Genabee

Your poor arm!!!! You must be a bit tender! I hope it is feeling better soon! Hearing that Elbie took a while to get things makes me feel better! He is my benchmark for G!! At the end of the day, I teach her things to give her something to do and to keep her mind active, not to be a show dog. If she never gets it.... it isn't for the lack of trying! She for the most part is well mannered, and I guess for us that is the most important thing. She is getting better at staying in the down position, but only if she thinks there is a treat in it for her! It is a shame we don't live closer together! Elbie and Genevieve could teach each other new things!

I love the little booster seat you have for Emmy!!! It is soooooo cute! I should get one for G. Where did you buy it? I find the radio helps to keep G quiet. She unzipped herself out of her crate when I had that in the car. So I tied her lead to the head rests and she laid down on the passenger seat... Usually though I put her in the rear end of the car. I find her too distracting otherwise. I have a 4WD and the rear section is just a bit bigger than her crate. I put her in there with a blanket and a toy, she is fine. car booster (click on dog travel section area) I got the booster chair from these guys although right now, I think they are out of stock because it's not on the website. They do have real fancy booster chairs though (if you are willing to fork out extra $$) I saw some booster seats for dogs in Big W the other week though, it's not the same as the one I have for my 2.. but it's very similar Awesome!!! Thanks so much for that! I really think they are a good idea... Do you know (or anyone else who uses them) how well they would fit with a baby capsule/car seat in the car too?

When I bought my puppy home, my husband was away on business (and was still away for another four weeks!). For the sake of my sanity, I would never do that again. Next time, I would always make sure both of us was going to be home for the first few weeks. I found the first few weeks to be very trying and not having the support of the 'other parent' was frustrating. It was also hard when he did come home, as I had to teach him how to teach her! We had completed puppy school while he was away. One thing I did do that I do not regret, was putting her into puppy school straight away. She was 8 weeks on the day when we started. It was great for me also, as it was an opportunity for me to vent and ask questions, especially as I was by myself at the time (and hadn't discovered DOL at that point). I also found it was a great way to wear her out, and she learnt things very quickly. In hiensight, I should have done two rounds. It would have been good for her.

That would be Zoo.

Thank you! Yes, sometimes she gets a treat straight away, sometimes I make her work that bit harder. Because I was using one hand to hold the treat (and try to keep her back from the camera!), I made her work hard for that one, just so I could video it! She kept getting too close to the camera! She is pretty funny... She is a good dog though. Such a good little friend. Would highly recommend the breed. My husband bought her for me, to keep me company while he is away. And she does that well. Our favourite thing to do is snuggle up on the couch after dinner and snooze. And her snoring reminds me of OH!

I love the little booster seat you have for Emmy!!! It is soooooo cute! I should get one for G. Where did you buy it? I find the radio helps to keep G quiet. She unzipped herself out of her crate when I had that in the car. So I tied her lead to the head rests and she laid down on the passenger seat... Usually though I put her in the rear end of the car. I find her too distracting otherwise. I have a 4WD and the rear section is just a bit bigger than her crate. I put her in there with a blanket and a toy, she is fine.

I've got the 'Dummies Guide to Puppies', which goes in to lots of details about all sorts of things, tricks, first aid etc. included. I don't think it is just for puppies, its a great guide for anyone training any age dog. I have found it invaluable as it breaks things down and I found it to address issues that I could not find in other books or online. Also another book, 'Good Owners, Great Dogs'. Amazon is great for books! I also have a few books specific to my breed, but I don't think the ones I have will be of that much use to you!

Oh no!!! I would be mad too! She would be lucky to still be alive in our house! Genevieve is lucky she survived the phone chargers and lap top chargers! We have lost: - 2 phone chargers - 1 laptop charger (only this week) - 1 soft crate with sheep skin lining - 2 pairs of croc slippers (one pair was buried, the other was chewed) - one of the brand new leather high back dining room chairs has a chunk missing from the base of the seat and the leg (OH will have a pink fit when he comes home from o/seas, we've only had them for two weeks!) - all the buttons off the leather couch are no longer in tact - several t-towels - oh, and the handle off a suitcase She did try to chew the wooden steps out the back... thankfully they haven't caved in on us just yet. I will take the pooy kid!

There is also a place at the top of Acland Street (actually, it is more Barkley Street) in St Kilda that does dog things... I've never been in there, but they have some pretty fancy looking things in the windows! I also think there maybe a dog clothing place on Brighton Road in Elwood too.

