Zug Zug

Thanks - yes I will suggest that to my sister. They have definitely decided to keep going at this point, and at least my sister is doing what she can to improve the situation by offering the dog some training. I agree it is a pretty sad story.

genius!

Sigh - I've tried talking to my sister about getting them to rehome the dog while it's still a puppy, but she said they don't feel they have any choice. The mother definitely doesn't want the dog, has never had a dog before, doesn't really like dogs, but feels she has no choice and needs to let her son keep the puppy because his Dad gave it to him. It turns out the Dad had actually told the Mum a few months ago that he was wanting to buy his son a puppy, and she has been trying to talk him out of it for that whole time. In the end he just showed up to the birthday party with a puppy and a ribbon around it's neck. She is quite a submissive person, and won't stand up to him. I just think this is a disaster waiting to happen. It's a boy puppy, and he is already sleeping on the 6 year old's bed. The mother has already said 'if he bites my son I'm putting him down'. I'm not saying BMs can't be lovely dogs - I know they can. I just think they need strong leadership - both physically and mentally. This dog isn't likely to get that, and I think that is a huge problem. I give it 12 months, maximum. I would not be surprised if the dog is put down for some reason at the end of that time. God it just makes me sick for the dog.

Glad to hear she's still fighting and you are being so careful. I agree with others - keep her quiet, keep her fluids up, keep her in your sight at all times. Fingers tightly crossed for you both.

Yep - turn around and walk the other way suddenly. Also use a clicker and throw a treat - saves a lot of bending.

I wish this were the reason, because it would mean he was planning to take some responsibility for the dog. But I can't help thinking that if this were the case, he would be taking his son and the puppy to puppy classes, instead of my sister stepping in to do it.

I have poodle types (a poodle x and a bichon) and no smell from them thank goodness - and no shedding either. I really notice the smells from other dogs these days - I have been spoilt. But that can all change if Zamba gets hold of an egg from our chook yard. When she eats eggs, she just farts and it's awful. Or a dead sparrow. Oh God help us all when that happens... So I agree a smelly poodle is likely to be unclean (hence the oily feel of the coat), eating the wrong stuff (I feed a high quality kibble food and that works well for my two) or perhaps had some kind of health problem (skin or ears). I think diet, in particular, makes a HUGE difference on how a dog smells. So much of the smell comes out of their digestive system - at one end or the other! If their food agrees with them, a poodle really shouldn't smell. Yes the shed fur from a white dog shows up much more than a black dog's fur. I remember that from my younger days when I had a kelpie bull terrier cross - lovely dog but I was covered in white hair for years on end!

Poodlefan I agree - I suspect the Dad really wanted the dog for himself. But he doesn't live with them, so even that theory doesn't really add up in my mind. Could we be trying to apply too much logic? Perhaps the Dad is just an idiot.

I teach dog obedience to beginners. I have made very clear to my sister that we would never let a 6 year old train a dog - they just can't wield the kind of authority that is required. We do have a few 12 year olds etc., but to be honest they rarely have the patience and persistence required to train a dog. I always talk a lot to the parents and remind them they will be heavily involved in the training. I don't know the mother. But yes I have said very clearly I think they should return it. But they're apparently wanting to see how it goes. I don't think it will go well.

My sister has a close friend with a six year old son. His Dad has just bought him a puppy for his birthday - a Bull Mastiff. The idea is for the kid to train the dog. They are enrolled in puppy classes. Due to start in 3 weeks. Honestly I could not think of a worse choice. Massive strong dog. Young boy who has never had a dog before. Father who doesn't even live there! My sister has offered to help out with the training, but I really think they should return the pup while it is still cute and has a chance of a new home. The mother doesn't want the dog, but feels she needs to keep it because it was a birthday present. I have no idea who bred it. They obviously either didn't ask the right questions, or weren't given honest answers.

Yep I remember going through a series of ups and downs over a full week. She is obviously a fighter and getting good care. Hang in there!

My fingers are tightly crossed for you. I too have an older dog at home who nearly died of this illness as a pup. Spent a small fortune at the vet back then, but 13 years later he has been worth every penny and then some! You have done everything you can. Try to stay positive. Everyone here is thinking of you and sending our best wishes.

JulesP I think your post raises an interesting question. When I think back to when I first signed up, actually I did expect behavioural instruction when I went to dog school. And yes it was a volunteer situation, with low fees. I am now an instructor at that school, and people ask me behavioural questions all the time. (Today it was: my dog barks a lot when we're out in public together, but not at home) These can be very difficult questions to respond to in class, or after class. But I actually feel that, even as a volunteer instructor, I have an obligation to try and find some answers/help for these people. If not from me, perhaps from one of the other instructors or in some other way. When I originally signed up, it was because of my dog's DA issues. She is still quite anxious and dog aggressive, many years later. It something that worries me actually - I don't try to counsel people with DA dogs because I was never able to overcome this problem in my dog - we have other instructors who are very good at helping people with these issues thankfully.

