coogie

Hope he is ok Julzjc

I am too scared to look Huski , mostly collars and leads,toys,beds and grooming stuff. I spread it about so it looks like less. Oh and just saw life jackets,coats,harnesses,crate mats..... backing away from the cupboard now. Most of it is from dog days out though and bought in support of rescue or from dogs online.

Inevitablue, I can't help with identifying the Sibe but can I just say in the unlikely event one of my dogs got out I seriously hope they would stumble across someone like you. :D Edited because spellcheck won't leave your name alone!

Are the owners contactable at all? Maybe you could ask if they have had issues with the dog barking (or the neighbour complaining) -maybe she is unsettled by the change in routine. If you are able to get in touch with them they might be able to let you know how they deal with her barking so you can follow her usual routine. Do they have a kong or anything you could leave to occupy her when you have to leave her alone? Whilst the neighbour may just be a serial complainer a week is a long time to listen to incessant barking, and I would be worried he will call the council or worse lose his temper and take matters into his own hands; especially if he is already yelling at the dogs after less than 24 hrs. I hope it settles down for you.

Great thread, I would like to add gravy - can have a really high salt content and ground onions.

Hmm not too sure OH is impressed but this is what happens when you are home nursing a dog 24 hrs a day! Rockin

Beautiful Gayle,they look great. I agree with your Hubby!

We drove to from Brisbane to Mackay with our two plus a rescue we were delivering to a new home in Mackay last year, there were no fenced dog parks along the way but we found a couple of on lead ones. We used longlines and the dogs were fine,ours were also inclined to stay a bit closer as they were on unfamiliar turf. We stopped every couple of hours for drinks/wees and to let them stretch their legs. We bought swivel attachments to use between their harnesses and the usual seat belt loops so they were secure but could lie down as it was such a long way.(Three crates would not fit) They coped very well and seemed to enjoy the road trip - even the boy who is not the greatest fan of the car.We also had a hammock type car seat cover for extra security in case of any sudden braking. I hope you have great trip.

Hi Ams, I had got some vet wrap - but it has gone on Alfie's paw,I can get some more tomorrow but don't think it will work in the longer term her claws keep going through. That matting has been a godsend!

Thankyou TigerJack, I might very well get those as well as the sock as they look quite fine - RubyBlue I did "make" some for her to wear in the crate from the matting Ams gave me just to get used to having something on her feet but I am obviously rubbish at it as they fall off and she has barely taken a step. The only positive thing is she is not freaking out about having them on her feet,just looks a bit puzzled. The other encouraging thing is she is actively following the matted areas when we do her leash toilet trips so she must feel the extra traction - which gives me additional hope for boots after the socks. We could then remove the mats so she can move about a bit more freely. Thanks Huski - I didn't know you sold those! We are going to need to prevent slips for some time so really hope we can work up to some more robust boots. Can I just say thanks again to everyone for the suggestions, much appreciated.

Thanks KaseyC,they look the best socks I have seen,lots of grip on the bottom. Tempted to get a pair and take them to the post op appointment so the surgeon can take a look.

Thanks for all the suggestions, checking out those sites, will also look into the resin. Ams I am such a numpty I never even thought to ask Judy and I have seen Cassie with a boot on at the Guide Dogs Walk! I will try and catch her today. for me.

Thanks Clyde - I looked at those but think they will not come high enough up? Persephone, the specialist suggested both - mats wherever we can but thought boots or even a boot on her other hind leg might give her some additional traction in other areas - she won't wear them constantly and has some crate time first to learn to leave them alone.I am worried about her not walking normally in a boot as well but thought it might be worth a try. I worry as her gait will be altered forever anyway and she may well need a revision of her patellar surgery later on as this op will change the alignment of her leg. She dislocated her hip badly last Sunday,went straight to ER and it was replaced under general,when she tried to stand on the Monday it dislocated again immediately. She had a lot of investigations and sadly was proven not to be a good candidate for a replacement. We had very long consults with the vet and then the surgeon and this was our only option other than pts. Surgeon has suggested physio and swimming/hydrotherapy after her post op check both of which we have arranged. We had known she had HD for a little while as it was picked up coincidently in the x-rays when her knee was doneShe is only 2 and the surgeon believes she has a good chance of an active and pain free life with this op, although freely admits she will never return to "full athletic ability". I think the main reason for the matting/boot is to protect the hip on the other side whilst it takes the additional strain as much as anything. I hadn't thought about the implications of her stepping on the matting in the boots so thankyou for that.

Issy, our girl has just had a Femoral Head Ostectomy, it is early days and we want to do everything possible to assist her recovery. We have polished floors (currently covered with non slip matting (thanks Ams) in any area she has access to) I would like to get her some non slip socks/boots to help her grip as she recovers,we have made temporary ones from some of the matting but they keep falling off. The difference in prices of boots/socks is massive $20.00 up to a couple of hundred -so wondered if anyone had used these post surgery and could recommend some good ones or warn me off any not so good ones? I searched on FHO but can only find 2 very short threads from 2009 and neither mention much about post op support. I was going to post in Health & Nutrition but thought more people might see this here. All advice/recommendations appreciated.

Our Council offers these if you cannot control the barking problem, they take no action on the first complaint but visit to give you a chance to rectify the problem by the means of your choice - behaviourist, training etc. If the complaints continue and the barking hasn't stopped they offer a bark count collar for monitoring,and to check the complaint is not malicious -if the problem is proven i.e. the dog barks excessively; they will then offer static collars (with instruction) for trial as they are so expensive to buy. Most modern collars offer a warning tone before any shock and varying levels according to the sensitivity etc of the dog. I know a lot of people don't agree with them but to me if you cannot stop the behaviour any other way - and as long as they are used correctly it is better than having to a. rehome the dog b. risk the council repeatedly fining you, c.have all the neighbours hating you because your dog is disturbing them and possibly some idiot baiting/hurting your dog. We had a problem with our girl barking when we moved house and had a complaint from a neighbour,the council came round ,explained the steps they would take and the help they could offer,we were lucky we were able to modify her behaviour with help from a trainer and without a collar but if the options had been a short stint in a static collar,giving up the dog or constantly worrying that she was causing the neighbours endless misery and someone may hurt her, I know what I would have done. Just my opinion. I hope your sister finds a good solution for her dog (and her neighbours).

Some test runs of Issy and Alfie's Christmas photos 2011

I really want to see a picture of the UV sunsuit (once Santa has been of course)please?

The Goons are getting K9Pro leather slip leashes, some shark cartilages, one toy each....... and totally necessary and useful Santa bandanas.

Very well put Clyde, I typed a few responses and deleted them, I don't consider the things I buy my dogs at Christmas useless and I help my chosen rescues as much as I can whenever I can not just at Christmas. I think you would have to go a very long way to find a group of people who dig deeper than DOLers when the need arises, whether for rescues or another DOLer in need.

So sorry to hear this SwaY. RIP Willow.

Great pictures! She looks to be having a ball.

Sorry to hear she is still missing SwaY, I checked hoping for good news. Are the photos on an accessible Facebook page so I can share them on a couple of other pages? I can't find a link. I hope you hear something today. I have emailed people I know in that area.

Mine have a bit of a choice - trampoline beds in Summer and beanbags/cushions for Winter. They still seem to prefer to nick the sofa however many beds they are spoilt with. I buy the Aldi trampoline beds $25.00 and the last ones are over a year old - no rust ,not sagging yet - bargain!

Hair Off The Dog

I tried to call on Saturday though noone was available to speak with. Will give them a buzz tomorrow to get the best point of contact and find out exactly which vet it was then post up here I am going to write in for sure. It was Alister Webster,he is the resident Better Homes and Gardens vet, he works for Blackmores under their animal health division PAW - (Pure Animal Wellbeing). He goes by Dr. Al on the show,it says he is a third generation vet. I was very surprised by some of his recommendations especially the bit "anything ending in oodle" and also what he said about the labradors. Link below PAWS