Zug Zug

I love Royal Scandal! Casino Royale? Royal Jewel Royal Palace Royal audience Royal Destiny Royal Revival

I had 2 oldies until mid last year, when one of them died. I now have a 6.5 month old pup, and a 13 year old girl. I think the ideal (for me) would be a 5 year age gap. But real life seems to have other ideas. And in the end I tend to go along with that. I suppose when we lose Zamba I'll need to decide how long to wait before getting the next one. So I'm hoping she'll live another 4.5 years exactly, to make my decision an easy one :)

Heavy ceramic - because it stays put

Whoa! Take it easy - kids are kids and their parents may not know. Personally I would have a casual chat to the parents and let them know what happened. They may be thinking this is harmless fun. If they know you are nervous about it, they may be willing to intervene with the kids. And I think blocking the hole in the fence is also really important. You could let your neighbour know that you've done this to try and help prevent something going wrong in the future. But keep the chat friendly and relaxed. So far no real harm has been done. And the kids sound like they are trying to play with the dog, not hurt the dog. So while their behaviour isn't ideal, it's been harmless so far and the trick is to keep the chat friendly while still communicating why you feel it needs to change. Just my thoughts

My advice is take it very seriously, and very very slowly when your new dog arrives. My old dog at home is a bit dog aggressive and things did not go well for her when I tried to bring a new, larger dog home from the pound just before Xmas. I thought I was careful - obviously not careful enough as her facial injuries and 2 surgeries proved. That dog had to go back to the pound. He nearly killed her. I have since brought home a puppy and with the help of a behaviourist we have been able to establish them together safely. I still separate them to chew on bones, eat their meals etc, and probably always will. It can be very tricky, and things can go badly wrong in the blink of an eye. Get some help if you possibly can. Is your new dog a puppy? Introducing puppies is usually a little easier.

Photo please! Good on you for helping out.

Photo please! Good on you for helping out.

My puppy (Pasha) now fetches a ball, his soft frisbee or squeaky toy enthusiastically. Thinking it is time to introduce some different items (wood, hard plastic, the dreaded metal object. I am a bit worried about this next step. Ideas, anyone?

They are looking wonderful. Great to see Phoenix up and about. He is starting to look like a normal, healthy Whippet. Ella is a very good photographer. Very grateful to be kept up to date. Those coats look lovely, and very warm. :)

K9pro sell some lovely soft and very strong leather leads. I have one - it is absolutely a pleasure to handle. It won't fray, but obviously no chewing allowed. I have a gripper long lead. Also very strong and reliable. Not as soft on the hands and not what I would call floppy. But I find it very easy to manage and it doesn't tangle like some long leads do. Both have excellent clasps on them - very strong.

I met a woman once who only had eyes for Staffies - until a friend came over with a toy poodle, and fell in love. From the way she described it, this came as an absolute surprise to her. Now she breeds Standard Poodles.

Thanks so much for the photos. I am following closely. I agree he's showing some improvement already. Poor boys - but thank goodness they are in the lap of luxury now.

Great suggestion! I had a lovely bichon frise who died last year aged 13 years. You have just described him to a tee. Bichons are often more easy going than a Maltese - less terrier like more love sponge/ sweetheart. I also agree with the Cavalier option. But yes they are shedders. Both are breeds famous for their exceptional temperaments. Not all SWFs are the same. I am biased perhaps, but I think the Bichon is the pick of the SWF breeds. I have never owned a Havanese but have been told their temperament is similar to a Bichon.

