Niques

I have James booked into Moggill Pet Motel for January...first time using them! A family member also recommended the Brookfield PEt Chalet, although they haven't used them for a few years.

D'aaaaaaaaaaw! I want one

Look at those innocent eyes "Stick? What stick?" We started puppy school at the vet (we were already friendly with the owner of the vet surgery pre-dog) at 12 weeks, which was an unavoidable mistake. Unfortunately they only have classes 5-weekly, but I wish we could've gotten him in earlier. That was mainly owner education, with small chunks of off-lead play with similar-tempered dogs and basic sit/down/stay help. At 16 weeks we did a puppy obedience short course with one of the vet nurses with more impact on walking nicely and obtaining focus. At 6 months we started proper obedience. As for things to work on at home, most of the dogs in his beginner's class could only sit - it really is for the very beginners so I don't think you could come under-prepared. However, I found working on his stay (best started with simply waiting for meals) at an early age, to be the best thing I've done with this dog. At this point he's really quite solid with his stays (the recall after the stay, on the other hand...not so much ). Other than that, as much socialisation you can get with pleasant dogs and people

Paws are crossed over here as well, Wizzle! Wishing all goes well for you Elbie's got quite the swipe, there! Have you tried him out with a big ball? James loves to play soccer with his basketball. He'll "kick" it around the garage for ages until he's exhausted and keels over.

Happy Birthday, KA! Kuma looks like such cuddly bear. He'd be great sleeping on the end of one's bed in Winter!

James watches TV when there are other dogs on. And when they had sheep on Sunrise a few weeks ago he sat there entranced. Last night was the first time he showed an interest in something non-animal but I can't remember what it actually was! I think it was someone humming or singing or something similar.

:D They've got to be ticklish, methinks. I was just srcubbing James dry with a towel and while he normally tries to snatch it off me to chew, he just lay there contentedly as I rubbed him under the arms. I envy the ability to walk early! James has to be walked after 8am, at least, so we encounter just a few dogs. Much easier to control that way. KTB, James is just over 9 months. I'm pretty sure Ruby is at least 1-2 months younger? I've spent most of my life in QLD and I'm still not used to the heat. I think there's something particularly awful about Brisbane, though. I spent a couple of years in Charters Towers (drier) and Townsville (muggier) growing up and neither affected me quite so much as Brisbane does. James is loving the soggy backyard. I shall have to wander down later this afternoon and take some photos of the flooded road and park. Yes, I am very cute... "HELLLOOO!?!"

If Elbie vomitted as well, perhaps he just ate something that disagreed with him and the wee was just a side effect of feeling a little off-colour? James has had a couple of occasions of just being unable to hold his bowels when he wasn't feeling right.

...that would be part of the reason we didn't go walking I can't stand the heat - I spend 6 months a year whinging to anyone who'll listen. Our local park is almost completely underwater. Roads blocked - firies and ambos out at 6am to rescue a submerged vehicle. Well done, Brisbane City Council - 8 months, couple of million dollars but yep, the creek won't flood to significant levels ever again and people will be much safer! I'd love to take James down to splash in the puddles but I know if he managed to get away he'd be in the creek in two seconds and I'd never see him again. Can't even walk him along the path - everything is submerged. Does anyone have any helpful dog drying tips? The poor thing is constantly banished to the deck to dry off as everytime he goes outside he returns completely drenched. Little sponge dog.

KTB, I agree with Wuffles - Sentinel Spectrum's probably an easier way to go if he's good with tablets! I feel your pain on trying to medicate the dog, though. James has infections in both his ears at the moment and putting the drops in twice a day is a nightmare! Tablets are fine when coated in cottage cheese, doesn't flinch at the Frontline, and, although it's no walk in the park, even the normal ear clean is nowhere near this great a hassle. I bribed him with a lamb shank the other night and he still wouldn't come near me. I have an insanely overmedicated dog - keeping up with ticks is impossible, and yet despite all the products used, I still find them on him! Elbie's poo story is hilarious I'm not a particularly squeamish person, but I hate danglers. James used to somehow consume pieces of string from his rope tugs, not to mention the hair! My heart always stops when I see dangler as I'm very worried it won't make it all the way out and intervention will be required I'm glad to hear you all had a good obedience day! I have to say, I'm yet to find the weaving between other dogs remotely helpful - we're at he point now where towards the end of the class (definitely not at the beginning!) he'll sit still for most dogs. Unfortunately, it doesn't carry across when we finish the exercise. He still loses his head. Particularly around one little lab girl - we always seem to end up next to her and he has absolutely no focus around her. Tigers, Sorry to hear about the breeder hiccough! Are there any other litters you had your eye on? LS, Poppy is a beautiful dog! And look how big Ruby's getting! I'm glad the mouse wasn't baited. I can imagine it would have been a wee bit of a repulsive experience! A couple of months ago I noticed James chewing on something he'd found in the garden. I took it off him because I could not, for the life of me, work out what it was. I kept staring at it all afternoon until finally I realised it was the remnants of a bird's head...primarily just the beak Wuffles, That's a great photo of Satchmo - very pensive! I'm quite relieved that others have become complacent with dog-licking. James licked my sandwich the other week so I just broke off a piece for him from the vague area he licked and ate the rest Now I don't even bother waiting for him to lick it - if I'm home at lunch he always gets a couple of chunks of sandwich. He's good with the licking but not taking - even when I'm sorting out his bones to freeze each week, he'll jump up and lick at one with a forlorn expression on his face, but won't pinch them. I gave James his weekly brush today and another puppy's worth of fur came out of him It was amazing. It was quite downy so hopefully his winter coat and left over puppy fur is on its way out and he can start feeling cooler. He's only been walked once this week because the heat just seemed to get to him so quickly. 'We can't seem to catch a break though, as now it's cooled down again, it raining! This dog is always wet!

