ESCS

We also have a reactive dog who has fear aggression with other dogs, particularly while on a lead. I just started using DAP spray which I spray on to his harness about 10 minutes before going for a walk. I am not sure whether it is the training we have been doing with a dog trainer or the spray (although the training definitely has made a huge difference) but he seems much happier and more relaxed when we go for walks. I have also noticed that he is less likely to lunge, snarl, growl and bark at dogs passing by. He will bounce a bit but happy to move on quietly. I ordered the DAP stray from out vet and I hear the collar version will be available at the end of the year.

Royal Canin Sensible for small breeds is made for fussy eaters. Our Tibbie was very fussy with dry food and Royal Canin was the only one that he will eat mixed with some yogurt and sometimes, steamed chicken.

We have a small dog who is also a fussy eater. We have had the most success with Royal Canin (currently on RC Beauty). He will eat it when I mix a spoonful of plain yogurt through it. He initially tried to lick the yogurt off each piece and I would find a pile of kibble next to the bowl which had the yogurt licked off it but he must have got sick of doing that as he eats all of it these days. Yogurt and cheese has worked really well for us in getting him to eat his dry food.

We have a Tibbie too and they are terrific dogs. Great nature. Perhaps, I'm biased! I have to admit that when we got our Tibbie at 13 weeks, he was more or less toilet trained but did have a few accidents. I used a product called Urine Off to make sure that the smell was gone so he won't be tempted to think that the spot he used was a toilet stop. I also took him outside every opportunity I had and most especially when he starts sniffing around as I found that it was a sign that he was about to go to the toilet. I think Bio Zet washing powder does the trick too as it has enzymes to neutralise the smell. The anxiety can be a challenge to deal with although your puppy is very young still and new to your home. Our Tibbie has an on leash fear aggression resulting from anxiety around other dogs when he thinks he can't take flight. With training and positive socialisation with calm dogs, he is slowly overcoming his fears and anxiety. Perhaps puppy pre-school would be something to consider for you and your puppy when he is old enough? The puppy pre-school trainer will be able to advise you and answer any questions you may have about raising your Tibbie. I don't have any other suggestions as our Tibbie is our first dog and I am a novice in the dog world. Hopefully other more experienced forum members can advise you further. There is also Tibetan breed section in the Breed Sub Forum. There are lovely Tibbie owners to chat to in that section.

I think we may have the same trainer and had our training sessions about the same time. I have also found her to be a wonderful trainer and she has been very supportive since our session. I can understand your frustrations as at times, it does seem like it's one step forward and then a few back. NILIF was also a challenge for all of us ( dog and humans) as our Tibbie started to ignore us too in protest but gradually, the daily training and new techniques seem to be taking effect. There were parts of the program that didn't work for our situation and the trainer was helpful in modifying it for us. I think someone else suggested it but perhaps it might help to contact the trainer about modifying some parts of yours? I hope things improve for you and your dog soon.

Just wanted to mention that we had our training session with Jane Harper today and she is BRILLIANT. I cannot believe the difference in Miki even in such a short space of time now we understand him better and know how to respond to his anxieties and on leash aggression. She was so thorough and encouraging to Miki and us. Not harsh at all - just very knowledgeable on dog behaviour and diagnosing Miki's issues. I feel absolutely awful that we've misread Miki's behaviour and have a huge sense of relief that we now know how to work with him to help him overcome his anxieties. It was certainly money well spent.

Thanks, Mita, for your reply. That's really reassuring. I will use Samford Pet Resort if my parents can't take Miki at the end of the year. Glad they love Tibbies. Hard not to!!

Jane Harper (www.dogsontrack.com.au) was recommended to us by some one from this forum. She is from Caboolture. She is coming out to us tomorrow to help us with our dog. As we haven't had our training session yet, I can't comment on whether or not her techniques are harsh but hopefully, not too harsh! Her website has a lot of information on her background and the services she offers.

Mita, would Samford be suitable for a Tibbie? So far, Miki haven't had to go to boarding kennels but he may need to at the end of the year for a couple of weeks. I know Tibbies generally aren't dogs who feel comfortable in kennels so am wondering if Samford would be ok for him. Thanks.