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I would suggest you crate train your dog. That will make it much easier for you to provide the dog with a safe and secure place, without needing to banish him to the garden whenever your daughter is up and about. I would suggest that separation and careful management should be your top priority. Many toddlers are a force of nature, and it is unrealistic to expect such a young child to read your dog's warnings and respond appropriately. Your dog is probably scared, and may have good reason. Even the sweetest of young children can unwittingly grab fur, poke eyes, make jerky movements and squealy sounds - all things that can worry a dog (especially a small dog). A crate will help both child and dog safe and secure. If need be, you can lock the crate so your daughter can't disturb the dog at times when you are unable to watch closely. The dog can be loose when your daughter is somewhere else or you are closely supervising, but outside or in the crate at other times. Put your daughter in the pram and give the dog lots of long walks. This can help to lower the dog's anxiety. I agree with Persephone - take it seriously. Even a small dog can bite a child's face.

No need for a large dog to be a guardian - just the fact that the dog is large will put most people off. So you can get a big easy going dog and you get the safety without needing to deal with strong guarding instincts, and life will be easier for you. I would suggest a Deerhound - lovely breed, large and just shaggy and grey enough to give someone pause for thought. Borzoi also a favourite breed with me from the giant breeds, but I don't think they would put anyone off (even the dumbest creep can tell a Borzoi is just so friendly and sweet I think - or am I completely biased? My daughter has one and she is an angel. I think they look like angels to even the most casual observer.)

Making a donation. They have beautiful markings - I think they will be very handsome once they have recovered. Is one of them very hunched or is that just the photo? Hoping there is no permanent damage?

This has not been my experience. I suffer from dog allergies. Smooth coated dogs are not good for me. Shedding medium coats also no good. I got an Italian greyhound many years ago and had to rehome her. I have since had a bichon (perfect), poodle x (also very good - we got her as an adult so knew she had the poodle coat) and now a standard poodle (also great). I will only react a bit if they lick me, or while actually grooming them. But I would be sick all the time with other dogs. This is a common experience among allergy sufferers, and one of the reasons poodles are so popular with many asthmatics. Everyone's allergy is different though. Always spend time with the breed first to be sure. And make sure they haven't had a bath for a few days prior - otherwise the effect may not be evident that day.

Love most of the curly coated breeds (poodles, bichons, IWS, lagottos) Not a fan of the really big mastiffs with saggy backs - I feel so sorry for them and have met some very dominant ones with very stressed owners.

I looked into it recently. I remember thinking it added 1000 to the cost of the dog, plus connections once the dog is in Aus. There was some vetting required, as well.

Tough decision. My only advice is to do what you know is right. Deep down you will know what that is, even if it is hard. I had my lovely old bichon PTS last year. I could afford more treatment. But it would not have been right. I had watched his decline and, just like people say, I just knew it was his time. He was suffering. It is not easy. I wish you the best, and that you have the strength to do what is right, whatever that turns out to be.

Mark has come over to help me with my dog issues and he's great - very helpful and sensible. I was very stressed when he first came here as my old dog had been attacked by a dog recently, and I was trying to peacefully introduce a new puppy and feeling very nervous and over-protective. He was very calm and reassuring. I have also had spinal surgery (a spinal fusion in my neck) and I sympathise - yes it is important to take excellent care of your back and a labrador pulling away at you is a definite no-no. I do use equipment to make walking my dogs easier on my (still fragile) shoulders and spine. I am using a harness with my 5.5 month old standard poodle puppy at the moment, but actually I've found the halti to be more effective at preventing pulling, and it has always helped keep my older reactive poodle under my control. My puppy really hates it though - so I'm giving him a go on a front-attach harness and if he behaves we'll stick with that.

We just rented out a house we own and clearly stated 'pets welcome'. To us, it was a selling point as not many rentals allow dogs. And we knew the house suited dogs because it was the house we had lived in for the past 8 years. So good fencing, loads of garden, dog proof screen on the back door, and no carpets anywhere in the house only tiles or timber. The house was snapped up immediately, as you would expect. If our experience is good this time, we will do the same again. I don't think a reference from a breeder would be at all relevant to me. How would a breeder know how you will handle your puppy, when it comes to protecting the property? I think references for how you have cared for properties previously are more useful and relevant. I don't envy you the search. I hope you can find the right place.