disintegratus

You can borrow my big boy. 40-odd kg of fear agressive idiot is terrifying! Just don't let the intruder get too close to him, he'll wee and run away! He "protected" me one day while I was play-fighting with my mate in the backyard: Thundercleese nipped him on the bum, then ran around and hid behind me! I love having awesome guard-doggies :) This is pretty freaky though. We have 3 and a half big dogs (the new one's still a pup), and as such have a large dog door that I can fit through without too much difficulty (and to say I'm not small would be an understatement!). My theory has always been that if someone's willing to brave the back gate with those 3 and a half big dogs going mental at them, well, they deserve whatever they get! I live in Springvale, it might be time to re-think that attitude!! Yellowgirl, I hope it all works out well for you, and don't lose sleep! Stay safe :)

I'm sorry for such an awful, difficult time in your life. I don't have much experience dealing with grieving dogs, but I do have experience with other pets grieving. Completely different animal I know, but when I had a pair of rats and one passed, the other was inconsolable for months, and began to stress out terribly. She began to run on her wheel for a minimum of 10-12 hours a day. I had not initially planned to get another rat, but when I saw her continued stress and grieving behaviour, I felt I had to so she wouldnt stress herself to death, but then I had to wait for another month because the rescue rat I had picked out turned out to be pregnant, so I had to wait until her pups were weaned. Almost as soon as she had a companion, the behaviour stopped, and she went back to normal. I don't think you should force another dog or cat, that will happen when you are ready, but perhaps playdates or even sleepovers with a dog/s your boy is familiar with might help to take her mind off it? Another question though, did you show Lottie the body of the deceased cat and allow her to take in the death? I have found this does help a huge amount with most animals, that way they are aware of what has happened, and don't think their friend has just suddenly dissappeared.

Real world? what's that??? :laugh:

That's really lovely :) I can't go past a dog without an owner, in fact, have been busted a couple of times being overzealous and pulling over to pick up a wandering dog, only to have it's owner walk around the corner 2 seconds later... "uhhh, I'm definitely not trying to steal your dog!" Oops! That's how we've ended up with our fourth as well, owners were trying to rehome her, we said we'd take her on til a new home could be found, but she's not going anywhere!!! I like to think that in these situations, karma is my friend. I've picked up countless dogs over the years and re-united them with their owners, and as luck would have it, on the occasions when one of our dogs have gotten out, they've almost always gotten picked up by some kind soul, and we've always gotten them back within a few hours:)

Tilly: I will definitely be using a backup collar, at least at first while I get a proper feel for it.

My grandma said she was going to make a nice cover for it when I finally get one. She loves Thundercleese, she thinks he's a great guard dog. She can't seem to wrap her head around the fact that he's fear aggressive from a distance, get too close or do anything even remotely scary and he'll wee himself and run away. I've been trying to call k9pro for ages, are they always this hard to get onto?:|

Stupid computer, I just lost my whole freakin post! Twice! Bull Arab: I have an *extremely* fear aggressive Heinz 57, probably ridgeback cross named Thundercleese. Mostly, I want walk times back. It's gotten to be a stressful and regimented exercise, and I don't enjoy it any more. Given that he will NEVER be offlead in a public place, it's not fair on him or me if we can't enjoy our walks. It's not the only thing I'm using, I work with him every day, and he is getting better, he's improved a huge amount, but it's a long slog, with baby steps forward, and if we're not careful, huge steps backwards. I looking for a tool that makes the process easier.

Of course it will be nothing but a stainless steel Sprenger, I wouldn't touch anything else, and I like the idea of quick release because i'm lazy like that, but I don't need it and prefer the security of the traditional ones. I did find the k9pro website, but i'm not sure whereabouts the are/if the have a shopfront type retail outlet of if they need to be ordered. as soon as I can find my phone, I will call them and ask. Thank you Nekhbet, I was a bit hazy on whether I *cough* my friend would need a medium or large, so thank you very much for guessing. :D

Hi everyone, I've just got a quick question, I've searched the forum but I couldn't find an answer. I'm looking for somewhere around the Glebe area of NSW where I could get a PP (prong or pinch for those who prefer) collar. I have been shown how to use it and if in any doubt at all will call the *fantastic!!* trainer who introduced me to their non-evilness, but because I live in the Nanny state, it's for a "friend", who definitely lives across the border. So, if anyone could point me in the direction of a retail-type outlet that stocks them, preferably in a medium or large (I haven't measured his neck yet but will be tonight), it would be HUGELY appreciated.