TheCheekyMonster

I have never owned an entire bitch and I find this concept so interesting... how long do they last for?

TBH this family sounds picky.... and proportion would be something that would effect their decision subconsciously... I dont think a corgi would suit their aesthetics needs, considering they are very much about how the dog looks.... IMO thats just what I have gathered by such restricting criteria.... I do think they sound like a cocker would be more down their alley though...

I think she can stretch out in the crate, it's quite large and any size up would be ridiculously big. For a super big stretch (in the sense of ones like leaving the pelvis hooked over the side of the basket and stretching for metres into the living room :p) her tail might need to bend, but it should be fine. If she gets crated when not at home she gets something to occupy her, it's not really this time that she seems stressed out about it (she usually gets a bone as well when someone gets home). I suppose she could be left outside, but I'd be reluctant not to leash her somewhere because I get really worried she'll eat something (she has a really sensitive stomach) or get into mischief, and same for inside, potential unsupervised damage would not go down well with the family. It's more night time. As soon as she knows what's happening she'll run to her bastket, fling herself in and snuggle down as if to say 'you can't get me, I'm in here now' (it's actually really cute). She gets walked as usual in the evenings for exercise so I'm not sure what's changed Laundry is a no go too, that's the cat's domain! Lol maybe she is just testing you...? try putting her in there with some toys and leave her... if she starts to whine ignore it....if she stops within 30minutes to 1 hr (being extreme) I'd say she is just retaliating. .. And maybe a pen is in order for duing the day?? you can set it up outside that way it limits how much of the yard she has acess to.

Even if she was comfortable in the crate beforehand, she isn't now, so I would definitely work on making more positive associations with the crate. I'd also move it (even to another side of the room if possible) just in case it was something to do with the area the crate is it. Is she interested in her food at meal times? You could use her food as treats and throw bits of food in the crate to encourage her to go in there. Use super high value treats like bits of ham or chicken or cheese or sausage, whatever she values more than normal food. I'd work on training a good 'in your crate' type command so you're not forcing her to go in there when she doesn't want to. I feed my dog in her crate and I put her food bowl on top of her bedding, my dogs scoff their food though so there is minimal mess. I often give them bones etc to chew on in the crate though so I just make sure I wash the bedding frequently and shake it out. She's interested in food at mealtimes only if she's really hungry (i.e. busy day, no bone/snacks during the day). She's not a morning eater so I gave up with breakfast, and she'll slowly lope over to dinner unless she's super hungry when there's a bit more interest. I will try moving the crate, I'll swap positions with her basket in the TV area (Do you think it will be possible to shift her back to the originaly position once she's settled? Putting the crate where the bastket is is a bit suboptimal). I'll also feed her in the crate, but not bones...she only gets bones outside and they gum up her outside bed enough so I'd prefer that not in her bedding! I'll also try getting a good 'into crate' command. What's the best way to start this? In the beginning I would put her in there with the command, give treats when she's inside, or from the outside at the other end to entice her in. What if she won't go in without physcially putting her in? Thanks for your advice everyone, with the weekend fast approaching I'll get right on it (we had some double-smoked roast chicken last night which definitely caught her attention, so hopefully that will help!) Cheers :) Watch the DVD crate games by Susan Garrett it helped me a whole heaps with Gus.

Yes the same as Cheekymonster said, maybe she has had a bad experience/fright whilst in the crate. Not sure about a spider bite, didn't notice anything like that, but maybe I wouldn't anyway. Unfortunately putting the crate in a bedroom isn't an option, but I might try it in a different spot (although I sometimes think this might further disrupt her?) Maybe try also putting like a sheet over it that leaves the front open... I have put an old bed sheet over Gus's crate and I leave the entrance of the crate visiable...it worked for me to make him feel a little less exposed.

Where is her crate set up? are there any noises that could be scaring her? Also, try re-introcuing the crate.... some treats leading up to it, play around the crate... maybe she has had a scare during the night...thats the only real thing I can think of.. or if it is too hot in there? too small?.... very sure the more experienced people on DOL can give you more ideas... poor darling hope everything goes back to normal soon.

They do know that shorter coats are going to shed too, don't they? Common misconception amongst folks, that if they get a short coated dog they won't get dog hair everywhere! Yes, very true, short coated dogs shed as well. My son rescued a beautiful Doberman who sheds constantly. I have been told my dally will shed 52 weeks of the year.... and that person was not wrong... (a DOLer actually). Short hair IMO is just as annoying as long hair but people will have their preferences

She's a long hair.... the interested party want a short coat hahah maybe they just purchase a balloon sculptured dog :)

Please do . . .I like to support home grown small business.Is Spots a dalmation? Doh! Lmao... I refer to my dally as my spots :)dont think this is common practice though You can call him Spots.Is it white spots on black? lol. I call my boy Kenny Kat just between you and me . . ..because he likes to lay on the lounge and my Devons just pile on top sometimes its hard to tell with some dallies.. but mine is black on white.. just hahah

Please do . . .I like to support home grown small business.Is Spots a dalmation? Doh! Lmao... I refer to my dally as my spots :)dont think this is common practice though

A basenji is not for someone with limited dog experience and especially for someone who's kids are not used to having a dog in the house. There are exceptions, but generally I would never suggest a basenji for someone like this. Kids who have never had a dog before more than likely will want a dog that will be playful with them, and obedient. When reading the standard I sure did not get that vibe at all.... good to know.

Basenji?

It wouldnt be the first time the general public has no idea what a pitbull was.... :) Im going to check her out, I need a matingale for my Spots.

I hear what your saying but it concerns me that no breeder will sell me a pup if i admit that id prefer a male and im anti desexing unless its required for health reasons or temperament issues. This is an issue because there are only several breeders of this breed in Australia... I had similar views to you till I had done research and was told otherwise that desexing unless being a working dog does the dog no injustice... In saying that I bought a show dog, so I get best of both world, in getting a show dog I am dedicated to becoming as educated i can in showing and taking classes... I was not going to get a show dog unless I was interested in showing.

Was holding out on the "inside v outside" result before suggesting it but if the daughter likes cute flarfies, she may not go for a stick insect puppy. I think they're gorgeous though. :) I never really liked whippets untill I came across a breeder who had the most amazing looking whippets I had ever seen her whippets certainly changed my view on the breed. I think get them to go thought all the breeds on DOL hahah thats what I did. :D so many purebreeds they they probably dont even know about that fit exactly what they are looking for

Or even a whippet?

AMERICAN STAFFYY!!! or staffy for the smallish lol :) if they want short hair and outside :) perfect I think... but im a little bias as I love them.

Good thread for clueless newbies like me :)

Well.... Gus is going to hit the ring in a few months.... now how to stack him with minimal fuss ... im starting very late!

:(

Gus - After the fat clumsy mouse in Cinderella.... because his Clumsy and just an all-round clown Nala - Obvious the Lion King- because the OH is creative like that

Has anyone ever seen the 22 point test... Just so people know here is a copy :)... match your dog to this scale... it may turn out to be a pitbull in accordance to council sorry its not very big I couldnt get a better copy.

hahah they are pretty darn cute, she from the jeep/redboy line decendent from Honeybunch. III

What clever whippets!!, where do I get me one, it is approaching winter :laugh: