W Sibs

I threw Charlie a 1st birthday.. party hats, cakes, presents, lollie bags and all that. The boyfriend baked him his very own cake too. My parents cooked him a big birthday dinner None of my friends or family were surprised to see an invite to his first birthday... fair is fair, I go to all their kids first birthdays.

Oh, that's horrible!! But I don't think it will be your fault because you were there. They aren't your dogs and you didn't ask to look after them. She opened the fence and let the dogs run out off-leash... then tell you she's going to have a shower? WTF? That person isn't a friend if she didn't own up to her actions and then pointed the finger at you

That is so sweet. I love it when a pet and a child form a bond.. it's truly beautiful But, I've met Benjimen and he is one of the most sweetest kid I've ever met. I can see why animals will be attracted to him I have to agree that you can never be lonely if you have a pet... seriously, I will be lost without my 2 (even though Emmy loves my sister more than me )

aww... so many mama's boys out there loving the stories.. keep them coming

:)

Just for fun... I was thinking about heart dogs today. Just wondering if dogs have their heart human/person? I'm pretty convince that Emmy's heart person is my sister. She is totally in love with my sister... doesn't stop cuddling with her, kissing her, following her around when my sister comes for a visit. Emmy insist on sharing everything with my sister from toys, treats and food. I'm Charlie's heart person. He is a total's mama's boy...

Yep, I have found the same thing. It keeps it a much lower key affair. My boys both come back to me if they are uncomfortable. I would have tackled the Lab. Much easier to catch and once you've got him the little dog is out of immediate danger and can then be picked up if required or simply put back on leash. If it's on leash and the Lab tries to menace it again, it can't bolt and you can crouch down and protect it as above. Better for everyone as the Lab doesn't get the fun of chasing and the SWF doesn't get the terror of being chased. Often the small dog can come around and decide they aren't so scared of the big dog after all. IME if you are going to pick up a dog at the dog park you should do it when no other dogs are watching. If they see the dog in your arms but didn't see it get there they seem to be less excited by it, although it's still no guarantee. One time my dogs found a dead possum in the yard. They were quite interested, but only poking it with their noses. The moment I lifted part of it off the ground they both got extremely excited and started to bite and try to play tug with it. As soon as I put it back on the ground they left it again. Weird, but it's the same sort of thing with small dogs sometimes. It's like when you pick it up it becomes a toy to bite and pull on. No way would I grab anyone's strange dog - its a fast recipe for a nasty bite. Kicking I would do and damn what the owner thought. If dogs are coming hard at your little one, I'll pick mine up regardless of whether or not dogs can see. I'd rather kick them off while they leap than watch them shake my dog to death like a rag doll, play tug of war with her or tear her to pieces. You do what you have to to keep your dog safe and bugger any lessons it's teaching other dogs. Training is for the dogs owners to do, not me. Anyone who lets their small dog run with stranger large dogs is asking for trouble IMO. Dogs don't even have to be aggressive - rough play injures and kills also. CW: If the incoming dog knocks you flat on your arse to get to your dogs CW, you'll be in no condition to help them. Stand up on your feet. It really doesn't matter if I'm standing up poodlefan.. i'm a shortie Most of the time I do squat but there are occasion where I do stand too.. it all depends on the situation and the dog that comes rushing towards Charlie. If a dog gets to much, I will clip the other dog with a spare leash I carry around and call it's owner to get their dog...

Mindy sounds so good Mostly, when my friends gets puppies they bring the puppy over and we go through basic training with them (well, i train the humans and play with the puppy ). I sometimes get random strangers coming up to ask me questions when they see me do some training with Charlie or Emmy in the front yard. With the bolded part - I wouldn't pick up my 2 either (unless it's a very very bad situation for Charlie). I would like to believe that they trust me enough if they feel stress, they come back to me and I'll be there to protect them. Which they do. If I know they are feeling a little unsure about the situation.. I usually squat down to their level and they sit between my legs to gather up their confidence to go back out again. With Charlie, he simply just plants his butt on the floor so he doesn't run or can be chased. Then I will walk over to him (we are never more than 1 m away from each other.. ), so he can sit between my legs and wait for me get rid of the other lab. Most of the time, it's very easy to distract the other dogs to do something else. Corvus mentioned that it makes the situation worst. It really does. It often makes other dogs more excited and more curious about Charlie and more determined to get a sniff of him or whatever.. which make Charlie more stressed out about it. While sitting down and not paying attention to them or shoo-ing them away.. they lose interest and rush off to do something else.

thanks yeah.. those big brown eyes of his, gets me all the time. I can ignore the whinging, the barking, his goofy grins etc... but if he gives me one of those sad big brown puppy dogs eyes.. I melt.