Our one year old Tibbie has had very similiar problems with itchy skin and lesions from scratching and chewing/licking. We have been to the vet quite a few times with this problem. The vet has been fantastic. Our Tibbie is also itchy from grass and pollens (Wandering Jew was awful but we have got rid of it all). What has helped for us is bathing once a week or fortnight with Allergroom shampoo (hypoallergenic, non soap shampoo) and rinsed off with Alpha Keri Oil( the one with no fragrance), changing to Royal Canin Skin & Digest kibble, adding fish to his diet, staying away from preservatives/colouring, applying Curash powder to his tummy area, making sure all his bedding is cotton, keeping him as dry as possible, keeping him in A/C when it is hot and humid, brushing him daily. Unfortunately, the anti histamine didn't work for us and cortisone doesn't agree with him so the vet is now trialling him on Atopica. All the best with finding some treatments that work. It's been a difficult problem for us to manage especially in Brisbane's hot and humid summer.

Eagle Pack has Sardines, Anchovies and Tuna kibble.

Thanks very much.

Can anyone recommend a dog trainer in Brisbane that will come to our home? We live in the Westerns suburbs of Brisbane. We are looking for someone to help us with our Tibetan Spaniel puppy (11 months) who barks and pulls when he sees other dogs during our walks. He also barks and runs along the fence line when other dogs walk past out house. He has been to puppy pre-school and we have been thinking about joining adolescent classes but I'm wondering if it would be better if we had a trainer come to our house to help us with this specific issue. He has had this trait since we got him when he was 13 weeks. He was desexed when he came to us. As advised by the puppy pre-school trainer, we walk him everyday to socialise him with other dogs but he will not be anywhere near another dog without becoming all worked up. He also attends doggy day care to provide socialisation with other dogs (we are a one dog household) and he is fine at day care when he is off lead. It seems to be a behaviour that happens in his own territory or when he is on the lead. He is a terrific dog and we have no other behaviour issues. We are new to dog ownership so we need training too so that we can manage Miki's behaviour in a dog appropriate way. We have tried a few things (like rewarding him with a treat when he is quiet) but nothing is really working. He isn't motivated by food and it is very hard to distract him or get his focus when he is in that situation. He is great with our young children as we've never allowed him to growl or nip at us and he doesn't attempt to bite other dogs but just bounces around, pulls to get to them and barks furiously. Any recommendations would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Our 11 month old puppy also had a gastro bug this week with vomiting and diarrhea. It started with him being a bit lethargic and not interested in food and then progressed to vomiting followed by lots of liquid diarrhea. We took him to the vet and he stayed there for the day for tests and monitoring for dehydration. He didn't have a temperature and it turned out not to be parvo or giardia although the vet thought it was possible that it could be either. It seems he may have had some food poisioning from something he picked up in the garden as he has a habit of burying things like pigs ears and then digging them up and eating it when it is looking disgusting and I'm not looking! I have confiscated all that I can find in the garden and won't be giving him any food items when he is outside. The vet gave him an AB injection and also prescribed a course of flagyll (another type of AB, I think). It took about 3 days for the diarrhea to stop but he is looking much more himself now. I was told to keep him on a very bland diet like boiled chicken until he is better. I will also be giving him Inner Health Plus to try and restore the good bacteria. It is possible that the recent course of cortisone and anti biotics he was on for itchy skin/hot spots may have upset the balance in his gut or compromised his immune system. I hope your puppy is on the mend as it is awful to see them so sick.

Our 11 month old puppy also suffers from itchy skin. He has been itchy on and off since we got him as a puppy but is much worse in summer. He was on a similiar diet to your pup - Nature's gift puppy tin food, BARF patties and chicken necks. He is a fussy eater and it was a diet he would eat but his vet has now put him on Royal Canin Skin and Digest. Surprisingly, he will eat this particular brand of dog biscuits ( he has previously refused other brands). He has this either on it's own or mixed with yogurt as well as chicken necks and tin sardines/tuna. Initially, there was no real change but he has been on this diet now for a few weeks and I am noticing that he is less itchy and his coat has become thicker and glossier. After a course of AB, the hot spots are gone and has not returned. I also wash him in Alpha Keri Oil. All the best in finding the right diet for your puppy.

Curash powder can be found in the baby section of the supermarket or the pharmacy.

Curash powder can be found in the baby section of the supermarket or the pharmacy.

Liver treats sealed in with cream cheese and then frozen. I was using the Kong paste but I find it quite expensive.

Our 10 month old Tibbie goes to doggy day care one day/week. We are in Brisbane and we pay $26/day. Food is not included but they are also a grooming salon and they don't charge very much when he needs grooming. He loves it and enjoys the company of other dogs as he is the only dog in our family. Our doggy day care only takes them when they are fully vaccinated. I work 3 half days/week. I send him on the first day of my working week and he happy to relax at home for the next couple of days as he is tired out from all the socialisation at day care!