aussielover

JPS, apparantly she will have severe HD by the time she is 12 months......I took her to see Dr. Wing Tip Wong in Werribee and he said she is completely fine, he wasn't the specialist the vet referred me too though. I wanted a completely unbias opinion and people on here have said good stuff about him. She had to have a GA for an unrelated thing, so they took Xrays at the same time and they look great and normal, my vet did say the same so not sure why they still tried to get me to do the surgery. Thanks SnT, that's where we did the AI too get said pup! I think a lot vets are pushing to do JPS these days. I don't think they are necessarily trying to get money out of you but they have been indoctrinated about the potential benefits. Personally I don't ever think it is going to become commonplace, no one in their right minnd is going to want to do orthopedic surgery on a pup not showing any clinical signs. Aren't the xrays meant to be read by a qualified radiologist though? Or sent away to the USA? A vet told me it was a shame my puppy was too old for it. I don't see it as a shame especially because there is absolutely no evidence there is a problem in the first place.

I agree with his message that dogs need exercise, discipline/training and love. I believe his methods work in the short term. If the dog went on to live with Cesar or someone like him, then I believe the dog would behave. However, usually the people are incapable of implementing his instructions long term. I think a lot of his success comes from his calm demeanour and showing no fear to a dog that is used to intimdating people. I've not had a problem dog, but i do believe some dogs respond to some forms of training better.

I hardly think that is going to be a problem as the puppy is already relegated to the backyard

I'm not sure if my puppy would classify as being calm But she is able to sit under my desk at work for up to 10 hrs a day (with breaks of course). Practicing being tied up is a useful way to teach calm behaviour, then you can progress to calm behaviour on a mat etc. Also plently of playtime, exercise and mental stimulation helps a puppy to be calm at other times.

When Mindy is really excited, the tail does a sort of circular motion and the whole body wiggles because a wagging tail is not neearly enough to express the happiness!

because there are many that don't. Many people do the old "turn away and pretend I haven't seen what is happening" trick. That is when I smile, present them with a bag and say " you obviously didn't see him doing his business, here's a bag". I once copped the other end of it (so to speak :D ) - I ALWAYS pick up my dog's poo but once I was walking her in my local park, she stopped, I saw she did a wee, and kept walking... Some guy pushing his kid in a pram abused me for not picking up her poo!!! I walked over and explained I could tell she hadn't done one, then he pointed to an old one someone else hadnt picked up! To me it was very obvious it wasn't her poo (aside from seeing her weeing, it was old and dark brown- Honey's are never like that) but I shut up and picked it up anyway, what else could I do? I quite often pick up other poos that have been left behind (I'd hate a dog hater to punish all of us for one wrong deed), so I was MORTIFIED this guy thought I'd left it behind... ;) Actually, a little OT but on the subject of pooing- I just assume everyone knows the different postures of dogs pooing (back humped right over, bum tucked under) and weeing (front bum low to ground, tail up, back straight, chest up). Makes sense a non dog owner wouldnt, but do all of you? Yes i have had that happen to me before! It was an older couple- i actually asked them to show me where the poo was, they pointed to this ancient, white, crumbly thing and I could not believe they thought my dog could have just done that Some people think anytime a dog squats it is pooing.

Personally I don't think 3 months old will make that much of a difference in the long term. I got my aussie pup at 5/6 months and she had never left the breeders property as far as i know, was scared of cars, scared of strangers etc. Within weeks she was fine with cars, she never really learnt to adore strangers, but she wasn't scared just indifferent. She turned out to be a pretty well adjusted dog. Also, i think lovemesideways got her boy at 4 months with some fear issues, which they overcame- he is now very well adjusted, you couldn't meet a better behaved dog. I'd be looking at the temperament of the parents and close relatives though, as some dogs are just born more fearful and even with great socialisation will always remian a bit timid. If you were looking at a 2yr old + dog, then I would be a little more concerned.

i thought the critical period extended to 16/20 weeks. imo it would be ideal to get a well-bred, well socialised 12-16week old puppy. They are still really but they smart enough and cluey enough at this stage to work out what you want. So you are getting a puppy now then? Elbie will enjoy that! You must be a sucker for punishment though

Definitely a lab thing! They at least make the loudest thumping noise! Mindy's will wag if i even literally just look at her. AFter having an aussie, having a tailed dog is quite a new experience.

what do they think the problem is? something neurological? From the information given, it just sounds like a very timid/fearful puppy to me. BUt obviously no-one here has seen it so we can't know for sure. Is your friend willing to get it assessed by a professional behaviourist? Where is she located, perhaps people can give some recommendations. Nippping and biting is quite normal for puppies, they must be taught this is unacceptable. Sorry now after re-reading your posts, im unsure whether the puppy is fearful or just being a typical naughty puppy- it is obviously coming close enough to nip them- is this playful or aggressive? Also when it runs away, is this in fear, or a playful "catch me if you can" type thing? i think she needs professional help as soon as possible, the pup is not going to improve being left out the backyard by itself

No it was just hanging around in the garden, it wasn't particularly concerned about me until i approached it. I went to shoo it away- you know, make loud noises, calp my hands etc and it just stared at me Then i went to pick it up (i know many cats don't appreciate this) and it started hissing and trying to swipe me. Then Mindy saw what was happening and came over and the cat got all upset but didn't run off, obviously its one of those brave ones that knows it will probably win a fight with a dog. So i took Mindy inside. It left after that, but I have seen it since in the garden. I think it also craps in the yard and the dog likes to eat that (as dogs do).

you know what is worse than not picking it up? people who do actually pick it up but then chuck the bag into the bushes or leave it dangling on a tree and don't comeback for it. There is a tree on the way to the park that has quite a few little "presents" dangling off it at the moment. yuck.