Gert sounds like she has a lot of spunk... gotta love that

Pics Charlie The Sibs Charlie: aww.. that's mine Emmy: nom nom nom

Finding a rental with a dog in Sydney is fricken exhausting but i found one with Charlie just have to pay more rent that I originally planned. I had to sign a 6 months lease (as probation living with Charlie and now Emmy) and I just got a letter the other day saying that they are going to up the rent by $10 but they are happy for my to be a long leaser. The boyfriend and I are planning to buy a house at the end of the year or early next year. I have 2 places now. One is an apartment and the family has now a got a kitten (i had to think long and hard for the cat because bad experience with ex tenants with cats). The other property the tenants have 2 dogs.. they are great dogs (I went to meet the tenants and their dogs personally when they asked they were allowed 2 dogs... i spend more time playing with the dogs then talking to them).

Charlie is half Cav... he is a picky eater but I change his diet straight out and he was fine. Umm.. with rice and chicken, I would feed it for a week and see how the poo is. When it gets firmer then I will gradually change to the diet you want your pup to eat. All pups are different.. you have to make the decision on how long you want to feed your puppy rice and chicken. Good luck Hope your pup gets better soon (oh.. i'm harsh. if my pup have an upset stomach, they don't eat for 24 hours not 12)

that's awesome!! sorry to hear your sister has Huntington.. but she is very lucky to have a sister like you

I was told that puppy's don't have full control of their bladder till they are 6 months... but all dogs are different. As a young pup, I would take her out every hour, also after food, play and sleep

thanks Yeah... Emmy is bigger than Charlie now!

some people just have to learn their mistakes the hard way.. sorry to say

1. Charlie hates anyone touching his back legs (very understandable)... so with him, it's about conditioning. When Charlie and I are relaxed, I would touch his back legs and when he doesn't react, I give him a treat and a lot of praise. We repeat this, and then I will bring out the clippers and put it next to his back legs and when he doesn't react to it, I give him a treat (it would be easier if he was clicker trained.. lol). 2. Once my dogs are finished with their bones. I throw it out. I don't let them dig and hide it anymore. Charlie use to do the same thing and he always gets an upset stomach because of it. But, he mostly eats his bones in his crate now. Emmy too.

This morning after his walk, Charlie decided to annoy Emmy and hit her over the head with a toy while she was snoozing on the floor... Emmy got annoyed and stole the toy from him, and ran off with it. Charlie ran after to get it back but Emmy jumped on the couch to put it on the arm rest so he can't take it back... he got upset and stood at the couch and started barking at her to give it back. When I walked out to see what was going on, he barked at me to get is back for him (which i didn't and i decided to ignore him), which made him followed me into the kitchen barking at me because I didn't get it for him!! He finally gave up and went to chew on another toy by himself..

She really is!!

My sweet, placid and gentle dog is becoming a BRAT ( ) Seriously, waddling around the house as though he is boss... he is running around the backyard to attempt to do zoomies with Emmy and I now... he is getting more confident each day. So full of attitude... Yes yes.. my fault, I've let him get away with murder because he was sick. But, it's as though he knows he is getting better and healthier, he has decide to make up for lost times and hitting his rebellion stage... Who would of thought that, Miss Emmy is better well behaved them him at the moment I really should be annoyed about this but it's a sign Charlie is getting better!!! (BTW... it's back with NILIF training with him) He is still very chilled, laid back and easy going fella... but he has much more energy and seems much much more happier. He doesn't stop grinning now.

haha I may have to take you up on that offer some time! anytime

I got mine from Pets Direct (animal warehouse). Got the soft crate at a camping store. Deal direct sells the same ones I bought at Pets Direct though.

I'm going to admit that I have been turned down by a few CKCS breeders because I work full time and the pup will be alone for more than 9 hours a day for 5 days