Reewel

Check out Western Sydney Dog Play dates on meetup.com. This is a new-ish group of dog owners who meet regularly for outings with our dogs. It's a great way to socialize our dogs as well as ourselves.

generally speaking the type of people who want to take their dogs everywhere are the type who treat their dogs as any other member of the family. They are therefore vaccinated, trained and treated for pests. The one who don't care don't generally want to take their dogs out of the yard. I think the benefits of socialisation outweigh the risk. --- I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?2xscxk

I would pay for it, only so as to not cause a fuss and have the store ban pets coming in at all. There are not enough places in this country that we can take our pets so I wouldn't want to risk losing one. Its fantastic in Europe where well behaved pets are welcome almost everywhere I so wish it was like that here.

I dont think it has anything to do with whether the renters have kids or dogs. It all comes down to the type of people they are. There are people that respect other peoples property and those that dont. When I was renting, ( and I had 4 kids and a dog) we left that house to buy our own, it was left as we found it, if not better. Any damage done by the kids or the dog, which would have been minimal was fixed. We are lucky we have had our own home for a long time now, but if something happened and we had to move into a rental I would certainly not be getting rid of my dogs. Id rather live in a tent! I know for some people they dont have a choice, and I dont want to be judgemental, but I think sometimes people take the easy option and dump the dogs so they can get a rental. These are the type of people you wouldnt want renting your property anyway I guess. It a hard one and I dont think there is any easy answer.

I have a female cattle dog/kelpy cross. The whites of her eyes are red. They arent bothering her, and have always been like this since I got her from rescue. One often sees a tear or two running from her eyes but they are not itchy, inflamed or swollen in any way. She is healthy in every way, apart from anxiety etc from her "previous life". She has been to the vet for check ups and vaccinations, etc and the vet has never mentioned it was a problem. I wasnt bothered about it until we had a friend visit on the weekend and he cheekily said the dog looks like she has a hangover as her eyes are so red. Should I be worried about this? If she needs to see a vet, then she will but it is not her favourite place so I dont want to take her unless she needs to go. I read somewhere anxiety can cause the whites of their eyes to redden, is this true??

Thanks guys, some great ideas. Sounds like treats will do the trick..... She is fine once outside, and sometime she forgets and will go outside by herself. Its more if there is a "different" sound out there, like wind in the trees, or the guy next door mowing the lawns. Yes she is very anxious when out walking (only if people are about). She loves going for a walk and is not bothered by cars, dogs or such, but if she sees a person, she freaks to the point she will often "pee herself". I have not been forcing any of these issues, its such early days yet for her and just trying to introduce "new" things and people gently as and when I can. Its just the back door problem is an issue as she wants to go outside and sometimes as I said she will "scoot' through the door quickly and is fine once out. But if there is a noise outside she just wont go out and then has accidents indoors.

I have a small kelpie cross who is about 9 months old. She is a rescue dog so I dont know about her history. I have had her now for just on 2 months. She has made great inroads and is progressing wonderfully considering how anxious she was when I first brought her home. I am just wondering what the best way to help her with her fear of doorways. She is petrified to walk through a doorway, especially our back door to the back yard. She is fine once outside, and plays happily with our other dog. But getting her out there is a challenge. She is pretty well house trained now, but is being held back by her fear of going through the doorway. Any ideas on how I can help her with this??

I spent some time in the UK last year and I could not believe just how dog friendly it was. I stayed with a friend who took her dog everywhere except the supermarket. She went into fashion stores, shoe shops, outside at cafes, it really astounded me. Up in St Andrews all the shops had bowls of water outside for local dogs. It was just lovely to see. I wish it could be like that here in Australia

Thanks ridgiemum, Thats not far from me, I will get in touch with you after Xmas and maybe we can meet up?

Apart from any of the issues of whether you should let people pat him or not, I am concerned that people would think its okay to run up to an unknown dog and pat him, puppy or not. I was badly attacked by a GS as a 5 year old doing just that! Luckily it didnt affect my love for dogs, and all animals but I have raised my kids to ALWAYS ask. If other peoples children approach my dogs, even though they are much smaller than a GSD I tell them not to approach my dog, or any dog without checking with the owner. I tell them to stand back and ask me first. Maybe I am wrong but apart from the fact, I would hate to see a child, or anyone bitten, I would also hate to have the trouble caused if my dog did snap at a child.

Hi, Are there any doggy meets, or doggy social groups meeting in the Blacktown/Penrith area of Sydney. I have a a 7 month old kelpie cross, from Rescue. She is very wary of people at the moment and I need the opportunity to get her out and about to meet new people. She is very dog friendly! If anyone is interested in meeting either at a dog park or for social outings with our dogs, please let me know.