Thanks guys for your kind words Kavik- how did you cope with diesel? that must've been really hard! LMS- she is not allowed to play with other dogs while the stitches are in but thankyou for your offer

Thanks KTB! I'm not really mad with her but it is frustrating not letting her be able to run around. Thanks SAS, thats good to know that big dogs don't neccessarily have to be restricted. Netti- Mindy is with me practically 24hrs a day and I do put a lot of time and work into her! I do love her, but she is going (understanderbly) mad after not being exercised for 4 days. She is usually a great little puppy though.

Happy Birthday Daisy!

I have heard they are VERY active and require a lot of mental and physical exercise. It is quite hard to think of a dog that is robust but can be carried around by a 10 year old! Esepcially a short haired one! Maybe a toy/mini poodle but I;m not really sure how you would classify the coat- it doesn't shed as much but is still high maintenance. mini schnauzer lakeland terrier Boston terrier West highland I too would not allow a 10yr old to walk a dog. I've had Lakelands, I don't think a child could walk them. Stubborn too ;) although really fantastic kids dogs They also would not take kindly to being picked up and treated like less than a BIG DOG. they are feisty and very very busy, and love to be a DOG. like most terriers....... ;) although they do have that 'cute fluffy look', DONT BELIEVE IT!!! underneath they are a huge dog in a small body! Really? but they are quite small aren't they? There is one in our puppy class, it is tiny! It is however, very very cheeky and naughty :D It would not walk on a lead for a few weeks there which i though was quite cute (i'm sure i wouldn't think that if it was my dog though) and generally seemed to ignore the owners requests LOL

Personally I would always choose to have my dog on fluids due to a quicker recovery time from surgery and quick IV access in case of an emergency. At the minimum, I would want an IV port, in case of an emergency. Having said that, we castrate MANY dog without fluids and they do just fine. In a young healthy dog, the risk of complications are very low. My guide dog puppy was speyed recently and didn't have fluids or anything and she recovered very quickly.

What kind of dogs do you have showdog? I was given specific instructions by the vet at guide dogs about not letting her exercise, she's not my dog, so i don't have much choice apart to follow their guidelines. If she were smaller I MAY be more inclined to allow her more exercise, however at 22kg, she has a lot of weight behind her and i do worry about her rupturing the internal sutures. Anwyay tonight I am making some sardine flavoured ice blocks lol!

Thanks guys! KTB- i do have her tethered at uni and she is usually great- straight to sleep no probs but today she has been jumping all over me. The crate good, she will settle very quickly in that so will be working from home tomorrow. I know over in the desexing thread people have said they didn't really keep to the whole no exercise thing, but with Mindy not being my dog and all I do need to actually follow the guide dogs instructions. Persephone the ice blocks sound like a great idea! Will make up some tonight! I have been giving her frozen lamb flaps as well which are great but not all that long lasting (they have really helped with firming up her poos too ) and she gets a bone everyday too. I seriously do not see how people live with dogs that they don't exercise!!!

I am just having a vent on here so i don't take it out on the dog, but putting my flame suit on :D OMG Mindy is driving me insane!!! Its been four days since her surgery, she has been admittedly pretty good UP UNTIL NOW. I think 4 days of relative inactivity has finally gotten to her (and me). She is being such a pain! She is at uni with me today but doesn't settle like she usually does and is trying to hop into my lap which she has never done before. Unfortunately I don't have a time out area that i can put her into here and I didn't bring her crate with me as it is too cumbersome. She is lunging on the lead and trying to do zoomies on the lead! I am following the instructions of short leash walks only (no longer than 10 minutes) but it is becoming quite unpleasant as she goes nuts as soon as we walk out the door. She is usually a calm and good walker. She does calm down after she realises we are not moving at all until she behaves. I'm trying to do some trick training with her everyday to keep her mind active. She has so much energy she even has to go out into the yard on lead to stop her from running crazily. She is ok in the crate but obviously i can't leave in there 24hrs a day. I am also trying to complete an honours thesis due in like 3 weeks so having a crazy puppy is not helping. Anyway, deep breath.... It will all be over soon.

My labrador puppy was desexed just a few days ago at just under 6 months old as ALL guide dog puppies are. I questioned them about the age of desexing and they have found no problems with desexing labradors at 6 months old. If you're wanting to compete in agility/flyball, best to wait until around 18 months. ETA: there is a recent thread on desexing you may find useful.

what the? was it just me or did the guy keep provoking the lions even after he was attacked the first time?

I would just keep an eye on her then, if it persists after a few days then maybe take her to the vet (or if she goes downhill). My puppy has had sloppy poo for up to a week at a time (though we think it is due to a possible intolerance/allergy) and remains very bright and playful (and hungry!!!)

Hey Julz, How is Bonnie doing?

Is it very watery? Check her hydration by pinching the skin on her neck- it should fall back into place very quickly. If it takes a while to fall back into place- she is dehydrated and seeing the vet would be a good idea. I would see the vet if: The poo is very watery she is dehydrated she becomes lethargic; not wanting to rise and not eating