Whippetsmum

I have a hat/cap with LED lights in it from Bunnings, it's like a torch that you don't have to carry.

Update- As I planned, based on all the support I got from DOLers, I spoke to one of the instructors before class. One of the other class members came up and had the same concerns and backed me up 100% saying that all the dogs were freaked out by the behaviour, and that the handler didn't seem to have any idea that their dog was sending out these signals and the impact it was having. We were both very clear that we weren't saying the dog shouldn't be in class, but that we wanted more focus on keeping everyone's dogs attention on their handlers. The instructor said they'd talk to the President or Vice president or someone more senior to get some help, the instructor we spoke to had had an past issue with their dog getting freaked out by another, so was sympathetic. When class started we had a different instructor, they had a different approach and somehow managed to keep everyone a healthy distance apart even without saying this, they didn't keep at any exercise too long so the dogs had no time to start wnadering off, or staring off for that matter. There was also had a second "advisor" in class, someone who seemed experienced with the same breed that was staring. The second advisor was there for the first part of the class, they seemed to be goving a few tips to the staring dog's handler. I think the "starer's" handler had been aware that their dog wasn't focussed, and they may have asked for help as well, I'm not sure. Regardless, we had no problems at all at that class. Even better was the improvement in the "staring" dog's focus, they did really well in all the exercises, so that would be highly reinforcing for the handler. Throughout the class the handler was actively keeping their dog's attention, and turned them away from the other dogs. Hopefully the improvements will continue. Thanks to everyone who responded.

Rogz make some called "half check" collars but they have webbing instead of the leather. If you can't find the ones you want by googling half martingale, also look for half check.

My Son's imaginary dogs were KangoPuppy and GoGoPuppy and his imaginary cat was Fred( and "she" was purple and green), he also had an imaginary sister called "Ziggedy-Zaggedy", and my son and his bestie at Preschool both would only answer to GooGoo. I might have to use some of those names one day, just because it would embarrass him :laugh: a childhood friend's Doberman -Adolf (as in Hitler) our childhood German Shepherd- Fritz as in german sausage Fiend's cat- Choko A woman on my usual walk in Bathurst called her dog PorkChop my dog's original name was Pudding because he was a guts, but we renamed him to something more boring I know a greyhound called Twiggy, but for some reason I always think it's Sticky.

My boy had both retained, the surgery was similar to spaying, the cost was probably similar. He has a neat midline scar that is barely noticeable. I waited until he was fully grown at around 2yrs before surgery. I ahd 2 reaons for thatm one was that the testes can still produce some hormones and help build muscle and bone( that was my understanding). The second was that my breed can have anaesthetic issues, so I wanted to make sure he was as big and healthy as he could be before surgery. Our vet said he could palpate one testical and traced the location of the second reasonably easily from the first. You should ask your vet if they are experienced in this sugery and if they have seen many complications. Expect to have a big sook for a few days, and he will need gto be kept quuiet for around a week (from memory)

I agree, grief is personal. Sometimes the relationship you have with a person unrelated is stronger than "blood" relations, why is it so hard to understand that a loss is a loss? I lost my cat last week, I'm ashamed to say I didn't own up at work that I took the day off because I was a wreck. When I cry at work, people just think it's my cold making my eyes red. She was 21 years old, and we were hardly a day apart in all that time. I'd like to think the love was unconditional both ways, there is only my OH who has been in my life as intensely and for as long. My grief for her is still intense. I didn't grieve less for my dog who died at 14, although she was "only" mine for 12 years. I think the relationship and our grief for our human companions can be different, but the effects and intensity can be similar. The pangs of grief for our pets can be stirred up more frequently than for some relatives, as you walk form room to room, when you get home and they're not there, when you find a wisp of fur unexpectedly. For most relatives, they don't occupy your personal space as completely as our pets, and the reminders can be less frequent. When my Grandma passed away, there was intense grief, but the reminders weren't as constant.

