Genabee

I snuggle in to the bed, and Genevieve does her little circles until she finds a spot she is comfortable with! Normally that is curling up behind my legs, or in front of my tummy (I sleep on my side). A few times when she gets mental (or Hubby winds her up as we are going to bed - which drives me insane! ), I have just grabbed her and held her to me... after a few minutes she relaxes, then finds her comfy spot. When she doesn't, she goes in her crate at the food of our bed. She soon works out that she has to be good!!! I have to say, the last couple of nights we have just put her in the crate and skipped the bed bit. I love having her on the bed, but it's too hard when Hubby is home. She wedges herself in the middle of us and then there is no where for either one of us to rollover. I think we will reserve it for when he is away and it is just me. Bad, I know! But she seems reasonably flexible about it at the moment.

How cute!!!!!!

Well done!!!!!

Every dog in the world wants to live at your place spoiled little baby she is and beautiful to boot. Awww... thank you!

I think all the suggestions here have been great. I just wanted to add, that like children, puppies do go through a stage of separation anxiety and not wanting to have their Mums out of view!!! The good news is that most pups learn that you do come back and will grow out of it. I had issues with Genevieve when she was very little- she would sit and fall asleep on my feet while doing the dishes, try and get in the shower with me, come to the toilet with me - you name it and she was under my foot! Now that she is older, she thinks me having a shower is a great time for her to nick off with the bath mat, me doing the dishes is a great time for her to lick the crumbs off the coffee table and me going to the toilet is a chance for her to chew on something she know she shouldn't!!!! Hang in there because it does get better!

I have often thought of you Marley'z Mum!!! That is fantastic to hear is growing nicely! Can't really help you with the road behaviours... other than I am sure after more training and growing, he will calm down a bit. I don't think we will ever let Genevieve off the lead as I just don't trust her to not get distracted...

I agree KTB! Genevieve is a crack up - she anticipates everything and tries to do everything at once - before I have asked her!!!! Slightly off topic, but last night Hubby and I finished a (small) tub of cookies and cream ice cream and I gave G the tub to lick... it was the most funny thing I have ever seen. She shoved her whole head in the bucket - it was just the right size that she could get right in there and it stuck to her head!!! Hubby took some pics, so when he sends them to me I will put them up. But by the time she had finished with it, it was completely free of ice cream!!!!!!! It wore her out nicely! She is getting the hang of her rope bottle now and my rip off tucker ball is now only lasting about 10 minutes... not the hour it once did!!!! She thinks hubby is home for her personal amusement - as per video below. Also can be noted her toy collection, including rope bottle and cheap 'tucker ball'! Don't tell Hubby I put this up!!! He would skin me alive!!! :rolleyes:

Are you stalking me Wuffles????? :rolleyes:

Genevieve slept in her crate in the laundry up until about 4 months... she had ideas of partying all night long! I then let her sleep on our bed and now she generally sleeps the whole night... unless Hubby gets up to go the toilet!!! It is fine if I get up, but if he gets up, she thinks 'game on!'. She gets put in her crate at the end of our bed when she does this, but it doesn't stop her from making a noise and scratching to get out. He is her play thing, so she thinks. :rolleyes: So... still working on that one! I have had less behavioural problems during the day, since she has been sleeping on the bed.

If we as humans have souls, then I believe our dogs do. Why would we want a companion pet if they didn't? My dog dreams, has personality, gives me attitude, remembers people, remembers things in general, has recognition and I am pretty sure if there is a presidential campaign in the dog world, she is running for it - she has something to say! She has a soul.

Aussie Lover - I hope Mindy is feeling better soon! Genevieve has been on Advance since day one and I have just changed her over to armetis for similar reasons you are describing. While she hasn't had dodgy stools, she has dandruff, scratches constantly and scoots on her bum all the time. I have noticed in the last couple of days, much less itching and I haven't seen her scoot yet. I just hope she doesn't lose her smooth glossy coat. It seems a few people have had similar experiences on Advance... There is clearly truth to the notion that the best food is the one that is best for your dog!

I have only read this far... the tears have blurred my vision. I needed a good laugh after my day today too.

I would suggest you just get up and take her out, then bring her back to bed. You will probably find she will settle. Don't speak to her at all (other than to use your toilet command) and if you can, avoid turning the lights on. Make sure you are toileting her just before bed too. Genevieve occasionally wanted to go out in the night too, even though we had mats down for her. She doesn't go inside at all now, even when I am at work. She has learnt to let me know when she wants to go out (usually scratches on the door) and perhaps this is your puppy doing the same thing. You have to acknowledge her telling you she needs to toilet otherwise she won't do it in the future and you will have accidents all over the place. Take it as a good sign. I know it is a pain to get up to her, but you will probably find it is a turn around in her toilet training progress.

Thank you!!! It looks like a great site!

