mgardner89

I wish I had that much space for my pups! They have a reasonable size yard but nothing that good.

I guess I worry about her barking because when we first moved in the neighbours complained. The dogs got reactive to people walking past after some kids tried to break into the house. The dogs are in the house as soon as I get home and then not on their own again until I leave. I curb the barking with a radio and blocking access to the fence. But I figure giving her more to do helps too. She has a chihuahua to keep her company but he is more of a house cat – likes a good sleep and to steal all the food possible. I put out some iceblocks this morning. They seemed to go down a treat. Thanks Scarlet!

I work a full time job. I also have a high energy Sheltie. Recently I asked another friend with a working dog what she does to keep her Koolie entertained during the day. We both use food enrichment toys. Kongs, bones, iceblocks and the like. But I want to know what everyone else does for their dogs during the day. JD gets a run in the morning and a visit to the beach/training/dog park of the evening. But I know she still has stacks of energy during the day and I would rather her be kept a little busy. What keeps your dogs amused while you are out?

Thanks for the replies everyone. Sorry for my delay - busy weekend! Yes it would be a big step to move over. If I moved there I would be committing to staying there for at least 2 years. Bringing him home through Quarantine wouldn't be much fun but at least AQS Sydney is close to where I am currently located (and imagine I wouldn't be much further away on coming home). I wouldn't want to rehome him but I just wanted some other perspective. Being stuck in his crate for the flight there seems a bit bad because of the length. Although he deals pretty well with being crated. I just imagine the plane being pretty noisy with other animals and therefore that might be unsettling for him. He had one big incident (lost for two days) and he hasn't ever been the same since - even with ongoing work. I am more or less concerned that this won't help.

There is a strong possibility that my work wants to relocate me to the UK first thing next year. So I have to ask: Is it selfish of me wanting to take my dog? He is a very timid boy (he never got his confidence back after going missing for two days) and I worry about the stress of that very long haul flight. Is it selfish of me wanting to take him with me? I get teary thinking about rehoming him but the flight scares me. He is crate trained and normally just goes to sleep. But being loaded on and off a plane might be a bit different to going in the car or at training where he can see me. Would be keen to hear from people who have had experience moving pets.

Of course you can train Chihuahuas! Perseverance is key like training any dog! I have a Chihuahua who I currently take to flyball and sometimes agility. He has a real stubborn streak but when we get past this he is great. He knows a few cute tricks like spin, high five, wave, sit and drop. But he really responds to agility (a little less so to flyball but I am stubborn too and we will get there eventually). Find treats or toys your dog responds to helps. Chihuahuas are just like any other dog - If you put in the time and effort training you will see results. Give it a go. :)

My Chihuahua goes crazy for food but becomes fussier when we are at training. He will do as he is told with at the prospect of a treat, then spit it out if it isn’t something a little higher value. At home he eats everything probably so my parents dog doesn’t get it. My parents foxie will eat anything and everything. She trains like a dream because she is super motivated by anything that squeaks. I thought she wasn't getting enough food so started feeding her more - she got fat so I put it down to her being a piggy.

My dog walker had Johnny out at an off leash park. He was attacked by another dog and he found a way under the fence and bolted. Got the call and rushed off to look for him. How long was he/she gone 2 agonising days. What you did I spent two days walking. The dog walker helped for a few hours and went home. My mum and my aunty spent the whole next day helping me look. Where you advertised etc Posters and paid for some ads in paper but didn’t need them. How you got them back etc. We found Johnny thanks to a poster. My mum suggested we put a poster up in the local pub and we got a call right away after. The lady said she had seen him the night before on her street. She said he was scared and she couldn’t pick him up. We drove over to the address she gave and he was two streets over hiding under a car. I cried my eyes out when we found him damp and alive. My mum and my aunty cried too. Was so happy to get my little guy back. He was starving and whined the whole drive home (he is very quiet in the car so this was strange for him). I feel for anyone who has lost their dog for an extended period of time. 2 days was more than enough for me.

Do you have the breeders contact details?

What was the reason why you stopped training your dog? Other interests got in the way. We are currently looking to get back to the class because the people are lovely. Plus I know Johnny misses his friends! We haven’t stopped training – I have equipment at home, we still learn. We just haven’t been able to make it to the class. Do you feel your dog is well trained enough? I always think he can improve. But I compare him to some of my friends dogs and yes I would call him trained “enough”. Did you not get results from previous training attempts? We joined an obedience club and no joy. He responded much better in agility and flyball. Although his recall in class can be very frustrating – he has improved. Is training too far away/ too often/ too expensive? Are you simply too busy? Did you find training boring? Too busy. Sometimes the 30 min drive feels too far as well. What would prompt you to start training again or would you not start training again regardless? We are going to get back into it soon. I am promising myself by the end of next month. I am just a chronic over committer and try to do way too much!

I noticed the other day my Chihuahua had a bit of tartar build up on his teeth. He gets bones a couple of times a week as well as teeth cleaning treats so I thought it might be worth getting him to the vet for a teeth clean. I am especially attentive to this issue considering my MIL’s small dog had a have a bunch of teeth removed not long ago. So where in Western Sydney does one go to do this? Is there a special dog dentist or would my normal vet do this? And what am I looking at for costs? Comments on your experience would be handy. Also is this something you have to get done once a year like people? Yes I am quite new to this subject matter!

So this website has a lot of cute DIY craft and cooking items. Haven't tired this one but I know both my dogs love cookies (or any food really but cookies are fun!) http://prettyfluffy.com/2012/07/diy-the-best-gingerbread-dog-treat-recipe. Love this thread by the way - I am going to start making some agility equipment. A lot of the stuff I got on ebay has been good but is falling apart.

If you really can’t wait to give them a run off lead there is a park in Blacktown (less than 10 mins away) you can go to. It isn’t a huge park but I am sure the dogs would appreciate it after being in quarantine! It is a fenced off leash area and deserted during the week: http://www.westernsydneyparklands.com.au/page/venues/dog-walking/ Have you got them any toys? Tennis balls if they like to fetch? Also Cafe Bones is an excellent dog park. They have dog cappuccinos. This park is closer to the city. http://www.cafebones.com.au/ I bet you are so excited! I would be too.

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Okay so I have a long haired Chihuahua. We train in both agility and flyball. He really shines at the agility. Has no problems with the seesaw ect. But flyball is a different story... While he is super at fetching, Great with run backs and does an excellent box turns he can’t cope with the ball being in the box. As soon as we put the ball into the box the noise freaks him out. Or worse still he gets hit in the face with the ball and I have to spend the next 30 mins trying to get him to put a paw on the box. Can anyone provide some suggestions? I am getting really frustrated at training and some fresh ideas would be great. And no I am not quitting. I like the team too much!