SmoothieGirl

Oh, I feel sorry for all of you that have been hurt, but this thread is quite funny too. Other than copious brusies from my old Dobie, nup they feel no pain those dogs, I haven't really got anything to speak of myself, yet! However said Dobe did do a brilliant job on an ex-boyfriend. I was making tea, he was playing tug with Sasha in the living room, I call over my shoulder "don't get her too razzed up in the house". A minute later there is a yelp - from the boyfriend. When I turn around she is wagging her tiny tail and looking at him all concerned and he has blood pouring out of his eyebrow. He had bent down just as she had flung her head up and the result of the contact was a split eyebrow. Trip to emergency, two stiches and a black eye later....nothing like spending your Sunday night doing that. I think my last comment to him that night was "Dobes have hard heads don't they? Snicker snicker snicker..."

He's an awesome looking dog. What's his name? Edit - Cause I'm an idiot, your post title tells me he's called Ben. I would love a Kelpie, but my lifestyle wouldn't suit one at the moment. One day...

By your login name am I correct in guessing your Mal is a Malamute, not a Malinois? Also, you say he's scratching at the backdoor. Is he allowed inside or is he an outside dog? If he is an outside dog perhaps its his way of telling you that he wants to spend more time with you. An hour a day of exercise is good exercise, but in the grand scheme of a 24hr day, its not a lot of time to spend with his person. I'd say either Malamute or Malinois at six months has hit the perfect age to hit boundaries. Btw, learning obedience doesn't create robot dogs, it simply assists in generating useful boundaries within which you and your dog can develop a great bond and helps him to be a good community participant. Even dogs with extensive obed training aren't 'on' all the time, only when they are asked to work. A little bit of club obedience may help you figure out how he'll behave with other dogs. IMO all dogs should attend some group obedience classes, particularly dogs of breeds that have tendency to be quite dominant. Not saying that's your problem, but it may help a little.

Hey there, I feel your pain. We are working with a dermatologist to isolate Bronte's skin issues, but to soothe her skin in the meantime I also use Aloveen or PAW products. I bathe her once, sometimes twice a week depending on her itch level. Also the the vet has said that the Aloveen conditioner applied alone can be used daily without a bath to try and cool and soothe the skin. I've never had a problem with her skin being dry or upset by her frequent bathing. Both Aloveen and PAW shampoos and conitioners make her smell beautiful too. :D

My, this is an interesting thread, glad I opened it after dinner. Ok, Bronte's worst...eating cat poo, then throwing it up half digested in the car about 30mins later. OH MY GOD the smell was like nothing on this earth. I was dry retching as I tried to scoop it out of the car and she was the greenest looking Collie you have ever seen. Luckily we were only five mins from home, we drove home with all the windows open, the air con on full blast and I think we were both lucky to take three breaths for the whole drive.

He's lovely, he'll be a very good looking dog I would imagine.

Happy Birthday Shy! Bronte sends you a big lick and a gentle paw on the nose. I send you a cuddle and a smooch

Sorry PZ, the one I use is in Yarraville, so no good for you. Unless by North, you could get to North Melb, they have recently opened another centre there this year.

So many doggies birthday's this week. Happy 'B'day Sally. Ps. Where are the pics? You know we love them.

My heart just stopped for a beat....they let them go at FIVE weeks?! Any news OP?

Too cute. I sometimes call Bronte my Jersey Caramel dog, and your shots really show that colouring up. Like the shot of her about to pounce at Annie and the ones of them playing tug are classic.

They haven't seen each other in quite a while, but they were just as happy to play together today as last time. Annie in full flight The girls, both tuckered out, hence Bronte's slouchy sit. Nik - I told you Annie was keeping an eye on my during this pic.

Can't wait to see how much she has grown by Kepala time, looks like quite a bit in the first photo. I like the photo of her watching the bubble too, I bet its the most still she's ever been.

Happy Birthday Kibah, you have lovely watermelon lips, too cute. Here's a little banana based birthday dancer for you

Such a lovely boy, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARKLEY!

I just had a look at the site, unbelievable. How on earth can they possibly look after that many puppies properly, well they can't can they. The legs on the Cav x Lab pups look weird too, I don't like their chances of being sound adults at all. Some of the bitches, esp the Lab and GR's look like they are on the aged side of life too, its very sad.

I'm not a fan of canned dog food, so I won't use it. But even cheaper, like Newfsie said, crunchy, munchy fresh sardines are pretty cool as far as Bronte is concerned. Sometimes as frozen sardinicicles on a warm day.

You may have just nailed it. I was going to ask if you have changed your car at all. Some dogs are highly reactive to engine and road noise. My dog was a terrible terrible traveller and I put it down to a bad experience when she was tiny. The breeder brought the pups down from country and all were car sick. But she slowly got better, but never good and drooled to the point of dehydration everytime we went anywhere, even if only on a five minute drive. I noticed two things though. I borrowed my dad's car one day - no drooling! Then, as she had basically destroyed the back of my car with her drooling I bought a new car so I could have her travel in the cargo area. The very day I got that car - no drooling! She is now a very very good traveller, hops into the car of her own accord and the weekend before last spent 3 hours on a return journey very happily snoozing. Basically I put it down to engine or road noise as my last car was quite loud and a little high pitched. Collies are known for being very noise sensitive and reactive and I think this exactly what was happening. She was uncomfortable and anxious and it made her get ill. Perhaps the mechanic has tweaked the engine and its resulted in an engine pitch that is really worrying him. I have heard some people try putting a snood over the dogs ears or head to muffle the noise. Perhaps try this first (assuming you can get it to stay on) and see if it makes a difference. Another option, if you can find a friend or family member that is willing, try taking him for a drive it there car - try something like a bigger car, like a 4WD or something. They generally have a lower pitched engine and the big wheels reduce road noise. Good luck.

Looks like Dexter thinks Gilbert is his very own friend. Love the shot of Gilbert performing the 'pin down' on the human.

Happy Birthday Darcy! Have a lovely day and Bronte sends you licky smooches.

I clicked on the link in Steve's signature. But here is what I'm seeing now....http://k9pro.com.au/index.php

It looks like its up now. Did Steve get tired and launch it early so he could go to bed?

Right, now we need to find a recipe for doggy birthday cake/biscuits. Can you make it to Kepala in March, we can have a join B'day party for the girls. I should be able to buy Shy will have to stay on leash!

PP we haven't really done anything as yet. I was going to last week, but the wind was up a bit over my way and I decided it wasn't really suitable. Mind you we have also been herding and doing other training so she's been busy. Hopefully we can do some secnt work later this week.

Oh they did, hi there I hadn't seen the Longhairs before I started back at Werribee (been about a 12 year gap). They are so elegant, I'm quite a fan, but my yard isn't really big enough for the larger bouncier breeds. Thanks for the well wishes too, I'm so pleased with her work yesterday, she was such a star.