Simply Grand

Eeeeeee so adorable! I first met my Quinn at 5 weeks old, I remember her being small and cute and easy to manage, those were the days :laugh: Just kidding, she is still adorable and fun, just slightly more challenging now she's big, as you'll know from my last post... You'll have a great time with him :)

Yay, an Aussie is a good choice :D I think one would be good in your situation. They do vary quite alot in temperent and energy levels so, as has been mentioned before, have a good think about what will be best for you (I'd suggest a lower energy and more easy going one for your situation personally) and work with a good breeder who can match you to a particular puppy. My Aussie is pretty destructive, even though she has my two other dogs to play with, she is really curious and interested in everything. You can manage it though ie. I have locks on the bedroom doors as she can open them, child lock on the fridge and dog food cupboard as she can open them, nothing left within her arm's reach on the bench tops book shelves etc. And lots of toys/bottles/boxes around that she can figure out how to open and get food out of and that can be destroyed. They are such fun and gorgeous dogs!

He is just gorgeous Cassie :D Do you happen to know his weight? Or what he's likely to be at 8 weeks? Just trying to picture his size compared to my small fluffies :)

I saw the heading and thought along the same lines! I didn't see the original post but basically my older dogs learnt to either tell her off or just put up with her... the oldest one alternates depending on his mood, the middle one puts up with her. They all get along fine and she's calming abit as she gets older (17 mths).

Oh my goodness, that it the cutest photo ever! They could totally become internet meme famous if the breeder wanted to :p

:laugh: Barky card!

Many dog parks are more trouble than they are worth for some dogs. Some dog parks can have great benefits for some dogs, as long as visits are carefully managed by the owner, IMO. Just sayin'.

Why on earth would she continue to take her dogs to a dog park when others are there when they have had serious enough issues that she now feels the need to muzzle her dogs and yell at people? Doesn't seem like an enjoyable experience for anyone involved, dog or human Yes, I know, this is why many people don't like dog parks.

Riley burps in my face too, he'll walk over, climb on my lap, come right up to my face, then do it. Luckily his burps are only little and not too stinky :)

Ooo so pretty! Thanks Ons. Those puppies are sooo adorable, and definitely big bubbas. Uncle in the photo isn't looking so impressed :laugh: ETA - Mum's looking good

Thanks huski :) I know, when you mentioned having a dog assessed for their reaction I thought ooh, that would be interesting, then realised hang on, I don't actually want her to physically try and protect me! I do think the three of them barking, including Quinn's 'serious' bark, would help deter your average burglar. And I would definitely have a vocal warning if someone did try to break in, I'd grab the phone and run outside, like others have done.

I was talking about this topic with a friend earlier, how having animals on the bed trashes you bedding, sigh... This thread did remind me of the early days of having cats and then puppies, when a vomit or god forbid a pee, would have me leaping out of bed and changing the whole bed in the middle of the night. These days...meh, as long as my side is clean(ish) and dry, it can wait :laugh:

Huski, that's what I'm thinking with mine, Quinn especially. She is super friendly normally but has definitely shown social dominance with other dogs, both in defense of herself and my other dogs. She hasn't actually gone over the top or caused physical harm but she has seriously 'warned' OTT dogs twice (both bull breeds so prob physically stronger than her) and has pinned a Fox Terrier who nipped her face with her mouth - his fur was wet but no injury. Huski, what are your thoughts on that kind of dog to dog behaviour vs dog to human protective behaviour? (no pressure, just interested :) )

Or make the complaint to the AVA first, see if there is a way to have an autopsy done that has to be paid for by the vet who performed the surgery of negligence is found. You or the owners may have to pay initially and be reimbursed if negligence is found. Obviously don't have the same vet do the autopsy. Record in writing date, time, name and statement of the vet nurse and the vet. Just rereading, what has happened to the body of the puppy (sorry, I know it's awful to think about )?

Now you're challenging me! I'll see what I can do :) ETA - yay, yes it's on their website http://www.petrescue.com.au/library/articles/petrescues-new-tv-commercial-promoting-rescue-pet-adoption

Does anyone know whether there's a correlation between dogs that will run in to protect their canine packmates amd that will protect their humans if they are threatened?

I wonder often wonder about this. I think if I wasn't there they would all bark at someone trying to get in, if they did actually get in Riley (Sheltie) would try to run away, Saxon (toy poodle x malt) would threaten quite seriously but wouldn't actually make contact and would do his best to stay out of reach. Quinn (Aussie Shepherd) would probably react based on the person and their "vibe", if they were confident and friendly with her she'd probably welcome them, if they were gave off a bad vibe I think she would also bark and threaten, I don't think she would attack though. I don't think there would be a huge difference if they were on their own as opposed to together, maybe Saxon and perhaps Riley, would be more confident if Quinn was with them. If I was there I think their first reaction would be excitement, they'd bark and run around to get me to come see the exciting visitor, however the older Quinn gets (she's 16 months now) the more I think she would actually physically try to protect me if someone attacked me. I also suspect the other two would try to help if she attacked first. Quinn is very balanced and controlled as far as 'non-friendly' behaviour goes but the more I see her interact with other dogs and with people the more I suspect she's actually a tough little thing (not that little, 22kg-ish). Hopefully she's never put to the test though.

I just saw the cutest ad for petrescue.com.au! It has a lovely red Kelpie, a white cat and a duck, the tag line is 'who says you can't choose your family?' OT but made me think of this thread wm :)

Minnie and Mousie, how cuuuuute :) Are they solid black and brown? I don't think I've seen solid colour Coolies.

Ooh, I'd love to go to a presentation and see that kind of prop :D

Good work wm, how nice :)

Well said Staffyluv, I agree with all your points.

How interesting. Saxon is a reverse sneezer, it's usually triggered when he either strains on his collar or eats too fast. I have been massaging his throat gently to calm him and relax the convulsions but will def try covering his nose OT but I swear he faked it the other day, we went for a walk at the lake near the dog park with two other owners who both let their one dog of leash but I kept my three on leash, Saxon was on his front attach harness which never makes him reverse sneeze because there's no pressure on his throat, but on this occasion he did it every few steps on the walk out then would stop and look back at me! Strangely he wasn't doing it on the way back... it really looked like he was trying to convince me to let him off the leash with the big kids :laugh:

Saxon, my poodle x, is a pale apricot colour, his coat collects dirt like crazy and he is usually several shades darker than his actual colour. I still get surprised after I bath him and he goes back to his real colour :laugh:

or should I say rofb!