Good god, that is a clever puppy! You two are awesome in your dedication :D I love the little "to position" jump I only started using the word "heel" a few weeks ago. I tend to gesticulate and point a lot and somehow the poor dog works out what I want. James is like Mars in that words are pretty useless to him. It's only just this week, at 9 months old, that I can get him to "drop" without having to signal and this is something he's been learning for 7 months now. Meanwhile I can tell him to sit with the slightest tilt of my head :D I love watching dog training videos on YouTube and listening to all the different marker words. I just stick with a simple "good boy" - anything else seems like too much hardwork to remember to use

:D You think you have a cat-dog, KTB - mine spent half an hour this morning playing with a ball of wool! Kept batting it around as if he were a kitten. Until he decided that pulling it apart was much more fun - there's still a bit of dog in him yet The sitting room looked as though it had come straight out of one of those Melbourne ads...strands of wool everywhere and carefully threaded through and around every piece of furniture.

Normally he's on Frontline and a Killtix collar, although he's without the collar at the moment as he keeps getting the bloody things wet.

Hah, I should know this Something like Dog Obedience Club of Brisbane...Brisbane Dog Obedience Club...some variation on that. They do agility as well but you'd have to ask the details, I'm afraid - I don't know if you need to have completed a certain level of obedience or what. James is too young yet and I'm thinking I might not do agility with him after all. ETA: If you do a search for "Brisbane Dog Obedience" or something similar, on this forum there's a couple of topics discussing other Brisbane clubs as well, if you wanted more info on what's out there.

Oi, come do obedience at Oxley There's a little dachshund in James' class so a Frenchie will most definitely not be the most out of place dog It doesn't seem to be one of the preferred clubs on DOL but it is easily the closest to me and I have no problem with them so I'm really not willing to go driving all over town early on a Sunday morning to some of the others.

Damn it, I'm sure I promised myself I'd stop looking at this thread in public - I've got a huge smirk on my face in the middle of the library I assume people think I'm a bit insane. And that's ignoring the fact that I neeeeeed to finish this essay and this thread is a terrible, terrible distraction Odin was such a cuddly puppy! When is your Dobe coming home? I've developed a new fondness for Dobermanns. We had a Dobermann join our class one week in Beginners because the rest of her class hadn't showed up - James was completely smitten. Very much in love with her. They're gorgeous dogs. Do you have the webcam footage, wuffles? I don't think I'd be able to risk hiding and watching them interact if I had a second dog. It's amusing enough watching James play with the other dogs at Obedience, let alone what he'd get up to with other dogs if he knew I wasn't looking!

Niques bought a wombat! Niques bought a wombat! He was delightfully wombatlike. Lab puppies are ridiculously pudgy and stout. He bears a striking resemblance to many animals, actually. He used to look quite piggish when he hung his head down and his hears flopped forward. He's getting quite leggy though, so is a little tall for the pig look these days. And then there's his spread-eagle sprawl on the ground that is affectionately termed his dugong pose.

