Simply Grand

So my point was meant to be, for some people, like most of us on DOL, one mistake and we learn and never put our dogs in the situation to make that mistake again, whether that is to attack or be attacked, but for plenty a dangerous dog declaration is the only thing that will get through to them that they need to do something.

It's so tricky but this is where I think pet owner responsibilities come into play and is why i think we have such a responsibility particularly as dog owners in particular to understand and control our dogs. I think that animals can behave like animals and TBH attacking and killing other animals is an instinct for them. However dogs are placed into unnatural environments for them more than any other animal. We don't generally take our cats or guinea pigs out in public or on play dates to other people's houses but we do with dogs and we can't expect them to be robots.

Could be a good idea. Then you can focus on Sarge and his training and your other family member can focus on the little girl. Two puppies is HARD work, I did it with an 8 week old and a 9 month old and they were still a bad influence on each other. Two young puppy bull breeds will be crazy! Different homes in the same family and they can still be friends and you can still be involved with both of them, plus you won't have to worry about serious fights between strong dogs as they mature.

Saxon gives me and other people massages by walking up and down on you back while you lie on the floor, maybe he's part shiatsu...

Hey Lisa, what's Nova like with jumping up at you? I can't remember now if Quinn did it much as a baby but I think she must have, and she sure does it as a grown up, just with much more weight behind her now, which is why I am usually covered in bruises I wish I'd been better at discouraging her from the beginning

Maybe we need to focus on having info out there for people who do want to know all about the options and would be inclined to go with ped PB and not try to convert people who aren't interested? Just thinking out loud but maybe we need to narrow our target market from the entire pet buying public to people like me, and all those other DOLers who say I didn't know about ped PBs when I bought my byb/pet shop puppy. People who do research and do want to know all the information before making a decision, and think that they have but have missed a whole chunk because the info isn't out there. Trouble is it would need a proper marketing strategy including market research and that would require funding and coordination.

Oh dear... I generally try to avoid having doggy noses pointing around that area!

Seriously, I had no idea about registered breeders and the benefits of health tested, sound and stable breeding stock until after I got my first dog (Saxon). I am quite intelligent and did do quite a lot of research via the Internet when looking for my puppy. I had thought I might like his particular cross as I knew one who is a great little dog and from there went on to research "Moodle", Poodle and Maltese to make sure I had an idea of the temperament, size, activity levels and grooming I could expect. Plenty of info out there that convinced me this "breed" would be a good fit for me. I was well aware that it was a cross of two breeds, but I wasn't aware of why that could be an issue. I wasn't specifically looking for a cross breed because of "hybrid vigour" or anything, or for a "designer" breed, just for a little dog that would suit my life, with some predictability into what kind of dog he would grow into. While researching though I just didn't come across anything that triggered in my mind that I should look more specifically at a pedigree purebred. It was after I had already committed to buying Saxon from a byb (who did look after the dogs well and produced well socialised puppies who have made great pets) that I came across DOL and started to learn and understand more. Obviously I am now well aware of the advantages and my other two dogs are pedigree purebred. I think it takes some thinking a bit outside the square and trying to get information about the benefits to a buyer of finding a properly bred dog from a breeding program that has been thought through and is carried out with the aim of producing healthy, sound, predictable dogs - whether that means ANKC registered or not. Of course there are not going to be a whole heap of people breeding "Spike to Sally coz they're good dogs who make cute puppies" that fit that bill anyway so if done well it would bring most back to ANKC reg anyway, but until someone gets to really be involved in and understand the dog world a lot of the stuff out there saying non-reg, byb, pet shops, whatever are just bad and only ANKC reg dogs are good sounds a bit fanatical and snobby (no offence intended but we know that's how it often comes across to the general public). A mum with three kids wanting a family pet is probably going to do the kind of initial research I did at best , searching for 'dogs good with kids, medium size, well behaved" or something, and will not come across enough convincing information to steer her towards a good breeder and healthy, sound dog. (I've just done a quick search and there is lots of pretty good info about which breeds might suit, the importance of training, grooming and exercise needs to be considered, so someone researching would likely feel they HAVE done their research to find a good dog for them BUT as i found, there really isnt much saying that while a Labrodor as a breed may be a great match not all Labrador puppies listed for sale, even on great sites like DOL, will be created equal). She probably won't become a bit of a crazy dog person like I did and spend the next four years learning about dogs to get to the point of being aware of all the things it is important to look for and ask about, so if we want to change people's views we need to get to them right at that first search stage. I know the next question is "How?". My answer is "I don't really know" :D

Omg I have a friend who would LOVE those cat pants! She loves patterned pants and cats, perfect for her :) The BTs look good don't they, and the Puggy is super cute.