I have been feeding Genevieve Advance kibble since she came home, as that is what was recommended by the breeder... at the time I was more than happy to feed her that as we had heard good reports, it was priced ok and it was easy enough for us to get. To date, we have had no issues with her poop and her coat is silky and shiny (which I really love and don't won't to lose). However, she has dandruff and is increasingly scratching all the time (which is driving me crazy so I can only imagine it is irritating her). She is treated regularly for fleas (I haven't seen any on her or in the house) and I have changed shampoo to Aloveen. I try not to bath her very often, as I know this strips her skin of its natural oil... In between baths I rub some of the Aloveen conditioner through her coat also... in the hope it works a bit like a moisturiser and soothes her (and keeps her smelling nice!)! In addition to her kibble, she gets sardines about 3 times a week, raw egg once a week, about three chicken wings a week and I did feed her some Advance wet puppy food (as we had them there, part of a promo when I bought her dry food). If we have had rice or have extra mash potato etc, she might have a bit of that too. The bulk of her diet is the kibble though (which I am happy to maintain, going completely raw isn't going to work for me at the moment). So, I am thinking that it is her kibble that is causing her skin irritation. Through reading the posts in the nutrition section and from advice received in real life, I am keen to try either the Artemis or Nutro foods, to see if these give her any relief. Can anyone recommend a good online supplier, who will ship them to me for a reasonable price. Thank you in advance for all your help!

She seems to prefer the ball to the rope bottle thing. It's not a real 'tucker ball'... it is a cheaper version I got at woolies for 1/4 of the price. It does the trick for the time being! Keeps her busy while I go back to bed for an hour and when I leave for work I give it to her. When she ruins it or takes less than 5 minutes to evacuate it, I will consider upgrading! She is tearing around like a maniac now with it! Hows Elbstar coping without his Dad? Moreover, how is Mum coping without Dad?

Yes..... Who needs an alarm clock when you have a puppy? She was worse when I had her in the laundry by herself, she sleeps in a bit later now that she is on the bed with me. She sleeps soundly all night, so I can usually feel her trying to snuggle in closer to me for a little while, so I know she is restless and any minute will be licking my face , which is code for 'Mummy, get up, NOW!'. I have taken to getting up and letting her out. Put some kibble in her tucker ball and leave her to it while I go back to bed. She usually scratches at my door about an hour later... I then migrate to the lounge, where she will happily snuggle with me and often goes back to sleep as I do. I'm hoping that when daylight savings kicks in, I will get an extra hour out of her.

Just adorable!!! It is amazing, I am always puppy clucky when I see new little ones!!!! So bad....

Ditto! I have the ugly plastic tags with her m/chip and council regos on them, but I don't have them on her collar... She would look like she was wearing a pandora around her neck!

Lots of puppies get worms from their mother, so it isn't uncommon. This is why they need to be treated for worms. Poor little mite! Poor you for having to witness it!

Triple Post!

Double Post

I bought Genevieve home when she was 8 weeks and she wasn't microchipped either. My breeder said that her vet didn't like doing it until they were under GA when being spayed. I took her to my vet the very next day to be checked out, and he said the same thing! I put my foot down though and he did microchip her for me. But made sure he put the guilt trip on me first - even said I was a mean Mum!!!! (Don't use this vet anymore). She yelped, but she was fine 30 seconds later. I spent a lot money to get her and to make sure she had everything she needed etc. I didn't want to risk losing her at puppy school (highly unlikely I know, but you never know!), her running off or being stolen. To me, it was the responsible thing to do. I would do it again if the pup came home not chipped. Her registration papers have nothing written next to 'Microchip Number', as she was registered before I collected her and had her microchipped. My local council requires dogs be registered (with the council) by the age of 3 months. Microchipping is compulsory and if they haven't been fixed, the registration fee is about 6 times the price!!!! They won't register a dog that hasn't been microchipped and if the dog isn't registered and is found.... you get fined I presume.

Yay!!! I have been using her kibble or beef liver as treats. But I find them small and gritty. From the local pet suppliers, I can buy beef liver biscuits. They are small (which is what I want), she loves them and then I don't get it under my nails (I hate that!!!!!!). I did try schmakos that I had cut down, but she didn't really like them (and they took too long for her to chew). I also prefer something packaged like this because I take them on walks and to school - and they smell strong enough to attract her attention. But she too likes apple, pear and other bits and pieces! When you are out and about, you really have to wave the treat in their face!!! Maybe try some beef liver. A little bit goes a very long way.... Where abouts in Melbourne are you? Maybe we could arrange a play date?

This. I grew up in an affluent area, parents were well off, went to a good school. Our family dog, was/is a pet shop dog. She has some behavioural issues, but otherwise is a happy healthy, much loved pet. My point being, we were not aware of 'registered dog breeders' eight years ago when we decided we wanted a dog. It wasn't until Hubby and I were looking to get Genevieve that I became aware of things. The truth be told, I couldn't find the so-called 'breed' that I wanted, available from a breeder (which my Hubby insisted upon). This was how I came to have a deeper understanding of the purebred vs crossbred debate, which of course filters in to the pet shop/puppy mill/BYB breeder fiasco. So I now have a happy, healthy, purebred CKCS.... instead of the cross breed that I thought I wanted. Knowing what I know now, I am very happy with my decision and choice of pet. My point is, that even a lot of the educated, affluent members of society aren't aware. There is also the cost debate... which I have come to realise is false also. It doesn't help when a lot of doco's on purebred dogs with health issues are aired... There definitely needs to be more positive promotion and education of purebred dogs. Getting a word in with someone before they have purchased a pup, is great, but bagging people who have already bought one, and assuming they will make horrible dog owners, doesn't do anyone any favours.