I can't promise that it's interesting, but nonetheless, The James Story Despite spending my childhood cajoling my parents for a dog, said dog never eventuated. So it eventually reached the point where I had become resigned that I was to remain dogless until I, you know, got around to moving out ;). So imagine my surprise when I was greeted one morning, a couple of days after New Year, by a Skype message from my Mum saying that she'd decided to buy me the much wanted dog There had been moments of contemplation in the past so we were fairly well informed of the whole pet shop v bybers v registered breeders issue. The breed, however, was still up in the air. Despite all prior investigations being directed towards Labradors, Beagles were still a contender. I was in Turkey for most of January so Mum was delegated "puppy finder". With minimal results. Most had nothing available or simply didn't reply. One breeder had replied with some information, saying there was one black boy remaining and asking our location, but then never wrote back. There was, however, some headway on the Beagle front - there was a breeder on the Gold Coast with two boys available. About the week before I came home I decided that a Beagle would be settling: I'm a lab person. Not to mention, they were only tan/white and I was (very superficially) more keen on a tri-colour. Arrived back in Australia a little despondant about the whole situation and was preparing to send out a last couple of emails to the breeders we still hadn't contacted, but felt weren't of the same quality to others on the DOL site. Until, out of the blue, we heard back from that one labrador breeder who we'd replied to weeks earlier. This time, inviting us out to see the puppies and their dogs. A couple of days later we went out...and the rest is history ;) I really didn't know a great deal about the breeder - they didn't have a website. But any worries were quite quickly vanished. We had struck paydirt! Our breeder was lovely, knowledgable and very involved in the QLD Lab club. And even if she wasn't, I don't think I possibly could have resisted James' mother. Ten adorable puppies aside, at the end of the first visit there were half-hearted jokes about taking Stella home instead. By the week before James came home, there were quite in-depth plans on how to smuggle his mother out as well She is the sweetest, most beautiful dog I have ever met. There were only two black boys and the breeder was to make the final decision, which was fine with us as they were really impossible to tell about. Except, one of them had a funny scab on the back of his head. By the second visit, I'd grown a little attached to Wart Head. By the final visit, the week before he was to come home, I was quite prepared to be disappointed if Wart Head wasn't mine. He was a funny little pup - would sleep all the time while his siblings yapped and chewed on each other's tails and ears, but the second their mother entered the room he would magically awaken and be the first to race over and start suckling. Greedy pig I asked about his scab that last week whilst the breeder was trying to distinguish between the two boys to let us know which was ours. Two minutes later, he was confirmed as my boy Except for the last two, I have no idea if these are of him or his black brother. Or even his sisters, for that matter... I love this last one with my mother. Look at those eyes... And then came the naming issue. I wanted to call him Barney, full stop. My mother said if he was living under her roof and if she was paying for him (I think the concept of the gift was lost on her ;)) she wanted a say. She was quite definite on Barclay. Barclay has got to be the most god-awful name I've ever heard for a dog (no personal offence intended if there's someone out there with a Barclay!)...so we had a problem. Magnus and Linus were two I'd liked prior to the whole "let's get a dog" decision. Magnus lasted a while on the short list but was eventually vetoed. I also, half-seriously, wanted a Simon - I pictured him doing my tax for me Another contender was Bruce. My brother helpfully contributed Harry and Indy. These were mentioned to the breeder - apparently two of his yellow brothers were going to be Harry and Barney. His black brother? You guessed it - Bruce! His favourite friend at Obedience is an Indy It would seem, we have very mainstream taste in dog names. Ted(dy) was slowly making his way up the list and could have been a serious contender except my Mum started talking to people about him as James. James was one of the few names that received a "maybe" on both sides. Neither of us loved it but once you start using a name, it sticks. He is such a James though, as agreed on by those who can actually get past his name. So many people just sort of stare for a moment and then repeat it a few times, as though testing it out. It's a really peculiar reaction and we've not been able to work out why. It's not surprise - the majority of people just seem unable to comprehend that the dog is called James. And now someone tell me to shut up - I talk waaaaaaaaay too much ;) Well done if you made it through that.

I love that you call it "squeaky steak" - I thought it was just me who just couldn't drop the "squeaky" prefix. He got his squeaky hamburger at the same time, but that simply gets called, "hamburger". Meanwhile, I'm forever asking James to go and find his "squeaky steak" I don't know which is funnier. Kevin's not an Up influence, is it? I know my father is quite bizarrely obsessed with Kevin from Up and I wouldn't put it past him to reference the film if he ever got a pet. Does Elbie like his bottle hippo? I've seen similar ones and they seem like a good idea.

Oh, Max#1, I am so sorry to hear about Puppy He sounds like an amazing character (I confess, I couldn't help but laugh to think of him flying out the window) and very well loved That last photo, LS...I may be a teeny, tiny bit biased, but labradors are easily the cutest puppies in existence And at last, you have your lab!

I'm sure I've read somewhere that vodka does wonders for an ear infection and have been contemplating pouring some in his ear. But I think turning up at the vet with a dog stinking of alcohol would bring him a touch to close to his human namesake than one would want I'm sure he wouldn't turn down a martini. Although, I was actually making martinis for my birthday the other week and he managed to filch a twist of lemon - was most displeased with it Can't see him stomaching an olive, either. George is another great person name for dogs. "bear" is very fitting for Kuma! How much growing does he have left in him?