Ah my sympathies - I am a serious dog lover and allergy-sufferer. Yes it does narrow your choices quite a bit. The last thing you want is to get a pup and then find she can't go near it or have it inside. I have a poodle and a bichon and both these breeds are fine for me and also for many, many other allergy-sufferers. I have also spent time around schnauzers with no reaction, a Kerry Blue, a lagotto and a bunch of others. These types of curly, non-shedding coats are fine for me. Yes I agree you and your wife should spend time with the breeds you are interested in (not on bath day - on a normal dirty dog day) and see if she has a reaction. There are no guarantees in life, but this will give you a very good indication of what's to come. Not a 5 minute thing though - at least an hour in the same room and in close contact if you can. And don't trust the cross-breeds that claim to be non-allergenic. Some are, some aren't. It's very hard to tell with a puppy which way their coat will go. Pet shop salespeople are terrible at providing advice about this - beware! In my case yes I still have a mild reaction (itchy skin) to my dogs' saliva but that is a very minor issue when I get licked (which is not very often - I obviously don't encourage it). But the coat is a different story - it's in the air every day so picking the right coat is critical from my perspective. In my case, curly non-shedding coats are perfect, but yes they do require regular grooming so that needs to be part of the commitment you make when getting your pup. Other than low allergy - what are your other requirements for a dog? Active and sporty? Laid-back? Jogging companion? lap dog? Big? Small? Which breeds do you generally like - their may be low-allergy breeds that have some temperament traits in common...? These things will help us narrow down some good options for you to think about.

I like the idea of a tracking device. My dogs have got out of our yard a few times and it is awful driving around your neighbourhood not knowing where to look.

Definitely Rebus for me. I think it will suit him better as he gets older.

Has anyone else noticed how popular Aussie Shepherds are?

So true - guilty as charged! Thanks Jed and others - that does make a lot of sense.

Sorry a bit off-topic, but is he a dobe? I wasn't sure from the photo... He's gorgeous - beautiful colours and so shiny and happy

Subtle signs? Lies down, gets up for a drink, lies down again, gets up again for another drink, lies down again.... I don't know if you would call this subtle. It's more subtle than barking. But my restless mutt indulges in both of these behaviours when she is underexercised. And anxiety. She is more anxious when she hasn't had a chance to burn off energy lately (aren't we all?).

This is a really interesting point, and one that other people have also talked about. I guess the question in my mind is are these 'faults' only relevant to the show ring, or are they the kinds of things that are relevant to the dog's health/temperament/suitability as a companion or sports prospect? Of course I assume it might be a mix. But for example a poodle with a patch of white on the chest is fine with me as a pet/obedience person. But a poodle with poor movement might make me worry about long-term health and stability. Also a dog with ears set too high/low, perhaps a more placid dog that doesn't 'perform' in the ring, etc. etc. These are things that are unlikely to concern me as a pet/obedience owner. Some of the more placid dogs may in fact be the best pets, while some of the best show dogs may actually be a pain in the neck to live with because they're so 'up' (although these dogs are also likely to be good at obedience because confidence is a good thing to have for that kind of work). On the other hand, there will be a range of pups in most litters I presume - and show-quality littermates suckling alongside sweet-natured pets by a breeder that shows. So perhaps I'm getting confused with the breeder vs. the selection of pup within the litter? Won't a show breeder want to give the best pups to a show home? Could this mean I risk being left with 'whatever is left', rather than having an opportunity to select a puppy? Forgive me - I am a bit of a worrier and perhaps I am thinking too much about this.

Thanks everyone very interesting thoughts and informative. In particular, I do take the point that there needs to be some way of comparing the quality of your dogs with others. If not showing, then something. I am keen on poodles, and I hope my next dog will be a standard poodle. I am off to the breed National next week, and will be taking notes about the dogs I like. I have already found one breeder I really like (both her and her dogs). But yes in this breed I could understand why some people with great dogs might give showing a miss, but perhaps stay in touch in other ways.

My next dog will be a standard poodle (I hope). One day I would love a Tibetan Terrier.

I am hoping for a calm discussion of the pros and cons if possible. I am interested in people's thoughts about people breeding, but not showing dogs. Perhaps they are into some kind of dog sports, or have some other interest in dogs. Let's assume they are willing to do the health testing etc and to do some research to pick a healthy dog to sire a litter. What do people think? Is showing the only (or even the best) way to select breeding stock? I know this is a sensitive topic. I am not considering a future in breeding myself. But I also wonder if breeding and showing need to be linked. Surely there are other ways to select the best animals to breed from...?

Dover Gardens is a great club for obedience (wed night, sun morning) and flyball (sun morning) and rallyO (sun morning) But they don't currently do agility.