Lollipup

And here is my other option for a play behaviour, although I think he was partly doing it for a stretch haha DSCF3717 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr

If anyone is interested (or has more questions ) here are the photos I am going to use for the fear based aggression example. Chester was staying with us at the inlaw's place and another dog came to visit, and she didn't appreciate Chester at all. DSCF3520 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr DSCF3522 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr DSCF3523 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr DSCF3524 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr

Chester's favourite spot under the couch. DSCF3231 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr he's kind of grown out of it but he insists. DSCF3233 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr I promise he is not stuck. DSCF3232 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr the two of them playing DSCF3147 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr

P6010100 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6010098 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr

Chester as a little puppy P6040005 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6040147 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6040133 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6040112 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6040104 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6040103 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6010099 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr

More of puppy Lola P6050014 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6050001 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6050028 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6020071 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6020074 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6020078 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr

Lola as a little puppy P6290050 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr With Pippi and Bob (Bob was PTS the other day ) P6290044 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6240031 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr playing with Gizmo, the inlaws' dog - P6140014 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6140010 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6050020 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6050013 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr P6050008 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr

Thank you. I was thinking his face looks kind of weird in that last photo, squished into the floor. Makes him look like a gecko.

Let me just put my beer down so I can think.... By serious, I mean she is in it to win it. She can be a possessive dog but I don't think she would get aggressive in this kind of play situation. I think it would be unlikely for this situation to turn aggressive. It hasn't happened before. But not entirely impossible. She growls loudly but its a play growl. And kind of muffled with her mouth full of toy haha. When you say reinforcement history, do you mean she knows to growl in play because she has won possession of the toy that way in the past? Or do you mean that I have reinforced her for laughing at her when she does this? Or both maybe? Also, just on another topic - I have been thinking about taking my studies further down the track. How do you get into animal behaviour studies at uni? What diploma or otherwise do you have to do to get into it?

Great news. So glad you found a really good specialist that was prepared to give rest and time a chance to heal him. He should be over the riskiest growth stage but good idea to monitor him carefully until he really is finished growing. Thank you dancinbcs for your advice and support through this, you have been most helpful

You got me. That's why I wasn't sure if the photo is really appropriate for what I am talking about. Lola does tend to bow to get a better grip on the tug toy. So it is more likely that. But its still alright to illustrate play behaviour? As for your questions... When Lola plays tug she is serious about it. She usually always wins and definately wins against a visiting dog. Is there a point it could escalate into aggressive behaviour? Well, that has never happened but I suppose it could if the other dog was to challenge Lola for "her" tug toy. Are you an instructor?

Thank you, thank you. I do like to read the more in-depth information and will research it more for my own benefit. But my assessment doesn't have to be that in-depth. So if scientists don't know why they play, does that mean I can't answer this part of my assessment? "The instinctive goal of play behaviour is to have fun" LOL Do you think the photo is appropriate anyway?

And some more... These are my favourites. DSCF2808 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr DSCF2807 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr DSCF2806 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr

Thought it was about time I put some decent photos up of my pair. Finally figured out how to use flickr! DSCF3683 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr Some older ones of Chester when he was about 4 months old. And dirty! DSCF2779 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr DSCF2775 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr DSCF2776 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr With Lola DSCF2787 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr DSCF2788 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr DSCF2792 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr DSCF2802 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr

For anyone still following Chester's story, he is doing great. I can hardly tell if he is limping anymore, even after he has a run around the yard. We have been taking him for big swims in the inlet and he loves it and its doing him the world of good. I have him on joint guard too, don't know if its what is helping or not but he has definately been so much better. I'm so glad we didn't get the surgery done. Thank goodness we got such a great specialist! Chester is 9 months old now so we'll still be taking it easy for a while longer until he has finished growing. Here he is after a bath yesterday DSCF3724 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr DSCF3728 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr

For my canine communication assignment, I have chosen play behaviour and fear based aggression and have photos of each. I then have to do a write up of what is occurring in each photo and I have to explain the instinctive goal. What is the instinctive goal of play behaviour? Is it based on predatory instincts? Or is it play instinct? What is the dog's goal of play when it is two adult dogs playing? The photo is of Lola in a play bow while playing tug with Mojo - another dog which we were looking after. P3120096 by Lola & Chester, on Flickr

I tried to think of suggestions to help you....but they were all evil

Could a friend or relative dogsit? I know of a couple of good boarding kennels such as Isis Pet Motel between Bundaberg and Childers, or Sunshine Coast Pet Resort at Caloundra, but still can be so stressful for them. I have never used these kennels personaly but I have spent a week at the Sunshine Coast one and the Isis one has been recommended to me as the best in the Bundaberg area.

I live in Qld too and its a big let down when you are trying to find somewhere nice where you can take the dogs. I've been looking for a long time for a nice camping spot which is dog friendly but they are always National Parks. There is a dog friendly off-leash beach between Coolum Beach and Peregian Beach. I can't remember the name of it though.

NO, why do I read these things. That is terrible, devastating. I could not cope. Poor dogs. Poor owners too.

Aww they are gorgeous. Congrats on your new additions

I have learnt a lot. I research everything already but on DOL you can find links to more places to research and you can talk to people who have actually been through similiar things. I have no dog crazy friends locally but I have met some wonderful people on DOL already, one who I have become good friends with. I now have an email buddy to "talk dog" with She gets me through the day. Also met some great people who have been kind enough to call and email me with support. I have learnt a lot about diet, training, health issues, and breeders. I have learnt more in depth about puppy farms and pet shops and what goes on. I've found ideas for tricks to train and other training tips, found some great photos on here too. I've got a glimpse into other possibilities of things I can maybe do with my dogs in the future. I have learnt about good trainers who I otherwise would not have heard of but in the dog world its like they are famous and I have people to look up to, people who I want to be like one day. I have also found a lot of online shopping sites for dog related things which has had a detrimental effect on my bank account I've learnt to be careful what I believe in what I read and also to be careful what I write. I am learning new things all the time from DOL directly or from info which DOL has led me to. I have become a little more irritated with other dog owners who are making mistakes but I manage not to offend anyone (yet) because I have a lot to learn too. I often get a laugh from the stories on DOL too. Oh and I have expanded my list of breed I want to own one day, by a lot. Would love to have an Aussie Shepherd next time. I don't post very often but I am often here reading along and I am thankful to have access to DOL. Thanks Troy.

that's so loyal and beautiful and so very sad. Makes me want to

Safe on the coast near Bundaberg

I am in Bundaberg in a safe area and can help out with pets if required. At the moment Bundaberg is cut off from the north and the south.