Oskar & Zsa Zsa

Our society has changed. I grew up in the country which is about 20 years behind the city (Runs and ducks for cover) and back then, dogs were accepted pretty much everywhere. I could walk into most shops with my dog, apart from the supermarket and nobody batted an eyelid. Most shop owners had a dog and it was often neccesary to step over it to enter the store. You could go to the pub and your dog could sit at your feet. I think we are becoming more and more intolerant of anything which sits outside our field of desires as a society. People have no tolerance for anything. It's like the whole smoking in open spaces debate. Provided smokers are not arrogant about it and don't do things like blow it in your face, who cares. But, just like some people don;t like dogs, so it is with smokers and lots of other things. We could take a leaf or two out of Europes book.

Regardless if touch ups or irregularities in the story. The picture itself just says so much about why I and I guess all of you, have dogs!!

Awww.... it just sounds like you are both having a bit of a time with your health and are just in different phases. Puppy is in .........Jesus!!! I feel fantastic again...phase......which also includes...screw you I'm feeling great!!! You however, are in ......I feel miserable.....my head hurts......i am unhappy............puppy has no right to be so boisterous and disobedient while I am feeling so sick...........you'd think they'd know wouldn't you!!! How does that sound???? Cheer up, things will get better and so will you :) Till then, I wish you all the best!

Oh dear.....no wonder you wanted to take her home!! Maybe she was just putting it on for you!!!

Yep definately a pretty girl! I hope she was well behaved?

Please don't take my comments as anything but an attempt to assist you in making a great choice for you, your family and whatever lucky puppy comes home to live with you. But, I feel that perhaps you are putting the horse before the cart in an attempt to have a puppy sooner rather than later. If I could share some of my experiences perhaps you may draw from some of them. The first thing was to decide what type of dog I wanted. Temperament, energy, maintanance, affection, intelligence, size etc., let's assume that you have already determined that. My next step was to get to know the dogs of the breed I had decided on. I went to shows, agility and sports events to meet and greet not only the dogs but the owners and breeders also. This was potentially the smartest thing I did, as while meeting and greeting, I met the dog I really wanted the most attributes of for my puppy and through having got to know the breeder, when a litter came up with him and a mum i knew well also,I was given first pick and my decision was made. I may point out, there were some definate disadvantages to the process. I couldn't have a puppy NOW! I had to wait a long time to get the one I wanted. I am normally not a patient person and this was a difficult time for me, but, i wanted my puppy a certain way and in the end, it was the best decision I could have made. Oskar is a brilliant puppy and I couldn't be happier with how he is turning out in all respects. Behaviour, looks and personality which oozes out of him! I hope this makes sense and I understand it may not be the process which works for you, but it certainly delivered me a result which i could only have dreamed of.

You have not said what you do when he has a little accident inside? I got this from someone else, but it seems to work. Mop up the liquid with a tissue or paper towel, take it and the puppy out onto the grass. Put the paper towel down, put the puppy down to sniff it, praise it when it does. I did this with Oskar and he only has ever had two little mishaps, both of which were my fault for not waking up!!!

Just returned from the Vet. Thanks for the tip on the bladder infection, he agreed and popped her on a short course of antibiotics. Other than that, she is in perfect health and he was very happy with her physical condition. She is 22.3kgs, which is up a couple of kgs on when we got her which is nice to see. She was a little too thin when she arrived home. She is perhaps just a touch too heavy now, but I have altered her diet to compensate. I guess with a new dog, it's trial and error on the feeding requirements. I always find they are all different in what they need. I know they all want more than what you give them , but what they want and what they need are usually different things... While on the vet subject, I hope it's OK, but I must say I am impressed with the Vet I took her too. This vet came recommended from my best friend's wife who is in the industry. she said he is an old school vet who charges too little and doesn't do stuff just for the sake of the money. My first impressions are warm. The bill for the treatment, including the check and antibiotics was less than 1/3 of the vet i had been taking Oskar to. Let me know if I am allowed to say the name and I will. The service was excellent, with the staff at the front counter sincerely interested in Zsa Zsa. No waiting, straight in. No fuss or bother, the vet was fantastic, gentle, warm and Zsa Zsa loved him He just went about his checks with no fuss and Zsa Zsa responded accordingly. Which was nice, as she did not want to go into the building and actually slipped her collar coming in the front door. then when the vet called us into the rooms, I ended up having to pick her up to take her in, she was not having a bar of it!!!! :( Poor thing, I think the smells were very much like the shelter and she really wasn't happy... So, when the vet was so calm and placid, she relaxed and wagged her tail and let him do whatever he wanted to her. She was such a good girl once in there. Didn't fidget, sat when told, stood when told. But, she did gibe him the dirtiest of looks when he rather rudely took her temperature!!! I asked if there was surely not a more dignified way to take a girls temperature in this day and age.....the vet laughed too!!