He's good looking boy :) it sounds like you're doing all the right things with him so keep going and he should be a great dog. I wouldn't worry too much about him being a bit protective and alert barking when people come to the house - although depends how loud he is I guess, don't want to annoy the neighbours - BUT through your training with him you should be able to quite quickly build your relationship with him so that when you tell to stop as everything's fine, he'll do it. What I mean is dogs will hear things and bark to alert the family but you want to teach him that its not actually his job to protect you or the home, it's your job and you have it covered so he can relax.

Gumtree seems to have private rentals who may be more willing to consider pets too. I feel for them, I'm going through the same thing, tho my bubs are kenneled ATM, good on you for fostering their little guys. They may need to look a little further afield and adjust other requirements to find somewhere, it's tough

(apart from Mia's teefies) sounds pretty good to me! It'd only been a day or so and sounds like the girls are starting to adjust to each other, even Roo. I agree with those who said to be a bit firm with Roo if she growls and snaps, just like you did, no privileges if she's being bratty, but no big punishment either, so Mia being there isn't associated with bad stuff. Mia sounds chilled, hopefully she will hold her ground with Roo enough to show Roo calm doggy behaviour but be flexible enough that they won't fight. Sounds like so far so good! Well done girls :)

Ooo Mia's pretty! I can just picture her and Roo ignoring each other on their beds :laugh: Sounds nice and calm so far, hope it keeps going well!

I don't really think that, I was just being understated. The world has enough drama llamas, him being one of them! And I agree, but we were in Italy and I wasn't sure how. I did report him to hotel security, who asked him to leave. What a shame it happened while you were away obviously an awful thing to happen anywhere but even scarier and more disappointing when you're away from home. Don't worry, I thought it was fairly apparent that you were understating things, I think you're very brave for sharing what he was like at all, I know speaking up is hard I'm with you, dogs are much better companions and support systems, even if they do cost us stress and sacrifices and money, they're still worth it!

What a #*%!, well done for getting away from him, how scary I'm glad you and Roo have each other. So glad to see new Roo pics, she's so gorgeous.

What a great story. Love the kids getting involved, and the dogs look like they're having an absolute ball!

Quinn has one brown eye and one blue eye, the brown one shines red and the blue one shines blue/white, it's cool :) ETA - that's funny, I just read that article td posted and it says that blue eyes often shine red but Quinn's doesn't... although now I think about it her eye is actually merle/marbled and does have a small patch of brown, that's probably why.

Oh Ziggy Sending you best wishes, you too SL, big hugs

Teehee, he was active at 6 weeks, wait til you get him home! He's just gorgeous

Hmmm, edited my post to add more but it does sound like she might be best in her crate maybe with you with a hand inside on her? Without other symptoms of illness or infection it way just be pain and she's particularly sensitive to it. So hard to know and I understand you hate to risk it I think if it were me I would stay up or sleep next to her and check her regularly for any changes tonight then vet check in the am.

Would she settle down to sleep if you held her on your lap and stroked her? ETA - I am definitely no expert but personally I probably wouldn't go to the vet now, as long as she will take water (do you have a syringe without a needle to squirt into her mouth if she won't lap?) or maybe some mushy food mixed with water syringed or teaspooned to make sure she's getting water and energy? Even weetbix with a little sugar or something just to get something into her. Then if she isn't better in the morning to a vet that open?? Anyone who actually knows please do correct me if need be!

I have an Aussie (22kgs) and a Sheltie (7.5kgs) too, the Sheltie is 7 months older than the Aussie and they get along like a house on fire. They do play quite roughly by the Sheltie's standards but the Aussie is way more careful and gentle with the Sheltie than she is when she plays with bigger roughy dogs. I never taught her this, she just seemed to figure it out. I also have and older small poodle x (5.5kgs) so the Aussie came in as a baby being slightly smaller than the older two so they sorted out their playing together I think. I haven't owned either Frenchies or Goldies but from what I know of them I think they'd be a really good combination. Frenchies are fairly roust little dogs and Goldies are less crazy full on than herding breeds tend to be so I reckon they'd sort out a good relationship

Teeheehee

Hehehe, Flynn wouldn't lower himself to leg humping :p I love the scooting along the ground, it's so cute the way he does it :laugh:

very trainable, those young humans!