Adnil444

I agree Black Bronson - it can work and does, but there are often troubles.

Hi, I was at a dog seminar recently and this was brought up and it was dismissed. What was being said on the night is that wolves and "village" dogs both came from a common ancestor. However wolves went one way and the dogs another - our dogs come from what we can still today see all over the world - they are smaller, bred to scavenge, short hair, usually tan in colour type dog.

Hi Mita, sounds like you are doing a perfect job with your two. Not every dog is meant for an off-leash park and dogs live perfectly happy lives without going into one - your dogs are meetings lots of different dogs, in controlled situations, which will only mean greater confidence and acceptability with your dogs as well as the dogs you meet. I take two of mine to off-leash parks at least 5 times a week, however I constantly watch mine (one in particular) as she does get excited if the small ones run and start to squeal. I immediately put her back on lead and have started asking the owners of the small dogs if I can do a couple of laps with them (mine on lead) so she won't get excited and the small dog gains confidence. I have seen far too often owners who are either totally ignorant or don't care (not sure) that their dogs are not enjoying their experience in the off-leash park and some cannot even tolerate another dog walking past without squealing, which as you know sets off all sorts of trouble. Mine is getting much better - lots of treats, walking with the smaller ones. She does play beautifully with a number of the smaller ones, but they have been well socialised and also are not the fluffy ones. My mini schnauzer no longer goes to off-leash parks as she is getting old and isn't very dog tolerant now due to diminishing eye sight and her hearing is going. I would worry that she would get bowled over by some of the others (possibly my other 2). She has gentle leash walks now.

British Bulldogs too! The breeder of my girl said to be careful of her with other dogs as different breeds often react to the Bulldog jaw and noises. When I first brought Mildred home my Rotti was terrified of her for about two weeks as her jaw protruded which showed her teeth and she had loud growly breathing. This is very interesting to read about this. I have heard this about the samoyed/spitz's before but not the bulldogs/boxers before.

Hi, I was going to suggest Pet-O in Brookvale, I know it's not where you live, but perhaps you could stock up and only need to make the trip every couple of months - just a suggestion. Pet-O are very good with pricing I have found.

Poor Saxon, I hope he is ok and not traumatised by this experience, and you too, it would have been very scary - though you seem like such a good owner and know what to do, that I think he will be fine. Gut instincts are good in lots of situations and I usually go with mine too. Good luck.

I think the Talc smells nice and fresh, as does the Lavender. There is also one called Natural which is a good choice too. I think so far these are my favourite, but then again, the Apple is nice too. Geez,,, doesn't seem like I can make up my mind. Um,,,, any one of the above 4 would be a good choice. Jacquilee81, I do think it would cover up the smell for a while, but I'm going to suggest you spray it heavily with a bottle of Urine Off or similar first, as this will break down the enzymes that are in the urine that give off the odour you are talking about. After that has been done, you would be able to freshen up with the Odour Go. I had to laugh about a month ago when our sewerage overflowed here. Disgusting for Hubby who had to get on some gloves and clean it out. As he was about to 'hurl' I said "Don't worry darling, I'll go and get the smelly stuff". Gave a good spray, undiluted, and the poor man nearly choked on overpowering scent (which was better than sewer though). Hi VJB - have you tried the vanilla scent? I have the talc and agree it is a really nice fresh scent. I've taken your hints and I pour some in the drains, in the car, put in the water for mopping the floors, soaked a cotton wool ball and sucked it into the vacuum cleaner - really great product and the 5lt bottle will last for ages. Thanks again for the recommendation.

I've just had a look on the Ruthless website - they are great looking collars. Leather generally always looks the best too as well as being long wearing. I have for my dogs though when they are at the beach, the ezydog neoprene collars as they are quick drying and washable as well as non-rusting.

Hi Daois, I agree. I separate one of mine from the other two which has worked perfectly and we no longer have any issues at feeding time. One of mine is particularly slow at eating, the other two are food inhalers. The slow one is on the deck to eat his dinner in peace and at his own pace, the other two wolf it down and then go and wait for him to finish.

