Simply Grand

Also just remembered, in Riley's class we had a Pit Bull puppy (legal in ACT) and the instructor made a big effort to 1) make it clear that he was just like any other pup, no different because of his breed and therefore no one seemed to feel uncomfortable around hin at all; and 2) give the owner lots of advice on how to best train the pup. She checked with him specifically every week at the end of the class and asked lots of questions, I think at first he was having some problems as his family had Pit Bulls more as guard dogs that lived outside but he wanted his pup to be very much an indoor pet. The instructor was great at encouraging him to keep coming to class and keep learning, and you could see the pup responding better and better to him as the weeks went on :D ETA - sorry to hijack!!

I know no one's saying they're all bad, but just to show there are some very good puppy schools run by vet nurses, I took both my boys to puppy pre-school (4 weekly sessions) at one of the vet surgeries here (Hall Vet) and it was great! The lady running it was a nurse at the surgery when Saxon went through and had the other nurses/assistants helping her. By the time Riley went through she had left the surgery to operate on her own as a trainer but kept running the pre-schools through the surgery because she enjoyed it and thought it valuable. She was teaching the other staff how to run the classes to. It was very professionally run, good control over the puppies and appropriate opportunities for interaction as well as lots of advice on positive reinforcement training, socialisation, health and grooming Unfortunately doesn't help you minimiss, but don't be disheartened, it's all learning for you and Benny

I'm a bit confused about the story, didn't quite follow what was going on... the dog is adorable though! I love when he's moving the furniture on balcony, so cute :D

Hehe I'm avoiding it coz it's too embarrassing - for me as the stylist! I'll get before and afters and post tomorrow tho on the 'puter ( on iPhone now).

Pepper loves Henry!! So cute : D I was feeling bad about Saxon's drastic haircut (tho again, he couldn't care less and still thinks he looks great) but in this hot weather I bet he's loving it... See people we totally knew what we were doing shaving our fluffers!

I wasn't going to post as i keep reading everyone's posts and going "oh yes, that too!"... But I will anyway. Think I may be suffering from puppy love and bias, but here goes: Aussie Shepherd Poodle (all sizes are beautiful but mini is my pref) Shelties (yes I can lay claim to all of these currently...) And Collie Rough Rottweiler that's 5, there are plenty more but I guess I'm lucky that those I like best looks wise also suit me in all the other ways at the moment!!

Oh and trolls are fun entertainment for everyone but DOL General threads come up on google all over the place and I think it would be nice if the general public felt encouraged to ask questions or at least read the info and hopefully learn, without us just looking like a big clique.

Seeing as even the experienced DOL collective can't agree on a definition for BYB and what the line is between good and bad breeders, I don't see why someone who has posted twice, asking for advice to help her dogs, should be expected to know. I do wholeheartedly agree that pet shops are not a good place for pets to be in or be bought from and actively discourage people from buying from them, however plenty of people who buy from pet shops are still good pet owners. I'd much rather encourage people to learn as much as they can to give their pets the best life possible for many years than to give them a hard time over where they bought their young puppy. Missy, like I've said in threads before, you gotta be a bit thick skinned for DOL sometimes, but there is heaps of great advice, info and fun to be had, you just have to consider what to take on and what to disregard. Lots of great advice for your situation and it sounds like you'll take it on board. Biggest thing I can emphasise is supervision, separation and one on one time! It'll be worth it in the end

Oh my god! Poor little Jenna, imagine her shock! And yours of course. I'm sure she'll be fine, but agree with the other suggestions to get her checked for other spinal etc injuries, they can be building and not show for ages until they're quite serious. I imagine she'll be very wary around the mean door for a while!

I know right! I never saw a loose one on Saxon, in his mouth or fallen out, they all just disappeared! I managed to get hold of one of Riley's but that was only because he retained all 4 puppy canines and the last one was super stubborn and hung on for months, I pulled it out in the end when I noticed it dangling out of his gum... Have to say tho toy poodle x and Sheltie puppy teeth are pretty tiny so easy to miss!

Missy don't panic! It's very early days and like you said things will seem more manageable in the morning. Hopefully the dogs are separate for tonight to keep them each safe, and you and they can get some sleep. I don't think you have a disaster on your hands but I do think some help will do your household good, good on you for asking I'm about to go to sleep (after I go wrangle my barking 8 month old pup inside) but will check back tomorrow, just wanted to offer some reassurance in case you're still awake!

Henry looks super cute! And very happy with his haircut I may be biased though as Saxon looks similar at the moment, I got new clippers, he was my guinea pig and I accidentally clipped his back waaaay shorter than planned so then had to do his while body super short. His head and tail are still fluffy, but he looks more like a plucked chicken than a lion He couldn't care less tho, heehee.

I think that's the issue, most people don't mean to be cruel, they just don't realise how dogs interpret what they do and that there are much more effective training methods available.

