sallyandtex

No wuzzies. I am always fascinated by research of this nature! P.S Sally is definitley a right pawed gal with an anti-clockwise "whorl" but its a bit short to be convincing. Haven't done the eye test yet! :cool:

Interesting on catalyst this week about temperment etc testing right pawed guide dogs, and anti-clockwise "whorls" of chest fur etc Check it out! http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3465535.htm

Good advice everyone! I will now try my best to get the hubby and kids NOT to make a fuss...will be the HARDEST thing. The cats will be fine as I know they can cope with different "servants" for a while. :laugh:

Thats really lovely...like a "blanky" kids use as a comforter. Great photo. Also, I was just curious about the photo becasue I read it somewhere , but didn't think it would make any difference. the liver treats around had me laughing

I guess so, but i had one dog that use to get depressed and "pine" for us, according to the minder anyway.

Thanks for that..my scent huh? Sounds like a great idea. i know i worry too much about her, thanks for the reality check, esp not making a fuss as I am sure they can pick up on anxiety and us packing the car! :D

Hey everyone. We haven't had a holiday away from Sally since she came to us over 2 years ago. She will be well looked after with a friend who is a professional dog-minder, who has 2 older dogs she gets on famously with. Just wondering if there is any tips people do to make the "separation" better for her. I have heard somewhere that putting up a photo of the family is comforting for the dog?? Do you think?

I don't beleive they are good value for money. Cover can be limiting. Instead i put money away each week into a high interest savings account, for emergencies and routine visits. Works well, and no need to claim or argue with the insurer.

I addition, last months National geographic has a great read on what is known from dog traits: see, http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/02/build-a-dog/ratliff-text It was interesting that the gene for temperment alluded the researchers except for: "One category of trait that has so far proved resistant to the CanMap analysis is behavior. Only a single mutant behavioral gene has been identified to date: the dog version of the gene for obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans, which can cause Doberman pinschers to obsessively suck on their fur to the point of bleeding. More common characteristics such as loyalty, tenaciousness, or the instinct to herd clearly have genetic underpinnings. But they can also be affected by factors ranging from a dog's nutrition to the presence of children in the house, making them difficult to quantify rigorously enough to study. Nevertheless, "we've probably got as good a shot, if not better, of understanding behavior in dogs over other animals," says Stanford's Bustamante. After all, he points out, there are millions of dog lovers out there willing and eager to help with the fieldwork."

How ridiculous. I would give anything for my dog not to be DA, and even after a lot of training and behaviour modification (he hasnt attacked another dog in more than five years) he will still never be the dog he could have been had he not developed fear aggression. I know a number of people with DA dogs and no one I know actually likes it. Is awful having to manage a dog that can be aggressive. I wouldnt wish it on anyone. Its quite rare to come across a truly rank aggressive dog, by far most aggression is fear based. If people liked that their dogs were DA, we would never have any clients and neither would any other behaviourial trainers. Ridiculous? i probably didn't pick my words carefully enough for this forum , shame on me) BUT what i was trying to say is that... I think the owners that have dogs that are ALLOWED to attack other dogs should be a bit more pro-active, BECAUSE they know their dogs CAN behave this way, and need to have their dogs ON-LEAD in the least, or muzzled and in a quiet spot if they want them to have a run. It sounds like most people on this forum already do that. ;) A perfect world it isn't. Also, I am now a little confused, on one hand it is mentioned that you can't train a dog out of the aggression, but then say that the dog behaviourists would be out of a job

Age 17 Male dumped on a main road as a pup Wonderful, excellent and intellegent Medium Brown mix

Oh thats a terrible thing to happen. Poor pup. i too grapple with the reasons. Sally is now 2 1/2, but is still really submissive and rolls on her back with legs apart for any unknown dogs, or those higher on the echelon :laugh: It is usually a good move, and when the greetings are over, most amicable dogs have a play. On a few occasions however, there has been a couple of dogs her own breed/size or ACD that go into attack mode straight away...even with Sally on her back . Never had any blood or marks, but aggressive nonetheless. i have always wondered why these dogs would attack something so non-threatening, but came to the conclusion that they are just plain bullies, and have not been trained by the owners that it is bad behaviour (ie they like their dogs like that )

This ^^^ Plus the fact that rescue dogs are not only temp. tested /assessed whilst in care, but also come vet checked and vetted (DESEXED) already, and those costs are included in the adoption cost. Plus most rescues offer a trial period so they won't have to return the dog to the pound and worry about the dog being pts if it doesn't work out. Yes to all above. We had a rescue with some nervousness issues, that we couldn't keep due to problems relating to the other dog, so the rescue took him back. Their motto "once a rescue dog, always a rescue dog" ie it is their responsibility to find a good home, many have been in care a long time and await their "forever home" to fit into.