It used to be harder when we used the actual greyhound lure that is fixed on the rail and very noisy and doesn't smell like an animal. Now we have the drag lure and use either a fox tail or bunny skin, most, I'd say 90% chase almost straight away. A few take a bit longer but they generally get the hang of it. Thanks for this. I must say that watching a whippet or greyhound in full flight is a pretty amazing sight. They seem to just love running at full speed. They certainly make other dogs look very clumsy!!

BTW I am also a small dog owner (I have a great little mini-schnauzer) and I would never take her into a dog park if she reacted in the way some small dogs do. In fact she doesn't go to a dog park now at all as she is no longer dog tolerant as she is going blind and is partially deaf as well. I'm worried that she could get knocked over by a larger dog (possibly even one of mine) and she would not be able to take it and get injured. I'm sorry if the "running and squealing" offends you, but how else do I describe what these dogs do - they run and they squeal, there is no other description. What words would you prefer that I use to describe these dogs response? I don't know if they are fearful (however I was at a dog seminar with a senior dog behaviourist and described to her what they do and she agreed that in some fearful dogs, this is how they behave - not all but some), perhaps they are just timid or frightened - I don't know.

I was going to ask the same question too. Was it had to train them to chase the lure? I can imagine that they would get excited racing. I know my dog if she sees a rabbit at our farm goes hell for leather, but not in a million years would she ever catch one - the whippets though I'm sure could or get seriously close. Great photos and from the whippets I've met, they seem to be great dogs with wonderful short coats (I live in a tick area).

Hi, point taken, I can only go on the experience that I (and lots of others at the park I go to) have had. I have been to other dog parks and haven't had any issue with them. The one I go to is closer to my residence and fits in well with picking up kids from sports etc. Maybe perhaps if the council gave some choices - not necessarily segregating the one dog park, but had several for small and larger dog owners. My park hasn't always been like this, and it has only been recently that this has started to become an issue. Though tonight there was no issue at all, but there was only a few small dogs at the park out of about 30 and the small dogs that were there were great and played and interacted with most of the dogs and vice versa with the larger dogs.

I won't stop bagging these particular small dog owners - and if you had read my other posts, I make several comments about some great small dogs at the park (in fact when the time comes to move to a smaller breed, I'm seriously thinking of one of these breeds). If the dog is running and squealing what do you call it then - afraid, frightened - whatever you call it, the same response from the other dogs is the same.

Don't worry, I certainly understood where you were coming from - you weren't promoting the oodles breeds at all, you were simply stating a fact that are purebred becoming obsolete because of the influx of the oodles out there and what is going to happen in the future. Not once did you mention that you were advocating this. I don't think either of you do understand. Or you would realise how destructive it is to perpetuate the lie that cross-bred dogs are somehow tailored. It goes to the heart of this issue. Cross-bred dogs are random, purebred dogs are tailored. Yes, purebreed people have a lot of work to do in the marketing department. But until then, how about reading and learning more about how purebreed dogs are different from cross breeds rather than perpetuating lies on this forum. As long as people go on believing that cross-bred dog are tailored or have common traits not found in purebreeds, we have a lot of work to do. If you post inflammatory statements like that here on here, it won't go unnoticed, I promise you that. :D I think you really need to re-read what we have both posted - where, please tell me, where did we advocate and/or promote this. In what way was the statement inflammatory?? All "Rufus" was doing was asking a question - if you can't answer a question without thinking it is an attack, then perhaps you need to rexamine yourself. BTW this question has been raised at many dog behaviourist seminars - what is the role of the purebred dog in modern society, what role do the crossbreeds play etc etc. In what way did we perpetuate the lie - please show us?

Is it hardwood or pine? How big and heavy are your dogs? We have pine and the dogs have scratched them. Just a bit too soft for dog nails. The dogs are also in danger of slipping on the floor while playing and hurting themselves. The enclosed verandah is hardwood, and it is not scratched, just scuffed. My suggestion is that if you keep the floors, buy very large rugs. I have the same situation. I wouldn't like to have carpet though with inside dogs - so much easier to keep clean etc. However if I had my time again, I'm pretty sure I would put down the vinyl that looks like floorboards. Tiles are hard on your legs if standing for long periods of time - like at the kitchen bench. Also if you drop things on tiles, they almost certainly will break. Keeping dogs nails short is the answer to floorboards though.

