in the 18 months we have had him has only ever had one accident in the house. It was about a week after we got him, got caught up at the shops and were gone for longer than we thought and he couldn't hold it. What on earth would possess my housetrained basset to pee on our bed????? He was extremely quiet and subdued for the rest of the evening My second question is - what do fellow dolers do when their dogs are sick? Vets back in the UK had told me once to starve the dog for 24 hours, and another also suggested after the 24 hours to introduce food again but something such as scrambled egg or chicken with white rice? What does everyone else do?