Simply Grand

Mine aren't properly crate trained, although the younger two were crated at night as puppies, but due to my circumstances at the moment I'm often home and sleeping/snoozing in bed during the day and all three really spend hours on end just sleeping in the same spot. Saxon stays in my room with me and occasionally moves from bed to floor, the other two I hear lying in the hallway outside my door stretching and moving occasionally. They really may as well be in a crate for all they move, even though they have the option to move around in the house and go outside through the doggy door. So seriously, don't think it's mean to keep Roo in the crate, once she's a calm relaxed dog she probably won't be too interested in doing anything when you're not there and up and about anyway. Oh, and mine are 3 1/2, nearly 2 and 15 months so still young and active yet happy to laze around.

Maeby, I think you started a great discussion, and hopefully made lots of us think twice, one way or the other. I think there are plenty of people in the world who would never have noticed or given a second thought to the well being of a stranger's dog, you did. To me, that's a great thing. ETA - I would much rather live in a world where someone who had concerns about my dogs/family/me said something to someone than a world where everyone ignores everyone else.

Awwww Charlie, what amazing inner strength he has. He's so lucky to have found your family, human and fur, to give him a full and happy life :)

She's so gorgeous Silly girl, biting her tongue no more of that thanks Roo!

I've been there as well! And in my case it was totally my own fault, I'd gotten to relaxed about letting them run from the car to the front door off leash - which they always did... Until they didn't A truck backfired as they were getting out of the car and distracted them from their normal routine and two out of three ran off into the busy road out the front of the house. I'm so not a runner but I threw everything I had in my arms to the ground and sprinted towards them screaming their names in a panicked attempt at their normal recall. Realising that wouldn't work and turning and running the other way hoping they'd come was the scariest thing ever and so against my instincts! It worked though, the big one came running over with a big grin about all the fun, the little one following behind her. My legs nearly gave out once I got them safely inside. Needless to say, they stay on lead now! Great advice from everyone here. Definitely get into some obedience training, but also practice recalls away from that, mine are much more willing to recall at training than in "real life" as they're already in training mode. I'll chuck it. In as I always do, if you can get it I recommend Lesley Nelson's Really Reliable Recall DVD, you can find it on line, it's the method I've used with my three and they now all have a very good recall. One tip I have is to teach her the word for whatever her FAVOURITE thing is, toy or super yummy treat, and try to only give it to her when she comes to you. Give her this reward whenever she comes over to you, in the house, the yard, especially on leash outside. Practice running backwards when she is on leash and not distracted, calling her in a happy fun tone, then stop, let her come to you, say "chicken" or whatever the reward is and give it to her. Give her the reward with the word as often as you can, but ONLY when she comes over to you, either of her own accord or because you've asked her to, and only when she actually gets to you and lets you get hold of her. The idea is to condition in her mind that that word means she'll get the BEST THING EVER when she comes to you. Then, in an emergency situation like you had, you call the word and hopefully her little brain automatically goes "ooh best thing ever" and runs to you. A high pitched, shrill, happy tone is good because it is more likely to get through to the, when they're all excited and distracted, you should hear me yelling my recalls, so embarrassing But it works!

That's so cool! Love the extra tall dog :laugh:

Happy birthday amazing Charlie! :D Is he stable these days Vi?

Yep to all of them! I did rad the first one and think meh, who bothers to close the bathroom door on them

I know it's not a coincidence, that was my (badly expressed) point ;) Totally agree with you about feel and timing. That's a big part of why I think Caesar is dangerous, I recently watched his first season (26 eps I think) and I think he actually does have a good idea of what HE is doing with dogs, but for people who really don't know to take advice from a 1/2 hour tv show is so dangerous. Jelly, don't let anyone make you feel like a bad owner, you absolutely are not. You know you have to be a bit tough on Roo now and you're doing it, and all you've done before is what you've been told will help her.

Absolutely Perse. I've noticed recently there are a couple of words (commands) I taught Saxon or Riley as puppies then stopped using, really didn't think they were proofed compared to what I've continuously worked on training them, yet I've said the word 12 months later and they've responded with what they originally learnt! amazing what goes on in their brains.

Love it Nek, makes so much sense to me I think I've done an ok job of applying what you say to my three but I got them all as well adjusted babies so was going in on the front foot. And it's still hard to be consistent with it! I have so much admiration for people who can get the results in a dog who already has some not so well adjusted patterns ingrained! WnH, funny you say it sounds like horse training theory, it also sounds to me a lot like human developmental psychology theory...