Fair enough to me. At the park I go to, the regulars I classify as no longer "strangers", we all seem to know each others dogs pretty well (have been going for several years now) and the newbies that come, it doesn't take them long to join in. As I stated before, there is hardly any trouble with the big dogs, they seem to work it out nicely. And personally, I haven't come across any of the larger dog owners that are rude, however I'm sure they are at the park, just I haven't come across them (thankfully). I wish I could say the same about the smaller dog owners though.

But in an open-slather dog park, this is what happens, day in day out and it will never stop. Dogs run around and play, investigate other dogs etc. That is the nature of the parks. Big dogs, as stated in a previous post, can bounce off each other and take most knocks, a small dog cannot. Therefore why not have big dog parks and small dog parks - that surely would have to be a win win for everyone (expect maybe for the vets!!). Exactly why I don't use dog parks, too many rude dogs and rude owners. Would you use a dog park if they were segregated? Probably not. Why is that - I don't have any issues with my larger dogs mixing with similar and larger dogs at all - they all seem to work together nicely. In fact the only real issues at the dog park I go to are with small dogs and large dogs. Yes some of the larger dogs are a bit rough, but after being there a while they settle down and there is certainly no running away or squealing from the larger dogs, that is probably why they end up playing nicely together. I might add that we have lots of smaller dogs that are terrific with the larger dogs and for some reason they are either pugs or boston terriers or french bulldogs or the pug crosses. They all seem to be confident, unafraid dogs and they mix wonderfully with dogs of all sizes. They are great little dogs. It only appears to be the fluffy oodles and maltese type dogs that have issues.

I understand what you are saying here but then surely the onus then is on the owner of the dog that takes it into the inappropriate park - i.e. small dog taken into large dog area. If the parks are close by, it shouldn't make a difference to any owner and I would have thought that all dog owners would appreciate their "own" space for similar size dogs. If the park was empty use it, but be aware that you either have to leave once other dogs arrive, or take the risk. I certainly wouldn't take the risk. I'm an owner of 3 dogs - one a mini schnauzer and I wouldn't take her to a large dog park as she is older now and certainly not able to take any knocks - she is perfectly dog friendly and well socialised so I don't have an issue with her running and squealing though. But if there was a small dog park - terrific, I'd be there in a flash.

But in an open-slather dog park, this is what happens, day in day out and it will never stop. Dogs run around and play, investigate other dogs etc. That is the nature of the parks. Big dogs, as stated in a previous post, can bounce off each other and take most knocks, a small dog cannot. Therefore why not have big dog parks and small dog parks - that surely would have to be a win win for everyone (expect maybe for the vets!!). Exactly why I don't use dog parks, too many rude dogs and rude owners. Would you use a dog park if they were segregated?

Don't worry, I certainly understood where you were coming from - you weren't promoting the oodles breeds at all, you were simply stating a fact that are purebred becoming obsolete because of the influx of the oodles out there and what is going to happen in the future. Not once did you mention that you were advocating this.

But in an open-slather dog park, this is what happens, day in day out and it will never stop. Dogs run around and play, investigate other dogs etc. That is the nature of the parks. Big dogs, as stated in a previous post, can bounce off each other and take most knocks, a small dog cannot. Therefore why not have big dog parks and small dog parks - that surely would have to be a win win for everyone (expect maybe for the vets!!).

