Lucy's mama

With Lucy I did her favourite things more often or for longer - she loved being groomed so I groomed her more, she loved going to the kids sporting events so I took her to more of them etc etc. I didn't spoil her with food because I wanted her healthy for as long as possible. She was given 4 months and lived very well for 8 months, was starting to seem unwell (no energy, extremely fast weight loss) for her last month (we gave her the green dream) I'm very sorry your dog is sick.

No flaming from me willow. Very sensible and sensitive.

I was also going to say Golden Retriever. They love their people, don't need much more than a brush twice a week, and and hour a day exercise + training will keep a Goldie very happy.

O.k, this is going to sound a bit airy-fairy, but for weeks I noticed Banjo was turned down a notch on his RMB days, as opposed to days he had kibble. We ran out of kibble and he had three days in a row of only rmb, then I switched him to a raw barf diet. I am not saying he is now the perfect dog, but all his craziness has come down a notch. I've always thought it quite insulting to tell a parent who's child has serious behaviour problems that it will all disapear with dietry changes, but now I'm thinking maybe, just maybe, a small amount of dogs (and kids) do get hyped from the artificial stuff. What do you think?

It's mainly for small animals, its gives out less than the pingg string. I made sure of that. Thanks. I will look into it.

Thanks. Is it one that is approved for dogs or a normal electric fence?

Thanks. Aidan - I'm sure that tutorial when they do it will be very interesting. My plants are ordered arriving next week though. I use bits of dog wire or chain wire for small areas, but this is an 80m stretch of fencing - I would have to do a proper fencing job with dog wire to keep him out, if it sags he goes over, if it's not pegged down he goes under. Also not as simple to move to the next stretch once the first lot are established either.

Hi. I am looking at purchasing a ping string ground barrier kit so I can move it from place to place as required. It is not easy to afford though so I'm thinking of going for the budget battery operated kit. Does anyone have one and how do you find it? Is it powerfull enough to deter an excited dog? I will be using it to protect a freshly planted hedge of tiny plants where Banjo currently fence runs and fence fights, just till they are big enough he can't trample them, so in a situation he has probably been finding highly rewarding for some time.

I have to say if there was any way to take the pets I would - if not, they can fend for themselves. In my opinion, when you become a parent you have a responsibility to keep yourself alive.

I have no idea on point 1 or 2. On point 3: It is a puppy being rehomed, in my opinion it is niether a rescue nor supporting bybíng/puppy farming.

My goodness! That horse story is amazing. Yes, i think I will keep him on the long line. I am not a good swimmer myself so I would not be able to save him. He also swims on top of anyone else in the water which is quite painfull, so the long line keeps him from scratching the kids.

Yes they are lovely. We have quite a few of them here and they take care of the toads for us. We have been told by a snake expert that we don't have rough scaled snakes in our imediat area, but 40 min drive west they do. Seems rather strange to me so we take no chances and just watch from a distance any passing snakes as they go on their way.

I'm after something quite specific lengthwise, double ended, d-rings at certain points along lead etc. so really needs to be custom made. K9 ones do look lovely though.

Now that I have asked here I have finally found it myself - always the way. Mystiqview for those who are in interested

A few weeks ago I was looking at breeder sites and found one that makes plaited leather leads to order. I want to place an order but can't remember who it was?? I'm pretty sure they are located in Brisbane. I've been looking at so many breeds I'm not even sure which breed they have. Any ideas??

We have had several here already - nothing venemous yet though, which is unusual for us! Banjo killed a keel back last season but last night he was barking differently and when I went out he was being very cautious while around this snake and came in as soon as told too. Good job Banj!

OT - I love the new sig Gayle. Very nice.

I bought a cheapy off e-bay. Tested it on myself first and decided not to put it on the dog It lets you bark for around 10 or 15 seconds, gives a warning beep, a longer warning beep then stim and keep increasing the stim till you shut up. First level hurt and I wasn't brave enough to keep barking. If it had a safety cut off after 15 seconds like the more expensive ones do then I would reconsider, but as it is I am worried he will bark, get zapped, yelp, get zapped for that and yelp and get zapped etc.. That is not to say I am anti-bark collar, I just don't reccomend the ebay cheapy! ETA: My partner tested it also and shut up as soon as the long second beep started. He still got zapped at the end of the beep, so I thought that would confuse and be unfair on the dog too.

As soon as Banjo is given a bone he looks at me very suspiciously and runs off to hide with it while keeping tabs on me with quick suspicious glances - like I am going to change my mind and want it back.

He retrieves on land and in the water already. He gets distracted half way back to me if we are at an off lead area though. At the beach he drops the stick in the little breakers and I have to try get it while watching two kids, carrying our bag and holding the long line. I am trying to teach him 'hold' atm so I'm sure that will help when he gets it.

I would guess it is not an F1 cross, but both parents and maybe grandparents are?

An Aussie thing hey? Paddy - His basic obedience is getting better and better, but recall under distraction is not good at all. We are working on it! In the mean time I don't have a problem keeping him on the long line - that is what I bought for after all.

Banjo loves the water. Now it is warmer we are going to the off lead beach more. I keep him on a long lead because his recall is not very good. As soon as we get there he heads straight into the water to the full length of the lead then swims paralelle to the shore. He swims and swims and swims until he starts to whine and is swimming lower in the water than he started. I call him and reel him in and we walk a short way and he is in again and the whole process repeats. I'm thinking if he wasn't on the long lead he might just swim out to sea I think being low impact it probably can't hurt him to overdo it, (as long as I call him out before he drowns!) would that be correct?

Our Goldie was a very soft dog, but not at all nervy. She was not a destructo too much, she did dig as a young 'un and always stole things to carry in her mouth and greet visitors with (yep, even my knickers ) but never chewed up her stolen treasures. She was raised her first 12 months with her litter brother, I'm not sure whether or not that contributed, but she did gaurd food (only from other dogs, not people or cats) even though she was not food motivated and didn't particularly want to eat the food she was guarding. I'd have another in a heart beat, but fear it would be difficult (for my daughter especially) to have a look-alike Lucy around. On a side note, she once greeted a council compliance officer at the front gate with a stolen can of beer. He thought she rocked and went back to his car to get his camera and take a pic. Way to bribe the council Lucy!

Bloody hell... I can understand companies not wanting to cover an old dog for the first time, but if you've had the insurance since they were young decreasing your cover as she ages is just completely unfair. How ridiculous!