kiesha09

Serket, you sound exactly like me with the checking every thirty minutes. I've become slightly obsessive about it!!! For the moment they appear to be gone, but I sure as hell want to be on top of it should they re-appear. I actually got a bit slack too with the flea treatments so I'm sure thats exactly why they got them. Its just I've never had an issue before so wasn't worried, but I'm going to be onto it from now on!!!! Thanks for letting me know what stuff you use. Its a jungle out there knowing what is best. I had thought of aloveen too since that is what I use anyway as it helps with his allergies but didn't know if there would be something better. Might give it a try. Thanks for your help

I can join this thread, since we suddenly seem to have fleas here too I'm absolutely horrified and disgusted too, yuck. Saw these bugs crawling on her and thought oh, strange bugs, and then I thought oh no....fleas?!?! (can you tell I've been spared having to deal with them before? ) Couldn't work out how/why they'd appeared all of a sudden when she hasn't really been out, certainly hasn't been near any other dogs or cats for a fortnight now and then I read that and wondered about the 60cm deep hole to China she dug just before the fleas appeared Just spent a fortune on various products to get rid of them, hope it works, and quickly. This was the exact same thought pattern that I went through So I frontlined before I went away which got rid of all visible signs of fleas. I've searched and searched on the dogs but can't find a thing. Problem is one dog is still very itchy. He has been known to have allergies and i think he is quite allergic to them. How do you get rid of the itchiness? I also let off flea bombs while I was gone and came back and found a fair few dead fleas around the place so it obviously worked. Now am washing everything possible. Fun! I purchased some of that Fidos stuff mentioned by Aziah so just waiting for that to arrive. Now I'm just a bit confused about what products I should use for ongoing flea control. I currently use sentinel spectrum for worms and heartworm but it doesn't kill adult fleas so need to use another product. I was going to use frontline (which appears to have worked this time) as well but with other people giving bad reviews of it thought I should maybe use something else. The sentinel packet recommends Capstar (not sure how long that lasts though) or should I use comfortis? Also, how many fleas do you normally see on your dogs when they are infested with them?

Corvus that is my absolute worste nightmare. The thought of fleas gives me the heeby geebies, don't know why. Probably because I've never had to deal with them before. I pray that these treatments work! But I mgiht buy some Comfortis just in case.

I normally just use Sentinal Spectrum because I've never really had problems with fleas before. But that doesn't kill all stages of the life cycle. I just happened to have 2 lots of frontline in the cupboard so used it straight away. However, now that I've had an issue with fleas I"m going to be doing everything I can to not get them again so will be using frontline or somethign similar also. I have heard that some dogs develop a resistance to frontline but due to the fact that mine have rarely used it I don't think there should be an issue. Yet thanks for the name of the other product. Will be sure to get onto it if frontline doesn't work.

Oh really? I thought that they might still spread them to other dogs (if they saw any while we're away) as it would take a few days to kill them. But if not that is fantastic as I wasn't looking forward to it. I hindsight I would have bathed them first too except I found them about 20 minutes before I had to leave for work and freaked and just wanted to get rid of them ASAP. What's on the dogs should be dead by the time you head off for the weekend... For future reference, get a bottle of the Fido's Fre-Itch Concentrate and if there's a next time dip them in a made up solution...I also make up a spray bottle and spray the dogs if I'm heading to a show in an a tick area. One capful toa 500mL spray bottle and the big concentrate bottle lasts for ages... Thanks Aziah for the tips! Although I do hope and pray that this is my last flea infestation for a while. I'm going to turn into the flea nazi I think. But I will get some Fre-Itch concentrate in case.

Oh really? I thought that they might still spread them to other dogs (if they saw any while we're away) as it would take a few days to kill them. But if not that is fantastic as I wasn't looking forward to it. I hindsight I would have bathed them first too except I found them about 20 minutes before I had to leave for work and freaked and just wanted to get rid of them ASAP.

Argh! I feel your pain!! It really isn't a very fun situation to have to deal with. Did you turn off your fridge when you used the flea bomb? I want to set it off as I'm leaving to go away for the weekend but don't want to turn off my fridge.

This morning before work I discovered that one of my dogs has fleas (only a matter of time for the other one too I guess). I have never had an animal with fleas before and honestly its freaking me out . I have frontlined them both this morning and this afternoon I will worm them also (as I've heard fleas can spread tapeworm). I'm going away this weekend (with dogs so looks like their doggy holiday will be an indoor quarantined one ) so before I go I'm going to wash the bedding, dogs and mine, wash rugs on lounge, vacuum carpet then let off a flea bomb. Is there anything else you can recommend? Has anyone else used the mortein flea bombs or is there something else you can recommend? Also, should I give the dogs another frontline treatment before their next monthly treatment is due to make sure their gone? Fleas make me stressed!!!!!!

