Salukifan

Just added the Vinnies option to my post Aloysha :)

I'm not saying this is the answer BUT it won't hurt Eric or you to try these things while you sort out the financials. Dogs get a huge seratonin rush from ripping and chewing. That's the pleasure chemical. Big bones, nice small logs with bark to pull off (think firewood)(a lot of dogs LOVE to chew wood), pieces of fire hose from your local firies etc are all cheap and may help entertain him. A sand pit, some plastic buckets etc are all cheaper targets for his entertainment than your furniture. So are big soft toys from Vinnies or the Salvos (hope you like snow storms LOL) How does he go on the halti for you? You can use his ball drive to train him.

You should see what a working police dog can do to a washing machine box. :laugh: If destroying a box a day stopped him destroying my furntiture, I'd let him have one!!!

You know all of the behaviours you describe don't necessarily scream "anxiety" to me. he's not doing it every day. They could just as easily be explained by boredom and self-entertainment. The cupboard raiding is a case in point. I think you need to see a qualified (preferably veterinary) behaviourist pronto - it might actually SAVE you money. I think you've definitely found out why Eric was surrendered. Just out of interest, how much training and exercise does he get daily? Did he miss out the day before the last destructo dog event? He has a 40 minute walk / run every morning and we try and take him for either a 20 min walk in the evening or we''ll play ball / frisbee etc in the garden with him. The day before the event we had done the morning but not the evening due to my partner working late. I am unable to walk him on my own as he is so strong - he is trained in pretty much all aspects apart from lead walking. He is horrendous and pulls terribly. I wanted to book him in for classes but we have been cripplied moneywise due to numerous vets visits and damage done so far. We have had Eric for only 4 weeks, 2 1/2 of those weeks he had a cone on and was unable to exercise. I think that's worth exploring. If money is an issue, join a local community based dog training club if there is one in your area. It's usually as cheap as chips. What are you walking him on (what kind of collar/leash etc)? You should get a professional opinion but you might want to start reconsidering Eric's behaviour not as "freaking out" but "having fun" and provide better methods (to you) for doing so. Here's a suggestion to try.. head down to JB Hifi, Hardly Normal or the like and ask for some big applicance boxes (plasma TV, Washing machine etc). you can collapse them to bring them home but tape them back up again. Bunnings can be good too. Put one in the back yard for the day and see what happens. My guess is that you might think you've walked back in on an exploded recycling plant but ripping and tearing up something big like that will exercise his mind and body. I'd still do a behaviourist but I think you could consider stopping seeing him as a "victim" and starting to view him (channeling Life of Brian here) as a "very naughty boy". I know this can be hard (and I commend you for your commitment to Eric) but stop feeling sorry for him. Yes, he's WAS a rescue. Now he's an owned dog and you need to focus on what he's doing a little more and perhaps a little less on the 'why'. It won't hurt either way to provide more outlets for his "teenage rebellion" LO and my guess is he's never been offered or taught them before you got him. Does he like balls? Sounds like the kind of drivey dog that someone would look at for scent detection work.

He has seen a vet when i first noticed the slight limp on and off every now and then. Even to the point of getting Xrays done. They have gotten rougher since then - and surely cracks are not normal? I do understand the pads need to have some toughness to them - but his seem rough and as i said, one has a small crack. My dogs pads sometimes have "lines" in them - but no flesh exposed. If you really think they are't "normal", seriously see a vet.

But what is extreme? It may sound odd, but the judges that gave the BOB to these dogs were told to look for examples of extremism, and they thought these dogs - who were later disqualified - were sound enough to award. Again, it is a single vet opinion, and so be it. But I just think that there are better ways to deal with this issue, that is all. I get the feeling that the KC's approach is that you can't make an omlette without breaking a few eggs - but they should also be prepared for any ramifications down the track. Its a double edged sword they are using. Possibly but they've also got one hanging over their heads. They need to act, they need to be seen to act and they are doing so.

Why do you want to soften his pads? He needs tough pads to deal with walking "barefoot" over all kinds of surfaces, even if he doesn't spend time on rough ground. If you genuinely think they are too tender, then see a vet. There's every chance that it's not the pads that are making his front feet tender. But tough pads are NORMAL in a dog.

Kind of skips completely over a few other causes of action but I"m still not sure having your dog disqualifed is a direct impact on YOUR reputation.

Crufts is HUGE!!! Have you ever seen a cat show with over 5,000 cats entered? FYI, here is the list of the conditions under which exhibitors enter wrt vet checks. Interestingly, reasons for disqualification will NOT be published.

You know all of the behaviours you describe don't necessarily scream "anxiety" to me. he's not doing it every day. They could just as easily be explained by boredom and self-entertainment. The cupboard raiding is a case in point. I think you need to see a qualified (preferably veterinary) behaviourist pronto - it might actually SAVE you money. I think you've definitely found out why Eric was surrendered. Just out of interest, how much training and exercise does he get daily? Did he miss out the day before the last destructo dog event?