Aargh, I don't trust my troll-dar any more after falling for that thread about the dog and the foster child... Maybe the OP just really needs to vent... and throw in extra info to address all questions... And mention dog whisperers... Ok so I won't fall off my chair if you are right mantis!

I understand it as you do Melza.

I'm so lucky Quinn wasn't particularly horny during her one season so far. Some humpy cuddles of Sax and Riley (both desexed boys) seemed to be enough for her. No boy bits actually got close to her swollen girl bits though, probably because no one knew what they were doing!

Do you live near a bridge? :laugh: Not sure the point of that comment? I think Mantis is implying that the OP may be a *dare I say it* troll...

Poor doggy She sounds so cute, "a lovely, affectionate dog and just sort of rolled around everywhere". Definitely not based on facts, but I thought I'd heard that police are only supposed to shoot to kill, not to aim for legs etc. Anyone know if that's a real thing?

I do see it quite often around here at the suburban shopping centers we have in Canberra. I often wonder whether anyone would actually know or do anything if someone other than the dog's owner came and untied it and took it. I try to hang around if I'm not in a rush and watch the person who comes back to take the dog. Sometimes the dog reacts as tho that's clearly their owner but sometimes they're pretty chilled so you really couldn't be sure. I've never seen a dog actively resisting someone though so I haven't said anything - not that I'd really have any right to, it's not like I can say prove to me that's your dog. Just remembered too, the other day there was medium sized poodle x tied up outside the shop dancing around and crying, I slowly approached and checked that he was friendly, he stopped crying and jumped all over me for pats, tail wagging a mile a minute. I'm sure if i'd wanted to he would have willingly come with me.

OMG soooooo true! That's my life! I'll add: I'd have matching pairs of hole-free socks I'd be able to enter my house without starting to call out "quiet" and "down" before I even reach the front door I'd be able to watch tv without having to jump up to call in barking dogs at least twice an evening I'd have so much more cupboard space coz I wouldn't have to accommodate giant bags of dog food, treats, medicines, brushes, clippers, scissors, leashes, harnesses, towels, blankets and toys... AND I'd be bored, lonely and miserable!

Sounds like you're going well Stick with what Nek says though, not only does she have the expertise, she's seen Roo in person too so she's in the best position to advise you. You may find you don't need the daycare for a whole month depending on how quickly she progresses, but being prepared for it sounds like a good idea. I'd love to help financially but unfortunately this is the worst possible time for me to be able to. Definitely sending good thoughts to you though

I've just caught up on this thread, what a roller coaster! Jelly, you're doing an amazing job with Roo, despite having so much to deal with. What a disappointment about the girls Were there still any options from DOLers for people who may be able to take her for the next little while? I so wish I was nearby. It's great that you have a new approach with Nekhbet, hopefully taking a different tack to what you've tried previously will be just what is needed! Nek, so awesome of you to help.

There was a Bondi Vet story too where someone had taken their friend's dog for a walk, left the dog tied up outside a pub ( ) for a few minutes while they ducked in and someone else came along and untied the dog, took the leash and let it run off (caught on CCTV). Poor dog got hit by a car, passersby took it into the vet clinic. Cant remember but I have a bad feeling it didn't survive I did walk Saxon to the shops sometimes and leave him tethered outside while I ran in. He was fine but I stopped doing it once I had more than one dog. I avoid it now, although Saxon on his own would still probably be ok at the local suburban supermarket. Riley would hate being approached by strangers, especially kids, and Quinn would love it but would jump all over people and probably hurt them accidentally *rolly eyes* so definitely not worth the risk.

Oh I didn't realise he had that little black Mohawk! I haven't seen the top of his head. So cute :D

Aww, how sweet! So glad she found a friend :) Maybe she'll pick up some "tips" on how to interact with other dogs from her new buddy too, and make some more friends.

A spin of Shelties - (they tend to spontaneously spin in circles when they're excited, Riley's a master at it). There are so many great ones! Love a boggle of bulldogs :laugh:

I do think it is very hard for someone who has not experienced genuine imminent death to appreciate what that means - I haven't, so in all honesty I cannot guarantee how I would react. I do feel that my family, as in parents and siblings, who know and love me best, do understand that my dogs ARE my family. I've discussed it with my mum and sister and they understand that for me, single, childless and living alone, my dogs are the ones who are there every day, they are the ones I talk to, they are the ones who share my joy and sorrow. It has taken a while and some frank discussions but I think they get now that I do love them but we all understand that they don't need me, and quite frankly I'm not number one priority for them. Me and my dogs, different story. So yes, at this point in my life I really do feel I would stay and die with my dogs if there was absolutely no other option. (sorry, very personal but I actually feel happy to say it )