raineth

I think in time you could start conversations about these sorts of matters Atleast she's is not lining the pockets of a pet shop or BYB. Really she is just giving a dog a home

I would proabbly say something like: "thankgoodness you gave this boy a home. Now he has someone who will groom him and walk him, everyday. He's going to have a really great life now"

My dogs are on raw now, but when they were on Kibble they were on four cups a day and they are a Great Dane and a 60 kg mastiff cross! Shelley is such a pretty girl. I love her colour!

That's so sad I hope you are going to be o.k.

yes that doesn't sit well at all

I actually got one of my rescue dogs because her previous family ran into money trouble. I certainly don't think that the choice they made to give her to rescue for that reason was in anyway wrong.

I personally think the problem is that not all registered breeders are good breeders. The not so good ones do produce unhealthy dogs. This problem needs addressing before we can really go out and promote dogs from registered breeders. Because at the moment you really can't say to someone "go to a registered breeder" without also saying "but it needs to be a registered breeder that health tests, is honest about any problems in their lines..." the list goes on. Good breeders are worth there weight in gold and it's awful that they can have their reputation besmirched by the fact that there are registered breeders doing a very poor job, and producing unhealthy dogs

I was told by my pedigree dog's breeder that "its the first case they've ever seen - no other dog they've bred or used has had that condition" but actually that was far from the truth. Which doesn't mean that your breeders aren't telling the truth! But it just echoed in my ears when I heard that statement again! What is the test for luxating patella - are the breeding dogs graded for it like they do with hips and elbows or is it different? I am glad it is only grade one

I haven't come in the endurance thread for ages! I couldn't get Digby ready for it. I guess he's just not built for it, so it was an uphill battle and he wasn't enjoying it But good on to everyone else who has now done there ET or will be doing it soon I've now got Digby a backpack which I think is more his style

I must say I went to a Shih Tzu specialty show and I was very, very impressed with what I saw of them.

I wouldn't want pups that have only been raised outside. Ask what socialisation they have done. Ask about relevant health tests for the breed and the documentation that goes with them. You should be familiar with this before you go Take good note of what mum is like - is the mum dog the kind of dog you would be happy to own? And overall do the mum and pups look well cared for ofcourse.

I definitely think he could continue to improve Just keep going - you are doing all the right things I'm am so glad you have put so much effort in and you've obviosuly done a great job already! I do have a couple of suggestions. Use Jackpots and don't forget that for dogs like this moving away from whatever it is is very rewarding. So say for example you have a child in the vicinity. Keep at the boundary where he is not frightened. When he looks at the child, click but instead of a training treat he gets a jackpot, then leave.

yeah you do really need to make sure there is a back-up plan for the headcollar. some head collars have an attachment to connect the head collar to a flat collar but they are very flimsy so I wouldn't rely on that.

Charley, I personally don't have a problem with them. They are just a tool - they are not inherently bad like any tool (prong collars, check chain, etc) they can be used badly or used well. I have seen dogs who have had "problems" be rehabilitated and they have worn head collars during this process. One was a reactive GSD and she is now competing really well at agility. She has made the most incredible turn around and I would say she is now one of the steadiest, and most reliable dogs at club and now wears a simple flat collar. I think you can have success with a variety of tools. And in a way the tool is the least important thing. I think the actual training that goes on is more important. I also don't see an issue with medication. I would if medication was the only thing being used. But medication along with rehabilitation can be a very good way to go in my opinion. I used tryptophan along with training to help my fearful boy with a couple of his big fears and it worked wonders - the medication gave us that little extra advantage.

still I don't really understand this thread. On DOL I'm always hearing people being advised to go to a trainer or behaviourist; and that you can't assess over the internet. The OP is seeing a behaviourist. Surely the behaviourist who will actually be seeing the dog would be the best to advise on the tools to be used and the training needed it seems to me like the whole of dogdom could be divided into the anti-head collar faction and the pro-head collar faction. When its just a tool like the others that can be used well or poorly

says there that the dog is being re-trained Nekhbet. Oh hang on I misunderstood what you meant.

you want to get one that fits your dog the best in regards to not riding up into his eyes. So you might need to buy a few. The reason why i say buy is because you need to desensitise them to wearing a head collar so if he's never worn one you can't go into a shop and try them on because that will probably freak him out. The canny collar (just google it) seems to fit most comfortably on a dog's head from what I've seen (similar to the one above it attaches at the back of the dog's head). However if the reason why your behaviourist wants you to use a head collar is so you can easily move your dogs head then one of the other ones may be better as its not as good at steering the head. I think the lunging dog and head collar can be a problem. But if you're working with a behaviourist they are probably going to keep your dog under the threshold where he won't be exhibiting behaviours like lunging. Probably best to check with them about that

sheesh! that's awful that they would fire you for such a trivial matter I'm glad our local ice-creamery is more generous. I always ask for extra spoons and extra napkins and they give them to us happily. It never occurred to me that I could possible be asking the person to risk losing their job or anything of the sort.

I can't believe you wouldn't give her a cup with some water! I bet the cup wouldn't even have cost 2 cents.

every little dog that I've had something to do with (as long as they're were not old or overweight) has had way more energy than my big dogs and could definitely keep up, if not run rings around the bigger dogs!

gapvic your photos are awesome! I loved looking at them especially the old houses!

snuggle pods? http://www.leuradoggiestore.com.au/Leura/pages/beds/bedhp2.html I love them - and I know Delta would really love them!

awww its so beautiful and tiny!!!

Cloudy is my fave but boy that's a beautiful shot in any white balance

Where I live there aren't that many purebreds, and even fewer that appear to be well bred. However one day I was walking my Digby dog and nearly dropped dead to see a couple with a pram walking an Anatolian Shepherd! I had to stop them and ask about her - she was amazing!