If any vets/vet staff would feel comfortable commenting, would you say anything in the OP situation?

It's so hard to know what to do! A girl at the dog park the other day came in with her pup (maybe 6-8 months) who proceeded to run around and jump all over everyone in excitement. The owner was obviously frustrated and yelling across the park at the people the pup jumped on to push her off. When the pup eventually came back to the owner, oblivious that anything was wrong, owner grabbed her collar pushed her to the ground and yelled "don't f*@&ing jump!!" Pup clearly had no idea what was going on. I very nearly said to the owner that there's no way that's going to teach her anything, but seeing as she didn't actually hurt the dog I bit my tongue and walked away. I don't know what I'd do if I saw someone actually hurting their dog. I doubt many people who do that would be very receptive to my input. Juice, those poor whippies May well be lovely well behaved dogs if they weren't hit by their owner all the time!

Sooo cute! And so teeny I think i can see that cheeky glint in his eye ;) LOVE his name, can just picture him saying to people "they call me... Bruce"

YAY!!! Congrats :D What breeds are topping the list at the moment? You're patient to wait a whole year, hope it goes super quickly for you.

Oh my god!! The poor child and the poor family of the dog. I just don't understand parents who let little kids wander.

sujo you sound like a great dog owner and a great neighbour! The kids' mum on the other hand Sounds like they are lucky you're around to keep an eye one them. I hope that situation can be resolved. I agree that you probably would be liable if the kid (or anyone) got bitten. I'm not exactly sure what your rights are when it comes to a dog defending the property but I think in general the home owner is liable for injury on their property even if the injured person is trespassing. it's a pity you now have to go above and beyond because other people don't do the right thing but at least you'll know you're safe.

How sad You've made the right decision though. Thinking of you, and big cuddles for Zedley xxx

Hmm interesting, I didn't know male Ragdolls got that big. Charlie is allegedly a Persian x but he's from a pet shop so could be anything. He is long haired, caramel and white coloured, big and very placid, he puts up with all sorts from the dogs He does sometimes brIng me mouse/rat presents... But he's still gorgeous

Aaaahhh barking! I don't know whether MS are barky, I've not heard it too much although my friend's definitely alert barks (at strangers etc). If you do get a barky pup tho I recommend working to stop it from day 1! I knew Shelties could be barky but didn't work too hard on it from when he was a baby, working on it now but it's a mission. Not the end of the world tho The good thing about motivated, smart dogs is that once you do figure out the motivator you can train them all sorts of things, like you say RS! If Saxon so much as has an inkling treats are around he gets very focussed very fast... He still knows how to work the system tho ;)

OT but... Mm, your mum's cat weights 8 kilos!?! My boy cat weighs about 6.5kgs (3 and a bit Lucys, hehe) he'll be very glad to know there's someone heavier

My experience with MS (not owning one but a friend does and several are regulars at our dog park), they definitely fiesty and headstrong. I think they are great little dogs and super cute but they seem to me like you would have to figure out what will motivate them to do what you want them to, rather than them being keen to please you and willing to try and figure out what you want them to do just to make you happy. Fun for training and interesting to learn from I imagine but not easy! I also think you would need to be firm and very consistent or they would take advantage. A few of the ones I've met, including my friend's, are quite resource-guardy and will growl and snap at another dog trying to get close the "their" whatever - owner, ball etc - even with dogs they know, who aren't actually trying to challenge them. Both my Poodle x Maltese and Sheltie are much "softer" than the MSs I've met, as in less like to challenge the authority of their owner or other dogs, more interested in pleasing people. I've found it hard to teach my little dogs not to jump up on people - 1. Because they're light, if I'm distracted I don't always notice that they're jumping up around my knees/legs so find it hard to be consistent 2. They do get excited to see me and jump around like idiots but if I'm carrying stuff it's easier to avoid them and keep walking than to actually try stop them (I know not everyone is as lazy as me but you'd have to be much more disciplined with yourself than if you had a bigger dog because an adult human can actually ignore a little dog jumping). 3. Other people don't turn away, push them off or ignore them when they jump up like they do with bigger dogs, they laugh and pat etc etc so even if you are super consistent with your own training chances are that they will be getting rewarded with attention from at least some people when they jump. And/or you'd have to be right on top of stopping them before they jump whenever other people are around. None of that stuff particularly bothers me, which is why I'm a bit lazy with it, but I don't have little kids to worry about Oh just thought of something else to mention, an upset child pushing pup off/squealing/running away OR a happy child laughing and patting is a reward for any pup and a smart one will quickly learn to take advantage of that pretty quickly.

Haven't finished reading the thread but so glad I saw this... I was wondering how I could somehow have my dogs' breeders details as well as mine on the microchips, of course register their pedigree name! I'm pretty sure Riley is under his pet name but I will see if I can change it, and make sure Quinn goes under her reg name too