Was in Canberra several years back for a uni debating tournament and can't truthfully say I was all that inspired to make a return trip anytime soon :D Although Kuma's birthday would surely be a worthwhile occasion! How big is Kuma, out of interest? I adore large dogs. Not that the littlies aren't cute, but there's an extra something to a big, boofy dog. ^ He had much fun with the bubble wrap and cardboard packaging. There's bubble wrap strewn across the whole deck. I honestly cannot fathom why someone would give a parcel to a dog. Bizarre. James will soon be expecting packages of his own, and those he can open I have discovered Clean Run from another thread and there will be many presents for him soon As for his name, the official story that gets told to people is that my younger brother and I share the first names of James Bond's parents and thus we thought it would be amusing to have a little James Bond in the family. However, James also happens to be my older brother's middle name so he got a rather sheepish phone call one night, going, "Look, do you mind if we use your name on the dog?" Of course, the official story has nothing to do with the actual decision making process - I shall get around to doing his Origin story tonight and mention the name troubles there. I love people names on dogs. Of course the problem is that you're more likely to actually run into someone with that name. I know quite a few James' and always feel a little awkward saying their name now ;) I'm liking Thomas for a future dog. Gosh, they're remarkably photogenic little dogs, aren't they? You take excellent photos! Although the subject certainly helps ;) What was the dog cake made of? KA, you are most definitely not raising a broken dog. Anyone on this forum can see that your heart is certainly in the right place and I have absolutely no doubt that Kuma is having a fantastic upbringing. Case in point - you actually care that he's turning out okay! While we're in a photo thread, Oscar's head is practically being held together by stitches: Someone is very pleased by his handiwork! I'm feeling very chuffed this afternoon. I just made a vet appointment for James as I'm pretty sure both his ears are infected. The vet nurse who ran his puppy classes (who we haven't seen in probably 5 months) not only remembered his name when I told her who I was, but then followed up with "James the wonderdog" Nice to see that despite his obnoxious behaviour he made a good impression! And, I'll finally be able to weigh him this afternoon! Exciting.

Ah! Too many new posts! I have caught Lilli's procrastination bug and should really be writing some sort of critical essay on Pride and Prejudice...too many adorable puppies though! I am completely in awe of Asti's ears. I don't know how I could stop myself playing with them all the time She is gorgeous in that last photo! KTB, that pup's a cheeky looking boy! I am rather partial to the black/tans, myself, but they're all so damn squishable! MM, I've not seen any of Maverick's puppy photos before. He has such a formidable "hard stare", it's a little bit of a surprise to see him as a wee puppy. He and Hector have such clever, curious expressions - I can just imagine the fun they get up to. Although I certainly don't envy you the yard full of fluff! Clastic, I definitely see the Mars Bar thing happening. Just the slightest touch of caramel to him - it's really spunky colouring. Add me to those who were in the dark on tri-colour BCs. I do believe I've skipped over a few. I will have to reread in the morning. Today a courier guy who clearly more than a few brain cells missing, apparently came around the back of the house when no one answered the front door and left his parcel on the back deck. The same back deck that housed a rambunctious, black dog, at that particular moment. I mean really, what on earth could have been going through that man's head? Given the mess on the back deck, it would seem that James was immensely pleased to receive a package all to himself. I can just see him offering his paw to sign for it :D ...how on earth are there so many Canberrians on this forum!?

Oh dear, I have to stop reading this thread in public places - I gave a rather loud snort of laughter when I saw this earlier What a big boy Treason is! Kuma comes from gorgeous stock. I'm very taken with Sniper, in particular :D The shot of the whole litter desperately has me wanting another puppy! Just beautiful. You'll have Genevieve running as a sled dog in no time, Wizzle ;) There's no interesting story behind James' arrival, but I'll dig up some early puppy shots of him later tonight and give the tale a go.

I love the shot of Ruby lounging on her clamshell. "Just admiring my destruction while I take quick breather" James still does the obnoxious biting and jumping during zoomies sometimes. I've found that throwing something to distract him works a treat as he'll run off to chase it. And then just always keeping something on hand if he goes for you again. I "awww"ed out loud at at that. Too sweet and very sad How horrible of Mort's owner to be angry with your brother At least he made it back to his familiar home, I guess... Now there's a face you can't help but fall in love with! How lucky that Satchmo was held over, Wuffles! And that he found a home with you He looks particularly dashing in that second shot! Allow me to introduce Oscar. Oscar's been around for a couple of years now and was never meant to be a dog toy. He also had two eyes, once upon a time (AKA before yesterday). This is two seconds later. The blur on the left hand side would be a certain dog snatching Oscar off the table. James has become very taken with Oscar and carries him around everywhere. Very chummy, the two of them are. You know, until one of the them starts trying to rip the other's head off. "This is real serious business, dontcha know?" All's fun and games until someone gets hurt. And needs his eye stitched closed...