Meh...Today Tonight.....A Current Affair.........Don Burke.............what's the difference, they all churn out diatribe designed to capture the limited imagination of the lowest common denominator!!!! Does anyone really take any credence in this stuff, or is it like most of these things yet another storm in a tea cup. Regardless of outcomes from any populous action or law changes, those who are reputable breeders need never worry! I have one pure pedigree Hungarian Vizsla and one indeterminable, but highly suspected, adopted German Shorthaired Pointer. Both brilliant dogs. The point being, the breeder I finally got Oskar from (the Vizsla), could not have been a more knowledgable, caring or wise breeder. From selection of lineage to matching of pups and the way she looked after the mum & litter was amazing. Any regulatory checks would fail to identify any health, inbreeding or living condition failures or flaws. I would imagine most who are beeders like this are the same. Are there those out there who perhaps are not as considered in the way they breed, possibly yes. But, for the most part, I see breeders out there as mostly wanting to genuines maintain and improve the breed in all respects. Don Burke and his comments, views and media representations do nothing to alter my percecptions and most intelligent people will come to the same conclusion I would assume.

It all smells normal, but perhaps you both might be right and it could be prudent to let Leo have a look at her. I will keep up with the current format and see what the Vet says..... P.S. Booked her in for 3.00pm this afternoon.

I'm confused, which breed are you talking about? They sound great whatever they are Ooops, sorry, my bad. English Cocker Spaniels. Black ones to be exact.

:( So sorry to hear about your gorgeous boy Bronson. Keep remembering the bits which make you smile. I am sure Bronson would want that.

RIP Dixie! I am very sorry to hear of your loss.

hi all, I have recently adopted a 12 month old (they think) female German Shorthaired Pointer from a shelter. Initially when she came home, she had a dhouse mate and apart from one or two little misshaps early on when she was disoriented at night trying to find the escape route, she was really good and went outside everytime. (All be it on the pavers, not on the grass, but we were getting her out of that one too and realise it is a result of being in a shelter living on concrete for 5 months) Recently, being the last few mornings, I have woken to find a little wet patch on the carpet out in the lounge room, right near the doggy door. Then last night, at some point while playing with Oskar, she let a tiny little puddle go in my bedroom? Then this morning there was another puddle out in the lounge room near the doggy door?? Up till this point, I have been using the same method I had with Oskar when he made a mistake. I mopped it up with a tissue, took the tissue and her outside onto the grass, made her sniff it and praised her. But, this seems to not be working. I am making sure I take her outside prior to going to bed to pee, as well as after exercise, eating, drinking sleeping or about every hour. She also went outside at some point last night while I was asleep and did a No2. So she does know where to go??? I am at a loss. I have never had a dog this difficult to toilet train and wonder how much of an effect living in the shelter has had?

I had a cocker who had an aversion to kids. He never really got over it, just over time learned to put up with them.

I am so very upset for you. What a fitting tribute!

As some other have said, I have experience with this, but not with dogs, with me! The ideal situation is to manage the dose so it is at it's lowest possible amount to keep the Polyarthritis away, without effecting his health. I know I have to monitor my blood sugar regularly and also take calcium tablets as well as a drug called somac to protect the stomach as they can ba harsh on the tummy. Best of luck, I hope it fixes him as he must ne in real pain!

It is interesting to read the varying levels of exercise some breeds need. I have a 12 month old German Short Haired Pointer and a part time 7 month old Hungarian Vizsla and the routine is something like this.. 5.45-6.30am Walk 7.30am Breakfast and dad leaves for work 5.30pm Dad home, hops into puppy park clothing and off to park till we run out of playmates or steam or both. Usually at least ill 6.30pm 7.30pm dinner 7.30.05pm after dinner bone for Zsa Zsa the GSP and a play, chase or tug of war with Oskar the Vizsla. 8.00pm both sleep till about 10pm. unless I move, then they wake up, follow me, fall asleep wherever I am and then repeat process. 10.30pm (weather permitting) 30 mins walk around the local block. (I really like these walks, especially with Zsa Zsa, as by this stage she is happy to just cruise along beside me enjoying the outing more than needing to sniff at everything. ) Weekends, that all changes, as I try and do pretty much everything I can with them. I find the puppy park is a great physical and mental energy expender when time is short.