I groom a few they are usually mini schnauzer size and have the schnauzer coat colouring but poodle curls and texture hard to explain... but if u do a schnauzer breed clip on them they do look alot like one ;) some have a slightly more poodle shaped face ie narrower and longer muzzle... i think the originatore just like the name hahaha like the MooPoo hahaha Malt X Poodle a new fav bahahahahaha Hahaha what about cocker spaniel x maltese = Cocktease!!!! :D XXtoughgirlXxxx :p :D :D :( :) Funniest things I've heard today. Absolute gold!!!!!!!!!

I have always thought that my dogs seeing themselves in the mirror is much the same as them seeing another dog on the TV. They recognise the shape and form of the animal but know its not a real dog due to the absence of scent etc. I don't think my dogs know it is them in the mirror. Does that make sense?

hmm guess thats an option but he's a obstinate little bugga and not sure he'd cooperate, but may be worth a try... i wouldnt dare leave him inside as he is used to depositing enormous specimens around the yard at night that would make any horse proud If you crate trained him he wouldn't be wondering around inside the house. Also if you toilet trained him then it wouldn't be an issue. WOuld be much better for the dog to be inside away from the cold.

I thought when they came backt o Aus they had to be in quarantine for 4 or 6 weeks. But not 100% sure so maybe do a google search. Thats where I found my info about a year ago when I was thinking of going to the US for a year or two (same as you).

Thanks! We are just living day by day to the fullest with Charlie... he is on a good diet, has plenty of exercise, we are constantly challenging him and his brain of his and we go on adventures together... so it's all good And what more could he want

My Aussie is trained to find the carkeys, which is really helpful given how often I loose them, only trouble is one day I caught her hiding them. I was in another rooom when I heard the tinkle of the keys and poked my head out in time to see her taking them of the table then across to her toy box where she dropped them in and then walked away. Didn't let on I'd seen her and a few minutes later I came out and asked her to find my keys, well no searching needed she went straight to the toybox got the keys and waited for her reward. Another time I had just got a Manners Minder (training remote food dispenser) and was trying it out. It was a hot day so instead of going for our walk I thought she could get exercised in the A/C house by placing the target at one end of the house and the MM at the other. She had to touch the target and then I would dispense a treat and she would have to walk a fair distance to get it. Well she did this a few times and then gave me that look that said I know there is an easier way mum, so this time after targeting she did not go across to the MM to get the treat just looked to make sure it was there and then turned and targeted again. Ok I though lets see if this was just a fluke, so I paid up again at the MM and she then walked across and got the 2 treats. She continued doing this double target for double treats a couple of times each time looking across to check that I paid up for the first target before doing the 2nd target and then gave me that look again. This time when she went to the target she picked it up took it over to the MM and then targeted it. Yep, I paid up but then put the MM away as I decided she was just way to smart for me and it's scary just how well she can think things out. I bought her a skateboard with the intention of teaching her how to use it but as soon as I put it in front of her she was on it and scooting across the room, I'm sure she's been here before, I hate to say it but my dog is smarter than me. Wow... my dog Chip moved the target to the manners minder closer too So smart!

Thanks SnT for actually clarifying some of the points here. The delta course is actually a great course and much of the rubbishing it gets on here is very disappointing. I was doing the course when they had the issues with the RSPCA shelter. The format of the course has been changed recently and it was the first year they had the prac week at the RSPCA. There was mention of some involvement of shelter dogs but it was NEVER said that we would be handling them. But yes it did come down to ethical approval and this was infact out of the hands of Delta. As for having to refer a certain number of people to behaviouralists to pass the course - this is utter rubbish! You should clarify with your friend because in all my involvement with Delta that is so far from what I have experienced!!! Finally, I think it is very disappointing that people who may have had a bad experience with a delta qualified instructor then tarnish all delta instructors as being terrible. Simply isn't the case. In any occupation you get people who are better or worse at their job. There are many delta instructors who are absolutely fantastic as there are other dog training professionals who are good/bad at what they do but we don't classify all as being good/bad.

Teach her to eat her food seperately! What happens if she is on her own for an extended period of time, she just won't eat? Who knows what situation could eventuate. I'd be seperating her, giving her 10 minutes to eat the food and if she didn't eat it taking it away. I'd keep that up for as long as it takes for her to eat it. She won't starve herself - just ask your vet! I know a trainer who took on a pug who was a very fussy eater as his owner catered to his every taste. The pug went 8 days before eating Trainer almost caved but didn't and eventually the pug started eating. He certainly isn't fussy anymore.