I sure hope so. I think published reasons will be very important.

I don't know but I can think of two reasons: * Economy - breed entries in some breeds number in the hundreds. The time it would take to vet every entry would be considerable. * Impact - if you want to send a message that the best of the best needs rethinking, this is how you'd do it. It ain't just breeders/exhibitors that will be impacted by this decision.. I imagine the judges that put those dogs up wouldn't be enjoying it either. If vetting/potential disqualification were a condition of entry acknowledged by exhibitors, I can't see what legal action they have at their disposal.

But some of them have no teeth. My guess is that perhaps there may be an alternate view that a dog with primitive detention that loses teeth at an early age may be considered a "health issue" by some outside the breed. And its only a guess but no other breed feature I can identify would promote veterinary interest Epilation for show ring preparation was what Jemima Harrison had in her sights. Thanks for that.

But some of them have no teeth. My guess is that perhaps there may be an alternate view that a dog with primitive detention that loses teeth at an early age may be considered a "health issue" by some outside the breed. And its only a guess but no other breed feature I can identify would promote veterinary interest

I agree. I wonder what they have targeted Cresteds for? Surely not for being hairless?? Dentition perhaps?

I've got my asbestos undies on. ;) You know what? I think this is a GOOD thing. I look at some of those targetted breeds and shake my head and my guess is I"m not alone. If a dog can't breathe without noise while at rest (and some dogs in these breeds can't) has exposed haw, massive skin folds etc, then I think breeders need to be "encouraged" to breed for less exaggeration. There was one of these breeds on the front of the Canine Journal some months ago and you could not see the dogs eyes due to the loseness of the skin on the head. Change won't happen without these kinds of decisions and I can only hope that folk here in Oz (and especially judges) heed the wake up call. About time the "more is more" school of breeding for features got quietly put to rest. I appreciate that judges are under a lot of pressure to maintain the status quo - far easier for an independent vet to be the 'bad guy' who gives others sound reason not to award exaggeration.

I think that's one hell of a generalisation.

Agreed. And some of us are less perfect than others ;)

Trouble-maker :laugh: It's us "breeders" who will be financing your retirement! Selflessly keeping our economy running with fresh grist for the mill. I'm funding my own retirement Aidan... the taxes paid in the future by today's kiddies won't be contributing a cent. :) Although I think I pay enough tax annually to support a few kids. I don't begrudge it either. AND I'll be creating jobs for them ... they'll be wiping my drool etc in the crumblies home. Seriously who gives a toss if people have kids or not provided they are happy with their choices. I DO feel for those who so want children but can't have them.. its a cruel blow.

You know, I think a lot of this angst about whether people like kids or not arises from the "why can't people be more like me" mindset. I think a lot of folk can be a bit intimidated by people who challenge their values and the way they look at the world. Far easier not to be confronted by the choices made by folk who think differently to you. Or from the kid loving side of the house, they know that misery loves company Seriously does it really MATTER if some folk don't like or want to have children? God knows they'll pay their taxes to support yours anyway.

I know. I'm such a bad dog owner. I had someone tell me off one day because I called her a runt rather than a teacup. I said - gee my dog who has a dessicated pea for a brain even knows the difference between a runt and a teacup. I dont think I made a friend that day Looking forward to meeting you and Keshwar. You two and Poodie can feed me to the hounds for making my runt walk on a lead rather than carry her in a Paris Hilton style handbag. You know, I'm just too lazy. She has 4 legs so she can bloody well use them. Aussie - poor Pancake? I'll drop her off at your place for a week and I'll guarantee you one thing...when she wakes you up at 3am every morning for 7 days in a row you'll be thinking something else. We're going to need shots of Zac (Irish Wolfhound for those who don't know him) and Cakes together - but be prepared for IW slobber!!

hey wait for me, Mags. I'm bringing Pancake out to the specialty shows at Easter to meet you. I'll ask you if she looks nice in her little dolly dress. Hope you have selected co-ordinated booties and a bonnet - will she be travelling in a LV knock off handbag or by pram? Please God let it be by pram... I want to watch exhibitors' faces as Raz wheels her up to us.

Pav Lova made it with double velcro so the little darling cant escape from it. And to humanise her even more, she's rather like me - bounces back pretty quickly from a slap down so a whippy slap down wont hurt much. It wasn't the Pug I was worried about... :laugh:

hey wait for me, Mags. I'm bringing Pancake out to the specialty shows at Easter to meet you. I'll ask you if she looks nice in her little dolly dress. I wish you luck keeping her in it for long enough to ask. ;) Hope she's up for some Whippet slap down!

I would wait until he is fully physically mature and then reassess.