I just typed out a long post in reply and lost it in the ether. Here it is summarised.... I have had 5 over the years, one which is still alive (15 this year) but was lost in the great divorce of 07. I have had them when I had babies, toddlers, small and large kids and they fitted in well. I have taken them deep sea fishing (Strika loved Squid and would steal the squid off the bait board if you didn't keep an eye on him), motorbike riding and camping, they flew, travelled the nullabor and did everything that a growing family would do. They were never agressive and I would have another one in a heartbeat!! They ARE smart dogs. Very smart! Strika in particular was clever little boy. He never had to walked on a lead, I could point command and voice command him. He was just awesome. They are also very protective of family. I had two of mine, keep a group of 5 or 6 aggressive teens away from my early teen boys. The two of them ganged up on whoever was the closest aggressor to my boys. I also witnessed Strika at age 4 launch himself at Labrador which was being agressive towards my wife one day on the beach. Strika when he saw his human mum frightened, bolted towards this Lab (it was a big Lab too.) and launched himelf at the lab fully body slam mid air!!! I was shocked! Then he snapped and growled at the Lab until it backed away from her! Most impressed I was!!! They also love cuddles!! But can be energetic if you want them to be. i would have another in a heartbeat.

It breaks my heart to think about the poor little one which didn't make it. Plus the trauma the other pups are put through in the early part of their lives. With even the rough, but not cruel start to life my 12 month old adopted GSP had, it amazes me how they shrug it all off and end up being great dogs!!

Well, I gotta stand up for the Vizslas and say this is pretty damn cute.....!

I accidentally discovered a way to both clean the floor and slow Zsa Zsa down. Last night, I was mixing two dry foods together as I am changing her diet from the brand she was on at the shelter to a premium dry food. During this process, I spilled a stack of it all over the kitchen floor. After being granted permission, she went to work on picking it all up. It certainly slowed her down as she had to not only pick it up piece by piece as it was finely spread over a large area, but also find it, as it was in different areas of the kitchen.

I may be barking up the wrong tree..... but step six is all I have ever had to do to get dogs comfortable with cars. I am probably a little different in the way I think about these types of things, but I have always just chucked em in, not made a fuss, taken them somewhere fun and made it a routine for a week and they then look forward to car trips. I think dogs pick up on our anxiety far more than anything else and if you just act as though it's nothing, not a big deal and just act normal, they tend to follow along??? Zsa Zsa is only new to me, she didn't like the car at first (Probably thought after 4 months in a shelter that it was vet time again.) But I just didn't make any fuss, threw her in the back seat, praised her when she relaxed and made sure I made it a fun destination over a week long period. Now, all I have to mention is the D word (Drive) and she is tail spinning!!!! :D

I have a similiar issue with my little GSP who was recently adopted. I believe it stems from her early life, where she was amongst 80 other dogs and had to fight for food. Then, she was on the lamb for a few months, scavenging food wherever she could. Then to top it off, time in a shelter being fed with other dogs has made her a little food protective and she also inhales it, then I have to stand gaurd, so she doesn't eat Oskar's food. He's so chilled, he will just let her share it. I ma going to perservere with her over the next few weeks and see if the behaviour settles a little. If it doesn't, then I might look into some of those slow feeders you have mentioned. I would still place a bet, that even with a slow feeder she will finish before Oskar!!

It's dissapointing, while at the same time unrealistic, to think that every human being who walks the planet, lacks the same regard for life of any form, than the majority of us in here. I can see how it can happen. I grew up on a farm and if a dog didn't earn it's keep, my father would shoot it. I can't tell you how many dogs I grew up with and bonded to, only to have him put a bullet in it's head if it wasn't up to scratch with mustering and yard work) so I can understand that some people may not hold the life of a dog in any kind of high regard. But, those examples are blatantly cruel and sadistic and these people may be the next serial killer we hear of. They say it starts with animals..............