I often go to Zoo in Glenferrie Road Malvern (there is one in Church Street, Brighton too). The young ladies in there are always so helpful and always willing to cuddle and treat the pooch! And there shop is always clean and well appointed, which I like. They can also order stuff in for you if they don't have what you want. Might have to try the RSPCA - I didn't realise they had a store! I have purchased some of their things online, but didn't know they had a physical store! I might check out a few of these suggestions for myself actually! When we were looking for pet shops, all we could seem to find was Pet Stock, but they tend to have same old same old. I am looking for some new and different toys for her, but everywhere I go it is all the same and I don't want to buy more of the same. I also use ebay a bit.

We are talking about a species who greet each other by sniffing one another's butts.... :rolleyes:

You're welcome! I agree with Sas also, that it is a behavioural issue that needs addressing, for all your sakes. But I would also keep the rr coming - if you can have him feel calmer, I am sure that will go a long way to helping him deal with the anxiety. It certainly isn't going to harm him.

This sounds like good advice. If your dog/puppy is busy hoovering up whatever is on the ground to notice pass byers, is this them being relaxed? Or should they be lying down all but asleep?

I use rescue remedy to, I find it works a treat! But I keep applying it, either directly into her mouth or a couple of drops on the scruff of her neck. Unless they ingest the bowl of water straight away, they won't get the full effects of it. There are also other essences available for dogs, there might be one more appropriate (emergency essence maybe?). We also use the puppy drops. http://animalhealthstore.com.au/ Our old family dog would carry on like that often. She would start pacing around in and out of rooms, panting, jumping on to bed, lying down then off again, scratching at the back glass door, which would esculate into throwing herself at it, then eventually barking. When we spoke to the vet about it, they wanted to prescribed her valium (or the dog equivilant)... we never gave it to her... there were times she was lucky to live until the next morning. I hope you can find a way to calm him

Thanks everyone! It is definitely dandruff she has then. It hangs around.... I have been washing roughly every 3 weeks, but mainly because she likes to dig in the dirt and then she is feral. She does like to sleep on top of the central heating though, so maybe this is what is doing it. I will be sure to make up a solution of her wash in another bottle I think. Sounds like a good idea!

What was that comment about out of now where they have a mini relapse....? Yes, we did this morning too! I suppose an accident every few weeks is pretty good for a puppy.

Thank you!! Thank you!! :laugh: We are getting there! I still find she looks for a treat most of the time. I took that video last night just before dinner, so she was hungry and a bit wound up! Took a few goes to get something that was worth putting up! She has her moments where she will just look at me intently and do anything I ask.... then she has (a lot more) moments where she basically says 'whatever Mum!' and does her own thing! I am trying to teach her 'say hi to Daddy' (wave), sometimes she does it, but other times she just jumps on me to get the treat! When she gets better at lying down, I would love for her to do shy, but she doesn't seem to like to stay in the down position very much. Marley's Mum, it is easier than you think! Just bribe him with food! Maybe it is something fun your kids could do with him... as long as they are calm and patient!

I apologise if this sounds like a silly question.... But how can you tell between dandruff or if you have failed to rinse her shampoo out properly? Genevieve scratches and I see flakes on her fur. I also notice them if I am brushing or stroking her. I have had a good look and to me it looks like dandruff - and the last time I bathed her I didn't use any soap, just in case. I have ordered some Aloveen as I have read here that it can be good for dandruff, and I have started feeding her sardines with her morning meal. So... how do you know? And if it is, how long before it clears up?

Well.... Just for Elbie!! Genevieve by no means is as talented as the Great Elbie, but she is getting there!! And so is her not so computer savvy Mum!!!

I hate it when people don't clean up after their dogs. Often I find dog poop on my nature strip, which gives me the absolute $#*!$. How to spread disease..... I stand by my comment on another thread, there should be a license we have to apply for to be dog owners. We should have to prove our worthiness and responsibility at the time of purchasing....

x2 I also did the same with celery sticks, but the just got buried in the garden.

I have a pup, I just go out with him to do his business eyes closed sound asleep, put him back in his crate climb back into bed I never even woke up I tell myself but then I am an early riser anyway Beagie Sounds like me... she usually stirs around 6am. Some days a little earlier, some days a little later. It is usually still dark, so I heat up another hot water bottle (or turn the heater on) and she goes back to sleep.

Ever lived near a dog that barked all day and every day? Even I sometimes feel like going down and wringing the owner's neck. I've lived near a dog who barked all night... so yes, I can understand. But there is a difference between constant barking and the occasional yap. From the OP's description, her dogs aren't constant barkers. Go with the collar.

I just bought some off ebay....

I've never used them, but had a neighbour who did as her dogs barked non stop when they left the house (and of course they worked night shifts!).... the zapping collars. I think if the dog goes to bark it zaps them. A bit drastic, but I think the theory is that they only bark twice and they learn.... I can understand constant barking would be annoying, but surely they can forgive the occasional bark???? They are dogs!!! That is what they do!