Thanks everyone for the tips. She eats raw oats for brekky, and I was giving her a cheaper dry(smallish amount) mixed with Kangaroo or beef mince.I regularly get her meaty lamb bones as a change. I think she might just like rubbing her bottom :laugh: as she did it again breifly at a walk this pm/ Re: other dogs, no we haven't, and any that come over she will let them eat her food I will try the starve thing( hope hubby and kids don't sneak her food!) for a little bit and if the sardines don't work I will donate it! \BTW, how long does it last...its a very BIG bag! It is good for 18 months from the date of manufacture & it would have been very fresh when you got it if it was in the new look bag. I don't have any other suggestions except for what has been made, like sardines, mackerel & just not giving in to her. Just give her little bits at a time, & try making a game out of it, like throwing it on the floor. It's worth persevering with...I wouldn't give up just yet. I havn't personally come across this problem with BH, but like all kibble, I am sure there will always be some dog that will turn it's nose up. Good luck & don't give up just yet, the bag is good for 18 months if kept in a fairly air tight container. Had some success! My daughter hand-fed her a bit when she was going to bed and realised she wouldn't get anything else! She then ate the whole bowl! Sheena, is it a complete meal, that is no supplements needed except for the odd meaty bone?

whoops internet dropped out and lost my long reply

Sounds like it, more of a wipe :) Thanks

Thanks everyone for the tips. She eats raw oats for brekky, and I was giving her a cheaper dry(smallish amount) mixed with Kangaroo or beef mince.I regularly get her meaty lamb bones as a change. I think she might just like rubbing her bottom :laugh: as she did it again breifly at a walk this pm/ Re: other dogs, no we haven't, and any that come over she will let them eat her food I will try the starve thing( hope hubby and kids don't sneak her food!) for a little bit and if the sardines don't work I will donate it! \BTW, how long does it last...its a very BIG bag!

Well, after much research on here about what tasty dry food to get (after the vet said she needs more dry instead of raw), I got my first bag of Black Hawk Holistic. $95 later and she won't touch it. I mixed some raw mince through and she spat out the bits of dry food!! Does anyone have suggestions here on how to get her to eat it? She has oats for brekky with a bit of egg/milk mixture. she is 2 1/2, was scooting a bit and the vet did her anal glands (only had them once done which vet said was good but more "bulk" and dry food needed) Thanks P.S she was still doing a little scoot after doing a pooo after they were done. Shes a 23 kg Kelpie. Walks everyday. Healthy otherwise

Maybe you are in Melbourne??? I am in Newcastle its $20 delivery. It was $80 for 20kg on their website.

Hey thanks, Will order online then (:

Hi, $5 cheaper than agent I emailed, a 20kg bag $80 plus $20 postage anywhere australia http://www.luckypet.com.au/Dog-Department/Dog-Food-Treats/Black-Hawk-Holistic-Adult-Dry-Dog-Food.html Anyone used luckypet? ta

this posted in another thread...might lighten the mood

They can definitely sense bad character or intentions. ;)

Brunker road would probably be your best bet. One of the guys specialises in ortho. Not sure but I think its Simon??? Avoid Stephen he has a lousy attitude but all up the practice is good although on the pricey side but they are very good. Thanks for that. I want to avoid those I don't know that are guilty of "over-servicing". Always good to get recommendations. The one I visit always costs me a fortune and I get no concrete answers.

Whoa! What a can of worms! To address the problem, perhaps a suggestion to the OP on reading about Mental Health First Aid, or something similar on how to best handle the situation.,ie knowledge might be your best advice here, rather than everyones opinions. Might help with any future instances where people might react in an unexpected way.