There is Assitance Dogs Australia and Pets as Therapy (Through Guide Dogs Australia), possibly some other groups too. Maybe strat by emailing them and ask about how to get a start, or get some volunteer or work experience to make sure it's what you want to do. I know Occupational Therapists and Physios sometimes work with these organisations, but there would be a lot of people involved. There's an e course on one website (google Therapy pets and assitance dogs), but you'd have to look into if it's nationally recognised, and if it's what the organisations will accept as a qualification. Good Luck

I go back later this week. As I said in my original post, I wanted to get the DOL consesnus on this behaviour, which I have now, and that gives me more support/backing to explain my concerns. My plan is to get there early and leave my boy in the car. I'll find out who is taking the class and ask if they can run through what's expected from the handlers as well as their dogs in terms of behaviour, and ask that no person or dog is singled out, more like a general discussion. It could be that with different people instructing each week, that they think this has already been done. If they aren't prepared to have this conversation/ are dismissive of my concerns, I think we'll have to go home. There's another club nearby that I can check out if need be, I'm hopeful that this won't be necessary.

That's very scary, maybe keep you bubs in today in case it's still roaming.

If it's happening at the same time each night it could be something like an appliance noise/ hot water service clicking in, or mice/possums in the roof.Bats were a poblem for us, the sound would wake the dogs. Maybe your neighbout get up and flush in the night? Your dog would know :laugh: If it's early morning, 4 or 5 am, it can be that things start to suddenly cool down at that time and the dog might be a bit cold.

If the owner gets a telling off from council and keeps the dog fenced in, then you have save it's life- from cars, from other dogs, from being PTS. Don't feel bad.

What about getting into the customs service? Guide Dogs? Pets as Therapy? Assistance Dogs?

There's a movie "Men who stare at Goats" 2009, Ewan McGregor and George Clooney.

You corrected the wrong dog. Unfortunately it isn't acceptable to go around correcting other people's dogs. You rely on instructors in classes to let people know that their dog is behaving unacceptably towards other dogs and to offer them methods to avoid problems before any correction is needed. Perhaps you should write to the committee with your concerns. I corrected my dog out of instinct, trying to protect him from his reaction, i.e. grabbed him back and told him No. I.e. No don't have a go, stay with me. I would have liked to correct the other dog, or more accurately, it's handler, that dog's handler did comment at end of class that my boy doesn't seem to like her dog.....as has been said, we do rely on the instructors to let people know when dogs behave unacceptably.

Unfortunatley, very little has been said about any of the dogs behaviour, or the responsibilities of handlers, apart from saying my dog was "reactive" which translates in this situation as aware of surrroundings...... . When I approached this club, I was very upfront. My boy is anxious and can be snappy if cornered, I am working on this and have made huge inroads until joining this class. They made all the right noises/said the correct things about how they don't tolerate dogs approaching others in class, would be aware of his needs etc, it's not time to socialise in class, they'd would make sure people kept their dogs to themselves not just for my dog. Very little has transpired, they accepted my walking and pacing away from confronational dogs (week 1 was a nightmare, aggressive little fluff ball trying to bite at us), but said nothing to the handeler whose dog was misbehaving. I have been told off because I corrected my boy, insulted because they don't like the collar, but still my boy is probably one of the best focussed in class, despite all the carry on. Nothing was said when this staring dog plus another had an altercation last week, the barking was not play, the lunging and snappping were real, and the tebsion that followed palpable. More was made of my correcting my boy when he was approached from behind by one of the altercating dogs and he responded in a defensive manner, apparantly, telling a dog 'No' is not allowed. I will speak to the instructor asap, unfortunately, it's not made clear who will take the class until the last minute.

It's good to know I'm not completely paranoid. The instructor insisted it's not "aggressive" behaviour, and my dog was just being "reactive" when I did try and take it up with her. Your replies strengthen my resolve to take it up more firmly next week. I know my dog is a a bit sensitive, and can be anxious around some dogs, but we were making real progress until we met this dog in class. This breed is one that was bred for taking down medium to large prey, and more recently a breed that was used in protection. (I just googled it a few minutes ago). That breeding coupled with my dog being nervous is making me feel like this is a potentially dangerous situation- my boy's "acting" like prey, and this other dog is acting like a "predator"! I may have to change clubs if something isn't worked out soon, and will ask the instructor to talk to the group about keeping dogs focus on their handlers.