People who use the expression 'suck it up' are showing they have vacuum cleaners for brains.....& think that must be the case for everyone else, too. There's actually a problem to be solved. When you have larger dogs doing totally normal things at play in a dog park where there are smaller dogs, it's a high risk situation. Predictable. Whereas the larger dogs might just bounce off each other, in any kind of rumble....from playful to bossy....the small dogs are prone to injury from the impact. Which is why I thoroughly approve of the Brisbane City Council setting aside particular parks for the smaller dogs. For those who argue that means the small dogs are then robbed of the chance to learn to socialise with bigger dogs... an open-slather dog park is just not condusive to owner controlled, gradual socialisation between a bigger & smaller dog. That CAN be done better elsewhere. It also requires the owners having a common goal & sharing the same ideas about actually doing the socialising. When I walk our Tibbies, on leash, along the walking track, there are a number of large dogs we meet....also on leash. Numbers of times, the owners have spoken to me & we've realised that we both value the opportunity of the varied size dogs, having a controlled meeting (still on leash). Every time, it's gone brilliantly & the owners of the big dogs have thanked me profusely because it's such a rare opportunity. Because of my Tibbies life experience living alongside a Tibetan Mastiff, a German Shepherd & well managed greyhounds, they don't immediately go into a blue funk. (But I would not let this happen in the general melee of a leash-free dog park with owners who don't & can't negotiate controlled meetings between dogs.) Most of the big dog owners acknowledge they understand why owners of small dogs give them a wide berth....because they don't know how well-controlled the big dog is. 'Friends' our Tibbies have made via the controlled situation....are a couple of labradors, a german shepherd, a female doberman, an irish wolfhound...& the loveliest natured, most confident, well managed huge Rottie, named Robbie. Hi Mita, Why can't everyone be like you? You are the owner that everyone should be like Controlled situations are great and build confidence in timid dogs and owners alike. Open slather dog parks are not controlled, and have many irresponsbile and/or ignorant owners in them - injuries will always happen in these instances. In fact most owners have no idea that their dog is a problem or has any issues in the first place. I have no problem with small dogs socialising with the bigger dogs as all dogs should be able to get along with each other, but only in controlled situations. And congratulations to Brisbane City Council for seeing that there is a problem which needs to be addressed and I would imagine quite inexpensively. Now to work on my council - wish me luck.

Hi Crisovar, Certainly not appropriate at all - but if dog parks were segregated this wouldn't happen. Small and larger dogs in dog parks shouldn't really be mixing (in most cases). If the park had a small dog area in your instance, that shih tzu wouldn't have the broken leg and neck injuries now. Larger dogs being who they are, will play in a style that is not appropriate to small dogs - now matter how friendly all dogs are. We have an owner of a mini pinscher at the park sporting a broken leg (in a cast) and she still insists on bring the dog to the park. The dogs legs are like matchsticks and this is how it got broken in the first place,by playing with another small dog - so even small dogs can inflict injury (in this case by playing) to another smaller, more fragile dog. I'm sure her dog will get more injuries because of the physical build of that particular dog. This is most unfortunate as on the other side of the fence, the dog can be walked, still see and smell and hear the other dogs, but be safe. I certainly wouldn't be take the dog back, but that's just me.

In my experience there aren't usually issues with a dog that cowers or rolls over in submission, the other dogs tend to back off or lost interest. Even when I've seen dogs growl or snap in fear, the others usually back off. However, when a dog runs and runs and runs (especially while squealing), that's when things start to go downhill. You are so right. A dog that allows another dog to approach, let it be sniffed and investigated is ok, in fact in dog language, a dog that won't allow this is downright rude and problems can arise. It would be like a human putting out his/her hand for a handshake and the other person rejecting this gesture. Rude. In my experience, once the dog has allowed it to be sniffed, the others walk away and go back to what they were doing. Simple. Things go downhill very fast if that dog decides to run and squeal - I've never seen so many dogs from all directions get involved. It's not a pleasant experience for anyone - the small dog, the owner of the small dog, and also the owners of the larger breeds as well. I know I hate seeing this and the odd times that one of mine has been involved, it really affects me. That's why I want to see dog parks segregated. But unfortunately we have far too many people believing that just because they have a dog and there is a dog park that they have every right to use, which of course they do, but every owner must ensure that their dogs are totally dog friendly, confident and well socialised before going in. I understand now why lots of dog behaviourists dislike dog parks, as do many trainers, dog breeders etc. I just wish that all owners understood their dogs and what to look for and made sure that they were properly socialised before coming into a dog park.