I'm thinking of purchasing this book as it has been recommended by some but then quite a few others have not recommended it so now I can't decide. What did you think of it? Why did you like it or why not?

There is also an Emergency Vet on Magill Road - not the same as the Adelaide animal hospital. I believe they are part of the Adelaide veterinary specialist and referral center - well located in same building. I have their fridge magnet at home but don't know any more details while at work unfortunately.

For dog one - what kind of correction was used to stop the jumping? (just curious really) Dog two - Is she not just shutting down and appearing more normal? I know that with my own dog who used to exhibit this same behaviour it would have caused her to shut down not feel safe at all. The flight response was purely her way of reducing her stress. It was at an increased distance from what she was afraid of that counter conditioning could take place

I agree with Corvus too! Dog welfare also floats my boat

Poodles are very smart so you need to keep their mind active. Thats why I've found toys like kongs, buster cubs, kibble nibbles etc where they have to use their mind to figure out how to get the food. I would start here and see how you go.

My two have a smallish yard but they never use it unless I go out there. Otherwise they are inside dogs who just sleep on the bed all day. They go for an off lead walk each day in summer and in winter they go for an onlead walk of the same time. I have never noticed any difference in their energy levels between an on or offlead walk so I'm sure an onlead walk is just as good. I think if you had an indoor dog though you would need to do more than just play fetch with it for a while each day. It really would need to be walked everyday whether it be onlead or off.

I completely agree with your trainer about not saying no to your dog. That isn't giving your dog any information and not telling it what you do want it to do. For example if my dog grabs my sock and is about to run off with it what is the point of saying NO? It doesn't tell the dog what I do want it to do. Instead a better way to go about it is to ask the dog to come to me and the give. If I had been managing things better the dog would never had a chance to get the sock (errorless learning) as I would have managed the situation better so as the habit is never formed. We need to be as specific as possible to our dogs because they don't know english just a few different cues that we have trained them to know. Most of the time they have no idea what 'NO' means except that humans say it in a gruff, loud, angry voice so its something that should be feared. To me thats no basis for a good relationship with your dog.

WnH - I'm just in the process of saving to put up a fence out the front too to solve the issue as well. My only solution really since I'll never trust them again. I have an article about this at home which is fantastic. Would be easiest if I email it to you so if you want to PM me your email address I'll send it onto you tonight when I get home. Basically the principle is that our back yards are exactly the same for our dogs as a zoo enclosure is to zoo animals. However, just as zoo animals get bored and start displaying boredome behaviours - think swaying elephants and pacing bears, our dogs start displaying boredome behaviours too eg escaping, barking, digging etc. Zoo keepers have been very successful in reducing the boredome behaviours displayed in zoo animals by environmental enrichment programs. This can involve food eg. different kinds, hidden so they have to find it, etc, Environmental textures - eg changing their enclosures frequently by putting in new branches, adding sand, gravel, dirt etc. so it is constantly changing, adding different scents - eg scattering different herbs around, spraying different scents around etc changing their sleeping arrangements so they are moving around all the time etc. The polar bears at Sea World here in Australia are a fantastic example of how environmental enrichment can improve the quality of life for captive animals. Now I know that above is all about zoo animals but by applying many of the same principles to dogs (exercise, training, food, environmental textures, scencts, sleep etc) you too can reduce boredom behaviours and possibly reduce the incidences of escapism. Although you will probably never trust your dog completely it could be of some help. Really we should all be implementing this kind of thing into the daily lives of our animals to ensure their mental wellbeing is being catered for. Yes it is a bit more work but this is what it takes. Google has some great links as well.

Gily I can really empathise with you about this situation because although my dogs do not escape they are serial door dashers. I have tried everything and to this day whilst they are better I will never ever trust them. My girl was hit by a car a few months ago as she ran out the door and onto the road. I know how you feel, it is aweful. I'm not entirely sure I believe the comments about not being able to develop road sense as my parents farm dogs have awesome road sense. Just not entirely sure how you develop it for pet dogs who aren't around cars and motorbikes etc. all the time. I know you didn't post about trying to stop your dogs escaping so ignore from here on if you don't want to hear it. But firstly have you consulted a behaviouralist? Secondly, I have seen environmental enrichment do wonders with escaping dogs. It is much more than just a kong or treat ball to occupy them. THere is SO much more too it. If you would like some more information on what you could try then let me know.