If a dog stares at your dog, fixedly, shifts weight forward, often putting strain on the leash, ears up... is it excitement, aggression what? (it's not a herding or sight hound breed if that helps) There's a dog in class who is doing this every week to mine and it gives him the heebie geebies, and me too. When I say fixedly, I mean for several minutes at a time while the instructor is explaining things, or we are waiting turns etc. The owner is blissfully unaware, and another student mentioned that she thought that dog was "arking everyone up", ie: it was unsettling more than my dog. I have previously told (not in this class) not to let my dog stare at another, because, in his case, it means both that he's not paying attention to me, and it's often a precursor to pulling on the lead, trying to catch up to another dog/ it's also what he does when he sees potential prey. What does the DOL brains trust think? Thanks

Don't know how much the vet charges, it's $22.80 for 120ml online, but is it the same? Linctol :Dextromethorphan hydrobromide 2 mg/mL Chlorpheniramine maleate 0.4 mg/mL Ephedrine hydrochloride 1 mg/mL

That's really frightening. That poor man, I hope he finds a companion to help heal his pain. Cruelty to animals by children is a well known precursor to more extreme behaviours/mental illness. "Many mental health professionals working with children and juveniles either do not have the training in psychological testing techniques, or sufficient diagnostic time to recognise significant indicators of future serious violent offending. The research literature suggests the diagnosis of conduct disorder (CD) can be a strong indicator of serious young adult violence. One component of CD, cruelty to animals, would also appear to be a significant indicator or "red flag" in the background of many serial killers and thus, it is suggested, in the history of perpetrators of other forms of major interpersonal violence. Either concurrently with CD or as a major indicator of antisocial behaviour in its own right, cruelty to animals deserves more attention from both a research and assessment perspective." Paul Wilson and Gareth Norris, Bond University, Australia, 2002 ,Bond University ePublications@bond (bold added)

I'm not sure about Canberra, but Again Pets at Peace in Sydney have been amazing. It probably comes down to the person you deal with, but Briar from Pets at peace is wonderful, and a genuinely caring person, as I have sadly been very recently reminded.

I loved it! I wonder if there's a way to get the camera to track the head movement so we can appreciate how the dog is scanning? e.g. when the Corgi got to the top scenic view and looked out, he also looked side to side. Whippet cam would be great....I do wonder what the world looks like to them. Edited spelling

Any chance you can "borrow" a nice big surly dog for a couple of days to keep in your yard? :laugh: Sereiously, I do hope they lose interest now your dogs are in with you. If you can let other people know in your area, e.g. letter to the local paper, phoning vets etc, that would be great....not everyone belongs to DOL and has gotten the heads up.

Not strictly doggie events but I've found Windsor Markets (George St Mall, Windsor) is on leash dog friendly, you can wander through the stalls and grab a coffee, or fish and chips etc. Every Sunday 9-3.30 If you take Windsor Rd, you go past the off leash park at Rouse Hill if the dogs need a run, and there's also an off leash at Windsor. http://www.windsormallcraftmarket.com.au/ The people at the Castle Hill Artisan's Fair were quite friendly towards my on leash friends. Castle Hill Showground- Entry via Carrington Rd 25th Mar/15th Apr/20th May/17th Jun/15th July 19th Aug/16th Sept/21st Oct/18th Nov/16th Dec http://www.theartisansfair.com.au

Mine both got heaps better around the 2 yr mark...not perfect... my shoes are missing as we speak, but by 3 my boy was fine, and my girl gets better every day...it's mainly tissues she kills, she just moves the shoes around the house.

Mine both love their crate, we have a massive one that a friend gave us- it was an old show crate used for Setters (65 cm wide x 80 cm high x 105cm long). It's tall enough so that they can stand easily, and long and wide enough so they can turn around. Mine will happily spend all day in their "cubby" if it's cold, and they sleep in their crate overnight all year round. We cover our crate with old blankets so the warmth stays in, and they have several layers of blankets inside the crate too. (It's in our garage attached to the house.) If it's really cold, they will have their coats on in the crate, but they both love wearing coats any time! I only began crating when I got my 2 year old, I wish I'd known about crating with my now 5 year old, but he adapted very quickly. Mine would both sleep in our bed, under the covers if allowed, but it's only allowed occasionally, like if one of them is a bit unwell, or I'm totally miserable, or I'm in the house alone. A lot of Whippets can manipulate a quilt to climb under it, and can wrap themselves in a blanket too- it's a bit of an art, and both my girls (current and past)have mastered this, but my boy hasn't. I'd have to say the main problem with Whippets in your bed is that they can stretch out and take over the bed, they start off Ok, and then you'll notice the front legs being stretched out and there's a really uncomfortable feeling usually in the small of your back, that or you roll over and find yourself face to face with a cold wet nose.